Aquarium Date

Amidst the allure of blue lights that welcomed the group, Akari gazed in awe at the world he found himself in. This had been the first time Akari had ever been to an aquarium and it certainly was something to behold. The gentle splashes of water and the vivid hues of marine life displays greeted them upon entering the captivating exhibit area.

Glass walls adorned with a variety of colorful sea life lay behind them. The tranquil blue ambiance, reminiscent of the sea, offered a serene backdrop as fish moved with carefree grace.

Flounders rested on the sandy tank floor, concealed by their tan-brown hue. In another enclosure, a school of striped butterfly fish danced gracefully in a tank larger than a truck. The air was filled with a sense of wonder as if each step brought them closer to discovering the secrets hidden beneath the surface.

The curious gangster had never experienced the opportunity to spend time at such establishments before. He was accustomed to bars and warehouses, laying low from the police and standing their ground against rival gangs.

“It’s quite the view, isn’t it?” Ayano’s voice broke the spell as she stood beside him. Akari, still entranced by the marine wonders, simply nodded in response.

The only other person who seemed to be even more excited than Akari was Momo whose eyes sparkled upon seeing the sight. She eagerly shouted to the others, expressing her wonder at a lot of the new fishes she had never seen before.

“I'd never imagined witnessing something akin to a fantasy story right before my eyes,” Akari’s smile held a gentleness, framed against a mesmerizing dance of tropical fish amid coral reefs.

Ayano playfully returned the smile as she observed Akari's expression. With a gentle nudge, she snapped him out of his reverie, gesturing to their companions who had ventured farther ahead.

“Hey, don’t fall behind too far, you two,” Chiaki called back to them.

The group gathered around a large glass panel, where a majestic shark swam effortlessly, its powerful presence captivating their attention. Ayano leaned closer to Akari, her hand instinctively seeking his hand for comfort.

In a moment of instinctual connection, her hand brushed against his, causing Akari to briefly glance down. Once Ayano realized her own actions, she quickly withdrew her hand, her face flushing with embarrassment. Nanami, ever observant, couldn’t help but smirk at the fleeting interaction, which Akari noticed.

“Let’s go see the otter exhibit next,” Nanami suggested.

“O-otters?!” Ayano’s eyes lit up with excitement.

Within the otter enclosure, the playful creatures splashed and leaped from cool beige-gray rocks into transparent waters. Waves remained in constant motion, accompanied by their chattering and whistling.

Ayano approached the glass, her face almost touching it, giggling at their mischief. She found herself captivated by their playful flips and spins.

“It’s like they’re putting on a show just for us!” Ayano squealed as one seemingly swam in a circle in front of her. “Otters are so adorable!”

Akari couldn’t help but notice the parallel between Ayano's joyful demeanor and the otters' playful antics. Having shared a room with her for weeks, he had witnessed how Ayano often radiated a similar energy–one that was both playful and endearing.

“You’re like an otter,’ Akari said with a light chuckle.

“E-eh?” Ayano’s face flushed red as she turned toward him, surprised by the statement. Slowly, Akari realized the unintentional connection he had made by likening Ayano to an otter.

He had basically just called her cute.

“He's saying you’re an otter, Ayano,” Nanami repeated with a suppressed snicker, her hand covering her mouth. “Just as quirky and charming.”

“Aha ha, I see…” Ayano sheepishly grinned, while Akari averted his gaze to hide his embarrassment. He was fortunate that Nanami had altered the context of his words. Hopefully, the class president wouldn't dwell on it.

“Look! They have a cafe here!” Momo pointed out, capturing everyone’s attention.

“I could use some rest,” Chiaki sighed in relief. They had been wandering the aquarium for two hours already, yet so much remained to explore in the vast establishment.

The five of them found themselves at a charming cafe within the aquarium. The air was filled with the pleasant aroma of cuisine and the delightful chatter of fellow visitors. They settled around a cozy table, ready to enjoy a moment of relaxation amidst the marine wonders.

“What snacks do you all want?” Chiaki asked with a grin. “I’m treating everyone today.”

“In that case, I want the galaxy ocean smoothie, two turtle bean buns, and a slice of rainbow fish cake!” Akari declared with sparkling eyes.

“Everyone but Aki, I'm treating,” Chiaki corrected himself, prompting the vibrant gangster to pout.

“A slice of strawberry cake for me!”

“I’ll just have some tea, thank you.”

“Can I have a parfait, please?”

“Gotcha! Strawberry cake for Momo, tea for Nanami, and a parfait for Ayano,” Chiaki memorized the orders. “I’ll be right back then!”

“Thank you!” Momo waved as she sat up excitedly in her seat.

“Isn't this place incredible?” Nanami warmly smiled, resting her chin on her hand as she observed the vibrant fish swimming gracefully in the nearby tanks. “I never tire of witnessing the beauty and diversity of marine life.”

“It is something indeed,” Akari nodded, savoring the serene ambiance.

“Look over there,” Nanami directed their attention to a tank with a school of vibrant fish, where a few people gathered. “Did you know that some fish can change their colors to communicate or blend into their surroundings?”

“You know a lot about aquatic life, Nanami,” Ayano responded with an impressed nod. Nanami let out a soft chuckle.

“I suppose it’s my calling, especially considering my name,” she quipped just as Chiaki returned, carrying a blue tray laden with their desserts.

“Here you go!” He placed the tray down and took a seat between Nanami and Momo. “Cake, tea, parfait, the crepe's mine… and this one’s for you, Aki.” He handed Akari a slice of cake adorned with a rainbow pattern.

“I thought you said you weren’t getting me anything,” Akari remarked.

“Did you really take me seriously?” Chiaki eyed him amusingly. “Of course, I would get you at least one dessert.”

“Thanks, then,” Akari accepted the plate and a paper cup of water.

“Are there any napkins?” Ayano requested, noticing a lack of them on the table.

“I’ll go grab some,” Akari rose from his seat, pushing it back.

While heading toward the café, he noticed two suspicious figures nearby. Glancing discreetly, he observed the two seated at a table, wearing sunglasses and face masks. They were seemingly preoccupied with an aquarium map that tried to hide their faces.

Despite their efforts, Akari recognized them instantly and sighed.

“Those guys…” He muttered a sigh. The two gangsters Ryoichi and Naoki were stalking him. And while he didn’t know why, Akari chose to ignore them for the time being. He didn’t want to confront them in front of his friends.