Tide Between Two Worlds

Look Into My Eyes

       Deep within the waters of the eastern seas, at the foot of an abyss, the sun shone through in rippled waves from many directions. Ombre colors of deep sea blue to cobalt to ocean to sea green to aquamarine to the brightest in yellow and white were the only things to see. On the sandy grounds of the underwater floor, a lone, young ningyo laid completely relaxed and serene within the surroundings, so comfortable that the sand felt as warm as a blanket. Who was this youthful creature who made the waters of the world their home?

       "Where...where am I," Shuichi wondered as he woke up.

Slowly sitting up, Shuichi noticed the lower half of his body completely piscine once again with a sea-green finish. Upon closer inspection, scales were discovered along the tail, his tailfin had hints of pink and blue, and was a bit more flexible than a pair of legs. A more thorough analysis brought out webbed fingers, sea-greenish fins and scales on the arms, and what felt like gills along the neck just above the collarbone. The last thing to notice was the change in hair. Originally, Shuichi has hair long enough to reach the base of his neck and had a bit of an auburn tint to it especially when held to light. This time, it was red. All red and reaching the middle of his back.

       "What am I?"

       That question was set aside when a soft, feminine voice called out, "...Kurama..."

       "Ah! Again?! Who said that?!"

       "... Kurama..."

       That made Shuichi jump from his spot, "Who's there?"

Within the abyss highlighted by the sun-created spotlight, Shuichi discovered a female ningyo waiting for him. She had a pearly white bottom fin with a rainbow shine, multiple strands of pearls around her neck in colors of white, pink, blue, and green, and cerulean blue hair. Unfortunately, her face was never shown.

       "Wait," Shuichi realized, entering the gorge, "Who are you? What is your name? My name is Shuichi. Are you the one who calls me Kurama?"

       This mysterious ningyo who was standing idle within the light began to back away as if she was leaving, "My son..."

       "Your son? What do you mean? Please tell me who you are."

       "My son...it is time..."

       "Time? Time for what," Shuichi chased, "What do you mean? Please stay."

       No sooner did she make her appearance she disappeared into the darkness whispering, "It is time..."

Just when Shuichi felt better for the time being, he ended up with more questions than answers. When the alarm clock on his phone went off, the first thought that came to Shuichi's mind was...

       "I must borrow that book again."

       The school bell rang, marking the beginning of a new day. As students filed into their respective classrooms, Kuronue spoke with a clearly disturbed Shuichi. The latter, on the other hand, was disturbed. Paler than normal, shaky, nervous, and concerned about something.

       "Geez," Kuronue noticed, "You look worse than you did a few days ago. Having those dreams again?"

       "I'd like to say so. I really hope Kiyoni received my message."

       "You sent her a message? You managed to get her number?!"

       "Well, we did have a pleasant conversation on the way home," Shuichi smiled, "Her mother even volunteered to make a dessert for me."

       "Dude! And you're not gonna share?"

       "If he did, not only would I kick his ass again but yours for getting any," Kiyoni announced.