“They do look alike, don’t they.”
Inho held out his phone towards Haon, a soft smile gracing his lips.
Inside the phone, identical to Haon’s model, a recently captured image showed an otter touching its own face. Inho’s photo album was filled with dozens of otter pictures.
“How can they look so much alike?”
Inho playfully shook his phone, replaying a video of the otter clapping its paws at the zookeeper’s prompting. Among all the otters, he’d singled out this particular one, laughing as he insisted on the uncanny resemblance to Haon.
“They don’t look alike…”
Haon mumbled, turning his head away with a hint of reluctance. Truthfully, in his eyes, one otter looked much the same as another.
Unlike the brightly smiling Inho, Haon seemed strangely listless. Perhaps that was why Inho was being even more playfully cheerful.
“Oh, this one looks like you now.”
Inho lightly poked the corner of Haon’s downturned lips, then pointed to a different otter. It was an otter looking dejected after having its snack taken away by the zookeeper.
“It doesn’t look anything like me…”
Haon murmured in a faint voice, then took the lead, suggesting they go look at other animals.
They had spent nearly thirty minutes watching the otters. The talented otters had indeed put on many charming displays, making it entertaining, but Haon wanted to see other animals as well.
“Haon-ssi, let’s go together.”
Inho strolled leisurely, following behind Haon. Haon soon stopped and waited for him.
Then, Inho mimicked the zookeeper praising an otter and giving it a treat. This finally made the corner of Haon’s lips twitch, and he lowered his head, hiding his smile.
“Do you feel better now?”
Actually, Haon had been in a gloomy mood even before arriving at the aquarium. It wasn’t because Inho kept teasing him about resembling the rather dull-looking otter that he was upset.
Haon slowly retraced his memories.
An hour earlier, having woken up later than Inho, Haon had left the house with a spring in his step. He’d checked his reflection one last time and even brushed his teeth again just in case, completing his preparations perfectly.
However, perhaps due to his excitement, he had overlooked the most crucial thing.
“Um, um… I’ll just go back up for a second!”
“Why?”
A look of utter dismay washed over Haon’s face as he unbuckled his seatbelt. He had left behind the one item he absolutely needed to bring.
“I forgot my wallet! I’ll be right back!”
He had clearly taken his wallet first. Anxious that he might forget it, he had tucked it securely into his pants pocket, only to then change into a different pair of pants. Even thinking about it now, it was such a foolish mistake.
Thankfully, it was before they had actually left, so there was still time for him to grab his wallet. He had just asked for Inho’s understanding and was about to open the car door.
Click, Inho locked the doors and quickly started the car.
“Let’s just keep this in mind and you can buy me something next time.”
“No, no! I can go get it quickly!”
Haon vehemently protested, but Inho didn’t give him the chance. Even as they were pulling out of the parking lot, Haon pleaded to be allowed to go back, but Inho just laughed it off.
“You can just buy me something next time.”
“But… next time was supposed to be today…”
From the very beginning of their long-awaited first date, things had gone awry, and Haon couldn’t help but feel dejected. It might seem like a small thing to be so disheartened about, but for Haon, it was quite significant.
Inho wouldn’t know. He wouldn’t know how much Haon had anticipated this day, imagining it in his mind.
He had even tossed and turned in bed, excited by the thought of freely treating Inho today. Buying the aquarium tickets, buying all the food Inho wanted to eat. He had been so thrilled.
Seeing Haon’s obvious disappointment, Inho seemed to realize he had made a slight blunder and promised to let Haon treat him next time without fail.
However, even after arriving at the aquarium, the expression on Haon’s face didn’t brighten. His words said he was fine, but his expression said otherwise.
“So, you forgive me then?”
Inho leaned in, his face close to Haon’s, who finally showed a small smile. Just before entering the underwater tunnel, he had stopped Haon and apologized again.
“I won’t do it again next time. Promise.”
He offered his pinky finger, a handsome smile on his face. The offense wasn’t serious enough for a truly grave apology, and he knew Haon wasn’t genuinely angry.
“I’ll… make sure to bring my wallet next time too.”
Haon linked his pinky with Inho’s, making a promise. He was genuinely upset, but truthfully, he was also half-heartedly sulking.
He had just pretended to be upset because he liked it when Inho leaned in, looking apologetic, and gently poked his cheek. Haon seemed to have become quite comfortable with Inho.
The two of them walked through the long underwater tunnel, their reconciliation sweet and fresh. Haon craned his neck all the way back, utterly engrossed in observing the marine life he had only ever seen on television.
“Wow—.”
Inho walked beside him, lightly supporting Haon’s back to make sure he didn’t stumble.
“Inho-ssi, look, it’s a shark. A shark.”
“You can speak louder.”
Inho brought his lips close to Haon’s ear and whispered softly. He was mimicking Haon’s hushed tone.
Haon laughed awkwardly and spoke in his normal voice. As more people gathered around, he subconsciously became more aware of his surroundings. He had also been genuinely surprised by the shark.
“It’s a ray.”
Haon’s voice grew louder, and he smiled at the large ray as if greeting a dear friend. Just then, some young children passing by also exclaimed how cute the ray was. Inho watched Haon and the group of children with a fond smile.
“Inho-ssi, have you ever had braised ray?”
Watching Haon ask with such innocent curiosity, Inho burst into loud laughter. It was a genuine pooh-hah, the loudest he had laughed since Haon had known him.
Surprised by Inho’s laughter, who was covering his mouth with his hand, Haon tilted his head, a wide smile nonetheless spreading across his face. He didn’t know what was so funny, but he found himself laughing along.
“You can say things like that more quietly,” Inho said, gesturing with his eyes towards the young children nearby. Only then did Haon realize, Ah, and clapped his hand over his mouth. What had he just said in front of the kids?
“I think I’ve become corrupted.”
Seeing the cute ray had made him think of braised ray with a mountain of bean sprouts. It seemed that as you got older, you lost your innocence.
Haon was about to hit his forehead to remind himself to be more careful.
“You’re doing it again.”
Just then, Inho’s hand covered Haon’s round forehead, stopping him. Earlier in the car, Haon had regretted not bringing his wallet and had tried to hit his own forehead, so Inho had told him not to.
“We agreed you wouldn’t hit yourself.”
Inho narrowed his eyes in mock disapproval, touching Haon’s forehead.
“Why do you keep raising your hand when there’s nowhere to hit?”
Then, as if checking for a bruise, he closely examined Haon’s small face. Feeling self-conscious under that gaze, Haon lowered his eyes.
“You won’t do it anymore, right?”
“Yes…”
“And don’t bite your lip either.”
Inho, having touched his forehead, now gently touched Haon’s lips, speaking with sincerity. Again, Haon nodded in agreement.
Even after Haon’s reply, Inho didn’t remove his hand. The underwater tunnel, now that the group of children had moved on, had become momentarily quiet. The sounds of other people felt distant.
“I don’t believe you.”
Perhaps because it had become so quiet, Inho’s low murmur sounded loud. Aware of it, Haon’s breath hitched slightly. Knowing it would make him even more nervous, Haon slowly raised his gaze to meet Inho’s.
The blue light reflecting from the aquarium tinted Inho’s face, creating an ethereal atmosphere. Looking at his handsome features, Haon suddenly wondered how he himself looked. He became even more conscious of his breathing.
“Haa…”
An uncomfortable breath escaped like a sigh. Inho continued to caress Haon’s lips without saying a word.
His thumb gently pressed down, slightly parting them, while his other fingers supported Haon’s chin. Perhaps it was because they were surrounded by water. Haon thought Inho’s hand touching his lips felt damp, almost as if submerged in water. It felt like falling into a place deeper than the sea.
“Shall we go now?”
Haon, brought back to reality by the calm voice, tightly closed and then opened his eyes. Inho smiled at Haon with an unperturbed expression and walked ahead.
Was that… it?
Haon shook off the sudden thought and quickly followed Inho. Of course, it was the end. What else would happen in a place with so many people?
“Haon-ssi, do you like penguins?”
“Yes, I do!”
He replied with deliberate enthusiasm, quickening his pace.
“Not penguin meat, though.”
Thanks to Inho’s playful remark, the embarrassing feeling quickly dissipated. However, the sensation of his touch lingered on Haon’s lips, persistently nudging a corner of his mind.
Throughout their time watching the penguins and other unfamiliar fish, Haon tried hard to ignore that lingering sensation. He busily looked around, deliberately pretending to be more engrossed in the exhibits.
In the midst of this, his gaze quite naturally drifted to the couples around them.
Apart from families, everyone else was a couple. Moreover, most of them seemed to be in the early stages of their relationships, exuding a fresh and sweet atmosphere.
Inho and Haon were the only couple not holding hands.
“Haon-ssi, shall I take a picture for you?”
“Y-yes…”
It was then that the oblivious Haon began to sense something was amiss.
