The aquarium offered several different shows, so there was plenty to see besides the main Dolphin Show.
Currently, Sara-san was peering into the tanks with genuine interest, her arm affectionately linked with mine.
While I wanted to hold hands with her as much as possible, the truth was that I was relieved she had let go. Since I couldn't bring myself to be the one to break contact, I’d been prepared to simply grit my teeth and bear the pain. However, she had released my hand surprisingly easily a moment ago. Then again, she immediately linked arms with me, so I suppose she just wanted to switch positions.
Regardless, having escaped that immediate crisis for the time being, I checked the schedules in our pamphlet. It looked like we could make it to the Sea Lion Show if we moved now.
"Sara-san, it looks like the Sea Lion Show is about to start. What do you think? If you want to see it, we should probably head over."
"Oh, I definitely want to see that! The pamphlet mentioned both penguin and sea lion performances, so I’d love to see them both if we can... ah..."
Seeing Sara-san get so caught up in the excitement was such a rare treat that I found myself staring at her with a smile. The moment our eyes met, she seemed to snap back to her senses, her cheeks gradually flushing a deep crimson.
"M-My apologies... I... I got a little ahead of myself."
"Sara-san, please don't apologize. Nothing makes me happier than seeing you enjoy yourself. I like you just the way you are."
"……Yes! Then, let’s go see the Sea Lion Show first!"
Regardless of her outward excitement, Sara-san seemed to be in particularly high spirits today. Knowing how much she had been looking forward to this made me feel like the luckiest boyfriend in the world.
The Sea Lion Show wasn't an action-heavy spectacle like the Dolphin Show, which featured grand leaps and high-speed swimming.
Instead, it was a charming performance involving balls and hula hoops. The animals were full of personality, winning over the audience with their adorable gestures. Sara-san was completely transfixed.
"Now then, I’d like a volunteer from the audience to help us out~. Our friend here is going to toss a ball, and I want you to catch it! It’s dangerous to run, so please stay in your seats!"
Then, as if it had been choreographed from the start, the ball batted by the sea lion came sailing directly toward us.
Wait, you've got to be kidding me...
Plop.
"That was amazing! You caught it, Kazunari-san!"
I really wished they had picked Sara-san instead of me...
The ball had been tossed in a high arc and came straight for my chest. Even without me moving a muscle, it landed perfectly in my arms.
"Alright, the young man over there! Please come down to the front~. Your companion is welcome to join you as well."
"Okay!"
Well, if we're going together, I guess it’s fine.
Sara-san stood up with a look of excitement and followed me to the performance area. I, on the other hand, was starting to get a little nervous.
"Alright, everyone, a round of applause!"
The crowd erupted into cheers and clapping.
Ugh, this is actually pretty embarrassing. If Sara-san didn't look so happy, I would have preferred to decline.
"My, oh my... I’m not just saying this to be nice, but your girlfriend is breathtakingly beautiful..."
The MC Lady’s comment didn't sound like professional flattery; it felt more like her honest thoughts had just slipped out. Her tone was surprisingly genuine. Even Sara-san looked a bit bashful at the sudden praise.
"Now then, young man, I want you to play catch-ball with Kuu-chan! Girlfriend, please cheer him on~."
"Yes! Good luck, Kazunari-san!"
I figured the MC Lady would have realized it would be much more photogenic to have Sara-san do the catch-ball, so I wondered why she chose me...
Despite my reservations, playing catch with the sea lion was surprisingly fun. I was honestly impressed by how the animal could precisely bat the ball with its head to return it straight to my hands every time.
"Alright, thank you very much! Now, let’s take a Commemorative Photo. Please line up right here."
At the MC's signal, Kuu-chan batted the ball back to a staff member and then hopped onto a pedestal to wait.
As Sara-san and I stood next to her, a staff member with a camera stepped forward.
"By the way... Kuu-chan is a girl~. Maybe that's why she took such a liking to you, young man?"
Whistles and laughter echoed from the audience. I see, so the MC had me do the activity just so she could make that joke at the end.
"Alright, here we go. Say cheese!"
As the shutter clicked, Kuu-chan suddenly leaned in from her pedestal and pressed her nose against my cheek. I'll keep it a secret that I was actually a little startled by the sudden contact.
"And there’s a kiss as a Present from Kuu-chan~! Sorry about that, Girlfriend. Since the young man did such a good job, why don't you give him a reward as well~?"
"Yes, of course."
Sara-san answered the MC Lady with a simple nod, then stepped directly in front of me. She placed her hands on my shoulders, stood on her tiptoes, and brought her face close to mine.
Chu.
She kissed the cheek opposite the one Kuu-chan had touched.
"Fufu... that was your Reward. And remember, no cheating with Kuu-chan... okay?"
"Y-Yes..."
The entire area fell into a stunned silence—the MC and the audience alike.
None of them had expected Sara-san to be so bold as to give me a kiss right then and there. Sara-san, meanwhile, just smiled with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Ah... m-my! What a wonderful couple! I’m so jealous~. Everyone, another round of applause!"
The crowd responded with whistles and loud clapping.
"Here is your Commemorative Photo~."
"Thank you very much."
The MC Lady, having regained her professional composure, handed us the photo inside an aquarium-themed folder. Inside was a large print of me looking dazed and surprised next to Kuu-chan, while Sara-san watched us with a gentle, knowing smile.
This will be a wonderful memory...
The thought alone made a smile spread across my face.
As we returned to our seats amidst the applause, I decided to hand the photo to Sara-san. I really wanted her to be the one to keep it.
"Here, Sara-san. You should have this."
"Eh? But Kazunari-san, you were the one who—"
"No, I want you to have it."
"...Are you really—no, thank you. I’ll cherish it!"
Cutting off her own hesitation, Sara-san accepted the photo and held it to her chest with a happy smile. I had a feeling she had actually really wanted it.
We stepped outside for a moment to move from the Main Building to the Annex. There was a small plaza along the way where families and couples were scattered about, enjoying their lunch.
Checking the time, I realized it was the perfect moment for us to eat as well.
Since there were plenty of others eating their own Bentos, I figured we would be fine 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 recognized this pattern. It was the same thing she did when I had the Sprain in my Wrist.
Which meant...
"Please, leave everything to me!"
Of course, there was no way I could refuse Sara-san’s smile.
Her energy was still remarkably high... Come to think of it, she’d been in such high spirits since we started the date. Well, as long as she's having fun, that's all that matters.
"Now, say ahhh."
In the end, Sara-san fed me every single bite of that Bento...
Suu... suu...
Since the wait for the Dolphin Show was a bit awkward, we decided to take a short break after our meal.
Currently, Kazunari-san is fast asleep with his head on my Lap Pillow.
The heart is such a mysterious thing.
They say everything depends on one’s state of mind, and it’s true—the crushing guilt I felt yesterday has vanished completely.
Now, my heart is filled with nothing but joy, excitement... and a deep sense of affection and gratitude.
And yet, that is what’s making things difficult for me.
I am so happy right now. I feel so blessed. Because Kazunari-san worked a secret Part-time Job just to give me this wonderful day as a Present. He even injured his hand because of it... I am truly a fortunate woman. Every time I think about it, I feel like I might burst into tears of joy. To be honest, I’m at my limit even now... but I can't cry yet. I absolutely cannot cry. I have to keep up the act of having noticed nothing.
Kazunari-san... I really, truly... as long as you are by my side, I don't need anything else...
I must have drifted off, because I only realized I’d been sleeping when I opened my eyes.
Sara-san seemed to have been stroking my hair the entire time. When she noticed I was awake, she looked down at me with a soft smile.
But for just a fleeting second when I first opened my eyes, her expression seemed... heavy with a profound sense of sorrow, or perhaps pathos...
"Sara-san?"
"Yes? Is something the matter?"
"...No. Sorry, I guess I fell asleep..."
"Fufu, you looked very adorable. Please, don't worry about it."
I’m sure I just imagined it. After all, I couldn't think of a single reason why Sara-san would look so sad.
"Alright! Let's go grab some good seats."
"Yes! I’m really looking forward to the Dolphin Show."
We still have plenty to do today.
I pushed the thought aside and focused on the rest of our date.