Chapter LXXVII: Having a Whale of a Time
Kota sprawls on his bed, scrolling through YourBook, when his phone buzzes with a video call from Akiko. He quickly accepts, and her smiling face fills the screen.
"Hey there!" Akiko greets, her voice cheerful.
"Hey yourself," Kota replies, his mood instantly lifting. "What's up?"
"Just wanted to chat. Have you seen the latest memes?" Akiko giggles, sending Kota a link.
He clicks on it and laughs out loud.
"Classic. You always find the best ones."
They share a few more laughs over various memes before Akiko's expression turns curious.
"So, have you heard any interesting rumors about our squad?"
Kota raises an eyebrow.
"Rumors? Like what?"
"Well," Akiko says, leaning closer to the camera,
"there's a wild one going around that someone is plotting to overthrow the school."
Kota chuckles and shakes his head.
"Overthrow the school? That sounds like a plot from one of those spy movies. Who'd want to do that?"
Akiko shrugs.
"I know, right? It's probably just some silly gossip. But it got me thinking about that whole Code: Book thing."
"Yeah, that mystery," Kota says, scratching his head. "It's weird, but I'm sure it's nothing to worry about."
"True," Akiko agrees. "Anyway, enough about that. I've been thinking about our next date. How about we go somewhere unique?"
Kota's eyes light up.
"Unique, huh? Like where?"
Akiko scrolls through her feed.
"Oh! Look at this! There's a Mini Zoo near our place. They have all sorts of animals, and it looks like a lot of fun."
Kota leans closer to his screen, intrigued.
"A Mini Zoo? That sounds awesome! Let's do it. When do you want to go?"
Akiko claps her hands, excitement clear in her eyes.
"How about this weekend? It'll be a nice break from all the school stuff."
"Perfect," Kota replies with a grin. "I'm looking forward to it."
After their call, Kota lies back on his bed, reminiscing about their past dates. He recalls their trip to the amusement park, where they rode the Ferris wheel and ate too much cotton candy. Then there was the time they visited the aquarium, marveling at the colorful fish and playful dolphins. Each memory brings a smile to his face.
He grabs his phone again and texts Akiko:
"I can't wait for our Mini Zoo adventure. It's going to be another unforgettable date."
Akiko replies almost instantly:
"Me too! It'll be so much fun. Can't wait to see all the animals with you."
Saturday finally arrives. Kota picks out a casual outfit and heads out to meet Akiko. As they walk towards the Mini Zoo, they chat about various things, from school to their favorite shows.
"Did you see the latest episode of our favorite anime?" Akiko asks, her eyes sparkling.
"Of course! It was epic," Kota replies. "The battle scenes were amazing."
They reach the Mini Zoo, and their excitement peaks. The entrance is decorated with colorful banners and animal murals. Inside, they see a variety of animals, from cute rabbits and playful monkeys to majestic peacocks and even a few exotic reptiles.
Akiko squeals with delight.
"This place is incredible!"
Kota grins.
"I told you it would be fun."
They spend the day feeding the animals, taking pictures, and enjoying each other's company. At one point, Akiko insists on taking a selfie with a particularly friendly llama.
"Say cheese!" Akiko beams, snapping the picture.
Kota and Akiko continue their exploration of the Mini Zoo, enjoying the various exhibits and playful animals. As they venture deeper into the park, Kota suddenly spots a life-size dinosaur statue looming ahead.
"Hey, look at that!" Kota points excitedly.
Akiko follows his gaze and instantly freezes.
"W-what is that?" she stammers, her eyes widening with fear.
"It's just a dinosaur statue,"
Kota says, trying to reassure her.
"Nothing to be scared of."
But Akiko isn't convinced. She felt like her soul has left her body. She clings to Kota's arm, her demeanor shifting to a more childish, fearful state.
"K-Kota, I don't like it. It's scary!"
Kota chuckles softly, patting her head.
"It's okay, Akiko. It's not real. See?" He gently tugs her closer to the statue, but she resists, shaking her head vigorously.
"Nuh-uh! No way! Nope, nope, nope, muri-muri-muri!" she whines, her voice taking on a younger, more childish tone.
Kota is taken aback by this sudden change.
"Wow, are you my little sister now?" he teases.
Akiko pouts, her fear momentarily forgotten.
"No, but I'm scared. Can we go somewhere else?"
Kota sighs but smiles fondly.
"Alright, alright. Let's move on."
As they continue their journey, they pass by the zoo aquarium. A large tank dominates the room, housing an enormous whale. Both Kota and Akiko stand mesmerized by the graceful movements of the giant creature.
"Wow, it's beautiful," Akiko whispers, her eyes wide with wonder.
"Yeah, it's amazing," Kota agrees, his gaze fixed on the whale.
They spend several minutes just watching the whale swim before moving on. They head toward the Reptile Section next, but as soon as Akiko spots the snakes, she pulls Kota away.
"Nope, nope, nope! Not going in there!" she exclaims, dragging him in the opposite direction.
Kota laughs.
"What's wrong? Afraid of a few snakes?"
Akiko glares at him playfully. "Snakes are creepy! Let's go somewhere else."
"Alright, alright," Kota says, still chuckling. "No snakes for you."
Kota continues,
"You're afraid of Dinosaurs and Snakes, The Titanoboa must render you catatonically haha!"
Akiko looks clueless from what he said and smacks him in the head but Kota evades it.
They continue their journey through the zoo, which turns out to be quite hilly. They come to a particularly steep slope, one that even the chickens at the farm exhibit seem to struggle with. Akiko, still clinging to her childish attitude, tugs at Kota's sleeve.
"Kota, I want a piggy-back ride," she demands, her eyes wide and pleading.
Kota sighs, but he can't resist her puppy-dog eyes.
"Alright, hop on."
Akiko beams and climbs onto Kota's back. He hoists her up and starts the climb, her laughter echoing in his ears as they ascend the slope. By the time they reach the top, Kota is panting, but Akiko is all smiles.
"Thanks, Kota! You're the best!" she chirps, jumping off his back.
Back at the entrance of the zoo, they encounter a set of animatronic gorillas. Akiko bursts into laughter at the sight of them, clutching her sides.
Kota, curious, asks,
"What's so funny?"
Akiko points at one of the gorillas.
"That one looks like Takeshi!"
Kota raises an eyebrow, trying to see the resemblance.
"Really? I don't see it."
Akiko nods vigorously.
"Trust me, it does!"
Although a bit annoyed at the comparison, Kota can't help but laugh along with her. "Alright, if you say so."
They finally exit the zoo, their stomachs growling.
"Lunchtime?" Kota suggests.
Akiko nods enthusiastically.
"Definitely! Let's find somewhere nice to eat."
They walk hand in hand to a nearby ramen shop, reflecting on their fun and quirky day at the zoo. As they sit down for lunch, they continue to chat and laugh, enjoying each other's company and the memories they've made.
After enjoying a delicious lunch, Kota and Akiko decide to take a break and rest at the restaurant. They pull out their phones and start scrolling through YourBook, looking for interesting places to visit next.
"Hey, look at this," Akiko says, tugging on Kota's arm. "There's a hidden garden right here in the city. Let's go check it out!"
Kota agrees with a smile.
"Sounds like a great idea."
They finish their drinks and head off to find the hidden garden. When they arrive, they are greeted by a lush, green oasis filled with various plant species. The garden is a tranquil haven amidst the bustling city, and the couple is immediately enchanted by its beauty.
"Wow, look at all these cacti and succulents," Kota says, pointing to a section filled with the spiky plants. "I guess this is what happens when plants join a punk band."
Akiko giggles,
"Yeah, they're all about that 'rock' lifestyle."
As they continue to explore, Akiko spots a peculiar curled grass plant. She bursts into laughter.
"Hey, doesn't this look like Tengen when he curls up in his chair during class?"
Kota laughs.
"Totally! I can almost hear him snoring. Hey, it's like what they say, A curl is for a curl"
They wander through the garden, making jokes and enjoying each other's company. Passing by a section with tall, flowering plants, Kota quips,
"These must be the overachievers of the plant world. Always reaching for the sky."
Akiko chuckles,
"And look at these tiny ones. They're like the underdogs, working hard to make a name for themselves."
They come across a talking Martinez Bird perched on a branch. The bird squawks,
"Hello! Hello!"
Akiko and Kota laugh and take turns saying different phrases to the bird, which mimics them in a funny, high-pitched voice.
"You're quite the chatterbox, aren't you?" Kota says to the bird.
The bird responds,
"Chatterbox, chatterbox!"
After spending some time playing with the bird, they continue their stroll through the garden. They pass by a plant with drooping leaves, and Kota jokes,
"Looks like this one had a rough night out."
Akiko laughs,
"Yeah, probably partied too hard with the cacti."
They eventually find a cozy bench and sit down to take in the serene atmosphere. The garden is a beautiful mix of colors and textures, and the peaceful surroundings make for a perfect end to their day.
As the sun starts to set, casting a golden glow over the garden, Akiko sighs contentedly.
"This was such a great idea. Thanks for bringing me here and at the zoo, Kota."
Kota smiles and takes her hand.
"I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's been a wonderful day."
With happy hearts, they leave the garden and head home, feeling closer than ever and grateful for the memories they've created together.