Chapter 519: I Am the Emperor Penguin
Sensing the atmosphere was becoming tense, Yui quickly changed the subject.
"Alright, let's go look at something else," she suggested.
"Why, are we done touching the sea creatures?" Yukino asked.
Yui nodded with a smile. "Yeah, if we touch them too long, they might get tired."
"Touching too long can be tiring..." Yukino murmured, echoing the phrase. She glanced at Hachiman and nodded.
"Then let's check out somewhere else. Yui, where would you like to go next?"
"Hmm, let me think..." Yui pondered.
Just then, the trio heard a distinct birdcall echoing around them.
Hearing it, Yui's eyes lit up.
"Oh, penguins! Hikki, Yukinon, let's go see the penguins!"
"Penguins? Sure, let's go," Yukino agreed.
However, Hachiman's expression soured slightly at the mention.
He recalled a middle school nickname, "Hikki Penguin."
Noticing his demeanor, Yui asked, "Hikki, is something wrong? Do you not like penguins?"
"It's nothing," Hachiman shook his head. They were just trivial musings from people he no longer paid attention to.
Adjusting his mood, he smiled at the girls, "Alright, let's hurry to see them."
The three made their way to the Antarctic exhibit. Upon seeing the waddling penguins on the rocky terrain, Yui was thrilled and eagerly took out her phone for photos.
"Wow, they're so cute."
"Yes, they are quite adorable," Yukino nodded, though she thought privately, But they're still not as cute as my cats.
Many penguins gathered on the rocky hill, calling out to each other. Some waddled awkwardly to the water's edge, diving in with a splash to swim, while others nestled together, grooming each other with their beaks.
Watching these endearing creatures, Hachiman became intrigued and pulled out his phone to take photos for Komachi.
In contrast to their clumsy land movements, the penguins were graceful underwater. They swam agilely, shifting directions easily, and moved like arrows through the water.
Witnessing this, Yui exclaimed in awe and tugged at Yukino's sleeve with excitement.
"Wow, look at them swim! It's like they're flying underwater."
"Penguins are birds, after all..."
Seeing Yui's childlike wonder, Yukino couldn't help but smile and press her hand to her forehead.
"Oh..."
Realizing her oversight, Yui turned away, trying to defend herself awkwardly.
"I-I knew that, of course."
Despite her protest, her tone betrayed her embarrassment.
Seeing her like this, Yukino couldn't help but smile tenderly.
After watching the penguins for a while longer, the trio prepared to move on. However, just a few steps away, they stumbled upon an informational sign next to the penguin exhibit.
Noticing the sign, Yukino stopped in her tracks to take a closer look.
At first, she intended to glance through it casually, but soon it appeared that she had come across something significant, freezing in place.
Noticing Yukino's unusual behavior, Yui approached her.
"Yukinon, what's wrong?"
Yet Yui also seemed to catch sight of something and soon stood there, equally dumbfounded.
Seeing their reactions, Hachiman walked over with curiosity.
When he approached, Yukino and Yui simultaneously turned to him, their eyes conveying a hint of lament.
Confused by their response, Hachiman glanced at the information sign.
It read: ["These captive penguins are known as Humboldt Penguins. The ones standing closely together are in a mating relationship."]
["In most cases, they adhere to a 'monogamous' system, remaining with the same partner for life unless one of them dies."]
Hachiman remembered seeing a few pairs of penguins cuddling closely together; they must be the "couples" mentioned in the sign.
But monogamous, huh?
Seeing those words, Hachiman understood why both Yui and Yukino appeared this way.
He had never denied his flirtatious tendencies, so when even penguins could follow monogamous relationships, he could imagine why the girls might feel a bit uncomfortable.
Besides, who said penguins were strictly lifelong monogamists? Did they know about emperor penguins?
While emperor penguins also exhibit monogamy, they change partners every breeding season.
"Alright, alright, it's just penguins. What's so fascinating about them?" Hachiman chuckled to ease the tension.
"Hikki, you can't say that about them!" Yui protested.
However, that seemed to backfire; Yui puffed her cheeks in displeasure, and Yukino nodded with a frosty expression.
"Exactly, they're much better than some people."
Hachiman shrugged with a smile in response to their pointed remarks.
"I can be a penguin too! But I'd want to be an emperor penguin."
"An emperor penguin?" Yui asked, puzzled, uncertain about his intentions.
While this statement might have held sway over Yui, it meant little to Yukino, who was relatively knowledgeable. A flash of understanding about emperor penguins crossed her mind, and a wry smile appeared on her face.
What could she say to someone who had no sense of shame?
That guy! Does he really want to be as flirtatious as an emperor penguin?
With that thought, Yukino felt a surge of frustration and decided not to engage with Hachiman anymore. She turned and walked away.
Seeing her retreating figure, Yui opened her mouth.
"Hikki, Yukinon is..."
"It's okay, she's just upset for a moment. I'll go talk to her later," Hachiman replied with a smile as he squeezed Yui's hand.
"I just feel a bit sorry for you, Yui."
Feeling the warmth in his hand, Yui's expression softened, and she shook her head. "It's fine, Hikki. I know I'm just ordinary compared to others..."
"No, Yui, you're wrong! You're anything but ordinary!"
Before she could finish her thought, Hachiman interrupted her.
"To me, you're a one-of-a-kind treasure, irreplaceable by anyone else."
"Hikki..."
Listening to his heartfelt words, warmth spread through Yui's heart, and she murmured bashfully, "That's so wonderful..."
Seeing her bashful demeanor, Hachiman felt a swell of affection. If the timing were right, he would have kissed her already.
But not now; Yukino was still waiting over there.
With this in mind, he playfully patted Yui on the head.
"Alright, let's go find Yukino."
"Yeah, let's go find her together," Yui said cheerfully, nodding.
After returning to the aquarium, they found Yukino standing alone in front of a large tank, seemingly lost in thought.
"Yukinon!" Yui called out happily as she ran over.
Hachiman followed a step behind, also moving towards her.
"Yui, are you done watching?" Yukino asked, smiling as Yui entered.
Though she was still upset with Hachiman, she couldn't possibly stay mad at Yui.
"Yes! The penguins were so cute! I took a ton of photos!" Yui replied, wrapping her arms around Yukino's arm with a bright smile.
Yukino had long since grown accustomed to such affectionate gestures and couldn't help but smile tenderly at Yui.
"That's great. As long as you're happy."
At that moment, Hachiman approached them.
Before him was a tank filled with giant kelp, their long leaves swaying gently with the water currents. The faint light filtered through the kelp, illuminating countless fish that darted in and out among the foliage, creating a vibrant picture of colors.
Red fish, blue fish, and various other colors swam together in shoals.
Suddenly, Yukino spoke softly, "It's such freedom, not having to blindly follow..."
Following her gaze, Hachiman noticed a large red fish swimming boldly on its own amongst the kelp.
Compared to the smaller fish that had to swim in a specific direction in their schools, this larger fish was indeed much freer.
"Well, that's because it's big enough," Hachiman pointed out.
Yukino nodded. "Exactly. The weaker fish can only hide and drift along, following the crowd until they bump into an invisible wall."
Yui listened, somewhat confused, with a lot of questions in her mind.
But Hachiman understood perfectly what Yukino meant.
Yukino's mention of the "weaker fish" was a reflection of her former self. Although moving out from the Yukinoshita household seemed like freedom, there were still some things she couldn't resist, leaving her at the mercy of her family's control.
But now things were different. With Hachiman's support, she had gradually broken free from her family's grasp and was moving toward the true freedom she wanted.
"After all, even a small fish can grow big someday, right? As long as you become strong enough, you can attain freedom," Hachiman reassured her with a smile.
Hearing this, a smile also appeared on Yukino's lips.
"Yes, with this guy's help, I've already 'grown up.' Soon, I'll be able to seek true freedom."
Thinking of this, her grievances about Hachiman's flirtatious nature lessened a bit.
Meanwhile, Yui didn't fully grasp what the two were discussing, but she didn't mind.
After all, Hachiman had said that all she needed to do was be happy every day, right?
Leaving the kelp exhibit behind, the three ventured into another display area.
On the wall, there were several circular windows for viewing.
Yui wrapped her arms around Yukino's, and they both stepped in front of a window together, with Hachiman using his height to lean over them.
Together, they gazed inside and saw many jellyfish floating gracefully in the pink light.
"Wow, so beautiful! It looks like fireworks," Yui exclaimed, her eyes bright with wonder.
Fireworks, huh?
Some jellyfish extended their long tentacles, and under the light, it truly resembled the tails of fireworks bursting in the sky.
As she watched the mesmerizing sight, Yui closed her eyes and rested her head on Yukino's shoulder.
"Yukinon, can we watch the fireworks together again next year?"
Upon hearing this, a soft smile spread across Yukino's face as she gently leaned in towards Yui, closing her eyes as well.
"Mm... Let's go together."
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