After finishing their lunch, Shido and Kurumi continued their date, strolling through the city with smiles that never left their faces. From charming little boutiques to cozy bookshops, they visited various spots, simply enjoying each other's company. Laughter came easily, and every step they took together seemed to bring them closer.
Eventually, Shido brought Kurumi to an aquarium, a place neither of them had ever been before.
The moment they stepped inside, both of their eyes lit up in wonder. The cool, dim atmosphere was filled with the soft glow of illuminated tanks, casting shifting reflections across the floor as vibrant schools of fish swam by.
Without even thinking, Shido reached for Kurumi's hand and she let him. Their fingers interlaced naturally as they wandered from tank to tank, gazing in awe at the colorful fishes.
Shido had been uncertain at first. He knew Kurumi adored animals, but fish were… different. Cold, quiet, emotionless, or so he thought. He hadn't been sure if this kind of place would appeal to her.
But he needn't have worried as Kurumi was utterly captivated.
Her crimson eye shimmered with delight as she watched tiny jellyfish drift like glowing ghosts, or exotic fish darting between coral formations. Every so often, soft giggles escaped her lips, pure, unguarded, and entirely genuine.
Watching her like that, Shido felt his heart grow warmer.
'She's really enjoying this… I'm glad.'
And so, hand in hand, they wandered beneath the gentle lights of the aquarium, letting the soft sound of water and distant whale calls lull them into a peaceful, magical kind of moment.
"A dolphin show?" Kurumi murmured, her eyes catching on a brightly colored poster displayed on the wall.
"Hm?" Shido turned to look at her.
They were walking hand in hand through the bustling passageway of the aquarium, surrounded by other visitors coming and going. Despite the crowd, neither of them had let go of each other's hand, not even for a second.
As they rounded a corner, the cheerful poster advertising the dolphin show made Kurumi pause. Her gaze lingered on the image of the leaping dolphins, thoughtful and a bit curious.
Shido noticed the shift in her expression and tilted his head. "Do you want to watch it?" he asked gently.
"Can we?" she responded, her voice laced with excitement, as if unsure whether it was really okay to ask.
When Shido nodded with a warm smile, Kurumi's eyes sparkled, her whole face lighting up. She grasped his hand more tightly, her earlier elegance giving way to genuine, unfiltered joy.
Shido chuckled softly, charmed by how expressive she had become. "Alright. Let's go grab seats before it gets crowded."
"Let's go!" Kurumi exclaimed, eyes gleaming with excitement.
Before Shido could respond, she grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the outdoor stadium where the dolphin show was being held. Shido stumbled slightly but quickly regained his balance, chuckling softly as he allowed himself to be dragged along, amused by how energetic Kurumi had suddenly become.
By the time they arrived, the show had just begun.
A cheerful host stood near the pool, speaking into a microphone while the dolphins leapt gracefully from the water, performing incredible tricks that drew gasps and applause from the audience. They jumped through hoop rings, twirled in midair, and even danced side by side to the rhythm of upbeat music.
Kurumi's eyes sparkled with delight.
She clapped enthusiastically, a radiant smile lighting up her face as she watched the dolphins perform. Each jump and spin seemed to fill her with even more awe, her usual calm replaced by the kind of pure joy rarely seen from her.
"They're so cute…" she whispered to herself, completely immersed in the moment. Her expression was one like a child seeing magic for the first time.
Shido, meanwhile, found himself smiling, not at the dolphins, but at her.
'She really loves this… I'm glad I brought her here.'
"Haaa~ That was so fun!" Kurumi said with a beaming smile, walking beside Shido as they left the dolphin show area.
Afterward, the two continued exploring the aquarium, visiting the exhibits they hadn't seen earlier, staring in awe at giant sea turtles, admiring the colorful coral reefs, and even giggling at the playful antics of the otters. It was a peaceful, leisurely stroll filled with small moments of joy.
Eventually, as the afternoon sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting a golden hue over the city, Shido led Kurumi toward their next destination, the amusement park.
Unlike most couples who usually visited in the morning or midday, Shido had deliberately chosen this timing. He believed that arriving when the sun was setting would create a more romantic atmosphere. The soft amber light, the gentle breeze, and the glow of the park's lights slowly flickering to life, it all felt like something out of a dream.
Kurumi's eyes lit up as they stepped through the entrance. It was her first time visiting an amusement park, and her curiosity was visible in the way her gaze darted from ride to ride, soaking in the colorful scenery.
"This place… it's more lively than I imagined." she murmured, her tone full of wonder.
Shido on the other hand had been here with Tohka and Origami when they go on their dates so he was familiar what rides would be interesting.
Meanwhile, speaking of Tohka and Origami…
The two girls were still wandering aimlessly inside the haunted house, completely lost after trying (and failing) to follow Shido and Kurumi without being noticed.
"Don't cling to me." Origami said flatly, casting her usual emotionless gaze toward Tohka who was currently latched onto her arm like a terrified koala.
If her Reiryoku wasn't sealed then she would have already pulled her Sandalphon and reduce this haunted house to pile of rubbles.