Karen no Fastener

This collection brings together four tales of mermaids, an unusual purchase, a mysterious zipper, and a young musician. In “Imaginary Ocean Doora,” Doora constantly talks about the ocean and says she is a mermaid, though whether she truly is remains uncertain. In “Trance’s Purchase,” Trance buys a mute girl at a slave market despite his cousin Palfiena’s doubts. “Kianna’s Tail” follows a northern-ocean mermaid whose peaceful life with her friends is threatened by a man who wants to kill her. In “Karen’s Zippers,” Karen’s parents warn her not to open the zipper on her clothes in front of others; after she falls for Rob, he finds the zipper on her belly. “Selma’s Jingle” follows a musician sent to play for a royal family, where a prince insists she perform more often and offers marriage in return.