The next morning felt tense but opportunistic. Perhaps it was because Tokyo had that vibe for the many tourists it sees on a seemingly daily basis whether it was for business or pleasure. The way the sun slowly rose in the skies to highlight the metropolitan skyline looked magical especially once it touched the Imperial Palace and tower. And people who live within the penthouses and high-rise buildings of the city get to see that every day. How luxurious.

For the students and athletes of Meiou Academy, their tourist experience was to start on business with hopes to finish it pleasurably. The reason: the national junior high swimming finals. It's today. It's the day. The day that ends it all for the competitive swimming season. In fact, today was so big, a noticeable amount of the swim team got up before the sunrise to get some last minute training in, in the hotel's fitness room and pool area. That included the captain and vice-captain who were leading the team in some core synergistic exercises like V-ups and Supermans. Last night, prior to bedtime, Karasu informed Shuichi of Kaito's plans and the former's involvement. Shuichi thought nothing of it but respected his rival's maturity in it all. Kaito will get what's coming to him…eventually.


While the swim team heads for the aquatic center, their merry bunch of supporters are just waking up. Inside the room Kiyoni shares with Mei, the former sat on her bed wrapped in a hotel-provided bathrobe constantly staring at the middle finger of her left hand. The same finger that touched the skin of a real ningyo. The same finger that was cut yesterday and is now healed. The same finger of the same hand that Shuichi grabbed and tasted her blood from. Blood that was described as "not that bad". What did that mean? Was it tasty? Does human blood have a specific, delectable flavor to ningyo? Certainly a fair amount of Japanese folklore, mythology, movies, and anime mention yokai consuming human blood and flesh for sustenance; however, what went down last night might as well be a first kiss moment. It certainly felt that way as far as basic intimacy is concerned. Not even former wrestler Booker T stared at his hand as intensely as Kiyoni did.

The twin room the girls stayed in came with two twin size beds that shared a headboard complete with charger, HDMI, and LAN connecting ports. The matching black decorative blankets that draped across the foot of the beds was used for extra comfort. It also came with free WiFi and access to the hotel's Video-on-demand feature on the room's 35" screen TV that hung in a corner closest to the window. The back wall of the room was adorned in bamboo tree print painted black on a white surface. The one mahogany wood hotel desk that became host to the girls' purses and carry-on bags was where Mei would station herself.

"Okay, Kiyoni," she declared while walking out of the bathroom, also in a robe, "It's all your–! What in the world are you doing?"

"Eh?"

"That's the third time I've caught you staring at your hand like that since yesterday. Are you feeling okay?"

As a distraction, Kiyoni came up with an idea on the fly, "Okay, really quick, tell me something. Do I…do I look different to you?"

"...Ehhh…?"

"Look at my hands. Do they look different?"

"No, they're the same–wait…you need a manicure. Those volleyballs have been doing a number on your hands. Maybe you should get gloves."

"Mei, I'm serious."

"As am I. Look, Kiyoni…" Mei inquired as she sat Kiyoni down on the bed, "what's going on? You've been like a basket case ever since we got here. Did something happen between you and Minamino?"

Kiyoni simply stared at her best friend, thinking about everything she could say and how she could say it:

Yes! Something did happen between Minamino and I! Mei, I think I'm falling for someone who happens to be an ocean prince, a real…merman prince! And I just told him that I wanted to go with him back to the ocean as if I'm a desperate girl looking to make a name for herself in a different world because the current life she's living absolutely sucks! Like I'm expecting to just jump into his arms as if he's Aquaman and we ride off into the sunset on a giant clam shell, waving goodbye to the world. If feeling like this is the reason Princess Shuri of Wakanda turned down Namor's offer to stay with him in Talokan, I think I'm starting to understand why.

Instead she said, "I'm good. I was simply overreacting to…something I saw in my dreams the other night. I'm sorry for worrying you. I'll go…I'll go take my shower."

While Kiyoni heads off to freshen up for the day, Mei sits and wonders what's the real deal with her best friend. From Mei's end, Kiyoni has changed quite a bit since getting acquainted with Shuichi; has acted more…lovestruck? Mei knows for sure Kiyoni has a crush on the swim team's captain and she didn't need Kiyoni to admit it. Just what is it that's gotten Kiyoni so…riled up?


In a private room of the Tokyo Aquatics Center, team Meiou stood on one accord, watching their competition get a practice swim in via a viewing window. All of them were dressed and ready to go with cranberry red swimming suits and matching swim caps. As the head coach dropped some words of wisdom and encouragement, Shuichi and Karasu stood in the back observing it all. Karasu wore his gear with only an athletic windbreaker jacket, stuffing his hands in his pockets. Shuichi stood just as he usually did, wearing his gear with a pair of windbreaker pants. To paraphrase the coach's statements, there was to be no more second guessing, no more fooling around, and no more shortcuts. This was the day that decides the best of the best.

"Are you sure you don't have anything up those sleeves of yours, Ohta," Shuichi whispered.

"Heh," Karasu warned, "If I were you, I'd be better off thinking about that little girlfriend of yours. I wonder which would be worse. Watching your biggest crush walk away with a nerd like Kaito for a boyfriend or watching your biggest crush walk away from someone who just lost the biggest competition of his life. Even with and without his advantages."

"Alright, everyone," the coach called, "Bring it in. 'Meiou' on three, ready? One, two, three…"

"MEIOU," shouted the team.

Before the team could file out completely, Shuichi received a surprise visitor.

"Kurama…"

Shuichi searched around, "Lady Botan? Is that you?"

"Over here. Behind you."

Upon turning around, Shuichi noticed an outlined figure of his birth mother swimming in the pool. What surprised him was Botan shifting through the wall, presenting herself in full human form. Her hair was aquamarine blue and quite wavy, the pearls remained the same as did her ears and arms. What was different was the clothing, going from a pearlescent tail and pectoral covering to a flowing tube top dress adorned in seashells and a delicate nose replacing gills.

"Lady Botan…" Shuichi bowed in full, "you're–"

"Human, yes but only for a very short time. Another blessing by the goddess."

"Yes, I…you are radiantly beautiful. What…what brought this on?"

For the final time today, Botan lost her smile in favor of what she's about to say, "It pains me greatly to say this but…I'm afraid…I'm afraid this is goodbye."

"Goodbye? What do you mean goodbye?"

"I'm sorry, Kurama. We both knew how little time I had to reconnect with you. My time is up now. I must…I have to return to the celestial waters. The goddess has called me home…for good."

"What? No! No, you can't leave. There's still so much I have to know and do. I can't do it alone. I-I…Kiyoni. Kiyoni! She just said that she wants to go with me. How am I supposed to get to Tsuran City from here, for real? What about Emperor Yoko? How am I supposed to get over on him? Lady Botan, please? You can't leave just yet. I still need you."

"Relax, my son. Give the goddess and I some credit and grace. Believe it or not, I was actually able to speak to your father in a dream. I told him everything he needed to hear. That his son is alive and living on the surface with humans, that his son is looking to come home and will need guidance, and that…I loved Yoko and…hoped that he would be able to fill in the gaps that I couldn't. Those were my final words to him. Because of that, word is spreading throughout the oceans and seas to be on the lookout for your return. Anyone who sees you will graciously lead you to Tsuran City. So says the will of my trident."

"So it's…it's really over. You're really leaving?"

"I don't want to, Kurama, but it has to be done. I've served my purpose and now it's time for me to rest. However, I will not do so with doubt in my heart. You have everything needed to continue your journey and when the time comes, you will make for a fine emperor just like your father. And who knows? Maybe this…Kiyoni friend of yours will…make for an empress someday. I hope so."

Shuichi wanted to cry but held back, falling to his knees, awkwardly laughing along the way. He felt like a large part of him was about to disappear for good. A part of him that he didn't know he had until recently.

"Kurama…" Botan assured with her son's face in her hands, "I need you to promise me something."

"... Anything."

"Promise me…that you will never lose sight of who and what you are. Even as you grow older and wiser, never forget who and what you are. Do you understand?"

"...Yes. I am…I am Prince Kurama, future ruler of the eastern seas and oceans. Son of…Empress Botan and Emperor Yoko, former and current rulers of the eastern seas and oceans, respectively. I am also…Minamino Shuichi, third year student of Meiou Academy and captain…of its soon-to-be swimming championship team."

Botan's warm, nurturing, and proud smile instantly returned upon her son's declaration, "That's what I like to hear. You are ready, my son. Arise, my prince."

Botan had one more thing to do for her son. Aqueous energy encircled her hands, taking on the form of the very opalescent stone her throne is made of in the center of her palms. Shuichi stood frozen in time admiring the beauty found in his mother's hands. Despite the scales, Botan's hands could be compared to a hand model. That didn't matter. What mattered was what those hands held.

"Do you remember when you asked me about how humans become one of us," Botan continued, "What I'm about to give to you is not only my final gift but my best gift next to bringing you to life. And that is my essence. A piece of our spirit. When a human promises to abandon their lives on land for an eternity underwater, the ningyo shares a piece of their spirit with them. As far as anyone will know, this is the first time a ningyo shares their spirit with their own offspring, thus breaking the curse that bound you to the surface world for so long. With it you'll be able to adapt to the land and sea whenever and however you please and should you bring a friend with you, you can share this gift with them as well. It's the final piece of the puzzle you've been looking for and what I've been longing to give you."

And what a gift it was. The key to unlocking everything Shuichi would, could, and should learn about his piscine side. Carefully, he placed his hands on top of Botan's, covering those orbs. Within that moment, Shuichi saw and felt everything he needed to continue his journey including the path that will take him to Tsuran City straight from the mainland. Satisfied once the transfer was complete, Botan began to fizzle away.

"No, wait," Shuichi pleaded, "Wait. I'm not ready to–"

"I'm sorry, Kurama. This has to end. I've really enjoyed our time together. I got the chance to be the mother I've always wanted to be and to see my son become the best he could be. I wish you best of luck and may the goddess watch over you as you continue your journey. I love you with all my heart, Kurama. Goodbye…my son…"

Urgently, Shuichi managed to catch the last of his birth mother in the form of broken sea foam. Open palms produced nothing, causing him to momentarily break down only to collect himself with a slight punch to the floor. This was it. He was now on his own, free to do what he wanted to do…and what he had to do. Two warm tears slowly cascaded down his face as he uttered his last words to the former empress.

"Thank you for everything you've done for me. I promise I will lead this team to victory as a captain should and in your honor. Until we meet again…in the goddess's celestial waters, I bid you farewell…mother."