There was nothing to distract Kurumu from the anxiety of her impending encounter with Nijiro's parents. The journey to the Amesuki household was as unremarkable as it had been the last two days. What little she could see was all the same.

Nijiro's father, Kaito, had always been against them marrying. He had no issue with Nijiro dating Kurumu, but he had made it clear that Nijiro should marry an undine to carry on the family name. His stance had probably not changed when the news of Kurumu's inability to have children had reached the parents. And there was no way her plans for adoption would change his mind.

Kurumu had to convince Nijiro's mother, Rio, to side with them again. She had initially been on their side on the basis that marriage should be between two people in love. She had also suggested that the duty to carry on the family name could be given to Minato, implying that she was open to Nijiro having a non undine child. Hopefully bringing up adoption would quell her concerns for Nijiro's future with Kurumu.

"Morning, Mrs. Kaitei!"

Tarumi's cheerful greeting caught Kurumu's attention. Tarumi settled by a group of three undines. One was Manami while the other was Kaitei whom she had met just yesterday. The third undine had jet black hair and a black bikini. The others had on the same bikinis as before.

"Morning, little Tarumi. So this must be the outsider."

Kurumu turned her scooter off, letting her momentum carry her across the remaining distance.

"Yes. That is Kurono Kurumu. This is Kaitei Uzu, my aunt."

Kurumu touched down on the uneven ground. She bowed her head to the undine.

'Pleased to meet you.'

The aunt flinched, drifting back as she touched her bosom.

"She can speak in that getup?"

Her daughter giggled, placing a hand on the aunt's shoulder.

"She projects her thoughts. Hiyori said that her uncle was supposed to give Ms. Kurono a writing tablet, but it seems he keeps forgetting to do so."

'Not that writing would be easy in this even if he did.'

Kurumu flexed her free hand, doubting she would write legibly with that glove when she could barely manage playing cards. The aunt peered at Kurumu with deep blue eyes.

"My daughter told me about your ill-advised trip into the scavenger's lair."

Kurumu forced a smile, recalling Mr. Akenuma's instructions.

'We were just bored.'

"Yea. My mom was furious. She even threatened to cancel my birthday plans."

"Why were you even near that place?"

Tarumi sighed dramatically at Manami's amused inquiry.

"Your dumb cousin said it was a great location for our jail. We were chatting for at least a half hour before we decided to do something more interesting."

"That place is dangerous, young lady. That's why only men are allowed in their lair."

Tarumi groaned at the aunt's declaration.

"I know that. But aren't you the least bit curious what it's like down there?"

"Not really. Scavengers are fierce, mindless beasts that eat anything that can't subdue them. That's why we let the strongest men keep them in check."

'That is what people say about mermen. But mermen have minds.'

The aunt cocked her head at Kurumu.

"You are being too inclusive, Ms. Kurono. Nobody in their right mind would try to have a conversation with a merman."

Kaitei giggled with a nod.

"Maybe if a merman was reared in a civilized environment, it would behave better. But we all know how mermaids treat their male counterparts."

Kurumu grimaced, wondering if there was any benefit to enlightening these two about the situation.

"I honestly didn't expect to see the two of you here."

"Well Rio is having Ms. Kurono over. She asked if I could maintain an air pocket inside her home so that she could have a conversation without worrying over Ms. Kurono's safety."

Kaitei's thin lips pulled back in a creepy grin.

"And I'm going to help Mother."

"Makes sense. Is there a reason why you are all waiting out here?"

"Nijiro is helping Mom move our plants to the lower level. They will let us know when they are ready."

'What about your father?'

"He had work so it will just be my mother. I hope you don't mind."

Kurumu paused, supposing that was fine. Their mother was the one she had to convince.

'Does your father not want to see me?'

"I don't think it's like that. He plans to be at Tarumi's birthday party next weekend which he knows you will be at. It's just that he has work and it would be a hassle coming back here during a weekday."

"Assuming little Tarumi isn't punished for her silliness."

Tarumi let out another dramatic sigh.

"Yes. I should be going home to discuss that with my mother. If everything is okay, I will need to talk to Ms. Ranryuu about staying in Umiman."

Manami frowned as she beckoned for Kurumu.

"Staying in Umiman?"

"We might stay with Mr. Ranryuu in Umiman after my birthday party if his daughter is okay with it. Mr. Akenuma was fine with the idea of Kurumu canceling the last two days of her stay. She might even get a refund for her diving gear if she returns the equipment early."

Manami nodded, grabbing Kurumu by the shoulder and pulling her close.

"That probably is better than her coming back here Saturday night and being bored all of Sunday. I'll ask Mom if I can spend the weekend with you guys."

"What sort of things do you have in mind for your birthday party?"

Tarumi shrugged at Kaitei's inquiry, treading away from the group.

"Haven't decided yet. Kurumu wants to visit Ikinakawa but there isn't much to do there other than chat with friends. We can figure out the details later. See ya!"

The undines echoed the farewell as Tarumi disappeared into the darkness. Kurumu breathed in deep, feeling more nervous about this meeting despite knowing she only had one parent to deal with.

'What did you guys do yesterday?'

"You know that article Ms. Akashiya wrote about Disneyland in Hong Kong? Well I immediately wrote to my dad about doing something fun like that over break. I never got a response about it since they were more worried about your relationship with my brother. I honestly thought he had forgotten about it."

'You went to Disneyland?'

Manami laughed, shaking her head.

"No. He took us to Suntopia World. It's a theme park on the outskirts of the city. Mostly rides for little kids but it was fun since I've never been to an amusement park before."

Kurumu grinned, wondering if that was anything like the Lina World she had been to in Yamagata. As that had been part of her time with Tsukune, she had not told many people about that trip.

'Did Nijiro have fun?'

"Probably not. He kept bringing up how we should have brought you along. Considering what you did with Tarumi to pass the time, I can't say he was wrong."

Kurumu smirked, supposing that was a fair assessment. A part of her wanted to tell Manami everything about the scavengers, but that was probably a better conversation to have back at Yokai Academy.

'Well considering how much your parents are against my relationship with your brother, it makes sense that they would not want me at a family activity.'

Manami huffed, gesturing at the door.

"It was hardly a family activity. Mom was mad at Dad for not taking this seriously and refused to come. It was just the three of us."

'Your mom was home?'

"Yea. Probably killing time like she always does."

This revelation made Kurumu worry even more. It sounded like Mrs. Amesuki was vehemently opposed to this relationship. Her attention shifted to Mrs. Kaitei and her daughter. The pair were bantering in low tones which discouraged Kurumu from listening in.

'Other than Minato, you never mentioned your other cousins.'

"To be fair, Minato is the only cousin I've talked with on a regular basis. I've always been too intimidated to talk with Joumi."

"Is someone badmouthing me?"

Manami made a dismissive wave at her cousin's false concern.

"Ms. Kurono is wondering why I never told her about you. I was saying we weren't very close."

"That's because your mother is always pushing us away. I've tried to be friendly with her but she only wants us around when it is on her terms."

Kaitei giggled at her mother's protest.

"Mom is just upset that she married into this community without any real friends."

"You would think my husband's older sister would have been more understanding but she always acted like I was some nuisance to be around. Thankfully some of the wives of my husband's friends were more welcoming to make my first years in Aranami more tolerable."

Manami laughed nervously.

"Mother has always been like that. She didn't like me coming home from junior high unannounced."

"I still suspect that Ryou did something to his sister back when they were kids. You would not think they were siblings with how they act around each other."

Kaitei smiled, drifting over to massage her mother's shoulders.

"Dad already told you nothing happened between them. Aunt Rio has been like this forever. Several people have verified that."

Kurumu would have never suspected Manami's mother to be so antisocial.

'I thought she was living in Aranami to be close to family.'

The aunt huffed indignantly.

"Rio doesn't even visit her own parents. Back before her kids were in junior high, she used to always talk about leaving Aranami. Never understood why she stayed here."

Kurumu paused to soak up that information.

'You have two older sons. I was told that Osuke was two years older than Joumi.'

"Yes. Osuke wasn't smart enough to attend college. He joined Fairy Tale and is working at the office in Agano right now but is trying to get transferred to Umiman."

"And Takami finished his third year at Niigata University. But he's working full time so we never see him."

Kurumu frowned at the cousin's input.

'Is he not getting money from Fairy Tale?'

"Nope. Dad didn't want my brothers to end up working for Fairy Tale their whole lives like he did so he's helping Takami make ends meet. But that's not common knowledge to my friends whom think I should have gone to high school."

'Does your father work in Umiman?'

"Mhm. Has been since he graduated junior high. Working for Fairy Tale gets you priority in their match making program. Snatched Mom up the moment he saw her profile."

"My profile didn't even have a picture. He just wanted a girl fresh out of junior high."

"Sheesh, Mom. He's only three years older than you."

"Now that I only have Joumi around, it often feels like I don't have a family. Ryou only has one sister and she refuses to participate in any plans Ryou makes with their parents. My parents and siblings reside in a similar undine community off the coast of Fukui prefecture. Even with taking the station to Kuminagawa, it would take over a day to get there."

"Which is probably the real reason why I haven't been married off. Mom would get lonely."

"Since we are on the topic of extended family, I should mention that Minato has two little sisters. Mikoto will be starting her last year of primary school and Mizuho is two years behind her."

Kurumu perked up at Manami's admission.

'He has sisters?!'

"Yea, but they're really young. Like I'm closer in age to Takami than Mikoto. I've never thought about spending time with them."

"Amusingly I have spent more time with your uncle's family than yours. Uni is a goodhearted, simple man and his wife somehow makes him look intelligent."

Kaitei clucked her tongue at her mother.

"Hey now. You didn't go to high school either."

"I mean no disrespect. They are a wholesome, lovable couple but Hayu is dumber than a sea cucumber. Her junior high teachers probably graduated her out of pity."

Kaitei giggled, massaging her mother's shoulders again.

"That might be true but she's a sweetheart and her girls are adorable. Mr. Kurono should meet them."

"I suppose we could do that tomorrow if Kurumu doesn't mind."

'Socializing is better than doing nothing.'

The sound of the door caught her attention. Nijiro poked his blond head out, beckoning to them.

"We are ready. Come inside."

Kurumu shuffled after Manami whom was able to reach the door in an instant. She mildly wondered if Nijiro had been arguing with his mother. It seemed strange that it would have taken so much time to get things ready, considering his mother had been home all of yesterday.

'Everything okay?'

Nijiro turned his eyes on her, offering that unsettling undine smile.

"Be polite."

That was not reassuring as Kurumu crossed the threshold. The light on her scooter pushed aside the darkness, revealing the same bland walls that Kurumu had seen in every other household. Her eyes settled upon Mrs. Amesuki whom was wearing an indigo bikini. The mother possessed the same blond hair and periwinkle eyes as her children.

"Good morning, Ms. Kurono. I believe we have some things to discuss once my sister in law provides a bubble for your comfort."

'We could talk like this.'

The mother winced. She turned slightly at the sound of the door closing.

"I would rather you not be poking around in my head. How long will it take you to make that bubble?"

"We just got here, Sister. You could at least thank us for our assistance."

"I am thankful. This is a delicate matter, concerning my only son."

"That sounds foreboding."

"It is serious, Joumi. I would have the same reaction if one of your brothers was chasing after a girl of a different race."

"But I heard that she's part undine."

"That only makes it somewhat tolerable. Now help me with this."

Kaitei sounded an affirmative, holding her arms out in the same fashion as her mother. Moments later, Kurumu could feel the ripple of power. Water was being forced from the center of the room, creating a small air pocket between her and Mrs. Amesuki. This pocket expanded steadily, eventually touching the floor and creeping towards her.

The ability to force water to bend and flow to her will was not unfamiliar to Kurumu. She had first done this in a hospital with fluid bags connected to her veins. With willpower alone, she had drained the bags and accelerated her healing.

During her training with Ms. Kiyomizu before the school festival, she had been evaluated as having the same indestructibility in water that mermaids possessed. Unfortunately she lacked the ability to breathe underwater but that could be circumvented if she ever figured out how to make air pockets for herself. That was how Numasaki had gotten around her handicap.

The boundary of the bubble passed over her, taking away every droplet from her diving gear. It was just like how it had been at Tarumi's home. The control undines had over water was simply astonishing. She turned about, clutching the scooter against her as the bubble expanded to include Manami and Nijiro.

"Let me help you take that off."

Manami bounded over to her side, reverting back into human form. Kurumu bowed her head, making it easier on the girl to reach the clasps securing the helmet. Nijiro joined them, also changing into his human form. Kurumu tried not to look directly at the bulge of his black speedo as he aided his sister.

A loud pop declared the breaking of the seal. The helmet was twisted out of the suit's groove before it was lifted. Kurumu breathed in the chilly air through her nostrils as she straightened back up. She smiled at Nijiro as he placed her helmet on the floor.

"You look good."

"You look cold. Your lips are blue."

Kurumu pouted at the amusement in his voice.

"Because it's freezing down here. I haven't fully warmed up from this morning."

"Thank you, Uzu. I believe the size of this pocket is enough."

The mother's voice brought Kurumu's attention back to the undine. Mrs. Amesuki had shifted into her human form. She had smooth, unblemished skin and her faint blond tresses spilled down to her rump. Her bosom filled out that bikini better than it had before. It was worth noting that undines were roughly the same height and girth as their human guises.

"We should turn your oxygen tank off."

Kurumu sounded an acknowledgment as Nijiro felt around her back. She assumed he must have found what he was looking for when the soft hiss of air within her suit suddenly stopped.

"Now where should we start? I suppose the first question I have for you is have you charmed my son?"

Kurumu grit her teeth, knowing any mother would ask her that.

"Not intentionally."

"What exactly do you mean by that?"

Kurumu hated the judgmental tone of the inquiry.

"I have a natural allure. It makes it easier for me to get what I want."

Nijiro placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Kurumu has explained this to me. She only means that she can influence people to do as she likes without trying as hard as a normal girl."

His mother scowled at him.

"When you went back to school in January, you were in agreement with us about breaking up with Ms. Kurono. It's obvious that she charmed you into changing your mind."

"First off, you were the only one pushing for me to break up with Kurumu. Dad still doesn't care if I keep Kurumu as my girlfriend."

"He doesn't want you marrying her!"

"And marriage is a long way off!"

Nijiro paused, composing himself as his mother seethed.

"I need to focus on my studies. At least get two, maybe even three years of college complete before letting Kurumu live with me. I'm no fool. She's a very tempting distraction."

Kurumu nodded with a feeling of detachment.

"Yea. I'll probably be waiting for him in Hokkaido."

Nijiro laughed abruptly.

"Right. Kurumu is very close to Ms. Shirayuki whom will be having a baby soon."

"You are completely missing the point. You can't marry her. The passage of years won't change that."

"Dad might be stubborn but he will come around."

Mrs. Amesuki scoffed at his words.

"I know your father far better than you. When his mind is made up, he doesn't change it. He will never approve of you marrying that girl. You can't even have a family with her."

"We can adopt!"

"You have no empathy for men, Ms. Kurono. If taking care of another man's child was no big deal, then women would not have to be so discrete in hiding their affairs."

Kurumu frowned in confusion.

"That's not even the same thing. This isn't about cheating on Nijiro. We would be agreeing to take care of an orphaned child whom doesn't belong to either of us."

The mother huffed, looking at her son.

"Should I mention your father's proposal to her?"

"I have no intentions of doing that."

"Would you be fine with being my son's mistress?"

"That is out of line, Mother. We are not discussing that!"

The question caught Kurumu off guard. She initially balked at the notion but quickly realized what Mr. Amesuki had in mind. Nijiro would officially marry an undine to carry on the Amesuki name.

"Never considered that option."

Nijiro whirled on her.

"It's not an option, Kurumu. No man can truly love two women."

Kurumu nodded dumbly but her thoughts centered on Moka's father. A part of her hoped that he had loved both Gyokuro and Akasha.

"This is not love, Nijiro. She charmed you when you tried to break up with her."

"That's not true!"

Manami stepped forward, gesturing with her hands.

"She's gorgeous, Mom. What makes you think Kurumu had to charm him into staying?"

"She probably slept with him to change his mind."

Kurumu flinched at the same time as Nijiro. Manami blushed slightly, glancing aside.

"Well she hasn't exactly been trying to hide that."

"Yea. I did steamroll him when he came back to school."

Nijiro chuckled nervously at her admission.

"You were very assertive."

"This is no laughing matter. You are my son."

The firmness of her voice demanded attention.

"I want you to marry the girl you love and have a family with her. Ms. Kurono can never give you that."

"You are assuming that adoption won't work out for us."

Her eyes softened.

"Your entire life would be a lie, Nijiro. It's one thing to work for humans. But living with them and raising one as your own. To always live in fear of discovery. I don't want that future for you."

"Father manages just fine."

"Your father keeps to himself."

Nijiro smirked, crossing his arms about his smooth chest.

"Not going to accuse him of infidelity again."

"This is serious. Adopting a human child has risks. If you tell that child the truth, they might tell other kids. That leads to your child's isolation or a situation that would require Fairy Tale's intervention."

"There are plenty of kids at Yokai Academy that went to human schools. Kurumu is one of them."

Kurumu laughed softly at his defense.

"Technically I didn't know I was a succubus when I was young."

"But others did know their true forms and attended school without issue. We just need to let our child know that the truth needs to remain a secret."

"It's a risk you shouldn't have to take."

Kurumu grimaced. It was not like his mother's concern was unreasonable. Moka had been isolated as a child for insisting she was a vampire.

"We can worry about that after we adopt a child."

"He is my son. Not your fuck toy."

Kurumu staggered back in shock from the harshness of those words.

"That was uncalled for."

"I have no reason to believe that she loves you. She's just using you because you have a clear vision for your future. What does she even offer in this relationship?"

Nijiro huffed indignantly.

"I could ask what you offered Dad."

"I gave him an heir and a daughter! I rarely oppose what he asks of me!"

"Because he only comes home on the weekends."

"That was his choice, not mine! The only thing this whore is giving you is access to her pussy!"

Kurumu's caring about this argument ceased the moment she heard that slur. It did not matter if the woman had valid concerns about Kurumu's contribution to this relationship. Kurumu had no reason to value the opinions of people whom hated her.

Her eyes locked on the mother and she slipped into Mrs. Amesuki's mind effortlessly. Having done this with Morisato Juri, a former friend, Kurumu was prepared for the vile feelings directed upon her. This woman had never liked her. The support Kurumu thought she had was only this woman's way of teasing a husband she thought more of as a friend. Mrs. Amesuki's heart had always belonged to someone else.

"So that's why you don't ever visit your parents. You still hold it against them for not approving of your relationship with Mr. Junsui."

The mother gasped, faltering back a step. Her lips twisted in several emotions from confusion to rage.

"You are speaking nonsense!"

"Kurumu. Don't."

Nijiro frowned at the reactions from his mother and sister.

"What does Mr. Junsui have to do with anything?"

"Nothing! This whore of yours is about to lie!"

The sharp response to her confused son forced Kurumu to reconsider her next words. She withdrew her awareness from Mrs. Amesuki's mind, doubting she needed any more information about this topic.

"I understand. You don't want your children to live with the same deception you have been enduring for the past two decades."

"What is she talking about, dear Sister?"

Mrs. Amesuki's eyes filled with anger as she glanced in the direction of Mrs. Kaitei.

"She's a succubus playing mind games. She must have found out that I went to school with Mr. Junsui and is trying to insinuate there was something serious between us."

"Oh come now. You think that I wouldn't hear about your former crush. It's not like your brother was clueless about your relationship with Mr. Junsui."

Mrs. Amesuki grit her teeth.

"Fine. I was enamored with him a long time ago. But because of his accident, my father forbade me from seeing him and signed me up with the matchmaking program. I turned down every suitor until Kaito."

The mother turned to address her son.

"It only took one meeting with him for me to realize how much I missed your father. That is why we got married and why I have been faithful to him ever since."

That was a lie. While the woman did care about her husband, she had been fucking Mr. Junsui in this home's lower level just yesterday.

"I will marry your son. And I will tell him the truth."

Mrs. Amesuki scowled, gesturing angrily at the door.

"Get out of my house!"

Kurumu had no objection to that.

"Back a little early for lunch?"

Kurumu managed a smile as she turned off her scooter. Manami hovered by her side as Nijiro closed up the outer door. The hotel owner set aside the laminated sheets he had been perusing.

'Yea. I will stay inside the rest of the day.'

"I'm guessing the meeting with the parents was rough."

Nijiro chuckled, drifting over to join them. In his hand was a deck of cards he had bought from the novelty shop. He had surprised her when he had pulled out some coins from his speedo. She had not expected that clingy garment to have a tiny pocket in the back.

"It was confusing. I'm hoping that Kurumu will explain soon."

"I would prefer her not to."

Manami had been withdrawn ever since leaving their home. Not wanting to come straight here, Kurumu had encouraged Nijiro to accompany her around the town to pass the time. They had a harmless chat with the Numasaki kids at the grocery store before parting ways with Mrs. Kaitei and her daughter. They had also stopped by Tarumi's place but she had already went to visit Ranryuu. They had left a message with Tarumi's mother for Tarumi to come to the hotel if she could.

"Follow me then."

Kurumu started to shuffle towards the hall but Nijiro grabbed her by the shoulder. He hauled her feet off the floor, tugging her after Mr. Akenuma. Manami trailed behind them as they made their way to the open hatch at the end. The hotel owner glided through first and turned about, beckoning to them.

Nijiro steered Kurumu through the opening. She righted herself, feeling her feet touch the floor. Manami entered the small chamber soon after. The hotel owner grabbed hold of the wheel and tugged the hatch closed. He jerked on it twice before he started spinning the wheel to tighten the seal.

"Feel free to turn off that light."

Kurumu felt about the scooter, pressing the button which cast the chamber into complete darkness. Even with understanding their sonar, Kurumu found it fascinating that they could work in the dark like this. She heard the turning of the wheel cease, feeling the man brush her aside. A moment later she heard the whir of a motor, sucking the water out of the chamber.

'Sorry about this.'

"Don't apologize. My mother was being unreasonable. I may be her son, but I'm not her puppet."

"She's worried that you're Kurumu's puppet."

"She's completely dismissing the fact that we quarrel. I've told her about my arguments with Kurumu to prove that I'm not just bowing to all of Kurumu's nonsense but our mother felt that was proof that we shouldn't be together. We are much better off trying to convince Father."

"It sounded like Dad wanted you to marry someone else."

"Well Dad might change his mind. He knows what it is like to live on the surface. Mom is just a country bumpkin too afraid of the world to live outside her comfort zone in Aranami."

"Hey now. There's nothing wrong with living in Aranami."

Kurumu grimaced at the lighthearted remark.

'Tell that to the scavengers.'

Mr. Akenuma patted the top of her helmet. The sound of the contact made it apparent that the water level had already dropped that far.

"Let that go, young lady. There's nothing you or I can do about that."

Mr. Akenuma grunted as the wheel started to screech in protest. Several noisy turns later and the hatch was pushed out on squealing hinges, allowing dim light to filter into the small chamber. The hotel owner stepped over the lip, gesturing for them to follow.

Clutching the scooter to her chest, Kurumu awkwardly lumbered over the barrier. She shuffled further into the room to give space for her two companions.

"I'll take that."

Kurumu smiled, surrendering the scooter to Mr. Akenuma. The man walked off as Nijiro came to her side with his human form. Nijiro felt around the edges of her helmet, releasing the clasps with a loud pop. He twisted the helmet out of the seal's grooves, removing it seconds later.

"Are you wanting to take that suit fully off?"

Kurumu bit her lip as Mr. Akenuma opened the other compartment with a loud bang. The hotel owner slipped out of view to put away her scooter.

"I'll need the blanket. It's freezing in here."

Nijiro chuckled, setting the helmet down on the floor. He moved around her.

"I'll help you get this off."

As he loosened the straps to her harness, Mr. Akenuma stepped back into the room. He purposefully strolled over to aid Nijiro's task.

"I hope you don't have any intentions of spending the night here, young man. I'd never hear the end of it from your mother if I did."

"But my sister will be here."

Mr. Akenuma snickered as Kurumu freed her arms of the harness.

"That doesn't mean squat. Parents have sex while their kids sleep all of the time."

"I wouldn't do that with my sister in the same room!"

Kurumu blushed as the man disconnected her oxygen tank from her suit. He chuckled, walking off with her tank in hand. He ducked into the equipment room.

"Doesn't matter if you would. It's the matter that you could. I'll be sending you home when it gets late."

Nijiro sighed as he felt around the back of Kurumu's suit for the seams holding it together.

"You're throwing me back in the fire."

A motor kicked on.

"She's your mother."

Mr. Akenuma stepped back into the room.

"Until you are financially independent of your parents, you have to respect them."

Nijiro huffed as the man closed up the small compartment.

"Dad is the one making the money. I haven't needed my mother since the start of junior high."

"Don't say that."

Nijiro scowled at his sister whom had also reverted to her human form.

"As if you would understand. You're mommy's little girl."

Manami flinched as Mr. Akenuma slipped behind her. He grabbed hold of the hatch as he stepped one foot into the antechamber.

"You have until eight."

Kurumu managed a smile, feeling the suit loosen in the back.

"Tarumi might also come by tonight. Her dad has the final say on if her birthday plans are still intact."

Mr. Akenuma chuckled, tugging the hatch towards him.

"I suspect that she will. Her old man spoils her rotten."

The hatch clanged shut at the end of his sentence. The wheel protested as it was spun on the other side, tightening down the seal. Kurumu hissed in a breath when she felt Nijiro's chilly hand against her bare back. She whirled about, wagging her hands as another motor started up.

"Don't! Your hands are freezing!"

Nijiro chuckled, stalking off to the side panels.

"I'll let you take that off then. Is the blanket in here?"

Kurumu whimpered, supposing she could wiggle out of the suit on her own. She threw a pleading look at Manami whom remained by the hatch.

"Help me?"

Manami smiled thinly, padding over to her.

"I guess. You looked into her thoughts, didn't you?"

Kurumu grimaced, nodding as the girl touched her shoulders.

"I think that was rather obvious. Clearly she saw something that put Mom on edge."

Kurumu shivered as Manami helped her wiggle her left arm out of the clingy, cumbersome gear. She had been in the suit long enough for wisps of heat to waft off her exposed shoulders. Nijiro drifted into view, holding the coarse blanket.

"Yea. She's never liked me."

"But she-"

"was only getting back at your dad. From day one, she thought I was just using your brother."

Manami let out a sob as she tugged on Kurumu's gear.

"I'm sorry. I wanted to believe things would work."

Kurumu grunted, finally freeing her left arm. Cold air crept inside the gaps of the gear, quickly causing her nipples to harden. She started wiggling her right arm while pushing the gear down her shoulder.

"Not your fault. Her affair was going on long before she met me."

"Affair?"

"Kurumu, please!"

The desperation in Manami's voice made Kurumu hesitate her efforts. She looked into Manami's eyes which had teared up.

"You knew."

Manami bit her lip, glancing aside.

"I don't want my family to fall apart."

"What are we talking about?"

Kurumu looked up, seeing the hardness in his eyes.

"Your mother has been having an affair with Mr. Junsui."

He swallowed, backing off a step.

"Really. It wasn't just a memory of her flirting and thinking she should have married him instead?"

Kurumu let out a shallow breath while Manami's pitiful sobs tore at her heart.

"If it was that innocent, I wouldn't have brought it up."

Nijiro clenched his jaw, nodding. An immense disappointment was in his eyes.

"Are we even Dad's kids?"

Kurumu's eyes widened. This had been a mistake.

"Isn't Mr. Junsui sterile?"

"I don't know. You were inside Mom's head."

"I only skimmed through her memories, Nijiro. I know the affair was going on before she met me but I have no idea how long."

"You said that she was lying for two decades."

Kurumu grimaced, realizing the error in her words.

"That was from her own thoughts, Nijiro. It's not like I saw her memories of her father's rejection of Mr. Junsui. She was recently thinking about her grievances with her parents and how she had been living a charade for decades."

"How long have you known about this, Manami?"

Manami backed away from Kurumu, crying as she rubbed her eyes.

"Just stop. I don't-"

"How long?!"

Manami flinched at her brother's fury. She sniffled, glancing up at him with reddened eyes. Her answer came in a soft whisper.

"Almost four years."

Nijiro let out a laugh in disbelief.

"Four years?! You've known about this for four years?!"

"What was I supposed to do?"

"Tell Dad!"

"But he would leave Mom."

Nijiro sighed in frustration.

"I don't think that is a problem, Manami. Mom doesn't care about us."

"That's not true. That's not true."

Kurumu swallowed thickly, deciding to continue her efforts of freeing her arm.

"Let me guess. You walked in on them back in junior high when you got homesick that first month."

Manami flinched at her brother's deduction. She swallowed, rubbing her tears aside.

"Yea. She was so mad about me coming home unannounced."

"And now I know why. I used to think that was just her being controlling, but it was actually about her trying to hide her misdeeds."

Kurumu gasped when she succeeded in liberating her arm. She gestured at Nijiro.

"I need that blanket now."

He promptly fluffed out the blanket. He stepped closer, draping the coarse fabric over her shoulders.

"Sorry. This is just not the sort of truth I was expecting to hear about my mother."

Kurumu forced a smile, clutching the blanket tighter about her torso.

"Did you actually catch them in the act or did you just not believe their excuses?"

Manami let out a mirthless laugh. Her eyes were distant as she recalled the memory.

"They were so into it that they didn't hear me open the door. I didn't know what to do so I just watched them. They only noticed me after they finished."

Kurumu grimaced, feeling sorry for Manami. While Kurumu's mother had been rather poor at hiding the ways she earned money, Kurumu had never actually seen her mother having sex.

"Were you hoping that it was just that one time?"

Manami sighed at Kurumu, slouching her shoulders. She sniffled, glancing down.

"At first. But that wasn't the only time I came home during the week that year. I never caught them in the act again, but I would have to wait for them to finish whatever they were doing in Mom's room."

"You were locked out."

Manami nodded at her brother's conclusion.

"I did get mad at her and threatened to tell Dad but she said Dad would just leave us all if he found out."

"Because we're not his kids."

Kurumu vehemently shook her head.

"You don't know if that's true, Nijiro. In all of your mother's recent memories, she has never thought of you as Mr. Junsui's son."

"That doesn't mean I'm not."

Kurumu took in a deep breath through her nostrils.

"Nijiro. If those two have been fucking for at least four years, how have they not had any kids?"

Nijiro paused with a contemplative look. He grimaced, clenching his fists.

"Mr. Junsui's accident isn't exactly a secret. But if we aren't his kids, why would Dad abandon us?"

Kurumu sighed with an involuntary shiver.

"She probably wanted to scare Manami for acting out. An empty threat."

"Not really an empty threat when Dad only sees us on the weekends."

"He has work. He loves us."

Manami would not meet her brother's gaze.

"If you say so."

Nijiro sighed, turning his attention upon Kurumu.

"I should help you out of that suit."

Kurumu managed a laugh, nodding.

"Yes, please."

Nijiro slipped behind her, grabbing the sides of the suit. He pushed down, wiggling the clingy gear down the curve of Kurumu's rump till it was exposed. Kurumu whimpered, knowing she should help him but not wanting to give up the blanket.

"Hold this, Manami."

With much reluctance, she surrendered the coarse fabric to the sniffling undine. She reached down with both hands, wiggling and pushing the gear down her left thigh. She shuddered as freezing air touched upon the bare skin of her back, arms and shoulders. Soon the small stretch of exposed leg above her knee joined the victims of this icy embrace.

Kurumu whined as she struggled to free her left foot. Nijiro knelt down to hold the boot in place, making it easier. It felt like forever before her bare foot was out but there was no relief in the accomplishment. Her foot rapidly lost warmth the moment she stepped lightly on the frigid floor.

"Too cold!"

Nijiro chuckled, crawling over to secure the other boot.

"You might not believe this, but this room is warmer than the water outside."

Kurumu shuddered as she became far too aware of the warmth of her bladder.

"Just great. Now I have to pee."

"Hurry up then."

"I'm trying!"

Kurumu wiggled and writhed, eventually getting her other foot out. She immediately pranced across the room, pushing the inset that pulled the panel aside. Ducking into the small, dark room, Kurumu grabbed the clingy fabric at her left shoulder. She slipped her left arm out of the loop before doing the same to the right. Bowing her head, she pulled the fabric behind her up over her arctic blue locks.

Once her head was out of the final loop, the garment immediately fell down her torso, baring her hardened nipples of her supple breasts. Shuddering from the cold, she grabbed the hem at her hips and pushed the garment down. She wiggled her butt free as she dragged the swimsuit down her thighs.

As she had no intention of prancing about naked, she stopped when the fabric reached her knees. Twirling about in the tiny space, she sat down on the icy surface. She sighed, relaxing her bladder. Steam wafted up from between her thighs.

"Mind if I watch?"

Kurumu squeaked when he poked his head through the opening. She could feel his desire for her grow upon seeing her bared tits.

"And you wondered why he won't let you stay the night."

Nijiro chuckled, stepping wholly into the cramped space. It was difficult to make out his features from just the dim lighting of the adjacent room, but she could feel his sexual approval of her.

"It's nothing I haven't seen before."

Kurumu sighed as the last vestiges of urine left her body.

"You should go comfort your sister."

"Why? She's known about this for years. I'm the one needing comfort."

Kurumu snorted, getting up while grabbing her swimsuit at her knees. But the space was so cramped that her breasts touched his chest. Before she could drag the fabric up over her ass, he embraced her. His skin was cold, causing her nipples to ache.

"Nijiro. I'm cold."

"I'm scared, Kurumu. What if Mom is right about Dad?"

Unsure what she should do, Kurumu returned his embrace.

Kurumu jerked up from her sleep, feeling a malevolent presence. She clutched the coarse blanket tighter against her bare skin as her eyes rapidly adjusted to the dim lighting. A glance across the room at the digital clock confirmed it was still a little more than a half hour before midnight. Her diving gear, helmet and swimsuit rested on the floor beneath the clock.

Shivering from the cold, Kurumu glanced to her left. Her exposed, nude companions shared this second blanket protecting them from the icy floor. Tarumi tightly held Manami for warmth much like she had hogged the blanket the last two nights.

Tarumi had arrived a little before the time that Nijiro would have been kicked out. She had brought good news about her birthday party and Ranryuu would talk with her father tomorrow about them staying the weekend. It was too bad it was only Tuesday night. Kurumu had no desire to be in Aranami now.

It had been a long day but she felt more loved by Nijiro now than she had at the start of this trip. Hours of cuddling with some kissing mixed in had left her floating. If Manami had not been around, they would have had sex. She felt bad for making things awkward for Manami but she was Nijiro's girlfriend. It was right for her to follow his lead.

She shuddered as another malicious sensation coursed through her body. Something was wrong. This was harmful intent.

Kurumu gasped, looking up at the ceiling.

It was murderous intent.

"Manami! Tarumi! Wake up!"

Kurumu hopped to her feet, adrenaline flooding her body. She cast the blanket aside, holding her arms up at the ceiling.

"Don't do it!"

There was a sharp crack as the glass casing holding the glowing foliage fractured. In the blink of an eye, the roof smashed into her with the immense weight of water behind it. In that instant, Kurumu felt the thought of her adversary.

'Die, whore!'