After Picking up a Runaway Girl From the Same University on My Way Home From Work, We Started Living Together in Secret - Chapter 29

Soon after hearing the announcement that the dolphin show would be starting, Risa and I arrived at the venue.

In the center was a large circular pool.

The audience seats, which spread out like stairs, were about half-filled with people.

We found some vacant seats toward the back and sat down, turning our attention to the pool that seemed to be preparing for something.

“At this distance, I don’t think we’ll get wet, but what do you think?”
“This is fine. It looks like we’ll be able to see well.”

As we were talking, the music playing in the venue switched. Staff members appeared from the path leading to the pool, and when they signaled, a swift shadow crossed the pool—

“It jumped!”

The dolphin leapt, splashing water everywhere. It did a flip in midair before diving back into the pool headfirst.

A dolphin, swimming smoothly, swam toward the staff member’s feet, happily swallowing a small fish that was offered as a reward.

Following this, more dolphins appeared, swimming around the pool in synchronized movements. They jumped, swam with the staff member on their backs, and even worked together to launch the staff member into the air after they dived underwater.

Each time, the audience applauded, and children’s cheers filled the air.

Looking at Risa’s profile, it seemed like she was enjoying the dolphin show. But it seemed like she noticed that I was looking.

Risa turned her gaze to me, still with a slightly annoyed expression, and said,

“…Could it be that you think I’m a child?”

She spoke with a faint hint of dissatisfaction. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, so she might have been embarrassed.

“I don’t think age matters much. There’s no need to hide enjoying something. I wouldn’t tease you about it, and I’m having fun too.”

“…That answer feels a little sneaky.”

“Why is that?”

“The way you avoided directly answering my question but ended up agreeing with everything.”

I smiled inwardly at Risa’s expression as she furrowed her brows.

I did admit that I shifted the topic, and I also thought there were childish aspects to her as well.

“But being a college student is a tricky age. It’s hard to distinguish between being an adult or a child. Most of us still have our parents pay for our tuition.”

“Society probably thinks you’re an adult once you turn 20.”

“Either way, I’m still a kid. I’ll turn twenty this year, but my birthday isn’t yet… ah.”

After answering, I suddenly remembered something and hurriedly fell silent.

My birthday is on the anniversary of Risa’s mother’s death.

It wasn’t intentional, but I had said something that reminded her of it, and I regretted it.

Risa probably realized it too. However, she didn’t react excessively and just shook her head.

“Don’t worry about it. But, it’s nice that your family seems to get along so well.”

Her words, spoken quietly, carried a trace of envy that she couldn’t quite hide.

“…If you’re asking whether it’s good or bad, it’s definitely good. My parents are alive. They pay for my tuition, and I live alone. They’ve told me I can always come home if I need to, so I’m well aware that I’m fortunate.”

“A picture-perfect, happy family.”

“Uh, well…”

“So, being with you makes you happy, doesn’t it?”

At that moment, a dolphin splashed the water with a loud sound.

Sparkling droplets flew into the air, and applause echoed through the venue.

At that moment.
At this feeling.

—If I were to define happiness…

“…If this kind of happiness is enough for you, I’m happy to be with you as much as you want.”

“That’s nice. But you know, the aquarium tickets cost about 2000 yen normally, right?”

“…Let’s make it a rare occasion.”

Spending 4000 yen for both of us was a bit too much for a poor student like me.

When I asked from the bottom of my heart, Risa smiled helplessly.

“It seems the dolphin show is over. What should we do?”

“Let’s finish looking around… maybe have dinner somewhere on the way home.”

“I agree.”

As the audience began to leave, we left the show venue too, following the course to continue exploring.

We looked at the sharks swimming in the large tank on the wall.

Risa, looking up at the stingrays swimming overhead, took countless photos, calling them “cute” as she looked at their underside.

Then, she saw the little sea creatures, the garden eels sprouting from the sand, and again started taking pictures, exclaiming, “Cute.”

…Despite her expression not changing much, I felt her eyes were sparkling much more than usual.

I was glad to see she was enjoying herself.

We finished touring the venue and arrived at the souvenir shop.

There were various goods shaped like fish lined up on the shelves.

“Want to buy something as a memento?”

“…Then, that one.”

Risa pointed to a large shark stuffed toy.

Its deformed face was very cute, and it was heartwarming.

I tried looking at the price… it wasn’t exactly cheap, but it wasn’t so expensive that I couldn’t afford it.

“I’ll buy it myself.”

“…I feel pathetic.”

“I promised I would buy it myself, so don’t worry about it.”

Without hesitation, Risa grabbed the stuffed toy from the shelf.

But—since we came here together, I wanted something that would be a memory for both of us.

Only as friends, though.

“What did you like?”

“Sharks.”

Her answer came immediately.

“What about you?”

“I… like penguins.”

“Penguins are good too. But why are you asking?”

“I was thinking of buying a keychain. If I attach it to my house key, I won’t lose it.”

“Good idea. I’ll buy one too.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll pay for this one. You already have the stuffed toy.”

After some hesitation, she agreed with a nod.

We picked out the shark and penguin keychains, went through the register, and left the aquarium.

“Here’s yours, Risa.”

“Thank you. The shark is cute.”

When I handed her the shark keychain, she smiled happily, gazing at it before attaching it to the house key she had.

I also attached mine to my key, and Risa placed hers next to mine.

The shark and penguin keychains swayed together.

“It was fun. Let’s come again.”

“If we do, it seems like there’ll be more stuffed toys.”

“They’re cute, so it can’t be helped.”

Risa smiled innocently, holding the bag with the shark stuffed toy.