Artificial Sea. I

Friday of that same week.

The afternoon was gray, casting my glass-walled residential hallway in a tense darkness. Even so, my earlier mental preparation helped me walk to the elevator without losing an ounce of focus.

We had agreed to meet downstairs, so armed with my small umbrella, I decisively pressed the “0” button.

“Isayama Tore, professional contagion investigator at Cellos Robotics. ‘Rookie of the Year,’ ‘MVP’…” I recited to myself in front of my reflection, ensuring my tie was properly adjusted.

At the door, I only found Carlos. Well-groomed and wearing exotic cologne, even the quality of his umbrella hinted at his seasoned professionalism.

“Good afternoon, comrade…”

“Investigator Tore…” He mirrored my seriousness.

“Ready to accompany two ladies to the aquarium?” I glanced out at the overcast sky, daring it to interfere with our plans. He walked beside me.

“All set…”

The elevator announced its return with a chime. We both knew exactly what that meant.

“They’re coming…” My voice faltered.

My partner didn’t reply. Slowly, the elevator’s floor indicator began descending.

“C-Carlos?” I searched for his face to my right.

Damn it, he’s more nervous than I am!

“Investigator Carlos…”

“Y-yes?”

“Pull yourself together, I beg you…”

“I think I left something upstairs…” he muttered.

It’s far too late to back out now!

The elevator doors opened, flooding the space with absolute beauty.

“G-good afternoon…” murmured Rin, wearing her skirt and earrings.

“Hello…” came a shy greeting from behind her, my coworker speaking softly.

If her natural beauty wasn’t enough, she complimented her fair face and honey-colored eyes with a light spring dress. She looked like an angel standing before me.

“G-good afternoon.” we both stammered in response.

Without further ado, the four of us headed for the central aquarium, one of the city’s most iconic tourist attractions. Known for its underground exhibits, it was one of the few places in the country where you could visit marine species from around the globe.

Despite the gloomy sky, the rain held off as we waited in line.

Surrounded by screens and bustling activity, we paid the entrance fee and plunged into that natural oasis hidden deep within the central districts.

The afternoon turned out better than we could have ever imagined—except for Katy, whose day started with a stumble right after crossing the entrance’s viral control. Despite her fall, we didn’t make much of it.

Together, the four of us explored each section.

First was the Arctic zone, with its dumb penguins. Carlos tried to mimic their waddle, much to our amusement.

Laughing, we moved to the show area, where dolphins put on an incredible performance.

Then we entered the first tunnel of marine animals.

Surrounded by water on all sides and bathed in deep blue light, Katy explained me what she had just read in an information pamphlet about the diet of seals and the crustaceans hiding in coral crevices.

I couldn’t remember seeing her so lively. That smile radiated joy and warmth—a connection I had feared losing in recent days.

Listening to her through the dry echo of the crystal, I dared to consider that animated, cheerful face the greatest treasure on Earth.

Seems like we’ve got back to normal…

Meanwhile, Rin and Carlos posed for a photo with one of the mascots.

Pulling me by the hand, Katy led me to the second tunnel: the shark exhibit. There, Carlos showcased his knowledge, explaining the various jaw types depending on the sharks’ subspecies.

That display of maturity melted Rin’s heart even further, prompting her to cling to his arm as we arrived at the final section: the fossil museum.

After observing what I believed to be enough rocks with marks from the past, the four of us entered a small theater that explained the evolution of ocean life.

Seated in darkness, we listened to the narrator:

“The earliest forms of marine life date back 3.8 billion years, laying the biological roots of all living beings.”

Images of bacterial life in the ocean appeared on the screen.

“These primitive lifeforms began to mutate and reproduce over time. Thanks to the emergence of oxygen billions of years later, the first eukaryotic cells came into existence.”

Unsurprisingly, Rin had fallen asleep on Carlos’s shoulder…

“These eukaryotic cells were ideal for creating more complex organisms. Over time, multicellular organisms evolved into the animals we know today.”

Unlike the engineer, the rest of us watched the cinematic explanation in awe.

“The struggle in the ocean intensified as more and more species sought food. Some became predators, others prey.”

Dramatic imagery showed a stormy beach.

Lost in the explanation, I completely forgot about Katy’s fear of thunder. Each time the film played a thunderclap, she grew more anxious—covering her ears and squeezing her eyes shut to escape the noise.

I didn’t notice how her heartbeat quickened, after each thunderous roar…

She even considered reaching us, but it was too late…

“Some of these prey sought refuge on shores, hiding for so long that they eventually ventured onto the surface, leaving the ocean’s depths and its dangers behind.”

With a loud slam, Katy fled the theater in a panic, her departure snapping Carlos and me back to reality.

“Katy?” Carlos called out amid the storm sounds in the movie.

Confused, it didn’t take me long to spot the thunderous rumbles in the video—the reason behind Katy’s sudden escape.

Of course!

Without wasting a second, I sprang from my seat, umbrella in hand, and ran after her.

“Isayama!”

“I’ll go get her!” I shouted as I ran. “I need to speak with her!”

Damn it, how could I not have noticed?!

I remembered her panic attack that rainy evening during the chase.

Pushing through the crowd, I recalled her panicked eyes when she fell onto the street.

Her soaked and lost gaze under the storm.

Her nervousness, her fragility that night she came to my door.

I must find her! How could I have been so blind to her suffering?!

I sprinted as fast as I could toward the exit. All I wanted was to find her and comfort her.

The last thing I ever wished to see in this world was her face in pain.

“Katy!” I gasped in the middle of the blue-lit tunnel. Unable to find her, I ran again, cursing the world not just for the outcome, but for my own lack of awareness.