In Mei's apartment in Beiling City, she sat before her computer, meticulously organizing the data on the five sequences utilized on living organisms thus far.
Sequence 001: The Imitator.
Sequence 002: The Deep One.
Sequence 003: The Hollow.
Sequence 004: Queen Bee.
Sequence 005: The Metallomorph.
"004's blood grants 002 the capacity to manifest the familiar. However, it's more of a transformation rather than independent creation."
"Hmm... Planarian might be needed for the next step."
Mei proceeded to update the data on the two generations of Deep One in her computer. She then glanced at the two Potion bottles nearby, both radiating a vibrant red hue resembling blood.
They were labeled Vampire Potion No. 1 Reagent and Vampire Potion No. 2 Reagent, respectively. Each potion was crafted from slightly different components.
Vampire Potion No. 1 Reagent comprised human blood, bat, and toadfish, while Vampire Potion No. 2 Reagent incorporated grasshoppers, dragonflies, bats, and toadfish. Additionally, both potions were infused with the blood from the two generations of Deep One.
"So, the next question is, who should I find to test it?"
"It would be great if someone came so I could test them."
Ah, how can such a good thing happen?
"It's still best for me to do it myself."
Mei remarked, eyeing the document named: Puppeteer.
Main materials: Spider (Variety to be determined) + Dolls.
Auxiliary materials: The Hollow Potion + Queen Bee Potion + The Metallomorph Potion.
...
Beiling City.
Chino walked down the street, his figure cloaked in a raincoat despite the morning sun. Passersby cast curious glances at him, but he paid them no mind. Occasionally, he would close his eyes and stand still for a moment, lost in thought.
In the hidden realm imperceptible to ordinary eyes, the city's layout unfolded in Chino's mind like a map. Faint ripples of activity emanated from the darkness, all converging in one direction: the police station.
They replay the recording about his crying again. Since they heard his cry, it allowed Chino to feel them.
"One, two, three... Nineteen. There are nineteen people inside. One holding a cup, another with a pen, writing on the whiteboard."
Chino's eyes widened as he absorbed the information. Without hesitation, he entered a nearby noodle shop.
"Fried noodles," He ordered curtly.
The shop owner eyed him curiously, "Would you like to try the special noodles?"
Chino shook his head, "No need."
The shop owner sighed softly, "Everyone's preferences vary. Some like noodles, others prefer fried noodles."
Chino picked up the chopsticks, "But sometimes, the choices people make outwardly aren't necessarily what they truly desire deep down."
"Indeed, they're often compromises forced upon us by life," The owner agreed, nodding sagely.
Before long, the shop owner returned with a steaming bowl of fried noodles.
"Speaking of which, in my youth, I aspired to be a guitarist. I was quite renowned in school back then," He chuckled.
"Would you mind if I indulge in a bit of nostalgia?" He asked Chino.
Chino nodded, "It's your prerogative."
With Chino's approval, the shop owner retrieved a guitar from the kitchen and began to play.
Though Chino was not well-versed in music, he could appreciate the skill. This man was no amateur; his playing surpassed the average person's abilities.
As the melody filled the air, Chino fell silent, lost in thought.
Recollections of the day he encountered the old man at the school gate flooded Chino's mind.
Initially, he hadn't intended to escalate the situation with the elderly gentleman. Despite this, the man persistently obstructed him.
He acted irrationally.
Even though he knew he couldn't retaliate physically, the man continued to impede Chino's progress.
Had he revealed his Fish-Man form then, would the man have dared to confront him?
But such a display would have likely resulted in the man's demise.
So, Chino refrained from transforming in his presence, deeming the conflict unnecessary.
Ultimately, he simply kicked the man's arm, fracturing it.
An ambulance later arrived to attend to the injured man.
Yesterday, as Chino passed by the high school once more, he glimpsed the old man. His hand was encased in a plaster cast and wrapped in bandages.
"Chino?"
A sudden voice interrupted his thoughts as a girl entered the noodle shop.
Recognizing her, Chino continued eating.
Unperturbed, the girl took a seat across from him, initiating conversation.
"I heard you got expelled from school. Did something happen?"
"You've always been so quiet and well-behaved. You never pick fights, never smoke, and barely say a word even after arguing. What could you have possibly done wrong?"
Chino remained silent, prompting the girl to continue.
"Chino, you're still the same. Why are you acting like a mute cabbage after two years of not seeing each other?"
Evee...
Finally lifting his head, he found the girl's appearance unremarkable, yet there was an air of dignity about her.
She was once his classmate.
Reflecting on his time as Fish-Man, he realized he'd withdrawn from everyone, even the deceased.
But as he met her gaze, the world seemed to brighten, dispelling the haze that had clouded his mind.
"The rain has stopped," Chino remarked, bewildered.
"Huh?"
"The rain has stopped? But it's not raining outside," The girl responded, confused.
That rain... belonged only to Chino.
"Hey, why are you so quiet? I always admired you for being such a mysterious person," The girl said with a sigh.
"Hey, I'll buy two bottles of Coca-Cola," She requested to the shop owner.
The shop owner handed over the bottles, and she passed one to Chino.
"Here, it's on me."
She offered the drink in a glass cup, adorned with water droplets from the refrigerator.
But Chino declined, "I don't drink."
"Come on, just this once. It's like old times!" She insisted, placing the cup in front of him.
Chino remained resolute.
"When will you ever change?" She muttered.
Finishing his noodles, Chino fished out a handful of moneys from his pocket.
The girl noticed, "Where's your... phone?"
"I'm afraid of it getting wet, so I left it behind," Chino replied, turning to leave.
"Afraid of getting it wet?"
"And by the way, I noticed a fishy smell as soon as I walked in. Do you serve fish dishes here?" She inquired, turning to the shop owner, who simply shrugged, "That kid always smells like fish whenever he's here."