I'm Lara.
A mermaid princess reborn after 200 years.
I've lost my ocean home, my family, and I've lost the light...
To get them all back, I have to find true love.
I have to find the true love I couldn't attain back then.
So, that's why...
I'm thinking of finding my prince!
Here, in Shiga!
Gotta go!
I'm Mari.
A first-year at Zeze Minami High School.
I wake up at five in the morning to go running.
My favorite things are my pet fish, Gon-chan, and boxing!
Rising Star Becomes Top in the Nation
The Lightning from Omi Bolts Ahead!
Moving in Aggressively Against the Reigning Champion in the Finals
I started boxing with my brother.
[Dream Cheering Squad] Aiming for #1 in Japan! Behind the Scenes: Female Junior High School Student Boxer
I've been doing it for 10 years now!
Mari Otsu
Zeze Minami High School Boxing Club Member
I want to become stronger than anyone.
I won't let anyone get in my way!
Up and at it early, I see.
Nagahama-senpai...
Undefeated in official matches.
The Lightning from Omi, Mari Otsu.
Well, aren't you just charming.
Mari!
Dummy.
So good! What is this? Rice?
It's delicious!
Savor it. It's not going anywhere.
Your friend's got quite the appetite, huh?
You've got real guts, you know?
Keeping up with Shiga's best boxer like this.
Keeping up?
Here, eat this, too.
What's this?
Whatever it is, it's delicious!
What do I do?
I brought this mermaid back home with me.
Wait for me at home today.
I'll be back by late afternoon.
Otsu
Mari!
Otsu
Where are you going?
To school.
School? What's that?
It's a place where humans gather.
Like how many?
Ten? Twenty?
At least 600.
Is "School" the name of a kingdom?
Dummy.
Zeze Minami High School Boxing Club
Three Months until the Tournament! Build a Solid Foundation Strict Self-Discipline
More!
Stronger! Higher!
To the top!
I get that they're just being kids.
But this is getting really old.
Shouldn't you be doing something as a parent before saying sorry?
Since you fight with your friends all the time,
our place is getting filled with baumkuchen.
You're going to fatten me up if this keeps happening.
But I like baumkuchen...
I like nice kids who don't fight more than baumkuchen.
But I didn't do anything wrong.
Hey, Mari. Fight with me, too.
Fight with you?
Staring contest.
The loser listens to the winner.
Ready, begin!
That's game! I win!
That's cheating! Go again!
Nope!
Mari, you're not allowed to fight anymore, okay?
That's not fair, Mom!
You shouldn't have blinked!
Otsu.
You're hogging it.
I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention.
Follow the rules, all right?
Okay.
What's with that look?
You look like you have something to say.
Why are you doing this?
You two can't go a day without arguing, huh?
We're not arguing.
Why does Otsu get to do the same training as the second- and third-years?
I can't let the winner of the national tournament train with beginners.
But that was back in junior high.
Nagahama.
Is it the captain's job to be on the juniors' case like that?
It's not.
All right, then.
Otsu, you're at fault, too.
Both of you, pay attention to your surroundings.
Okay.
The true love you once wished for
was shattered when the prince rejected you.
You must overcome that past pain and fear.
Does that mean...
It means you must find a new prince.
A prince...
That's right.
Find new love with a human.
That is the only way you can save your family.
But I'm scared.
Of what?
Of going into the outside world.
I need Mari with me.
Good grief, how pathetic.
You want to save your family, right?
You can't afford to dwell on doubts.
But if you're scared, I know!
You can get Mari to help you.
She's a difficult girl,
but if you can deceive her and get her to do your bidding...
Lara?
I know I can't go on like this!
I need to get used to it... to this surface world!
I need to experience more of this world!
I need to know more about humans!
It's water...
Otsu! You're an underclassman!
You can't be acting like that as a first-year.
Another argument?
Something about whether to tape up gloves or not.
Coach, can you do something about them?
Fighting Spirit
Dominate Kinki! Dominate Japan!!
The tournament is coming up...
Otsu! Nagahama!
You're both in the same weight class, right?
Only one of you will participate in the tournament.
We'll do full-contact sparring tomorrow.
That's how we'll make our decision.
You better not back out.
No way.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
I'm ho—
What are you doing?!
Wipe down every spot you stepped on.
Okay!
Gon-chan! What are you doing?
You were supposed to watch her.
Cut her some slack.
She's a mermaid.
Like I care.
Mari!
It seems like they need some money.
Do you know what that is?
What now?!
It's nothing!
This thing's really impressive.
All I had to ask, and see?
What the heck are you doing?
I ordered some cake!
You like cake too, right, Mari?
I heard from Lady Witch.
I've had it once before in the surface world, too.
These are weirdly shaped, though!
Receipt
Focus.
Don't think about anything right now.
Don't look away from your opponent!
Go!
Live from the Featherweight World Championship Title Fight!
Will He Complete His Third Defense?!
He's so cool!
Amazing!
Mom! Let's fight!
If you look away, you need to listen to the winner.
Not doing that.
What's up?
You lost?
Yep, I lost.
I want to box.
I want to try boxing.
I know you've been watching it a lot, but...
You decided fast. Are you sure?
Could've just told me, you know?
You said you like nice kids who don't fight...
Mari... You know who I dislike the most?
Kids who look away when it's important.
Do what you want to do, Mari.
If you look away, you lose. Got it?
Sorry, I threw you off.
It's about your friend. I'm gonna have to call her parents soon.
We can't have her stay with us without knowing what's going on.
Okay.
If it's too hard for you to bring up, I can talk to her.
That's okay.
All right.
But are you okay?
You seem to be on edge lately.
Grandma, you worry too much.
It's just that the tournament's coming up.
Mari!
Wait for me! Mari!
I'm starting to be able to keep up with you now...
Hey.
Why are you following me?
It's not that!
I thought you might've forgotten something.
See? You always keep this with you, don't you?
What are you doing?
I don't wear it when I go running.
I see. I'm very sorry.
So, what are you going to do now?
I don't know what Gon-chan is telling you,
but I can't have you stay with us for much longer.
I know.
I'm sorry, but don't follow me anymore.
What are you doing?!
Doing this calms me down.
I'm sorry.
Wait, hold on!
Dry off at least!
You upset Mari?
You're getting kicked out of the house?
What is wrong with you?
At this rate, finding true love is nothing more than a distant dream.
However, if you wish to borrow my power again...
Hey, Lady Witch...
How did you meet Mari?
Just by chance.
She found me and brought me here.
Probably because my appearance seemed unusual to her.
Do you like it here, Lady Witch?
Of course not.
I can't wait to get out of this cramped place.
Still, I had her build this tank for me.
I can't say it's an unpleasant place to live, or can I?
I've decided.
I'm leaving this place!
I'm not like you, Lady Witch.
I can't take advantage of others like you do.
Hey, what are you doing?
I realized I couldn't just depend on others forever.
I don't want to cause any more trouble for everyone, especially Mari.
Hey!
Lara!
All right, you two...
Ready?
Yes.
Go!
Yeah!
Move, move!
I've got this!
Hey!
What do you want?!
Why are you carrying all that stuff?
Where are you going?
Actually, do you know where it is?
The place called "school"?
Land it!
Move your legs!
Push her back!
Nagahama!
You're so cool, Mari!
Right? I'm so cool!
Go, go!
Nagahama!
There you go!
Mari
Now you're going to be even stronger!
Hold on!
I won't lose to anyone!
Amazing! You won again!
I just need to focus on my opponent in front of me!
Go!
Show off how cool you are, Mari!
No matter what, I want to be my coolest self!
That's why!
Nagahama!
Go!
Be quiet, all of you!
Go in!
Don't get in my way!
All right!
Where are you looking?!
Go on!
This is it!
Go, go, go!
My flow!
Go!
Be quiet...
Nagahama!
Stop!
Be quiet, all of you!
Go!
Mari!
Be quiet!
What are you two doing?!
Stop killing each other right now!
I won't let you hurt her!
Dummy! You have the worst timing ever!
What do you mean, Mari?!
What are you doing here, anyway?
Oh, you see...
Yoshiya-san helped me get it, but here you go!
I decided to leave the house.
Homestyle Hot Chocolate
I wanted to thank you for all the trouble...
Here you go.
But anyway...
What's going on in here?
Does everyone here hate you?
Senpai...
I'm bad at being considerate...
And I ended up causing trouble for everyone.
Fighting Spirit
But I want to face boxing straight on, as cool as I can.
So I'll admit I was uncool just now.
I'm sorry I looked away.
Please give me one more round.
Seriously, what a charming junior you are.
Continue.
Lara!
I'm sorry for being on edge yesterday.
Keep your eyes on me, got it?
All right!
Go, go!
Do it!
They're two of a kind.
Go, go!
Go!
Go, go, go!
Almost there!
Good grief!
Don't let it happen again.
Understood!
I can't believe we both qualified.
I was definitely the winner.
Seriously, what are you doing?
Right back atcha.
What was that?
Boxing.
Boxing?
It's a one-on-one sport.
Didn't it seem cool to you?
I'm not sure how I feel about it...
So, are you really leaving?
Yeah.
Do you have a place to go?
No, I don't.
Then, what are you gonna do?
I'll figure it out.
I don't think you can.
A mermaid who can't live in the ocean or on land.
That's what Gon-chan called you.
What does that actually mean?
Deep down, I'm still scared.
I'm scared that humans will call me "vile" again.
But I've made up my mind to live on this land.
Okay, then.
I'll help ya out.
But no guarantees.
You mean I can stay at your house?
Yeah.
But why?
Yeah, I don't know either.
Probably because I'm dumb.
Dumb?
I'm dumb, and I like funny characters.
Lady Lisa, what is that?!
Her heart will become the light that saves us.
Lara, please hurry.
Find us...
Find your true love.
To Be Continued
Translation: Sachiko Takahashi
Timing: Andy Ellis Editing and Typesetting: Ashley Barboza
Quality Control: Riley Dalton Translation Check: Sriram Gurunathan
Her father? Really?
Yes, I haven't been able to contact anyone.
Oh, and everyone in her family, too?
Okay, I see.
Yes, of course.
Please let me know if I can help in any way.
Thank you. Please take care of her.
There, it's done.
Thanks, Gon-chan.
That's going to cost you.
I have no idea what's going on.
Does it mean I can stay here?
As long as you don't give us away.
Mari, eat this!
This, too!
You didn't buy this with your own money, you know?
What? This one's really good!
Zeze Minami Boxing Club
Mattsun
Photos from Today!
Here You Go!!
So Cool
How do I explain it?
It just melts in your mouth!
Dummy.
Here You Go!!
So Cool
Nakajima
You're Good with a Camera
Come on! Have some too, Mari!
So Cool
You're Good with a Camera
So Cool
You're Good with a Camera
Nakajima
Otsu
I've never had anything like it!
So Cool
You're Good with a Camera
Nakajima
Otsu
Chio Nagahama
Next Time, I'll Knock You Out
You won't find it in the ocean.