By Zephyria 
“They look alike, right?”
In-ho smiled brightly, thrusting his phone toward Haon.
On the screen of his phone—the same model as Haon’s—was a video of a sea otter touching its own face. In-ho’s gallery was already filled with dozens of photos of sea otters.
“How can they look so much alike?”
In-ho playfully shook his phone while playing a clip of a sea otter clapping on a keeper’s cue. Out of all the otters, he singled this one out, laughing and saying it looked the most like Haon.
“I don’t look like that…”
Haon denied it, timidly turning his head away. In truth, they all looked the same to him.
Unlike In-ho, who was smiling radiantly, Haon seemed strangely drained. Perhaps that was why In-ho seemed to be teasing him with even more energy.
“Oh, now you look like this one.”
Tapping the corner of Haon’s drooping mouth, In-ho pointed to a different sea otter this time—one that looked crestfallen after having its treat taken away by the keeper.
“I don’t look like that at all…”
Muttering in a faint voice, Haon took the lead, suggesting they go look at other animals.
He felt like they had been staring at sea otters for nearly thirty minutes. While there was plenty to see because the otters were so spirited and playful, he wanted to see the other animals too.
“Haon-ssi, wait for me.”
In-ho followed behind Haon with a leisurely stride. Haon stopped immediately and waited for him.
At that, In-ho mimicked a zookeeper giving a treat and praising a “good boy.” This finally made the corners of Haon’s mouth twitch, and he lowered his head deeply to hide a smile.
“Do you feel better now?”
In truth, Haon had been sulking even before they arrived at the aquarium. It wasn’t because he was offended by In-ho teasing him about looking like a vacant-looking sea otter.
Haon slowly retraced his memories.
An hour ago, having slept longer than In-ho, Haon had left the house full of energy. He checked the mirror one last time and even brushed his teeth once more just in case, completing his preparations perfectly.
However, perhaps because he was too excited, he had forgotten the most important thing.
‘I—I… I’ll be right back!’
‘Why?’
A look of utter dismay crossed Haon’s face as he unbuckled his seatbelt. He had left behind an essential item.
‘I left my wallet! I’ll be back in a flash!’
He had definitely packed his wallet first. Fearing he might forget it, he had tucked it securely into his pants pocket, only to change into a different pair of pants. Thinking about it again, it was a truly stupid mistake.
Fortunately, since they hadn’t departed yet, there was time to grab it. It was just as he was asking for In-ho’s understanding—who had just started the engine—and attempting to open the car door.
Click. In-ho locked the doors and quickly drove off.
‘Just keep this one on hold and buy it for me next time.’
‘No, no! I can be back really quickly!’
Haon had protested vehemently, but In-ho gave him no chance. Even as they exited the parking lot, Haon pleaded with him to let him go back, but In-ho simply laughed it off.
‘I can just buy it for you next time.’
‘Next time was supposed to be today…’
Having hit a snag right at the start of the long-awaited first date, Haon had become crestfallen. Some might think it was a trivial thing to be discouraged by, but to Haon, it was quite important.
In-ho probably didn’t know how much Haon had anticipated today, imagining it over and over.
At the very least, he wanted to be the one giving generously to In-ho today. He had even tossed and turned in his sleep, imagining buying the aquarium tickets and treating In-ho to everything he wanted to eat. He had been that fluttery.
Seeing Haon’s visible disappointment, In-ho seemed to realize his mistake and promised that he would definitely let Haon treat him next time.
However, even after arriving at the aquarium, Haon’s expression didn’t clear up. While he said he was fine with his words, his face said otherwise.
“Then you forgive me, right?”
In-ho asked, leaning his face close to Haon, who was finally showing a smile. He had stopped Haon for a moment before entering the tank tunnel to apologize again.
“I won’t do it again from now on. Promise.”
He held out his pinky finger, leading with a handsome smile. Since his “sin” wasn’t that heavy, his manner of apologizing was a bit light. It was because he knew Haon wasn’t truly angry.
“I’ll… make sure to bring my wallet too.”
Haon promised, hooking his pinky with In-ho’s. He had been genuinely upset, but in truth, half of his sulking had been a bit of a joke.
He liked it when In-ho leaned in, saying he was sorry and poking his cheek, so he had just pretended to be angry. It seemed Haon had become quite comfortable with In-ho.
With that fresh reconciliation, the two strolled through the long aquarium tunnel. Haon tilted his head all the way back, taking in the marine life he had only ever seen on TV.
“Wow…”
In-ho walked beside him, lightly supporting Haon’s back so he wouldn’t trip.
“In-ho-ssi, look, a shark. A shark!”
“You can speak louder.”
In-ho whispered softly, his lips brushing against Haon’s ear. He was mimicking Haon’s whispering.
Haon laughed awkwardly and spoke in his normal volume. As the crowd grew, he unconsciously became mindful of others. He was also startled by the shark.
“It’s a stingray.”
His voice grew louder as he smiled at a large stingray, as if meeting an old friend. Some young children passing by were also chattering about how cute the stingray was. In-ho watched Haon and the group of children with a fond expression.
“In-ho-ssi, have you ever tried steamed stingray?”
Looking at Haon’s innocent question, In-ho burst into laughter. He let out a genuine “pfft” sound, laughing harder than Haon had ever seen him laugh.
Surprised by In-ho laughing with his hand covering his mouth, Haon tilted his head in confusion, yet the corners of his mouth curled up. He didn’t know why it was funny, but he found himself laughing along.
“You can whisper things like that.”
In-ho said, gesturing with his eyes toward the children nearby. Only then did Haon go “Ah” and quickly cover his mouth. He wondered what on earth he had just said in front of children.
“I must have become corrupted.”
To think of steamed stingray piled high with bean sprouts while looking at a cute stingray. This must be why they say innocence disappears when you become an adult.
Haon tried to hit his own forehead to make sure he didn’t make another mistake.
“There you go again.”
In-ho blocked his hand, cupping Haon’s rounded forehead. Earlier in the car, when Haon had been hitting his forehead in regret over the wallet, In-ho had stopped him and told him not to.
“You promised not to hit yourself.”
In-ho narrowed his eyes as if scolding him, while touching Haon’s forehead.
“Where is there even a place to hit? Why do you keep raising your hand?”
Then, as if checking for a wound, he peered closely at Haon’s small face. Flustered by that gaze, Haon cast his eyes down.
“You won’t do it anymore, right?”
“Yes…”
“And don’t bite your lip, either.”
Following the forehead, In-ho touched Haon’s lips, speaking with sincerity. Again, Haon agreed.
Even after hearing the answer, In-ho did not withdraw his hand. The aquarium tunnel, now empty of the group of children, had become momentarily quiet. The presence of other people could be felt only at a distance.
“I don’t think I can trust you.”
Perhaps because the surroundings were so quiet, In-ho’s low murmur sounded loud.
Aware of this, Haon felt his breath tighten slightly. Knowing he would only become more nervous, Haon slowly lifted his gaze to look up at In-ho.
In-ho’s face, permeated by the blue light reflecting from the tanks, carried a mysterious aura. Looking at that stunning sight, Haon suddenly wondered how he himself looked. This made him even more conscious of his breathing.
“Haa…”
An uneasy breath escaped like a sigh. Without a word, In-ho continued to caress Haon’s lips.
He pressed lightly with his thumb, parting them just a fraction, while supporting Haon’s chin with his other hand.
Was it because they were surrounded by water? Haon felt as if In-ho’s hand touching his lips was moist. It was almost an illusion, as if he were submerged in water. He felt as though he had fallen into a place deeper than the ocean.
“Shall we keep going?”
Returning to reality at the calm voice, Haon blinked his eyes hard. In-ho, with a composed face, smiled at Haon and walked ahead.
Was… that it?
Haon shook off the sudden thought and hurried after In-ho. Of course that was it. In a place where so many people were passing by, how could it be otherwise?
“Haon-ssi, do you like penguins?”
“Yes, I do!”
He answered with extra confidence and quickened his pace.
“Not penguin meat, though.”
Thanks to In-ho’s joke, his embarrassment vanished quickly. However, the sensation of In-ho’s touch remaining on his lips continued to linger, poking at a corner of Haon’s heart.
Throughout the time he spent looking at penguins and nameless fish, Haon tried his best to ignore that sensation. He pretended to be deeply immersed in the exhibits, diligently looking around.
During that time, his gaze naturally drifted toward the couples around them.
Aside from families, everyone was a couple. Moreover, most of them radiated a fresh, lovey-dovey atmosphere, as if they hadn’t been dating long.
The only couple not holding hands was In-ho and Haon.
“Haon-ssi, want me to take a photo for you?”
“Yes…”
It was from that moment that the oblivious Haon began to sense something strange.