A sharp knock drew Kurumu's attention to the door just as it was opened. A dark haired women garbed in a white blouse and white skirt strolled in, carrying a sack.

"It seems you have another visitor, Ms. Kurono."

Kurumu grinned while lying in the stiff hospital bed when Ranryuu bounded into the room, wearing a lavender sundress. The graduate's dark tresses threatened to touch the floor when she cocked her head and waved.

"Morning, Ms. Kurono! And little Tarumi."

Tarumi huffed, crossing her arms below the slight swell of her bosom held in that dark blue bikini.

"I'm not little."

The nurse handed the sack to Kurumu.

"These are the belongings that you came in with. You are free to go once you have changed. You can leave the hospital gown in here."

"Thank you, Ma'am."

The nurse returned Kurumu's nod before retreating to the door.

"Have a good day, Ms. Kurono. Hopefully we won't see you again."

Kurumu smirked as the woman closed the door behind her. She reached inside the bag, pulling out the hood that Elder Kawakuchi had given her.

"Do you think Elder Kawakuchi wants this wetsuit back?"

"Do you want to keep it?"

Kurumu snorted at Tarumi's question before stuffing the hood back in the sack.

"Not really. Though I might need it if we are going down to see the rest of Umiman."

"Oh? You want to visit the undercity?"

Kurumu shrugged as she fished out her one piece swimsuit.

"Tarumi suggested it since she wants to leave the topside exploration for her birthday."

"Won't you need an oxygen tank?"

Kurumu nodded, dropping the sack on the floor beside the bed. Pulling the coarse white sheet aside, she swung her bare legs over the side.

"Yea. We need to have a chat with the scuba gear rental guy. I did pay for a ten day rental and only got five so I hope he will let me have gear for one more day."

Ranryuu let out a sigh as Kurumu scooted off the bed to stand on her feet.

"Mr. Akenuma didn't leave me with the impression that the owner of that place will be reasonable."

Kurumu laughed softly, shaking out her dark blue swimsuit.

"We can at least ask."

Stepping carefully into the clingy fabric, Kurumu tugged the suit up to her left knee before stepping into the other hole. With both feet on the chilly laminate floor, she yanked the swimsuit up beneath the flimsy white hospital gown with the blue lotus pattern. She wiggled her hips, bringing the tight garment over her rump until she felt the fabric against the underside of her groin.

"Someone want to untie the back?"

Kurumu twirled about, prompting Tarumi to step closer as she adjusted her grip. Kurumu smoothed out the swimsuit legs clinging to her thighs as the undine took care of the knots loosely holding the gown together. Feeling the garment become even more lax, Kurumu let go of her swimsuit and slipped her arms out of the short sleeves of the gown. She promptly folded the thin gown up as her exposed nipples hardened. A sweet sensation tickled her core as both girls appreciated her appearance.

"You're so lucky."

Kurumu laughed, tossing the gown on the bed. She dragged the fabric of her swimsuit up her torso.

"I guess I am. Most people can't claim to have cheated death twice in one day."

Ranryuu pouted as Kurumu slipped her arms through the openings.

"That's not what I meant."

Kurumu smirked, ducking her head through the last hole. She adjusted the black hem about her bosom, wishing her nipples would behave themselves. She was not that desperate for male attention.

"I know. What time does your Dad get off work?"

Ranryuu backpedaled to the door while swaying her head.

"Five but he usually isn't home right away. I was thinking we should hang out until six."

Kurumu hauled the sack up into her arms, clutching it against her torso with the intent to hide her silly protrusions. She sashayed over to Ranryuu, prompting the older girl to open the door.

"Sounds good to me. I'm trusting Tarumi will lead the tour."

"You bet!"

Kurumu giggled, following Ranryuu out into the hall. Tarumi joined them a second later, closing the door behind her. Trusting Ranryuu knew the way, Kurumu followed the other girl down a hall which had many doors on both sides for patient rooms identical to hers. Nearly all of them were unoccupied.

The hall emptied into a small waiting room which was flanked by a workspace. This workspace was like a bank teller with glass coming down to a counter. Two dark haired orderlies and the nurse were seated behind this counter. The nurse saw their arrival and nodded. Kurumu mirrored the gesture.

At the edge of the counter was a door giving access to that space. Immediately after that was a gap in the wall before the start of another hall going down a wing of more patient rooms. Ranryuu ducked into the gap which turned out to be a stairwell with a flight going up and down. The graduate took the flight that was going down, prompting Kurumu to follow.

It was a dozen stairs down to the landing and a dozen more to the floor below. They came down in a hallway which ran in both directions but Ranryuu moved to a set of double doors slightly to the left of the stairs. She pushed it open, gesturing for them to go first.

Kurumu strolled through the opening, noting a reception desk on the other side. A woman with indigo tresses nodded at Kurumu. She was wearing a white blouse much like the nurses upstairs.

To her right was the glass doors for a gift shop while on her left was an alcove for the restrooms. In front of her was a waiting room with several rows of black cushioned seats. Many were only meant for one person but a few could seat two. On the far wall directly across from the reception desk was a set of double doors which Kurumu presumed to be the exit. She crossed the room quickly, eager to leave.

Leading with her shoulder, Kurumu pushed the door out. She breathed in the thick, musty air as she confirmed the Fairy Tale Headquarters was across the street. She stepped down the central porch of the hospital, noting the lampposts lining the central street of Umiman.

"Is it too early for lunch?"

Ranryuu giggled at Tarumi's question.

"Yes. No place will be serving lunch before eleven."

Tarumi groaned, shuffling down the street away from the jump station.

"But that's almost an hour from now."

Kurumu chuckled, following the girl down the street. The stale air was chilly but not nearly as bad as it had been in Aranami. This was more like being in a cave while her hotel stay had been like a freezer. It still amazed her that she could see those white dots on the black dome high overhead. She wondered if it was reflective paint like she had seen on some roads.

They passed by the small alleys dividing the sprawling three story buildings from their neighbors. The four story building on her left was the tallest structure in Umiman. She glanced at the etching on the double glass door entrance which declared the establishment as Drop Anchor.

"What is this place?"

"That's the hotel."

"Do that many people come to Umiman?"

"Dad says the place sells out every now and then."

Tarumi whirled about with a frown, backpedaling down the main street.

"I don't recall Umiman ever having that many visitors."

"Actually it's not for Umiman. Kuminagawa only has one hotel so when Ishou Academy has a home game against a big school rival, they often rent this one out first."

Kurumu frowned as they came closer to the large two story theater on her left.

"Why would they do that?"

Ranryuu shrugged nonchalantly.

"The hotel in Kuminagawa is smaller and much older. It's also in the middle of the town, making it a longer walk to Ishou Academy's school grounds."

Kurumu glanced at the movie posters framed on the theater wall. She had seen this lion for the Narnia movie back in Mononoke. This theater was also showing the same animated films like Mobile Suit Gundam and Doraemon.

"So the jump station must be closer to the school."

"Mhm. It's probably one of the newest buildings in Kuminagawa. That clothing rental store next to it is the only thing newer than it that I know of."

This last poster before the row of glass doors was for Sergeant Keroro. It reminded her of the friendship charms that Tora had picked up almost a year ago.

"How many theaters do they have here?"

Ranryuu giggled as they passed by the office supply building on the right where Tarumi's father worked.

"Just this one."

"I meant how many show rooms. The one in Mononoke has eight."

"Oh! There's only four screens but they run different movies on them at different times unlike how they do in Mononoke."

Kurumu took note of the next framed posters. The first was Helen, the baby Fox which had a boy in a field of yellow flowers which was followed by a poster with a monk with a braid. The white text below the picture of the monk informed her that Jet Li is Fearless. The next poster was a man in a suit with a woman in supermarket attire. The movie was Kenchou no Hoshi. The final poster had a woman with short, black hair dressed in a black outfit. Kurumu wondered what this Aeon Flux was about.

"Which movie should we watch on your birthday?"

"I don't have a preference."

Glancing to the right, she noticed they had already passed by the Kamumoto restaurant. Only the Good Vibrations building with the second floor karaoke was left before the next pair of dark alleys. Behind the buildings that lined this main street were a bunch of single story structures.

"Where do these side alleys go off to?"

"To residences. There are some apartment buildings that are near the edge of the dome."

Kurumu nodded, glancing away from the arcade to regard the Classy Cuts hair salon on her left. The sign of the next building was for the Zarigani Chamise.

"Does your Dad live in an apartment?"

"Mhm. Right next to the power plant. It's a little noisy but the place was cheap."

"Does he have a kitchen?"

"He has a sink and a microwave."

Tarumi snickered as they walked by the family owned hardware and repair shop which was beside the scuba gear rental place. This main street continued on through an archway into the building with access to the undercity and exterior. Across the street from the scuba gear shop was the grocery store.

"Your Dad is living like a bachelor."

"Maybe so but he keeps his place tidy."

Tarumi tugged the door open, allowing Kurumu to enter without slowing. The dim lighting of the room felt so much brighter compared to what she had experienced in Aranami. She ignored the displays, walking straight to the counter. The same topless kappa stood behind the counter, looking up from a magazine to acknowledge her arrival with his large, ochre eyes.

"Morning, young lady. How can I help you?"

Kurumu placed the sack on the counter before stepping back. She shuddered when his eyes took in her curves, causing her to glance down. Her nipples were still too pronounced and that was not going to change with this kappa filling her up with lustful thoughts.

"I was hoping for some sort of refund."

The kappa snorted, glancing back at his magazine.

"Already told the Akenuma kid my thoughts on the matter. You should be thankful that I'm not charging you for the damages to my equipment."

"That was not her fault."

The shopkeeper glanced at Tarumi as the girl settled in beside Kurumu. Ranryuu lingered behind them.

"Even if it was an accident, I would not give her a refund. That suit cost more money than what she paid to rent it. If you want money back, talk to Mr. Akenuma."

Kurumu paused at his response.

"You don't think it was an accident?"

The kappa cocked his burly head with the stringy black locks.

"The helmet may have been but not the gauge on the tank. That was deliberate."

Anger swelled up inside her. She had almost believed in the possibility that the gauge had been broken before the hotel accident.

"Are you sure that the gauge couldn't have been broken before?"

The kappa thrust a thick finger at her.

"Look here, girlie. I don't know whom you pissed off but they did not want you making it back here. Even if that gauge had been broken in some other way, your oxygen tank should have been full."

"But the gauge-"

"has nothing to do with it. Mr. Akenuma refills the tank with his own compressor which only shuts off when the tank is full. Unless you want to argue that his compressor was also broken, the only way your tank was short is if someone deliberately let air out of it."

Kurumu's mind coiled about the possible suspects. Elder Kawakuchi had taken the tank out of her room but she had no idea whom all had access to her tank before it was returned to her.

"Could they have let the air out by accident while fitting it for the mouthpiece?"

"That Takikawa brat was an arrogant bastard but he's not incompetent. You don't accidentally empty out half a tank without noticing."

"Half the tank?"

The kappa glared at Tarumi.

"That tank actually has six hours of air. I only tell customers four so they don't do anything stupid."

Realizing that this man had already lied once to them, Kurumu decided to push out her awareness. She slipped into his mind, skimming his thoughts to confirm what his true intentions were. He was firmly convinced that she had upset the Takikawa family and he wanted no part of that.

"You told Akenuma to include your diving gear in their damage report. Fairy Tale will fully reimburse you for the loss of that suit."

Mr. Dorohiki leaned back from the counter.

"The kid tell you about that?"

Kurumu nodded, figuring that was better than admitting she had read his thoughts.

"You're not out any money so why can't I have a refund?"

"It's called opportunity cost. I'm down a suit and lose money in rentals until it is replaced."

Kurumu smirked, continuing to eavesdrop on his internal schemes.

"Which won't be long. Fairy Tale will want to get Mr. Akenuma's hotel back up and running within a month so they can continue their quarterly inspections. If Mr. Akenuma turns in the damage report today or tomorrow, you could have yourself a new suit by the end of next week."

The kappa eyed her suspiciously.

"Why does a high school girl know so much about how Fairy Tale operates?"

Knowing she was getting similar confused looks from her companions, Kurumu played her hand.

"Because I'm Shuzen Kokoa's servant. And Kokoa is the daughter of the former president of Fairy Tale. Expense reports are turned in on the last Friday of every month for approval. Purebloods always are reimbursed sooner than other races. That's why you are having Mr. Akenuma report your damages."

Mr. Dorohiki huffed, placing his thick hands on the counter.

"Fine. I'll give you a refund when I get my gear replaced. Until then, I'm holding it as collateral."

Realizing he was not going to budge from this stance, Kurumu withdrew from his mind. She gestured at the sack on the counter.

"Elder Kawakuchi gave me a full wetsuit. If I left it with you, could you give it back to him?"

The shopkeeper tugged on the bag, peering inside.

"I suppose I could do that."

"I would also like some gear to visit the rest of Umiman."

Mr. Dorohiki scowled, looking up from the sack.

"Unless you have money, that isn't happening."

"I'm already conceding that I'm not getting a refund. You could at least let me have another day."

Tarumi nodded eagerly.

"Yea. We can return it tonight."

The kappa grumbled, taking the sack off the counter and dropping it out of sight.

"I suppose I can do that if you promise to bring it back in one piece. I should also give you this."

The kappa pulled out a key from a drawer, handing it to her.

"This was in the diving gear. You probably need it."

Kurumu laughed, realizing that was the key to the storage locker. Clutching it against her bosom, she wondered if she should get her things now and take them back to Mr. Ranryuu's apartment. Her stomach growled a moment later, declaring she had more pressing concerns.

"Could we come back after lunch for the gear?"

Mr. Dorohiki huffed, making a shooing gesture.

"Fine by me. The less time you have it, the less trouble you can get into."

Kurumu chuckled as she retreated with her companions, hoping that was true.


"Are you ready?"

Kurumu turned to regard the naked graduate. She was amazed that Ranryuu was not embarrassed to be seen like that. While the room with their storage lockers was gender specific, the launch platform was open to men. Even if those guards did find Kurumu's shapely body within this clingy black wetsuit more appealing, the lithe graduate was outright naked.

'As ready as I can be.'

One thing Kurumu had noticed about Ranryuu and Yukawa was that unlike undines, their human forms lacked pubic hair. She supposed that made some sense considering their true forms were smooth about their mating indent. Now that she thought about it, mermaids were also hairless down there. That made her wonder if mermaids also lacked that feature in their human forms.

"Follow me!"

Tarumi dived into the pool of water. Kurumu shuffled over to the edge, adjusting the goggles protecting her eyes. She took in a deep breath and hopped off.

The water instantly swallowed her up in a familiar fashion. It was like diving into the ocean. The water surrounded her but it was not squeezing the life out of her. For a moment she was shocked by the cold but that quickly passed. To her surprise, she could actually see the shape of Tarumi below despite not having a light. Amusingly, she could clearly hear music playing from nearby.

A splash above caught her attention. Ranryuu slithered down with her body rapidly transitioning into its true form. By the time she reached Kurumu, she looked nothing like a human. Her black forked tongue snaked out as she churned by.

"Where shall we go first?"

Tarumi swept back up, grabbing Kurumu with webbed hands tipped with black talons. The girl's huge peridot eyes betrayed no emotion as her thin lips parted to reveal rows of intimidating fangs.

"To the junior high, of course! She must want to see that."

Kurumu smiled despite the mouthpiece, allowing Tarumi to guide her farther into the depths.

'You guys were not kidding about having radio.'

"I know! It sucks that we can't have CDs with us living underwater. The kids from Ikinakawa are so lucky. The rest of us are at the mercy of whatever the radio station feels like playing."

It had not even been a minute before Kurumu saw a myriad of blurred colors in the distance. Pastels of blue, pink, yellow, orange and green were all present.

'What is that?'

Tarumi giggled, propelling her closer to the colors.

"That is the true city of Umiman!"

As they neared, shapes became more defined. The colors came from plants which were arranged about structures carved out of the rock. A dull clank sounded and a stone swung out from a structure. A burly kappa slithered out, wearing a loose pair of swimming trunks. Turning about, the kappa put the stone back in place before swimming off.

'Those are homes?'

"Mhm. The kappa district is the closest to the topside since the water is warmer and not as dense. We'll have to go all the way down to the bottom of the dome to check on Hiyori."

'Dome? I thought the dome was above us?'

Ranryuu giggled, twirling about as she swam backwards.

"My father told you this was a full enclosure. That's why the water isn't as thick or cold."

"We'll pass by the junior high before we get to the undine district. You'll see!"

Tarumi steered Kurumu through a gap in the structures. The water was so colorful from the many plants lining the narrow passage that they sped through. They entered a cavernous void with the sound of the music still carrying strong all about them. In the center was a massive sphere glowing white from the many plants growing of its surface. As they drew closer, Kurumu saw many indents making this sphere look more like a massive golf ball.

"Here we are! Umiman Junior High!"

Kurumu was confused how this thing could be a school as they closed in on an indent. Tarumi let go of her, darting away to grab hold of the structure. Tarumi tugged a panel out, revealing the indent was a hatch. She gestured and Kurumu did her best to swim down to the opening. It was quite tiresome as they had to be several meters below the surface by now.

With labored breaths, Kurumu slipped into a corridor lit up by glowing plants. Tarumi quickly joined her, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her along. They passed by doors that were marked with numbers.

'Are these classrooms?'

"Dorm rooms. These ones are fully submerged but they have a whole upper level that is dry for the kids whom aren't used to sleeping underwater."

"Yea. Most of the students from Tamari stay up there."

Tamari was a monster village in the Joetsu region. Most of the kids Kurumu knew from that place were lizardmen whom had joined the bowling club. Almost a whole year ago, Yukari had gotten on the nerves of that bunch and had deliberately provoked a fight to get Moka's attention.

'I honestly forgot the guys from Tamari went to the junior high in Umiman.'

Exiting the corridor, Kurumu found herself in a large chamber. Tables with benches were bolted to the floor. She saw three other passages leading out of the room, lined with doors much like the one she had come from. A huge steel shutter was drawn down to a counter on the wall to her left.

"Mhm. Kids from Tamari and Sawamura usually stay here over most of the school year since we don't have a jump station to their small communities. But as it is spring break, this place will be empty."

Sawamura was also in the Joetsu region. Kinusawa Ren, a kappa whom had lived on the same floor as Tsukune, hailed from that village. From what Kurumu understand, only kappas lived there.

'Where are we now?'

"The cafeteria. Let me see if the school is unlocked."

Tarumi let go of her, swimming over to the center of the room. To Kurumu's surprise, the undine tugged on a door framed in the floor. The undine favored her a devilish grin when the panel came up.

"Jackpot! Come on!"

As Kurumu slowly made her way over to the spot, she glanced up. There was a passageway much like the other halls directly above that double door in the roof, only this one did not appear to have any doors.

'What is up there?'

Ranryuu slithered by her, grabbing her by the arm.

"That goes up to the dry level. Unlike the submerged rooms, those will all be locked up."

Kurumu was thankful for the assistance but the naga let go of her just as they reached the door. Ranryuu slithered through the opening first. Kicking her legs, Kurumu eventually left the chamber.

The space beyond was a wide corridor. The first door on the right was marked 9-4 while the one on the left was 9-3. Not much farther down the hall were the doors for 9-2 and 9-1.

'Classrooms?'

"Mhm. The ninth grader hall."

Kurumu felt fatigued as they descended deeper. Even though the water was not crushing her, it was still a chore to move through. She missed having that scooter.

At the end of the corridor was an open spherical space. There was a hall to the left, right and one going farther down. Tarumi twirled about, gesturing to Kurumu's right.

"The four eighth grader classrooms are over there and the seventh graders are over here. All the rooms look pretty much the same if you want to poke your head in one."

Kurumu smirked, doubting she needed to do that. She glanced about, wondering what it would have been like to go to school here. Obviously they could not have done science labs like she had done in junior high. The course had probably been taught without labs.

'I guess this is bigger than your school in Aranami."

Tarumi laughed, grabbing her by the arm.

"Much bigger. I'll show you."

Kurumu welcomed the aid as the undine steered her farther down this facility. Thus far it seemed like the caretakers of this place had filled it up with so many glowing plants that it was not dark by any means. She could effortlessly read the words carved into the doors, identifying the music room on one side and the art room on the other. She pointed at the next room on the right beside the art room.

'What do they teach in caretaking?'

"It's basically a how to be a mother class. Mandatory education for sixth and seventh grade girls."

'Sixth grade?'

Tarumi laughed as they passed by the door for the caretaking class. On the other side of the hall was the class for underwater survival.

"This is also Umiman's primary school. I told you the school was big."

Kurumu smirked as they neared another set of doors. The one on the right was marked 6-2 while the one on the left was 6-1.

'What was that room for underwater survival?'

"That's the complimentary class for the boys. Hunting, providing. That sort of stuff."

"They make seventh graders take it because our sixth grade didn't have that as part of our curriculum."

Tarumi snorted at Ranryuu's remark.

"Because it's not needed. Any boy from Aranami already knows all that stuff."

"Well they don't teach those things to the guys in Ikinakawa."

"And I haven't heard of any guys from Ikinakawa ever marrying into our community. That class is about as useful as teaching kappas how to survive outside the dome."

Having passed by the doors for 5-2 and 5-1, they were nearing another open spherical space.

'Only two classes for the younger kids?'

"Mhm. One for undines and one for everyone else. If you hadn't guessed, they only make undines take those special courses."

Kurumu was hesitant to ask why as they arrived in the next void. To the right and left were hallways while another passage continued down.

"Fourth and third are that way while second and first are over there. The main entrance should be open since we were able to get inside here."

Tarumi pulled Kurumu into the passage continuing down. There were no doors for a short stretch before it opened up in a large chamber. Tarumi gestured about as they kept descending.

"This is the gathering space where they have concerts and whatnot."

Tarumi pointed down at the curved bottom of this chamber.

"And that is the main entrance."

'No offices for the teachers?'

"Those are actually in the classrooms. The principal office is through that door over there and they have a conference room on that side for talking to parents whom have a troublesome child."

"Tarumi would know all about that."

Tarumi huffed as they reached the exit. With her free hand, the undine pushed the door which swung soundlessly out.

"I was an exemplary student after my first year."

Ranryuu giggled as they slipped out into the thick water below the school. It was only upon exiting that Kurumu realized she could hear the radio again.

"She made such a fuss when they forced her to take that motherhood class."

Tarumi huffed again, letting go of Kurumu. The undine swam over to the door, grabbing it. She pushed it back in place which resulted in an audible click.

"All they did was teach us how to make air pockets and some techniques to improve the fertility of ourselves and our mates. It was sexual harassment."

"Don't be silly. They didn't have anyone practicing with a guy."

When Tarumi snatched up Kurumu by the wrist, Kurumu swore that the water felt warmer.

"Practicing on a life sized doll is just as embarrassing."

While Kurumu found that amusing, she was curious about what she saw beneath them. The glowing red plants seemed to be arranged in a rectangular shape at different levels.

'What is below us?'

"That's the shine. We should pay our respects."

Kurumu was not particularly religious but was in no position to argue as the undine steered her deeper. As they drew closer, Kurumu realized that the red plants were on a roof made from curved stone. In contrast, the walls were lined with blue and white plants. These smooth walls transitioned into an uneven surface as this temple had been carved out of the rock.

A ding of a bell from below was louder than the song from above. Kurumu glanced over her shoulder as they continued the descent.

'I realized earlier that I could not hear the music inside the school.'

"Yea. The school and many of the homes have some interior lining to dampen sound. Sound travels very easy in water and nobody wants to hear their neighbors."

"Is that Ms. Watakoma?"

The familiar voice drew Kurumu's attention back down. They were almost level with the shrine now. In the center between two columns was a bell secured by a thick cord to the roof. Swimming away from the cord was a group of mermaids. They moved very similar to Ranryuu by wiggling the lower part of their body with their arms at their sides. At this point, Kurumu was not surprised that they were nude.

"Hey, Tarako. I see you brought the other twins."

"Well we just happened to cross paths. Whom is the girl in the scuba gear?"

Unabara Tarako had her right eye hidden behind her shoulder length, dark green locks. Her twin, Haraka, had her left eye hidden. The identical twins' visible eye had a mint iris. While these two were members of the swimming club, they had not caused much trouble for Kurumu and her friends. As the twins were in their true forms, they had fins on their cheeks and the backs of their forearms. Unlike Ranryuu and Tarumi, the mermaids had smooth, human like skin until the start of their tails.

"It's Ms. Kurono."

Tarako gasped, touching her slight bosom.

"That's right! I heard she was going to visit her boyfriend over break."

"Mhm. But since Aranami is so boring, she's going to spend the rest of her break with Ms. Ranryuu."

Ranryuu giggled, moving her hand dismissively.

"Only until Monday afternoon. She was never spending the whole break here."

Tarako grinned wide, revealing a maw too large for a human. She turned and gestured at the other mermaids. This pair was more buxom with flowing, dark hair and pale eyes.

"These are the Shimesu twins, Haya and Mino."

"Pleased to meet you."

Kurumu smirked at the reply in perfect unison.

"I just found out this morning that they will be joining us at Yokai Academy."

Both girls reached back, putting their hands in their hair while displaying their perky bosoms.

"We're efflorent unlike some girls."

"I'm going home."

Tarako reached out with a whimper as her twin swam off in a huff. The other twins giggled.

"Running away as always. See you around, Tarako."

Tarako sighed as the Shimesu girls took off with a surge of their tails. She managed a smile at them.

"To be fair, I'd also brag about becoming efflorent."

"I don't know why you girls are so obsessed about having babies."

Tarako frowned at Ranryuu.

"Because it's important. I keep hoping it will happen soon."

"I'm surprised those two bothered enrolling. How long have they been able to lay eggs?"

Tarako giggled, looking in the direction the other twins had gone.

"Back in February was their first spawning. While they could join the older girls on a hunt, they would never have mating priority. They think they have better chances at Yokai Academy since Yuriko, Haraka and I still can't have babies and we only have two seniors."

"But Kurumu helped free the merman your club was holding captive."

Tarako favored Tarumi a wicked grin.

"I saw no reason to tell them that."

Tarumi giggled, tugging Kurumu closer to the mermaid.

"Do you want to hang out with us for a bit or do you need to chase after your sister?"

Tarako paused with a thoughtful expression which was possible due to her human like face.

"I'd like to but I should go home. My mother will already be mad at Haraka for coming home alone. I don't want her to be mad at me too."

"See you at school then."

"See you, Ms. Watakoma and Ms. Ranryuu. You too, Ms. Kurono."

'I will, Tarako.'

Tarako gasped, touching her subtle bosom again.

"You can speak underwater?"

Tarumi giggled, making a shooing gesture.

"She can send her thoughts. She is a dream fairy."

"Maybe you can visit my home?"

"If we have time. We need to check up on Hiyori first. She should be at Shiraike's place."

Tarako smiled, drifting away from them.

"Perhaps another time then. Farewell, Ms. Kurono."

The mermaid whipped about and shot down. She disappeared in a gap in the rocks.

"Where are we taking her after Shiraike's place?"

Tarumi snickered at the question, pulling Kurumu away from the shrine.

"After that, it doesn't matter. We could even visit the twins if Kurumu wants to."

Kurumu giggled, sensing Tarumi had no real interest in doing that. She breathed in deep as the undine guided her to a wider gap in the rocks. She glanced up at the sphere hanging over the shrine.

'How does that not fall?'

Ranryuu glanced over her shoulder, spiraling about before continuing in their wake.

"You can't see it but the school is suspended by several metal cables anchored to the bottom of topside."

"Yea. If that ever did fall, it would smash the entire mermaid colony built around the shrine."

Kurumu was pulled into a ravine lined with neon green plants lighting the way. For the next two to three minutes, the squeeze of the water slightly increased and the temperature notably dropped. A black void beckoned to them at the end of the passage.

They descended into a chasm. On either side of her, pillars thrust down from a surface covered in white glowing moss. These pillars tapered down into sharp points with only darkness below. They continued deeper until even the glow from overhead could not be seen. Kurumu took shallow breaths as the music become distant and muffled. The beat of her heart had more substance. She hated the darkness.

A minute or so later, Tarumi helped her level off. She was pulled around with no sense of direction. She saw nothing but had a feeling that she was now in the original undine village that Umiman had been built around. She relaxed her body but felt no need to ward off the weight of the water. This pressure was nothing compared to the water outside the dome.

They came to a stop and her hand was released. Kurumu fluttered about for a moment before her feet touched an uneven surface. She heard a nearby knock, turning her head in that direction. The soft flow of water changed as something moved.

"May I help you?"

"It's me, Mrs. Shiraike. Is Hiyori here?"

There was a short pause.

"Watakoma, is it?"

"Yes. Tarumi. I know Akatsuki from school."

"And who are these … with you?"

"I'm Ranryuu Miyoko. My Dad is a topsider while my mom lives with grandma in Aranami."

"Ah yes. Ranryuu. Did you find a husband yet?"

Ranryuu laughed lightheartedly.

"I just graduated high school."

The unseen mother clucked her tongue.

"But still single. I hope you are living with your father. You're only wasting your time in Aranami."

"I'm sure we will have that discussion soon. Is Hiyori here?"

"Yes. She is in Aka's room with Kasumi. Whom is this one?"

Tarumi giggled, grabbing hold of Kurumu's wrist.

"This is Kurono Kurumu. She's dating Manami's brother."

"The Amesuki boy? But she's not undine."

"She's part undine. If she wasn't, she would have died by now."

Ranryuu snickered at Tarumi's remark.

"I'm more undine than Ms. Kurono."

"I know that. I'm just saying that she has undine blood."

"A mongrel. I suppose you can come in but you will stay with the other girls. Don't speak to my boys. That goes for you too, Ms. Ranryuu."

"I understand, Mrs. Shiraike."

Kurumu heard the movement of water before Tarumi tugged on her wrist. Kicking her feet up, Kurumu allowed Tarumi to steer her through the darkness.

She felt something like a cloth dragging across her suit before she came into a room lit up by lavender moss. Kurumu saw the outline of Ranryuu ahead of them. Another figure slithered by. It was an undine sporting a black bikini. This woman had bright yellow eyes and a wavy magenta hair. She cruised over to a dark spot, lifting up and turning about sharply to face them.

"Through here."

Ranryuu slithered through first. It was like she was passing through a curtain. Tarumi guided her to the spot, tugging her through. The sheet dragged over her suit just like the last time.

"Here you are."

They came into a small, occupied room which was lit up with white moss. Ranryuu coiled around Hiyori whom looked up from the cards she held in webbed hands. The scarlet haired undine had on the same blood red bikini as before. The colors stood out in the neutral light.

"Who is this?"

Tarumi giggled at the other two girls whom had cards. One had the same lemon colored eyes as the undine whom had allowed them entrance. Her magenta locks were pulled up in a ponytail which defied the fin running from the crest of her head down her neck and spine. The bangs fell halfway down her eyes much like Tarumi's indigo braids. The other undine had canary yellow eyes and pistachio locks which were styled almost exactly the same as the lemon eyed girl.

"This is Ms. Kurono from school."

The pistachio haired undine gasped, touching her slight bosom confined in a pale blue bikini.

"Ms. Kurono!"

"Is she someone important?"

"She's a very popular girl."

Kurumu smiled at that assessment, certain of this girl's identity.

'You are Hasegawa Kasumi.'

Both girls gasped in unison.

"She can talk?"

Hiyori huffed, tossing a card down in the pile on the floor.

"She's telepathic. That's why the elders chased her out of town."

Tarumi laughed, letting go of Kurumu's arm. She drifted over to settle beside the lemon eyed girl.

"I wouldn't say that but they did want her to leave."

"I'm a little surprised that Ms. Kurono knows me."

Kurumu settled on her knees between Hiyori and Tarumi.

'You did share homeroom with Moka and you will be in the same homeroom as Kokoa next year.'

Hasegawa nodded enthusiastically.

"That's true. This is Shiraike Akatsuki. We've known each other forever."

The girl bowed her head while lifting her cards up to hide her mouth.

"Pleased to meet you?"

'Are you two related?'

Hasegawa laughed as the other girl shied away.

"No, but I was asked that several times back in junior high."

"You two have the same eyes."

Hasegawa glanced at Hiyori before putting a card down in the pile between the girls.

"Not really. Mine have a lighter shade."

'Will Ms. Shiraike be joining us at Yokai Academy?'

Hasegawa made that creepy undine grin, cocking her head at Shiraike. The girl made no reply.

"She will be. Knowing her, she'll join whatever club Kasumi is in."

"You could join my club too. We might need more members."

"I have no interest in wearing a kimono."

Tarumi giggled, wagging a talon at Hiyori.

"We didn't see you at the hospital this morning."

"Was I supposed to be there?"

"You should have told someone that you got permission to stay here. For all we knew, you could have gone home with your cousin."

"As if I would have done that. I knew that Watakoma would come down and get me if I was needed so there was no reason for me to run back to the surface."

"Sounds like someone doesn't want to be at my birthday party."

Hiyori huffed, immediately playing a card on top of the one that Shiraike had put down.

"I never said that. I'm guessing with Ms. Kurono out of the hospital, you want to do something now?"

"Not today. We'll just hang out here until Ms. Kurono gets bored or tired. We'll spend tomorrow in Ikinakawa if you're interested."

"Depends on Aka. Do you want to go outside tomorrow?"

The girl made a slight whimper, holding her cards near her face.

"Not really. Sunlight is cruel to my skin."

Hasegawa sighed, setting her cards down. She reached over to pull Shiraike's head against her shoulder.

"You'll have to get used to that, Aka. It's very sunny at Yokai Academy."

The undines shared a laugh and Kurumu smiled about her mouthpiece. A part of her wanted to engage in this conversation but she also thought it might be best to simply listen. She could save her chatter for when she could use her voice instead of her mind. She imagined people preferred it that way.


Despite being dry, Kurumu shivered as they walked along the dark alleys of topside. Single story homes crowded each other with their black doors facing the narrow path. Many homes had a light mounted by the door, revealing the house number in black lettering upon the white wall. Flat black roofs topped each of the dour structures. A single window flanked each door.

Kurumu toyed with the strap of her lavender purse. Her damp swimsuit was draped over her left arm, soaking the sleeve of her white school blouse. She held her arm out from her torso to avoid her beige sweater vest suffering the same fate. The bottom hem of her pleated, tartan skirt brushed her cold skin above her knees. She mildly wished her socks were longer, coming up shy of her knees.

"Here we are."

Mr. Ranryuu gestured at a two story building looming on the left. Farther down this alley on the right was a sprawling single story structure which hummed loudly. Since that building was butted up against the edge of the dome, it was most likely that hydroelectric power plant Ranryuu had told them about. The graduate's father veered left, walking towards the exterior stair leading to the upper level.

Tarumi strolled alongside Kurumu. The undine had also reclaimed her things from the storage locker but unlike Kurumu, she had lingerie beneath her school uniform. Tarumi had her bikini sealed up in a plastic bag inside her schoolbag.

It was silly how exposed Kurumu felt without panties beneath her skirt. That thin swath of fabric offered no meaningful protection, making this more of a mental issue than a real one.

Ranryuu followed her father up the concrete stairs. The graduate also had no lingerie beneath that lavender sundress. It was not like her garment was longer than Kurumu's skirt, barely hiding her knees.

Kurumu cautiously ascended the stairs, stepping lightly in her loafers. She glanced over her shoulder when she reached the upper level, noting a few people milling about. Nobody was paying her any attention as she shuffled over to the father whom was fishing a key out of his pocket.

Mr. Ranryuu was garbed in the usual Fairy Tale attire. In one hand was a plastic bag of microwaveable goods which he had picked up at the grocery store. He had been waiting for them in the gathering space before the changing rooms and had accompanied them to the scuba gear place to return Kurumu's rental. Most of his banter had been with his daughter as he had guided them to his apartment.

A deadbolt clicked and the man withdrew his key. He twisted the knob and tugged the door out.

"Please don't mind the mess."

Ranryuu snickered, prancing across the threshold.

"As if you have one."

The wiry gentlemen nodded at Kurumu, gesturing inside. Kurumu returned the nod, stepping into his apartment as the lights were turned on. She toyed with the strap of her purse as she surveyed the room.

It was a small space with a closet to her left. She slipped out of her loafers, stepping up into the room. To her left was an indent with a counter and a sink. Resting atop the counter was a microwave and a coffee maker. Cabinets were above and below the counter.

"Bathroom is here. He does have a shower if you want to be rinsed with hot water."

Ranryuu tugged open a door which was a little farther into the room on the left. Kurumu wandered by a closed door on the right to join Ranryuu. She glanced inside the bathroom, noting this door had opened in the middle of that space. A toilet was tucked in the far corner while a standing shower was built in the other corner which was in line with the counter indent. The tiny bathroom was much like the one she had in her suite back at Yokai Academy but it lacked a sink.

"This is the bedroom?"

Tarumi pushed open the door on the right, stepping into the adjacent space.

"Futons are in the closet. I only have two so you'll have to share."

Mr. Ranryuu locked up the main door before leaning down to untie the laces of his glossy boots. The dim hum of the power station could still be heard.

"What kind of work do you do for Fairy Tale?"

Mr. Ranryuu chuckled, removing one boot.

"I'm a librarian, Ms. Kurono."

Kurumu frowned as the man loosened the other boot.

"There is a library in the Fairy Tale office?"

"Printing books on special waterproof paper would take too much time and resources. But the people that made the dome about Umiman did not want these citizens to be illiterate. Incorporating a library in the Fairy Tale office was a priority."

Finished with his task, Mr. Ranryuu picked up his groceries and stepped into the room. He strolled over to the cabinet beneath the microwave, tugging it open. Kurumu realized it was a small refrigerator when the man started stowing away his goods.

Kurumu drifted over to the bedroom door, noting that Tarumi was already pulling the futons out of the closet. As this closet was built along the exterior wall, it explained why this apartment lacked a window.

"But building Umiman must have taken a lot of time and resources. Why did Fairy Tale build this place? Was having a foothold in the underwater communities that important?"

Mr. Ranryuu chuckled, opening up a package. He pushed a button that popped out the microwave door. Tossing a bowl into the device, he shut the door and pushed more buttons. The device whirred into motion as a timer started counting down.

"Is the name Umihaba Kiyo familiar to you?"

Kurumu frowned as the man opened up another cabinet, revealing a small trash bin. He took the empty package off the counter and tossed it into the bin.

"Not in particular."

"Umihaba Kiyo is one of the founders of Yokai Academy. She is the younger cousin of Lord Nagoyaka, former president of Fairy Tale. The only undine to ever serve as president of Fairy Tale."

Kurumu gasped, recalling this tale. She had heard it from Master Touhou but he had not mentioned them being undines. Mr. Ranryuu turned about, crossing his arms as he leaned against the counter.

"Born in Umiman, Lady Umihaba was not satisfied with the prospect of becoming a wife at a young age. The former Headmaster Mikogami was looking for teachers to start up his new school so Lord Nagoyaka introduced the two. She worked at Yokai Academy for several decades despite her lack of a formal education. I dare say that she might be the most influential undine woman in all of history."

"Was she really that important?"

"She was, Ms. Kurono. Back then, very few undines attended schools. You were more likely to meet a kappa than an undine. Lady Umihaba saw this as a problem and she was determined to fix it."

"So she turned to Fairy Tale."

"Yes, though she first tried to influence matters through her family. Ikinakawa was the first undine community to start sending students to a Fairy Tale high school on a regular basis."

The microwave sounded its completion, prompting the man to turn about. He popped the door open and pulled the steaming meal out. Setting it on the counter, he tugged open a nearby drawer and retrieved a pair of chopsticks.

"Which one of you girls want to eat first?"

"I do!"

Tarumi came bounding back through the open door, having already finished spreading out the futons. The undine pranced over to the counter as the father poked the chopsticks into the meal. He presented the meal to the undine which she eagerly accepted.

"I should mention that Ikinakawa was founded by Elder Kamekami whom married Lady Umihaba's little sister. Their village was founded back in the twenties. It was Elder Kamekami's belief that undines were not meant to simply be the kings of the sea. He felt that the land should also belong to them."

Mr. Ranryuu bent down, retrieving another package out of his refrigerator. He tore the box open, pulling out a bowl. Tossing it into the microwave, he closed the door and pushed some buttons. Once again the device hummed the moment he started the timer.

"But not many shared Elder Kamekami's ambitions. His community remained small and was only able to send one or two undines to Yokai Academy each year. That was not good enough for Lady Umihaba. She eventually resigned from Yokai Academy and joined Fairy Tale so that she could have more sway with Lord Agano. She spent over a decade trying to get him to approve of her project to construct a dome about her former village."

So many questions flooded Kurumu's mind.

"Why did it take so long?"

"My guess is it had something to do with the Taizai Household running Fairy Tale. The moment those tyrants were overthrown, a lot of things changed in Fairy Tale. Lady Umihaba finally got her approval with Lord Agano, but it became a cooperative project with Lord Akinai."

"Lord Akinai?"

"The man in charge of Ishikawa prefecture. Why do you think we have a jump station to Kuminagawa? This project was too expensive for one prefecture's budget so he pitched in. Once Umiman was seen as a success, other domes were built about Japan so more undines could join the ranks of Fairy Tale."

Kurumu nodded thoughtfully as the timer announced its conclusion.

"Is Lord Akinai still in charge of Ishikawa prefecture?"

Mr. Ranryuu nodded, turning about to retrieve the meal from the microwave.

"He is though that isn't too surprising. Prefectural officers tend to hold their rank for decades."

He fetched a pair of chopsticks from the nearby drawer.

"Lord Agano was in charge of Niigata prefecture for over forty years. Lord Chiki was almost to thirty when he made the sudden decision to resign."

Kurumu was unsure how to respond. It was probably not common knowledge that Lord Chiki had committed suicide shortly after his resignation under Ms. Shikaru's direction. It still frightened her to think that a succubus could have that much control over another person.

"I believe this next one should be for you, Ms. Kurono."

Kurumu smiled when the man presented the meal to her. Fiddling with the strap of her purse, she stepped over to accept it.

"Thank you, Mr. Ranryuu."

He chuckled, surrendering the meal to her hands. The bowl was warm and the chicken teriyaki noodles were steaming. Kurumu scooted aside, noting that Tarumi was gulping her food down while standing over by the sink.

"No trouble at all. Wish that I could have treated you girls to a nice dinner at Kamumoto but I don't get paid until tomorrow."

Ranryuu giggled as her father tore open another package.

"It's fine. We had a hot lunch today with the money you spared me."

Kurumu smirked, lifting up a wad of noodles.

"I just realized your cafeteria in the junior high can't have a kitchen. Were you living off snacks?"

Tarumi snorted, chewing down a mouthful before swallowing.

"Lots of fish, Kurumu. Fish and soggy noodles."

"And soggy rice."

As Mr. Ranryuu started up the microwave again, they all shared a laugh.