Randall was visiting Fish-Man Island.
He hadn't come because he wanted to. Otohime had called him and asked him to come.
Of course, Otohime alone could never have persuaded Randall to make the trip.
But if Poseidon was involved too, and had something to tell him, then it was worth his while.
Actually, Randall was very curious about what Shirahoshi could possibly need to tell him in person.
Only after he arrived at Fish-Man Island and met Shirahoshi did he understand.
It really was Poseidon who wanted to tell him something, not Shirahoshi.
Caris had gone off to explore Fish-Man Island.
Randall went to the Ryugu Kingdom alone.
In a closed room, a heavy atmosphere hung over Neptune, Otohime, Shirahoshi, and Randall.
There was a trace of fear in Neptune's eyes as he looked at Shirahoshi.
Otohime looked sorrowful.
Shirahoshi, meanwhile, had shed her former timid, fearful demeanor. Her expression was perfectly calm as she faced Randall.
"Mother, Father.
I told you, I'm still Shirahoshi.
I've just gained some memories, that's all.
You're making this very difficult for me."
Her voice was clearly the same as before, yet it gave an entirely different impression.
Neptune and Otohime weren't reassured at all.
Even her personality had changed. Was she really still the same Shirahoshi?
Their only comfort was that Shirahoshi still called them Mom and Dad.
Hearing this, Randall grew thoughtful.
She had probably awakened her inherited memories.
But compared to Shirahoshi's mere dozen or so years of experience, those inherited memories were surely far richer and spanned far longer.
Randall thought it was remarkable that Shirahoshi still acknowledged Neptune and Otohime as her parents after being flooded with those memories.
"Father, Mother, could you please leave us for a moment?
There are some things I'd like to discuss with Lord