Part 1

Suu… haa…

Um. What are you doing?

I’m getting a lungful of the unique aquarium smell and getting high off it. Just a bit more, not much lung-er.

You’re one breath away from being labelled shady, so could you please stop?

Sorry. It’s less crowded today than last time, so I thought it’d be okay.

That’s not the point… Well, whatever.

Since it’s this empty, we don’t have to take our usual route.

True. Then do you wanna just head to the penguin corner now? We didn’t get a good look at them last time.

Fine by me. You didn’t get to see Penpeko last time, right Hachinoya-san?

Yeah. And you can use this chance to take your time and look at Pensaburo and Penjiro properly too, right?

…Well, if I can.

(Pensaburo and Penjiro… Ever since I first saw them, those two have always been in their own little world. Honestly, I’m rooting for them.)

…! Hello! You two are back again.

Yep. Hi.

(Huh? The staff recognised me… I guess that’s what happens when you visit so often…)

You’re going to the penguin exhibit today too, right?

Yeah. Is Penpeko here today?

They’re all here! The feeding experience is starting now too, so please come and meet them.

Feeding time… Who should I feed today?

I’ll start off with Penpeko… Ushio. There’s a penguin relationship chart over there, so let’s look at it while we decide.

Penpeko~. Here’s some fish.

Gyu, gyui ♪

Mm, eat well.

Ushio, aren’t you feeding Pensaburo and Penjiro?

Well, no.

But aren’t they your favourites?

It’s complicated. It just doesn’t feel right for me to get between them.

I want to be a fly on the wall. A fly that watches over them.

I see. Those two are really close, so much so that they’re featured in the relationship chart and on social media. Maybe I should learn from you, Ushio, and be more considerate too.

(I’ll give the fish to another penguin. But since I’ve come all this way, I might as well take a closer look at those two…)

…Huh?

What’s wrong?

PENSABURO AND PENJIRO ARE NOT NEXT TO EACH OTHER…!?

You’re right. They’re even facing away from each other.

Ah, you noticed!!

GYAH!? W-When did you get behind me…!

What on earth happened to those two known as the ‘Golden Pair’…

Actually, they had a quarrel the other day…

Huh…

A quarrel!?