episode_0031

“[Oh… This is my first time at an aquarium.]”

“[Me too.]”

They had planned to go to an amusement park.

They had been there before.

The first time was in elementary school, and the second time was in middle school.

And there weren’t any particularly good memories.

Being too short to ride the roller coaster in elementary school. Getting soaked in rain at the end and catching a cold over the weekend.

So they never got to enjoy the amusement park and when they came back as a middle schooler.

It rained from the morning.

Even though the disposable raincoat they were given kept the rain away, it was summer so their bare skin touching the plastic made them feel cold, and the plastic acted quite uncomfortably, sticking to them like gum whenever they moved, making it incredibly unpleasant, so they just bought an umbrella from a store.

Taking the safari bus. Riding it again. And again.

And sitting near chairs for lunch, watching people pass by until the end.

But today is different.

From the start, they changed direction and ended up at the aquarium.

It’s about conserving energy. That’s what it is, conserving energy.

“[Wow…]”

Thinking that way and coming to the aquarium, honestly, they were surprised.

They were enjoying it so much that they didn’t even think about their expectations, just leisurely strolling around, already starting to enjoy themselves from the entrance.

After entering, not long after.

“[Wow, how does it look like this?]”

“[Their faces look really amazing.]”

They were enjoying it to the point where they felt the money spent was worth it.

It’s incredibly beautiful. Incredibly fun.

There weren’t many people, so there was no need to hurry or bump into anyone; they walked leisurely.

“[Why is this so fun?]”

“Yeah. Just watching fish is fun.”

Even their brother was looking across the tank with sparkling eyes.

They hadn’t even reached the middle yet, but they were already getting excited.

“[Wow, what’s this? It’s so cute~]”

Although it was a small tank with small and cute fish, the fish were so tiny that it was fascinating.

Even if you boiled them in spicy soup, you probably wouldn’t be able to tell the difference in taste.

“[Wow! Brother, it’s a dolphin!]”

“[It’s called Beluga, right?]”

“[Hehe. Anyway, that’s it.]”

A tank that felt huge and grand.

Even though their brother was quite tall, standing in front of the tank, the size was overwhelming, capturing their brother who was unknowingly taking a V-sign.

“It’s really pretty…”

“Yeah…”

Will they be able to come back later?

Surely they will. Until then, they will continue to meet with their brother.

“Let’s take a picture together.”

“I’ll take it.”

With empty hands, they hugged their brother’s shoulder.

“I love you.”

*Click*

The photo was slightly shaky.

“Oh. I’m sorry. I guess I touched it.”

“…No, I was just nervous… my hand was shaking.”

“Uh… Right. I see.”

Their white skin turned red, and then blue.

The tank’s light gently illuminated the tank.

The fish swimming freely above us seemed so free.

Countless unnamed fish could be seen in one tank.

Small fish were swimming together, and larger fish were swimming leisurely.

“It’s beautiful…”

Unintentionally poking them, the shape of the fish swimming together collapsed and then recombined.

“[Wow…]”

“There are otters too. Want to go see?”

“There are otters? Let’s go. Where are they?”

“So cute~!”

“[Wow, it’s a living bag…]”

“…?”

“The penguin’s belly looks very soft. I want to lie down and use it as a pillow.”

“…Wisdom is softer.”

“Huh?”

They were truly enjoying the aquarium to the fullest.

“Is this a souvenir…?”

[At the aquarium, for some reason they sell puppy dolls, but anyway, it’s an aquarium so Bell…Bell something.]

“Should I buy it?”

“Ah. What kind of doll am I?”

“Because it’s cute…?”

I’m the cute one, the doll is cute.

“My brother is my doll. He just came by himself yesterday.”

“…I see.”

“If you want to take a seat from the doll, buy it.”

“Um…no. How old are you?”

Seems like my embrace has been quite comfortable lately.

I feel like I’m floating in the sky right now.

“Hehe, let’s go. I want to see the fish again leisurely.”

Earlier, I suddenly relaxed while taking pictures and wandered around, so now I really want to look around leisurely without the camera.

“Huh?”

“Let’s hold hands. I really want to see comfortably this time.”

The surprised hand returned and intertwined fingers with mine.

“Sure. I also have a place I want to see again.”

“Hehe, wait a moment. I’ll quickly go to the restroom.”

“Oh, okay.”

As I was about to leave the souvenir shop and was casually looking at the map, suddenly a signal came.

My brother nodded as if he understood, and I immediately went into the restroom.

“…Ah.”

I almost entered the men’s restroom, but turned back immediately.

It’s a habit. It’s almost a rule that if you enter on the left, the men’s restroom comes out.

I finally noticed the urinal.

It’s not being used anymore.

“Sigh…”

One downside of wearing stockings is dealing with menstrual issues, which is bothersome.

They may be pretty, but the downsides are clear.

Wearing stockings other than pantyhose…a breeze starts coming in, making my thighs feel chilly.

And sitting on the toilet makes my buttocks slightly cold right now.

Carrying tissue as my sister suggested might be the right answer, but the tissue here doesn’t seem to have good quality.

“Ah…”

And when something gets stuck while pulling them up again, there’s nothing more annoying and frustrating than that.

In my case, it was a strand of hair that got caught.

You can feel it, and maybe even see it.

Since it’s 200 denier, it’s not very visible, but it feels like wearing those white and black mixed rock stockings that were popular in the spring or fall.

“Ugh…”

And using the women’s restroom is truly a first for me.

There’s a woman in the restroom.

I’m a woman too, but…I still can’t hide the feeling of doing something wrong.

I washed my hands and dried them with a hand towel.

I watched makeup tutorials, but the makeup I do isn’t about beautifying, it’s more like transforming people.

Maybe it resembles the exaggerated makeup trend from the 2000s with white and black mixed in.

I’m just doing the simplest thing for now.

It’s only been about two months since I became a woman.

Has it already been two months?

“…?”

While fixing my makeup with the same focus as cooking, I turned my head unconsciously at a slight movement.

“Ah…sorry.”

“…?”

And there was a girl who started apologizing.

Why apologize?

Demanding an answer with a puzzled expression, she spoke again.

“Ah. I thought I was staring too much, so I thought you noticed…”

“Ah…yes.”

Apologizing for staring.

Is there a specific order for using the restroom?

“Do you have Instagram by any chance?”

“Um…just with friends…?”

“You’re so pretty, can you tell me your account…?”

Did I ever have such a conversation when I was a man?

‘Wow, you’re so handsome, but do you have Instagram?’

Hmm, no. Awkward.

From the perspective of the listener, they might think I’m gay.

“I’ll tell you.”

“Wow. Thank you!”

Thanking for such a thing.

“…Is he your boyfriend?”

“Yes.”

“Wow, he’s really handsome… Could he be an actor…?”

The woman looks at the photo and then back at me.

“No, just an office worker.”

“Are you here with us again today…?”

“Yes, it’s my day off.”

“Anyway… thank you.”

“Oh, come on.”

I finished fixing my makeup and left the restroom.

I’ve had yet another new experience.

“Hehe.”

A face in the distance, with a neat appearance and tall stature.

I quickly find my brother and change my direction.

“Excuse me, you’re so good-looking, could I possibly get your number…?”

“Oh… well…”

“Can I get it too…!”

“Oh…”

As I discreetly approach, my brother is being asked for his number.

Not by one person, but by three.

“Oppa~”

With a refreshing voice, I touch my brother, who looks visibly uncomfortable.

“Uh, Jihye.”

“It’s time to go now. It’s already past lunchtime, we should hurry~”

“Oh, okay.”

Putting on gloves, I turned around and headed in the opposite direction.

*Trot trot*

“Jihye?”

In the dimly lit area, I cornered my brother completely.

“Oppa.”

“J-Jihye…?”

*Thud*

I block my brother with my hand, pushing him further as he shrinks back in surprise.

“Who are you?”

I ask, looking up at my brother.

“…Jihye?”

“Oppa, who is my boyfriend?”

“…Me.”

“And what about a girlfriend?”

“Jihye….”

If you’re going to reject someone, do it properly.

What if you just stand there?

“If I have three or four girlfriends, would that be better?”

“No… Are you mad?”

“I’m not mad. I’m just asking a question right now.”

I’m not mad.

I just wanted to ask.

“Uh… sorry. I should have rejected properly. Sorry, Jihye.”

“Okay then. You must keep your promise, alright?”

*Click.*

I turn my head to see if anyone’s around and then kiss him immediately.

He can’t take anyone away from me.

“I belong to you, Oppa. You belong to me. Understand?”

“Yeah, got it.”

“Let’s go now!”

I urged my brother with a lively voice.

Putting on gloves, I turned back to see what I wanted to see again.

Lunch seems too early; it’s only two in the afternoon.

“Shall we eat here?”

Spring arrived early, and it wasn’t particularly cold.

It’s surprising how the temperature has risen so much in just a week.

“Yeah, that’s fine.”

There’s no wind, and although there’s a slight chill in the air, you can’t just eat at a convenience store and call it a date.

“Ah~”

I carefully selected a lunchbox that retains heat well.

It’s a double-layered structure, so if it’s double, does that make it quadruple?

“Heh, still hot.”

Enduring from morning until past lunchtime, it seems like it’s worth the money.

“You did well buying this. It’s good.”

I’m crazy about kitchenware.

But it’s not impulse buying… I buy after reading reviews.

Even then, sifting through the advertising comments reveals brands well-known among housewives.

Although it’s expensive… considering it will be used almost indefinitely, it actually feels cheap.

The coffee grinder was useless… the hand grinder that grinds without a mixer didn’t work well either, so it was useless.

Failure is the mother of success. That’s about it…

“I didn’t know tonkatsu could stay warm outside. Thank you.”

Yeah, it’s not a waste since it was successful.

Why wouldn’t I smile at this point?

“Um… I feel a bit cold right now though…”

She immediately catches on to my intention and covers me with her coat.

But that’s not it.

“Then, Oppa must be feeling cold too. I need a warm body temperature…”

“Giggles. People…”

“If someone says you should hug your girlfriend, who would object?”

“Well then…”

He hesitantly embraces me.

“Is it a puppy?”

“Should I comfort you like one?”

“I’d like that.”

“…I can’t resist.”

Immersed in Oppa’s scent, I finished lunch.