The Sea Mall. A place loud enough to drown out even the waves.

He didn’t really get why Wadanohara wanted to come here... but, well. He wasn’t about to say no to her.

Samekichi followed just behind her as always—hands full, carrying every little bag she’d collected. Snacks, souvenirs... soft things, shiny things. He didn’t even know half of what was in them. Still, it didn’t matter. She smiled. That was enough.

…She always smiled like that.

The familiar ache stirred in his chest. The one that always came whenever she looked so happy. It was stupid. He shouldn’t be getting flustered like this anymore. They’d been on plenty of dates, hadn’t they?

And yet—

“...Tch.” He glanced away, hiding his face. No good. His gills itched.

They’d walked almost the whole mall when she stopped. Her hand—small, soft—tugged at his sleeve.

“...What is it?” he muttered.

She pointed.

Samekichi turned, a little wary.

And there it was. A claw machine. Filled with shark plushies. Each one... looked suspiciously like him.

He froze. Wide-eyed. Then, the tips of his fins turned a dull red.

“O–oh...” he managed, voice low. “...You’ve gotta be kidding me.”

He leaned closer, squinting. They even had the little scar by the tail. “Who the hell made these...?” he grumbled under his breath.