Chapter Text
Kaname gave a small smile as he watched his friends enter their new classroom. Hikari and Manaka were rushing ahead, both looking annoyed and excited about coming to school. Chisaki walking a few steps ahead of him with a calmness to her movements. She shot him a smile and it took everything he had not to let her know that his heart started to race just a little bit more at the sight. He gave a small shake of his head as he watched their interactions and he could tell, during their introduction that their move to the larger middle school was not going to go very easily. At least the surface humans had decided to make fun of him rather than his friends. It was easier to push those thoughts to the side when they were towards him. Still seeing Hikari jump to the attack and Manaka scolding him made him smile just a little bit brighter.
When the group moved to sit in the last row, he glanced at the only other person there, besides the four of them and felt a small blush appear on his cheeks. He had seen the boy earlier, having caught Manaka in a net. The cool look in the other boy’s eyes made him feel a tad embarrassed as he cast a glance away and took a deep breath. It would not do to get too close to the Surface humans, at least for now.
Tsumugo was a conundrum for Kaname. The boy seemed to love the ocean just as much as they did. He was the first to befriend them and stand up for them when the situation arose. It was both strange and flattering at the same time. However, Kaname wasn’t an idiot. If asked, people would say he was the most empathetic of this group. He watched people and knew that Tsumugo had been enamored first by Manaka and then by Chisaki. Kaname felt a sad smile appear on his lips as he thought of his four friends. Manaka and Chisaki both loved Hikari, but Hikari only loved Manaka in return. Kaname knew his feelings for Chisaki were genuine, even if he was attracted to Tsumugo, but he also knew, once Chisaki got over Hikari, she’d most likely fall for Tsumugo. It was the only possible path for the group.
He shook his head as he laid it down on his old desk. Chisaki had been very upset with him for pushing Manaka and Hikari, but he was trying. She had seemed so shocked when he told her about his feelings. He hadn’t lied about his feelings for her, she was the love of his life. He could scarcely remember a time not loving her. He just wasn’t completely honest as he thought of those brown eyes staring straight into him, making him feel seen for the first time in his life. However, he also knew that he was the opposite of Hikari. While Hikari drew people in like the sun, he pushed people away like the shadows.
It was hard not to be pushed to the outskirts of people’s perspectives when he was always with Hikari and Manaka. Two people who stole everyone’s attention all the time, he’d never blame them. He loved them, but it still felt nice to be seen. However, if the choice was between the land or the sea. He’d put it on the sea. It was the safer of the two options and he was never one not to take the safe route.
After a few minutes of silence echoing within the halls of their old junior high, he pushed himself up and made his way home. There had been enough salt flake snow on the ground that he could get an idea of what had happened and interpret the most likely result. Shaking his head, he walked in silent contemplation wondering just what the future would hold.
Standing on the boat, Kaname watched as the whirlpools start to form as the Sea God started to show his anger towards both the Sea people and the Surface people. He frowned as the boat he was on started to rock dangerously. He was not scared of falling. He’d knew he’d survive. He was scared for the other people on the boat. Then he watched as the boat carrying Akari, Manaka, and Tsugumo were flipped. He watched as Chisaki did not hesitate to jump into the water. He had tried to reach out a hand to stop her but was too late. Knowing she’d need help, he jumped in after her.
Once underwater, he caught sight of the two of them struggling inside one of the whirlpools. He was vaguely aware of Manaka and Hikari trying to save Akari, but he shifted his focus onto helping Chisaki and Tsugumo. Tsugumo was not moving and that made his heart stop as it was all that he could to help her continue to push Tsugumo out of the water. The other sailors had helped him pushed Chisaki up first. Knowing she was safe, they worked to get Tsugumo out of the water. It was only a matter of time before the hibernation took hold. He could feel it on the edges of his senses.
The seconds he managed to hold Tsugumo helped settle his heart and lessened the fear as he felt Tsugumo’s soft breath against his neck. Dispelling his worry for the other boy. Pushing Tsugumo up, he nodded knowing that they would make it out of the water, that the two people he cared about greatly were safe. Once Tsugumo was over the railing, he started to climb back up on the boat. He was barely able to reach the railing when the boat moved away from him. He had gotten only the barest glimpses of Chisaki holding Tsugumo when he was thrown from the boat. He liked to think, as he landed back into the water, that Chisaki was screamed for him, but he knew that was just him fooling himself.
As the water engulfed him, he looked up as his energy started to fail him and saw a stone pillar falling on him. Rubble raining down on him as he tried to move away, but the sleep slowing his movements. Tears streamed down his face, mixing with the ocean, as the truth made itself clear. He felt a stabbing pain before falling into darkness.
Chisaki felt numb as the waters around them started to calm. She tightened her grip on Tsugumo as she tried to figure out just what happened. She had expected Kaname to jump back up, but it had been nearly ten minutes and he still wasn’t up. Neither had Manaka nor Hikari. The ships were making a quiet procession back into the harbor and the lack of lights from below made her realize the truth. She was too late. She was trapped and she wasn’t going to be able to go home. The fear shook her as she tried to think of what would happen to her now.
Gripping Tsugumo even more, what-if’s rushed through her head. Each more outlandish than the last. If only Kaname was still with her. She was moving past her crush on Hikari. She was considering Kaname. She knew he’d stay by her side no matter what happened. So why did he suddenly leave her? Tears started to stream down her face as stared out into the dark sea.
“Kaname?” Chisaki looked down suddenly to see dark brown eyes staring just past her. “Hiradaira?” His eyes started to focus a little more. “I thought I saw Kaname down there. Is he alright? What happened?”
“Tsugumo.” It was all she was able to get out as Chisaki burst into tears. It made Tsugumo even more anxious as she lowered her head and started to cry. These would not be the first, nor the last set of tears Chisaki would cry.
Chisaki laid in bed. The past two years had been difficult, but she had been lucky. With Tsugumo’s family taking her in, it gave her a home. Not the same that she had been used to. It would never be the same. She wondered if her parents were still waiting for her before shifting her train of thought. That was never a good path to be on no matter how worn out it was.
She had tried. Oh, how she tried to return home, but the currents had almost killed her on more than one occasion that first month. She would have kept trying if Tsugumo hadn’t grabbed her and all but begged her to stop. The words wouldn’t normally have been enough to stop her, but the tears in his normally stoic eyes were enough to get her to stop. That did not stop her from looking out into the ocean, looking for anyone to come up and tell her that they were waking up.
Turning, she looked out into the moonlight and wondered if Kaname would still love her now. She was two years older, and she wondered just how much she had changed over those two years. Tsugumo had been wonderful to her. He had helped her get settled, was always watching over her, making sure she was alright. He protected her. It hurt her to think that while her feelings for Hikari had faded, she was starting to develop feelings for Tsugumo, and she felt divided. A part of her ached for Kaname and what they could have had; the other part of her longed-for Tsugumo and what they could have. The only thing stopping her from saying anything was the looks Tsugumo gave to the sea when he thought she wasn’t looking. She knew he was probably thinking of Manaka, and it almost felt like the story of her life.
Looking at the bright moon through her window she nodded and made her choice. She would talk with Tsugumo. Taking a page from Kaname, she made the decision to talk with Tsugumo and tell him everything. If anything, he could help her sort through her emotions.
The two of them walked home a week later. Chisaki shook her head as she walked a few steps behind Tsugumo. She glanced up to see the bright sun shining down on them. She looked up and felt a soft breeze blow her hair out as the sparkles from the seashore. She smiled as she looked at the still waters, knowing that the still surface hid the truth of the currents beneath.
“Everything alright. Chisaki?” Tsugumo asked. He was staring at her, with his all-knowing gaze and she wondered just how much he knew.
“Tsugumo.” She paused and took a breath. “I need to tell you something.” She tightened her grip on her bag as she took another breath. “Tsugumo. I…”
“I miss him too,” Tsugumo stated causing Chisaki to blink. “He was the first one of you to speak with me, really speak with me. Catching Manaka doesn’t really count.” Tsugumo gave a small smile at the memory. “I wish he made it back on the boat.” Chisaki blinked.
“Hikari wouldn’t have come back without Manaka.” She said with a hint of certainty. Tsugumo shot her a confused look.
“I was talking about Kaname,” Tsugumo said. “You miss him. I can tell just by how you look out into the ocean. If I hadn’t fallen in, he wouldn’t have had to jump in to save me and he’d still be here.”
“Kaname?” Chisaki asked confused. She wondered where this was coming from. “No…I mean yes, I miss him. He is one of my best friends, but that’s not what I wanted to tell you.”
“Oh,” Now it was Tsugumo’s turn to look confused. “What did you want to tell me?”
“I’m not expecting a response,” She paused. “But I think I love you, Tsugumo.”
“Oh,” Tsugumo looked shocked.
“I don’t want to have things change. I’m okay with how everything is. Really. I’m not looking for a response.” Chisaki forced herself to smile and wave her hands to show it wasn’t a bother.
“I like you too. I have since we were fourteen.” Tsugumo said as he clenched his fist. Chisaki blinked at the response. She could tell he was holding something back but didn’t know how to approach it.
“What about Manaka?” Chisaki asked. “I thought, you and her.”
“Manaka has a presence that draws people in. I’m sure you know that, but it’s obvious that I am nothing but a brief distraction on her radar. She’s in love with Hikari. I’m sure of it.” Tsugumo said. “Besides, I’ve liked you and,” He paused and shook his head. “I’m happy that you liked me too.”
“Oh.” Chisaki blushed. “So umm, what now?”
“I don’t know,” Tsugumo stated. “Let’s head home.” Chisaki nodded and watched as Tsugumo held out his hand. She grabbed it and felt her face flush as the two of them walked back to their home. She let a bittersweet smile appear on her lips. She felt so happy that Tsugumo felt the same way, so why did she feel like something was missing?
Tsugumo felt happy was he walked home hand in hand with Chisaki. He wished he were better with words than he was, and he wished he were able to be completely honest with Chisaki. It was just that, he hadn’t lied about his feelings towards her, but he knew that he hadn’t told her the complete truth. He wondered if he should when the complete truth was nothing more than a fictional dream at this point. He thinks of the calm aqua eyes that smiled at him when they first spoke to one another. The constant confusion he felt around others abating when he was around him. Tsugumo shook his head as he tightened his grip on Chisaki’s hand.
He was surprised. He thought she was still in love with Hikari. It made him jealous and if he would have been asked, he’d think Chisaki would have been the one out of reach. It’s funny how wrong he was.
“Everything alright, Tsugumo?” Chisaki asked.
“Yes,” Tsugumo said with a smile and the two of them settled into an easy pattern.
The next three years passed in almost a blur. Chisaki had started a nursing program close to home so she could stay with Grandpa. It made leaving for his university a little easier. They had one of the best oceanography programs in the area. School was a blur of classes and research. Tsugumo liked how it allowed him to focus on a goal. If they could find their way back into the sea and if they could figure out how to calm the Sea God, they might be able to revive the Sea People. If they could, then maybe. He paused and suddenly felt terrible about the feeling that snaked its way into his heart. He loved Chisaki, he was saving to buy her a ring. He knew she was it for him, but at the same time. He wanted more. He saw a flash of those calm aqua eyes staring back at him and frowned. So, like Chisaki’s but so different. He was a horrible person for wanting more.
“So, what is the deal between the two of you?” Professor Mihashi asked. Tsugumo looked up confused.
“Between whom?” Tsugumo asked. “Chisaki and I?”
“Yeah? Everyone calls her a lonely housewife?”
“Oh. That’s because she’s my girlfriend and they are teasing me.” Tsugumo stated.
“WHAT?” Professor Mihashi exclaimed. “Since when?”
“We’ll celebrate four years this spring,” Tsugumo replied as he finished setting up one of his machines. “However, she’s lived with my family for the last five years. She didn’t have any family on the surface and since Gramps is from the Sea, he said he’d take her in.” Tsugumo looked up at him.
“Wow.” Professor Mihashi blinked as he sat back in his chair. “That explains why you never dated at school. Why would you when you have her?” Tsugumo shot him a glare. “Hey. Not what I meant, I just meant that she’s the whole package.” The glare intensified. “I mean she cooks, cleans, polite, kind, and pretty. You hit the jackpot.”
“I am very lucky,” Tsugumo stated as he looked up at the darkening sky. There was already a crowd starting to form on the docks. The triple moon was beautiful to look at and he wondered if this was what they saw down below. He was sad that Chisaki didn’t want to come, but he could hardly blame her. This was something special she shared with her childhood friends, and he would never dare take that away from her.
Still, when the oceans lit up and he and Miuna found Hikari, he was thrilled. If Hikari was here, then maybe…as quickly as those emotions filled him, he was then filled with shame for thinking about it. He was incredibly lucky to have the love of a woman as perfect as Chisaki, yet here he was wishing for more. It wasn’t right.
Holding Hikari as he finally broke down hurt him more than he thought it would. Seeing the once strong boy reduced to tears made him pray, for the first time, that the Sea People would never wake up. He would never wish these emotions on anyone, much less on those he cared about. Still, he held Hikari as he wailed and raged against the world and against his situation. He couldn’t blame the boy. He wasn’t sure if he would have been able to handle it any better.
Still. He felt guilty for his thoughts and beliefs. Once Hikari calmed down enough, he brought his boat back to shore and let Hikari get off. He hoped that this would be enough to push him into meeting with Chisaki. If it did not, he would talk to her once he got home. They needed each other. Hikari needed his friends.
Getting off the boat, he headed home.
A body floated on the water and washed up against the shore. A metal rod spearing his shoulder. The waves pushed him gently onto the shore. Almost as if the water itself feared hurting the body. Laying on the sand, the body did not even twitch as the tide brought it higher and higher and the cold did not bother it. As the sun started to peek up over the horizon, the streaks of red and pinks etched across the sky. Golden sand shining as the body started to move. The frozen wound suddenly starting to bleed, leaving reddish-brown streaks in the sand as the boy turned and coughed. He pushed himself up, giving a small yelp of pain as he realized his hand was more damaged than he had assumed. He stumbled to push himself forward, blood covering one of his eyes as he stepped off the sand and up a set of stone steps. Crawling, more than walking, he made his way up the steps and leaned against the beach railing.
A weak “Help,” fell from his lips as he stumbled forward. He could see a person, or maybe three people. It was getting hard to focus. “Help.” He scrapped out. He could see mirror worried looks on the people’s faces before he pitched forward and landed in the arms of the restaurant owner. Feeling another person’s arms around him was the last he felt before he back into the black.