Five dolphins leaped from the water in unison, striking their noses against a ball suspended from the ceiling before plunging back into the surf.
Splash!!!
"Whoa!"
"Kyaaa!"
Playful screams erupted from the spectators in the splash zone. Since the seats were clearly marked as a wet area, everyone sitting there had likely expected the drenching and was having the time of their lives.
While the audience cheered, a second group of dolphins jumped high, spinning and crossing paths in mid-air.
"This is incredible! It’s nothing like the dolphin show I saw with my parents when I was little!" Sara-san exclaimed, her voice thick with excitement as she pointed out the differences.
The sheer number of dolphins moving in perfect synchronization was on a different level. I had seen a show before too, but this venue was massive—almost like an Olympic arena—and the pool was equally vast. The power of the performance was staggering; seeing so many dolphins moving as one was a truly magnificent sight.
"Wow, they’re so fast!"
The dolphins appeared to stand on the water's surface using their tail fins, gliding backward at high speeds. As soon as the first row finished, the second row began. Every stunt followed the last in a seamless flow.
The show moved through hoop-throughs and ball play in a blur of motion, and before I knew it, the performance was reaching its grand finale. Sara-san watched intently, her eyes fixed on the dolphins as they leaped and twirled as if dancing to the music.
However, I found myself more captivated by Sara-san’s side profile than the show itself. I instinctively reached out toward her, but she turned to face me before I could say a word.
"…Kazunari-san?"
She smoothly took my arm, intertwining it with her own as a radiant smile graced her lips.
"I’m so happy…"
Her words were simple, yet they felt so heavy with emotion that I couldn’t help but wonder just how much she was truly feeling in that moment.
"…The view is incredible. And… it’s so beautiful."
The sun hadn’t set yet, but as autumn deepened, the daylight hours seemed to be shrinking with every passing day. Although it wasn't even 4:00 PM yet, the sun had dipped so low that it felt like it was already past 5:00 PM.
After leaving the aquarium, we had walked to the park right next to it. The park overlooked the ocean; if we stayed, we would be able to watch the sun sink beneath the horizon. However, everyone was waiting for us back at home, so we couldn’t afford to stay out that late.
Considering the time it would take to get back, we only had about thirty minutes left.
I had originally planned to give her the gift once we reached our destination, but looking at the scenery, I decided this park was the perfect location.
"Sara-san… I have something to tell you."
Sara-san was leaning against the handrail, looking out over the water. I had been mesmerized by the contrast between her figure and the vast sea, and the atmosphere gave me the final push I needed to start speaking.
She turned around, her long hair fluttering in the breeze. My heart hammered against my ribs as she reached up to brush a stray lock of hair from her forehead.
She’s so beautiful… Even now, there are moments where it feels like a dream that she’s actually my lover.
"Yes… I’m listening."
I felt a surge of tension, different from the nerves I’d felt when I first confessed my love to her. I wondered why I was so worked up. I was just giving her a birthday present. It wasn't as if she’d reject it, and it wasn't like I was asking her a question that required an answer.
All I had to do was say "Happy Birthday" and hand it over. It should have been simple.
I knew I needed to explain the part-time job. She might have things to say about it, but that didn't explain this level of anxiety.
No, the tension wasn’t coming from me.
It was Sara-san. Something about her was off. I had been worried about it for a while, but now I finally understood. The tension I felt was coming from her—the sorrowful expression I’d caught a glimpse of earlier, hidden beneath her cheerful exterior. It was finally coming to the surface.
I wondered if I had done something wrong. The uncertainty bothered me, but I decided I would ask her about it while giving her the present.
But first…
"Sara-san, I’m sorry for keeping it a secret from you, but I’ve been working a part-time job."
"……Yes."
I see… The fact that she wasn't surprised meant she had already known. Now that I’d brought it up, she stopped trying to hide her feelings, and that sorrowful look took over her face completely.
To be honest, I was stunned. I had expected her to be happy, or maybe even a little angry. This reaction was entirely outside my calculations.
"……You knew?"
"…Yes. To be honest, I felt the need to discuss our finances yesterday evening and turned back to find you. Since I’m the one managing our living expenses… and the ticket prices were… well…"
"Ah…"
I really am an idiot when it counts. I’d never had to worry about money before, so I had completely overlooked that detail. Given that she was the one holding the purse strings, it was only natural she’d notice the discrepancy.
"I ended up following you, Kazunari-san. I saw you working from a distance."
So she’d seen me at the very end… It was such a pathetic way for my secret to be revealed that I couldn’t help but let out a self-deprecating chuckle.
"……I see. I guess I’m just a bit dense."
"No, I am the one at fault. Truthfully, I’ve been worried since the school trip, but I decided to wait until you were ready to tell me, Kazunari-san. And, just as I expected, you did speak to me. And yet, I… even though I believed in you…"
I realized then that my secrecy had placed an immense burden on her.
"I couldn’t forgive myself. But more than that, I was overwhelmed with joy. The fact that you worked a part-time job just for this date… that you endured such hardships for me… I feel so incredibly sorry. But… I am happy. The truth is, I am so happy that you care for me that much. Kazunari-san… please, let me see your right hand."
There was no point in hiding it anymore. By asking for that hand specifically, she’d confirmed she knew everything. I steeled myself and held out my right hand.
Sara-san took my hand in hers. Her own hands were trembling, and she lifted mine as gently as if she were handling a piece of fragile glass.
"……! T-This… isn’t it incredibly painful? I didn't realize… I gripped your hand earlier…"
So that was it. That was why she had suddenly switched to linking arms and why it felt like she was forcing herself to be cheerful for the rest of the day.
"To be honest, it hurts. But this is the proof of how much I was thinking of you, Sara-san. So, I’m satisfied."
"…Yes. It hurt me deeply to know you were injured for my sake, Kazunari-san. But it made me even happier. That’s why, so your feelings wouldn’t go to waste, I told myself I would enjoy today to the fullest. I told myself I would keep smiling and pretend I hadn't noticed a thing. I decided that when you finally told me the truth, that’s when I would tell you mine."
So that was the reason behind her sorrowful expression.
"I am a lucky woman. To have you go this far for me… that happiness is the only reason I can smile like this. Because your feelings mean more to me than my own apologies or my own guilt…"
She had been torn between her guilt for spoiling the surprise and following me, and her overwhelming joy at my efforts. That conflict was what I had seen on her face.
And even now, she looked as if she were about to break.
"Sara-san, let me tell you one thing. My surprise isn’t over yet."
"………Eh?"
"It’s true I wanted to keep the job a secret, but I didn’t work just to pay for the date. So, you haven't ruined my surprise at all."
"I-Is that… true? I thought I had already wasted all of your feelings… I felt so terrible…"
Sara-san began to tremble. I knew I had to reassure her immediately. I stopped trying to be mysterious and opened my bag, pulling out the small box wrapped in cloth. I unwrapped it—thankfully, the wrapping underneath was still pristine.
Sara-san’s eyes were glued to my hand.
"Sara-san… Happy Birthday. I’m a bit embarrassed to say this myself, but I worked really hard on this since it’s your birthday and our first present as a couple."
"…………Ah."
Sara-san let out a breathless gasp, appearing almost panicked. I took her trembling hand and placed the small box in her palm.
"Please… open it."
"………Yes."
She untied the ribbon and carefully peeled back the wrapping paper, making sure not to tear it. When she opened the box, she froze, her head bowed.
Why wasn't she taking it out?
Drip… Drip…
As if a sudden, localized rain had started, droplets began to fall one by one onto the ground at her feet. I hurriedly peered at her face—Sara-san was staring into the box, her eyes wide as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Ah… eh? I-I’m so sorry, I… today… today… was supposed to be…"
She seemed confused by her own tears at first, but that didn't last long.
"Hic… sob… I-I’m sorry… I decided… I decided I would smile today… but, but… I’m at my limit… I can’t… I can’t smile anymore… uuu… uwaaaaaah!"
Seeing her about to collapse, I pulled her into my arms. She let out a wail, her composure finally shattering.
"Hic… I swore… sob… I wouldn't cry, but… I’m so happy… your feelings, Kazunari-san… they make me so… so… sob… happy… I’m so happy! Uwaaaaah!"
I had never seen Sara-san like this. The tension she’d been holding had finally snapped. I was the one who had driven her to this point. I was the one who should be apologizing.
I held her as tightly as I could. She clung to me desperately, her legs so weak I had to support her entire weight.
"I love you! I love you so much! Kazunari-san… Kazunari-saaaan! I love you, uwaaaaaan!"
"I-I love you too, Sara-san… I really… sob… I love you so much!"
It felt as though her tears were triggering my own. In the deserted park, only the sound of our crying echoed through the air. We held onto each other as if we’d fall apart if we let go… she was so precious to me.
"Uwaaaaaaaan!"
For a long time, neither of us could move.
I’m not sure how much time passed. Eventually, Sara-san calmed down enough to pull back. She took the locket pendant out of the box and carefully tucked the empty box into her bag as if it were a holy relic.
Her face was still stained with tears, and I’m sure mine was no different. But we were finally calm enough to speak.
"…Sob… Kazunari-san, please. This pendant… I want you to put it on me."
She held the pendant out to me, cradling it in both palms. I understood what she wanted. I took it from her, unfastened the clasp, and reached around her neck—almost like a hug—to secure it.
"……There. It looks perfect on you."
"Kazunari-san……… I…"
Neither of us could find the words. Sara-san’s face was still wet with tears, but they were so beautiful they looked like shimmering jewels to me. I stared at the traces of those jewels in her eyes, and she looked back into mine with equal intensity.
"Sara-san…"
"Kazunari-san…"
She looked up at me from inches away. With tears still glistening on her lashes, she slowly closed her eyes.
Following my own heart, I leaned in.
On that day, for the first time, we shared a true kiss.