Mermaid Princess Amelia – Best Mermaid Book Series For Teenagers

Mr. Hayama is Taisuke’s father, a stern, workaholic man who is deeply uncomfortable with anything related to the sea world. He adamantly refuses to discuss merfolk topics, which he treats with clear aversion. His character is defined by a commanding tone and strict expectations for his son, whom he warns against landing in “sea-related trouble.” While his strictness may stem from concern, it manifests in a way that inspires fear and uneasiness in Taisuke, who longs for a kinder side from him. Mr. Hayama is deeply entrenched in the demanding corporate culture of Japan, where social obligation forces him to binge drink at company dinners, often returning home late and ill. This relentless work ethic takes a visible toll on his health, leading to exhaustion and colds. A rare moment of vulnerability shows him genuinely pleased to be ill, as it provides an excuse to avoid another tedious dinner, and he confesses to Taisuke that he enjoys living in Europe, hinting at his own struggles with Japanese societal pressures. He is a man caught between duty and personal misery, whose weaknesses, when visible, briefly soften Taisuke’s view of him.