"Yeah, it was. It was just different. But 'different' isn't necessarily 'bad'. ... It took me a while to learn that."

Souji had helped him understand that. Even if things had changed, even if his family wasn't what it once was, it could still be a good thing.

"...You deserve the same, you know."

Raising his hand, Dojima hesitated a moment, not sure if it was appropriate or not, but then reached out, ruffling the kid's hair.

"But yeah. Let's see if we can't change the story to something better for everyone involved."

Because, thinking on it, hadn't the Prince also lost his friend, even not knowing of the Mermaid's feelings? He could understand that pain himself, the loss of a friendship...