"I received an NTR video accompanied by the message, 'Boyfriend, are you watching? lol.' In response, I sent back a clip of me and someone flirting, along with the message, 'Loser, are you watching? lol.'" - Episode 6

Hoshina took me to the aquarium.
I had been wondering why we met up at a seaside station, and now it all made sense.
At the entrance, we passed through a small gift shop filled with plush sea creatures and souvenirs before reaching the ticket counter. Hoshina was already buzzing with excitement, clearly in high spirits.
“Isn’t this the kind of place you’d come with your boyfriend?”
“He’s not into this kind of stuff. Says it’s boring. Plus, he sleeps in until late on his days off, so we never sync up.”
“Sleeping till the evening? What’s he even doing the night before?”
“Out somewhere, probably. He never says, but I wouldn’t be surprised.”
She spoke so casually, like she had already detached from him emotionally. It didn’t seem like she cared much about Netori anymore. It’s a shame—someone like her being treated so indifferently.
Well then, today I’ll do what her boyfriend should’ve done. I’ll treat her to a day worth remembering.
“Looks like we buy tickets here. Hey—look at that. Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Wow, you’re right. It’s amazing.”
Past the ticket counter, a surreal underwater world opened up. Tanks surrounded us on all sides—above, below, left, and right—swarming with colorful fish.
“Come on, let’s go inside!”
“Gotta get the tickets first.”
We bought our passes and entered. Hoshina, usually composed, was beaming with wide-eyed wonder.
“It’s like your first time here. Never went with your family?”
“No. My parents are always working. I’ve been on my own since I was little… they’re kind of indifferent.”
Her gaze dropped, voice quiet.
I shouldn’t have asked.
To change the subject, I pointed deeper into the building with dramatic flair.
“Hey, look! Jellyfish! Wanna check them out?”
“Jellyfish? I’ve never seen one up close.”
“Then let’s go. I think you’ll like them.”
Even if we were just fake-dating today, I couldn’t help wanting her to enjoy herself. I walked ahead, leading the way.
Not that I expected anything—Hoshina’s a germaphobe. She probably wouldn’t even hold hands.
“Wow… they’re beautiful.”
Dozens of jellyfish floated elegantly in a round tank, lit from below to give them a dreamy glow. Hoshina stood frozen, completely captivated.
“I’m so glad I came. Just seeing this makes the trip worth it.”
“And there’s still so much more to see.”
“I take it you’ve been here before?”
“Yeah. Once with my family. And again, with my girlfriend… about two weeks ago, actually. We’d only been dating a month then.”
“…Oh.”
Her voice caught. Her smile vanished.
Had I said something wrong?
Was it the girlfriend part? The timing? Her family?
I couldn’t figure out what had hurt her.
“…Sorry. I shouldn’t have brought that up.”
“Huh? No, it’s okay. Why are you apologizing?”
“Just… I’ve been kind of thoughtless. Dating for just a month…”
“…You’re the worst.”
What?
I barely caught her words, but I was sure I heard them.
“What do you mean by the worst?”
Surprised, Hoshina panicked.
“Wait, you heard that? I didn’t mean you! I meant… my boyfriend.”
“Oh. You meant Netori.”
“Yeah… He was already cheating on me after just a month.”
Oof. That is the worst.
People like that really exist.
It’s none of my business, but still, I felt genuinely sorry for her.
“You should ditch that loser. Seriously.”
“That’s the plan.”
“If he’s stressing you out or making you suspicious, just tell me. I’ll listen. Give you advice.”
“Thanks, but… I still don’t have any proof. Just a hunch.”
Proof, huh?
Another one of her cryptic lines. I wanted to know more, to understand her better.
But instead of pressing her, I smiled.
“Anyway, let’s focus on today. No point wasting a good aquarium trip on thoughts of a trash boyfriend.”
“Right. Since you’ve been here before, you’ll be my guide.”
“Of course. Allow me to escort the lovely princess through her magical kingdom.”
“Princess? Who are you talking about?”
She tilted her head, genuinely confused.
“You, obviously.”
“Me? A princess? That’s a bit much.”
“You’re stunning. The kind of girl guys think is out of their league. You’ve got this elegant air—even your germaphobia kind of adds to it. You look like a princess.”
Her face turned red, like something out of an anime.
“That’s an exaggeration.”
“It’s really not. You just have low self-esteem.”
“It’s normal.”
“No, it’s low. Hoshina, you’re cute, pretty, and beautiful. Accept it.”
“Not happening!”
Her eyes darted around nervously. If I pushed any more, she’d explode.
Maybe I went too far.
“Did you say that kind of stuff to her too?”
“…Come to think of it, I didn’t. Megumi is cute too, but maybe she just didn’t react the same.”
Maybe Megumi had heard it all before, so she didn’t really respond. But Hoshina… she blushed every time. That reaction was refreshing.
“Alright, enough talk about exes. Look, you can touch a flounder over there… or, maybe not your thing?”
“Nope. Definitely not touching that.”
As expected from the glove-wearing germaphobe.
But that didn’t matter. You didn’t need to touch the animals to enjoy the aquarium.
I did my best to keep the mood light and give her a good time.
By the time we left, Hoshina’s smile had grown softer, more natural. I hadn’t laughed much, but I felt like we’d grown closer.
There was a food court next door, so we grabbed cups of ice cream and headed out to a small terrace that overlooked the ocean.
“Today was really fun. It was my first real date. It felt new.”
“I’m glad you had fun.”
So, she never had a proper date with Netori?
I didn’t ask. I didn’t want to ruin the mood.
“I never thought I’d end up somewhere like this with you,” I said.
“Me neither. Thanks, Yujiro.”
She looked right at me, her eyes sparkling in the sunlight reflected off the water.
They were so beautiful, I couldn’t look away.
“Would you come with me again?”
“Yeah. Anytime you want, Hoshina.”
“Then I’ll invite you again.”
She gave me a soft, genuine smile—so different from her usual composed self.
My heart skipped a beat.
And at the same time, I felt a twinge of guilt.
I’d spent the whole day with another girl.
I’d have to tell Megumi eventually.
That was the thought on my mind as I stood, stunned by the sight of Hoshina’s smile.