It was the weekend already.
The day of my aquarium date with Kotoha.
After a late sleep and a light lunch, I showered and dressed in smart casual clothes. Jeans, a clean shirt, and an overshirt I had ironed twice just to be sure.
I checked myself in the mirror more carefully than usual, brushing at my hair, straightening my collar, adjusting the cuffs. When I finally stepped out the door, my heart beat a little quicker in anticipation.
Kotoha was already waiting in front of her house twenty minutes before our appointed time.
She had tied her brown hair into twin tails, the ribbons swaying lightly in the breeze as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. The style gave her a youthful glow, framing her round cheeks and accentuating the brightness in her eyes.
Her dress was a frilly blue that brushed just above her knees, the fabric soft and airy as it caught the sunlight. A white cardigan hung lightly from her shoulders, its simplicity balancing the playful cut of the dress. The neckline revealed the curve of her collarbone, delicate and inviting, while the skirt fluttered around her smooth thighs each time she moved.
She looked fresh, radiant, and impossibly cute.
"Sorry, did you wait long?"
"Uh-huh. I just came out."
"I panicked and thought I was late when I saw you."
"I-I was just really excited to see you, Souta-kun. You came out early too."
"I didn't want to keep you waiting."
"I'm glad we're on the same page."
She smiled brightly, her twin tails swaying as she tilted her head.
"Should I say hi to Hikari-san before we leave?"
"You don't need to do that!"
"We could take her with us."
"No!"
Kotoha puffed her cheeks, round like a blowfish.
"I'm just kidding."
"I'm going to have Souta-kun to myself today~"
Her sing-song voice made my chest stir.
"By the way, Kotoha. You look really pretty today. Your hair looks cute."
She blushed, twisting one of her twin tails around her finger.
"T-thank you."
Then she stepped closer, rising on her toes. Her soft breath brushed against my neck as she reached up and pinched at my collar. Her eyes lingered on me with quiet satisfaction.
"You look good today as usual, Souta-kun."
"Should we go?" I asked, holding out my hand.
"Yeah!"
She slipped her fingers into mine with practiced ease.
We walked to the train station, hand in hand. The afternoon air carried the smell of warm asphalt and blooming flowers. Thankfully, the train we boarded wasn't too crowded.
Kotoha never let go of my hand.
I leaned close, whispering into her ear.
"Kotoha. Are you wearing your panties?"
Her eyes went wide. "Un."
"Take it off and give it to me."
"…T-that… that's so embarrassing…"
"Hurry, while no one is looking."
She glanced left and right, her twin tails bouncing like the twitch of a startled duckling. Her shoulders rose and fell with a sigh before she nodded, face crimson.
With careful movements, she slid her hands up under her dress. Her thighs pressed together as she wriggled. Then, with both hands, she hooked the waistband and tugged. The frilly hem of her dress swayed with her hidden struggle.
Finally, she balled the panties discreetly in her fist and pressed them against my hand.
The way she did it. So prim, so proper, like she was passing me a note in class made me laugh.
"D-don't laugh..!"
"I'm sorry, you're just too cute."
I glanced at what she had given me. White lace thongs. Magnificent.
"Stop looking at it… hurry up and put it away!" She frantically whispered, her ears burning red.
I smiled innocently and tucked it inside my overshirt pocket, close to my chest.
The train rocked gently as we rode in silence. Kotoha's hand stayed in mine, her palm warm, her fingers squeezing every so often as if to remind herself I was there.
Her face was still pink from earlier, lips pressed tight, her eyes darting at my overshirt pocket before flicking away again.
When we arrived, the entrance of the aquarium greeted us with the faint smell of salt and the cool rush an air conditioned room.
The chatter of families and the excited squeals of children echoed off the glass walls.
Kotoha pressed close to me as we walked inside, her eyes wide with delight.
"Look, Souta-kun… so many fish already! And this is just the entrance."
Her twin tails swayed as she tugged me toward the first tank. Blue light rippled over her skin, making her look even more beautiful than before. For a moment, I almost forgot I had her panties folded in my pocket.
We strolled through the winding halls, moving past schools of neon fish, elegant jellyfish, and the heavy glide of sharks in deep tanks. Each time something caught her eye, she tugged my hand and leaned in close.
"Souta-kun, look! The fins are huge!"
"You look really happy today, Kotoha." I smiled gently.
She twirled her hair around her finger and fidgeted.
"Well, it's our first time at an aquarium together. Just the thought of that… is enough to make me happy."
How should I punish you for being so cute? I'm running out of ideas.
"S-Souta-kun…"
"What's wrong?"
"D-don't squeeze my hand so hard… I'll… I'll get wet…"
"I'm sorry. I wasn't paying attention."
"…It's fine…"
Her body training was going well. I need to be careful not to unconsciously squeeze too hard.
As we rounded a corner, I noticed a small girl standing alone. She sniffled, rubbing her eyes with the back of her sleeve. No parents nearby.
Kotoha noticed at the same time. She crouched down immediately, her cardigan brushing the floor, her twin tails falling over her shoulders.
"Hey… are you lost?"
The girl looked up at her with wide, watery eyes.
"I… I lost my mom…"
Her voice softened.
"That must be scary. But don't worry. We'll help you find her, okay?"
I watched her hold out her hand. The girl hesitated, then grabbed it, small fingers clutching tightly. Kotoha smiled, warm and reassuring.
I stepped up beside her.
"Let's check with the staff. They'll call his mom on the speaker."
The girl nodded timidly, still gripping Kotoha's hand.
We walked together to the front desk. Kotoha bent down again, her voice soft as she spoke to the girl.
"See? You did great. Now we'll wait together until your mom comes."
The girl seemed to have calm down with the help of Kotoha. She was no longer crying and her grip on Kotoha's hand loosening. She looked down with a guilty expression.
"Onee-san, I'm sorry… I must've ruined your date…"
"D-date..?"
"He's your boyfriend, right?"
She gave a small smile and shook her head. "We're just friends."
"What?~ But you look good together, you should be a couple!"
A few minutes later, a woman rushed forward, calling the girl's name. She ran into her arms, and she thanked us over and over, bowing deeply.
Kotoha smiled, waving as they walked away. When she stood again, she let out a small sigh, brushing at her skirt.
"I'm glad she found her mom. She must've been so scared."
I looked at her. The way she crouched down without hesitation, the way her voice soothed even a crying child. It was so Kotoha, pure and radiant.
"...You really are amazing, Kotoha."
"Eh? N-no, I just did what anyone would do."
"No. You're kinder than anyone else I know."
Her cheeks turned crimson. She looked at me, then quickly away.
"Souta-kun… if you say things like that... don't say things like that…"
I think Kotoha would be an amazing mom. How many kids should we have, Kotoha-chan?