Who am I? What do I live for?

Am I very strange?

SPLASHH

"Ha.. I did it again." Yui said.

Yui had been under a swimming pool water for about 1 hour, before she went out from there.

She was no athlete, nor was she strong physically. In fact, the girl herself thought that she might be sick mentally.

She didn't have any friend. She was always alone. Maybe that was because of her abilities. She was known as 'mermaid' by the guys who admired her beauty, while girls called her a fish.

She was quite a beauty with her soft voice and girly appearance. However, Yui had never succeeded in making friends without frightening them all away in the end.

Why so? First of all, she could breathe for so long under water. It was actually preferable for her to be under water, than to be around people.

Secondly, she could disappear anytime she wanted to. Even though people would hardly notice her presence when she was around. People didn't really care, whether she was around or not.

Sometimes being 'absent' made her feel safe. However, it also gradually made her feel lonely and desperate.

She had honestly been longing for a mate. Well, not a boyfriend. She might just wish for a female friend.

Days and years passed before her, but she was all the same as ever.

She turned 20, without any friend or a boyfriend.

"Yui!" her mother called at home.

"Yes, mom?"

"Nothing. Have you eaten anything today?" Yui's mother spoke with a concerned attitude towards her daughter.

"Yes.. once. I had lunch at college today. Now I'm going to rest." Yui replied.

"What?? Once is not enough! Go eat now!" the mother pulled Yui's arm and dragged her to the dining room.

"Mom..!" Yui complained.

"Just shut up and eat, will you? Look at yourself. You're too weak and gloomy for a girl at your age!" her mother said.

"Mom.. stop nagging at me. You know I'm not normal."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I'm a fish, a mermaid girl or whatever it is." Yui spoke with an unpleasant mood.

"Tsk tsk. Stop babbling, will you? Those words are for those who don't know you. Yui, you're just an ordinary girl. You're just like everybody else."

"Mom.. please. It's not helping. I'm going to my room now."

SLAM

"... That passive foolish girl. I know she's hungry. Whatever." Yui's mom spoke alone in discontentment, then went away to do her own things.

In Yui's room..

"Saotome Akio-kun.. why are you so handsome..?"

Yui stared at a poster of an idol in her room.

She had been a fan of this handsome red haired singer guy for 3 years now. She had always hoped she could go to one of his concerts. However, she always failed to go to any due to her mother's forbiddance.

Everything never seemed to go the way she wanted. That was why her feelings were always the same, so timid and fragile, without knowing the world around her.

"Akio-kun.. will you see me if I come to your concert? Will you allow me talk to you a little?" Yui spoke softly.

Yui held her breath and sighed. There was no way the idol would want to see and talk to her. She had no chance.

In Yui's little heart, she just wanted to say something simple. She knew she could not even say it to him, so she ended up writing the words down on her diary.

Akio-kun. Thank you for being an inspiring person to me. Your voice is such an art. I cannot forget your smile and your beautiful red hair. I just wish you would always be successful and happy.

"Ha.. Maybe I can only imagine things.. as always." Yui sighed.

What kind of guy was Akio Saotome? He seemed so perfect and talented. What could go wrong with his career? Nothing.

Yui's biggest fear was if Akio disappeared from the entertainment world. She could not lose him. Akio's voice totally mesmerized her all the time, and his ballads were fenomenal and famous.

But, there was also another fear Yui had. The mysterious tomorrow. Time would never pass without her being even more different from normal people.

She would never be the same in one thing. Her supernatural abilities would never disappear. They would only grow and her body would develop another abilities she didn't even know or want to accept.

Yui truly felt as if she was cursed. She despised her abilities. The days she could not hide her abilities from others anymore would come.

What would she do if everyone finally shut her down?

She was still young, but she felt like ending her own life sooner or later.

Not before she saw him, the singer who had saved her for a while and indirectly. She would not complain to anything after that.

"I will see you.. Akio-kun." she decided in her heart.

"Hoaahhmm.." Yui yawned in the morning, as she woke up.

Before starting off her day in college, she had cleaned and tidied up herself.

This morning she felt really hungry, so she packed herself some bento.

She was slightly too early for any classes, so she sat at the canteen and took out one of her onigiri.

"Hey, look. The fish girl is eating her bento alone in the morning. What a glutton." a girl said.

"Yeah. She seems really thin, but she eats a lot, I guess." another female replied.

"Hey, what are you girls murmuring about?" a guy joined in suddenly.

"Nothing. Guys like you should know nothing." one of the girls replied him.

"Wow. Such a beauty. Who's that chick?" the boy asked.

"Don't mind her. She's out of your league."

"What? No way. I'm handsome, though." the boy said confidently.

He decided to take a chance anyway. So, the two girls left him alone.

"Hey, beautiful. What's your name?"

"...I.. err.."

"Oh, come on. Don't be so shy. You're looking so cute." the boy winked his eye to Yui.

"I.. ermm. My name is Yui."

"Oh my. What a beautiful name. Yui-chan, do you have a boyfriend?" he asked straight forwardly.

".... I don't.."

"Really?? Are you serious? But, you're such a cutie!" he kept flattering her.

"Stop it.."

"Eh?"

"Please stop saying nice words to me.. I don't hate it.. but.. I just don't feel comfortable."

"Oh.. Hahaha. I see. I'm sorry, my name is Takao. Nice to meet you, Yui-chan."

"Takao.. you mean Takao Inoyama?" Yui asked.

"Eh? How did you know my name?"

"I...ermm.. well, you're quite popular in this campus."

"Re--really? I didn't know that. Haha.."

"I mean, the new female students like you.. kind of." Yui replied.

"I see. What about you, Yui-chan?"

"Eh..?"

"Do you think we should know each other more? How about a date?" Takao asked.

Yui's eyesight was suddenly blank. Then, she immediately recovered and said softly; "No way.. I don't deserve this.."

"Hm?"

"I don't deserve to have a date.. I mean---"

"What do you mean?" Takao interrupted.

"I.. I ermm.." Yui was suddenly trembling.

"If you are not attracted to me, just say it. I won't bother you anymore." Takao said, losing his interest so soon.

"I.. errmm.. Takao-kun.."

Unfortunately, that guy just left.

"Ha.. I knew it. I would not be able to make it."

Before Yui started to feel any worse, she suddenly heard some loud screaming voices.

KYAAAAAA

"I cannot believe this!!" a girl said, as she was running quickly.

"Kyaaa! Isn't that Akio Saotome? How did he decide to choose this campus?"

"Oh my God, I'm so lucky to choose this campus from the beginning~~!"

Akio? That's right. This campus is quite elite and famous. But, Akio.. Yui thought.

Yui couldn't get what she had just heard from some group of females.

"He's joining our campus! KYAAA! I'm so excited!" a girl said.

As the girls began to sound so loud, Yui tried hard to see for herself through the crowds.

"Good morning, everyone. I'm Akio Saotome. I'm just the same age and ordinary person as you all." he spoke with a gentle smile.

None of the girls listened well, they were all busy admiring Akio's drunkening complexion.

What's going on? Am I dreaming? Yui was completely speechless, as the guy suddenly stepped towards her.

"Yui-chan."

"Eh?"

"Yui-chan.. right?"

All of a sudden, everyone's eyes turned to this scene.

"A--Akio-kun.." Yui's face was so red, as a tomato.

"Finally. I've been looking for you, the pink haired dumb looking girl." he sneered.

"Eh--"

"Let's go. Guide me around." he suddenly held Yui's hand and walked away from the crowds.

"A--Akio-kun.. what's.."

"I know you from other people. It seems you're famous. So, tell me. Can you see my future?" Akio spoke so suddenly.

"Akio-kun.. You.. You really are..."

"Yes, I am. Are you ok? You don't look fine." he asked, as he touched Yui's arms with both of his strong looking hands.

"Kyaaa!" Yui squealed.

"?? -- Oi.. what's wrong?" Akio was surprised.

"You--you can't be... Akio.. You can't be.." she spoke in disbelief and pleasure.

"Hm? What does that mean? Of course I'm Akio. What's wrong with you?" he asked calmly and unaffectedly.

"Kyaaaaa! Oh my God.. This is unbelievable.." she gasped, as she hid her face in both of her palms.

Akio sighed and said; "I don't know. I just heard about you today, and I immediately decided to move to this campus. Who knows you might be the one I've been looking for so far?"

"The one you have been looking for..?"

"I can't tell you yet. But, if you agree to help me, I will tell you everything. Do you want to do that with me?" he asked.

"W--What..?" Yui seemed puzzled and she blushed.

"Don't think of anything dirty. I just need your help. That's the reason I came to this place." he explained.

"Ok.. I will help you. I want to help you, Akio-kun.."

"Eh?" Akio was quite startled.

"I want.. I want to help.. If it's you, I will do anything for you." Yui spoke with a sweet smile.

Akio blushed a little suddenly, so he turned his face away.

"I understand. So, it's decided. I'll tell you later. Escort me around first, I will also join the same class as you." he started his controls towards Yui.

"Ok.. but.."

"But what?"

"Have you decided which field of study and payed for the school entrance fee?" Yui asked artlessly.

"Hmm.."

Yui seemed waiting for his answer.

"Yeah, my manager is paying off all the fees now. So, just do your part!"

"What-- what's my part?" Yui was totally confused.

"To be my fortune teller. From now on, you will have to be with me all the time."

Those words suddenly put a deep spell on Yui. She couldn't help it and giggled.

"What's funny?" Akio asked.

"Nothing. I'm just happy. I'm so happy to finally meet you, Akio-kun. I've never thought this would actually happen in my life.. I'm so grateful.." she sobbed.

"Oi, don't cry. What the hell is wrong with you? I know that you'd be so happy and feel like this is just like a dream, but still--"

"No, it's not like that. I.. I was so.." she interrupted.

"Never mind. Let's go." he suddenly held Yui's shoulders and pushed her to walk.

"Where do you want to go, Akio-kun?" Yui asked.

"You fool. How would I know? I'm new here starting from now." he mocked her.

"Ah.. you're right. Sorry." Yui apologised sincerely.

"No--no need to say sorry." Akio said, looking a bit bumbled.

"Ok. Let's go, Akio-kun." Yui said cheerfully.

Meanwhile, all the other girls who successfully followed Akio, glared at Yui in an unexplainable hatred and jealousy.

The next morning..

"Good morning, Akio-kun." Yui said with a smile.

"Hmm.. good morning." Akio replied hesitantly.

"Today we are going to have 3 lessons from 3 different teachers, if you are joining me." Yui said cheerfully.

"Oh."

Seeing Akio's plain and uninterested expression, Yui didn't dare to say anything anymore.

"Oi." Akio called suddenly.

"Um? What's wrong, Akio-kun?" she replied.

"Do you think I came here to date you or something? Why are you so happy and looking so stupid?" he said unpleasantly.

"Ah.. I--I'm sorry. I just.." Yui tried to explain herself.

"Never mind. Just so you know, I came here to ask for your help. You're different from others, that's why this only happens to you."

"Eh..?"

"For a quick example; I came here because of you." he said.

That's true. This thing would never happen if I was normal. Yui thought.

"I agree.." she said softly.

"So, as a gratitute to me, you should do something for me." Akio said, with a serious expression.

He was indeed charming, but also mysterious and somehow different from other guys. No guy had ever talked to Yui for more than a few minutes, before they left her feeling sorry or as expected.

"Something..?" she asked.

"Yes. It's time to put your special abilities into use. You have to assist me in some missions. All of these missions are mainly about the same thing." he said.

"Same thing? What is it?" she asked in curiosity.

"You and I will have to protect my older brother."

"Eh?"

"I heard you can do things that normal people can't. For instant, you can read my mind, can't you? Or can you see my future?" he asked in demand for answer.

"E--Eh.." Yui was totally confused and nervous.

What do I do now? What if he only takes 'yes' for an answer? Yui thought.

"I--I.. err.. I guess so." she replied finally.

"Oh. That's not bad." he said as a remark.

"But that's.. subjective. I mean.. everything can change." she said, trying to loosen up the tension she felt.

"What do you mean? Is it bad? What do you see in me?" he asked, without letting Yui take an ease.

"I.. I.. I don't know!" she replied, as she ran away from Akio.

Akio kept staring at her as she left him. He wondered in his mind..

"Hm? What's wrong with that girl?" he said as he walked through some corridors in the campus.

"A--Akio-kun.." a girl said suddenly.

"Hm?"

"My name is Sakura Yoshino. I would like to know you better." she said timidly.

Akio was feeling uninterested and quite bothered, so he said; "Sorry, I have to go."

"Eh?"

He left the girl crying and running away to tell her friends.

Her friends sighed, as one of them said; "As expected, famous person like him would never hang out with ordinary people."

"Hey, look. It's Yui Himura." one of them pointed out her finger.

Yui was looking rather exhausted and gloomy, as she was about to join a lesson.

"What a strange girl. She always looks so worked up and unapproachable." the girl said to her friends.

"But I heard that she has been hanging around with Akio-kun since yesterday." another girl said.

"Eh..?" Sakura responded suddenly, after crying.

"Sakura, you'll have to beat that girl before you can talk to Akio-kun." her friend provoked her.

Sakura glared at Yui, as she began to feel jealous and angry.

Some hours later..

"Ah~" Yui stretched her arms as she walked out from the lecture room.

"Yui." a girl spoke to her.

"Yes?" Yui replied.

"Can you talk with us for a moment?"

"Sure."

Outside the campus..

"What's going on between you and Akio-kun?" the girls suddenly began to interrogate Yui.

"What do you mean?" Yui didn't really get it.

"Stop pretending as if you really don't know. Tell us everything!" those girls demanded by force.

"Nothing means nothing. Why are you girls so stubborn?"

"Eh?"

Akio appeared all of a sudden.

"A--Akio-kun!" the girls screamed happily.

"Will you all leave her alone from now?"

"Eh?"

"If you girls won't leave her, then I'll either punish you all or quit from this campus." Akio said, with a mysterious and deep expression.

The girls were all speechless and numb. They only watched Akio and Yui, as they left the location.

"Akio-kun.. let go off me!" Yui said, as her hand was being pulled by Akio.

But he didn't bug to listen and kept walking.

"Akio-kun!"

"Shut up."

"Eh?"

"I can't take it anymore. Why are you so weak?" Akio said, looking a bit angry.

"Akio-kun..?"

"You should be talking back to anyone who tries to push you down or something! Why are you acting like such a loser?" he said as he looked straight into Yui's eyes.

"Akio-kun.." Yui suddenly blushed, so she turned her face away.

"You won't be able to protect anyone, if you are unable to protect yourself. Got it?"

Those words got the better of her suddenly.

"Ok.."

"Good. That's how it is."

"Thank you.. Akio-kun.." she spoke softly.

"Hm?"

"Thank you for telling me that.." she added shyly.

Akio's expression turned gentle as he replied; "It's nothing. Just do your best to help me."

Yui was startled and mesmerized.

"Ok. I understand!"

"Hm?"

"I will help you, Akio-kun. I will do anything for you. Thank you so much!" she said in tears.

"Oi.. don't cry." Akio felt a little concerned.

"I'm ok. Thanks, Akio-kun." Yui said with a smile, as she wiped off her tears.

"You're--welcome." he replied in a differently polite manner.

What is this girl really up to? Are those tears for real? Something's not right. What is this feeling now? Akio said on his mind.