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Chapter 10 - 10: FACE YOUR FEARS

Haruto was sure he had really done something stupid this time.

"H– Hey…" Pix was clinging to his sleeve, and his blue face was pale. "I know you thought it was funny that I'm afraid of sea creatures, but…"

They were standing in front of the aquarium. It was a pretty short drive from the beach town, and a nice little place. They took Haruto's bicycle to get there. Sitting on the back of the bike, his arms wrapped around Haruto's waist, it had been a little embarrassing for Pix, but he was happy to go somewhere and see a new place. Now, after a brief explanation as to what an aquarium was…

"This is just plain cruel!" he cried, turning away from Haruto, who was crumbling and trying to explain. "What did I ever do to you!" 

"N– No, look, I forgot…" He sank to the sidewalk. "Lila asked me to bring you to hang out, and…"

"Pi~ix!" They both turned to see Lila jogging towards them, waving. Despite the summer heat, she was wearing a leather jacket, and a matching studded skirt. Pix thought she looked very cool. "Hey, there's my new friend!" She smiled, taking Pix by the hands. Haruto crumbled a little bit more.

"Hey… Don't just ignore me…"

"So, Pix," Lila said, ruffling Haruto's hair and thoroughly messing it up, "have you ever been to an aquarium before?"

"N– No. I don't really… I mean…" He was shaken with fear.

"Hmm? What's wrong?" She was staring at him. "Could it be… you're scared of seals?"

"Eh? Seals…?" He blinked.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT A SEAL IS!!! His cover would be blown for sure. He started to shake even more, looking at Haruto for help, but Haruto's face was sheet white. Oh no, I'm done for! 

Bijan walked over to the group, rubbing his eyes, his dark hair a mess. It seemed like he had just woken up from a nap. 

"Hey. What are you guys doing? Aren't we going into the place?" He sighed. "It's really early for this, too… I'm surprised you managed to get up on time, Lila." She seemed to forget about the seals and turned on her younger brother. 

"Do you always have to act so crotchety? You're like an old man, or something…" She seemed to ease up a little, though, and smiled again. "Come on, let's all go in, then."

The aquarium was quaint, but very well-kept. Large freshwater tanks lined a hall, and the room split into a few halls that led to different exhibits of the building. Lila immediately went to the freshwater fish, pointing at the salmon and giggling. 

"Look at that! Look at that face!" She crouched down, grinning at a snapping turtle. "Wow!" Bijan was lingering around, but even though he looked uninterested, he took a few pictures of the fish. 

"Th– This is…" Pix was trembling like he was stuck in a blizzard. But all of a sudden, he felt someone grab his hand, and there was a feeling of warmth against his palm. He turned his head, his starry eyes widening a little.

"I'm sorry," Haruto whispered to him, holding his hand gently. His dark eyes were sympathetic. "I really did forget you were scared of them..."

Pix's face quickly went from pale to a rosy pink color. 

"H– Hey, it's fine… Don't worry about it…" But his voice was weak, and there was that strange feeling again. He scooted closer to Haruto, walking down the hall with him, their fingers intertwined. 

It's dark in here, but for some reason, I'm not scared anymore… He held his hand a little tighter. 

The saltwater section was a large, dark space with long tanks that had lights in them. Haruto glanced at Pix, expecting him to be afraid still, but he wasn't. His bright eyes were large as he stared at the coral reef, the colors reflecting in them. Haruto said nothing, but didn't look away. Pix seemed to notice, and turned to look back at him, his cheeks rosy.

"It reminds me of home," he said softly. "All the colors… It's just like it."

"Hey, Pix?" Haruto glanced at the floor. "Do you miss home at all?" He felt a squeeze, and looked back up at Pix. His smile was warm, and full of kindness.

"No. Because I came here, and got to meet you." His eyes softened. "Could I stay with you, Haruto?"

Ah. Haruto's heart skipped a beat, and he didn't know why. I guess it's just nice to see he's having fun here. He smiled. 

"Yeah, you can stay for as long as you want to." 

They rejoined the siblings, who were already far up ahead. Bijan didn't say anything, but Pix could feel him glancing over. 

"Hey, you guys!" Lila called. "Come here, up ahead! Seals!" 

In a large bright room that lay ahead of the saltwater section were pools with beach balls, plastic rocks and other things. There was a person who worked at the aquarium lifting their hand to wave to the group of people who had gathered, and a creature beside them that Pix didn't recognize. It was white, soft looking, and… very round. He knew what a dog was, but this thing looked like a dog that lived underwater. 

Is THAT a seal? It's… The seal turned its head, its big round eyes staring up at him. Pix's eyes became shiny. IT'S SO CUTE…!!!

"Hello, everyone!" the aquarium employee said with a smile. "This is Maya. Would anyone like to feed her?" 

"Here you go," Lila said, smiling and handing him a tray of fish. "I brought some seal food. Go ahead!"

"R– Really? Are you sure?" He was still a bit nervous. This thing lives underwater… It's like a fish dog. But it is really cute… "Okay…!" He shuffled over, knelt down, and placed the tray. The seal sniffed at the fish, stared up at him, then nibbled on it. 

IT'S ADORABLE… Pix looked like he was about to weep. The seal caretaker knelt down as well, smiling.

"Great job! Hey, watch this." She held her hand out to the seal, signaling a command. "Scrunch!"

It stuck its neck in, becoming somehow even more round, like a huge ball with a face. The whole group was astonished.

"WHOA~... WOW~!..." Pix was floored.

UH… HOW'D IT DO THAT? He shakily rejoined Haruto's side, feeling like he had just witnessed some sort of magic trick. The four spent a while longer at the seal pool, then made their way up to the gift shop, near the entrance. Haruto was surveying the shark teeth when he noticed Pix standing in front of a large shelf of plush animals, holding a large seal in his hands. It was very spherical, and had a squished-in face. Haruto walked over to him.

"Do you want that?"

"EEP!" Pix jumped a little. "You startled me!" He was hugging the seal tightly, his eyes wide. 

"Huh…" Haruto tilted his head slightly. "Hey, are you okay, Pix? You're acting kinda strange."

"Y– Yeah, I'm fine…" Really, all Pix could think about was how close Haruto was standing. What's going on? 

"Hey," Bijan called, his eyebrows furrowed. "Are you guys ready to go?"

"I'll be there in a sec." 

So the group walked out of the aquarium, with Pix holding a gigantic plush seal in his arms, his eyes glittering.

"Funny," Bijan mumbled, brushing past Haruto, "I've never held your hand before."

"Huh?" Haruto raised his eyebrows. "Sorry, I didn't hear you." Bijan looked away.

"It's nothing, Haruto." Pix held the seal a little tighter, looking at the sidewalk. 

"Bye, you guys!" Lila called, waving as she dragged Bijan to the car. "It was good to see you!"

"You too," Haruto replied, getting on his bike. He looked at Pix and smiled. "Hop on." He couldn't help but feel that odd little flutter in his chest again.

Why? He didn't say anything, though, and got on the bike, looping his arms around him and closing his eyes. He spent the whole ride home conflicted, but the feelings wouldn't go away.

I still don't understand... Pix pressed his forehead against Haruto's back. 

Why do I feel like this? 

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