How was it?
It's a strange feeling...
There's something about Luca that I've never felt with anyone else.
I don't know how to describe it.
What do you mean?
I feel this sense of warmth from him.
Well, good for you.
Huh?
I don't really get it, but...
Think you'll be able to find what you've been looking for?
Your true love?
Are you okay?
I'm okay! I almost tripped.
Maybe you're not used to those legs yet.
That's not it!
We're home!
Hey, Lara-chan.
You were out late.
We were getting worried.
Dominate Kinki! Dominate Japan!!
One Day Until the Tournament!!
All right! That's it for today!
Go straight home and get prepared for tomorrow!
Yes!
What's that?
Omi's Lightning
It's called a banner.
Makoto-san told me about it.
Omi's Lightning
What do you think? Nice, huh?
That's really nice.
Go! Go!
Don't you usually work today?
I got today off.
I see.
What are you watching?
A potential opponent in the tournament that starts tomorrow.
She seems really strong.
But I'm still gonna win.
So what if you win?
I'll face a stronger opponent.
And after that?
I'll face an even stronger one.
I see...
Aren't you scared?
Of what?
Lara?
I'm okay.
Sorry.
I just got a little sleepy.
Shiga
Nice to meet you, Mari Otsu.
I'm Lisa, Lara's sister.
Are you really Lara's sister?
I want you to give Lara back.
I mean, why not tell her that yourself?
She's our special princess.
She is destined to save us merfolk with her light.
Her light?
Yes.
The light she can obtain only when she finds true love.
But if she doesn't, she'll vanish into foam.
What?
Lara took a potion to become human.
But the potion doesn't last forever.
When it stops being effective, she'll immediately turn into foam...
and die.
What?
Have you noticed any changes with Lara's body?
I knew it.
Take this potion with you.
It helps delay turning into foam.
It should also alleviate the symptoms.
That said, this is only a temporary fix.
In order for Lara to survive, she must find true love.
That's the only way.
And yet...
Gon-chan!
What is it?
Is Lara...
Is Lara gonna turn into foam? No...
Tell me that's a lie.
Who told you that?
Luca
A ladybug appeared in the studio!
Do you know what ladybugs are?
Show me next time.
Hey, Mari.
So, Luca said he wants to see your match tomorrow.
I met your sister.
You mean Lisa?
She said that you're going to vanish into foam soon.
Gon-chan said so, too.
Why didn't you tell me?
Be—
Lara!
Lara must still fear the surface world.
At this rate, she'll never find true love with a human.
So please.
Please give Lara back to us.
Lara.
Mari.
How do you feel?
Any better?
Sorry...
I had you take this.
Your sister said it'd help you right now.
I think I'm feeling a lot better.
Thank you.
That said, this is only a temporary fix.
Your true love.
Do you think you'll find it?
Huh?
What?
Of course I do.
I heard that no mermaid has ever ended up with a human.
But you still think so?
Mari, you're acting strange.
What's going on?
I'm okay.
I should be a lot better by tomorrow.
You should go back to your sister.
Why are you saying that?
You can't go on like this.
What are you talking about? I can't just do that.
Did my sister tell you something?
It doesn't matter.
It's true. I'm probably causing you all sorts of trouble...
But please let me stay.
Why...
Why are you pretending you're okay?
I'm not pretending!
Liar!
I'm not lying.
Then tell me!
Why are you making that face?!
What?
I'm still going to be here tomorrow.
After I make my bed and change, I'm going to your match.
I'll work my shifts at Andeken, too.
I'll still help out with the laundry!
I'm going to get closer and closer to Luca...
And then...
I'll eventually find...
my true love.
Of course I'm scared!
I just don't want you to die.
Notogawa Arena
August 21st Tournament Day 1
Omi's Lightning
Lara
I won't be able to see you for a while.
You're not gonna come see the ladybug?!
Text me anytime.
I'm sorry for disappearing like this. I cherish the time I got to spend at this house. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
She left us with nothing but this letter...
That was way too sudden.
Seriously.
She could've at least gone to Mari's match and cheered with us.
Mari, you can't contact her?
Nope. She left her phone.
Her aunt that I spoke with before will probably call us later, right?
Who knows?
It seems like the potion worked well.
Don't worry.
You'll be okay for the time being.
Okay.
Thank you.
Take your time. I hope you'll come to feel at home here.
August 22nd Tournament Day 2
Watch their moves carefully!
Go! Push forward! Go!
The winner of this match is from the red corner,
Mari Otsu of Shiga Prefecture's Zeze Minami—
22nd National U-18 Junior Boxing Tournament
Girls Bantamweight Division
Mari Otsu (Shiga Prefecture Zeze Minami High School)
Homare Fukuchiyama (Kyoto Prefecture Bun'ei High School)
Mari did it!
She's in the final tomorrow!
Father and everyone is still asleep.
In the Witch's Lair created by that vile woman.
I know you were with her.
Is there a reason you can't talk about it?
Lara.
Don't worry.
I won't let her get in the way again.
That Lisa...
You're not gonna make me chase after her like usual, huh?
Do you want me to?
No.
August 23rd Tournament Day 3: Final
Since ancient times, the princesses
have created light through their deep love for our world in the sea.
There are no exceptions.
Once that light begins to bloom, our father and everyone will be saved.
And you, too, won't end up turning into foam.
Stay here as long as you'd like.
We'll be rooting for you with all we've got today!
Okay.
What? She's not here either?
So, where is she right now?
Don't know.
What? Have you talked to her?
Not at all.
What?
This is all too sudden!
Aren't you worried?
In any case, Lara's not coming back.
But why?
Shut up.
Did you two have a fight?
How could you not know anything?
That makes no sense.
I don't know.
What?
How should I know?
Stop asking me about some mermaid!
Hey! Cold, much?
Humans are vile, worthy only of contempt.
I... fell in love with you.
I won't allow a mermaid and human...
I feel this sense of warmth from him.
Find true love, Lara.
What am I?
Notogawa Arena
The high school girls bantamweight division final will now begin.
What was that?
The wind's blowing hard. Couldn't hear a thing.
Yeah, I'm on my way back on the boat.
Yeah, yeah. What?
Otsu.
The ring belongs to those who've decided to fight.
Yes.
Right now, I don't sense that from you at all.
You're imagining it.
I'm going to crush her.
She's still a first-year, you know?
What? She's motivated now.
Hello?
Luca? It's me. Hello? Can you hear me?
Luca, it's me, Lara.
Lara? I can't hear you at all.
Luca Akizuki
Hello? Can you hear me?
Lara, where are you?
What are you doing?
I'm on a boat right now.
What?
I'm on a boat.
What?
Oh, gosh.
Lara, are you okay?
I've been worried sick.
I'm sorry.
So listen...
I don't know if I'll ever see you again, Luca.
What?
Say that again louder.
I said...
I may not see you again!
Lara?
I don't know anything anymore.
I don't know my purpose.
I...
The high school girls bantamweight division final will now begin.
In the red corner, Zeze Minami High School's Mari Otsu.
Are you at Mari's match?
Yeah.
In the blue corner, Bun'ei High School's Homare Fukuchiyama.
I thought I'd find you here.
Here, look at your screen!
Seems like it's about to start.
Lara, aren't you gonna come?
What do you really want to do?
I...
I...!
Lara!
I'm going to return to the surface world.
You don't understand anything.
It's impossible for you to find love with a human!
It might be impossible.
That's what I was afraid of.
But...
Even if I was scared,
someone held my hand and kept me going.
The surface world.
The humans.
I'm glad I met them.
I'm glad I came to this place.
They filled me with so much gratitude!
Here, on the surface.
The surface is where I feel the light!
So, even if I'm scared,
I'm... not gonna stop!
This isn't good!
Don't lose!
No!
Come on, Otsu!
You've got this!
Omi's Lightning
Mari!
I don't want to lose!
Mari! That's it!
Push forward, Mari!
Oh no...
Mari!
Why won't you listen?
Why are you making that face?
That's it, Mari!
Mari!
Mari is strong.
Yeah.
Did I raise her to be too strong?
Mari will probably become strong enough to live on her own.
But, even so...
I'm sure she'll find someone who will stand beside her,
looking the same direction.
Yeah...
Listen, you two!
Brace yourselves for a lecture when we get home!
They're asleep.
Their sleeping faces are so alike.
So what are you gonna do now?
I'm going to find love in the surface world.
That's how it's always been.
Yeah, but I'm not gonna be afraid anymore.
Even if it is scary.
Uh-huh...
What? You're the one who asked.
So what are you gonna do, Mari?
About what?
From here on out.
Let's see... I'll fight a stronger opponent.
And then?
I'll move on to a stronger one.
What are you saying?
That's how I live my life.
Isn't it cool?
I don't get it.
Then I'll become a pro.
A pro?
If I become the world's best, maybe you'll understand.
Uh-huh...
What?
Then if you become the world's best, I'll bake you a cake.
What?
I can make custard now, you know?
Really?
It's true!
You better mean it.
Promise me, okay?
22nd Junior Boxing Tournament Women's Champion Mari Otsu
Yeah. I promise.
To Be Continued
Translation: Sachiko Takahashi
Timing: Andy Ellis Editing and Typesetting: Ashley Barboza
Quality Control: Riley Dalton Translation Check: Sriram Gurunathan