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It was the first time Adachi Rei and Defoko had gone to an aquarium together.
Sure, they’re always together in different places, but this—this is different.
The two arrived at the aquarium around noon; they stood at the entrance, admiring it. Adachi was thinking, maybe today’s the day it works out. Adachi looked at Defoko and said, “So? Do you think it’s interesting?” “Yeah, I’m curious about what it’s like inside…” Defoko looked back at her, smiling as she adjusted her backpack, which was on her back. Adachi was surprised, but smiled back. “What are you waiting for? Let’s go,” Adachi said in a friendly tone. The two arrived at the room where the attendant was. The young woman greeted them warmly. The two showed their aquarium tickets, and the young woman let them into the aquarium.
When Adachi Rei and Defoko arrived at the aquarium, they were both surprised. Everything was beautiful to them: the atmosphere, the marine animals glowing in the dark sea, and how peaceful it was.
Adachi looked at Defoko and said, “Shall we take a look?” The girl with purple hair nodded. Defoko began looking at the fish, admiring them and watching them swim. Adachi was admiring Defoko and the fish, but she was more focused on her friend than on the fish. Defoko and Adachi started walking while looking at the aquarium. Defoko decided to stop when she reached the pink jellyfish. “Hm? Why did you stop?” asked Adachi Rei. Defoko opened her small backpack and took out her sketchbook and her pencil with the eraser on top. “I like drawing jellyfish; jellyfish are my favorite animal.” Defoko looked at Adachi, then looked at the jellyfish and began to draw it.
Adachi was watching Defoko sketch the jellyfish. Even if it takes a while, Adachi would rather spend time with Defoko than with anyone else. It didn’t take long for Defoko to finish her drawing; she showed it to Adachi. “It’s beautiful; I love the details you put in.” Adachi smiled, and Defoko smiled back. “Let’s keep walking.” Defoko took Adachi’s hand. Even though they were both robots, Adachi could sense the delicacy of Defoko’s hands, even though her hand was made of metal.
They kept walking and talking about various marine animals, but Adachi talked more than Defoko. The two stopped at the tank with the seahorses. Defoko began looking at the seahorses, admiring them just as she had admired all the marine animals she had seen that day. There was a silence between them, so Adachi broke it. “Did you know that seahorses are the most romantic of all marine animals?” “What do you mean?” asked Defoko. "To strengthen their bond and confirm that both are well, the pair meets every morning for a synchronized dance that lasts 6 to 10 minutes. “ ”And also, they are animals that usually form monogamous pairs and remain faithful to the same partner throughout the breeding cycle,“ said Adachi, looking at Defoko. Defoko was intrigued. ”Wow, you know more than I do," Defoko gave a little laugh.
Silence fell again. Both of them wanted to say something, but they were afraid of how the other might feel; they were afraid of rejection. Until Adachi said, “Look at them, finding their way together,” pointing to the marine animals in front of them. “Yes, always together.” Defoko looked Adachi in the eyes, and they both began to blush. “You know, I don’t know if it’s the atmosphere here, but whenever I’m with you, I feel calmer.” A tense feeling washed over them both; Defoko didn’t know what to say. “It might sound strange. But I feel more connected to you. It’s not because we’re robots, but because of how we get along,” Adachi said, placing her hand on her neck as she spoke shyly. “I understand. I feel that way too,” Defoko said in a calm, almost whispering voice. Something inside Adachi had been tormenting her for a long time while she was with Defoko, but it was a feeling—a human feeling.
“You know, I’ve always liked you,” said Adachi, looking into Defoko’s eyes while blushing. Defoko looked back at her, surprised and blushing. “I really like you. I hope you understand me.” Adachi looked away, her face red. Defoko blushed even more. There was a brief silence, but then Defoko whispered, “I… I like you too.”