Chapter 89

"Even though we've gone from secret observation to hanging out together, I guess this is okay," Natsuki thought to himself.

"Want a drink?" He held out the bottle in his hand.

Kaguya's eyes fell on the ramune, curiosity flickering in her gaze.

"Here you go," Natsuki said, passing her the soda. "Ever tried it before?"

Kaguya shook her head. "No, actually."

Natsuki was taken aback. Never had ramune? Was she from another planet?

This was practically Japan's national drink! Also known as marble soda, it showed up in countless manga and shows. "Marble Cops," "Chitose's Adventures in Ramune Land," "Girls' Marble Soda"... He mentally rattled off titles before catching himself.

Bottom line, every Japanese person had tasted ramune at some point.

Natsuki handed the bottle to Kaguya, then turned to buy another for himself. He started to demonstrate how to open it. "Just do what I do-"

"I've seen people drink it before, you know. I'm not completely clueless," Kaguya cut in, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

Great, now he felt like he was teaching a kindergartener.

Kaguya unscrewed the cap, eyeing the marble inside. She tilted her head back slightly and took a sip.

The sweet and sour grape flavor burst across her tongue.

After that first taste, Kaguya glanced over at Natsuki.

A cool summer breeze ruffled their hair.

Natsuki was drinking his own soda, sunlight catching his profile. His messy bangs shifted slightly, and Kaguya found her gaze drawn to the movement of his throat as he swallowed. She couldn't help but steal another look.

Here in the zoo on this early summer day, with the warm breeze making her feel a bit lightheaded, Kaguya had a moment of realization as she clutched her ramune.

The soda itself might not be anything special, but the memory of drinking it today – this moment, this feeling – would stay with her forever.

"I'm back," Natsuki announced, returning to the python house with a few drinks. Kaguya trailed behind him.

"Huh? Kaguya?" Umi called out in surprise.

Hana turned to look. "Kaguya's at the zoo too?"

Natsuki handed a bottle of juice to the elementary schooler, then passed drinks to the other three girls. He casually explained, "I bumped into Kaguya looking lost while I was getting drinks, so I brought her along."

Kaguya shot him a look. "I wasn't lost," she said coolly.

"Morning, Kaguya!" Hana waved cheerfully.

"...Good morning," Kaguya replied with a slight nod.

Just from that brief exchange, Kaguya could tell Hana was as bubbly and outgoing as her friend Chika.

"I'm so excited to finally talk to you, Kaguya!" Hana clasped her hands in front of her chest, inadvertently emphasizing her figure. "Your voice is so pretty!"

Kaguya felt her gaze being pulled downward by some unseen force, landing on Hana's chest.

Another foreign beauty, she thought. How inconvenient to have so much... there. It's useless except for tempting others!

"Let's keep checking out the python house," Natsuki said, taking the lead. "We'll wrap this up quick and then see the pandas."

The group entered the dim, humid python enclosure, following other visitors. Soon they were surrounded by all kinds of snakes.

"Look, there's a beautiful white snake!" Hana pointed out.

Natsuki spotted it, noticing a shadowy figure crouched nearby, occasionally reaching out to touch the snake's head.

"What's that shadow doing?" Umi whispered.

Natsuki pondered. "Maybe it's the ghost of Xu Xian?"

"Xu Xian isn't even a real historical figure," Hana complained. "It's probably just a zookeeper."

They moved on to the anaconda area. An enormous snake lay by the pool, as lazy as Jianzi, barely sparing the tourists a glance.

"It's an anaconda!" Hana's eyes went wide. "The biggest snake in the world."

Not quite, Natsuki thought. Leaving aside prehistoric monsters like Titanoboa, I saw an even bigger snake just last month.

Natsuki whispered, "I think Snake is bigger."

"Huh?" Hana turned to him, confused. "That little snake? How could it be bigger than an anaconda?"

You just haven't seen a real Snake, Natsuki thought. But just because you haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

He glanced at Kaguya. She had the same idea, looking up to meet his eyes.

An unspoken understanding passed between them.

Kaguya's mind flashed back to their Snake game a month ago. Had it really been that long already?

Suddenly, Hana's concerned voice broke through Natsuki's thoughts. "Miko, are you okay?"

"I-It's nothing..." Miko's voice quavered.

"It's just a little snake. Why are you crying?"

Natsuki looked over to see Miko, who had been walking ahead, frozen in front of a glass enclosure. Her face was pale, eyes misty, body trembling.

Nice going, he thought sarcastically.

Stepping closer, Natsuki saw an enormous python stretching in the exhibit. Coiled up, it nearly reached the ceiling.

The snake lowered its head, cold vertical pupils fixed on Miko. A voice echoed: "Can you... see me?"

Without hesitation, Natsuki stepped forward, silently activating his spirit-repelling aura.

See your sister! he thought. Since when do snakes talk?

Invisible flames swept out as he fully activated his power. The giant snake spirit roared and thrashed.

"Let's... let's go," Miko whispered, grabbing Natsuki's hand.

I am never coming to the snake house again, she vowed silently.

They headed straight for the panda enclosure after that. Despite the long queue and time limits, tourists' excitement was palpable.

Finally inside, they spotted two chubby pandas munching on bamboo with loud crunches.

"Pandas!" "They're so cute!"

Everyone from the kids to Umi lit up at the sight. Even Miko perked up.

Natsuki glanced curiously at Kaguya, wondering what she thought of the creatures.

Kaguya stood with her hands folded, eyes fixed on the pandas behind the glass. There was an unmistakable sparkle in her gaze.

Even the ever-composed Kaguya isn't immune to panda charm, Natsuki thought, amused.

"Want to take some photos?" he suggested quietly.

"Photos..." Kaguya hesitated, glancing at her phone. "No, there are too many people. I can't get a clear shot."

"It is crowded," Natsuki agreed. "We could try to squeeze in, though."

Kids, adults, even elderly tour groups crowded the glass, blocking the view.

"Absolutely not," Kaguya refused flatly.

The idea of jostling strangers for a photo made her uncomfortable. She'd never even ridden public transport or a bicycle, always chauffeured everywhere since childhood.

A family nearby caught their attention. A little girl, too short to see, was on the verge of tears until her father hoisted her onto his shoulders.

Natsuki glanced at Kaguya. "Do you want to-"

"What are you thinking?!" Kaguya stepped back, clutching her skirt.

I'm not a child! she thought, flustered. Sitting on his shoulders for a photo? Maybe if we were alone, but with all these people? Have I no dignity?

"Don't let your imagination run wild," Natsuki said seriously. "I meant I could take photos with your phone for you."

Kaguya fell silent, embarrassed.

As their time ended, the group headed out past a gift shop full of panda merchandise - stationary, plushies, keychains, you name it.

Most visitors stopped to buy souvenirs. Kaguya found herself lingering over the stuffed pandas.

She'd never have given them a second glance before. Now, for some reason, they seemed... cute.

Still, rather than buy one herself, some part of her wished someone would give her one as a gift.

"Pandas are so adorable," she commented casually.

"They really are," Natsuki agreed.

Kaguya nodded at a nearby tourist. "Why is that person buying so many panda dolls at once?"

Natsuki shrugged. "Maybe they like to splurge?"

Kaguya barely contained an eye-roll.

That's not extravagance, you dolt! she thought. Buying so many - they're obviously gifts!