(Friday — Kiyomi's POV, on the bus approaching the aquarium)
The bus hummed steadily as it rolled down the highway.
The excitement inside hadn't faded at all. If anything, it had gotten louder.
People were leaning over seats talking to each other, laughing, showing each other things on their phones. A group at the back was recording a video, shouting, "Aquarium trip!", while someone else kept taking selfies.
Hinata had already taken three pictures of us.
Outside the window, the city slowly changed. Buildings became shorter, the roads wider, and the smell of the sea seemed to creep into the air even through the closed windows.
"We're getting close," someone shouted from the front.
The bus filled with cheers.
I leaned slightly toward the window, trying to see past the trees. And then I saw it—the wide glass building ahead with giant banners of sea creatures hanging across the entrance.
The aquarium.
My heart fluttered.
Hinata: This is going to be amazing (She said beside me, practically bouncing in her seat).
The bus slowed down as it turned into the large parking area.
Everyone immediately started standing up even though the bus hadn't stopped yet.
"Sit down!" one of the teachers shouted from the front. "We're not there yet!"
More laughter followed.
As I turned slightly in my seat, my eyes drifted forward through the aisle.
Minato was a few rows ahead.
And right at that moment, he turned around.
For a second, it felt like the noise of the bus faded.
He looked straight at me.
Then slowly, he lifted his phone.
I blinked in confusion.
Was he—
Before I could finish the thought, he raised the phone a little higher and aimed it toward me.
Oh.
My cheeks warmed instantly.
I tried to look normal, but I couldn't stop the smile that crept onto my face.
Click.
He snapped the picture.
Right as the bus rolled forward and sunlight from the window hit my face.
Minato lowered his phone slightly, glancing at the screen.
Then he looked back at me and gave a quiet, satisfied smile.
My heart skipped.
And Hinata noticed.
Hinata: Oooooh (She whispered dramatically beside me). Someone's taking secret pictures.
I lightly nudged her arm.
Kiyomi:(Teasing) Shut up.
But I was still smiling.
The bus finally came to a full stop.
Outside, the huge glass building of the aquarium shimmered in the sunlight. Giant posters of sea creatures covered the walls. One banner showed a long, elegant fish gliding through blue water.
Through the entrance glass, I could even see a large tank inside.
Students were already gasping.
"Whoa!"
"Look at that!"
"That place is huge!"
The teachers stood up near the front.
"Alright everyone," one of them said loudly. "Phones are allowed, but stay with your group and don't wander off. We'll meet at the entrance after you get down."
The bus doors opened with a soft hiss.
Fresh sea air rushed inside.
One by one, students started stepping down the stairs, voices full of excitement.
Hinata grabbed my wrist.
Hinata: Come on. Let's go see everything.
I stood up, glancing once more down the aisle.
Minato was already standing, slipping his phone back into his pocket.
For just a moment, he looked at me again.
And even in the middle of all the noise and excitement—that small smile of his somehow felt like the quietest, happiest thing in the world.
Then Hinata pulled me toward the bus door, and we stepped out into the bright blue morning.
The aquarium adventure had finally begun.