Ch.8484. Vines and Citrine (5)

Dolphin shows, in truth, aren’t particularly interesting subjects for adults like us.

These are the kinds of things you’d bring Arin or even younger children to, who would find them fascinating and watch with wonder.

Ah, though nowadays kids are so precocious they might just whine about how boring it is.

Cute dolphins… you can see plenty of them just by browsing the internet.

Just watching them from afar in their tank, performing impressive tricks in sync with their trainers…

It’s merely cute, nothing more.

The aquarium’s idea of building interest with adorable penguins and seals before the dolphins appear seemed quite good.

Seeing the penguins we saw earlier frolicking in a wider space.

Ah, I suddenly remember what Vine said earlier.

Why did she suddenly say I look like a penguin…

Here we are to see a dolphin show, but I’m paying more attention to penguins.

Penguins that waddle awkwardly on land but swim beautifully once they enter the water.

The trainer guiding those penguins and showing tricks to the audience.

At every moment, Vine was delighted.

Smiling with pure joy, like a child.

“Wow… when will the dolphins come out? Soon, right? The penguins and seals are cute too, but dolphins are the main attraction. Aren’t you looking forward to it?”

“Ah, yes. Right? They’re the main event, so they should be out soon.”

“Wooow… I’m so excited. Am I… trembling…?”

“That much?”

“Of course! I’ve always loved whales, and to see them right before my eyes…! Isn’t that natural for any person? Ah, though I’m not an ordinary person… but it’s the same for monsters too! Phew… dolphins…”

My sister, encouraging the excited Vine, proudly pointed to herself and said:

“Yeah, it’s hard to get seats this close. Go ahead, praise me. You get to see them from here thanks to me.”

Really. This sister of mine, she has no sense of atmosphere.

“Sis. You’re being too harsh on Vine.”

“Why? I’m just trying to be funny with my strong points.”

“It’s not funny.”

“Other people laugh at it. Like my part-timers.”

“They’re… sigh. Anyway, from now on, no more trying to be funny with your legs. Don’t even try. Look at Vine’s expression.”

“Eh… sorry. Are you okay, Vine…?”

Vine’s expression had turned sad again, probably because my sister kept talking about her legs.

She was in a good mood just a moment ago. Really, this sister…

She seems to be using this as a joke to get closer to Vine, but it would only cause resentment in someone like Vine.

She’s the type who doesn’t shirk responsibility for her actions.

That’s the kind of person she is, though I only realized it now.

“Vine, it’s okay. My sister just wants to get closer to you. I’ve talked to her about it. Let’s keep watching, okay? It would be sad to come here in a good mood and end up feeling down.”

“Yes… haah, really. My heart… no. Citrus… I’ll talk about it later.”

After that, my sister kept apologizing and patting Vine’s head.

Vine looked annoyed at first while being patted, but she seemed to give up and focused back on the show, regaining her joyful smile.

Despite the small incident, she was clearly enjoying the performance until the dolphins appeared.

When the dolphins came out, Vine seemed so excited that she visibly restrained herself from standing up.

Fidgeting with her hands and bouncing in her seat… anyone could tell she was anticipating it.

The gate on the left side of the stage opens, and a grayish shadow moves underwater.

The silhouette, reaching the middle, reveals itself above water in sync with the trainer’s whistle.

Vine gazed at the dolphin leaping up to show itself with eyes full of admiration.

Like a child, with pure heart.

The dolphin cuts through the sky.

Literally, jumping out of the water and doing a spin in the air.

Then, re-entering the water smoothly without a splash.

The trainer’s hula hoop.

Swimming from the right, jumping up to easily pass through the ring.

Turning halfway and landing on its back—we were all watching in awe.

The dolphin surged upward, so focused on showing off its tricks that we never expected it would land on the outer edge of the tank and splash water toward us.

Caught off guard by the dolphin’s unexpected movement, I instinctively curled up to avoid getting too wet.

And then, my sister flashed through my mind.

Ah, my sister is in a wheelchair.

At that moment, I sensed a figure in front of me.

The stream of water that I expected to drench us became tiny droplets that didn’t even wet our bodies.

But the small figure before my eyes…

Looking as if she’d used all her strength and might collapse at any moment.

“V-Vine!”

“Ah, I’m fine… this necklace… whew… I thought I’d recovered enough to try breaking through it forcefully, but I guess this is why I can’t escape recklessly. Haha…”

“That’s not the issue! Are you okay? No, how could you… collapse, here, lean on me. Hurry…!”

“Ah… I’m fine. I still have some magic power left, so I can hold on… haah, this necklace’s performance is incredible. Normally, such a thin barrier would be nothing. I used enough magic power for an attack that could devastate this entire area. This is my limit.”

“No, why would you use magic power for something so trivial… You collapsed from using magic before, remember? Please take care of yourself…”

“Well… as long as I protected you and Citrus, that’s what matters. Pfft… a magical girl and a former magical girl being protected by a villain. Funny, isn’t it?”

“Haah… really, you can laugh at a time like this? Aren’t you cold? Sis, hand me that blanket for a moment.”

How could I possibly think she’s the same person as that villain…

When she’s soaking wet like that but still sending us a bright smile, saying she protected us.

“Phew… I’m fine. Citrus needs the blanket more than I do…”

“You need it the most! Vine, what are you saying? Your clothes are soaked. At least dry yourself with this.”

“Why would I use the blanket meant for Citrus to… Ah, a staff member is coming.”

The staff member who rushed over had several towels, enough to dry Vine’s body.

“I’m so sorry…! The dolphin lost its balance midway…”

“It’s okay. I’m not that wet… Just the towels, please…”

“Ah, yes. Here they are!”

“Thank you. Vine, haah…”

“Well… I’m feeling less dizzy now, so shall we continue watching? Standing around here would just inconvenience others.”

“Really, this girl… Alright. Are you sure you’re not cold? Should I ask for more towels?”

“No. Being a monster and all, I’m fine with this much.”

“No, what’s with this ‘monster body’ talk when you’ve used up all your magic power…”

“Because I’m tough. Ah, look at the dolphin. It’s eating. How cute. Oh, it’s jumping to catch food!”

“How can you be so calm after getting splashed by that dolphin just now?”

“Well, what does it matter? It’s already ‘spilled water,’ isn’t it?”

I couldn’t argue with that anymore.

I couldn’t say anything more to Vine who had been hit by the spilled water.

And so, after finishing our viewing with that small mishap.

Vine didn’t lose her pure smile until the end of the performance.

“Haah… what should we do now, Hyewon?”

“Hmm… even if it’s dried, it was salt water… We can wash the clothes later. Ah, we have clothes we bought upstairs. Why don’t you change into those?”

“Oh, that’s right. It would be troublesome for everyone if I walk around with you all looking like this. Then, shall we finish with the aquarium?”

“Yes, we can come back here anytime.”

“…Let’s go, then.”

“Right. If we bring my sister along, we can move around comfortably.”

“Wouldn’t dragging Citrus around be tiring for me?”

“Well… that’s one of her ways to relieve stress. Please help with that.”

“I don’t really mind… it’s just that my strength is a bit…”

“I can restrain my sister, so don’t worry.”

My sister, who had been listening to our conversation from the side, said:

“But it’s Vine’s fault for being cute, right? Besides, she owes me a debt. Fufu…”

“Ah… Sis, stop that…”

“No, not about the legs. This is a legitimate compensation that I, as a victorious magical girl, am demanding from the defeated villain Vine.”

“What nonsense are you talking about, Sis? Geez… Vine, just ignore her. She just can’t help herself when she sees something cute.”

“…I’m not cute, though.”

“Sure, sure. Let’s go upstairs. After you change, where should we go?”

“Wherever you want. I don’t care… sigh. Shall we decide as we go?”

“Let’s do that.”

Vine had a towel wrapped around her, but her clothes still didn’t seem dry.

The aquarium must have been very humid, preventing proper evaporation.

We need to go upstairs quickly and get her changed first.

I’m worried she might catch a cold.

She tends to deceive people about her health, saying she doesn’t want to be a burden.

But at such a young age, walking around in damp clothes like this will definitely lead to a cold.

Haah… what should I do about Vine’s hair?

Ah, I wonder if there’s a hair salon nearby.

Come to think of it, I’ve never seen Vine go to a hair salon.

No matter how much of a monster Vine claims to be, her hair must still grow.

And with such long hair, she probably has split ends too.

…While we’re at it, it wouldn’t be bad for me to style Vine’s hair.

Yes, as an older sister figure… it’s natural to style my younger sister’s hair.

…She’ll look pretty.

She’ll be cute.

“Vine, there’s salt in your hair too. Want to go to a hair salon?”

“Huh…? Is that really necessary? I can just use the towel in the bathroom…”

“No, with hair that long, can you manage in a bathroom? A hair salon would be better. I’ll look for one nearby. Shall we go?”

“…Haah, alright. If that’s more convenient for you.”

“Oh? Vine, does that mean I can style you? Trust this big sister! I’ll make you the cutest girl in the world!”

“No, I don’t want to be cute…”

“Sis.”

“Y-yes? What is it, Hyewon?”

“I’ll do it.”

“Huh…?”

“I’ll be the one deciding Vine’s hairstyle.”

“…O-okay. I’ll, I’ll yield this time.”

“Good. You already picked out her clothes. You can concede this much, right?”

“Yes, do as you like, Hyewon.”

“Come on, Vine. Shall we go upstairs?”

“What’s with my hair… sigh, fine. Let’s go.”

Great.

Vine, you’re going to look so cute. Incredibly cute.