Chapter Twelve

The tour has started with them visiting some museum and archeological sites. Their last stop for the day is the water park.

Hayan excitedly looks around, getting all amazed at the big fishes swimming around.

"It's amazing... I feel like I'm with them..." He smiles and puts his hand up as if trying to reach them. He walks and places his hand on the glass. "Hello..." He giggles lightly when the fishes started swimming around.

Hajin, on the other hand, is busy taking photos of the place. He then sees Hayan and approaches him.

"That's a Threadfin Butterflyfish." He informed him as he look over the aquarium too.

"Threadfin... Butterflyfish?" Hayan asked like a child and stared at the blue and yellow colored fish. "Even the name is pretty."

"Hajin, what about that?" He excitedly pointed to a red fish.

Hajin chuckles lightly at his giddiness. "That's a Bettafish, It's actually the most popular aquarium fish."

Hayan nods as he stare at the fish. "Bettafish..." He points at another one again. "And that one?"

"A regal Angelfish. They actually like living on cracks and caves. You're lucky you got to see them."

"Really? Wow. You know a lot, Hajin."

"I'm quite fascinated at fishes too so I researched about them when I have the time."

Hayan finally realizes his action and gets shy. "Sorry. I-I got too excited."

"Why are you always apologizing? It's fine! And besides, you look cute just now."

C-cute?

He stared at Hajin with his face looking like a tomato. He smiled at him return.

"You should be more energetic like that, Hayan."

Hayan became speechless as he stared at Hajin. His heartbeat beating really fast right now.

If you keep doing that I might be even more guilty of doing something bad.

"Give me a smile, I'll take your picture." Hajin suddenly said and backed away slowly.

"W-what? But.. But.."

I'm not photogenic! Hajin will see how bad I look at pictures!

But Hajin doesn't seem to notice him panicking. He lifts up his camera and said, "Smile, Hayan!"

Hayan awkwardly smiles, like a kid being forced by their mother for a picture. Hajin find his reaction cute and laughs at him. He will see Sean quietly looking at the fishes so he calls him.

"Sean!" Sean will approach Hajin. "I'll take a picture of you and Hayan. Stand beside him."

Hayan looks at Sean with hope flashing on his eyes. Sean glances at him too and sees him looking like a puppy waiting for his master. He sighs and walks to him.

"Stand closer!" Hajin instructed as he lift the camera. Hayan awkwardly reaches the gap between them. "1...2...3... Smile!"

He looks at the camera and gets satisfied with the result. "You look more natural here, Hayan." He commented. He indeed look more natural, smiling widely standing beside Sean.

Sean then grabs the camera from Hajin. "I'll take a picture of you and Hayan."

"Okay."

Hayan panicked again seeing Hajin walking towards him.

A picture with Hajin!

Hajin sees Hayan standing rigidly like a robot. "Come closer, Hayan." He grabs him by the wrist and pulls him closer lightly.

"In 1...2...3... Smile!"

He smells like a baby... So nice...

Sean will quietly give the camera back to its owner and walks away quietly. Hayan gathered up his courage and tried to follow him.

"Where are you going?"

Sean stops walking but will not turn around.

"I heard that there's a mermaid show going on right now."

Hayan's eyes widens as soon as the word 'mermaid' got mentioned.

"Mermaid? C-can I go with you?"

He pauses for a while before slowly nodding and continued walking. Hayan felt excited again so he reaches up to Hajin.

"Hajin! There's a mermaid show right now! Let's see it!"

"I'll just follow you guys. I like to take a bit more pictures here." Hajin answered although he knows that he just wants to give them some time to be together. Hayan smiledd at him, thankful at his action.

"Thank you." He whispered as he hurriedly followed Sean.

-

Hayan got completely mesmerized at the mermaids that he almost sticked his face at the glass. He got even more excited when one of the mermaid noticed him and gives him a wave and flying kiss.

"Sean, Sean, look! She waved at me!" Sean stares at him, also mezmerized not by the mermaid but by Hayan's reactions.

He's really excited like a kid.

"Wow... They're all so pretty." Hayan whispered as he tried to follow the mermaid's movements. Another mermaid waves at him again. This time he excitedly waved back.

"Sean, did you see that?"

He turned his head to see Sean already staring at him. Sean quickly looked away and cleared his throat.

"I-I'm getting hungry... Do you still want to watch them? We can find for something to eat."

Sean turned his head to look at Hayan when he did not answer. He got surprised when he saw him staring at him with tears on his eyes.

"Why are you crying?!" He immediately wipes his tears as he looked around. Some of the people around are staring at them thinking he might have done something bad at him.

"Hayan..."

Hayan shake his head as he tried to speak. "Y-you talked to me again..." Sean's mind went completely blank when he smiled.

"I'm just happy..."

What am I doing ignoring him like this? I feel so cruel.

"Let's go. I'm hungry." He quickly turn around and walked away.

Hayan followed him, sniffing like a child but a happy smile on his face.

-

"I'm sorry."

Hayan quietly said while their walking. They are still at inside the aquarium.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"Aren't you mad at me? T-that's why you avoided me, right?"

Sean stopped walking making him stop too. But still, he didn't turn around.

"I'm not mad at you, so stop saying sorry. I.. Should be the one to say sorry."

He walked closer as he couldn't hear what he said.

"Why..."

"If you find out the reason, you'll probably get mad at me."

"No I won't!" Hayan answered with conviction and determination. They just can't keep being like this so Hayan will do anything so that they could go back to normal. "I won't get mad so tell me what's wrong?"

"Hayan, I-"

"Hayan!" All of a sudden, Red appears out of nowhere, interrupting their talk.