126 - A New Way to Call Each Other

RAW

The penguin walk, a popular event at the theme park Haruto and Ayaka were visiting, was in full swing.

A large crowd had gathered along the path to watch the adorable penguins waddle along.

“There are so many people,” Haruto noted.

“Maybe it’ll be easier to see them from over there,” Ayaka suggested, pointing toward a less crowded area.

Holding her hand firmly so they wouldn’t get separated in the crowd, Haruto led her to a spot with fewer people.

“From here, we’ll get a good view,” he said.

“I think this might be the closest I’ve ever been to penguins!” Ayaka exclaimed, her face alight with excitement.

As they reached the rope barrier marking the penguins’ path, Ayaka’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. From afar, about ten penguins began approaching, guided by their caretakers.

The sight of the penguins shuffling along elicited delighted laughter from the crowd, including excited shouts from children.

Next to Haruto, Ayaka’s face lit up as she cheered.

“Haruto, look! The penguins are so cute!”

As the penguins came closer, Ayaka repeated her “So cute!” mantra with increasing enthusiasm.

Seeing her so animated, Haruto’s imagination began to wander.

He thought about sneaking up behind her, wrapping his arms around her, and whispering, “You’re way cuter than the penguins.” But as soon as the thought formed, he shook his head to dispel it.

“What am I, some cheesy romantic?” he muttered to himself, drawing Ayaka’s attention.

“Huh? Did you say something, Haruto?”

“No, nothing. Look, the penguins are right in front of us now.”

“Wow! Look, Haruto!”

As the penguins passed by, Ayaka turned to him, her face beaming.

“They’re so adorable!”

Her smile was so radiant that Haruto’s earlier thoughts resurfaced, unbidden.

“You… watching you enjoy yourself is much cuter, though,” he blurted, his voice low and quick.

“Wha—?!” Ayaka’s face flushed as the words registered. She fidgeted awkwardly, avoiding his gaze.

“Th-thank you…”

“Yeah…”

Both avoided looking at each other, stealing glances at the penguins as they waddled away.

Once the event ended, the crowd began to disperse. Haruto and Ayaka moved a beat later.

“Shall we check out the aquarium over there?” Haruto suggested, pointing at a nearby building.

“Y-yeah, let’s do that,” Ayaka replied, still flustered.

The theme park featured several aquariums, each with unique exhibits. The one they entered housed a massive tank filled with various species of fish swimming gracefully.

Among them, a school of sardines stood out, moving in unison as if they were a single living entity.

“Wow! Look, Haruto! That’s amazing!” Ayaka exclaimed, pressing herself against the tank’s glass as she watched the spectacle.

“That school of sardines is huge!”

“According to the pamphlet, this is the largest sardine exhibit in the country,” Haruto informed her.

“Really? How many are there?”

“About fifty thousand, apparently.”

“Fifty thousand?!” Ayaka’s eyes widened in surprise.

Haruto, meanwhile, stared at the sardines with a hand on his chin.

“That’s a lot of sardines. If we had that many, we’d never run out of ideas—sashimi, grilled, kabayaki, fishball soup in winter, simmered in soy sauce, candied… so many possibilities…”

“Haruto! Stop planning meals with the aquarium fish!” Ayaka protested.

“Sorry, sorry. Sardines are just so versatile. I couldn’t help it,” Haruto chuckled.

“Still… I wouldn’t mind trying your simmered sardines,” Ayaka admitted shyly.

Haruto grinned. “I’ll make sure the bones are soft enough for Ryota to enjoy, too. Sweet and savory—they’ll go great with Shuichi’s drinks.”

“…That sounds delicious…” Ayaka muttered, defeated by the appeal of his cooking.

“I’ll grab some good sardines the next time I see them,” Haruto promised.

“Please do,” she replied, now looking at the sardines with a conflicted expression.

After enjoying the rest of the aquarium, including vibrant tropical fish and fearsome sharks, the pair decided to head to a restaurant for an early lunch.

Browsing the pamphlet, Ayaka asked, “What do you feel like eating, Haruto?”

“How about this place? Their seafood bowls look amazing,” he suggested.

“Seafood, huh?”

“Looking at fish all morning made me crave some,” Haruto admitted with a sheepish smile.

“…I kind of get that. Which is frustrating,” Ayaka pouted playfully.

They chose a seafood restaurant with a view of the ocean and quickly settled in.

“Haruto, what are you getting?” Ayaka asked as she studied the menu.

“The tuna lover’s bowl. What about you?”

“I’m torn between the salmon bowl and the fried horse mackerel set…”

“Why not get the mackerel set? I’ll order the salmon and share it with you,” Haruto offered.

“Are you sure?” Ayaka looked up at him with a soft smile.

“Of course,” Haruto replied warmly.

“Thanks, Haruto. I’ll have the fried mackerel, then,” Ayaka decided.

The two placed their orders, continuing their lighthearted banter as they waited, enjoying the idyllic view of the sea.

Moments like these, Haruto thought, made every day with Ayaka feel like the happiest of his life.