Author's note : Thank you for the review! Happy reading!

Chapter 42 - Aquarium

Eira looked at her reflection on her small mirror. Getting used to her long hair for years, it was still weird to see her short hair even though it grew a bit. It might take a while until her hair returns to its usual length. She missed her long hair.

Seeing her hair, she just realized that she forgot to wear her hair clip today. Oh well… At least she didn't forget her glasses.

Yes, glasses.

Cor and her bought it the other day since they were going to have a date and they planned to disguise themselves… with glasses. She didn't know if it would work but at least they wanted to give it a go. Moreover, Eira really longed for a date with her boyfriend and to visit some places with him.

She hoped it would work.

She wanted to create lots of memories with him and also to see the kind of expression he would make when they visit various places. She loved seeing him when they went to the movie, the game center, and the summer festival. The old man looked like he was a child who was having fun.

Today they were going to visit the aquarium. And here she was, waiting for him at the entrance. It was not that Cor was late, it was just that she got here twenty minutes before they were supposed to meet.

Putting her mirror inside her bag, she smiled as she was thinking about him. Somehow it reminded her of their very first date a year ago in the mall. She chuckled remembering that he shaved his beard that time. Oh, and it was also in the winter. She still remembered his outfit, a white shirt, maroon knitted vest on top of it, with a long brown coat as the outer. But today, the weather wasn't too cold yet, so perhaps he wouldn't wear a thick coat just like that time. And that time, just like now, she was the first one who came.

"You're always early, huh?"

Ah, the hoarse voice she really loved.

Turning her head to the right, she looked at the tall man who was giving a sweetest smile at her.

"I guess I should come earlier," Cor said.

Eira looked at him from top to toe. He simply wore a brown shirt and a darker brown coat. It was a different coat from the one he wore the first time they had a date unfortunately. But still, Cor was so charming in his casual outfit. And not forget to mention, he was so handsome wearing his glasses.

She had seen Cor with glasses when they bought it together yesterday. But, since she never saw him with one before, the sight was still so fresh and she was so excited seeing him with glasses again today.

"Ehehe… It's okay! I didn't wait too long!" Eira said.

"But I feel bad making a lady wait."

Eira blushed. "It's okay, really!"

Cor gazed at her, seemingly wanting to argue but he just gave a serene smile. He then said, "Let's get inside?"

Eira grinned and nodded, "Sure! I've bought the tickets." She took her wallet from her bag then took out the tickets she had been keeping inside.

"Ah, sorry about that." Cor frowned, looking unhappy that she bought it.

Cor usually the one who paid for everything when they were together. And Eira sometimes felt bad about it. Thus, when she got here early, she bought the tickets for them before Cor did it.

"You always treat me whenever we eat together. Let me buy the ticket this time." Eira said as she began to walk toward the entrance.

"Just this time," Cor said.

"I can't let you treat me everytime." Eira pouted.

"I don't mind it."

She still couldn't accept his argument, but as soon as she stepped inside the aquarium and her eyes caught her favorite spotted seal, she forgot everything.

"Aaah! Pokaaa!" she gave out a muffled squeal. She was so excited, but at least she still remembered not to squeal loudly. "Let's see Poka! Let's see Poka!"

"Poka?" Cor raised an eyebrow. But seeing her adorable reaction, Cor couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.

"The seal's name!" Eira's eyes sparkled in excitement. She then strode quickly toward the tank with an adorable seal inside.

Placing both of her hands at the glass, she gazed at her Poka with a grin adoring her face.

"Poka is so cute!"

Cor smiled seeing his girlfriend admiring her favorite seal. It made him want to pat her head. Unfortunately, he was afraid to do it in public so he just stared at her from her side. Also, even though they were wearing glasses to disguise, he wasn't sure that it was very effective. There was a probability that people they knew could still recognize them. He wished none of their colleagues visited the aquarium though.

Cor indeed wasn't a celebrity or such. But he is the marshal of the crownsguard, and once or twice his face showed up on tv or news. It would be a scandal if the marshal caught up dating a young lady half his age.

"Ah! He swims closer! Hello Poka!" Eira waved her hand toward the seal who was indeed swimming closer. The spotted seal made a face like it was smiling then it waved its flipper.

"He's cute," Cor said, fascinated by the animal's friendly gesture.

"Right?! Right?!" Eira looked at him with her sparkling eyes. Her smile was so bright. She then looked back at the seal and talked to it.

"How are you, Poka? You're so cute today! Chonky! Big big chonky! Uh… I want to squeeze you! Ah… Where are you going? Ah!" Eira was so busy talking with Poka. However Poka had another plan as he swam up and disappeared to the upper floor.

Cor chuckled seeing her. Ah, he wanted to hug her so bad.

"Poka went up." Eira pouted then looked at Cor.

"What's on the upper floor?" Cor asked.

"The roof. The tank surface. Maybe he wants to have a snack there." Eira chuckled.

"Shall we go there and see Poka again?"

"No. It's okay! We can see the other first! We can see Poka again at twelve. They were going to have the show."

"Oh, interesting. I don't know if there will be a show." Cor was intrigued.

"You really never come to the aquarium, do you?"

Cor smiled, "You know the answer."

Eira chuckled. "Let's see around!" Eira walked and he followed her.

He had visited the aquarium several times, and of course to accompany Regis. He didn't have any interest in visiting this kind of place before. Therefore he never really observed what this aquarium had.

He followed Eira to see the orca and the dolphin. And perhaps, it was indeed fun seeing them swimming around and sometimes interacting with the visitors. They're highly intelligent.

Following the route from the aquarium, they went to the walkway that connected the north building to the south building. They walked slowly as they also enjoyed the small tanks along the walkway while chattering.

Eira looked at her watch then said, "Ah, we got in time for the sardines feeding show!"

"Sardines feeding show? Ah… I think I remember seeing it with Regis."

"Oh! Really?" Eira was so excited.

He smiled, "But I don't remember how it was. It's been so long."

Eira chuckled and they walked toward a room with a huge tank in it. There were hundreds, no, maybe thousands of sardines inside the tank.

"They looked delicious," Cor muttered.

Another chuckle left Eira's throat, "Want to have seafood after this?"

"Sure."

As the show was going to begin, the people started to gather. Cor moved closer to Eira and there was an urge to hold her hand. But no, he didn't want to risk it if someone they knew caught him holding hands with a girl half his age—even though she was already in her legal age.

The show finally started, and instead of seeing the huge tank at his front, Cor glanced at Eira who was now smiling widely as she was so excited in seeing the show.

"Aa! It started!"

Cor loved her so much.

But then he moved his gaze toward the tank and enjoyed the show. The sardines created a huge tornado as they were chasing their food, and the light inside the tank was changed every few seconds. It was fascinating to see it.

When the show was over, Cor looked at Eira. She seemed so happy.

"It was so beautiful," she said.

"Yes." Cor agreed.

"Let's move to the next room!"

They walked out to the next room and admired the fishes. They were so pretty and Cor admitted that seeing it made him relaxed. He never knew he needed this.

Being with her, he began to see the world in different ways. For him who only knew fight and battlefield and who rarely had opportunities for leisure, he now learned to enjoy his life.

He was so grateful to have her in his life.

It was so fun today. Eira was so happy that she could go to the aquarium with Cor. A bit sad that they couldn't hold hands as they walk like other ordinary couples, but being with him was already enough to make her happy.

They watched Poka's show after they finished walking around the aquarium. Of course Eira was trying her best not to squeal when watching it.

But because they already saw everything, it was time to go home. Or at least having lunch first before going home.

"So, want to have lunch?" Eira asked.

"Sure." Cor nodded.

"Seafood?" Eira grinned.

"Seeing the fish makes you hungry for them?"

"You were the one who said that they looked delicious. When we watched the sardines."

"But they are indeed delicious."

"Can't agree more." Eira chuckled.

They walked toward the exit but Cor suddenly stopped when he saw the gift shop. "A moment." Cor got inside the shop.

Eira blinked, confused seeing him suddenly leave her. But then she chuckled, "Why didn't he say that he wanted to buy souvenirs?"

She followed him, and caught him holding a big plushie of Poka in the shop.

"You love Poka!" Eira exclaimed. The stern marshal was now holding a big plushie of spotted seal! Such a rare sight! He was so cute!

But Cor didn't say anything and quickly purchased the plushie.

Oh, no… Don't tell me…

"For you." Cor handed the plushie after he paid for it. She had guessed that he wanted to give it to her and not buy it for himself. But it still surprised her.

"Cor…" Eira's eyes glistened in her piled up tears. Oh, how happy she was right now.

"You love Poka right. Here's Poka." Cor said. "... As a plushie though."

She bit her lower lips as she tried not to cry.

But she still hadn't moved her hands to receive it. Thus, Cor frowned in puzzlement.

"Oh sh… Don't tell me you already have it?" he asked.

"No! No…" Eira shook her head then took the plushie into her arms. It was almost half her body. "I'm so happy. I only have a small Poka. I'm so happy that now I have the big Poka."

Cor smiled. "Glad to know it."

"Thank you so much."

"You're welcome."

"Aaa… Poka is so cute!" She tightly hugged her plushie and nuzzled on it. It was so soft and nice. She loved it so much.

But she was happy not because she got it. She was happy because Cor was the one who gave it.

From now on she would sleep with it while imagining that it was Cor, it seemed.