Prologue
Haruka Nanase always thought he belonged in the sea more than the did on land. The water welcomed him. He felt the water surround him, accept him, as he swam through it. The high school third year thought of it as home.
On land, Haru didn't have many friends. Only a few here and there in his classes at school. None of them were close to him.
The water was his friend.
Every pool, indoor or outdoor, whatever the temperature, Haru would swim. He swam to feel the water with his skin and soul.
Since he swam all the time, he was an expert. He was extremely fast. Teachers and peers told him he should swim competitively. But Haru had no interest.
He wanted to swim free.
When applications for future careers were passed around to the students to fill out, Haru wrote just that.
"Free."
He wanted to be free in the water forever.
And he knew he could, because there were creatures that could do it.
He'd seen them.
He'd seen mermaids.