Perfect Catch

-42-

Declan's eye widened as he read through the note. This was truly a wonderful discovery and one that meant laws around mermaids wanting to live on shore, could be amended to reflect this new information. "This is all very interesting," He said placing the note onto the desk, his attention diverting to Yuto and Yuya who sat opposite. "My question is, do you know how to become human?"  Yuto sighed, sadly how to become human, wasn't in the letter. "I see," Declan leant back in his chair, folding his arms. "And how about becoming a mermaid?" Yuya looked more confused. What could Declan possibly mean by that?  "Yuto, you do have mermaid heritage, so this should mean that you are able to turn into a mermaid, presuming my deduction is correct."

Yuto was speechless. They never thought about that, what they gathered from the note was as he was primarily human, so changing never crossed their minds. "It's certainly something to ask," Yuto mumbled as he turned to Yuya. "Would anyone you know be able to help?"

Yuya placed a finger on his chin, trying to think of anyone. "Oh, my dad's old friend, Skip!" He proclaimed happily. "He's one of the older ones in our community, he might know."

"How can we get in touch with Skip?" Yuto asked almost desperate to know answers.

Suddenly, Emi walked through the office door, Shay strolling behind her. "She wouldn't take no," Shay huffed causing Emi to hit his shoulder.

With a stern look on her face Emi marched to the desk, sitting on it and taking the note into hand. The stern looks on her face softened as she read the note. Yuya hadn't told her about the note, rather Lulu filled her in and then Shay let the meeting slip. Originally the meeting today was going to be used as a learning curve for Declan and discuss how to move forward but Emi, worried, ran over as soon as possible. "I don't appreciate the secrecy," She sighed turning to the young couple. "Though, I guess you would want to understand more before making it public."

Yuto blushed knowing the conversation was aimed at him. "It's all a bit of a shock," He said. "I'm sorry we didn't tell you sooner but I wanted to make Declan aware because this will drastically help our case."

Tucking a bit of hair behind her ear Emi let out a small giggle. "You okay sis?" Yuya asked, earning a nod.

"I think it's ironic," She explained, confusing her little brother and the rest of the room. "I'll get Skip to come here, as Zuzu is eighteen she can come here too. I'll do this on the condition of no more secrets."

With a nod Yuto agreed. Emi stood hugging both Yuto and Yuya tightly and they hugged back, glancing at each other. Happiness raced through Yuya's body, almost making him feel like his nerves were being tickled, he couldn't remember the last time he felt so happy and he could tell Yuto was too.

Back at home, Yuto sat on the sofa rummaging through the chest again. It had sentimental items, like the first note his father wrote for his mother, a shell from their first swim and some photos of their time together, including one from the day Yuto was brought home from the hospital. It was truly a trove of memories. "You should start your own chest with Yuya," Lulu smiled walking in with some tea. She placed one cup by Yuto before holding her own as she sat next to him. "You and Yuya have already made a lot of memories, keeping them to look back on and to share with your own children one day, well isn't that just a wonderful dream."

Yuto nodded, creating their own chest did seem like a good idea. "I think Yuya will like that," He said placing the chest on the floor. "Mom took so much care into creating it to me, perhaps I'll add to this one. Mom's parents never did care enough to find me and I don't know about dad's parents. I could use this as a start of a legacy. One Yuya and I can create togther."

Lulu leant back into the sofa, happy with the words Yuto spoke. So much had changed in the past year and she wanted change too. "I heard that Skip will be bringing his daughter her in a couple of days," She spoke. "I was thinking they could stay here. Shay is okay with it and it means they can talk to you more about mermaid history."

"That sounds like a good idea," Yuto agreed. "So, tomorrow, Yuya and I learn how he becomes human and if I can turn."

"Will you try?" Yuto nodded. It certainly was worth trying, even if it was once. "I bet you have a really dark purple tail, or maybe a black one?"

Yuto laughed as Lulu continued to rant and wonder about how he would look. Things were certainly changing, changing for the better. His eyes were beginning to open to a new world, one that he couldn't wait to explore.