Tide Between Two Worlds

The Family Meeting

       Two weeks had gone by since nationals and things have moved as if Mushiyori City hadn't welcomed a group of their own as national champions. A special school assembly was held in the gymnasium of Meiou Academy to honor the swim team for climbing over the hurdle into history and bringing home the gold with the city's mayor, the district administrator, the official administrator for the national junior high swimming association, the school's principal, the student body president, students and parents, and local reporters in attendance. Each champion swimmer received a special medal of participation along with their championship medals as well as praise from their higher ups. As Shiori and Kazuya watched from the back stands, they couldn't be more proud of their son. Given the circumstances, they were happy that Shuichi was able to receive and control his gift but were still hesitant upon his next mission. He's a ningyo who had just led his team to a fair and square victory. What does he need to go to the ocean for? His focus should be on his studies. The real question is...why can't his adoptive parents just let him go?

No sooner did everyone return home, everyone started planning for the future. It was collectively decided that Shuichi, Kuronue, and Kiyoni will all attend high school which means all of them will be studying for the entrance exam for their chosen school. Even better, they all attended cram school as a supplement for their studies. Mathematics, English, advanced Japanese, and science were all of the subjects available to get into. Kiyoni wanted to pass out due to burnout. Studying Japanese in school and Korean at home proved to be mentally draining. Not to mention, she still hadn't told her parents about her plans with Shuichi. All of that came to a crashing halt during volleyball practice where an incoming ball collided with Kiyoni's face due to her spacing out. While nothing was broken or noticeably injured, Kiyoni managed to walk away with a reddish, volleyball-printed mark on her forehead and an equally painful headache.

Shuichi couldn't keep it together either. Now that his career in competitive swimming is on the back burner temporarily, it's nothing but study, study, study. Yes, there were times where Shuichi would hang out with his friends. Yes, there were times when he helped his parents out at the docks and yes, there were times Shuichi wanted to be left alone. He liked those times the best for it was an opportunity to put his mind at ease. Especially whenever he was near the ocean. At an open area of a beach along the city bay, Shuichi stood at the edge of the shore with his jeans rolled up to his calves and watched as the ocean waters washed over his feet accompanied by a few seagulls out looking for food. Due to the dip in temperature coming from the ocean, a thick, full-length, forest green coat with multiple pockets and a navy blue hoodie kept Shuichi's upper body warm while a pair of loose, gray jeans did the job for the lower half, leaving his exposed feet deep enough in the sand to create a shallow pool. Tsuran City and meeting Emperor Yoko, swimming the long distance to Tsuran City, all of the advice Botan had given Shuichi, Kiyoni and her participation, and everything that may come from all of that were all on his mind and have been for quite some time. Evening was coming into focus by the minute which meant Shuichi would soon have to be home in time for dinner. But just before Shuichi was about to leave the beach, a call came in.

       "Moshi Moshi?"

       "Oh, good. I caught you."

       "Kiyoni?"

       "Yeah, it's me. Are you busy?"

       "I'm about to head home. I'm at the beach."

       "Oh, even better. You're alone. I got some news you may want to hear."

       "Shoot."

       "...I got my parents to agree to go out to dinner."

       "Oh, that sounds great. Is it their anniversary?"