Round number three. Today is the day of regionals and everyone who was aware of it was excited for the swim team. Meiou Academy has never made it this far so the pressure to win was high. Everyone was giddy but one student. The name: Kaito Yuu. A third-year student much like a few of his athletic counterparts but that's where the comparison stops. Yuu had a thing for the unusual and it ranged from conspiracy theories to ghost stories and legends to aliens to corrupt political secrets and the like. This last, little tidbit brought him in like a fish hooked on bait. Speaking of fish, Yuu's latest interest: one Minamino Shuichi, the captain of Meiou Academy's swimming team.

Throughout the last couple of weeks, Yuu had kept his ears to the ground about this star athlete. It all started when he unintentionally caught Karasu and a couple of other teammates making fun of Shuichi's plight. Curious, Yuu attended the qualifying round as a spectator, witnessing Shuichi in his element. Once home, Yuu conducted some research on swimming as a sport. He studied swimming competitions, both extracurricular and professional, paying attention to the swim times for all of the races Shuichi was in. He learned about the average time a professional swimmer takes to complete a race as well as the fastest swim time ever recorded. He secretly watched the swim team during practice to see if Karasu would say something about Shuichi again. At the last practice before the prefecture round, Yuu noticed Shuichi's developments. At least, he thought he did. He could've sworn he saw an unusual, greenish strip or something like it appear on Shuichi's arm as he was swimming. And then when Shuichi was called out on it, Yuu believed him. Just to be sure, Yuu attended the prefecture competition, ready to see anything. He noticed Shuichi's friends speaking with his parents and how concerned the former were during the final race. It was then Yuu took action, pulling out his phone to record the final moments. He hit paydirt when Shuichi was caught celebrating with his fins out in full display. The second Yuu stopped recording was the same moment he caught Shuichi's supporters running from the stands. What did they know that no one else didn't?

Then came the day after. Watching the stats increase of the video Yuu created and posted on social media actually placed a smile on his face for the first time in a long time. Initial comments were just as curious as he was. What were those things on Shuichi's arms? Were they a prop meant to cheat his way to victory? Couldn't be. Yuu saw what Shuichi looked like before he got in the water. He was as normal as they come. Were those fins hidden in the pool somewhere? Not at all. The pool was completely empty except for the markers that designated each lane. So if Shuichi didn't have those fins before but had them in the end, where did they come from?

And then there was the aftermath. Yes, by the time school started the next day, Yuu's video had amassed over a thousand views. A thousand. A number virtually unheard of compared to the rest of his content. More comments came in requesting Yuu to explain the video and he planned to do so by the time he returned home but two students named Misaki Kuronue and Ikeda Kiyoni threw a wrench in those plans. The wrench: A.I. Now that A.I. is gaining popularity around the world, just about anything can be generated using the software. TikTok filters included. Now, there are some TikTok videos that use A.I. filters but never specify the filter used. Yuu's video was one of them or better yet, it was assumed to be one of them. By day's end, more comments came flooding in, asking Yuu which filter or filters he used to make his video. There were also comments requesting Yuu to apologize to Shuichi for embarrassing him the way Yuu did. Yuu even caught a video made by Kiyoni talking about it.

"So…I wanted to talk about that video that's going around of a friend of mine who basically…is getting thrown through the mud," she said in the recording, "Apparently, there's a video of my friend at a swim meet who was seen with, I guess, fins on his arms? And there have been people asking me, 'What's going on with so-and-so?' (I'm not going to mention his name in this video) and 'Is it real, is it real?' I'm here to tell you…it's not [?]. That is not real. My friend isn't a fish, he didn't cheat, he's not a cheater. He legitimately won that race and now my school has made it to regionals. Yaaaaaaaay! Eh, whoever was responsible for making that video, eh, I hope that you have since deleted it by now because you're making my friend look bad and considering what's going on, it's best that we remain supportive because…my school has never made it this far in the tournament and the team needs all the support they can get so…yeah, that's it. Oh! And for those who are asking, it's highly likely that whoever made that video used a filter so, yeah."

On a public bus, Yuu watched and rewatched both Kiyoni's and his own videos multiple times. How dare she discredit him like that? She was there! She knew what she saw! Yuu knew what he saw!

"You lying bitch," Yuu mumbled, "I know what I saw."

Approaching the stop closest to the school, Yuu got himself together. Adjusting his glasses and posture, smoothing out his semi-curly hair, Yuu deboarded from the bus with only one thing on his mind. Exposing Shuichi for what he truly is. If he could do that and have undeniable, visual proof of it, he'll be as viral as any stupid, corny, TikTok dance users come up with on a seemingly daily basis. Perhaps he'll give foreigners a legit reason to come to Japan other than for manga, anime, fashion, food, perverted Asian persuasion fantasies and romantic endeavors, and Jpop music that most tourists mistake for Kpop. He'dl go so viral, news channels and programming will be knocking on his door. Pages upon pages of conspiracy theories in the form of essays, theses, and dissertations saved on his computer will finally see the light of day. Perhaps an aquarium will build an exhibit for Shuichi, inviting Yuu to attend the grand revealing.

Behold, ladies and gentlemen! A real life merman! Come see him for yourself. Tell him your wish and he'll make it come true. It certainly will for me.

Maybe that would be the moment where Yuu isn't called a freak or weirdo or looked at like one for once. It all depends on what happens today. Yuu is going to the regional competition and he'll be sitting in the front row. The best seat in the house.

Inside classroom 3-A, Shuichi calmly yet eagerly awaited his friends' arrival. He was so excited, he actually showed up to school first again. That's how serious he was.

Okay, he consoled himself with his eyes closed. Try to remember as much as possible. Let's see. I remember…why I was brought to land, when my abilities first appeared, what happened to my birth mother…Tsuran City…the blue whale migration, my birth father, Emperor… Emperor…

"Excuse me," a female student trembled, "Minamino?"

"Hm? Oh, hello. Good morning."

The student was a timid, little thing but that was only because of who she was speaking to. While they may be equal in terms of academics, it's completely different by age. The girl had on the same uniform as the other female students but her hair was kept in a bob. Her face was a little pudgy but the rest of her body was average in terms of proportion and weight. The reason why she's standing the way she is because…

"Good morning," she said, bowing while presenting a small, elegantly-designed pouch, "I…wanted to give you this. It's for today."

"Oh…thank you."

The pouch was a good luck charm or katsumori purchased from a local temple. The girl isn't able to attend today's swim meet but she wanted to let Shuichi know that she'll be cheering him on in spirit. The pouch came in blue, silkened fabric and displayed the kanji for the shrine from where it was acquired in gold adorned by white, uniquely-patterned "bubbles" all held together by orange string. As if Shuichi couldn't feel more smug.

"I thank you for this," Shuichi repeated, "It's really thoughtful of you."

The girl bowed again in flustered fashion as if she was meeting her favorite pop star in person, "Think nothing of it. I just hope our school wins."

"Oh, we will," Kuronue announced from behind, "Because we have the best swimmer in town as captain."

Embarrassed, the girl took off, nearly crashing into Kiyoni on the way out.

"You really have a way with women, don't you," Shuichi slightly quipped.

"Not my problem. Hey, Ikeda."

"Hi," Kiyoni suspiciously replied, "Is she okay?"

"I think she was a little scared," Shuichi informed, "She gave me this for today."

"That was nice of her. Wait…how long have you been here?"

"About…twenty minutes."

"Misaki?"

"Just now," Kuronue answered, "Why?"

"Because Minamino showed up first which means something's up and it's serious, and no, I didn't need my intuition to tell me that," Kiyoni declared, pulling up a chair, "Alright. Spill it."

Before Shuichi could say anything, the school bell rang again, marking the start of classes. The class representative called to order, inciting every student to stand at attention to greet their teacher. It's going to be hard to focus today for at least three students, one of them with a monumental story to tell and an equally surmountable tournament to finish.

Heading towards the end of lunch period, both Kuronue and Kiyoni beamed with eyes as wide as anime characters listening to Shuichi's story. He found his birth father. He was able to visit his original home. He met up with Botan again…

"Wait, you did all of that…" Kiyoni asked.

"In one…night," Kuronue followed.

"Yes," Shuichi admitted, partially smiling, "It was incredible. I was genuinely shocked about how deep we had to go underwater just to make it there. And the whale migration…you absolutely have to see to believe."

"How deep are we talking?"

"I'm not sure exactly. Eh…wasn't there a story about a ship that capsized in the ocean?"

"Yeah. I think it was looking for the Titanic or something," Kiyoni assumed, "Wait, that deep?!"

"I guess so. I know for sure if either of you were to travel that far, you wouldn't survive as you are."

"As if I didn't need another reason to fear the ocean," Kuronue claimed before taking a swig of water, "Thanks a lot."

"Your dad," Kiyoni incited, "What's he like?"

A melancholic wave washed over Shuichi as he answered, "Understandably…depressed."

"What, why–? Oh…right."

"Lady Botan is too. You were right. Departed souls can have an attachment to the living if the desire is strong enough."

"Awwwww. I enjoy a sad love story."

"So when's the next time you'll see her again," Kuronue wondered, "Your mom?"

"Hopefully tonight," Shuichi said, "At least I want to. There's no telling how much Lady Botan has yet to show or tell me."

Kiyoni took a short moment to dream, "Man. I wish I could see it. Tsuran City…"

Whether it was out of friendly interest or attraction, an idea popped up in Shuichi's head before he could blink. Remembering how Kiyoni looked as a mermaid and the idea of creating a psychic link, Shuichi decided to test out a theory.

"Trust me, Ikeda. If I could take you there myself, I would. Same goes for you, Misaki."

"Nah, count me out," Kuronue decreed, "If I remember correctly, the deeper the ocean, the uglier the sea life. No, thanks."

Remember how the link works, Shuichi, "Ikeda? What about you?"

"Me? Well…" Kiyoni blushed.

"Who knows? Maybe we could reenact that…what was the name of that underwater place again? From that movie?"

"It's Wakanda Forever and you're thinking of Talokan. Right?"

And there it was. Shuichi had Kiyoni exactly where he wanted her. He genuinely wanted to take Kiyoni back to Tsuran City…and she was hopeful to go.

"Yes," he confirmed, "That. Would you go with me?"

At first, Kiyoni wanted to run and hide somewhere deep into space the way her heart was racing and from the way Shuichi was looking at her. Unbeknownst to her, the second Kiyoni's eyes locked themselves with Shuichi, their psychic connection was reignited. Tonight is going to be so much fun…hopefully.

Confidently, Kiyoni adjusted her position, moving her chair away from the boys since class was about to start, "Eh…yeah! Yeah, I'd…I'd go."

"Better you than me," Kuronue retorted, also getting ready for class.

Meanwhile, Shuichi did nothing but smirk and do so confidently. Despite regionals, if everything goes well, there will be two young ningyo returning to Tsuran City tonight.

Just before buses departed for the swim meet, everyone on the team was told to use the restroom before boarding. Fortunately, nature came calling for Shuichi. Unfortunately, someone else was coming for him too.

Shuichi was finishing giving himself a pep talk by the time visitor number two stepped in. While Shuichi was blissfully ignorant, this newcomer walked in acting like he already placed Shuichi in check.

"Hello, Minamino."

"Hm? Oh…hello."

Yuu Kaito was a young man of fifteen who had a slightly larger (not necessarily muscular) build compared to his schoolmate. A genetic mutation virtually unheard of in his family but is quite common overall was the appearance of freckles along his nose with a couple of them moles. He was known to be an outsider among the student body but a bright one. He was never into the same things most teenagers would be into such as sports, music, or even anime. What piques his interest is the supernatural, the unexplained, the mysterious, and the unmentionable. Case in point, a teenage merman.

As a distraction, Yuu took the time to wash his hands, "A pleasant time to go for a swim, yes?"

"Indeed. It's the day of regionals. Will you be attending?"

"Yes, I'm aware of your victory in the previous rounds. My congratulations. I plan on attending. Gotta show my support for the team."

"Yes. We could use it."

"You don't know who I am, do you?"

"Eh…sadly, no. Am I supposed to?"

"...Kaito Yuu," he declared, shaking off the excess water, "Class 3-B."

"Oh. That explains things. I apologize if I–"

"But I know you. At least, what most don't know of you."

"Excuse me," at this point, one of Shuichi's feet was pointed towards the exit while the rest of his body faced Yuu.

To prove his point, Yuu pulled out his phone and played the (now) defamed video, raw and uncut, "Ring any bells?"

"Oh, I remember that. I can't believe someone would accuse me of being a…" Shuichi awkwardly laughed, "It's amazing what AI can do nowadays."

"Don't lie to me," Yuu demanded, gritting his teeth, "I was there that day. I know what I saw because I was the one who recorded it. I was the one who witnessed your friends and family leave the building. Now, do you remember?"

"That was…that was your video?"

"AI, my ass. You had fins, Minamino. I watched you the entire time. Those things didn't pop up until the end of the competition. And then, the rumors that were started by Ohta and his friends about you…"

Nervousness creeped in like the moon eclipsing the sun. Sweat began to form on Shuichi's hands and along the hairline, his heart felt like it was going a mile a minute, and his jaw took every ounce of strength it had just to relax from clenching.

"What are you getting at, Kaito?"

With a smirk of his own, Yuu did away with the evidence, "You tell me. Let me give you a couple of prompts to help you out. Let's see…one of your races happens to be the 4x100m medley relay, yes? The world record for that was set at the Tokyo games in 2021 by an American team with a time of 3:26.78 seconds. If we were to divide that up evenly, each 100 meters should've taken them about…fifty-one, possibly fifty-two seconds. You gave yourself a bit of a leeway during your 100 meters, finishing at about forty-eight seconds. Then there's your individual 100-meter freestyle. The world record for that was again achieved at the Tokyo games by an American named Caeleb Dressel. He finished at 47.02 seconds. When you did your run, you came in even better at an astonishing 43.09 seconds. Why it's unbelievable you haven't been recognized for that yet."

"I guess…lady luck was on my side that day. I'm unfortunately pressed for time so I ask that you please cut to the chase, Kaito. I don't have all day."

"So what are you," Yuu asked, "You have fins and you swim faster than the average human. What are you?"

"Again, I don't have time for this–"

"You're a ningyo, aren't you," Yuu specified, cutting Shuichi's stride.

"Come again?"

"Don't play dumb with me. There's plenty of evidence around documenting ningyo or mermaid sightings all over the world. The upper body, human, while the lower body, piscine. Stories from pirates and ship workers concerning siren sightings in the ocean. The fact that you're a 'beast', a 'monster' in the water as people say. You're a ningyo. Admit it. I won't tell anyone."

"You listen to me, Kaito. Whatever ideas you have about me, that's all they are. Ideas. You have no solid proof, your claims were quickly debunked. All you have is hearsay."

"Is that right," determined to get to the truth, Yuu grabbed Shuichi's hand and with some fight, ran cold water over it, showing off his scales, "HA! I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT!"

"You know nothing," Shuichi claimed, taking back his hand, "Listen…if you utter one word about this…"

"You're…you're a ningyo," Yuu boasted, bordering on hysterics, "Oh, my gosh… You're a ningyo! It's no wonder you're–"

"Kaito, please…? Keep it down. If word gets out–"

"Ohhhhh, no. You're not getting one over me, Minamino. Oh, no. This time…this time it'll be you who's the freak around here and you wanna know why," Yuu presented his phone again, "This! Hahahaha…! I've been recording our conversation the whole time. First, a video. Now, an audio confession. Ohhhhh, yeah. If word got out, alright…"

"Kaito…listen–"

"No! You listen to me, Minamino. It's about time you pretty boys get what's coming to you and given what you are, I'm going to milk this for every drop possible. This time I'll be the one who's getting over on everyone else. Now, you listen to me. You do as I say…and I'll make sure none of this ever gets out."

"What…what do you mean by that?"

"First, you're gonna go to that tournament and win the championship. After that, you're gonna ditch your friends–wait… You're gonna…you're gonna ditch Misaki. He's an asshole. Then…you're gonna…you're gonna convince Ikeda to go out with me. Yeah."

Shuichi immediately disagreed, "If I do that last part, she's going to treat the both of us like punching bags. Just ask Misaki."

"It beats getting laughed at every day! At least, I'll know what it's like to be touched by a girl! Besides, she won't do much of anything if I got something to say about it. Not if she wants me to tell the world about your secret, she won't. She likes you too much. What else? And then…you'll have to hang out with me…every day…for the rest of the school year. Eh…so after you do that…then I'll…I'll delete the evidence. Everything."

"So let me get this straight. You essentially want to exploit me and my friends just to gain some sort of popularity?"

"Shut up! It's not even like that!"

"I'm afraid it is. Look, I don't have time to discuss particulars. If you're as smart as I believe you are, you would dispose of all the evidence you have of me and we can be on our merry ways. Your proposal is a waste of time."

"Oh, no you don't, Minamino," Yuu declared, blocking the exit, "You either accept my deal or face the consequences."

There Shuichi stood face-to-face with the man who knew his secret but was weak in threats, "I will do neither. I will subject neither my dignity nor my friends just to appease your pathetic ego. Better yet, come to regionals. Bring your phone with you. I dare you. I guarantee you'll have the evidence you need. Once that is over, feel free to do what you must. Until then, please step aside. There's a championship trophy with Meiou's name on it waiting to be claimed."

Yuu did step aside, silently accepting Shuichi's challenge. You have no idea what you've done, Minamino. Prepare to be the laughing stock of Meiou Academy.