It didn't take much time for them to reach the promised place.
Tokyo Sea Life Park is a public aquarium managed by the local government. The aquarium displays over 600 species in 47 tanks, including a gigantic donut-shaped tank that holds 2,200 t water with Pacific Bluefin Tunas swimming around. There is also one of Japan's largest penguin exhibition spaces, and 4 kinds of cute penguins can be seen.
"In terms of admission ticket, 700 yen is really dirt cheap, but that's not the only reason Father gave us the ticket for this place." Hachiman grinned.
"Isn't it because of its location? which is between Tokyo metropolitan and Chiba prefecture?" Mika asked. "Producer sure is thoughtful."
"Well, because it's dirt cheap. More students would come here to hang out and go on a date. Most of the sites were also enclosed and poorly lit, which makes it far easier to blend in."
"Of course, the climax should take place there." Hachiman pointed at the giant Ferris wheel in the park adjacent to the aquarium area. "It's harder to find more privacy and romantic atmosphere other than the cabin of a Ferris wheel."
Hachiman began to understand just how calculating his father could be. As for Mika, she could only feel amazed.
They rendezvous with Saika and Anya at the Train station. Hachiman's eyes feel like he's seeing heaven. No, THIS is heaven.
On the other hand, Mika was shocked.
"Se-ri-ous-ly?! He's basically a handsome version of Anya-chan!" Mika whispered at Hachiman. Her voice was a mixture of panic and excitement.
"I already told you before..." Hachiman rolled his eyes. "Don't hit on him, alright?"
"No worries. Let's introduce ourselves."
"My name is Totsuka Saika. I was Hachiman's former classmate and a cousin of Anya-chan."
"Hello, my name is Mika Jougasaki, but keep that a secret. Just for today, please call me Ojou."
Ojou means Princess. Hachiman wanted to snark that it sounds vaguely like a prostitute's fake name, but he doesn't want to get hit. Also, only Totsuka Saika could put on a Fedora and gains absolute zero douche points. Not bad, not bad at all.
But hey, WHERE are you looking, Totsuka? And now he gets embarrassed? Jougasaki didn't seem to notice, or maybe she deliberately ignored it.
"S-shall we go?" Saika awkwardly proposes.
"Yes."
The Tokyo Sea Life Park entrance was a giant glass dome called Sky Plaza. Because most of the complex was underwater, this Sky Plaza is labeled the third floor.
They ride down the escalator to the second floor, where the first exhibit begins: The shark tank. This exhibit shows multiple species of sharks living together, if not in harmony, at least peaceful.
Hachiman didn't bother to hide his excitement and muttered as he placed his hand on the glass like a child. "Whoa, Hammerhead!"
It legit surprised Mika to see Hachiman this excited. He was NEVER this excited before in the last 20 days of knowing him personally. Mika knows Hachiman told her to act as naturally as possible without being intrusive, but she is still surprised.
"You like sharks, huh?"
"Well, to a degree. Komachi too." Hachiman smiles.
"Hachiman, do you want to take a picture?" Saika asks. "The sign said it's okay to do that."
"Is that alright?" Hachiman handed out his phone to Saika. "Komachi will be so jealous."
"Jou... I mean Ojou-san. What about you?"
"I'm afraid of them, so no thanks."
Honestly, Mika didn't want to take needless photos with Hachiman. Because she doesn't want to make a person jealous. Not that Hachiman disagreed, he's not usually the type that likes being taken pictures of.
However, not taking at least a single photo together would be suspicious. So one well-timed picture is more than good enough.
"Would you want to try as well?" Mika asked Anya and Saika.
"Sure, What about Anya?" Saika asked his cousin.
nya nodded furiously. "I want to!"
Mika and Hachiman took pictures separately, using Saika and Anya's phones. It was easy to notice how closely Anya clings to him.
And Hachiman inwardly admitted that they look good together, not just as brother and sister figures, but as a boy and a girl. With Anya around him, Saika looked much more masculine than without. Perhaps because, compared to him, Anya was even more dainty and cute.
Such a slight difference can make a great contrast.
"Wow, you really look good together." Mika voiced her thoughts, which Hachiman could agree with quietly. "Maybe you should make a duo."
"I don't think it's possible, haha." Saika laughed lightly in response.
Hachiman, on the other hand, was dead quiet. Because he knows all too well the bitter reality of patiently waiting for such an idea to come to fruition... and brutally devours it.
Mixed-gender Idols were something proposed and formed in Korea multiple times, and not a single one caught on. No one bothers trying in Japan. And mixed-gender groups generally went straight into either underground or mainstream pop Industry instead.
However, with the current situation, thanks to the increasingly mainstream and liberal Idol culture... it's not impossible.
Ryou's gender reveal scandal didn't sink his career. Hidaka Mai could have a career comeback as a 30-year-old housewife with a child. A mixed-gender Idol group seemed tame in comparison.
"It's not impossible. But it'll be difficult." Hachiman smirked ambiguously. "No one tried it yet, in Japan at least."
"Hmm, makes sense!"
Besides, if these two started dating, it would complicate things even more.
"Killjoy." Mika elbowed Hachiman and pouted. "There's not a single shred of flavor in your dream."
"There is." Hachiman snort. "My dream taste like sour grapes."
"Ahaha, what is that? It makes no sense!"
Such inconsequential jokes are something that Hachiman and others do when he's not being the straight man to Idol stupidity, that is. And in this situation, it is the only way to show Saika that Hachiman and Mika are close.
Hachiman and Mika agreed not to push the fake idea of them dating and let Saika makes his own conclusion. Their only job is to ensure the other two spend quality time with each other.
They can tell that Anya is giving Saika a good time. However, it's really impossible to read Saika's personal mood. Someone so innocent should not be allowed to be this elusive!
"Totsuka is a tough nut to crack, unexpectedly." Hachiman comments. "His innocence shields him enough that he doesn't react to girls as other guys do."
"Can you tell?" Mika inquires.
"Yeah, he didn't judge you despite your unique appearance." Hachiman nods. "Even I was surprised at first, and I'm in a part of the conspiracy here."
There was the saying... one doesn't judge a book by its cover, which perfectly describes Mika. Despite her daring gal appearance, she's reserved and sometimes naive.
However, most people DO judge others by their appearance. Hachiman isn't an exception. But Saika just... don't. Hachiman could tell that Mika's sensual appearance didn't affect his opinion of her.
"But he DID stare at your boobs for a second." Hachiman blurts out.
It means that Saika does, in fact, like girls. Weird indicator, but like, even Hachiman had to put effort not to stare. But Saika actually stared at Mika that way and got flustered.
"Ah."
This is mid-April. Only a few weeks had passed since the winter season left, and Mika's incredibly revealing outfit didn't match well with the public. Only a few people dressed openly, which made Mika the center of attention today.
"...What, you didn't notice?" Hachiman asked in disbelief.
"Well... it's hard to explain... I'll tell you later." She claps her hands apologetically, which is weird. She shouldn't have been the person who apologizes.
They descended to the bottom floor, where most of the facilities are. Right after they finished, they were greeted with several smaller aquariums.
These aquaria represent the name seas of the world, that is, multiple ecosystems from all over the planet. There are varying species that would not be encountered in Japan or the nearby seas.
It was interesting. But ultimately, a shallow experience.
The scenery at the Voyage of the sea, where the massive bluefin tunas are kept in a giant 2200 metric ton water tank, was quite a sight. Mika decided this was the best time to get a photo with Hachiman.
"Man, I look out of place in this..." Mika said as she looked at her phone screen. "If it's Kanade or Shuuko, they would fit in better."
Well, Kanade and Shuuko have that chill and laid-back air on them, or maybe Mika is talking about her choice of color scheme? Someone bright and passionate like her doesn't fit in a dark, indoor place like this.
"But you do stand out. Visually that is."
"Not happy about that, but eh, let's continue."
And then, it's time for hilarity.
The so-called touch and feel area is where the visitor can directly interact with the animals. Specifically, various fishes that usually live in shallow water.
Including shark subfamilies. Like the dogfishes and catsharks.
"No." Mika twitched.
"What. Doesn't Idol usually have those stupid challenge shows where you're blindfolded and have to guess what's in the box by touching them?" Hachiman asked her.
"I don't want those either!" Mika almost yells at Hachiman for his deadpan yet also factual statement.
In contrast, Saika and Anya drowned in the atmosphere and enjoyed themselves touching the fish lightly.
"Looking at them is one thing, but touching them is something else," Saika remarked. "I thought it would be a bit weird, but they're super cute."
"Hmm, hmm!" Anya agrees with him. "You know, space is awesome, but the deep sea... how do I say it. It's actually quite mysterious and enchanting in its own ways."
Saika looked at the mildly cloudy sky and said. "People in the past consider the sky and the sea as opposites but also equals. I guess it's the reason why."
"Yes. People constantly look at the sky, but there is a lot about the oceans that we don't know." Anya sighed.
Really, they have such a good atmosphere that Hachiman couldn't really say it was 'sibling-like' at all. Close siblings argue and joke about each other by the metric ton. Hachiman and Komachi aren't the exceptions to that.
Hachiman isn't that close with his cousin, so he can't certainly say that's not how close cousins works.
"Certainly, something distant tends to be far more fascinating to pursue... and sometimes it makes you forget things close to you." Saika nodded. "I'm glad we came here together."
Eh? Are they talking about the sea and the sky... or talking about each other? It seemed that both Mika and Anya, too, realized the implication.
However, while the implication was clear, Hachiman is unsure if Saika is talking about himself or about Anya leaving to become an Idol to pursue her dream.
If it's the latter, then Saika is absolutely wrong. Anya not being able to forget him was the source of many problems, and perhaps, also the source of her strength.
It makes things a little bit awkward from that point on, but they decide to keep trucking.
青春 の輝かしいステージ ひどく明るい感じ
The Shining Stage of Youth feels awfully bright
(Oregairu/Idolmaster - Cinderella Girls)
Original Story by: Watari Wataru/Bandai-Namco
Written by: ZeroXSEED
Chapter 7 - The conclusion of the Double Date
"We still have a lot of time left, so how about we go there?" Mika pointed at the giant Ferris Wheel as they got off the Sky Plaza. The Ferris Wheel was located in Kasai Rinkai Park, the public park adjacent to the Tokyo Sea Life Park area.
Incidentally, the other side is occupied by Seabird Sanctuary. So a large patch of these lands is managed by the government.
"That sounds like a good idea."
"Let's go."
The four arrived together, but Mika purposely blocked the entryway and winked as soon as Saika and Anya got inside.
"We have some private things to talk about, sorry!"
"Eh?!" Saika gasped, while Anastasia seemed nervous but ultimately understood. The Ferris Wheel cars were so huge that they could easily carry six people.
In an ordinary situation, the four of them can fit comfortably with room to spare.
"We'll be right behind you." Hachiman smiled.
And so, Mika and Hachiman entered the car right behind them. The moment they sat inside, their tension deflated.
"Do you think it will be alright?" Mika asked.
"Beats me. We've done as much to set the mood without making things awkward." Hachiman sneered. "You know, I've seen other people setting up for confession. They're so clumsy it was awful."
"Really?"
"Yeah, they interfered way too much instead of letting things flow naturally, like forcing a seat together, singing praises and vouching for someone, etc." Hachiman shook his head. "It was way worse in Middle School."
"I can relate to that. Usually, the girl ends up being too nervous." Mika cringed when she remembered things that happened back then. "By the way... why are you sitting that far?"
Hachiman was sitting on the opposite corner of the cabin. Even between two people who aren't lovers, this looked ridiculous.
"As much as it pains me to admit, this is my first time riding a Ferris Wheel with another girl that is not Komachi..." Hachiman told her. "I'm not a social person. Not before I came here."
"Ah, so it was like that." Mika pouted. "Well, I guess it's my turn to tell my secret."
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," Hachiman told her.
"No, well, I guess I just want to tell someone." Mika winced at his blunt yet ultimately considerate rebuff. "You know, I'm super fine with these skimpy clothes. No, I could happily say I like them."
"Even my old friends outside the company often ask me if I ever feel shy or awkward about it. But the answer is... no, not at all. I'm the first in my Idol group to publish a gravure mag. For example."
Gravure publications have a long history. But to put it simply, they're magazines, photo albums, and even DVD records portraying girls and young women in provocative clothing and situations.
"It's really kind of weird. Even when someone looks at me lecherously, I'm fine with it. And sometimes, I even start being provocative and tease others about it. But when it comes to building a close and physical relationship, I tend to be the nervous one." Mika sheepishly laughs. "Even with other girls, sometimes."
"During one of the handshake events, a fan asked me if I was sick because I was red and my hands were sweaty. It's not as if I was weirded or disgusted, but I was super embarrassed at the time."
"In other words, you're fine with people looking but not touching." Hachiman nodded in understanding.
The old Hachiman would think she was just some cheap slut seeking attention, but these Idols are complicated up close. Mika, in particular, is the most self-conscious of her peers. Hachiman realized this early on, during their first ride to school together.
"Well, it's better for me you're like that." Hachiman joked. "Pity for your fans, though."
"Jerk." Mika playfully kicked Hachiman's leg.
Hachiman and Mika used most of their time left by talking about their dear sisters instead. A single rotation of this giant Ferris Wheel takes 17 minutes to complete. Indeed, this famous 'Diamond and Flower' Ferris Wheel is the tallest in Japan. Named after the pattern of the light show it possesses at night.
On a clear day, you could even see Chiba from the peak. Which Hachiman really enjoyed.
That's a lot of time to talk things with. With 48 cars, there are roughly 20-second gaps between the cars to arrive.
Hachiman felt his heartbeat stop when he walks out. He was way too nervous for someone who acted like he got everything in his bag. From what he can see, shit was weird between Saika and Anya.
Both were smiling, yet there was a hint of sadness.
What.
"Thank you for today... and for everything, Saika-nii."
Mika was almost as dumbfounded herself. Even as Anastasia spotted her and raised two thumbs up. So was the confession a success or what? From a cursory glance, it seems that neither of them is satisfied.
"I guess this is a goodbye..." Saika said to Hachiman. "Please take care of Anya."
Hachiman was at a complete loss for words.
"See you again, Hachiman."
See you again. Those words were not something to be taken lightly. It means they will not meet in the short future of tomorrow or next week but will meet again someday at an unspecified time.
As someone who didn't have close friends before, Hachiman was still not someone who could take separation well. Despite his cynical outlook, he was still a bleeding heart inside.
"So, umm... Anya... did you..." Mika asked. "Got rejected?"
"No. It was mutual between us. I guess you can say we're in a relationship now... but..." Anastasia said with a weak voice. "Well, it's a bit complicated. It's not really worth crying for, but we still have a lot of things to sort out. I'll explain to Chief Producer first. And maybe I'll explain this to everyone afterward."
Eh?
"Umm, Hikigaya-san... if I may have a request, could you please talk with Saika-nii again?" Anastasia asked him. "Please?"
Mika poked Hachiman's shoulder to get his attention. "I think it's best to do it before he gets to the train station. We'll explain on your behalf later."
There was really no time to make a call. This entire date plan was only between Chief Producer and a select few Idols close to Hachiman. And his father is more or less unavailable to call...
Hachiman was torn up. If he tries to catch up with Saika, he abandons his duty to pick up Anastasia. However, Anastasia herself asked for this...
And Saika does seem like he could use support. As for Mika and Anya, the company car is already waiting in the parking area. It's because Hachiman can only transport one Idol at a time, to begin with.
...
In the end, Hachiman decided to pursue and called Saika out. He told Saika that since the girls would ride the company car anyway, he didn't have to be there.
They didn't really talk much on the way, but Hachiman also didn't send Saika to his home immediately. Instead, they made a stop at Soubu High.
"We're at school?" Saika asks curiously.
"Let's play tennis together."
"Ah, that..."
"You're running away, now?"
For a moment, just for a moment, Saika looked angry at Hachiman. However, it didn't last long at all. Saika realized that Hachiman was trying to provoke him to spill his frustration.
It didn't take much effort for them to come in. The security guard knows Saika personally, and Hachiman still had his old Soubu Student High card.
Hachiman and Saika both changed into a tracksuit and began stretching. There was a strange tension surrounding the air as they spoke no word despite being in complete harmony.
Even members of the other sports club, who was there for the Sunday activity, were curious.
"So, this will be our first time playing together," Hachiman mumbled.
"Don't go easy on me." Saika gritted his teeth.
Saika didn't expect Hachiman's ball to go past his defense like it was nothing. In fact, the ball went so fast that it almost broke the old safety fence of the tennis court...
Even the people outside dropped their jaws in shock.
"I didn't hear you." Hachiman pretended to be dumb and picked his ears without care.
"I said..." Saika repeated his words as he threw the ball back to Hachiman. "Don't go easy on me."
"Nice, then it's a good time to start it... observe!" Hachiman didn't serve a fastball, but the spin inflicted is incredible.
Hachiman gave Saika a handicap... that is, Hachiman's ball was aimed at him. Saika failed to intercept that, as the ball bounced on the court and changed its direction.
"What a monster, look at that topspin!"
"Do we have such a strong player in Soubu?"
Hachiman started to feel ill. The more people watched, the more stress he felt, even so... just like Saika, who was desperately fighting against overwhelming odds.
They didn't bother to count scores as Hachiman kept his savage play without lowering his tempo. Not that Saika scored a single time. From people who don't know, this is practically bullying. Hachiman looked pristine as ever, and Saika was literally ragged.
They were about to call for stops until Saika returned Hachiman's smash full force.
From what little talk they had on their way, Hachiman deduced that Saika felt uneasy and afraid of something. And to make him talk for real, Hachiman had no other choice.
He had to force Saika to face his fear and insecurity head-on. That's why he keeps attacking Saika directly. This is not a fair tennis match. This was a match rigged in Saika's favor, but not how people think it should be.
"I can see it..." Saika told Hachiman. "I can see everything."
"Good."
As the match continued, Hachiman kept dominating, but Saika stole a couple points. Before they knew it, over an hour had passed.
"Let's stop here." Hachiman sighed. "My stomach feels awful."
"Huh?" Saika woke up from his trance, and now, he was worried about Hachiman. "Are you alright?"
"I just need water and antacids." Hachiman wrily grinned. The crowd is getting to him hard, not that an hour of high-intensity tennis is something to shrug off.
Probably because he started using a motorcycle and no longer pedaling like he was before. Not to mention he had less exercise at school.
"I'm a little out of shape too." Hachiman winces. "Soubu had more hours allocated to PE than Otomejoshi, after all."
Despite being an elite school championing College preparation, Soubu High was big on pushing athleticism on its students. Aside from more Physical Education hours, there are also nonstandard athletic events like the annual Marathon.
Since Otomejoshi truncated its curriculum to accommodate busy young athletes and celebrities, many secondary subjects got the ax. PE included.
Man, those Idol schools in fiction are way too good.
"You should pay more attention to your health. You're working in the office on top of school studies. You should exercise more." Saika told him as he handed him a bottle of water.
Saika was in an even worse state, though. Which makes his critique hilarious and hypocritical.
"Well, three months spent with my mother upped my stamina. Maintaining top shape had been the least of my priority, though." Hachiman laughed after he swallowed an antacid tablet.
Well, Hachiman used the very little free time he had reading books. No wonder his body started to degrade in just two weeks!
Surprisingly, it doesn't take long for him to recover. His disciplined sleeping pattern really helps.
"Anyway... when Anya confessed to me, I was actually surprised. But, well, the problem is not her. It's me."
Hachiman widened his eyes in surprise.
Well, not really. Saika had quite an issue of low self-esteem to begin with. Since he had hangups about tennis club, romance issues would weigh him even more.
"You're not confident going out with her?"
"It's something far more specific, I'm afraid." Saika laughed. "The story goes a long way to years in the past. My first love in Grade School rejected me because she thinks I'm prettier than her."
"Worse yet, we were close friends before, and we drifted apart after my confession. The confession itself might have been the last straw that broke our relationship. People had been whispering behind our backs for a while."
Hachiman gagged so hard he almost vomited his innard out. Starting with something heavy, aren't ya?
But it's not as if Hachiman could not see her viewpoint. No, he could imagine it all too vividly. Any girl who hangs out with Saika, especially when they're still young, would have to bear the constant comparison. Maybe even insults and harassment for not being pretty enough.
It was too heavy of a burden for someone in elementary school. Hachiman cannot in conscience blame her for leaving, even if it could be construed as a betrayal.
"It was close to summer vacation, so I spent my time in Hokkaido to forget about it. That was when I first met Anya four years ago. We got along well, and despite losing my first love and close friend, I returned to Chiba happier than ever. For years, we exchanged letters with each other and never stopped."
"It was roughly a year ago when Anya started to live with my family to attend an international school. Later, she was scouted by 346 Pro to become an Idol. I thought that maybe it was for the best if Anya had a serious dream to pursue. And regardless of how it will affect our relationship, I feel I have to support her."
"You can say that because we're cousins, I have been somewhat oblivious to my own feelings for her. And really, I was happy when she confessed to me. But..."
"The thing is that Anya is the only girl who ever saw me as a boy. I have no illusion about my own position in the Tennis club. My Senpai thinks of me as a harmless club mascot in the end. I was chosen as the next Captain because everyone likes me that way."
You know... just last Friday, there was that incident where I accidentally stumbled on the girls changing. And they laughed and teased at me instead of getting angry or embarrassed."
That was more than just a joke. That was practically bullying, even if these girls didn't mean harm. No, because they were so kind and receptive, it hurt Saika's pride and identity as a boy.
Cruelty in kindness, there was no other way to explain it. No wonder Saika was severely depressed at the time. In addition to Hachiman leaving, his identity as a man wasn't acknowledged.
Anya was the only person who acknowledged Saika as a real man because she loved him romantically.
"But really, it's not their fault. If I'm just a little more masculine, then perhaps I could accept Anya's confession on its whole." Saika's voice became clear and loud. "I'm taking her for granted, am I not?"
Looking at him like this... wasn't Saika's problem precisely identical to Ryou's? Ryou's reason for becoming an Idol was also that no one acknowledged him as a real boy.
Perhaps Ryou knows how to deal with those feelings better. But it's not as if Hachiman could wash his hand off it. Saika's problem isn't just an identity crisis. Saika subconsciously rejects the idea of dependency on Anya's existence.
Mika's reaction was pretty telling. Hell, Hachiman himself feels the same. When they're together, Mika and Hachiman can only see Saika as a handsome boy, not an effeminate and pretty boy.
Right now, Saika can only be a real man with Anya beside him. And Saika cannot accept that. He had to stand on his own feet first. So he can proudly call Anya his lover.
So really, making Saika more masculine and confident might have been a much better approach.
While Ryou would empathize with Saika more, that doesn't solve the core problem. Ryou had to relearn everything from scratch now that he's no longer an Idol in drag.
As much as Hachiman dislikes the idea of gender stereotypes and roles, Ryou and Saika WANTED to be closer to the stereotypical masculine boy image.
Hachiman knows just the right person for that.
His mother.
Hachiman's mother hammered the kinks out of him in three months. She turned a beady-eyed, slouching, creepy loner into a boy who can get along with celebrities without having too many self-esteem issues.
However, his mother spent three months training Hachiman and Komachi, which threatened her career progression as a top-level Manager in a certain Megacorp. She could bear to sacrifice that much for her children... but what about strangers like Ryou and Saika?
"Hachiman shouldn't worry too much. I'll take responsibility for my own action." Saika stood up. "Since I decided to accept Anya's feelings, I'll put more effort into improving myself. I don't want to hold Anya-chan back. Even so..."
"If I somehow find myself lost, it's alright if I ask for help, right?" Saika extended his fist.
Hachiman is honestly still worried, but there's really not much he can do about it. Not alone.
"Yeah. Absolutely." Hachiman gently bumps his fist with Saika's.