Chapter 57 Idol
Even though Lea tried to encourage her, she still felt uneasy. Levi was her father, which meant he would be her parent and legal guardian for a long time, if not forever. She couldn't possibly see Levi in a different light.
"He should have told me a long time ago, so I wouldn't have to be so anxious," she said with a sad expression.
"I understand how you feel, Nami. I also love someone who is my half-brother, and it will be difficult for me to act like a sister to him."
"Sydney?"
"But I'm sure there will be a way out! You don't need to worry, Nami. You just need to act like you normally do and treat him well, that way, maybe one day—"
"No, no, Syd! Please don't speculate or say something impossible! Nami already said that Professor Levi is her father, so don't make her hopeful!"
"I didn't mean it that way. I just don't want Nami to be sad and lose hope for—"
"I'm fine, Sydney!"
"Nami?"
"Levi is my father, he's been caring for me since I was 10. I'm so grateful to have him in my life. So wouldn't it be selfish of me to be sad because I can't be his girlfriend or lover. I've been so happy just being his friend all this time." Nami smiled wistfully, trying to come to terms with the fact that she'd been incredibly fortunate.
Seeing Nami's renewed vigor made Sydney both relieved and touched. She was pleased that Nami had recovered so quickly and was so energetic in such a short time. She admired Nami for being so optimistic.
"Well, thank goodness you're feeling better now. There's no point in crying like that anyway. Professor Levi was destined to be your adoptive parent, and you can't refuse that fate!"
Seeing Lea look so happy made Sydney suspicious, she was sure she was happy because her biggest rival was gone. This afternoon when the young professor who was adored by so many people came, Lea had a nosebleed and her body became feverish.
Since they'd become friends, this was the first time she'd seen Lea so hysterical when meeting a guy. Lea, who was usually cynical and rude to men, suddenly turned shy and awkward in front of the guy she liked.
"Lea, were you so happy when Professor Levi greeted you? You must be happy because he still remembers you?" Sydney said sarcastically, her behavior still striking and unnatural.
Lea fell silent for a moment and stared at Sydney, who was giving her a bombastic side-eye. Lea, acting like a pubescent teenager, tried to restore her image of a smart, assertive girl with strong character.
"W-what are you talking about? Professor Levi is my role model, someone I really admire. So it's natural that I'm so happy to meet him? You two must have someone you really idolize, right?"
"Someone we idolize?"
"Yeah, like an artist, a singer, or an athlete. You both must have someone, right?" Lea tried to convince Nami and Sydney that everyone had an idol, just like she did.
Nami touched her chin, seriously trying to think of someone she'd admired so much, and Sydney did the same. Once they remembered one name, they immediately blurted it out in unison.
"Kael Okeanos...!"
Realizing they'd said the same name, Nami and Sydney immediately looked at each other with sparkling eyes. They couldn't believe they'd idolized the same figure.
"N-Nami, you-"
"S-Sydney, you-"
"Little Fish too?" Little Fish is the name of the fan group for Kael Okeanos, a very handsome and famous singer nicknamed the mermaid prince for his charm and captivating voice that could hypnotize many people.
"Kyaaaa..." The two young girls screamed hysterically and happily because they were in the same fan group.
"Kael Okeanos? The eccentric singer who dyes his hair pastel colors?" Asked Lea, trying to guess who Kael Okeanos was, making her two friends scream hysterically and even hug each other.
"Nami, are you a Kael fans too?" Sydney was overjoyed, as she hadn't been able to talk much about Kael Okeanos to Lea, who wasn't the least bit interested.
"Yes, I've been a fan since high school!"
"Wow...me too, it feels so good to meet a fellow fighter!" Sydney burst into tears, making Lea feel neglected by both of them.
"I really love his songs, and his voice is so beautiful. It's like living in an underwater fantasy world."
"You're right, it feels like living in a mermaid kingdom, right? What's your favorite song?"
"I like all of his songs, but my favorite is Traces of Love of the Ocean God, It's so soul-stirring!"
"You're right, that song is so good. I could listen to it 10 times."
"I could even listen to it 100 times all day."
"Nami, you're amazing. You could listen to Traces of Love of the Ocean God, 100 times. I can't even beat you!"
Nami and Sydney were complimenting each other in a strange way, making Lea feel even more neglected. She felt like she couldn't join in the conversation because Kael Okeanos' songs weren't her style, and Kael's pastel-colored hair wouldn't be her type.
"They're getting more and more lost in the conversation. I'm completely ignored."