Kugo softly sighed as he stared up at the large tank, watching the variety of fish swim around. He had another special show to speak at while the divers fed the sharks in a little while and was mentally preparing himself for the screaming and crying children. No doubt, it'll be another failure.
His shoulders drooped as a small group of children scurrried past him, hushed whispers too fast to understand. He looked down, spotting several starfish clinging to the glass interior. He smiled slightly, looking up as a shadow passed by.
A large shark swam by, deep scars marring its rough skin. Poor thing was half-dead when the aquarium found it and they nursed it back to health. It was a great white and surprisingly stayed alive, even thriving in the aquarium.
He blinked when something bumped into his chest and a squeak followed a soft thud. A young woman rubbed her nose, making a face slightly. "I'm so sorry, sir, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. God dammit, where are my glasses?"
He knelt down as she felt along the floor and reached out, picking up the glasses. "Here. And your camera."
She blinked when he placed the items in her outstretched hands and wiped off her glasses on her shirt, sliding them onto her nose. "Oh!" He tensed, steeling himself for the fear. "Thank you very much! You're the hero, Gang Orca, right? I think I saw you on the brochure schedule."
He blinked in surprise and nodded, offering her a hand as he stood. "Yes. I'm going to be speaking while the sharks are fed. And, you are?"
She smiled widely up at him. "I'm Seina Kazuno! Call me Seina! I was following that shark, trying to get a good angle on its' scars, I'm sorry for bumping into you."
He shook his head, lacing his fingers behind his back. "I was standing in the way. Though, it's not often someone gets the drop on me."
She giggled softly, tucking a piece of hair behind her ears. "I bet not! You're a great hero!"
He nodded and looked up as the shark started circling around the tank. "Thank you. Would you like me to lift you to get a better angle?"
She nodded rapidly, her cheeks darkening. "Wait, is that inappropiate? I don't want to bother you."
He smilled, offering her a hand. "You can sit on my shoulders. He likes to swim up high and you are quite short."
She softly huffed, but took his hand, her other gripping her camera tightly. "Gee, thanks, I haven't noticed."
He chuckled and knelt down, helping her climb up on his shoulders. He gripped her ankles as he stood, feeling her grip his fin. "Call me Kugo."
She smiled brightly down at him, readying her camera. "Thank you so much, Kugo! Oh, here he comes!"
He tightened his grip as she leaned forward, one arm hooked around his fin. "He is quite large isn't he? I believe they plan on releasing him soon since he's fully healed and eating properly again."
She hummed happily, snapping away on her camera. "That's good, I was worried about the big guy. I wanted to be a marine biologist when I was younger, but it turns out I'm actually terrible at math and the ocean is kinda scary."
He smiled slightly. "Marine biology isn't for everyone, and the ocean is still quite unknown. What do you do now, if you don't mind me asking?"
She smiled, looking over the pictures on the display screen of her camera. "I take pictures for journalists. This article is about the aquarium and the conservation it does! I already got pictures of some other groups of fish that have lower populations, but this guy is gonna be on the main page!"
He hummed, kneeling down to set her on her feet. "Why don't you join me while I speak at the shark feeding? You can get a front row seat for your photography."
She softly gasped, clutching her camera close as she looked up at him, her eyes wide. "Are you sure? I thought the front row was only for professional reporters, I knew I should've dressed nice."
He chuckled and patted her shoulder. "I believe that I can do almost anything I please here. And if I want you to sit up front, you may. Now, let's go. It's almost starting."
She nodded rapidly and practically bounced beside him as they walked to the wide viewing area. "This is going to be so cool! Thank you so much, Kugo!"
Kugo smiled at her, a small, genuine smile. "Thank you, Seina."