A little bit of perspective from Hikari's point of view!
Disclaimer: I do not own Shoujo Kageki Revue Starlight.
Chapter 3. Octopus And Loneliness
When Hikari's parents had informed her that they would be moving back to Japan after all these years, she hadn't been particularly happy or sad about it.
She'd made a good friend as a child in Japan, and had written letters to her for the first few years, but they've since fallen out of contact with one another. She doesn't expect to ever see or talk to her again when she goes back to Japan, so it doesn't really make her that excited.
But she isn't sad about leaving London, because she hadn't exactly made any friends there either. So she'd simply nodded and agreed, packed her bags from the Royal Academy, and had returned to Japan with them.
At the very least they'd moved after school had finished so Hikari wouldn't be missing anything vital, academically speaking.
After they'd settled down in their new house, she'd realized she had the entire summer to get through before she could start classes at her new high school. She hadn't exactly planned to go out and make tons of friends by herself all summer long, though. Her plans involved mostly staying at home and studying theatre for when she'd start attending her new school.
That is, until her father presented her with a season pass ticket to the local aquarium and told her how he had won it in a raffle from his job. Spending her days indoors looking at various sea life sounded a bit more entertaining than spending her days indoors in her room studying.
So Hikari had decided to accept the season pass and took it upon herself to locate the local aquarium.
It had been a bit nerve-wracking to go alone, but at the very least her Japanese was still very good, maybe as if she'd never left the country at all. Upon showing the staff her pass, they had let her in without charge.
And so Hikari had begun her first summer back in Japan.
The aquarium was air conditioned of course, so it was an immediate relief for her to step inside out of the hot summer morning sun.
Even on a weekday there was a good amount of people there, but Hikari kept to herself and explored at her own pace. She spent quite some time at the main and largest tank to begin with, watching the grumpy-looking sharks swim at their leisure without disturbing any of the other creatures. Tuna and other large fish swam around at the top, while smaller fish darted around the middle of the tank, and at the very bottom were nurse sharks and stingrays and other things scuttling around in the sand. She'd stayed there even when the tour group had come and gone a few times, but eventually had continued onward.
Next she'd walked along the main path where the tanks showcased even more varieties of sea life; fish, plants, corals, and so on. She'd passed by the crowded tank which led to an outdoor pool, which was where the dolphins were. They would spin and flip and twirl in the water like dancers, and always seemed to be having fun. Hikari liked them, but there were always too many people there, so she never got that close.
She eventually stopped at the little cafe inside for lunch, and then made her way to the long hallway where smaller fish and crabs were located. So watched the shrimp waving their feelers and running across the sand, then the sea horses bobbing up and down, and the starfish lazing around, all while the tour guide spoke about each species. Hikari didn't follow the main group here either, but went at her own pace.
Until she finally made her way to the darker part at the end of the hallway - the place where the tanks actually lit up.
She never seems to get past that spot.
The jellyfish captivate her in a way none of the other animals ever could.
Even as a child when she would come to an aquarium every now and again, Hikari always loved the jellyfish. Even if they didn't really have faces she could see, and even if they didn't interact with each other or do very much… she just liked them.
She liked how they lived their lives carefree, how they seemed helpless but could still pack a punch with their sting if they needed to. But most of all she just liked how they looked. How bouncy and jiggly they were. She'd always wanted to pet one, but of course that couldn't happen, so she just imagined what they'd feel like.
She watched them for a long time - perhaps for too long. Because at one point she heard a soft voice calling out close by.
"Miss? Do you need help with anything?"
She'd heard the words, but they hadn't exactly registered right away, not until the person spoke again.
"Miss?"
Hikari had jumped as if she's been pulled out of a dream world and back into reality. She'd blinked, and pulled her gaze away from the jellyfish to instead look at the person who had spoken.
Even in the darkened room, she could tell it was the tour guide; a girl probably about her own age with long wavy hair and kind, but concerned, eyes. Hikari couldn't think quickly enough to speak, so she'd just shaken her head. The girl had smiled.
"All right. If you need anything at all, please let me know."
Hikari had just nodded and bowed her head. The tour guide left her, but she couldn't help but feel a little guilty about staying here for so long, so after a little while, about an hour before closing, Hikari left her first day at the aquarium.
But she didn't even mind that she didn't get to see the rest of it, because she'd enjoyed the jellyfish so much. She'd taken the bus back home, and then told her parents about her time there. They both were glad she'd enjoyed herself and encouraged her to use her free pass to her heart's content.
So the next day Hikari returned to the aquarium, though she passed by the other exhibits a little more quickly to get to the jellyfish. She was a bit more mindful of the tour guide girl, but she didn't address Hikari that day, or the day after.
Hikari's second encounter with that girl - Saijou Claudine - comes the following week.
Hikari was nervous she would be told to leave, or that she couldn't stand around the same place for so long anymore.
But on the contrary, Claudine had been very nice to her and was only worried that Hikari might be lost or in need of assistance. She'd used her lunch break to show Hikari around a bit more and tell her even more amazing facts about jellyfish, and Hikari had hung on her every word.
It was the most anyone other than her own parents had spoken to her since she'd moved back to Japan, and it was the most Hikari had spoken to anyone else outside of her family as well.
All of the nervousness she'd initially felt about coming back to Japan, and about coming to the aquarium on her own, and about speaking to people she didn't know, had gone out the window with Claudine. She was not only smart and pretty, but also very kind.
And it was very clear to Hikari that Claudine wasn't just telling her all about these sea creatures to show off. She was doing it to help Hikari feel better.
And most importantly, she was doing it because she loved it.
Hikari could tell she was really passionate about these animals and very genuinely interested in them. Even though she was more of an expert here than most people, she still obviously cared about the animals, and didn't just do this work for a paycheck. At least, that's the kind of sense Hikari got from her, and she really liked that.
She'd spent a lot of time with Claudine that day, and by the time the place was closing, Hikari was almost sad they'd have to leave; sadder than she'd been on any of the other days so far.
But talking with and listening to Claudine had left her feeling excited and bubbly inside, and Hikari had been rather giddy all the way home that day.
That night, she kept thinking about Claudine and how cool and knowledgeable she was. Hikari couldn't wait to go back to the aquarium tomorrow.
But now, it wasn't just the jellyfish she was looking forward to seeing.
On Thursday morning, Hikari gets dressed comfortably as per usual and has breakfast with her parents before they head to work. She tells them she's going to the aquarium yet again, and the three of them part ways for the day.
It's hot outside today, but Hikari bounds along down the sidewalk with a bit of a spring in her step. She boards the bus and rides it to her destination, and is amongst the first crowd to enter.
The woman at the front desk has gotten used to seeing her by now, and Hikari only needs to show her season pass briefly before she's allowed inside.
Perhaps she's a bit more excited than usual today, because she hurries along, only waving briefly to the sharks and stingrays and other fish as she passes them by and heads straight for The Undertow.
It wouldn't be time yet for Claudine's first tour, but that's why Hikari had come here right away, in hopes of catching and talking to her a little bit before the crowds came.
But her smile fades away when she realizes it isn't Claudine here today to give tours, but an older, unfamiliar woman. Hikari's shoulders slump.
That's right. Saijou-san said she was off today. I forgot…
It really dampens her mood, and she can't understand why. She'd only just formally met Claudine yesterday, so she has no idea why she's so upset about not seeing her today.
It doesn't make any sense at first. But then, as Hikari walks over to stare up at the jellyfish, she remembers just how much fun she'd had yesterday in listening to Claudine talk about them - not to a whole crowd, but just to Hikari. It had made her feel special, and she'd had a lot of fun.
She knows it's unrealistic to think she could talk with Claudine like that every day, because this was Claudine's workplace.
I probably shouldn't distract her. She might get in trouble…
But… she wants to talk with her more at the same time…
Hikari remains conflicted throughout the day, shuffling aside as the tour groups come into the jellyfish room. She goes to the cafe to order lunch as per usual, then walks around back to the largest tank for a while. She'd considered going to the parts of the aquarium she hadn't been to yet, but she wants to save that for later in the summer.
But all in all, she ends up leaving earlier than usual that day.
By the time she gets home and her parents ask her about her day, Hikari's voice is a bit hoarse, because she realizes she hasn't spoken to anyone at all today since she'd left at breakfast.
She goes to bed that night really hoping Claudine will be back again tomorrow.
Hikari is almost surprised to find Claudine actually back on Friday, though it honestly makes plenty of sense, since this was a day she was scheduled to work.
Like yesterday, Hikari goes to her before the first tour group comes by in hopes of chatting with her. All of the excitement she'd built up for herself yesterday that had come crashing down has returned tenfold now.
Claudine is saying good morning to the eels when Hikari approaches, but the second Claudine sees her she straightens up with a bright smile.
"Bonjour, Hikari!"
Hikari can't explain why, but her chest feels all warm and fuzzy. She smiles back.
"Good morning." She meets Claudine at the eel tank.
"Did you miss me yesterday?" Claudine asks playfully. Hikari bows her head.
"A little bit…"
Claudine wasn't expecting such an honest answer. She almost sputters.
"A-Ah, sorry about that. I'll make it up to you today, okay? I'm off again tomorrow, too."
"It's okay," Hikari says. "I forgot."
Claudine crouches down a bit so she can find Hikari's eyes again.
"Well then let's go on a little date of our own before the crowds come in, shall we?"
"A date…?"
"Not a serious one," Claudine says quickly. "But I can show you a few cool things that most guests can't get up early enough for."
"Are you sure?" Hikari mumbles. "Can you do that?"
"Of course I can! You're a paying customer, after all. Well, technically not a paying one, I guess. But my first tour isn't for another half hour or so. Until then, I'll be helping you out. How does that sound?"
Hikari thinks for a moment, then nods.
"Okay."
"Perfect! Then follow me."
Hikari follows her first to a portion of the aquarium she hasn't been to yet. There's a large tank with all sorts of driftwood, plants, and a setup of a sunken ship about as tall as a person. Claudine gives her a light nudge forward. Hikari steps up to the glass to peer inside.
"What's in here?"
"See if you can find it."
Hikari looks as hard as she can, staring at the unmoving water and scanning the shadows and the crevices of the ship. But she can't find anything.
"I don't see it."
"Allow me." Claudine raises her finger and points upward. Puzzled, Hikari glances up. There, sticking to the top corner of the tank, is a large octopus, with its long tentacles dangling down over the glass. Hikari jumps back, startled by its proximity.
Claudine chuckles.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to spook you."
"I didn't even see it…"
"She's a master of disguise. Most people think she's just another plant dangling off to the side. She hardly moves all day, but she's most active right around now."
"How come?"
Claudine smiles.
"Because right now it's breakfast time."
Hikari hears a bit of commotion from the upper level above them, and when she glances up she can see several other employees at the top of the octopus tank. Someone drops in a large jar filled with something Hikari can't make out. She watches it sink to the bottom of the tank. Almost immediately, the octopus that had been sticking to the glass detaches herself and floats down to the bottom. Hikari leans closer to peer in and watch her glide across the sand to the jar. She frowns.
"Oh no."
"Hm?" Claudine hums. "What's the matter."
"They forgot to open the jar for her."
Claudine laughs lightly.
"She can do it herself!"
"Huh?"
"Watch."
Claudine directs her back to the octopus, and Hikari leans closer. Sure enough, the octopus has already wrapped her tentacles around the jar and started fussing with it, twisting it and rotating her body to apply the necessary force. It takes her only about ten seconds to get it open. After tipping it over to spill out the dead fish and crabs inside, the octopus swims over the scraps to scoop them into her mouth.
Hikari's jaw drops.
"Whoa."
"Isn't she fascinating? Smarter than most humans when it comes to opening jars! They give her a different one each day, but she still manages to open them quickly. Some of them even have locks and puzzle codes, and she figures those out, too!"
"Really?"
"Mmhm."
Hikari marvels at the octopus for a little while longer before someone in a wet suit dives in to retrieve the empty jar. Hikari is in awe, so much so that Claudine decides not to rush her along to do anything else today. After a few more minutes though, Claudine takes a step back.
"I've got to get back to get ready now," she says. "But you stay as long as you'd like, Hikari."
Hikari's shoulders slump again. She'd been having fun with Claudine, and almost forgotten she had to work.
"Okay."
"If you need me, you know where to find me." Claudine gives her a wave before turning and heading off back toward The Undertow.
Hikari watches her go before turning back to the octopus. Before long, more people start filing in, and Hikari gradually moves away.
She looks at some of the smaller octopus in neighboring tanks, as well as several types of squid she'd never gotten to see before. She spends almost all morning there until her stomach starts growling and she has to go to the cafe for lunch.
By the time she finally gets to The Undertow, Claudine is already in the middle of a tour, and Hikari can only assume she'd had her lunch break already. Essentially, Hikari had missed her only other chance to be alone with her today.
So she retreats to the jellyfish room, just so she can hear Claudine's voice from down the hallway and be near her when she gets to the end of The Undertow. But even when Claudine is near her, she's being swamped with questions today, so Hikari doesn't really get a moment to talk to her anymore. She at least wants to stay until the next break in customers so she can catch Claudine's eye.
But Hikari feels her phone vibrate, and when she checks it she receives a message from her mother asking her to come back home, because Hikari's grandparents are coming over for dinner. Hikari hasn't seen them in a long time, so she's excited for that. But she's just sad she doesn't get to say goodbye to Claudine properly.
She leaves the aquarium without getting to catch her eye again, and she remembers Claudine won't be here tomorrow either. She'll have to wait until Sunday to see her again.
I just hope she doesn't think I left without saying goodbye because I don't like her…
Hikari hasn't been around or been friendly with people her own age for a long time, so she can't help but worry about such things.
When she gets home, her grandparents have already arrived, and she hugs them for a long time before her parents start telling them about London.
After that, Hikari shows them pictures of the aquarium, and tells them how amazing octopus are at opening jars.
All in all, she goes to bed very happy tonight, and even though tomorrow is Saturday, it's Sunday she really can't wait for.
A/N: I simply think they are one of the most wholesome pairs ever to exist... Claudine is so gentle and outgoing and wants to make sure Hikari is comfortable and having fun, whereas Hikari is trying her utmost best to be good company and can't explain the butterflies she feels around her. I loved writing them being adorably awkward and wholesome!
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