(Friday — Kiyomi's POV, inside the aquarium)
The moment we stepped through the entrance doors, the world changed.
The bright sunlight from outside faded into cool blue light. The air smelled faintly of saltwater, and the walls glowed with soft reflections from the huge aquariums built into them.
Students poured in from the buses, their voices echoing through the large hall.
"Whoa…"
"Look at that tank!"
"Take a picture of me here!"
Hinata grabbed my hand the moment we stepped inside.
Hinata: Come on (She said excitedly).
We walked deeper into the aquarium hand in hand, our footsteps echoing along the polished floor as blue light shimmered around us. Giant tanks stretched across the walls, filled with schools of fish moving like waves of color.
Soon, a woman wearing an aquarium badge stepped in front of us with a bright smile.
Tour Guide: Hello everyone. I see you're already having a lot of fun by looking around. But I can take you deeper. We can explore this place together. I'll show you all the fishes you need to see. Come along and we shall begin this amazing tour.
The students followed her, curiosity lighting up their faces.
She led us from tank to tank, explaining the different species swimming gracefully behind the glass.
Bright tropical fish darted through coral.
Long silver fish glided slowly through deep blue water.
Strange creatures with glowing patterns clung to rocks.
Everywhere we went, the same reactions followed.
"Ohhhh…"
"Ahhhh…"
"Did you see that one?!"
Phones flashed as people recorded videos and took photos.
Time slipped by quietly.
After about an hour, the crowd following the tour guide had grown noticeably smaller. Some students had wandered off to explore other sections of the aquarium.
Most of them were couples.
Unleashed.
Walking together through dim hallways and glowing tanks, trying to create romantic memories with the person they liked.
But Hinata and I were still with the tour guide.
Hinata and I stood together, looking around as the tour guide continued walking ahead, explaining different aquatic species.
Suddenly—
"Pssst."
I turned slightly.
Minato stood by a corner further down the hall.
He leaned a little toward me.
Minato:(Whispering) Come check this out.
I could barely hear what he said because of the distance.
But—thank God—I could read his lips.
He turned and walked down another path.
Curiosity immediately tugged at me.
I wanted to see what he was talking about.
But first, I needed an excuse.
I leaned close to Hinata.
Kiyomi:(Whispering) I need to use the bathroom. I'll be back after a while.
Hinata:(Whispering back) Make it quick.
Kiyomi: Sure.
I slipped away quietly and followed the same path Minato had taken.
The hallway grew darker, the blue light deeper as the tanks grew larger.
When I reached the corner, I saw him.
Minato was casually leaning against one of the enormous aquarium glasses that curved along the walkway.
The water behind it glowed softly.
He smiled the moment he saw me.
Minato: Look at what I saw.
I stepped closer.
Kiyomi:(Curious) What?
His eyes seemed to say "Come with me".
He started walking, and I followed behind him.
We walked only a few steps before he stopped.
He stood in front of a massive glass wall.
Minato:(Softly) This is it.
I turned.
And there it was.
A koi fish gliding slowly through the water.
Its bright orange and white colors moved like living brushstrokes through the blue tank. More koi drifted behind it, their movements slow and graceful.
Quiet.
Elegant.
Almost peaceful enough to make the outside world disappear.
We both stared at the fish in silent awe.
At least… I thought we were both staring at the fish.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed something.
Minato wasn't looking at the koi.
He was looking at me.
His gaze soft.
Gentle.
Full of something warm.
Kiyomi:(Softly) They're so beautiful.
Minato: Yeah… beautiful.
His eyes never left mine.
Kiyomi:(Softly) And…
Without thinking, we spoke at the same time.
Minato & Kiyomi: Quiet and so peaceful.
I gasped softly.
A smile spread across my face as heat crept up my cheeks.
Then suddenly—
His hand took mine.
Firm.
Gentle.
My heart jumped violently.
I turned to him immediately.
Kiyomi:(Nervously stuttering) M-Minato… what are you doing?
My voice sounded small.
Shy.
But he didn't let go.
He only looked deeper into my eyes.
Minato: You know what I'm doing, Kiyomi. Stop pretending you don't.
His voice was calm but steady.
Minato: Let's stop pretending. I see you as more than a friend… and you see me as more than a friend too. So why are we pretending?
When I looked into his eyes, something had changed.
They looked lighter.
Like a heavy weight had finally been lifted off them.
Like he had kept this inside for too long.
Kiyomi: (Stuttering) M-more than a friend…? What are you talking about, M-Minato?
I tried to sound confused.
But he saw through it instantly.
Minato: So you still want to pretend, huh?
He gave a small breath.
Minato: Then let me make it clear.
His grip on my hand tightened slightly.
Minato: I love you, Kiyomi.
My heart stopped.
Minato:And I know you love me too. But we don't want to accept it. We keep hiding. Running away from the truth.
His voice softened.
Minato:et's be real, Kiyomi. We're teenagers now… not kids. Let's accept the truth.
My eyes dropped to the floor.
I couldn't look at him anymore.
Not after hearing those words.
Kiyomi:(Fragile voice) M-Minato… I don't know what you're talking about…
He gently lifted my chin with his hand so our eyes met again.
Minato: Look me in the eyes and say you don't love me. Don't break eye contact.
My face burned.
Kiyomi: M-m-Minato… I-I…
He smiled faintly.
Minato: You're still going to lie even when your face is that red?
Kiyomi: S-sorry… it's just—
Minato:(Interrupting softly) Don't apologize. I love it. It shows you love me.
The word 'love' struck me like lightning.
My heart skipped again.
God.
Minato was destroying me.
Those emerald eyes of his felt like they were pulling me apart piece by piece.
I placed my hand on his wrist, trying to push his hand away from my chin so I could escape those eyes before they killed me.
But the moment I touched him—
My body froze.
Oh no.
This is the end.
I'm going to die.
I'm sorry I didn't pray this morning, God.
Please just let me get into heaven… even though I can already see it through his eyes.
Kiyomi:(Softly) Minato… I-I don't do l-l-l… love.
I said it.
I actually said it.
The word 'love'.
For the first time in thirteen years.
Minato: You don't do love… yet you feel it. Stop lying to yourself, Kiyomi. I'm willing to accept the truth… and so should you.
My chest tightened.
Kiyomi:(Softly) But… how?
Tears began sliding down my cheeks.
Kiyomi:(Crying) How do you love?
Minato stayed silent.
Kiyomi:(Crying harder) But… how do you feel love? How?
He still said nothing.
Kiyomi: God! You don't know, do you? But you came here saying it like it's so easy!
Silence filled the hallway.
The aquarium lights shimmered across the water.
The koi continued swimming peacefully behind the glass.
But between us—
Everything felt heavy.
Silent.
All I could hear were my sobs and the heaviness in Minato's eyes.
He wanted to say something with his eyes, but I didn't let him.
I shut my eyes.
More tears rolled down my cheeks.
Kiyomi:(Eyes shut) Don't you dare say anything. Do you know what you've done? You made me break a promise I kept for more than a decade. You made me say that stupid word. And you made me cry over it.
My voice trembled.
Kiyomi: Now get your hands off me… or I'll tell everyone what you just did. I'm pretty sure Sakura and her friends would love to gossip about this.
His hand slowly left my chin.
The warmth disappeared.
I turned immediately and walked away.
My vision blurred from tears.
I didn't stop.
Not once.
I headed straight toward the bathroom—because right now… all I wanted to do was cry my heart out.