Ocean Breeze (ch3)

EARLY RELEASE FOR MY $20+ PATRONS!

Just a small little something this time around, but something I absolutely needed to write for them! And some tidbits of episode 5 worked nicely sprinkled in!

Disclaimer: I do not own Shiroi Suna no Aquatope.

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									Chapter 3.

After Fuuka's mother had paid her unexpected visit to Gama Gama, Kukuru becomes a bit worried when Fuuka seems to fall into a bit of a slump.

Even though Fuuka and her mother had openly discussed things and come to understand each other better, and even though they had come to an agreeable and fair conclusion, Fuuka doesn't act entirely like herself the following day.

It isn't that she doesn't do her work properly at the aquarium, or that she doesn't put her full passion into her continued job as the touch tank attendant. But Kukuru does notice the smaller, quieter moments when Fuuka is alone cleaning out tanks or mopping the floors when she becomes distracted. It's never in front of the customers, as though Fuuka is being conscientious of herself in her work environment. But whenever she has a moment to herself, Kukuru notices her eyes glaze over for a second every now and then.

And she doesn't want to pry, because Kukuru herself knows better than anyone that sometimes a person needs to have some time to themselves to think about their parents. But as Fuuka's coworker, friend, and roommate, she just wants to make sure she's okay.

So after keeping an eye on her all throughout the workday, and noting that even at closing Fuuka is still a bit off, Kukuru decides to take action.

Once all the necessary tasks have been completed to close up for the day, Fuuka and Kukuru wish everyone else goodbye for the evening before heading to the moped.

Normally, Fuuka would chat with her all the ride home about things that had happened that day, be it a funny question a child had asked her, a cute thing she'd seen a fish do, or an unusual sound one of the penguins had made.

But this evening, as they head out on the road with the sun setting over the ocean beside them, Fuuka is quiet.

Kukuru chews her lip as she drives, unsure of what to say or how to say it to her. As they travel along the streets of the town dyed by sunset colors, Kukuru debates if she should strike up conversation and just start talking in an effort to make things feel more normal, or if she should stay quiet and let Fuuka deal with her thoughts.

But before she can fully decide on one or the other, she hears a telltale sound from behind her.

Fuuka lets out a sigh, one so quiet and thin that Kukuru would've missed it over the sound of the wind if she hadn't already been so in-tune to her roommate today.

But even if she might've missed the sigh, she definitely wouldn't have missed the soft bump of Fuuka's helmet against the back of her neck.

For the weeks she's known and driven with her like this, Kukuru has always known Fuuka to keep her head up on the rides, because she was always so smitten with the scenery, no matter what time of day it was or what the weather was like. This is the first time she's put her head down.

In addition to that, Kukuru feels Fuuka's grip on her loosen just a little bit.

Panicked, Kukuru checks to ensure no other vehicles are nearby and then starts to slow down.

"Fuuka-?" she calls back to her. "Are you okay?"

Behind her, Fuuka gasps softly and straightens herself up, as if she hadn't realized she'd been slouching.

"Y-Yes! I'm fine. Sorry, Kukuru."

"Are you sure? You're aren't feeling dizzy or anything, are you?"

"Not at all!"

Kukuru still knows something is up with her, but so long as Fuuka is all right enough to make it home, Kukuru can ask her later.

They ride the rest of the way in contemplative silence.

Kukuru is hopeful that Fuuka might cheer up for supper with her grandparents. But she remains rather taciturn, only speaking as much is necessary, and her smiles are a bit less lively as well. Kukuru can tell her grandparents don't notice much of a change, but Kukuru herself nearly feels like she wants to start pulling her hair out with how flustered she is about Fuuka.

She pushes through dinner and the cleanup while keeping her mouth shut about it, but the moment they're alone together in their room after brushing their teeth and showering and changing into their pajamas, she can't bear it any longer.

"Fuuka!"

Fuuka, who had been finishing up brushing her hair, jolts with surprise when Kukuru leans in close to her with a determined and compelling look in her eyes.

"Eh? Kukuru, what's the matter?"

"That's what I wanna say." Kukuru kneels down beside her with the concern still bright in her eyes. But once she finally has to start voicing her worries, she feels a bit awkward. Slouching her shoulders, she looks down into her lap, having second thoughts about bringing up the topic. But she's gotten this far. "It's just… You've seemed a bit down today, Fuuka. Is it because of your mom? Because you'll have to leave when the summer is over…?"

Fuuka stops combing through her hair and puts the brush down. Her kind green eyes soften in that way they tend to do whenever Kukuru is mistaken about something.

"Well… of course thinking about that still makes me a little sad," Fuuka confesses. "But for now I want to focus on helping you with your dream. I'm not thinking about the ending just yet. We've still got a whole journey ahead."

Kukuru lifts her head, a little relieved but also unwilling to think about the inevitable parting the two of them will have to face one day. But for now, she still needs to know what's weighing on Fuuka's mind.

"So then, what is it?" Kukuru asks. "You've been sighing all day, and quieter then usual."

Fuuka frowns.

"I-I'm sorry! Was I that distracted at work?"

"N-No! You were perfectly fine with the customers! I meant when you were by yourself. You just seemed like you were somewhere else, mentally. I thought it might be because of your mom coming here."

Fuuka blinks, and gradually her smile returns, though it's very small, and her eyes become just a little downcast.

"That isn't it."

Kukuru moves in a bit closer to her.

"Then what is it? You can talk to me if you want to."

Fuuka smiles a little more genuinely.

"Thank you, Kukuru. Honestly... I'm still just a little sad about the coral blenny."

Kukuru blinks, then lets out a small breath.

"Oh."

That made plenty of sense. It was the first animal Fuuka had felt a connection to at Gama Gama, and the first one she'd seen die. Of course she'd still be dwelling on thoughts about it.

Kukuru nods in understanding, schooching in the rest of the way until she's leaning against Fuuka's side.

"I see. I'm sure it would be glad to know you were grieving for it."

When Kukuru feels her roommate leaning against her a little bit, she gladly offers her support in return.

"Is it silly?" Fuuka asks softly. "To mourn a fish?"

"Of course not!" Kukuru exclaims. "We aquarium workers know better than anyone that fish are just as crucial and deserving of love as any other animal. Even if you can't exactly pet a fish or play with it like you could with a dog or a cat, and even though they can't really understand that we care about them… that doesn't stop us from loving them."

She hears Fuuka make a soft hum of affirmation.

"You're right. I wish we could let fish understand we love them, too."

Kukuru leans into her a little more.

"I think they know. Someway, somehow."

"I hope so."

Kukuru feels Fuuka lean into her a bit more, so she leans back.

For a few moments they're both quiet, soaking in the silence of the blue twilight around them and the breeze seeping in through the screening. Fuuka rests her head on Kukuru's shoulder, and in turn Kukuru presses her head against hers.

They both close their eyes for a moment, sending out silent little prayers for a tiny fish.

A while later, Kukuru gives her roommate a gentle nudge.

"Feel better?"

Fuuka lifts her head and meets Kukuru's eyes with a smile.

"Yes. Thanks, Kukuru."

Kukuru returns the smile and opens her arms. They come together for a wordless hug, soft and affirming.

When they part, Kukuru stands to turn off the lights. When she returns to her futon, Fuuka is lying on her back in hers, smiling up at the ceiling. Kukuru is glad she's feeling better now.

In an effort to keep Fuuka's spirits up, Kukuru allows a bit of a mischievous idea to come into her mind.

As she sits down in bed beside her roommate, Kukuru leans over a little to peer at her.

"So you're really feeling better now, huh?"

Fuuka's eyes shimmer faintly.

"Yes. Thank you, Kukuru."

"You don't have to keep thanking me."

"But I do. You're really a great friend to me."

Kukuru grins.

"And do you know what else 'really great friends' do sometimes?"

"Hm?" Fuuka gives her a puzzled look, though her eyes and lips are still full of glee.

Kukuru gets into a crouch, a familiar pose Fuuka has seen before. She tenses a little.

"W-Wait, Kukuru-"

"Haaaa!"

Kukuru dives flat on top of her, squishing Fuuka beneath her weight and knocking the breath from her chest. Fuuka makes a withering sound as her arms fall limply onto Kukuru's back. Kukuru pushes herself up chuckling.

"Y'know, Fuuka…" she drawls. "I always wondered if you were ticklish."

"E… Eh-?" In spite of her breathlessness, Fuuka seems to be so surprised by that declaration that she finds some way to draw out the very last of her air and use it in a sound of shock, followed by a feeble plea. "Ku… Kukuru wait-"

But Kukuru feigns ignorance.

"Hm? What's that, Fuuka? I can't really hear you over the sound of all that giggling."

"Wh… What-?"

But before Fuuka can finish the question, it's already too late.

Kukuru dives in, throwing her hands out onto her roommate's sides to begin wiggling her fingers all up and down over her pajama shirt.

Immediately, Fuuka squeals and tries to curl in on herself, but with Kukuru still on top of her she can't manage to roll up as defensively as she might've liked it. Kukuru overpowers her with ease, wrestling Fuuka's arms to the sides so she may continue her attack on her torso.

Even before Fuuka's gotten her breath back fully, she bursts into a bout of wheezing laughter. Her smile is so wide and honest and beautiful that Kukuru actually pauses for a second in her attack just to admire her. In that brief pause, Fuuka manages to open her eyes just a crack, looking up at her with a playful plea of her name.

"Ku…Kukuru…"

"Huh~?" Kukuru grins again. "Nope, still can't hear you!"

She proceeds with her tickle attack, and Fuuka bursts into laughter all over again, squealing and writhing and kicking her blankets about.

Kukuru knows Fuuka is rather quiet by nature, but she feels she's trying to be quiet even now so she won't bother Kukuru's grandparents. Even when she's being tickled senseless, Fuuka is still trying to be considerate of others.

Kukuru runs her nails lightly over Fuuka's ribs, eliciting another soft shriek from her.

"That's no good, Fuuka," she teases. "You should let loose every once in a while!" Kukuru goes in under her arms, then scuttles her fingers across Fuuka's collar, down her chest, and along her stomach.

Fuuka rolls onto one side, effectively exposing the other, so Kukuru tickles her there too, easily managing to pry Fuuka's arms away with how weakened she already is.

Before long, Fuuka's childish giggles make Kukuru begin to laugh as well. The bubbly sounds of their enjoyment fill the room, drifting along on the nighttime breeze.

Fuuka tries to fight back. She really does. But it's just no use - not when Kukuru had quite literally gotten the jump on her like that. She ends up rolling around helplessly, grasping at her blankets as if they might assist her in some way.

Kukuru tickles every bit of her she can get at, be it her sides, her front, or her back.

Somewhere along the lines, Fuuka really loses herself. She lets her voice out without restraint, laughing her heart out, and it's such a wonderful sound Kukuru feels a rush of warmth spread through her chest when she hears it. She wonders when the last time Fuuka ever let herself laugh like this was, or if it's ever happened at all.

Kukuru enjoys the adorable innocence of it all for a moment longer, until she starts to realize that Fuuka has no strength or air left in her body. Fuuka calls out for mercy with a voice still jolting with giggles.

"Ku… Kukuru… I c-can't breathe…"

"Oh-" Kukuru quickly withdraws her hands with a sheepish grin. "Sorry. Guess I got a little carried away."

"A li… just a little…?"

"Sorry!"

Kukuru scrambles over to her desk and grabs a bottle of water from it, then returns to her roommate. Fuuka is still lying there on her side as if she'd been struck by a train, gasping and trembling. But the smile had never once left her lips, and it remains even now, in spite of how messy her hair is and how ruffled her clothes are.

Kukuru reaches down to give a few light pats to Fuuka's shoulder before gently rolling her over to lie on her back instead. Fuuka breathes heavily for a few minutes as the last few giggles occasionally work their way out. Kukuru actually starts to become a bit worried she'd pushed her too hard.

"Fuuka...? Are you okay?"

Kukuru finds one of her roommate's hands and squeezes gently. Fuuka squeezes back, fluttering her eyes back open as she smiles up at her again.

"I'm fine, Kukuru... You're quite unfair, aren't you?"

"Aha, I guess I am."

"You'd better watch out. One day I might just ambush you back."

"Bring it on!"

They both share another laugh, then Kukuru helps her sit up and has her drink a bit of water to replenish herself. Fuuka drinks her fill and finally finishes catching her breath. She's ruffled and blushing, but she's never looked prettier, in Kukuru's opinion.

Kukuru sips some water for herself, then puts the bottle aside.

"Well, I don't know about you," she says. "But now I'm definitely ready for bed!"

"Then allow me to show you to it."

"Eh-?"

But this time, it's Kukuru who isn't prepared for the attack.

Fuuka pounces right on top of her, causing Kukuru to flop straight down into her blankets and pillow. She catches Fuuka in a hug, and a fresh bout of laughter surges through them both.

Kukuru enjoys this feeling of mirth and liberation. Since she'd taken up the responsibility of saving Gama Gama, she hadn't had much time for friendship, and she certainly hadn't been able to do anything like this. And to know that Fuuka is equally as happy makes it all the better.

Kukuru hugs her, closing her eyes and savoring her weight and her warmth.

But after a few minutes, she can tell Fuuka is beginning to fall asleep. Her pulse, which had been so quick and lively from the tickle fight, now begins to slow down, and her breathing deepens.

Kukuru considers speaking up and moving Fuuka off herself and back to her own futon. But there's a slight chill on the breeze tonight, so perhaps staying close wouldn't hurt.

Carefully, Kukuru pulls her blankets up over Fuuka, then folds both arms around her again.

Not a moment later, Fuuka lets out a sigh and drifts off.

Kukuru savors her closeness and the comforting beat of her heart for a few more moments before she closes her eyes as well.

And it seems as though the echoes of their laughter dance around on the wind, and across the rippling surface of the sea beyond.

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A/N: This one might've been a bit fast-paced because I was trying to center it more on Kukuru's point of view. I really wanted to do the tickling, but I also think the conversation about loving fish was a good one to include, especially now after one of theirs has passed away. I hope that little coral blenny knows just how much it meant to a lonely runaway girl ;v;

No idea what I might whip up next time, but there will definitely be more!