Cloudy with a Chance Pt. 4

I didn't think a place like this could feel so… peaceful.

The gentle hum of water filters, the soft flicker of aquarium lights, the occasional muffled sound of laughter from other visitors—it was all oddly calming. Not the kind of place I'd usually find myself in, and definitely not the kind of place I thought I'd be spending my afternoon.

Chloe pressed her face against the tank glass, her breath fogging it up as she squeaked in delight at a school of glowing jellyfish. Lana was tapping on the screen of an interactive exhibit, giggling to herself as the animated fish swam away from her virtual finger. Alice? She was standing off to the side, arms folded, watching the others with a soft smile—graceful as ever, like she belonged in a museum more than anywhere else.

As for me, I was just trying not to combust from secondhand embarrassment.

"Ah! Aikami, look!" Chloe turned around, her eyes sparkling as she tugged gently on my sleeve. "That one's shaped like a heart!"

Her finger pointed toward a stingray gliding lazily by. It… didn't really look like a heart, but the way she looked at it with such innocence somehow made sense. I nodded, more to keep her smiling than anything else.

"A heart represents love, doesn't it?" Chloe asked.

"...I-it does..." I mumbled.

"Aphrodite uses that emoji every time she posts on social media, whether it be clothes, food, or places. I guess since she's the Goddess of Love, she must love everything, right?" She poked her chin with a finger, pondering. "I wonder what it's like to love something."

I nearly fainted on the spot. "Well... There's food, isn't there? You love food."

"That's different. I eat it, I enjoy it, and then I forget about it. I'm talking about something more permanent. Hmm... I should put that on my to-do list."

She then leaned in a little too close, her shoulder brushing mine. Not even on purpose, yet I could feel my pulse react like I'd been struck by lightning.

Seriously, why does the tiniest bit of contact feel like such a big deal?

And those words... There's no way she doesn't know what they imply, right? Maybe I'm just overthinking it but at this point... I'm overthinking everything.

"Geez, Aikami," Lana said, coming up from behind and resting her chin on my shoulder. "You're stiff as a board. Are you that uncomfortable around fish?"

"Wha—?!" I muttered, stumbling forward awkwardly. "W-what are you...?"

Her laugh rang out, light and amused, echoing slightly in the glass corridor. "You get so flustered at the tiniest thing, Aikami. Really goes to show how socially awkward you are."

"Yeah, cuz leaning your chin on my shoulder is something totally normal..."

"As a matter of fact, it is. You know why? Cuz I said so. Anyway!" She grabbed my wrist and dragged me off. "Onward! To the next show-and-tell!"

Ever since I held Alice's hand, I've been hyper-aware of even the smallest touch between us. Before, it wouldn't bother me. Why would it? It's not that deep. And yet... My mind keeps convincing me otherwise. Just like now.

I glanced at Alice, hoping she'd at least pretend not to notice.

How foolish I was to hope for even the slightest miracle.

Her lips curled into the most subtle smile as our eyes met, but she said nothing. She didn't need to. That look alone was enough to make me feel exposed.

How did it get to this point? Just a month ago, I was living a normal life. Studying, reading, and quietly existing in the background like I always did. Now, I'm walking through an aquarium with literal goddesses. Arm in arm with one, another giggling beside me, and the third making my heart skip beats with those periodic glances.

Still... Can't say I'm not enjoying it.

Even now, I catch myself stealing glances when I think they aren't looking—at the way Chloe smiles with genuine wonder, at how Lana's eyes light up when she laughs, at how Alice moves like she's always five steps ahead of the world.

It's stupid. It's reckless. It's impossible. But I can't help it.

I've got a crush. A really bad one. And the longer I'm with them, the deeper it gets.

We moved on, eventually reaching a shallow touch pool. The area was dimly lit but illuminated just enough for us to see the clear water and the gentle ripple of movement beneath its surface—starfish, sea cucumbers, and the occasional horseshoe crab.

Alice leaned over the edge, resting her chin on her hands. "You should try touching one."

"I'm good," I replied quickly, already imagining how cold and slimy it would feel.

She turned her head and looked up at me. "What? You scared?"

"No."

"Then come here." She reached up and gently took my wrist.

My brain short-circuited.

"W-wait... Alice," I muttered, too stunned to pull away.

But she was already guiding my hand forward. Her fingers were soft and warm—an unfair contrast to the cool water. For a second, I didn't even register the sea creature brushing my fingertips. All I could feel was the press of her palm against mine.

"There, see?" she said, voice low and amused. "Not so bad."

I could barely nod. She finally let go, and the warmth of her touch lingered long after.

I'm so annoyed at myself right now for getting worked up over something so small. Alice, on the other hand, didn't have much of a reaction. In fact, none of them did. Whereas I...

"Unfair..." I whispered to myself.

"Hmm? What was that?" she asked.

"N-nothing. Let's go. We're gonna lose the others if we stay too long."

The next area was quieter—dimly lit, with tall cylindrical tanks stretching from floor to ceiling. Inside each one swam different kinds of glowing jellyfish, their translucent bodies pulsing with a slow, mesmerizing rhythm. It was the kind of space that made everyone instinctively speak softer.

The four of us stood in silence, watching them drift like gentle lanterns through the water.

"They're beautiful," Chloe said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Mm," I nodded.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her step closer—just enough for our arms to brush against each other. Then came Lana, grabbing a hold of my other arm as if it meant nothing to her.

"Say cheese~" she chirped, holding up her phone.

Before I could react, she snapped a photo of the three of us in front of the glowing tank.

"What the... I don't recall giving you permission to take my picture," I mumbled.

"You didn't before, you don't need to now," she winked. "Besides, you looked so cute! I had to."

I didn't know what to say to that, but apparently, my silence was an answer itself. Alice stepped in next, calmly slipping beside me.

"Then let me take one, too," she said. "I want something to commemorate this day."

Before I could even get a word out, she turned and held her phone out—switching to selfie mode.

"Come closer, darling," she said coyly.

"Wait, wha—?"

Too late. She had already leaned in, her cheek almost brushing mine as she framed the shot.

"Perfect," she whispered right before the camera clicked.

I stood there frozen, unsure whether I'd just been part of a photo or a trap.

Alice reviewed the picture and gave a small nod of approval. "Very nice. You always look absolutely charming when you're flustered, Aikami."

I wanted to say something, but my mouth refused to cooperate.

Before I could recover, Chloe gently tugged at my sleeve again.

"Aikami… Look," she said softly, her eyes fixed on a nearby concession stand where fish-shaped snacks were lined up on heated racks.

I followed her gaze and let out a chuckle. "Seriously? Are you sure you're not secretly in love with food?"

"I-I'm not! I just like food. There's a big difference!"

"Oh, right. Totally believable—if you weren't practically drooling two seconds ago."

"H-Hey!"

She puffed her cheeks and threw on the poutiest glare she could muster before launching a flurry of soft, harmless punches against my arm.

"Haha! I'm kidding!" I laughed, rubbing my shoulder with an exaggerated wince.

"Hmph!" With a huff, she turned away, arms crossed in defiance.

"Aw, come on, Chloe. I'm sorry, alright?"

"If you're really sorry, then buy me a taiyaki."

"I'm going, I'm going," I said, already halfway to the stand before the words fully left my mouth.

After grabbing the snack, I jogged back and handed it to Chloe. Her entire expression lit up as she took it and bit into it without hesitation.

"Mmm… So good~" she mumbled through a mouthful.

"Glad you're enjoying yourself," I scoffed.

Lana leaned in beside her, tilting her head curiously. "Didn't think to grab one for us too, Aikami?"

"Huh?! You didn't ask!"

“Should a lady really need to ask for something so obvious?” Alice added with a teasing smirk.

"T-That's… How am I supposed to—"

They both stared at me expectantly, waiting in silence.

"…Fine," I sighed.