The sea lion amphitheater wasn't too crowded—just enough people to blend into. Shin and Yuki took their seats on a bench near the center, perfect view of the stage, close enough for splash danger.
"This is the splash zone, you know," Yuki murmured, clutching the program with wide eyes. "We're gonna get wet."
Shin grinned, lounging back with his arms stretched behind the bench. "So what? I thought you liked getting wet."
Yuki whipped his head around, face bright red. "W-What kind of line is that?!"
"An aquarium line," Shin said coolly. "Why, what did you think I meant?"
"I—I didn't think anything—shut up!"
Shin laughed, the deep rumble of it echoing under the metal roof. He leaned in closer, brushing a stray lock of hair behind Yuki's ear. "You're already red. The show hasn't even started yet."
Yuki clutched the program tighter, his knuckles whitening. "D-Don't sit so close…!"
"Why not? You're the one who said this was a non-date, remember?" Shin smirked. "You should be comfortable."
From a few rows behind, Ai and Aiko had taken seats slightly apart, arms crossed in perfect mirror stance, glaring down like silent hawks.
"He's totally flirting," Aiko muttered under her breath.
Ai popped a caramel candy into her mouth. "That's just how Onii-chan plays. He makes you feel special so you'll melt in his hands."
"You sound like you're talking from experience."
"I am." Ai smirked. "He flirts, but he doesn't tease everyone in bed."
Aiko flinched, her composure cracking. "You two… don't… actually…"
Ai tilted her head innocently. "You think I'd lie about something like that?"
"You're bluffing," Aiko spat.
Ai smiled and leaned in slowly, her voice lowering to a teasing whisper. "Last night, after brushing his hair, we got in bed… and didn't sleep much. This morning? He woke me up with a kiss. On the lips."
Aiko clenched her fists, face pale. "L-Liar…"
Ai just giggled. "Jealous?"
Aiko looked away, but her jaw was tight. "We kissed first. You'll never change that."
Ai shrugged. "You win the 'first.' I'll keep the 'forever.'"
Back in the splash zone, a trainer came out with a whistle and raised both hands, and the sea lions swam forward like synchronized swimmers. The crowd clapped politely, a few children screamed in delight.
A big sea lion flopped onto the stage, gave a deep bark, and raised a fin.
Yuki's eyes sparkled. "He's waving! Shin, he waved! Look!"
Shin chuckled, watching him more than the sea lion. "You're more excited than the kids here."
Yuki didn't respond. He was bouncing a little, legs swinging under the bench like a kid half his age. His joy was infectious. Shin found himself smiling without even thinking.
Then came the splash. A sea lion launched itself from the water and slammed its body onto the front stage ledge, sending a huge wave toward the center seats.
"WAAAH!" Yuki squeaked, grabbing Shin's arm and hiding his face against his shoulder just in time.
Water hit their legs and shoes, leaving a chilly dampness.
"…You okay?" Shin asked, holding back laughter as Yuki trembled against him.
Yuki peeked out, face pale. "I told you this was the splash zone!"
"You're the one who said yes when I offered the tickets."
"I didn't know you'd throw me into water-based danger!"
Shin reached down, taking Yuki's cold, damp hand and rubbing it between his own. "You'll survive."
Yuki flinched—but didn't pull away.
In the back, Ai saw it. So did Aiko.
"…He never held my hand like that," Aiko muttered, voice cracking slightly.
Ai narrowed her eyes. "That's because you're trying to take his hand. I'm the one he gives it to."
Aiko turned, expression dark. "You seriously think he'll ever choose you like that?"
Ai smiled brightly. "He already has."
A second splash wave hit. Yuki ducked again into Shin's side, hands fisting the sleeve of his hoodie. Shin looked down at the damp boy leaning into him and reached up to ruffle his hair, softly.
The sea lions were putting on a show for the crowd.
But for some hearts in the audience—
The real show was already unfolding.
---
As the sea lion show wrapped up to applause and squeals of delight, the trainers bowed and waved, and the stars of the splash zone flopped back into the water with final barks.
Shin stood, stretching. "Alright, where to next?"
Yuki dusted off his damp hoodie sleeves and looked around, still flustered from the last splash. "Anywhere dry, please…"
Shin chuckled. "Then the jellyfish tunnel it is."
Just a few rows behind, Ai and Aiko remained seated for a beat, watching the two boys walk away. Yuki was still clinging to Shin's arm—innocently, unconsciously. His fingers were looped around the edge of Shin's hoodie sleeve, not letting go.
Aiko leaned forward, squinting. "Does he even realize how clingy he's being?"
Ai popped another caramel in her mouth and giggled. "Nope. That's the best part."
"He's like a girlfriend," Aiko muttered. "Hugging his arm, squealing at animals, tucking into his side like that."
"Like a very cute girlfriend," Ai added with a smirk. "But he doesn't even know it."
"...That's dangerous," Aiko said under her breath. "If he does realize, he'll start falling."
Ai gave her a sideways glance. "What do you mean start?"
---
The jellyfish tunnel was like stepping into an underwater dream.
Soft, ambient music filled the curved glass hallway as glowing orbs floated in the tanks on either side—slow, alien-like movements of translucent jellyfish drifting through electric-blue waters. The lights were dimmed, casting cool shadows across the walkway. Couples walked quietly, speaking in whispers, letting the mood settle in like fog.
Yuki stepped into the space with wide, sparkling eyes. "Wah…"
His fingers slid back into Shin's sleeve again, pulling it just slightly—this time on purpose.
Shin looked down, watching Yuki's expression. His hair glowed faintly under the tank light, lips parted in awe. He looked enchanted.
"You really like this stuff, huh," Shin said quietly.
"It's… so pretty," Yuki whispered. "I feel like I'm in a dream…"
Shin didn't reply. He was too busy watching Yuki's face.
They walked slowly, passing tank after tank. Jellyfish in every shape and size floated behind the glass like living lanterns. A soft gasp escaped Yuki's lips when a giant white one with neon-blue tips floated by, almost brushing the glass.
He squeezed Shin's arm unconsciously again. "Did you see that one?!"
"Yeah," Shin said, amused. "But I'm looking at something prettier."
Yuki turned his head quickly, and blinked. "Huh?"
Shin tilted his head. "You."
Yuki's breath caught. "Wha—?!"
Then he looked down. At his hand. Still holding Shin's sleeve. Still pressing his side against Shin's body. Still leaning close, like they were—
His eyes widened.
"I—uh—I'm—!!" he let go instantly, stumbling a step away. "S-Sorry! I didn't— I mean—!"
Shin raised a brow. "You just noticed?"
"I wasn't trying to! I-I didn't mean to act like that!"
"Like what?" Shin teased. "Like a cute girlfriend?"
Yuki's face exploded in red. "I—! I—! Shut up!"
He turned his back to Shin and faced the jellyfish tank, breathing rapidly, hands fidgeting.
From the end of the tunnel, Ai leaned against the frame of the entrance and whispered smugly, "He finally noticed."
Aiko narrowed her eyes. "And now he's panicking. That's good."
"Good for me, maybe." Ai smiled. "He's clinging to my Onii-chan like that. And once he realizes he wants to, not just accidentally…?"
She smirked. "He's finished."
Aiko scowled. "We'll see about that."
Inside the tunnel, Yuki still stood stiffly facing the glass. Shin walked up behind him, his voice low and velvety.
"You don't have to let go, you know."
"I—I wasn't trying to hold on!"
"You do it a lot," Shin murmured. "It's cute."
Yuki's heart thudded. His reflection in the glass showed his flustered face, burning ears, and Shin standing just behind him, tall and warm.
"I'm not a girl…" Yuki mumbled.
Shin smiled softly. "Didn't say you were."
There was silence.
Just the soft music.
Just the floating jellyfish.
And their reflections—
One shy and glowing.
The other calm, watching, waiting.
---
The tunnel shimmered with bluish light as the jellyfish drifted like glowing ghosts, floating slowly in their glassy world.
Yuki tried to compose himself, hands clenched at his sides. His heart was still hammering from Shin's last line.
He's so close… and his voice… why is he always teasing me like that?
"I'm not a girl…" Yuki repeated stubbornly, still looking at his own red face in the reflection.
Behind him, Shin grinned.
"I know," Shin said, stepping even closer. "You're a boy. A real one."
Yuki blinked. "Then stop treating me like a girl…"
"Oh? So you want me to treat you like a guy?"
Yuki turned, suspicious. "What does that mean?"
Shin raised an eyebrow. "It means… if we're both guys, we should talk like guys, right?"
"…Talk like guys?"
"Yeah." Shin leaned against the glass beside him, arms crossed. "You know. Real guy stuff. Like…"
He lowered his voice, smirking. "You into girls with big boobs or cute faces?"
"W-WHAT?!" Yuki flailed. "Why would you—?!"
Shin laughed. "C'mon. Every guy has a type. You like them tall and sexy? Or small and clingy?"
"I'm not answering that!"
"Alright, alright," Shin said, chuckling. "Then I'll go first. I like girls with long legs and a good sense of humor. Also girls who get embarrassed easily."
Yuki narrowed his eyes. "That sounds weirdly specific…"
"I wonder who I'm thinking of…" Shin mused aloud, clearly teasing.
"Sh-Shin!"
Shin tilted his head. "Fine. Your turn. Ever had a dirty dream?"
"I—! That's not—! I'm not talking about that in public!!"
Shin leaned closer. "So that's a yes."
"NO—!"
"Liar," Shin whispered in his ear.
Yuki shivered.
"I-I'm not lying! And even if I did… It was… it wasn't about a girl!"
"Oh?" Shin leaned in, amused. "So it was about someone."
Yuki's eyes widened in horror. "W-Wait, I didn't say that!"
Shin looked far too entertained. "Was it me?"
"NO!"
"Was it Ai-chan?"
"NO!!"
"…Aiko?"
"I SAID NO!!"
Shin burst into laughter. Yuki covered his face with both hands, burning red.
"Ughhh… you're the worst," Yuki groaned.
Shin patted his head. "But you're being a guy now. See? Talking naughty things. Being honest. I'm proud of you."
"This doesn't count as guy talk!!"
"Sure it does," Shin shrugged. "We're bonding. Like bros."
"I don't wanna bond like this!!"
Shin smirked and pulled Yuki's hoodie over his head playfully, making Yuki squeak.
"You're too easy, you know that?" Shin murmured.
Yuki peeked out from under his hoodie, lips trembling. "You're a jerk…"
Shin chuckled. "But a jerk who bought you ice cream and brought you to see jellyfish."
"…Shut up."
From the edge of the tunnel, Ai leaned forward, still watching.
"They're flirting," she whispered.
"That's not flirting," Aiko said, arms crossed.
"It is when Onii-chan does it. Look at how red Yuki's face is. He likes it."
"Tch…"
Ai smiled smugly. "He's breaking down little by little. And you know what happens when boys get flustered?"
"What?"
Ai licked a lollipop slowly. "They stop thinking and start feeling."
Aiko glared. "…That applies to girls too."
Ai giggled. "Then you better be careful."
---
END OF CHAPTER : 37 : GLASS WALLS AND HEARTBEATS! : PART : 2
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