It was a tempestuous night. Waves were roaring and falling from either side. Salt water was flying around in wild spasms of sprays. The sun was blotted out, leaving inky black clouds, and thunderclaps in its place.

"Dad... DADDY!"

Luka coughed, harshly, her body weak from the tides pulling on her. For a few moments she only felt pain, her eyes felt sore as if she had been looking at the sun, but it was the salt water.

She woke up, startled by the nightmare. Her face was dripping sweat and her whole body was trembling. She rubbed her arms trying to forget those scary memories.

The girl washed her face and gently slapped her cheeks to fully wake up, she wanted to be with a good appearance facing everyone before starting her first day in the new school. Of course, Nikora made the arrangements, she said that learning was a very important thing for any kid and that she needed to study, even in her special condition. She dressed her new uniform with Lucia's help. A red dress and a white shirt, not of her preferences, since she hated skirts. Luka's father never really bothered to raise her as feminine, due to that, most of her old friends had been boys. She missed them much.

"Oh! You are so cute, Luka-chan." Hanon said.

All the girls were also ready to school. It was the first day that Luka will be by herself since she lost her parents. It was a bit scary. She was feeling sick from the bottom of her stomach. Her face was blue.

"Are you alright Luka? Could it be that you are afraid of school?" Lucia asked.

The girl nods.

"Hippo. How about you accompany Luka on her first day?"

"What? A penguin in the school? What an idea, Lucia." Nikora wasn't sure about that.

"Why not? He can easily pass by a plush toy, isn't?" Hanon was buying the idea.

Nikora looked at Hippo.

"What do you think of this, Hippo?" She asked him.

Luka joined her hands, begging to the penguin using the cutest face she could make.

"Well... I suppose... It wouldn't be a problem, just for the first time." He said, averting his eyes from the girl's face.

Luka ran to Hippo and gave him a big hug, making him blush. Nikora was busy, so she gave him the task to help her learn the way to school. He gave his best, but they got confused a few streets after, causing her to be late. She entered the classroom in a hurry, looking messy from running, wasn't a very good beginning. Not to say, the teacher wasn't easy to deal with. She was a tall, thin woman, her dark hair showed some gray streaks and was always twisted up in a hard knot behind with two hairpins stuck aggressively through it. She looked like a woman of little imagination and rigid conscience. Her eyes fell of the odd little figure in front of her. Luka was covered in sweat, her hair once perfectly brushed now was fuzzy and her knees showed scratches for falling a few minutes before.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"I'm terribly sorry I'm late sensei. We got lost in the-"

"We? What do you mean for 'we'?

The child hesitated.

"Me and Hippo." She answered, reluctantly faltered.

The classroom busted on laughs.

"Silence!" The teacher shouted.

Luka was facing the ground feeling her face burning with shame. How could she totally forget to treat Hippo as a plush toy? It was too late now, she needs to focus on answering the teacher properly, follow the rules and hide the reddening of her cheeks.

"Miss Nanami, it's strictly forbidden to bring toys and such to school. Since it is your first day I will let it pass, but you must lend me it for the day and by the end of the class I will return it to you. Do we have it clear?"

Her little hand held the penguin's wing in a stronger grip. She didn't want to be all alone, but she must behave and don't bring problems to Nikora nor Lucia, who have been so good to her. She looked at Hippo and bitted her lower lip, he couldn't speak nor move in front of everyone.

"Yes, ma'am." She said before releasing Hippo.

"Good! Now go back to your sit and remember, I will not tolerate any more delays."

The girl nods and went to the only free seat in the room. In her way to her chair a mischievous dark-haired boy purposely held the strap of her backpack, causing her to stumble upon her own feet. A few giggles could be heard from her back. Everyone was looking at her as she tried to cover her face with her notebook while sitting to avoid the gazes. Relax Luka! It's just for a few hours, she said to herself. But the time dragged awfully slow. By the lunchtime, she was completely alone eating the bento that Lucia made especially for her. Hippo took this opportunity to escape from the strict teacher to see how she was going, he couldn't approach too much without being seen. Through the windows he saw Luka, it was a heartbreaking scene see her in such a state sitting alone on a bench while all her colleagues were having fun. He had to help her somehow, but he couldn't do anything as a penguin. That is! A brilliant idea occurred him. Carefully he was able to escape the teacher's sight and get to the corridor. There he saw two girls from Luka's class.

"Excuse-me! I'm looking for my little sister, Luka." Hippo said.

The girls turned around and their eyes widened by surprise to see a very handsome young boy dressed in a sailor uniform talking to them.

"Y-you are Nanami-san's brother?"

"Yes! Can you please help me find her?"

"Of course! We will lead you to her."

In human form Hippo could help Luka make new friends, it was perfect! He was smiling at his own good idea. Had she ever seen him in this form? Would she be surprised? He chuckled thinking in the face she would make when she sees him. There she was, too busy with her own knees to notice they coming.

"Luka! I looked for you everywhere." He said.

I know that voice, she thought. But looking up she saw a blond-haired boy speaking to her. It can't be... Hippo?! She recognizes that voice anywhere.

"Hi, Luka! We didn't know you had an older brother." One of her classmates besides him said.

Brother? I didn't know either! She thought.

"Well, thanks for taking care of my brother. But can you excuse us for a moment? Please?"

"Sure, no problem!"

Luka dragged him by the sleeve, away from everyone. From far she could still hear the girls sighing and commenting about his good look.

"What are you doing, Hippo?" She glared at him.

"I am helping you to make friends. I saw you there all alone. Wouldn't you be happier if some girls of your age came by?"

"Well... Yes, but I'm not good talking to other girls."

"That is why I'm here! See those girls? You can start hanging out with them. I asked them if they could let you join in and they said yes."

"I don't think this is a good idea." She said, nervously scratching her arm.

"Come on! You will be fine, just try it."

"Hm... Okay, if you say so. Take care of me then, o-onii-san."

It was a strange word to say, as it leaves a weird taste in her mouth since she never had a brother. But for Hippo it was surprisingly pleasant to hear. He had always been the younger one and the weaker one, despite being the one who is supposed to protect the Mermaid Princesses. There wasn't much he could do to help lately to lift the burden of these new enemies, so being an "older brother" caring for a little sister gave him a sense of purpose. The least he could do was helping the next Aqua Regina make some friends and have a happy life at school.

Luka sat with the other girls and soon she noticed how big it was the distance between her and them. She didn't like cute clothes or girly hobbies like baking or playing with dolls. She felt out of place and the only thing they asked about her it was her brother. It didn't take long for her to feel bored, she took the chance to go to the bathroom, clear her mind. In her way back, she saw the girls enjoying themselves without her, talking with Hippo.

"I knew it!" She said loud to herself.

"What is it, ugly? Did you lose your friends to onii-san?"

It was that horrible boy from the class again. He pronounced the last word in a terrible tentative of imitating her voice. Gosh! So irritating.

"They are not my friends." She said, spiritless.

"Of course, I forgot that you have no friends, at all."

Seriously? What is wrong with him?

"Leave me alone." She said, already walking away.

"You must like it. I heard that you also don't have a family."

Oh no! He didn't. Luka turned her face and did more than glare at him angrily. She jumped at him with fists ready to acclaim vengeance that he quickly retribute. Both rolled on the ground before a classmate notices the fight and called the teacher.

Later that day, Nikora was discussing with the school's director and the boy's mother while the two children were sitting on a bench outside, looking pretty worn out, both. Blood and bruises covered by bandages. Lucia and Hippo were there besides Luka. She could barely look at them, this was the last thing she wanted to happen, all because she couldn't control her temper. The meeting ended. Nikora and Lucia tried to talk to Luka to figure out what caused her to attack her classmate, but she didn't say a word. They looked at Hippo who had a guilty face, but even he wasn't there to see what happened. The way home was awfully silent.

"Hippo, you were supposed to accompany her. Where were you?" Nikora asked.

"It happened too fast, she went to the bathroom and it took place!"

"She was expelled?" Hanon asked.

"No, thank God, no! She was suspended, of course. But one day out of school will be good for now."

"I'm worried about her... She didn't say anything." Lucia looked at Luka, she was leaning on the balcony at the veranda watching the sea.

Hippo felt a twinge of guilt spread over him.

"Let me talk to her." He said.

Hippo approached her silently. He wanted to tell her he was sorry.

"Luka-chan. I'm sorry that I didn't take good care of you back there. I have no excuses."

He was facing her in his human form. Luka knew it wasn't his fault. In fact, it was unfair that she made him feel this way because of her own misbehave. Unlike her mother, she wasn't very good with words, she wanted to open herself more, but she didn't know how. What would he say if she told him the truth? There were things she still wasn't feeling comfortable enough to say. But talking about her frustrations at school could be a start.

"That boy... He dared to talk about my family. As if I liked being alone."

Her eyes sparkled with angry tears she was trying to refuse. She was too embarrassed to look his way with her face stained with tears. Hippo smiled at her patiently.

"You are not alone Luka-chan."

Her head snapped into his direction.

"I'm sorry I wasn't a very good old brother, but I am still your friend and we are your family now. We care about you a lot. So, you don't need to worry about what others say. They just don't know how great you are!"

Luka wiped her wet cheeks with her sleeve.

"I'm sorry too... About what have I done. It wasn't your fault. In fact, I would be very happy to have Hippo as my onii-san." She smiled at him.

Feeling embarrassed, Hippo puffed turning into a penguin again, barely hiding his red face. The little girl knelt and gave him a warm hug.

"But don't you ever come with me to school again." She scolded.

They heard the front door opening, it was Kaito. He came to see Lucia but he noticed the mood.

"What happened?" Luka heard him whispering to Lucia who pulled him away from their vision. She gave him a quick explanation, before coming to the veranda to check up if Hippo could lift her spirits.

"How are you feeling, Luka?" Lucia asked.

"Much better! I'm sorry about the fight... It won't happen again."

Lucia petted the little girl's head. It is a good thing she was better, but even so, she may come to feel depressed after being suspended from school. Come back it will be more difficult for her now, and she will have to put even more effort into making new friends. Lucia liked her much and it hurt to see her sad and shut. What could they do to lighten up her mood and make her feel more welcomed? She could take her to the amusement park, the aquarium, or perhaps...

"Kaito, come with me for a second. I had a brilliant idea!"