Hello everyone. Before you start reading, I'd like to say a few things.
First of all, for anyone who might know me, you'll know that I love both the manga and anime, but slightly preferred the manga. In other words, I'm going to blend them together. The Pearl Peri will be combined with it's manga counterpart, Water Pearls. And the characters will have their anime/manga personality.
Second, I'm going to reused the OC from Undeniable Love to be the girls boyfriends. Speaking of which, the purpose of this story is so I can redo scenes that involves the boys finding out their girlfriends are mermaids since I felt that I rushed a bit with Rina's and slowed with Hanon's in Undeniable Love.
WARNING, WARNING, WARNING! For anyone who have NOT read or finished the manga, I advised you not to read this story yet since there will be many references and spoiler to the ending of the manga. However, if, for whatever reason, you want to read this story, you may do as you so pleased.
The year the story will take place will be in 2005, a few months after Pure. Clearly, this isn't the correct year since I am basing this when the show has started. Technically, the correct year would be 2004-2005, but for my story, it'll be 2005-2006 because it's easier for me to handle. Anyway, enough of me chatting, enjoy.
Chapter 1: An Upcoming Threat
On the last day of summer vacation, riding on the waves was a boy around the age of 16. The young man was very attractive with his spiky orange-brown hair and brown eyes. As a surfer, the teen was wearing a red, black, and slightly yellow wet suit. He lives up to his title, continuing to surf as bigger waves approached. Everyone knows him well as the East champion of Japan, but his friends know him simply as Domoto Kaito. As he surfed the waves, something has caught his attention. A girl with blond hair dressed in a light pink blouse and purple skirt was seen approaching him. However, she stopped just as the shore barely touches her grey boots. Kaito smiled, knowing full well who the girl was as she waves at him, calling for his name as loudly as she could.
"Kaito!" the girl smiled happily as she watched him.
That girl is Nanami Lucia, the Pink Pearl Mermaid Princess of the North Pacific Ocean and his girlfriend. She continued to wave at Kaito as he did a few surfing techniques he learned, impressing her even further. Eventually, he met up with her as she waited for him.
"Yo, Lucia." he greeted.
"Kaito..." she blushed, almost like she wanted to say something.
"Why are you here today?" he asked, clearly teasing her.
"Geez, Kaito. If you don't want me here, then I'll just go home." she turned around, seemingly about to leave.
"Wait, I didn't mean-" Kaito started, worried that maybe his teasing has gone a bit far until he saw Lucia smiling.
"Just kidding!" she assured him.
"Don't scare me like that." Kaito replied sheepishly.
The girl giggled before leaning in to give him a kiss, which he returns. Eventually, she pulls back as he stares into her brown eyes.
"I hope all is forgiven?" she playfully teased.
Kaito smirked as he answered, "Yes."
Another giggle came from Lucia as she insisted, "Besides, it's your fault to begin with Kaito."
"Eh?"
"You're the one who started." she clarified. "Anyway, how can I go home now after I made a bento just for you?"
She showed him the boxed lunch which made Kaito remembered that he hadn't have breakfast yet. Just imagining all his favorite food inside had made his stomach growl. Apparently, it was loud enough for both to hear. They both laugh as Lucia spread the blanket over the sand for them to sit. As Kaito ate his favorite fried chicken, the two looked out to the horizon. It will soon be the end to the summer of 2005 and the last day before the new school year begins.
A few minutes have passed until Kaito asked his girlfriend a question, "Lucia, have you finished your summer homework yet?"
Silence was his answer followed by a heavy sigh.
"No..."
"Could it be... That you haven't start-" Kaito began until he got cut off.
"No, you're wrong, Kaito!" Lucia exclaimed. After calming down, she told him, "Rina has helped me with most of the problems, but there are still some left that I just don't understand."
"It can't be helped then..." Kaito got up and grabbed his surfboard. "So, do you want to come over to my place for help?"
At the suggestion, the girl smiled happily, "Yes! I'll meet you at your place after I finished some of my chore list."
"Nikora-san must be pushing you today." Kaito noted.
Lucia couldn't help, but gave a nervous laugh, "Onee-chan said that with the summer ending, we have to work hard to get as many customers as we can."
"At least she is willing to let us be together. Oh, what time do you want to meet?"
"Eto..." Lucia thought for a minute before suggesting, "How about 3 o'clock?"
"That's sounds great." Kaito told her as he left.
"Kaito..." Lucia pouted, feeling that something was missing during the exchange.
"Oh right, before I forget..." he gave her a kiss on the check before whispering into her ear, "I'll see you later, my Mermaid Princess."
"Kaito." Lucia smiled.
That was it. The affection that he would give her from time to time. After packing up everything, Lucia was ready to return home. But as she reached the front doors of the quaint little hotel, Pearl Peri, she did not expect one thing... As she opened the door, Lucia was faced to faced with a very strict, yet caring blue penguin in a sailor suit. In the marine world, he is her Guardian and the legendary Hippocampus, but on land, he is her pet.
"Lucia-san! Where have you been lately!" Hippo yelled at her. "You had me worried!"
"Gomen, Hippo... For making you worry." the girl was hoping to avoid telling him where she was.
"Geez, I leave you alone for one minute and off you went somewhere." Hippo muttered. "If this continues, I won't know what to do. Lucia-san?"
However, when Hippo look back, he noticed that she wasn't at the front door anymore. Quickly, he turned around to caught her running up the stairs. He called for her, but of course, she paid him no mind.
After reaching for her room, Lucia sinks to the floor.
"Ah, I thought I'd never get away from him..." she muttered to herself. "That Hippo, why can't he just accepts the way things are? Geez."
Suddenly, a knock came from the other side of the door. Lucia stood on her feet and opened it to see the manager of the hotel, her sister, Nikora. The woman has purple hair kept in a messy bun with two locks of her bangs reaching her shoulders and brown eyes. She was wearing her usual outfit while managing Pearl Peri.
'Ah, Onee-chan...'
"Lucia, I just spoke with Hippo! That you left without telling him where you were going!" Nikora shouted at her.
"B-But Onee-chan-" Lucia tried to explained.
"No buts, young lady! You have chores to do! On to it!" Nikora pointed at the end of the hallway. "The customers need their things downstairs, now hop to it."
Lucia took a peek behind her sister to see a large pile of luggage clustered on top of the stairs. There were at least thirty suitcases, each of a different color and tags names.
"Eh?!"
As the girl carried seven suitcases, three in each arm and one on her head, she lost her balance and tumbled down the stairs.
"Ow! That hurts!" Lucia cries out.
"Stop complaining, Lucia-san!" Hippo scolded her.
"Onee-chan didn't have to be so strict with me. This is terrible..." she looked up to see that she has more suitcases waiting on top of the stairs and sighs.
At the rate she's going, she won't be able to meet Kaito at their chosen time. Suddenly, the door opened as three girls entered.
"We're back!" they exclaimed.
"Welcome back..." Lucia greeted her friends.
"Oh, Lucia, why are you feeling down?" asked a young girl.
The child has bright orange hair that reached about her waist, two short locks was resting on her shoulders, and orange eyes that carried an innocent look. She was wearing a strapless orange dress with a red bow tied in the front and cute brown shoes. This girl is the Orange Pearl Mermaid Princess of the Indian Ocean, Seira.
"Don't worry about her, Seira. She probably got in trouble with Nikora-san after she sneaked out to see Kaito-kun." assuring the child was an older girl around Lucia's age.
She had short, wavy, aquamarine hair and brown eyes. She wore a blue dress and a pair of sandals. Lucia had noticed a shopping bag that the girl was carrying. How typical of her. Meet Hosho Hanon, the most fashionable girl on land. However, in the marine world, she is most known as the Aquamarine Pearl Mermaid Princess of the South Atlantic Ocean. Behind her is tall girl with long green hair and grey eyes. She was wearing a long sleeve green shirt and blue jeans. The more cooler and popular beauty, Toin Rina. She is also a Mermaid Princess, but from the North Atlantic Ocean, ruler of the Green Mermaids.
"Looks like Nikora-san was furious at you, Lucia." Rina remarked as she helped Lucia onto her feet.
"ArigatÅ, Rina..." Lucia thanked her.
"But it looks like you could use some help." the girl looked up the stairs to see the pile of suitcases on top.
"I do..." Lucia sighed until she remembered something, "Ah, how did the transfer go?"
"Everything is all set for our little Seira." Hanon winked.
"Tomorrow, I get to go to school." Seira happily replied. "But I am a bit nervous..."
"You'll do fine, Seira." Rina encouraged her.
"Honto?" the child questioned.
"Yep." the older mermaid assured.
Lucia was happy for the young mermaid until she looked up at the clock and exclaimed, "Ah! It's almost 3 o'clock!"
"You're right..." Hanon noticed. "So, are you going to spend more time with Kaito-kun?"
"W-Well..." Lucia trailed off.
"Absolutely not, you will! I won't allow you to continue fooling around with a human!" Hippo chastised.
"You're wrong, Hippo! I need to see him to get my homework done!" the girl argued.
"If you want to finish your summer homework, why not just asked me for help?" Rina asked.
"Because I already told Kaito..."
"Ah, I see." Rina understood as she carried the luggage that Lucia dropped earlier. "Then, I'll finish the chore for you."
"Honto?!" Lucia beamed.
"Yep, but in return, I want you to have a good time."
"Thank you so much, Rina!" and with that, Lucia grabbed for her bag containing her homework and dashed out the door.
Once she was gone, Hanon remarked, "You're being too easy on her, Rina. If it was me, I would have made her buy me new cute dresses."
"There's no helping it. It has been nearly eight months since our battle with Michel. Peace has been restored." Rina explained.
"We have to return home one day, that's right..." Hanon continued.
"Yeah. That's why I want Lucia to spend her remaining time here, having fun." Rina told her.
The three mermaids begin to think deeply at the thought. After Hanon and Seira help Rina finished Lucia's chore, one by one, they all returned to their rooms to ponder the thought of leaving land.
Meanwhile, Lucia had arrived at Kaito's place. Luckily, she was on time as Kaito was waiting for her. He had changed his wet suit into a red jacket over a white shirt and black pants.
"You're on time, that's good. For a second, I thought you're going to be late like always." Kaito joked.
"That's mean. Kaito, you meanie!" Lucia pouted.
He simply laughed. That was the Lucia he recognized. Inviting her inside, the two sit down on the floor with a table in front of them. Taking out her homework. Lucia showed Kaito the problems that she had circled. After seeing the complex math problems, Kaito instructed her on what to do. It was until after forty minutes have passed that Lucia finally finished her homework.
"I'm finished!" she exclaimed in relief as she stretched out her arms.
"Lucia, I think you should study more on the factorial part. If you can't grasped the equations, then you won't be able to solve the problems." Kaito told her.
"I know, but can we not talk about math until tomorrow?" Lucia requested.
"That's fine with me. Oh yeah..." Kaito turned to face his girlfriend. "Lucia, do you want to see the fireworks tonight?"
"Fireworks?"
"Yeah. Tonight, there will be fireworks to celebrate the last day of summer. Just like how there were fireworks at the beginning." Kaito explained.
"Yes! I'd love to come." Lucia got onto her feet and headed out the door. "I have to tell everyone back at the hotel. See you tonight, Kaito."
Once she returned home, Lucia told her friends about the fireworks. Hanon became jubilant, forgetting about her troubling thoughts earlier. At this news, she plans on inviting her boyfriend, Shirai Nagisa. Rina was evening thinking of watching the fireworks with her boyfriend, Hamasaki Masahiro. Meanwhile, Seira was more than happy to go since she had not experienced a lot of human events. Just thinking about the fun made her squeal excitedly.
At nightfall, the four girls went to the beach, where they found many people were standing, anticipating for the event. Along the way, they heard someone calling for them... Well, one of them, at least.
"Rina!" called out a voice.
Rina turned around to see a man with green hair and eyes behind his glasses. He was wearing a brown jacket and dark jeans. The man had his helmet on his head and was waiting for her on his motorcycle.
"Masahiro..." she mumbled, feeling a faint blush on her face.
"Ah, Rina is blushing!" Hanon teased.
"No, I'm not!" she denies. "A-Anyway, see ya!"
Quickly getting away from her teasing friends, Rina ran up to Masahiro as they took a ride on his motorcycle to find a more quieter place. At the same time, a young boy with blue hair wearing a blue striped shirt and dark shorts came pedaling towards Hanon on a tandem bike.
Stopping right in front of her, he proclaimed, "I came for you, Hanon."
"You're late." Hanon replied.
"Eh? I am?" Nagisa questioned.
"Just kidding." Hanon playfully answered as she sit behind him.
And off they went. It was just Lucia and Seira now. Meanwhile, Lucia felt a hand on her wrist and glanced over her shoulders.
"Kaito!"
"Shh." he place a finger to his lips, signalling her to keep her voice down. "Let's go, Lucia."
"But what about Seira? I can't leave her alone here." Lucia whispered.
Seira, figuring out that she was the reason why Lucia refused to leave, encouraged her, "Don't worry about me, Lucia. I'll be fine."
"But Seira-"
"It's fine. Go with Kaito-kun." she cheerfully pushed her towards Kaito.
Seeing that Kaito wanted to take her somewhere and Seira insisting that she goes, Lucia turned to the little girl and thanked her. But it was after the two lovebirds left the crowd that Seira started to become sad. Placing a hand over her chest, the girl only thought...
'I wonder... If I'd ever be like Lucia and the others...'
After running a few distance, Kaito has taken Lucia to a quiet place, away from the crowd and possibly any girls who would try to cling at Kaito. After they stopped to rest, the first firework was fired into the night sky. A loud noise boomed followed by the dazzling brilliance. How is sparkled like the stars. The two watched contently. It was reminiscent. A sight that reminded the two of how they first met ten years ago. It was out at sea that six year old Lucia had met with seven year old Kaito. That is, until a massive tidal wave had knocked Kaito off the ship as the vessel sink with everyone else inside. Lucia has saved him and at one point during her rescue, he saved her. The two were in love, but had to part with Lucia giving him her pearl for safe keeping.
Now, they are together. Enjoying the night after all the hardships they have been through. As Lucia watches, she suddenly felt weird.
'W-What is that? Why does my body suddenly feel...'
Lucia wrapped herself as her body began to feel strange. She wasn't in pain, but something weird was happening to her. Kaito, who took his eyes off the fireworks, became concern upon seeing her at this state.
"Lucia, what's wrong?! Are you hurt?" he asked, trying to comfort her.
It was a while until Lucia stopped feeling whatever she had felt. Letting out a sigh, she replied, "Oh, it's nothing. I'm sorry if I worried you, Kaito."
Meanwhile, out at sea, Seira felt something strange. She knew that Lucia wasn't in danger, but she sensed that something was wrong. While she was pondering in the sea, for a split second, she had felt a weird feeling. It was not love nor any other feelings she knew. It just felt... Foreign.
Worried, Seira began to swim back to land. Finding a place where there were no people, she transformed back into her human form and went back to the hotel. Sooner or later, the others returned as well. After seeing Lucia, Seira wanted to asked her about what she felt before, but in the end, she refrained. Seeing the girl in a happy state, she didn't want to ruin the mood. Instead, she went upstairs and into her room.
Later on, the others went to bed as well. All, except Lucia. She was in her own room, thinking about that feeling. Earlier, she tried going to Seira's room to see if the girl was awake. Knowing that the child had a very special connection with her, she might have felt the same thing she did. But after taking a peek, she saw the girl with the blanket covering her and assumed that she was asleep. Therefore, Lucia decided not to bother the girl with her question. She'll start her first day at school tomorrow, after all. The thought of school reminded Lucia as well as she finally decided to turn off the lights and went to bed.
The next day, Lucia woke up early to start her first year in high school. The thought of her being 16 and going to high school puzzled her. But all of it was true. Lucia was already 15 before Seira was born on the 26th of December 2004. The thought brings another memory to her mind. During the spring season after her battle, Lucia has gained the knowledge that she'll become the new Sea Goddess on her 18th birthday. And just a couple of months ago, she turned 16 after that news.
Despite everything going so well, she cannot help, but feel that it was getting too peaceful. She and her friends have enjoyed their lives in the human world and had celebrated a memorable birthday. Soon... Almost three more years before she'll have to leave. And unlike her previous two years on land, this time, she won't have an excuse to stay. She shook her head from the thought.
'No, today is to be happy. You're going to high school after all.'
She was wearing her new school uniform which consist of a white blouse with a turquoise green sailor collar, a bow necktie, and a dark blue skirt that reached to her knees. Once she had her red boots on and her school bag ready, Lucia head out of her room and towards the stairs. As she went down the last few steps, she found out that everyone else was waiting for her. Well, almost everyone. Hanon was wearing the same uniform as Lucia while Rina was wearing the boy's uniform which was similar to her old one in junior high, consisting of a white shirt and dark blue pants.
Joining them today was Seira, who followed a little after Lucia. However, since she was only 10 years of age, she would have to go to elementary school as a fifth year student. Her school uniform consist of a short sleeve white blouse with a light pink sailor collar, a ribbon tied in a bow, and a pink skirt. She was also wearing brown shoes and white socks.
"We're off!" they exclaimed as the four of them walked out the hotel.
As the four friends walked to their new school, they found Kaito waiting for them. He was also ready for school. Lucia started to quicken her pace until she finally reached him.
"Good morning, Kaito!" she replied cheerfully.
"Hey, Lucia. So, are you ready?" he asked, implying for school.
"As ready as I'll ever be." Lucia answered.
Eventually, they parted with Seira as she took the right road while they continue onward with theirs. In no time, they reached their new school and entered.
Meanwhile, with the help of the adults, Seira managed to find her homeroom. She was so eager that she wonders if she'll make some friends on her first day. Going up to the board, Seira tried to find her name to know where she'll be siting. It was the second to the last seat next to the window. As she made her way to her seat, she did noticed a lonely girl. She had two longs locks in front and her long brown hair was tied near the end with a blue ribbon, which gave it the appearance of a mermaid's tail. Her bangs was covering her eyes, but Seira felt that the girl was lonely.
Wanting to go over and make friends with her, Seira was stopped when a girl step in front of her. She has dark blue hair and brown eyes. For some reason, this girl's uniform looked a little too fancy. Everyone else in the room gasped since not only is the girl a very spoiled brat, but she tends to bully others because of their "status".
Putting her hands on her hips, the girl ordered, "Who are you, commoner?"
"Eh?" Seira became confused at the girl's tone of voice.
"Don't you know a rich lady when you see one? Now, bow down to me for I am Kane Asuka, the most wealthiest among you commoners!" the girl commanded.
However, Seira didn't do as Asuka said since she didn't quite understand why a human girl around her age would act the way she just did.
So, the girl just naively asked, "Why are you being so haughty? What makes you feel that it is okay to talk to people like that?"
The bully was quickly offended by Seira's innocent statement and in anger, she made a declaration.
"How dare you questioned me! From this day on, low-life, we shall be eternal enemies! I'll make sure that you lose to me!" with that remark, the bully left with a huff.
Suddenly, Seira was approached by the girl she wanted to befriend earlier. It appears that the girl has reddish-brown eyes.
"Ano... Why did you want to see me?" she asked.
"Eh?"
"The reason why you have to face Asuka back then was because you tried to come to me." the girl explained. "Why?"
"Why shouldn't I come over? I wanted to be friends with you." Seira replied.
The girl looked shocked at the answer before speaking quietly, "No one ever wanted to be my friend..."
"Why is that?"
"Because I'm a weird girl." she answered.
"I don't think you're weird at all!" Seira replied. "I think you're just a lonely person longing for someone to ease her loneliness."
The girl was taken aback at Seira's remark. She has not been around for long and yet here comes this new girl denying everything she had told her. Come to think of it, this girl looked a bit like herself, except for the hair and eye color. And except for the orange shell necklace she has around her neck.
With a smile on the girl's face, she introduce, "It's nice to meet you. My name is Tsukiko Mikage."
"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Hoshino Seira."
After school was finished, Seira wave goodbye to Mikage before meeting up with her friends, who are returning from their school. Together, they talked about their first day. Seira happily mentioned her new friend which sparked some interesting conversation.
"Tsukiko Mikage, huh..." Rina ponder out loud.
"What is it, Rina?" Lucia questioned.
"No, it's just that the name seemed to go well with Seira."
"Eh? What do you mean?" Seira wondered.
"Well, Tsukiko means moon child while Mikage could mean divine spirit." Rina explained.
"And since you picked Hoshino to be your surname, it must mean that the two of you were bound to be best friends!" Hanon directed at Seira.
The thought did puzzled Seira a little bit. But she had picked that name because it meant star field. Although, learning this new information did gave her hope that she and Mikage will continue being best friends.
"How did school went for you?" Seira asked the girls and Kaito, wanting to know about their first day.
Lucia let out a sad sigh, "Kaito wasn't in the same class as me."
"Although, it's very lucky for the three of us to be in the same class." Rina mused, implying herself, Hanon, and Lucia.
"It was strange that I saw Kengo and Daichi in my room, but not you guys." Kaito added.
He was starting to wonder if he can asked the principle if he can join classes with Lucia and the others. As the sun started to set, the girls said goodbye to Kaito as he went home. Continuing down the road to Pearl Peri, the girls were left wondering and thinking about what will the next day bring. However, when the girls returned how, they were given rather unfortunate news.
"Now that peace has returned to the human world and ours, there is no other reason for us to stay." Hippo said that rather merrily.
"But..." Lucia trailed off.
"Lucia, it's your duty as a Mermaid Princess to protect your people!" Nikora spoke sternly. She took a moment until her expression softens as she spoke more gentler. "I'm sorry, but it's your responsibility as Princess. All of your responsibility." addressing to the other mermaids.
"No, I understand." Lucia replied sadly.
She wasn't even surprised. She knew and had dreaded for this day to come. Knowing that it has been getting too peaceful, it was only natural that once there is no more threats and peace returns, she and the others will have no other choice, but leave the land. But she didn't expect for that day to come so soon. Being the first to leave, she headed up the stairs quietly.
Once in her room, Lucia sat on the edge of her bed, thinking of all the times she spent on land. Coming to land roughly three years ago in search for her pearl, finding out that Kaito was the boy she save all those years ago, going to school with Hanon and Rina, all of the fun they had... All those memories were made here on land and it saddens her that she'll have to leave it all behind.
Suddenly, Lucia started to feel her body being strange again. At that moment, without warning, a quick feeling spread over her mind. Several images were in her head, but all went by so fast, she could hardly make out which is which. She felt overwhelmed, like a wave has washed over her.
'What is this? I feel so... Uneasy.'
After that last thought, she collapsed on her bed, unconscious.
As the sun rises, signaling a new day, Lucia woke up. Dazed and a bit flustered, Lucia went downstairs, dressed in her uniform. Upon coming down, she met with Nikora.
"Ah, Lucia. It's rare for you to get up this early." Nikora remarked, becoming concern of her behavior. "Is something wrong?"
Lucia think back to last night and remembered what happened to her. Just thinking about it immediately caused her body to shiver.
So, she simply shook her head as she answered, "No, it's nothing."
Hippo then came in, still in his nightwear, and asked, "Lucia-san, why are you dressed in your uniform?"
The girl then remembered that she won't be going to school today and replied, "Oh, right. I forgot..."
"Are you alright, Lucia-san?" Hippo questioned.
"No, it's nothing. I'll be in my room if you need me." she immediately ran up the stairs to get away from the scene.
Worried, Hippo turned to Nikora and asked, "Nikora-san, do you think that Lucia-san is feeling down because we have to leave?"
"It could be, but there's nothing we can do about it." Nikora replied.
"Hmm..." came an ominous voice.
The two were surprised when they saw an old woman dressed in a long black dress with a red cloak and a bandana on her head. She has long light brown hair and her eyes were closed. More importantly, she had a crystal ball in her hands. It was Taki, the owner of the hotel and the resident fortune teller.
"Taki-san, do you know why is Lucia-san feeling down?" Hippo asked.
"Hmm..." Taki was looking at her crystal ball. "Lucia is facing a predicament right now."
"What kind of predicament?" Nikora became further concern.
"It's a predicament that Lucia will have to get used to. Not only that, but I sense a powerful foe coming. Sooner or later, the peace will be gone and the Mermaid Princesses will have to face a very horrible crisis, one with a shocking resolution. If nothing is done about it, then the future will become lost."
The thought that peace will be lost once more disturbed the two. And it only concern them more after all the Mermaid Princesses has been through.
However, Hippo pushed himself to asked," Ano, Taki-san, what is this foe planning?"
"He or she is planning for something grand. So grand that it's very complex." Taki mumbled. "At the moment, it cannot be determined until we know more about them."
She left the two as they were starting to reconsider how to tell the girls news that might be unpleasant so that next time, it wouldn't weigh down deeply on them.
Meanwhile, back in her room, Lucia was changing out of her uniform for a pink tank top and yellow shorts. As she changed, she began to ponder what happened last night. What were those images? And the sensation she felt was the same when she was at the fireworks. Her thoughts then trailed to Kaito.
'I won't be going to school today... I wonder what Kaito is thinking...'
Walking down the road after coming back from school was Kaito. He was getting worried. This morning, Lucia and the others didn't came. And they were reported absent in school too. Were they sick? Reaching to the front door, he rang the door bell. The door opened and he saw Lucia behind it. She didn't look sick, but something was on her mind.
"Kaito."
"Lucia, why weren't you at school?" Kaito questioned.
Instead of answering right away, she looked down at the floor, "T-That's because..."
After Lucia has invited Kaito in, had him sit down, and told him everything with the other girls...
"WHAT?! You're leaving?" he exclaimed.
"Yes, Kaito-kun." Hanon confirms.
"Peace has returned so we have no reason left to stay..." Rina told him.
At that statement, Nikora and Hippo shared a look, but neither told the girls what Taki had told them earlier.
Calming down, Kaito muttered, "I see..."
"With Lucia becoming the Sea Goddess on her 18th birthday, it's for the best..." Nikora added.
"When will you be leaving?" Kaito addressed to Lucia.
"Tomorrow, everyone is packing today." Lucia answered sadly.
"Oh."
"Well, except for Seira. She doesn't have much in her room." Hanon replied.
Nodding rather disappointingly, Kaito got up and went to talk with Nikora privately. Whatever his request was, she allowed it. Taking Lucia with him, they went to the beach for a last moment together.
While Lucia and Kaito were spending their last time together, Rina and Hanon were busy packing. They have been preparing to leave for tomorrow that they didn't get a chance to see their boyfriends. Rina was the first to finished with her packing since she didn't bring a lot of things when she first moved to live on land. Seeing her cellphone on her desk, she began to think.
'I should call Masahiro and tell him the news...'
Taking her cellphone, Rina scroll down the list until she reached Masahiro's number. Before she could press the button, however, she stopped. Remembering a few times she had tried to distance herself from Masahiro, it only ended up with them being closer. As she looked at the tiny screen that says Hamasaki Masahiro, she tried to press the button, but she couldn't move her thumb to press it. She just stood there, staring at the name of her lover. In the end, she just closed her phone and sighed as she looked down at the floor.
"I knew it. I can't do it." she muttered.
Walking to a window and pushing the curtains aside, she thought, 'Maybe I should tell him personally tomorrow... I'll make it quick so neither of us will have to suffer.'
Things didn't go well for Hanon either. She was also having problems of telling Nagisa the bad news. Sitting on her bed, she was staring at something in her hands. It was an aquamarine barrette that Nagisa had given her not too long before Seira's birth. The thought of leaving without him even knowing about her mermaid self made her want to cry in anguish deep down.
'Lucia is lucky to have someone like Kaito-kun. He knows everything and accepted her for who she is. If only Nagisa can realize it too...' Hanon thought as tears are welling up in her eyes.
"It's so unfair." she comments as she wiped away her tears with her sleeves.
Walking to her desk, she opened a drawer that has a small blue jewelry box. When she opened it, there was nothing... Yet. Placing her barrette inside, she then thought back to a few months ago. The day when Nagisa had confessed to her at the beach, after she received Mitsuki Taro's recent letter at that time.
"Say, Nagisa... Do you really love me!"
"Y-Yes, I love you."
"Really, really love me?"
"I love you!"
"You love me no matter what kind of girl I am?"
'Even if I'm a mermaid...?'
"I love you!"
Snapping back from memory lane, she began to speak as if Nagisa was in the room with her.
"I'll forever cherish your gift, Nagisa..."
Suddenly, a single teardrop fell, glistening until it was gone.
Meanwhile, Seira was in her room, sitting against the wall with her arms wrapped around her legs. Like Hanon and Rina, she was also thinking about the only option she has. Unlike the other Mermaid Princesses, she felt the most unwilling to return to the sea. Then again, unlike all the other mermaids who were raised at sea, after her birth, she grew up on land. All of her memories were of land, not the sea. Despite she didn't stay on land longer than the others, for the last seven to eight months, she had made some of the most memorable memories that will last for a lifetime.
'If only I could have found whomever I was destined to be with in time...' she thought sadly.
But leaving land wasn't the only thing that was bothering her. When she returns to the sea, where exactly will she go? Where can she go? Her mermaid country was destroyed by the sorrow and rage from the previous Orange Mermaid Princess before her, Sara. Not only that, but the destruction that happened nearly ten years ago had closed the kingdom from the others.
There aren't even any possible survivors. If there was, Seira would have heard from them a long time ago. But of course, she already knew that her people were dead. That day where she was originally supposed to be born, the only one who was there was the spirit of Sara and Lucia. No other mermaids from her country.
She was the only Orange Mermaid and the Princess. How was she suppose to rebuild her kingdom, nonetheless, find a way to bring back the Orange Mermaids by herself? To her, her home for the last few months was land. The place where she went after she was born on December 26, the place where she had her friends who were more like her family. Unlike everyone else who was born and raised in the kingdom and moved to live on land for a short time, Seira was the only one who felt that the land is her home.
That's why she believed the others were lucky. At least their kingdoms were restore and have someone for comfort. Tired and conflicted, the girl rest her head on her knees.
"Lucia, Hanon, Rina... You're so lucky. At least you have someone you can lean on. I don't want to feel this way, but I can't help it." Seira whispered.
'The truth is, I'm envious of all of you...'
Once night has taken over and the moon rise, Kaito had dived into the water, prompting Lucia to follow. Upon making contact with water, Lucia reverted to her mermaid form. Her blond hair became a lighter shade, became more longer, and was styled into two twin tails held by small pink seashells. As she swam, her pink tail glistened in the rays of the full moon.
Soon, the two sat on a rock, where they had a talk.
"Kaito."
"Don't look like that." Kaito tried to comfort her. "I'm sure things will go well."
But Lucia wasn't very sure about it. She look down to avoid eye contact as tears were on the verge of falling out from her crystal blue eyes. Kaito, not knowing how else to comfort her, simply wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace. The gesture startled the mermaid a little bit, but she was soon burying her face into his chest and crying.
"I don't want to leave, Kaito." she whispered. "I wanted to stay here with you a little longer..."
"I know." Kaito mused.
After taking a few deep breaths, Lucia looked up at Kaito, tears still rolling down her cheeks. Leaning in, they closed their eyes... And shared a passionate kiss. However, Lucia suddenly felt her body acting strange again as she broke the kiss rather abruptly.
"Lucia! Are you alright?" Kaito asked.
He was getting more worried about her. It was just like what had happen with the fireworks the other night. He was thinking of leaving to tell the others until Lucia hold his hand, stopping him.
Shaking, she softly requested, "Please... Don't tell the others."
"But Lucia, this is serious!" Kaito argued.
"Please!" she pleaded. As she looked up, Kaito can see her face turning a sickly pale with a tinge of pink. "Please... Don't leave me."
Kaito didn't understand, but whatever is happening to Lucia, he can tell that it has been a problem for her. So he reluctantly agreed.
"Okay, fine. But come to my house to rest for the night." he insisted.
She didn't say anything, but simply nodded. It was almost as if she was too tired to say anything at all. Taking her hand in his, they swim back to shore and walked the remaining distance to his place.
Once they reached Domoto residence and Kaito had opened the door, Lucia felt her body acting up once more and had collapsed upon entering. Luckily, Kaito caught her before she fell to the floor.
'What is happening to you, Lucia?' Kaito wondered.
Carrying her to his bed and covering her with a blanket, Kaito went to the phone to dial the numbers to Pearl Peri. It rang for a few seconds until the phone was picked up on the other line.
"Hello? Hosho speaking."
"Hi there, Hanon." Kaito spoke.
"Kaito-kun? Do you know where Lucia is? She hasn't come back yet." Hanon asked.
"Ah, Lucia is with me." Kaito assured her.
He has told her about some problems coming up and so she will be staying with him for the night. He had decided not to tell Hanon about what has been happening with Lucia.
"Hmm..." Hanon teased. "So you and Lucia will be sleeping together, right?"
"Yes..." Kaito became confused with that type of tone.
"Okay! Just make sure you be gentle with her. Lucia may not look like it, but she is delicate and fragile."
"Wha-" Kaito immediately turned red in the face. "D-Don't get any weird ideas, you perverted Princess!"
Hanon giggled as she ended the call with a "Bye-bye and good luck!"
After hanging up the phone, Kaito grumbled at the Aquamarine Princess' comments.
"What in the world is she thinking? Geez." upon entering his room and seeing Lucia asleep, he laid next to her and turned to see her peaceful face.
'I hope you get better, Lucia.'
He gave her a kiss before falling asleep beside her. Sometime later, the pink pearl started to glow faintly. At the same time, in Lucia's dreams... There was a person. Accompanying him was a girl. However, they were both covered in shadows. Other things came after, but all of them didn't make much sense.
That night, as the moon hang high in the sky, a man dressed in black was standing at a cliff, overlooking the town. As he looked at the town, the first chilling breeze of fall blow softly against his black hair. He was awfully pale, a tall, yet handsome man. However, he looked so lifeless as if he was dead. Opening up a book, it glowed faintly as seven symbols lit up.
"Well, who would have thought that getting our revenge would lead us here? Isn't that right, Kumi?"
"Hm, I don't know, Haru..." a little girl's voice answered. "It's too peaceful here. We'll never find them!"
"Don't worry, Kumi. The red curtains of the stage has risen. We'll find them, the seven Princesses. Once we find them, we'll get our revenge against the ones who did this to us." the man assured.
The little girl's eyes beamed with excitement as she hugged the man, "Fufufu, I love you, Haru~"
The book started to glow brighter, showing seven figures. However, all of them were covered in shadow, so the duo don't know who they're finding. But is shouldn't be a problem. They have all the time they need.
"Now, let the search for our Princesses begin!" the man insist. Raising a baton in one hand and with the book in the other, he command, "Please, sing to me your sad songs that shall lead to your revenge!"
"Ahahahaha!"
Lucia: Hello mina-san! How are you? Since Author-san isn't here at the moment, so me and the other girls will do the explaining. A reminder if you will. If everyone remembered in both the manga and anime, I celebrated Kaito's birthday in Pure which was right after mine. That's means a year has passed between Pitch and Pure for me since I've celebrated my 15th birthday off-screen. And my 16th birthday off-chapter as well.
Seira: Please keep Mikage in mind, she is an important friend. I'm sure you'll be surprise.
Hanon: Also, there will be character description of all the new OCs whenever they have a lot of "screen time" or not, or even mentioned. If Author-san doesn't want to reveal too much, she will say "not enough info" and update in another chapter.
Rina: Also, like in the anime/manga, main villains make minor appearances until the end while secondary villains make a scene.
Nikora: Alright, you're up.
...
Haruki: Hello, everyone. Wow, we have a lot of audience today. Anyway, I am a spirit who is trying to find the missing blanks in my memories. I have lost all connection of the time when I was alive and now, I'm wondering the Earth, lost and confused. With my cute partner, we set out to find those missing blanks by finding the seven Princesses necessary for me to gain my revenge as well as my memories.
Kumi: I everyone! I'm Kumi, a little doll who has "awaken" by two different people. I represent someone dear in Haru's past when he was still living, but he has not remembered yet. I am very malicious because part of my soul came from an accused witch, who was once innocent until her unjust death. I despise humans greatly. My anger and hatred will lead me and my beloved partner, Haru, to find the seven Princesses to destroy the human world!
Mikage: Hi everyone. I am a very mysterious girl whose origin is yet to be known. Despite my child-like appearance, I'm actually very matured for the way I talk isn't like how a child would speak. I am very supported for my friends and value my life on Earth even if it's brief. I also have a power that has yet to be discovered from a magical bloodline and will be the one to lead fated lovers to meet, connecting the red threads of Fate.
Asuka: You remember me from the other story, right? Anyway, I was the main bully of Seira, however, in this story, the author felt that she should tone down my bullying a bit. Ha! Like I'd listen to her. I am a rich lady who simply believe that I am the best! Take that you, low-life commoners!