The next day, Shuichi spent it at home. Household chores such as bathroom, bedroom, and aquarium cleaning, some studying, and a YouTube marathon of swimming competitions from the past were all on his to-do list. The next round of nationals is coming up so Shuichi had to prepare himself for it. As he watched a competition from the Olympics, mental notes were taken.

Full extension, breath control, be sure to keep the hands cupped for maximum momentum.

On the floor of his room, Shuichi did some practicing of his own. Warm-up exercises such as superman back extensions to start and flappers to finish. If he could keep the trunk of the body stable, the extremities will follow. His self-imposed practice was interrupted when flashbacks of his dreams and time at the aquarium popped up. So much blue. By the time Shuichi was alone with Kiyoni, they were walking through an aquatic tunnel surrounded by sharks and stingrays. It was a sight to see. Due to the color of her clothing, everything orange that Kiyoni wore had a distinct glow with her bubblegum pink hoodie shifting to fuchsia. Her outfit stood out at the activity center as well. Kiyoni could be a walking nightlight if she wanted to. However, that was nothing compared to the way she observed the sea life. So curious and intriguing especially as she followed a stingray as it coasted over them. Kiyoni was cute yesterday. That was something Shuichi will keep to himself for as long as he can.

Another point of interest was his health. What was that all about? Feeling "froggy" one moment only to literally feel like a fish out of water the next. It was downright scary. Embarrassing after Kuronue helped him out. How would Shuichi be able to fully explain that without his best friend freaking out?

Lastly came the next swim meet. If Shuichi comes out of that pool looking like a fish, he'll be the laughing stock of not only the team but his school. There has to be a way to control his transformations. But how?

"Shuichi," Shiori called, "Shuichi, are you up? Could you come down and help me with the groceries?"

"Coming," Shuichi met his mom where she stepped inside with about five reusable bags of groceries from a big name grocery store.

"Oh, thank you. I managed to find you a new swim cap while I was out."

"You didn't have to do that mother. I'm fine with the one I have."

"You never know, Shuichi. Perhaps you can wear it when you make it to the finals."

"That may be but we have to pass the next round first. I'm more concerned about that than nationals."

"You're right. You're right. Hey, you never did tell me about yesterday."

"Yesterday? Oh! You mean the aquarium and–"

"Yes, that. Is there something you're not telling me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Shuichi, I am your mother. Don't think I didn't notice the way you looked when you came home or the girlish giggles I heard coming from your room."

Shuichi stood in silence. The jig was completely up. As a distraction, he grabbed a melon from one of the bags and fumbled upon putting it away.

Shiori refused to let it slide, "So…who is she?"

"She? She who? There's no she. Really!"

"Then why are you blushing?"

"Mother…"

"Shuichi, there's no need to be embarrassed. You're at that age where you'll start to notice girls now. No need to hide it. I'm glad you're making new friends. So who is she?"

Shuichi sighed as he handled the produce, "Her name is Ikeda. Ikeda Kiyoni. She's the…vice captain of the volleyball team."

"Really," Shiori responded with brightened eyes, "The vice captain, eh?"

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Oh, nothing. Nothing at all. You're athletic. She's athletic. Makes sense."

"If you're implying that I have a type, then you'd be mistaken. I just think she's…cool. Fun to hang out with."

"Is she in your class?"

"Yes. We greet each other every day."

"And is she the reason why you went to that volleyball game?"

"Yes but that was because we made a deal with each other. She attends my swim meet, I attend her game. She's quite good."

"And is she the one who gave you that bracelet?"

Shuichi paused in favor of his gift. Fidgeting with one of the starfish charms, he admitted, "Yes. She made it herself."

"Well, then. Sounds like a catch to me."

"Mother," Shuichi whined, "I thought we agreed about fishing puns."

Shiori giggled, "Sorry. Couldn't help it."

As Shuichi gathered the reusable bags to store away, he thought about the things that have been bothering him and wondered if he should bring it up with his mom. Of course he had Kiyoni to talk to but there was no need to keep secrets away from family, right?

"Mom…there's something I'd like to ask you."

"Sure, Shuichi," Shiori replied while preparing for dinner, "Anything."

"Were there any…complications…surrounding my birth?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, was I born with any strange conditions or illnesses?"

"No. Not to my knowledge, no. I take that back. You did have a bit of a dry skin problem when you were two months old but that went away within a week. Why?"

A skin problem? "So you had a generally fair pregnancy?"

"Generally…yes. What are you getting at? Oh, stupid me. We haven't had the talk yet."

"Talk? What talk?"

Flustered and a bit pressed for time, Shiori could think of only one thing, "The…talk. You…you are fifteen and…since you're going to high school, you should…know more about…how relationships work and…things like that."

"Eh…mom, I…I don't think I'm…prepared for that. I was referring to something else."

Oh, thank goodness. "Oh…! Please go on."

"I discovered something strange at the previous contest. It started with a bruise then a bite mark–"

Shiori accidentally dropped a pot over the kitchen sink upon hearing her son speak, "A bite mark?"

"Mom, are you al–?"

"I'm fine. Go…to your room."

"But, mother, I–"

"Go to your room, Shuichi. I'll…I'll set up a doctor's appointment as soon as possible. Okay?"

A doctor's appointment? Couldn't be that serious, could it? "Eh…sure," and with that, Shuichi left his mother alone, unsatisfied with what just happened. What's something mom knows that I don't?

Later that evening, Kazuya arrived home earlier than normal. His exhausted demeanor told the story of how his day went. Dingy clothing that smelled of ocean water and fish, hair that was a bit greasy from all the sweat that was made underneath a hat he wore all day, and a face that screamed for rest. At least Kazuya gets to come home to a peaceful house or so he thinks.

"Welcome home," Shiori greeted, "How was your day?"

"Ugh. Brutal. We nearly lost a hundred pounds of salmon this morning."

"What? How?"

"A hole was found in the net just as it was coming out of the water."

"Who or what would do such a thing?"

"Eh, I'm not too worried about it. That net will be good as new by tomorrow," Kazuya made a beeline for the couch, turning on the TV, "Is Shuichi home?"

"He's in his room. Actually…I want to talk to you about him."

"Why? Is something wrong?"

Out of nervousness, Shiori began fidgeting with her apron, "I don't know. He brought up some…unusual questions earlier."

"Like…?"

"The condition he was in when he was born."

"Condition?"

"He mentioned the bite mark on his leg."

Kazuya froze while in the middle of channel surfing, "What about it?"

"Not much other than that. Kazuya…I think it's time we–"

"Now you listen to me. I told you three years ago we should've done that. I told you we should've told him about his adoption."

"Yes but he was still too young. With everything that's happened until now…"

"What do you suppose we do?"

"I told him I was going to set up a doctor's appointment for him in the coming days. Nothing more."

Kazuya agitatedly sighed, rubbing a hand across his forehead, "Alright. Alright. Have it your way. But he's going to find out sooner or later. You know that."

Shiori whispered, "I do."

As the parents settled down, Shuichi heard it all from the top of the staircase. Adopted? Really? No way. On top of that, he's finding out about this now? Well, this sudden news may be a lead to what's really going on.

As the school bell rang, marking a new day, Shuichi walked into the classroom completely silent and ignorant of any and everything going on around him. Even Kuronue couldn't reach him. After thinking about the alleged news from the previous day, Shuichi couldn't care less about the current one. Instead and out of habit, Shuichi pulled out his stationery items (such as his notebook, two mechanical pencils, and an eraser) and shifted his mind towards his first class of the day.

Kiyoni walked in with a big smile on her face after speaking to a couple of girls concerning her activities last night. News of some upcoming music tours and the latest on BTS and their military involvement were all she focused on as her eyes were glued to the TV and her phone. There was volleyball practice today and of course there's school to think about but Kiyoni didn't care. All she cared about were the ways in which to finesse her parents into allowing her to go to at least one concert before the year ends.

Those thoughts were placed on hold once she noticed Kuronue looking back at Shuichi with concern on his face. Shuichi was seen studying his notes from previous lessons in case there would be a quiz today.

"Morning, Misaki," Kiyoni said with an attention-grabbing snap.

"Eh," Kuronue checked in, "Oh, hey, Ikeda."

"You okay? You look like you just lost a puppy." Kiyoni gasped, "Did you lose a puppy?!"

"Sadly, I don't have any pets," Kuronue informed, "My parents are allergic to fur and feathers. It's him I'm worried about."

"Him? I thought you said he's unreachable when he's in study mode."

"Yeah but…this is different. You can't tell?"

"Probably studying for a quiz." Kiyoni gasped again, "Oh, crap! Is there a quiz today?"

Kuronue dropped a reminder as he watched Kiyoni scramble with her study materials, "Eh, no. I don't think so. If we had one, we would've been informed about it ahead of time, remember?"

"Yeah but need I remind you that one of our teachers is from America and likes to drop surprise quizzes on us?"

"Oh, yeah. Legit," and with that, Kuronue pulled out his materials and did a quick study session on his own.

Shuichi silently observed for a few seconds as his classmates chatted amongst themselves. He was grateful none of them spoke to him for he didn't have much to say before dropping the bombshell. Hopefully, today's school day will provide a suitable distraction from his home life.

Sure enough, a surprise English quiz did befall the classroom which not too many people prepared for. By lunchtime, all students heaved a sigh of relief from the academic torture. After finishing his meal, Shuichi stepped out onto the school roof for some air with Kiyoni and Kuronue not far behind. Both were highly concerned at this point with Kiyoni's claircognizance piquing her curiosity. From that high up, everything from the bay area and neighboring ocean, residential territory, and the downtown area of Mushiyori City with an accessorizing array of green can be seen within a 180° range.

"Minamino," she called, "Hey, Minamino."

"You alright there, buddy," Kuronue asked.

"Hm," Shuichi answered, "Oh, I'm fine. Thank you for asking."

"You sure about that," Kuronue countered.

"Yes, Misaki. I'm alright."

Kiyoni pulled Shuichi aside, "Minamino, look at me."

Shuichi's heart rate jumped a bit upon that request. He has it set in his mind that whenever Kiyoni called for his attention, there was a 50/50 chance her intuitive gift was kicking in so he tried his best to deflect.

"Ikeda, there's no need for that. I'm okay."

"No, you're not. Minamino, my senses about you are so high, my ears are ringing. So tell us. Is it something you feel we should be worried about?"

That was new. Ringing in the ears? Also, is this bombshell really worth sharing? The answer to that question is yes.

Not willing to put up a fight, Shuichi relented, "Very well but I'll need for the two of you not to overreact."

Kiyoni knew it. She knew something was big about her fellow classmate. Praise Yemoja for her precious gift.

"Oh," Kuronue realized, "Sure man. You got it."

Shuichi exhaled as he leaned against an area of a chain-linked fence that had seen better days , "It's not confirmed but…I was informed by my parents yesterday that…I'm adopted."

Two pairs of eyes widened from the news. Minamino? Adopted?

"Wait a shinkansen minute," Kuronue challenged, "We've known each other since we were in diapers and you mean to tell me that your parents aren't your parents?"

"Correct."

"You said, 'unconfirmed'," Kiyoni stated, "Unconfirmed how?"

"I overheard them talking about it yesterday. We have yet to discuss it."

"But how can you say that when you haven't had the talk yet?"

Shuichi gave his friends the play-by-play on what went down, ending with the things his father said. Neither Kuronue nor Kiyoni could believe it.

"That's hard bro," Kuronue admitted, "That's why you've been so down lately."

Shuichi sighed again, this time with a hint of optimism, "Yes…and no."

"No?"

"With all of the changes I've been through, it's actually a clue."

"What changes?"

"The bruise and bite mark he had on his leg," Kiyoni answered. Among other things…

"Oh, yeah. That. What was that about?"

"I'm not sure," Shuichi responded, "I'll find out when I visit a doctor later today."

"I hope it's all green," Kiyoni wished, "As far as your family is concerned…I'm sorry, Minamino."

"As am I, Ikeda. As am I."