Aquarium Date Beneath the Warm Autumn Sun
Under the warm autumn sunlight, Vita and Carlyle arrived intimately at a local landmark embracing the blue sea: the Churauni Large Aquarium.
Churauni Large Aquarium
A massive whale shark model greeted them alongside the signboard—the aquarium's iconic symbol.
"Whoa—"
Vita let out a short gasp of admiration, gripping Carlyle's hand at the sheer size. It was enormous, even accounting for it being a whale model. Tourists swarmed the place—mostly families and couples.
"There are so many people."
Her face lit up with excitement, like a fawn venturing into the woods for the first time, as Vita glanced around curiously.
"It's Friday afternoon—of course there are."
"R-Really...? I always at this time..."
At Carlyle's casual remark, Vita paused briefly, a memory surfacing.
Fridays in the afternoon were...
Time spent holed up at home binge-watching anime. She'd power through the season's new shows. Sometimes she'd invite her junior, Lou, but even then, it was just sitting together watching anime.
In short, Friday afternoons had always been Vita's dedicated anime time at home. Maybe she'd been too antisocial. Time for a little self-reflection.
"I usually just stay home..."
Vita mumbled sheepishly to Carlyle, who chuckled softly.
"You're secretly such a homebody."
Homebody girl, not boy...
Vita thought, then shook her head vigorously.
...No, no. I am a girl now.
Being a homebody girl was fine! "Yeah, maybe," she said with a grin, linking arms with him. Moments like this, when Carlyle treated her fully as a girl, filled her with joy.
"First time here—I'm excited."
But as she said it, something crossed her mind.
"Um, but..."
She hesitated to ask. Has he been here before... with someone else?
Vita couldn't help wondering if Carlyle had visited with another girl previously. This was her first time; it'd be nice if it was his too. A simple selfish wish. But she didn't doubt his feelings, so she decided to drop it. As long as he liked her now, that was enough.
"...Nah, nothing. Let's head in!"
But her brief hesitation, the flicker of uncertainty—somehow Carlyle caught it. As Vita put on a cheerful front, he grabbed her cheeks.
"Wh-What...!"
"You're always so damn cute. Jealous right now?"
"J-Jealous...?!"
The unfamiliar word made Vita puff her cheeks.
"Jealous my ass—!"
Deep down, she knew it was true—which made her deny it harder. She squirmed in his embrace.
"Let go, let me go..."
Everyone was staring. Undeterred, Carlyle pulled her closer.
"It shows all over your face. No point hiding it."
"F-Fine, I get it..."
Busted already. Vita's face flushed red.
"And this is my first time too."
An unexpected confession. First time at an aquarium? First aquarium date? Vita's mood soared, her lips curving into a grin despite herself. But no way she'd show it.
"...Wasn't that curious anyway."
"Really?"
"Yeah, really."
Carlyle chuckled and finally released the hug.
"No need for that kind of jealousy."
What a weird thing to say.
"The me before you and the me after—we're completely different people."
"Whoa, just now..."
Vita blanked out. He delivered cringey lines so smoothly with that handsome face.
"...You sounded like an anime protagonist."
"Is that a compliment?"
As if. Carlyle could be cheesy sometimes. But his sincerity shone through, and Vita loved anime anyway. Cheesiness meant he was honest with his emotions, straightforward. In a relationship, that openness might be a good thing. Secretly, Vita liked this side of him. She often held back her feelings due to pointless pride.
So, ultimately...
"I let it slide 'cause it's you."
Her face tinted pink as she said it. Carlyle chuckled, stroking her hair, and Vita's mood lifted.
Crosio's Sea
The aquarium exhibit bore that name, boasting an overwhelming massive tank before their eyes. Whale sharks glided gracefully inside, like something out of a book, while stingrays flapped their wing-like fins.
"Wow..."
"Amazing."
Not just Vita—others around murmured in awe too. It felt like they'd plunged into the ocean depths themselves. Friday afternoons with someone special, on a date like this—it was all new to Vita. She'd usually be watching anime, but this was fresh and fun. Being with Carlyle made it better. Just enjoying it. Holding hands. Walking hand-in-hand. Vita glanced up at him slyly and smiled faintly.
"Feels like another world."
She shared her feelings, seeking agreement, confirmation he was enjoying it too.
Carlyle nodded with a soft smile. "Yeah, it does."
Then, out of nowhere: "But you're not scared here, surprisingly."
"...What do you take me for?"
Vita shot him an exasperated look.
"It's dark, and look at that glass."
He pointed at the tank's glass wall.
"What if it shatters? Ever think about that?"
He grinned playfully. But Vita froze a bit. She hadn't until now.
...Now that you mention it.
Suddenly, she felt like a total scaredy-cat. Imagining it made it spooky. The awe of nature's mystery shifted. What if the glass broke? Everyone inside would be fish food in seconds. So overwhelming, the vast power of nature—humans were so small, so fragile. Vita's vivid imagination jumped to conclusions: disaster. Unlikely, sure, but...
What if that slim chance hits?
A chill ran through her. "H-Hey, why bring that up...?" Bianca's face paled slightly. Carlyle burst out laughing. So fun to tease.
"Wanna bail?"
Vita shook her head. She knew he was just messing with her. Scary? A little. Not a big deal.
"I'm not a kid, y'know?"
She knew the odds were nil. Her overactive imagination and worrywart nature just spooked her mildly.
"...You're awful."
She pouted, pinching his side. "Bad taste, you."
Carlyle just chuckled, no denial. Vita couldn't stay mad and laughed too.
"But since you're here, I can tough it out. Got it?"
With Carlyle by her side, she'd be fine no matter what. Even a disaster movie scenario. They toured the rest of the exhibit hand-in-hand, admiring colorful fish.
"Look, that one. Yellow stripes. Isn't that Nemo?!"
"What's Nemo?"
"No way. You don't know Finding Nemo? Super famous movie..."
Bianca pouted in disappointment. -You're hopeless. Her expression said it all. Carlyle scratched his jaw innocently and offered the perfect solution.
"Wanna watch it together...?"
"Yeah? Great idea."
Her face brightened; she snuggled into his arms. "It's so good..." Carlyle knew how to handle his girlfriend. To onlookers, maybe—but really, he was whipped. Embracing her warm form, he gave a wry smile.
I'm in deep.
One look, one gesture from Bianca Shama, and he'd do anything she wanted. Marriage might mean being henpecked? Future worries. Vita chattered on lively; Carlyle responded warmly. Like any sweet couple, they finished the exhibit amiably.
Starlit Sea Passage
Next, the tank tunnel—literally a tunnel-shaped aquarium. Holding hands felt snug in the narrow space. One-way traffic, too. In the darkness, jellyfish floated mysteriously, waves sparkling dreamily. No wonder the name.
"So... pretty..."
In the ethereal mood, Vita thought: Just us two in the world. So quiet, beautiful. Their joined hands tickled. Shoulders brushing made her flinch. But she loved every bit.
Their eyes met.
"..."
Yeah. She realized: He's always looking at me like...
Carlyle Schultz gazed with raw longing, affection overflowing.
And... so...
This guy was dangerous. Vita knew he was handsome, but this much? The tank glowed, but shadows played on his face in the dim tunnel. She felt it anew: he was stunning. Staring dazedly, she snapped out and looked down.
Wh-What...
I knew he was hot! But different now. More embarrassing, yet magnetic. Couldn't look away. Maybe her heart was fully a girl's now. Gradually becoming more feminine, and with their relationship deepening...
I finally accepted it...
Everything about him was perfect. Not just looks—she hadn't even noticed them before. If it was only his face, she wouldn't have chosen this. But now, heart fully girly, she saw: Why's he so pointlessly... Perfect. First date, he'd dressed up too. Thrilling, disorienting.
...Dangerous. Really dangerous.
Carlyle was lost too. In the dreamy tunnel, her delicate features, flushed cheeks, shy expression on her usually prim face. Amethyst eyes reflected only him.
'I love you, Carlyle.'
Full of trust and anticipation. How he'd found her, won her—through trials. Nearly lost her. Glad he hadn't.
"Bianca..."
Words caught; her soft shoulder, small hand overwhelmed him. So cute, lovable—Bianca Shama chose him. More than expected on a first date; emotions swelled. Silence fell. Just them in the world—speechless.
"Carlyle, earlier..."
"I was a little jealous. But now I'm good."
"...Yeah? Why?"
"'Cause... you always only look at me?"
A flower-like smile bloomed. Carlyle couldn't hold back. Breaths mingled. Lips met wetly; bodies pressed closer. A long kiss in the dreamy tunnel.
It lasted ages.
"Hey, you two—! This isn't the place!"
"Ah, ack...!"
Chased out by security—not surprising.
The aquarium date wrapped up nicely. They even dined at a cozy nearby spot.
"Famous pasta place."
"Pasta...?"
Vita secretly thought eating pasta out was a sin. Be rational with spending. As a home cook, she knew the cheap costs. Last time with Shasha:
[Shasha, listen. Pasta's ingredients are dirt cheap, right?]
[Eh, really...?]
She'd ranted about bad value. But Carlyle picked it for her—Vita devoured happily. Pasta was fine with him. A bit wasteful, but joyful.
After, Vita tried paying—her treat, naturally.
Thwack—Carlyle flicked her forehead lightly.
"Guys pay for this."
"Where's that rule from..."
She tried, but he paid first.
"Think of it as bento payback."
That eased her. She made his lunches daily.
"Gotta put more love into those bentos from now on."
Carlyle smiled warmly, petting her head. Vita grinned, linking arms. His touch felt affectionate. She'd chosen womanhood for him alone—his love thrilled her.
Naturally, they headed next. They'd be together till night—both wanted it.
"Came out great. Pretty good."
Walking, Vita couldn't stop staring at the photo in her hand.
"Like it that much, Bianca?"
"I-I do not...!"
She loved it tons—couldn't let go. Gifts from Carlyle today: Nemo plush safe in her pocket from the entrance stall. She'd ogled it; he'd bought it unnoticed.
C-Cute...
Perfect for phone charm. And the photo... Grinning uncontrollably. A couple shot of them. Who'd think she'd do a purikura booth thing?
In the four-panel pic, they clung like a couple. They were, but still novel.
-Try this hat? Penguin, then whale shark.
-Kid stuff... Slight pout there.
-What...? Carlyle, calling me childish? Wear it alone then?
-...No, Bianca.
He'd refused, but her sulk got him wearing it reluctantly. He hadn't wanted to.
"Gonna treasure this forever!"
"Your face looks wrecked."
"Whoa, epic... Doesn't suit you at all."
She chattered excitedly alone. Carlyle rubbed his temple, pained. She waved the photo, giggling pointedly—pure happiness. Good enough.
Their first date: resounding success. Not quite over. Vita quieted, realizing.
"S-So... where to now?"
"Not sending you home tonight."
Carlyle smirked his plan; Vita blushed, nodding faintly.