Triggering Lost Memories.

" Hello, Darren-kun. It's me, your big sister Sarah calls. Listen. The reason I call you right now is, I just want to let you know that I'm going to take Yamano, Akihito, Miko and Kurumi to Mamono Island. I think they are going to enjoy spending time together on that island. But that's not the point. I really miss you so much and please come back home to me. Whatever mission you are doing right now, make it quick. When you are home, we will be a complete family again...I wish that you can answer this call. Well, I should go now. Darren. Goodbye.."

As Sarah finish voice-messaging Darren, she saw Akihito and Kurumi dragging their suitcase.

" There you are." Sarah said.

" Sarah-neechan. Good morning. How's your day today??" asked Akihito.

" I'm good. Oh, I can't wait to go to Mamono Island. It's been such a long time." Sarah cannot wait.

" About that. Mamono Island...what's so special about it??" asked Akihito.

" Are you kidding me, Honey?? Mamono Island is one of the best islands for tourists. Every monster girl wants to go there just so they can relax with their loved ones." Kurumi explained.

" If that's so. Maybe we can stroll along the beach...if they have one, right?? Kurumi??" asked.

" I can't wait to spend my time with you there." Kurumi blushed.

Meanwhile, Sarah is looking at her watch. She's waiting for Yamano and Miko to come.

" Hmm... Where are they?? They should be here by now." Sarah worried.

" Who??" asked Akihito.

" Yamano and Miko. Don't tell me that they forgot about this trip." said Sarah.

In a few seconds, they saw Yamano and Miko running towards them as they dragged their suitcase behind their back.

" There they are." Kurumi said.

" Well, Yamano. Late as usual." Akihito said to Yamano.

Yamano and Miko are trying to catch their breath. Yamano raises his index finger to tell them just a second. As they catch their breath, Sarah asked them why are they late.

" Yamano-kun, I hope you have a good explanation this time." Sarah said.

" The truth is.... Ummmm..... It's a long story, to begin with. Hehe. " Yamano said.

FIFTEEN MINUTES EARLIER...

Yamano and Miko are still asleep in the bedroom. As Miko snuggled close to Yamano, the alarm clock managed to wake Yamano for a bit but he continue to sleep. As Yamano begin to sleep again, Miko wakes up.

" Nyaa nyaa??" Miko rubbed her eyes.

Miko continue to look at the alarm and saw the date they were supposed to go for the trip. She suddenly opens her eyes because she forgot about the trip. She quickly woke Yamano up.

" Darling. Nya nyan!! Nya nyan!!" Miko woke Yamano.

" Another five minutes, Miko. Okay?? Thank you." said Yamano half-asleep.

Yamano begins to sleep again. Miko begins panicking.

" Nyaa!!! Darling!!" Miko tried to wake Yamano.

She failed. She must think of a plan that can wake Yamano up in one movement. Miko finally got an idea. She slowly lay on top of Yamano. Miko is about to whisper something to Yamano but instead, she begins to lick Yamano's left ears gently and release a kinda lewd moan as a finishing touch.

" Aaaaahhhhh~~~~" Miko licked and moaned.

It's completely uncomfortable for Yamano as he begins to open his eyes.

" AAAHHHH!!!" Yamano screamed.

Miko is now sitting on Yamano lap and staring directly towards him. He asked Miko why is she doing that??

" Miko-chan!! What are you doing?? You know that you cannot do that to me." Yamano asked Miko.

Miko pointed to Yamano the alarm clock.

" Darling, nyaa nyan nyaaa nyan." Miko said.

" Yes, Miko. What about it??" asked Yamano.

As he look at the alarm, he was stunned because they were supposed to go for a holiday with each other.

" WE ARE LATE!!!!" Yamano shocked.

Both Yamano and Miko quickly tidied the bed and went to the bathroom. Yamano put off his clothe and went in first and also turn the shower on. Suddenly, Miko barging in, surprising Yamano.

" Miko?!?!? What are you doing?!?!" Yamano said.

" Nyaa nyaan nya nyaa nyaan." Miko replied.

" I know it would be better if both of us took showers at the same time but...." Yamano doubted.

Quickly, Miko is standing beside Yamano as she showers herself too. The husband can only sigh.

" Well, whatever." Yamano sighed.

Yamano and Miko ended up taking showers together. As both of them finish, they dried their body with towels and picked the right clothes to wear. Because they are in a hurry, Yamano didn't notice that he is wearing Miko's short skirt while Miko is wearing Yamano's jeans.

" WHAT THE!!!" Yamano noticed.

" Darling?!?!" Miko noticed Yamano wore her skirts.

Both of them quickly change their attires and now Yamano and Miko wear their clothes. As Miko combed her short and wavy hair, Yamano used a hairdryer to dry Miko's hair. Next, he used it for himself. Finally, they went out of their suite while dragging their suitcases. Yamano locked the door and both of them rushed towards the Portal Station.

That happened.....

" I'm sorry. It's just... Both Miko and I were overslept. But good thing that we already packed our suitcase yesterday. Right, Miko??" Yamano said.

" Nya nyan." Miko nodded.

" That's good. Okay, guys. I will tell you all about the journey to Mamono Island. First, we are going to enter this portal to Mamono Island. The exit stops Shining Sand Harbour so we will ride the ferry for this. Finally, we will arrive at the destination. Any question??" Sarah finished explaining.

The four of them look at each other.

" I'll take that as a no. Let's go. We don't have a minute to lose." Sarah tapped her watch.

They start their journey as they are walking towards the Portal Station were suddenly...

" Darling!!! Nyaa nya nyan nyaaan nyaa." Miko said.

She is looking everywhere for the ticket inside her handbag. Miko begins to panic.

" You don't have to search for it, Miko." Yamano sighed.

" Nyaa??" Miko didn't understand.

" Look at my magic." Yamano said.

He shows his hand is empty. When Yamano pit his hand together, the ticket is in his hand.

" Tadaa!!!" Yamano said.

Miko quickly went to Yamano and look at his arm. Then, she asked Yamano how did he do that.

" Darling?? Nya nyaan nyaa nya nyan??" Miko asked.

" I should have known that we are going to be late so I put the priority first. I kept the ticket inside my wallet." said Yamano.

Miko felt relieved but she suddenly hit Yamano on the chest.

" Darling!!! Nyaa!!" Miko hit Yamano.

He just laughed when looking at Miko. Miko pouted her lips.

" Haha. I should have told you earlier. Sorry." Yamano teased Miko.

Miko continues to pout her cheek. He slowly pets the angry nekogirl.

" I'm just messing with you, Miko. You don't have to get angry with me. Come on, who's a good girl??" Yamano pet Miko's head.

Miko just sighed and begin to enjoy the warmth on Yamano's hand. Meanwhile, Kurumi, who just watched Yamano and Miko being a lovey-dovey couple, asked Akihito.

" Why you didn't pet me like that. Yamano is more romantic than you are." Kurumi said.

" Don't you judge me on that." Akihito commented.

Sarah, just watching Akihito and Kurumi arguing.

" Well, this is going to take a lot of work." Sarah sighed.

Finally, all of them went to the Portal Station. All of them shows the ticket to the receptionist and went inside the portal. Soon, they have arrived on the harbour known for its sand that shines like gold. There, they saw a lot of people on the archipelago.

" Darling, nyaa.." Miko pointed something.

They even saw monster-girl from the ocean variety on the sea.

" Wow. They even have mermaids in this place. Wait, is that a Kraken??" Akihito pointed.

" It's okay, Akihito-kun. All monster-girl in this world are docile... Well, most of it." Sarah told Akihito.

" Wait. You mean that there's monster-girl that wild in this world." asked Akihito.

" Sure. But most of them live in the wilderness. Only monster-girl that lived in the Headquarters gets proper education on how to live with humans. You know, I heard that there's a species of monster-girl that kidnapped human males and took them to their village and made them the only male occupants. Well, who am I to judge??" Sarah explained.

" Wow. In that case, I should stick with Kurumi from now on." Akihito said.

" Damn right you do." Kurumi agreed.

Akihito just gazed at Kurumi.

" What??" asked Kurumi.

" There's a lot of words that you can use, Kurumi-chan." said Akihito.

Meanwhile, Yamano went to a shack near the open water. There's a shack that sells all kinds of souvenirs. The owner of the shack greets Yamano and Miko.

" Welcome to Hamada's Souvenir Shack. What can I help you two lovey-dovey couple??" said the owner.

" It's okay. We just looking around. Say, sir. All the souvenirs here are fabulous." Yamano praised.

" Thank you, sir. All of these is fresh from the sea. Follow me." said the owner.

Both Yamano and Miko followed the owner.

" Look, this conch shell. If you put your ears near the conch, you can hear the sound of the gentle ocean. Try it." the owner said.

He gave the conch to Yamano. Yamano slowly put his ears and can hear the sound of the ocean.

" That's so...calming. Want to try, Miko??" asked Yamano.

" Nyan nyan." Miki nodded.

Yamano slowly put the conch on Miko's cat ears. Miko clapped her hand at how impressed that was.

" Nyaa nyaan!!!" Miko clapped her hand.

" Where do you get this kind of thing, sir??" asked Yamano.

" Oh, my wife picked it from the ocean. She picked a lot of shells, conch and even small coral. Also, she even saved any sea creatures that hurt. As you can see from the aquarium there, there's a pair of clownfish and an anemone. If the clownfish is ready, we will release them to the sea." said the owner.

" Your wife is talented. How can she hold her breath that long??" Yamano asked.

" If you see her, you will know the answer." the owner replied.

Suddenly, they can hear a splashing sound nearby.

" Honey. I'm back." said the unknown person.

" Speak of the devil. My wife is back. Wait here." the owner said to Yamano and Miko.

The owner went to see her wife while Miko and Yamano are waiting.

" Honey, we have a customer. Do you want to meet them??" asked the owner.

" Sure. I'd be happy too." said the wife.

The owner slowly pushes a wheelchair with his wife sitting on it. Yamano and Miko are surprised to see that the owner's wife is a mermaid.

" Oh, a fellow monster-girl. Hello there." the mermaid waved.

Both Yamano and Miko bowed their heads in front of the owner's wife.

" Nice to meet you." Yamano bowed.

" Nyaa nyan nyaaa nyaa." Miko bowed.

The mermaid smiled as she is impressed by how polite Yamano and Miko were.

" You two are very polite and a lovely couple too." said the mermaid.

" Nya nyaan." Miko replied.

" That sure is." said the mermaid.

Yamano was completely shocked. The mermaid can understand what Miko just said.

" Wait... Did you understand what my wife just said??" Yamano asked the mermaid.

" Of course. I can understand what your wife said. It happened to me too well... in the early days." said the mermaid.

Yamano smiled as he turned his attention to Miko. He slowly pats her head.

" Miko. There's still hope for you to talk like a normal person." Yamano pet Miko's head.

" Darling~~~" Miko blushed.

The owner and his wife smiled when looking at Miko and Yamano. They are indeed meant for each other.

" You two are perfect for each other. Kinda reminds me of myself." the owner joked.

Slowly, the mermaid shifted her attention to Yamano.

" Wait. You look familiar. Can you please tell me your name??" asked the mermaid.

" Oh. My name is Yamano Yusuri, madam." Yamano introduced himself.

The owner and the mermaid are completely shocked when they heard the name " Yamano Yusuri".

" Honey, it's him. It's Yamano Yusuri." said the owner.

" Quick. Give me your hand." said the mermaid.

" Ummm... Okay..." Yamano was hesitant.

Yamano slowly gives his hand to the mermaid. The mermaid hold Yamano's hand and closed her eyes. Even Yamano didn't understand what happened.

" What's wrong?? Am I doing something wrong??" asked Yamano.

The mermaid open her eyes and said.

" The warmth.....on your hand. It feels so....calming. You are Yamano Yusuri." said the mermaid.

" I can't believe that we met Yamano Yusuri. Thank you, God. Wait here please." said the owner.

Yamano and Miko didn't understand what happened. Is Yamano a person that they are waiting for?? Is Yamano a special person before living in his life??

" I don't understand. What's going on here??" asked Yamano.

" Your presence is like a blessing to all monster-girl in this world. We don't know why but we can feel it deep inside of our bodies. You are the person we waiting for." said the mermaid.

" Nyaa nyaan??" Miko asked.

" I don't know, Miko. There's a blank line in my story that needs to be found." said Yamano.

The owner came back and give a present to Yamano.

" Here. A present from us to you. Please accept it." the owner gave me a present.

" A pearl necklace?? I don't know, sir. It feels like I am robbing you right now. Please, I cannot accept it." Yamano humbly refused.

The owner and the mermaid slowly bowed in front of Yamano. He didn't know what to do. There is a huge question mark in Yamano's story. Why did they bow in front of Yamano?

" Please. You don't have to do that." Yamano said.

" Please accept this token of gratitude. It's not much but please take it." the owner insisted.

" I don't know what's going on. I should go now. I'm sorry." Yamano quickly walked out of the shack.

" Darling, nyaa..." said Miko.

Miko bowed in front of the couple and followed Yamano outside. She saw Yamano sitting on the ledge of the shore. Miko noticed that Yamano is holding his head.

" That dream.... That voice... It keeps coming back, Miko." Yamano is in pain.

If you didn't obey, someone is going to get shot today *gunshot heard*. LUNA!!!!!!!!

.... Darling, thank you for loving me... AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!! YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!!!! I'M GOING TO KILL EVERY LAST ONE OF YOU!!!!!!!

" Darling!!!" Miko quickly hugged Yamano.

Yamano's suffering begins to stop. His heartbeat started to beat normally again. Miko's embrace was able to make Yamano felt peace.

" Miko... You... Thank you." Yamano thanked Miko.

" Nyaa nyan. Nyaa nyaan nya nyaa nyan." Miko asked.

" I don't know, Miko. I think that...there's fragments of my life that I need to seek. Miko, will you stay by my side." asked Yamano.

" Nyan nyan, Darling." Miko nodded.

Suddenly, Sarah saw Yamano and Miko sitting and called them.

" Guys. Are you alright?? Come on, the ferry is here. Let's go." said Sarah.

Slowly, Yamano whispered something to Miko.

" Please. Don't tell them about this. This is between us." Yamano whispered.

Miko nodded. Both of them stands up and walk towards Sarah who is waiting for them. Miko gently holds Yamano's hand, to let him know that he is not alone in this world.

[TO BE CONTINUE]