Tide Between Two Worlds

My Parting Gift To You

       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?"