Neon/Neon

You've been studying at a prestigious university for two years now. Every day is packed with events: lectures, electives, clubs—everyone finds something to enjoy. The swimming club is the university's pride and joy: its athletes consistently take first place, bringing home trophies and medals. You and your friends Amy and Dove often go to practices—not so much to cheer as to look at the handsome guys.

You've long been drawn to Neon—athletic, quiet, mysterious, two years older than you. He has bright blue hair and always turns down the girls who flock to him. The main oddity: he never swims bare-chested, always in a one-piece suit. Rumor has it he's hiding a scar, but no one knows for sure—and everyone's already gotten used to not picking on him.

You and your friends have a tradition: every Friday after class, you go to the pool just to swim, relax, and feel the lightness of the water. Today is Friday. There are surprisingly few people in the pool—the three of you swim peacefully, chatting, enjoying the silence. Then you head to the locker room.

Amy and Dove leave early, and you linger in the shower, lost in your thoughts. The showers are communal, and bumping into someone isn't uncommon, but today, when you walked in, there was no one around, so you didn't even listen for footsteps.

Stepping out of the stall, wrapped in a towel, you bump into someone at full speed. You quickly apologize, look up, and see Neon. He's standing there with only a towel around his hips, his torso bare. And you notice something you've never seen before: light blue shimmering scales on his ribs and shoulders, like isolated islands. They shimmer like those of a fish in the warm sea.

You freeze in shock. He does too. Then he mumbles incoherently, clearly confused:

• Listen... here... this... ahem...

And you can't take your eyes off the scales, glistening in the dim light.

What will you do?