Someplace, In a Blue World

       After a few days Yui contacted me again, this time sending me a text message.

‘Let’s go to the aquarium next Wednesday. And I won’t be expecting a no from you, mind it!
Yui
.

.

.

And also, it’s a date.’

“Sigh. She is still stuck with that.”

Well she is just pushing me a little by the side, so it’s not that big of a problem playing along.

‘Ok.’

On the next Wednesday, as planned before, after lunch I headed over to Yui’s place.

Though all the houses in her neighborhood were identical right down to the shade of paint on the iron balconies, anyone could tell apart which one was Yui’s right away. Whereas every other dwelling was simply the towering white brick, hers was a riot of blooms in every shade. Along the rail hung boxes and below were hanging baskets. So without even checking the number on the door I wrapped the brass knocker three times and waited. In a brief lull of the soulless avenue I heard the approaching of footfalls. The door opened a crack and an azure eye peeked out.

“So you are finally here.” Yui glowered while coming out through the door. “Why do you always make me wait for so long?”

“Um, sorry about that.” I pouted, “I thought I was on time.”

“No, you aren’t. You’re three minutes late.”

“Does that even matter?”

“Yeah, every moment matters in life. You might lose your prince charming just for being three minutes late. No one can tell.”

It’s already this hot outside, and now she’s giving me motivational talks… “Ok, ok, I get it.”

“Well, shove that aside. Shall we go now.”

“Yeah, let's go.”

The aquarium was rather packed, though it was expected, given that the summer holidays are going on. I mean who wouldn’t love to dive within this infinite blue of infinite weather patterns, all in their prettiest colors.

After getting our tickets we both went inside. The aquarium fish were everything Yui had hoped they would be, but the shoals of people moving at their set pace in their set path bothered her. She wanted to hitch for a long time for some tanks, run back to see others she hankered for another glimpse of, or rushed on to the turtles. She wanted to cut across the aisle when something caught her eye, a tank way bigger than the other ones. Yui went forward to see what fish was in the tank, when suddenly a shark from the inside of the tank swam right in front of her.

Terrified, Yui bucked away from the tank and grabbed onto me.

“A ‘Bull Shark’.” I read, as was written on the tank, “They are a rather smaller species of their kind, so you can usually find them in every aquarium.”

“I didn’t ask you to tell me stuff about it!” She exclaimed, as her body movements became tighter.

“I just thought you would like to know. They can’t harm you, so you can try and get a closer look.”

“Let's just keep walking, shall we?”

We both kept walking, while Yui pulled me along everywhere like a magnet. Asking Yui to sit today is like trying to tell a fire not to burn. Her eyes were alight, her every muscle needed to move, to dance, to jump. She chatters and observes, giggles and jokes. Everything tickles her as funny and if there is one idea coming from her mouth there are seven more queuing up in her mind.

While we wandered between the sea of blue, a thought came to my mind. The aquarium must be to these sea creatures what a field of simple grass is to us. Sure, we could live there, even play there and laugh... but what of our right to travel and explore, our right to be free? Isn't there something in every animal that yearns for its proper natural environment, for that rich experience of colors, textures, movement and possibilities?

I didn’t realize when, partly because of being absorbed in my thoughts, that we were already at the front gates of the aquarium. The sun was still shining brightly above us as we came out of the aquarium.

“Ah, it was so much fun.” Yui’s eyes shined with a wordless definition of joy.

“Yeah, you are right. We should come here again with Sa-”

“We still have time on our hands, so let’s go to a café.” Yui proposed.

“I guess we can?”

The café was right by the corner of the block, its royal blue paint glistening in the last golden rays of the day. The signboard clung, jewel-like to the name, "Sashimi-Ya." Outside the sidewalk that will tumult in a few short hours is louder, the concrete oblivious to whether it is midday or midnight. My face smirks upward at the sight of the flower planter to the right, the city has put in new blooms that will give us flashes of sunny yellows and hot pinks through the summer.

We stayed at the café for a while talking about various things over a cup of coffee. These days I feel like I have opened up a lot to her, just like how I had with Sakura long ago. Sakura made me realize that holding onto hard memories is tough, that I should open my heart to others more. With Yui I felt the same as I had with Sakura. I guess she is one of the reasons I was able to leave behind the darkness I had been living in from before and even after I had come to this town.

After we had finished, we paid our bill’s and got out of the café.

“Let’s call it a day.” I graped, turning towards Yui, “I’m already pretty worn out for today.”

“Okay. Let’s head back for today then, shall we.”

On our way back, the traffic was light, as if the city center had become more normal, the air sweeter, the slower pace settling to the city-soul. After we had gotten off the bus, Yui asked me if I would walk with her till we reached her home. I didn’t put her down, as it was little favor to ask for all the fun I had today with her.

The avenue here is wide with green tinged trees, but the sidewalk is almost free of leaves, yet to tumble together. The homes are like they ever were, old and wooden. “Heritage,” Though what felt more out of place was the lack of, if any, soul around us. Calmness can be what the sunlight has kissed the colors into being. Just being there brings the soul into sweet surrender, at one with nature, vibrant yet relaxed.

“So I was just asking, but did you enjoy today.” Yui asked, as she brought her gaze towards me. There was no heat to her voice, as if her heart beat ever so steadily.

“Yea, I had a lot of fun today.” I rejoiced. “We can do something like this again. There’s still so much time left before vacation ends.”

“Me too, except for only that cow shark－”

“A ‘Bull Shark’, if you have forgotten.” I mumbled, almost to myself.

“Cow shark! Nothing else!”

“Then you are a ‘Coward shark, I guess.”

“Stop with those weird jokes. You should at least be thankful for letting you tag along with me.” She replied, as we both rolled in the isles.

“You are being too full of yourself.” I rubbed my watery eyes, barely trying to hold my grins. “But I won’t deny that I am really thankful to you for inviting me today.”

“Umu, good to know that.”

“As you were honest to me, I will also be honest with you.” With the fine craftsmanship of her fingers, Yui wrapped her arms around her chest, “I also had a very good time because you had come with me.”

“Glad to hear.”

“Well, I guess you could clearly tell that…” She demurred, “Without me spelling them out.”

“Yeah, not going to lie.”