Warawanai Ningyo

Warawanai Ningyo is an anthology of short stories, anchored by its evocative title narrative. During his formative years, a young boy named Youzuke spends a memorable summer staying at his uncle’s residence. The property features a private swimming pool, which becomes the backdrop for a haunting discovery. Late at night, Youzuke witnesses a mermaid gliding through the water, arriving under the cover of darkness to visit his uncle in secret. Years drift by, and the memory of that surreal summer fades into the past until Youzuke’s uncle suddenly vanishes without explanation. When the man's will is finally read, it reveals a shocking stipulation: rather than passing the estate to family, the house has been bequeathed entirely to a complete stranger named Ayumi Kenjou. Driven by curiosity and unresolved questions about his uncle's disappearance, Youzuke seeks out this mysterious beneficiary. However, their encounter stirs something deeply unsettling within him. Upon meeting Ayumi face-to-face, Youzuke is struck by an eerie sense of familiarity, realizing with growing unease that he may have already crossed paths with this enigmatic stranger during that distant, unforgettable summer long ago.