Welcome to part three of the story! Some things to remember:
-Shuichi is aware of his adoption and that he's turning into a fish

-His friends are aware of his adoption and that he's turning into a fish

-His parents are aware that he's turning into a fish

-There are two schoolmates that are aware of his aquatic plight with one of them wanting to expose him online for clout

How will this play out? Stay tuned to find out.

Later that evening, after narrating his victorious story and sorrowful ending to his parents over dinner, Shuichi prepared to turn in for the night. Unfortunately, the feeling he expected to have at this time was completely opposite of how he felt now. It was one thing to cause an electrical malfunction. It's another when there's a casualty. There he sat on his bed with nothing but the lights of his aquariums illuminating his bedroom in regretful contemplation and prayer for the assumed victims.

I hope things turn out alright. I just…I never meant…

Just before going to bed, Shuichi sent out one last text to Kiyoni. She was about to turn in too but replied assuring Shuichi that she was okay. In response, Shuichi apologized one last time, wished her the sweetest of dreams, and joked about how she should listen to the soundtrack to Wakanda Forever as she slept. Upon closing his eyes, all Shuichi could think about was Tsuran City and Lady Botan.

When those eyes opened, Shuichi was once again found lying in a different area of the ocean. This time his surroundings weren't made of coral or sand. The waters were warmer and of a lighter blue hue. Below him, vibrant green grass scattered along another field. The very platform that Shuichi slept on was familiar though. That same shimmering, pearlescent surface. Shuichi met up with Botan once again, pleased to see her warm, motherly smile.

"Welcome back," she whispered.

"Lady Botan." Shuichi shouted, "Lady Botan, you… You… Those swimmers…! Lady Botan, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…I didn't know I could…"

Botan immediately went into maternal mode, "It's alright. It's alright. Kurama, listen to me. It's alright. I know you didn't know. That wasn't your fault. That was my fault. I should've informed you of all of your abilities."

"You knew…? You knew that was possible? Why didn't…why didn't you tell me?"

"Kurama, if I've said it once, I've said it multiple times. I only have so much time to tell you everything there is to know. Once my time is up, it's up to you to continue on that journey."

"What do you mean?"

"Kurama, the goddess has only given me a limited time to do all that must be done before I return to her celestial waters. That includes letting go of this world I've called my home and hopefully lead you towards your path back to yours."

"What?"

"Yes, Kurama. While I am allowed to protect you, I'm required to…essentially convince you to come home. To reconnect with the place of your birth. You are a representative of two different worlds. It's time for you to come to know of this one. That's why we're here."

No wonder. No wonder Shuichi is going through what he's going through. The physical changes, the connection to water, these dreams, the way he's been swimming lately. It's no wonder all of this is happening at once. It's nature's way of letting Shuichi know who and what he is and how to handle it. Not only is he going through traditional, human puberty, he's going through subaquatic puberty…sort of.

In an attempt to make sense of it all, Shuichi coasted towards the surface where he was welcomed by the prismatic waves of the ocean and afternoon sun, "This is…all so much. You're saying you brought me here…just to convince me to…completely abandon my current life for this one?"

"Not abandon. Nothing was said about abandoning anything. It's just that…since you're coming into your own, it's best that you have or develop an understanding of why you are the way you are. Much like you're doing on dry land. Kurama…I realize it's a lot to take in but you have to understand it's for the best."

"Who's best? Yours? Because it seems to me that you've been gaining quite an advantage lately."

"Excuse me but I don't recall ever mentioning anything about personal advantages. I am here to simply do what I can do as a mother and much like the one you have in the surface world, I'm doing all I can to make sure you grow up to be a mature, responsible, well-informed ningyo…and possibly be a contributing member to both human and ningyo society. I'm sure even your human parents will tell you that life isn't easy, that surprises can and will come your way. It's up to us to make sure you are fit enough to handle those surprises. Especially today."

"Especially today? Lady Botan, I may have ki–!"

"You didn't."

"...What?"

"I wanted to tell you sooner but…the humans who were caught up in that accident…they survived."

"They…survived?"

"Yes. I managed to help get them out just to avoid the worst. A few of them were genuinely shocked but one managed to get away with a scar."

Shuichi was so relieved, he allowed himself to sink. Landing on the comforting grass like a cloud, "They…survived."

"Yes. Turns out the shock you caused was more focused out of the water rather than in it. You did just fine, Kurama."

"Lady Botan…I seriously thought–"

"It's alright, my son. You're just fine."

"Thank you," Shuichi expressed through an embrace, "Thank you. Thank you for everything."

Botan cherished that hug like a pirate discovering hidden treasure, "What are mothers for?"

"So…another tour? Better yet, no. Lady Botan, I would like to take this time to learn…about everything I can do. Abilities and special powers."

"Well…" Botan listed, "There's swimming, though, you have that mastered it seems. Communication with other sea life. Wait, that hasn't been tested yet. You're aware of the ability to generate electricity."

"What about strength?"

"Hm?"

"Probably a small detail but I noticed my push off was a bit mightier than before."

"No. I don't think that's possible from our side."

That was a bit of a let down but it had an upside. It just meant that Shuichi's lower body was naturally increasing in strength by human standards.

"What about…" he hinted, "my father. Do we have any similar abilities?"

"The trident."

"Excuse me?"

"The necklace that he wears. Blessed and enchanted by the goddess herself."

"What does it do?"

"Many things," Botan smiled, "Heals the injured, banishes the dark, commands the waters and all life in it."

"Commands the waters? Wait…that tsunami from back then…"

"I said earlier that your father is unable to shatter the earth. However, the waves it made, your father had a hard time controlling."

"What about the other times? Japan–the dry world has seen more than its fair share of tsunamis."

Botan smiled again, this time, proudly, "Me. I was a bit of a…wild guppy in my youth. Especially when I had to learn how to wield the trident myself. I never meant to harm the surface world though…I'd call myself a liar if I said that I didn't take some form of pleasure from it. For a time, humans believed they had full control of both the land and sea. I wanted to be one of those who say otherwise."

"I understand. However, humanity has proven time and time again that it can survive the waters they trek through, constructing larger, stronger, more advanced vessels to prove it."

"Yes and when all is said and done, do you know where those vessels go? Down here with us. Humans too. Not to mention their waste, their toxins. I made the mistake of venturing to the surface world and ended up getting caught in a toxic spill. Unfortunately…I was also pregnant with you. That environment became my illness…an illness that…"

Shuichi couldn't make a comeback even if he tried. Seems like both sides had their own wins and losses. Even though he was too young to understand, the demise of Shuichi's birth mother was a big loss.

Because of that realization, Shuichi went into damage control, "I apologize. I…couldn't imagine how hurt you must feel."

"... It's alright. Another chapter of my journey is all. And since you mentioned advantages, it's been a joy seeing you grow up and you've been doing a fine job doing that. Just look at you! I can already see your father shining through you."

Shuichi grew bashful as Botan showered him with praise, his face in her hands. He used to get this kind of thing from his human mother when he was in preschool. Now he has to get it from the one who actually gave birth to him?

"Ah…" he breathed, "Please…? Lady Botan…"

"Oh! I have an idea."

"What is it?"

"I do have another tour in mind. We'll have to hold off on your abilities later. Follow me!"

"Another tour–? Wait, Lady…" and off Shuichi went, fishtailing the former empress wherever she wanted to go.

It was another cross country swim, including another dive into deeper waters. The mid-ocean range wasn't that bad. Mountainous, full of moss, algae and the like. In fact, it was about as mesmerizing as looking at any of the snow-capped mountain ranges of the surface world from above. As the two ningyo coast through a narrow way, something catches Shuichi's interest, his ear specifically.

Is that…?

"Kurama," Botan noticed, "Is something–oh, no. You have that look on your face again."

"It's that…it's that melody again. She's here," Shuichi was the one to take off this time, following that trailing, hypnotic composition.

"Kurama, wait," Botan chased, "Where are you going?"

"She's here. I have to find her!"

"Find her? Find–? Oh…!"

With the biggest smile on his face, Shuichi swam as fast as his tailfin could carry him. The sound that he heard was getting more and more recognizable and clearer by the second.

She's here. I didn't think she would take me seriously.

As soon as Shuichi made it above the mountains, he saw nothing but open waters. Granted, life was happening on this day. More coral reefs were seen this time with anemone, starfish, sea urchins, clownfish, and everything oceanic all around. And there she was. The mermaid Shuichi expected to see exploring the lands just like Ariel. A bit closer and Shuichi could see her playing around with a starfish and anemone with a tiny crab hanging onto one of her braids as if it was a charm or an earring. Just as she took off with her stowaway, Shuichi chased after her. Botan watched it all from a distance once she figured out what was going on. The chance to see young love at play was too good to pass up.

Kiyoni was enjoying herself this time, swirling, twirling, flipping around, testing her speed. It was an amazing experience. She assumed this is how her fellow classmate must've felt whenever he's in the water. If only he could see her as she is. In the middle of her swim, Kiyoni took a moment to take it all in. The water was warm and bright, the sun was as clear as it should be. Life underwater was just as active as dry land. This is a pretty sweet dream…or is it?

Like a predator on a hunt, Shuichi took his sweet time approaching this pretty fish. Kiyoni was just as she was before. The drapery on her arms gave her the appearance of an underwater, fairytale princess with her sunset peach-colored tailfin spread out in full form, flowing like the tosakin goldfish or the subaquatic version of a folklorico skirt. The braids Kiyoni loved so much scattered all around her head like the tendrils of a feather starfish or crinoid, diligently examining the water for sustenance or danger, slowly almost inexplicably, dancing in the pale blue water. The lone little crab that was around for the ride, landed and crawled onto Kiyoni's shoulder as if it was her Sebastian to its Ariel and like the Disney princess, Kiyoni grabbed that crustacean and gave it a friendly little peck.

"So cute," she said, "You don't mind if I call you Sebastian, do you?"

"If you do, would that make me Ariel or you," Shuichi said from an inconspicuous place.

"Who said that," Kiyoni wondered, her braids moving around with her as if in defense mode.

The jig was up. This is exactly what Shuichi wanted. The psychic link Botan talked about is really a thing now.

"Over here," Shuichi directed, peeking his face through a hole surrounded by coral. The creatures that made that particular spot their home scattered, revealing the young ningyo. Red hair and all.

"Mi…Minamino? Is that you?"

"It is," Shuichi said with a gushing grin, "Hello."

"Okay, wait…this is a dream. This is a dream. I know this is a dream because…well, for one, you don't have red hair."

"Well…I guess that's true. I'm not a redhead on the surface."

"Wait…how can this be a dream if I'm having a conversation with you? If I know anything about dreams…this shouldn't be happening."

"And yet…" Shuichi arose, revealing his aquatic self in full, "here we are."

"Ay, Yemoja…" Kiyoni gaped, "You're…"

"Yes. This is me. Me as…a ningyo. Just like you."

Kiyoni took a few moments to analyze herself again. She was amazed when she first noticed herself as a mermaid. She was amazed to be a mermaid at all. To do it a second time was when reality set in. Reality by a dream's standard.

"You're…" Shuichi confessed, "You're beautiful."

That made Kiyoni blush. She's been called beautiful before by her parents and friends but to hear it from a boy, particularly a boy she knew, was something completely different. As Shuichi inched his way closer, Kiyoni's crabby companion got defensive, snapping its claws, daring Shuichi to try anything.

"I see you made a friend," he humorously noticed.

"Oh…this little guy? I don't know where it came from. It just…crawled onto my hair and stayed there."

"Perhaps it's representative of yourself."

"Eh?"

"Your dream dictionary. I read somewhere that crabs tend to represent someone's desire for attention or affection from an unrequited love interest or a person's irritable nature. Not to mention, I do recall your behavior at the crustacean exhibit back at the aquarium. How you cowered at the sight of a spider crab. The fact that this tiny one attached itself to you and the way you nurtured it must mean that it's symbolic of you. Superficially, that crab could represent your zodiac sign. When's your birthday? Are you a…Cancer by chance?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, smarty pants, let's not get carried away. One, I am not clingy. Two, I am far from irritable. Three, that spider crab was scary as hell. I can't believe such a thing exists. Lastly, my birthday is June 17th which makes me a Gemini…with Cancer tendencies…so I've heard."

"Yes, I guess that spider crab was a bit…intimidating," Shuichi grimaced, "However, want to know what I see?"

"What?"

Gently, Shuichi cupped the tiny sea critter, brushing his hands along Kiyoni's to do so. The crab still wanted to fight but chose not to, taking comfort within Shuichi's palms. If this was a way for ningyo to communicate with other sea creatures, this was a start.

"I see…" he informed, "I see this as…your sense of fear or loneliness shrouded in anger. Remember when you said that after you were bullied, you developed an aggressive personality? In reality, all you ever wanted was to be left alone and accepted as you are. You were just looking for a safe environment to do so. Just like this creature. This crab is your aggressive side. The way you give it affection is your form of self-soothing or self-acceptance. And since it's resting in my hands, I'm willing to bet that our friendship is that safe environment."

By the time Shuichi looked Kiyoni's way, she was hugging herself in embarrassment, her braids wrapping themselves around her shoulders. Every teenager looks for a safe environment in which to belong no matter who they are, what they are, where they're from, or what they do.

"I…" Shuichi uttered, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to say it like that, I–"

"You didn't have to read me like that either," Kiyoni mumbled. "But you're right. I mean…Mei is…I consider Mei to be…a really good friend of mine but lately…we've been growing apart. The only times we ever see each other is if it's for volleyball or school. Now that we're getting ready for high school, it's…it's been a bit of drag. I'll take some responsibility, of course, but she has her faults too. Misaki is still a jerk but…he's tolerable. And then, there's you. It's been a short time but I like our friendship. It's unique. Definitely unique compared to the average friendship."

Just as Kiyoni's mood was shifting, a few of her braids moved on their own. They were neither in defensive or offensive mode. They just hung around.

"I'd have to agree," Shuichi affirmed, allowing the crab to reattach itself to one of Kiyoni's braids like a barrette, "So do you believe me now?"

"If this isn't a dream, then what is this? I can see everything so clearly. I can hear the water rushing around my ears. I can feel the currents, the bubbles, the warmth all around me. My lips have tasted salty since the beginning. I'm sitting here…talking to you as if we're in school again. I'm breathing in these surroundings like it's second nature. Shuichi, where are we?"

Shuichi looked around to see if Botan was watching. Disappointed that he couldn't get his answer in two seconds, he said, "Think of this as…a lucid dream. One with a shared vision or–"

"Astral projection?"

"That…could work as well…"

"How? How is this happening? How are we able to–?"

"It's just one of the many things to learn about life underwater. Kiyoni, listen. You're here for a reason. That reason is…well…I think seeing it for yourself would be the better option."

Hopefully, all of Kiyoni's braids released their hold. Did Shuichi mean what Kiyoni thinks he means?

"You mean…Tsuran City?!"

"...Yes. Tsuran City. I'll take you there but we have to leave now while time is on our side. Would you like to go back with me?"

Kiyoni blinked and did so excitedly, "Yes. Yes, let's go."