Drowning Ghost watched the human child's figure drift farther and farther away with regret.
The human toddler was about to break the surface.
Suddenly, it widened its eyes, looking utterly bewildered.
Huh?!
Why was the human child getting closer to it?
"If you don't want him to leave, why not grab him?"
Red Eyes held the human child by the ankle, stopping in front of Drowning Ghost. Its mouth curled into a grin, its sharp teeth gleaming with a ghastly, icy whiteness.
"Here. Take him."
"Consider it a thank-you gift for letting me rest here."
Red Eyes gave a tug, pulling the child down a little farther.
"Huh?"
Drowning Ghost froze, then tilted its head toward Red Eyes. "No need. I promised—"
It paused. "That human, I won't drag humans along to play with me anymore."
"Let him go."
"Otherwise, it'll hurt a lot."
Remembering how much it had hurt, Drowning Ghost shuddered from head to toe.
"Human?"
Red Eyes mouthed the word in surprise, then lowered its eyes and murmured, "A human who can see monsters?"
"It's been a long time since I've met one."
It looked at Drowning Ghost, its tone mocking. "You're a monster, yet you listen to a human? You're completely useless, aren't you?"
"B-but..."
Drowning Ghost opened its mouth, but couldn't think of how to explain.
"It'll hurt a lot."
It muttered under its breath, then raised its head in embarrassment. "Just let him go."
"This is my place. If you won't listen to me, then get out!"
"Oh, is that so?"
Red Eyes paid no mind to Drowning Ghost's threat. "I'm only trying to be nice."
"Don't you want this human?"
"I don't!"
Drowning Ghost roared. "Let him go!"
"Then leave!"
"Tsk, tsk. This is really getting on