Cloudy with a Chance Pt. 3

I feel so mentally drained, and we've only been here for fifteen minutes. First, I got teleported out of school, landing in a hangout session at the aquarium. Then, I have a run-in with the literal God of the Sea.

At this point, I'm just waiting for the next one, because this is just... insane.

"Who knew we'd run into Uncle Bubbles," Chloe giggled. "I didn't think he'd actually indulge in swimming in an aquarium. He really, really, really~ hates aquariums."

"Yeah, I noticed," I sighed. "Is he gonna smite me now?"

"Nah, I don't think so," Lana said, walking next to me. "At least, not in today's world. If this were back then, oho~ yeah. Poseidon would've taken great offense to you simply walking around in here, and he would've summoned another tidal wave."

"I-is that so...?"

"Ehehe! No need to worry, Aikami. The gods have relaxed for the most part. They're just doing whatever, kind of like me are right now. And it's not like we're here to disrespect him or anything. We're just chillin', ya know?"

"Well, I know that, and you also know that, but... does he know that?"

Lana flinched, which gave me my answer.

"It's fine," Alice chuckled. "Poseidon wouldn't dare to cause trouble now. He knows that if a single drop of water were to touch us due to his temper tantrum, then he'd have to pay dearly."

Once again, they're casually threatening some of the most powerful gods. Is everything we know about mythology just wrong, or am I seriously underestimating how terrifying the Fates actually are? But when I see them now—just walking around like normal people—it's hard to stay on edge.

"Whoa! Check that guy out!" Lana exclaimed, running off the side.

Sectioned off from the corridor was an area dedicated to some of the larger ones. Like... Are those sharks? Wait, is this even safe?

"Whoa~" Chloe gasped as she pulled out a small booklet. "This one looks like a... white-tipped reef shark. It's so beautiful. Don't you think so, Aikami?"

"It's pretty cool," I replied. "I only ever see these things online, so it's something else to see in person. What's the word... Surreal?"

"Indeed," Alice smiled. "I'd imagine it's much like how you met us. Before, you probably didn't even know about Greek mythologies and tales, and now that you're faced with the gods, it must feel surreal in that sense as well, no?"

"Yeah, pretty much. In fact, that's exactly what this feeling is, although... to a much lesser degree than meeting you goddesses—that's for sure."

Our heads moved at the same time when a giant shark swam past us.

"That one seemed a lot bigger than the rest," I said. "Do you think he eats his friends?"

"Eh?!" Lana exclaimed. "But... Sharks don't eat fellow sharks, do they?"

"I don't know. Chloe's the one with the book. What do you think, Chloe? Huh? Chloe?"

I looked around, but she was nowhere to be seen. She was just right there. Where could she have gone on such short notice?

"Hello! How are you doing today?" Her gentle voice echoed in my head.

No way...

I turned back to the glass, and even though I expected it, my jaws still dropped to the floor. Swimming right in front of us was a tiny little pink fish, and she was chatting it up with a shark that was a hundred times larger than her. The weird part was that the shark actually seemed to be communicating with her.

"Staying cool? Yeah, same," Chloe said. "See those guys out there? They're my sisters, and that guy is a friend. Say, on that note, does he look tasty to you?"

"What the... What is she planning...?" I muttered.

"Worry not, Aikami," Alice said. "If Chloe tries to feed you to that shark, I'll feed her to him first."

"I'm not sure if that's any better."

"Ah, I see. Aikami!" Chloe shouted from within. "He said you don't look tasty at all."

"...Am I supposed to feel honored?"

"Not sure. He said he bit a human before, but their blood tasted weird, so he let go. After that, he's made it a point to never eat humans again."

"Uh-huh..."

"Chloe, get out of there," Alice sighed. "I'm glad you made a new friend, but we still have a lot more to see. Come along."

"Aw, okay," she mumbled. "See you later, Mr. Shark."

With that, the shark swam away, and so too did Chloe. She dashed behind an area that was blocked off by a wall, and from the adjacent hallway, she walked out with her regular body.

"Ta-da!" she grinned, holding her arms out. "What'd you think, Aikami? Pretty cool, right?"

"Uh... I guess?"

"Pfft~ I think Aikami's had enough of our shenanigans," Lana snickered. "Look at him. He just witnessed Chloe turning into a fish and talking to a shark, yet he's just standing there as if it's a completely normal occurrence. I think it's time to face it. He doesn't think we're cool anymore."

"Is that true, Aikami?" Chloe asked, sulking. "Am I... not cool anymore?"

"T-that's not it!" I exclaimed. "Lana! Quit instigating!"

"Ehe, oops!"

I hovered my hands over the downtrodden Chloe, unsure of what to do. "C-Chloe, Lana was just talking out of her ass like she always does."

"Eh?! I was what?!"

"You know what you did," I mumbled before turning back to Chloe. "Of course, I think you and everything you do are cool."

She sniffled. "R-really?"

"Yeah. I mean, who else in the world could turn into a talking fish?"

Lana raised her hand. "Me."

And so too did Alice. "So can I."

"You guys are not helping..." I muttered, causing them to turn away. "But, yeah. Really. So don't look so down. I'm just a normal human, remember? No matter what, you'll probably be the coolest person I'll ever meet."

It took her a while, but she finally stood up and renewed her confidence. "Thank you, Aikami. I'll make sure to live up to your expectations."

"Y-yeah."

"Okay! I'm ready to keep going!"

"That's right!" Lana cheered as she threw her arm around Chloe's neck. "We're cool, and we don't need a mortal for validation! Ain't that right?"

"Yeah!"

As they marched onwards, I was left in a daze. My hand was up, my mouth was open, yet I said nothing and moved not even an inch.

"What just happened...?" I muttered. "Have I been forgotten...?"

"You'll have to excuse those two," Alice chuckled. "That's just Lana and Chloe being sisters. Put them in the same room, and you'll see things even I find surprising."

"Is that so? And where do you land in all that, Alice?"

"Hah. I'm their older sister, dear. Whatever mess they make, it's up to me to clean it up."

"Sounds like a tough part-time."

"It's full-time, mind you."

"Hah."

Somehow, Alice and I are always getting left behind whenever those two are together. It's like they're in a world of their own, unbothered by everything else around them. In their defense, they're some of the most powerful goddesses, so they have no need to worry themselves with minute obstacles. Prime example: me.

"We should catch up to them," I said. "Who knows what they're planning on doing next, especially with Poseidon here as well."

"Oho~ Are you worrying about goddesses now? You, a mere mortal?"

"Naturally. One wrong move and this place will come crashing down. I'd rather take the necessary steps to not drown."

"Don't worry, Aikami. If it ever comes to that, I'll protect you."

"Doesn't sound like a lot, if I'm being honest."

She then smacked me on the shoulder, which to her credit was a lot more controlled than Lana.

"Ow..." I mumbled.

"Careful, darling. All it takes is a snap of my finger. Shall we find out exactly what that means?"

"Uh... I'll... pass on that."

"Fufu~ A wise decision."

Alice skipped ahead with effortless steps. But just as she pulled ahead, she glanced back—her golden eyes gleaming with that ever-present, knowing smirk... like she knew exactly what kind of effect she had on me.

She's not reading my mind. I'm certain of that. But does she even need to? Because let's be honest here... It doesn't take a genius for people to notice just how bad these girls are for my heart.