Chapter 3

Mitsutada had decided to leave without saying anything to Ieyasu.

It was simpler than having to explain things and deal with the surprise and questions that would undoubtedly follow. It was hard enough for himself to believe that he could now move about (somewhat) easily on land. He didn't need a human staring at his new legs. The goal was to get to Ookurikara as fast as possible. He wanted to make certain that he was safe and unharmed.

Of course, looking back, it might have been easier if he had indeed sought out help.

Learning to walk had taken the majority of the morning, and was an embarrassing process that the ex-mermaid was glad he didn't need to go through again. Thankfully the back room was empty as usual, and the whale shark (hopefully) hadn't been able to see from her spot in the tank. Of course, working legs or no, there was still one thing barring him from blending in with other humans-clothes. The transformation hadn't magically come with some sort of censorship and given him cute clothes or anything to move about in. Which meant he only had what he had been wearing as a mermaid-his eyepatch and a pair of gloves.

And Mitsutada had met enough humans to know that clothes were an important thing. They didn't make sense in the water of course, but after realizing that his privates were completely exposed, and couldn't be put away or protected, the need for garments made so much more sense. Of course there were none in the back room, so he realized that he would need to explore be a bit more before leaving. Unfortunately, the door that Ieyasu usually came through was locked, meaning he couldn't look for clothes that way. However, there was a second door on a side wall, and it looked promising. He gave the whale shark a quick thumbs up before pushing it open.

Everything was blinding. He hadn't been outside in weeks, so the sudden appearance of the sun overwhelmed his lone eye. With one hand held up to try and create some shade over his face, he let the door close with his other. Instead of smooth concrete, the ground was thick black asphalt and the space was incredibly open and empty. Was this the sort of space that humans used to store cars? Regardless, this was outside, and not a place he could find clothing. While knowing the exit to the aquarium was a nice thing, Mitsutada still hadn't achieved his main objective. For now he should go back inside and try and find some sort of clothing items. He turned back to the door and tried the handle.

It was locked.

The horror took a moment to set in as he tried the door once again before looking around more carefully at his surroundings. The building was surrounded by asphalt and he could see a few cars. Beyond that was the ocean, which might have been exciting if not for the giant fence which barred his way. If he looked to the other side of the building, it looked like there was another, shorter fence, presumably because this was the space for employees and that was the space for visitors. The increased number of cars on that side meant a likely increase in people, something that he wanted to avoid if possible. Of course, the fence in the front was much shorter, so he could probably climb that, then skirt around the bigger fence so he could get to the sea.

Even if he had clothes, he hadn't been able to see how they had gotten here from Ookurikara's apartment, so getting back might be more of a task than his new legs were up to. If he could get to the ocean though, he could slowly make his way back to the pier he always met his fisherman at. His lack of clothes also wouldn't be a problem in the water.

Even with all his plans set though, Mitsutada had to take a moment to put his face in his hands. The word "uncool" echoed in his mind. He was still buck-naked and he had locked himself out of the aquarium. He needed to get back to Ookurikara as fast as possible and make sure that no one ever learned about this. Ever.

He took a deep breath, and set off.


Albeit quite short, the fence still proved to be a bit of a problem, simply because Mitsutada had never climbed a fence before in his life. Figuring out how to raise his is legs individually and to the right heights had been a task for sure. In the end, he wound up with a few scratches on his otherwise pale legs-he was dreading explaining them to his fisherman mate. He had never been one to show off his wounds and scars, preferring instead to hide them.

After the fence, it was just a matter of dashing from bush to bush, avoiding people at all costs. Everything had been surprisingly easy thus far. He hadn't seen any people, and plenty of bushes presented themselves as perfect hiding places. In no time at all, the ocean was in sight. He just had to dash from the last bush to the beach, where the water was waiting with open arms. Of course, there was an open road between him and the beach, and then he would have to cover some sand. But, he could do this.

Unfortunately, he didn't even make it to the sand. His feet were still on the concrete of the road when he heard a piercing sound and the wheels of a car. The ringing was loud and kept repeating the same few notes. All his instincts told him to run, which might have helped if his brain was accustomed a human body. Instead his legs tried to move at the same time, as if he was swimming, and it was a wonder he didn't fall over. By the time he had regained some of his composure (this day was just one uncool train wreck after another), the car had pulled up beside him, the ringing of the siren louder than ever.

"Sir, I am afraid I am going to have to put you under arrest for public indecency."

Out of the car came two men, one slightly taller with short hair of a soft turquoise color, and the second with tussled silver hair and one of those surgical masks people wear during the allergy season. Mitsutada realized he was slightly taller than both of them. The turquoise haired man wore an extremely serious expression, hands on his hips and lips in a firm frown. He still somehow managed to be incredibly polite though, and Mitsutada was sure they could have been friends in different circumstances. At the moment though, he really should be running, or would be if something else hadn't completely captured his attention.

Their clothes were amazing.

Thus far Mitsutada had only interacted with humans in very casual clothes, which these were definitely not. Ookurikara's clothes in particular didn't fit him very well, loosely hanging over his frame and hiding the fairly nice body underneath. They were also most definitely wrinkled and pushed or rolled out of the way so that they wouldn't get in the way when he was fishing. Mitsutada absolutely adored his mate, but if he had to put things plainly, he would say that the fisherman's clothes were not stylish at all.

These clothes, however,

These were different.

The dark blue fabric very elegantly traced their forms in a way that both exposed their physique while still hiding the skin underneath. The lines made sharp and dramatic shapes. Everything was pressed. White collars adorned necks in a way that seemed exceptionally suave, all the while black ties peeked out from underneath, the very picture of control and composure. The clean lines of their slacks remained perfect even though they had been sitting in a car. The black shoes that stood out proudly underneath seemed to be both serviceable and fashionable; Mitsutada couldn't help but note with approval that they had been polished. Gold buttons gleamed in the sunlight. The last time Mitsutada had been this enraptured was when he had first seen Ookurikara.

"Sir, would you care to explain your current state of undress?" The turquoise haired man seemed to be understandably uncomfortable with all of Mitsutada's staring, but also capable of bringing everyone's focus back to the task at hand. He began asking Mitsutada a quick series of questions while his partner watched silently. They were all coming too fast and Mistutada realized that he would need to start lying quickly. Of course, at this moment, he remembered that humans didn't use the word "mate," but instead had two different words: wife and husband. They were different, but he couldn't put his finger on why, so in his panic, he used the first one that came to mind.

"My wife left me near here and I'm trying to return to my home." It was close enough to the truth.

"Ah, so your wife has your clothing then? Why on Earth would she take your clothes and leave you behind?" The more talkative officer's voice sounded as scandalized as Mitsutada felt.

"I have to wonder if he's mad at me." The ex-mermaid certainly hoped not, but the lie came out smoothly.

"She must be quite mad then!" Even astounded, the officer still managed to be somewhat polite. So polite even, that he seemed unable to end the conversation, which wouldn't have been a problem if Mitsutada had been able to dig himself out of the hole he had created. Instead, the two traded awkward but controlled smiles until the second officer stopped them.

"Give him some clothes." Although it was quite simple, the suggestion still seemed to come as a bit of a shock to the first officer, who only gaped at his partner with a mouth that wasn't quite open.

"But can't we just take him back to his residence?" When his mostly silent partner just stared at him in response, the taller of the two seemed to pause and reconsider. "But then he would be naked in the patrol car and we can't have that…"

There was of course a spare pair of pants and a button up shirt in the car, but both were much too small, more to Mitsutada's dismay than anyone else's. He couldn't help but wrinkle his nose at how his ankles and wrists were exposed, and how the shirt didn't quite button over his chest.

"Shopping," the silver haired officer offered.

His partner seemed a bit perplexed about the idea of going shopping while they were supposed to be on duty, protecting the safety of the citizens. But then he reasoned that the citizens couldn't be safe if there was a man streaking about, so really this was the best thing for everyone. It took a bit more prompting from the silver haired officer, but then they were off. Before he even quite understood what was going on, Mitsutada was in a mall for his very first time.

There was so much to see and take in, but he didn't have the chance to gawk at anything before they arrived at the men's department. The silver haired officer gestured abruptly to the suits and slacks. Mitsutada almost sparkled. He spent a bit of time fussing over which dark pants were a nicer black, and then how to properly tie a tie, but with a bit of welcome assistance from the turquoise haired police officer, he was completely set with a new outfit.

It was the most comfortable he had felt since he became human. From the neck down, he wound up with a nice white button-up shirt under a fitted black vest and adorned with a black silk tie. His pants were also black (Both the pants and vest were a lighter black, not quite a grey, whereas the tie was pitch black. This created a good balance, he thought.), and made his legs seem even longer. He even found a pair of polished black loafers (comfortable, but stylish) and black socks. (The officers had even been thoughtful enough to buy him a pair of boxers too.) His gloves and eyepatch didn't feel quite so out of place now—it was like this was the style he was destined for. Looking in the mirror, he couldn't dim his smirk. He couldn't wait to show Ookurikara!

The silent officer gave a nod of approval while the other complimented him with a smile. However, that quickly vanished when he realized that he would be paying for everything. With a sigh that seemed practiced, he trudged off to the register, while Mitsutada looked at the remaining officer with genuine appreciation.

"I don't know how I am supposed to thank you for all of this."

The officer looked at him, expression blank. Slowly, he reached up to his surgical mask, and pulled it down, keeping eye contact with Mitsutada all the while. It seemed the mask was for keeping away eyes and not flower pollen, because the officer had strange markings on his face that would have made anyone stare. The thin lines were a pale gold that almost shimmered in the harsh light of the department store. They ran across his cheeks and near his mouth almost like whiskers, an analogy that seemed more plausible when he smiled. His teeth were unusually sharp and almost canine.

"We do not belong here with humans, but yet we are here nonetheless." The words were quiet but firm. They hovered in the air and he let Mitsutada breathe them in before continuing. "Do not thank me. Instead, next time you meet one of our kind, return the favor." And with that, he replaced his mask and walked off, leaving the implications trailing slowly behind him.


It was long past dinner time by the time the patrol car finally pulled up at the small beach house that belonged to Ookurikara. Even in the dim light, the rundown state was apparent enough to make the more talkative police officer pause before looking back at Mitsutada in his new suit and tie. It was obvious that the ex-mermaid didn't quite suit the peeling paint and dirt yard. "It's my wife's house," he explained as the other officer opened the door for him. He thanked them again and waved with a smile before gently pushing the gate open and walking to the door. It was, thankfully, unlocked, which seemed to put the officers at ease, since they drove away soon after.

And just like that, he was back in Ookurikara's house. However, though the door was unlocked, the lights were all very much off, and it was obvious that the owner was not at home. It didn't come as much of a surprise to Mitsutada, who remembered that some of the best fish came out in the evenings. Surely, if the ex-mermaid were to go back to their dock, he would find the fisherman sitting on that same pier, looking out at the horizon quietly. Wouldn't it be wonderful to show up with a smile like always but, this time from the dock instead of the waves? He smiled softly at the thought.

He didn't admit to himself that he was trying hard not to think about the keibishi. If anything had happened to his mate, he wouldn't forgive himself. Of course, if nothing had happened, why was it that he had been left alone all that time? Mitsutada clenched his fists. The dark house didn't give him any answers, but it did somewhat distract him from his thoughts. While it shouldn't have looked any different, there was something about having the freedom to be able to move around which changed the space entirely. It seemed much less magical and much smaller. Of course, there were still quite an array of interesting things, and Mitsutada was excited to see what each of them did. Humans had so many interesting the convenient contraptions! First thing was first though, he needed to see Ookurikara. With a smile, he turned on his heel.

And promptly fell on his ass.

The brand new legs which had so valiantly held him up for all his adventures today finally ran out of energy. He had definitely noted the pain, but figured that it wasn't important. Unfortunately, it seemed like it wasn't the kind of thing he could ignore. With a grimace, the ex-mermaid tried to stand up again, legs wobbling pitifully as his arms steadied himself against the wall. If he moved slowly, maybe…

His ass hit the floor again.

Gritting his teeth, Mitsutada slowly managed to pull himself up. At this rate, he wouldn't be able to make it to the dock without hurting himself, or worse, damaging his new clothes. Perhaps it would be better to wait for the fisherman here. He sighed. Step by step, the quivering man managed to make it to the room where he was pretty sure Ookurikara slept. He was a bit worried about wrinkling his new clothes, but didn't quite have the energy to take them off before he collapsed in his mate's bed. The scent that he had only barely forgotten came back to him suddenly, and Mitsutada was soon fast asleep, dreaming about the fisherman he so desperately wanted to meet.

TBC...