The sea tunnel stretched before them like a gateway to another world. Thick, curved glass arched overhead, forming a transparent path through deep blue water. Sharks glided silently above, their silhouettes casting shifting shadows across the floor. Rays danced like ghosts through beams of filtered sunlight, and clusters of fish swirled by like shimmering ribbons.
Shin and Yuki stepped inside, their voices falling away in the hush of awe.
Yuki walked slowly, head tilted up, lips parted as he stared at the massive shark cruising just a few feet above him.
"Whoa…" he whispered. "It's like we're inside the ocean…"
Shin smiled beside him. "You look like you're about to cry."
"I'm not!" Yuki huffed, cheeks puffed adorably. "It's just… I didn't think it'd be this beautiful."
"I kinda like seeing you like this," Shin said, eyes following Yuki instead of the sharks. "Soft. Glowing. Starry-eyed."
Yuki's ears turned a dangerous shade of pink. "S-Stop that! You're embarrassing me!"
Shin leaned a little closer, his voice a low whisper. "What, you don't want me to call you cute in front of the sharks?"
Yuki glared at him. "They'll spread rumors."
"I'll make sure the manta rays keep it quiet."
A muffled giggle echoed down the tunnel. Ai and Aiko trailed behind at a careful distance, watching. Ai had her arms folded, frowning.
"He's too close to Yuki," she grumbled. "This is getting way too romantic."
Aiko tilted her head. "You jealous?"
"Of course I am! That's my Onii-chan. He used to only go to aquariums with me and hold my hand…"
Aiko smirked. "Then why don't you go pull him away?"
Ai sighed, a rare pout on her face. "No. He's happy. Even if it's not with me right now, I can tell…"
Aiko raised an eyebrow.
"…But I'm not giving up," Ai added quickly, voice firmer. "Not after last night. Or this morning."
Aiko's brow twitched. "Tch. Bragging again."
Ai turned to her, arms behind her back, swaying slightly with a smug grin. "You started it. I'm just saying~ Onii-chan kissed me first thing in the morning. With tongue."
Aiko scoffed. "Big deal. Shin and I shared our first real kiss. The kind that makes your knees go weak."
Ai's eyes gleamed. "But did you do it after?"
"Wha—!?"
Ai leaned in, lips curving. "Because we did. All night. And a bit after breakfast too. Right before coming here."
Aiko nearly choked. "Y-You're lying."
Ai just smirked. "Try asking him~"
Back in the tunnel, Yuki reached a section where the floor was transparent too. The entire path looked like a suspended walkway in the middle of the sea. He paused, crouching a little, peering down at a group of tiny sharks swimming under his feet.
"It's like I'm walking on water," he murmured.
Shin stood behind him, watching quietly. Then, without thinking, he rested a hand gently on Yuki's head—his fingers threading through the soft strands of hair.
Yuki blinked, looking up.
"…Shin?"
"Mm?" Shin didn't remove his hand.
Yuki's heart skipped. "You're being weird."
"I know."
"Why are you touching my hair?"
"Because I want to." Shin crouched beside him, facing the same view. "Because you're here. Because I like you like this."
Yuki stared at him, wide-eyed.
Then, Shin added with a crooked smirk, "Also, because we're boys, right? And boys touch each other's heads and talk about girls and stuff."
Yuki squinted. "You spanked me earlier."
"And?"
"...You said that's what boys do."
"Exactly."
Yuki flushed, ears red again. "You're impossible."
Shin grinned and gently bumped his shoulder. "But you're not running away."
"…Maybe I don't want to," Yuki said under his breath, almost too quiet to hear.
But Shin heard.
And he didn't say anything—just smiled faintly, eyes a little softer, as they stayed there a moment longer in the glow of blue water and drifting fish.
Eventually, the exit appeared ahead—bright light spilling in from the end of the tunnel.
Yuki turned to Shin, stretching his arms. "That was amazing…"
"Glad you liked it," Shin said, slipping a hand casually into his pocket. "Hey… wanna keep going?"
"Huh? There's more?"
"Not here." Shin smiled. "There's a mall nearby. Pretty big one. Got games, food, maybe a few surprises."
Yuki blinked. "...Are you asking me out again?"
Shin shrugged, eyes twinkling. "Call it what you want."
Yuki bit his lip to stop the smile. "Then yeah. Let's go."
Behind them, Ai and Aiko watched in silent tension.
"…This isn't over," Aiko muttered.
Ai smiled sweetly. "No. But I think I'm winning."
---
The mall's glass doors whooshed open, letting in a burst of cool air. The moment Shin and Yuki stepped inside, they were greeted by bright lights, chatter, and the distant sounds of arcade machines and music drifting from different stores.
Yuki glanced around, eyes wide. "Whoa… this place is huge."
Shin smirked. "Told you. Got everything from food courts to fashion to overpriced bubble tea."
Yuki wrinkled his nose. "Overpriced anything sounds like a crime."
"And yet, I'm treating you today, so technically… you're an accomplice."
Yuki gave him a side-eye. "Just don't expect me to hold your hand or anything. It's not a real date."
Shin raised an eyebrow, casually brushing his hand against Yuki's. "Not a date, huh?"
Yuki jolted slightly, ears turning pink again. "S-Stop teasing!"
"Can't help it. You're cute when you're flustered."
From behind a decorative plant near the entrance, two familiar silhouettes watched.
Aiko leaned closer, peeking between leaves. "Look at him. Smiling. Laughing. Yuki's totally taking all the good moments…"
Ai narrowed her eyes. "It's okay. Next time, I'll come with Onii-chan. We'll have a real couple experience. Maybe get matching rings…"
Aiko smirked. "He already kissed me first. Rings or not, that memory lives forever."
Ai pouted. "But does your memory involve snuggling under the blanket while holding each other? Because mine does."
Aiko opened her mouth, paused, then frowned. "…You brat."
Meanwhile, Shin and Yuki had wandered into a sleek men's clothing store. Rows of jackets, shirts, and pants lined the shelves like a fashion gallery.
Shin immediately walked over to a rack of button-ups. "You'd look good in this," he said, pulling out a white shirt with light blue floral patterns.
Yuki blinked. "Huh? That's… girly."
"Exactly," Shin smirked. "But on you, it'd be cute."
Yuki swatted his arm. "I'm a boy, remember?"
"And you look great as one. Just one with soft features, delicate shoulders, and—ow!"
Yuki had jabbed him in the side with a hanger.
"Okay, okay, I'm done!" Shin laughed, holding up his hands. "But seriously, try it. You'll like it."
Grumbling, Yuki took the shirt and disappeared into the changing room.
A few minutes later, he emerged, tugging at the sleeves awkwardly. The shirt fit perfectly—slightly loose, falling just below his hips, the floral design accentuating the gentle curve of his collarbone.
Shin stared.
"…D-Don't stare," Yuki mumbled, fidgeting. "It's weird."
Shin stepped closer, tilting his head. "You look… really good."
Yuki's heart thumped.
"…Y-You should try something too," he said, quickly turning to the nearest rack. "Let's see… what's the most expensive looking thing here…"
Shin chuckled. "You trying to make me suffer?"
Yuki grinned in revenge. "Maybe."
Eventually, Yuki picked out a sleek black jacket with a mandarin collar and a fitted dark wine-red shirt to go with it. Shin raised a brow.
"Bold choice."
"Try it," Yuki said, crossing his arms.
Shin disappeared into the changing room.
When he stepped out, Yuki's jaw nearly dropped. Shin looked like he walked out of a fashion magazine. The fitted shirt emphasized his toned frame, and the jacket made him look taller—sleeker. Mature.
Yuki gulped.
"…You look hot."
Shin raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Oh? No stuttering?"
Yuki turned bright red. "I-I mean! I-it suits you! D-Don't get the wrong idea!"
Shin stepped closer, his grin growing. "So you do think I'm hot?"
Yuki turned away fast. "I said no such thing!"
"Mm-hm."
Just as they were about to head to the accessory section, Yuki felt a flick on his lower back.
"Did you just—!?" he spun around.
Shin smirked. "Boys do that to each other, remember?"
Yuki puffed his cheeks, but the smile he tried to hide betrayed him.
From behind a decorative rack, Ai and Aiko were still watching—both holding half-eaten pretzels now.
"…They're flirting," Aiko whispered.
"…More than flirting," Ai added. "He let Onii-chan dress him. That's intimate."
"I could dress Shin too."
"Yeah, but would he stare at you like that?" Ai asked, mouth curling.
Aiko didn't answer.
Meanwhile, Yuki and Shin were now browsing the accessory section, picking out matching bracelets as a joke—though both silently kept theirs.
And though neither said it out loud, the air between them was definitely shifting. Like something was waiting to bloom.
Something inevitable.
---
END OF CHAPTER : 38 : TUNNEL OF SHARK, TUNNEL OF HEART!
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