Episode 194: Bravely…

It looks like this aquarium has several shows, and there are things to see other than just the main dolphin show.

Currently, Sara-san is peering into the tanks with interest while her arm is linked with mine.

I wanted to hold hands badly, but to be honest, it was a relief that Sara-san let go.

I couldn’t bring myself to let go on my own, so I was prepared to just endure the pain, but she let go surprisingly easily right after that. Since she immediately linked arms instead, I think she just wanted to switch styles.

Anyway, having escaped that immediate pinch, I checked the time schedule for each show on the pamphlet. It looks like we’ll be in time for the sea lion show if we go now.

「Sara-san, it looks like we can see the sea lion show. What do you think? If we’re going to watch it, we’ll need to move now.」

「Ah, I wanted to see that! The pamphlet said there are penguin and sea lion shows, so if possible, I want to see both… ah…」

It’s not every day you get to see Sara-san acting so excited, so I was happy and ended up staring at her. The moment our eyes met, Sara-san’s cheeks gradually turned red as she looked startled.

「M-my apologies… that was… just a reflex.」

「Sara-san, please don’t hold back. Nothing makes me happier than seeing you enjoy yourself. So it’s okay to stay just like that.」

「……Yes! Well then, let’s go see the sea lion show first!」

Excitement aside, Sara-san seems to be in a bit of a high-tension mood today. Thinking about how much she was looking forward to this makes me feel like the luckiest boyfriend in the world.

The sea lion show wasn’t an action-packed show like the dolphin show where they swim around and jump high.

Instead, it was a cute performance using balls and hula hoops, where they showed off their charm with gestures, and Sara-san was glued to the sight.

「Now then, we’d like someone to help us out~. This little one is going to toss a ball somewhere, so please catch it. It’s dangerous, so please stay in your seats!」

And the ball the sea lion batted flew toward us as if it had been decided from the start.

Hey now, this is…

Thwack

「Incredible! You did it, Kazunari-san!」

Man, I wish she’d done that for Sara-san instead of me…

The ball, thrown in a big arc, came straight for me, and it landed perfectly in my arms without me even having to move.

「Alright, the young man over there, please come this way~. Your companion is welcome to join as well.」

「Okay!」

Well, if it’s the two of us together, I guess it’s fine…

Sara-san stood up with a bit of excitement and followed me to the front.

I’m getting a little nervous…

「Alright, let’s give them a hand~」

Clap clap clap clap!!!

Ugh, this is a bit embarrassing.

If Sara-san didn’t look so happy, I’d want to decline.

「Wow, young man… and I’m not just flattering you, but your girlfriend is surprisingly cute…」

The words from the announcer Onee-san didn’t sound like empty flattery; it felt more like her true feelings slipped out in a natural tone. Even Sara-san looks a bit embarrassed.

「Now then, young man, please play catch with Kuu-chan! Girlfriend, please cheer him on~」

「Yes, do your best, Kazunari-san!」

The announcer lady surely knows it would make for a better picture if Sara-san did it, so why me…

Despite my thoughts, playing catch with the sea lion was unexpectedly fun, and I was honestly surprised by how well it batted the ball back to me with its head.

「Alright, thank you very much! We’re going to take a commemorative photo now, so please line up over here.」

At the Onee-san’s signal, Kuu-chan batted the ball back to the staff and then waited on the pedestal.

As Sara-san and I lined up next to her, a staff member with a camera approached.

「By the way… Kuu-chan is a girl~. Maybe that’s why she aimed for you, young man?」

Whistles and laughter came from the audience. I see, so that’s why they had me do it instead of Sara-san, just so they could say that.

「Taking the picture now~. One, two, cheese!」

With that shout, Kuu-chan, who was on the pedestal right next to me, suddenly closed in and pressed her nose(?) against my face. I’ll keep it a secret that I flinched a little at the suddenness.

「And there’s a kiss for a present from Kuu-chan~. Sorry about that, girlfriend. Since the young man did such a good job, please make sure to praise him too~」

「Yes, I understand.」

Sara-san replied to the announcer Onee-san, then circled around to my front, placed her hands on my shoulders, stood on her tiptoes, and brought her face close.

Chu…

She kissed me on the cheek opposite of Kuu-chan.

「Fufu… that’s your reward. And also, cheating with Kuu-chan is… a no-no, okay?」

「Y-yes…」

「「「「…………」」」」

The Onee-san and the audience all went silent at the sudden turn of events.

They surely hadn’t expected Sara-san to kiss me so suddenly.

Sara-san had a mischievous look on her face as she laughed.

「A… w-well, what an enviable and close couple~. Everyone, a round of applause!」

Whistle whistle. Clap clap clap clap.

「Here is your commemorative photo~」

「Thank you very much.」

The commemorative photo I received from the Onee-san, who had regained her composure, was tucked into an aquarium folding card. Inside was a large photo showing me with a slightly dazed and surprised face next to Kuu-chan the sea lion, with Sara-san gazing at us with a smile.

This will be a great memory…

Thinking that, a smile naturally spread across my face.

As we returned to our seats amidst the applause, I decided to give the photo to Sara-san. I really wanted her to have it.

「Here, Sara-san.」

「Eh, but you’re the one who…」

「No, no, I want you to have it, Sara-san.」

「…Are you really sure… no, thank you very much. I will treasure it!」

Stopping her words of hesitation, Sara-san accepted the photo simply and hugged it to her chest with a happy smile. Maybe she actually really wanted it…

We stepped outside for a bit to move from the main building to the annex. There was a plaza along the way, and I could see families and couples here and there having meals.

I checked the time and it was just about right, so it turned into lunch time.

There are other people eating bento besides us, so it should be okay here.

I laid out the plastic sheet and reached out to take the bento box, but for some reason, Sara-san wouldn’t hand it over.

「Um…」

I remember this pattern from before.

It was when I sprained my wrist.

Which means…

「Please leave everything to me!」

Of course, there was no way I could win against Sara-san’s smile.

Her tension is as high as ever… come to think of it, it feels like Sara-san’s been high-tension since the start today. As long as she’s enjoying herself, it’s fine, though.

「Now, say aahn.」

In the end, Sara-san fed me the entire bento…

「Zzz… zzz…」

Since the wait for the dolphin show was a bit awkward, we decided to take a post-meal break.

Currently, Kazunari-san is resting with his head on my lap.

Feelings are a strange thing.

They say it’s all about your「frame of mind,」and I don’t feel the guilt I was feeling so strongly yesterday at all.

The feelings I have now are joy, fun… and affection and gratitude.

And that is troubling me again.

I am having so much fun right now. I am happy. Because Kazunari-san worked a part-time job just to give me this day. And he even injured his hand… I am truly a happy woman. When I think about that, I feel like I’m going to cry from joy. Actually, I’m right on the edge now… but I can’t cry yet. I can’t cry, because I’m still not supposed to have noticed anything.

Kazunari-san, I really, truly… as long as you are here, that is all I need…

I must have slept for a bit, because I only realized I’d been sleeping after I opened my eyes.

It seemed Sara-san had been stroking my head the whole time, and when she noticed I was awake, she looked at me with a smile.

But for just the first second after I opened my eyes, I thought I saw an expression full of longing and sadness…

「Sara-san?」

「Yes, is something the matter?」

「…No. Sorry, I guess I fell asleep…」

「Yes, you looked very adorable. So please don’t worry about it.」

No, surely it was just my imagination. I can’t think of any reason why Sara-san would make a face like that in the first place.

「Alright! Let’s go find a spot soon.」

「Yes! I’m looking forward to the dolphin show.」

There are still plenty of events left today.

Time to get back into the mood.