(scans courtesy of sunyshore)
Forbidden Last Only Power - Part 2/?
As he turns to leave, Rin stumbles over a mop and bucket leaned against the hallway wall. The water that had been left in the bucket spills onto the floor and flows into Haruka’s cell.
Rin: “Oops, my bad…"
When he turns back, though, the water from the bucket touches Haruka’s legs, and in a flash, scales begin to form and spread.
Rin: “Wha…?!”
Inside the cell now sits Haruka the half-fish-man, sans legs and fully tailed.
Haruka: “See? I just get like this naturally when I touch water.”
Rin: “…W-well, whatever you are, you’re still a trespasser! I’ll bring you some water, so sit tight.”
[Rin’s apartment, the next morning]
Gou sits at the table, her eyes glinting.Gou: “A half-fish-man!”
Rin: “Well, that’s what he says, at least.”
Gou: “That’s amazing, Oniichan! And speaking of half-fish-man, isn’t there some story? Tha if you eat their flesh…”
Rin: “Then you become immortal and indestructible?”
Gou: “No! That’s if you eat a mermaid’s flesh! With half-fish-men, it’s all about muscles! MUSCLES!”
Rin: “Huh? Muscles?”
Gou: “Exactly! If you eat the flesh of a half-fish-man, then you don’t get eternal life, you get eternally beautiful muscles! Beautiful, super-strong, perfect muscles…! EEK!!”Gou is in a tizzy, and Rin is honestly a little weirded out.
Rin: “…”
[At Samezuka Station, morning]
Rin arrives at work.Rin: “…?”
When he glances into the office, there in the entryway is the manager of the aquarium Sasabe and Officer Sousuke discussing something.
Sasabe: “So please—we promise we won’t bring any charges against him.”
Rin calls out to Sousuke.
Rin: “What’s going on?”
Sousuke: “Oh, Rin. Perfect timing. The manager of the aquarium is saying he wants us to release that guy.”Rin turns to the manager.
Rin: “Even with your request, we’re still in the middle of questioning him, and we don’t know anything about him.”
The manager claps his hands together.
Sasabe: “Can’t you manage something? I’ll look after him!”
Rin: “But—why would you offer to take in a total stranger…?”
Sasabe: “Well, isn’t it obvious? I’m planning on hiring him to work at the aquarium! Gahaha!”[Before the entry gate to the aquarium, a few days later]
A huge, lavishly decorated bulletin board announces “A global first! The legendary merman!” The line for tickets is long indeed.*~*~*~*~*
People flood into the aquarium, lining up in front of the main tank. Inside, Haruka lazily swims. Sighs and gasps of joy erupt from the viewers, entranced by his beauty.
Viewer A: “Oh…”
Viewer B: “That’s amazing…”
Viewer C: “Is he real?”
Viewer B: “No way. He’s just wearing a mermaid’s fin and swimming around.”
Viewer C: “Still, it’s pretty well done.”
Viewer A: “But he’s staying under water the whole time! Is he all right with his breath?”While the viewers converse, Rin stands at the very back, a sour frown on his face.
Rin: “…”
He stares at the crowd, decidedly unhappy.
[At the aquarium, in the manager’s office]
The manager happily count’s the day’s earnings sitting atop his desk.Sasabe: “I can’t take this guy! Profits were so low we were just about to go under and I didn’t know what I was gonna do, but we’re back in business now! Gahahahahaha!!”
His laughter can’t be stopped.
[At the entry gate to the aquarium, night]
On the door is hung a plaque reading “CLOSED”.*~*~*~*~*
Atop the main tank, Rin peers down into the water.
Rin: “…”
(drip)Haruka pokes his head up out of the water—but on spotting Rin, he frowns.
Haruka: “You again?”
Rin: “Come on, don’t be like that. I didn’t come to arrest you today. …Can we talk?”Rin holds up a plastic bag containing a salt-grilled mackerel bentou.
Haruka: (puzzled)
*~*~*~*~*
They sit on an aquarium bench as Haruka eats his meal. Rin sits beside him with a drink.
Rin: “So…are you eating well?”
Haruka: “They prepare all my meals here. I don’t lack anything.”
Rin: “Well, just because you don’t lack anything… Aren’t you stuck in the water all day? Are you fine with that? You’re an attraction now, you know?”
Haruka: “I don’t really care. I’m fine so long as I can swim.”
Rin: “…”Something has been bugging Rin.
Haruka: “Do you not have anything to do?”
Rin: “Huh?”
Haruka: “You come to watch every day.”
Rin: (urk…) “You saw me…? Tsk, no, I do have better things to do. I do, it’s just… What about you? Don’t you get bored, there in the water all day?”
Haruka: “Bored?”
Rin: “Yeah. I mean, you’re a merman—you’ve got this fun body, and yet…”
Haruka: “Not really; I’ve never thought about it like that.”
Rin: “…”Rin feels a bit sad, seeing Haruka like that.
Haruka: “And I’m not a merman. I’m a half-fish-man.”
Rin: “You never give up… Anyway, they’re pretty much the same. How are they different?”Haruka finishes his meal and stands, heading back for the tank.
Haruka: “Thanks for the meal. Bye.”
Rin grabs his arm.
Haruka: “?”
Rin: “I just don’t get it. Living a life where you’re stuck in a tank, seeing the same sights day after day…”
Haruka: “…It’s none of your concern.”
Rin: “And what…if I said it was my concern?”
Haruka: “…”Haruka hesitates at the baffling question.
Rin: “There’s no customers at night, so surely you can leave, right? Come with me.”
Haruka: “Come with you…?”Rin grins.
Rin: “I’ll show you a sight not even a merman has ever seen before!”
