Chapter 28: The Me That Exists for You
The restaurant inside the aquarium is exquisitely decorated.
The walls are covered with light gray wood paneling, resembling a small wooden house by the seaside, creating a warm yet elegant atmosphere.
Several pendant lights shaped like sea shells hang from the ceiling, casting soft light through the translucent lampshades onto each table.
The dining tables and chairs are made of dark solid wood, paired with soft sea blue cushions, blending well with the overall style while adding a touch of ocean feel.
After Kanade and Nagino sat down, they noticed that all the surrounding guests were couples.
Kanade couldn’t help but sigh that the aquarium is truly a rendezvous paradise.
The lively atmosphere inevitably made Kanade a little tense.
However, unexpectedly, it wasn’t unpleasant.
Perhaps it was because a girl he cared about was sitting directly across from him.
Nagino’s adorable face was still flushed.
It seemed she was a bit self-conscious due to the previous incident.
Noticing his gaze, she pouted and tilted her head up:
“Kanade-kun, just now—”
“I didn’t hear anything, I didn’t hear anything at all, okay?”
“But I haven’t said anything yet—!”
“Ah, ah, this ocean-style burger looks good. What do you want to eat, little Nagino?”
Kanade awkwardly changed the subject, handing the menu to Nagino.
“Fried chicken.”
“Eh?”
Nagino’s answer surprised Kanade a bit.
“Are you really going to eat fried chicken at the aquarium?”
There was indeed such a dish on the menu.
But whether it’s a signature dish or a recommended dish.
It should be something related to seafood.
Although he knew Nagino liked fried chicken, did she really need to order this at the aquarium?
“Because…,” Nagino leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice.
Her posture emphasized the deep and alluring curve of her chest.
Kanade had to squeeze out some rationality and awkwardly shift his gaze away.
“In an aquarium where all kinds of fish are swimming around, why would you want to order seafood…?
Wouldn’t it ruin the mood during the visit?” It felt like visiting a food farm, Nagino added softly.
“Y-You’re right…”
Kanade had to agree with her.
Just the thought of the fish behind the glass, possibly being something he had just eaten, made his mood quite delicate.
“It’s just like how a fried chicken shop would have a little chick mascot holding a chicken leg shouting ‘I’m delicious!’ That’s sinister!”
Nagino concluded.
Thus, both of them ordered something completely unrelated to seafood.
And two glasses of “Ocean Special Drink” that presented a sea blue appearance.
Although he didn’t know what it was made of, it tasted surprisingly good.
At the same time, Kanade also noticed.
Today, Nagino was eating with a more reckless and childlike gusto than usual; he wasn’t sure if it was to cover up her earlier embarrassment.
Clearly looking like a noble and elegant young lady, yet she was eating fried chicken pieces with a fork like a child, showing a happy smile.
The contrast between the two aspects.
Made Kanade find Nagino unexpectedly adorable.
His mood also brightened up.
After entering the aquarium.
Kanade distinctly felt that Nagino was more childlike than usual.
He had read about this concept in a book.
It seemed that if a person returned to an environment they often stayed in during childhood, they would inevitably reveal a childlike side.
“Kanade-kun, this is specially for you—ah~”
Was she aware that he had been staring at her?
Nagino turned red, pierced a piece of fried chicken, and extended it to Kanade’s mouth.
“T-that…”
Such a feeding act between couples made Kanade’s cheeks blush faintly too.
Was it the influence of the surrounding environment and atmosphere? The usually shy Kanade would have definitely refused, but now he opened his mouth openly.
It was just a regular piece of fried chicken, yet it inexplicably tasted a hundred times better than anything he had eaten before.
……
After they were full, the two held hands and strolled through various exhibition areas.
During this time, Kanade was overly excited by the various fish he had never seen before.
While Nagino, beside him, explained the habits and characteristics of different fish…
“Wait! Shouldn’t it be me introducing things here?” Kanade suddenly realized.
He had spent a lot of time learning about these fish last night.
Why was little Nagino explaining them to him instead?
He absolutely had to demonstrate a reliable side of being a boy! Kanade silently made up his mind.
At that moment, they arrived at the exhibition area of various aquatic animals.
Nagino was standing in front of the seahorse tank, slightly bending forward, smiling widely as she watched the colorful seahorses swimming slowly inside.
Kanade saw it as an opportunity.
“Little Nagino, do you like seahorses? You can ask me anything you’d like to know!”
Nagino lifted her head slightly and looked up at the blushing Kanade, as if she had guessed his little thoughts.
“Indeed… then please tell me, how many amphipods has this seahorse eaten so far?”
“Who would know such trivial details?”
“How cruel… They actually don’t remember the lives they’ve taken. The psychological trauma to the families of the slain amphipods is something that can’t be healed even now.”
“How heavy! The topic has become too grim.”
“By now, do you still want to use ‘the laws of nature’ as an excuse to absolve yourself in front of the judge?”
“What kind of judge would the seahorse species face?”
“It’s Urashima Taro.”
“Suddenly making it sound like a fairy tale!?”
“So Mr. Seahorse, if you don’t want to end up as canned food…” Nagino grinned while twiddling her fingers.
“Openly soliciting a bribe! An absurdly dark fairy tale!?”
In the end, both of them couldn’t help but chuckle.
In the dimly lit aquarium.
The soft light from the tank illuminated Nagino’s cute face.
Kanade couldn’t help but be drawn to her fair, flawless skin and full, glossy pink lips.
Yukino’s words flashed through his mind.
Making him feel increasingly conscious.
“Damn it! It’s all Yukino’s fault for talking nonsense…” Kanade thought to himself.
“Kanade-kun? What’s wrong?” Nagino suddenly leaned closer to Kanade, seemingly curious about his sudden daze.
“Ah… I, I…” Kanade quickly pulled back, his eyes anxiously scanning the surrounding signs for an explanation.
One of the signs made him feel relieved.
“I, I need to go to the restroom…”
“Then, I’ll wait for you nearby, Kanade-kun~”
Nagino waved her hand, watching Kanade’s departing figure.
“Sure enough, the aquarium should be visited by two people…” Nagino sighed softly.
After Kanade left her side.
A hint of loneliness appeared on Nagino’s face.
Then she looked nostalgically at the tank beside her.
They shouldn’t be here.
Just like how she felt she didn’t belong here.
Nagino recalled her mother and the memories of visiting the aquarium with her.
It seemed she was dissatisfied with these fish being “imprisoned” in tanks, believing that life should return to the embrace of the ocean, instead of being on display here for people to admire.
So after that visit, she never accompanied her mother to the aquarium again.
This was undoubtedly a bias.
But for a woman born on an island,
That was her way of viewing life.
Nagino walked in front of one tank after another.
If, as her mother said.
These creatures existed now to be “observed.”
Then the current her.
Was also merely existing to “satisfy” Kanade.
Finally, she seemed to thoughtfully extend her finger.
Gently placing it on her lips.
As if sensing where Kanade had looked at her just now.
……
……
Kawano City.
Heavy rain poured down from the sky.
Garuda and a certain dark figure stood atop a building, staring at each other across the distance.
The crimson eyes represented the identities of both parties as fantasy demons.
“I’m curious, a powerful and noble being like you, would actually yield to mere humans.”
The dark figure broke the silence between them first.
“A revered ancient being like you… Have you truly forgotten our mission?”
“You might not believe it if I told you,” Garuda shrugged humanly at the question, “I was forced to sign a contract of servitude, I have no choice.”
“…Interesting, I can help you.”
“Help me? You mean to supplement my overtime pay?”
“I can help you break the contract with that human and regain your freedom.”
“Really? That’s truly an appealing proposal. And then?”
“Join under my master and let us accomplish our mission together.”
“Just to ask, is your master a beautiful girl?”
“W-what?” The shadow seemed taken aback by Garuda’s unexpected question.
After a pause, it finally came to its senses: “Soon, my master will acquire the perfect vessel; I believe her appearance will please you.”
“I see, that’s a bit regrettable—”
“—Regrettable?”
“Actually, I prefer men more.”
“Wha—” The figure hadn’t finished its sentence when it suddenly separated.
“Also, if you want to steal a man, shouldn’t it be done by the original person?”
Garuda’s cold crimson eyes stared intently at the dark mass lying on the ground.
The shadow reformed into a mass and resumed its human shape.
“Now, let me propose something.” Garuda said.
“Now tell me your purpose and plan, I’ll make it quick for you.”
“Ha ha ha, what an interesting proposal—!” The shadow opened its mouth wide and laughed wildly.
“But to speak frankly, with just you, you are far from being my master’s match.”
“How coincidental.” Garuda spread his wings, took a step back, and floated in mid-air.
“I share the same opinion as you—”
The wild wind and the shadow.
In this moment.
Intertwined above Kawano City.
…..
…..
[1 Hour Remaining Until the Star Falls]
