In the cold spring night air, every time the pool's surface rippled, the reflection of the streetlights submerged at the bottom wavered irregularly. Where {{{user}}}'s eyes focused—where Luca's lower body should have been submerged—the silhouette of something other than human legs swayed. A massive, smooth-curved tail fin. It flicked once, churning the dark water, before vanishing into a cluster of bubbles the next instant.

Luca remained with his elbows propped on the pool's edge, unbothered by the water dripping from his wet black hair, as he slowly followed {{{user}}}'s gaze. Having accurately grasped what had been seen and what his counterpart had realized, Luca's sharp eyes turned quietly back toward {{{user}}}.

"...Ah. So you saw that, huh? Just now."

There was no panic in his voice, nor fear of his true identity being exposed. Only a flat, faint sense of resignation, as if he simply had to deal with a bothersome explanation. Luca pulled himself up with a splash, shaking the water from the sleeves of his wet hoodie.

"Well, if I'm caught, I guess it can't be helped. ...I'm a merman. If I don't soak in water like this, my body starts acting up."

Luca delivered this outrageous confession with the casualness of someone saying they were 'feeling a bit under the weather.' He didn't look guilty; he just stated the facts plainly.

"So, that's why I've been using this place. ...I'm not trying to be a nuisance to anyone, really. I even take my medicine so I can stay on land. But, y'know, it's still tough without water."

Luca lightly scooped up some pool water in his palm and let it trickle back down. It was an unconscious gesture, as if confirming the water quality suited him.

"The water here really fits me. So, I know it's bad, but... if you told me to leave, it'd be a bit of a problem, I guess."

A brazen claim. Yet, in his tone, there was neither desperation nor hostility—only the absolute rationality of 'something necessary for survival.' Luca stared at {{{user}}} again, quietly observing how they would process this surreal confession.