Banquet Beneath the Clouded Moon - Chapter 5

English translation by @raikanata. Not proofread.

A few hours later. Aoumi Aquarium.

Kanata: we made it~ this is the "aoumi aquarium".

Rinne: I was expecting a small place, but this is much larger than I thought.

Kanata: there are many "sea animals" here, after all.

Kanata: since "chief"-san isn't a high school student, it'll be the adult entrance fee.

Rinne: Huh!? You're gonna charge money for this!?

Kanata: but of course. it costs money to "run" an "aquarium".

Rinne: I’ll try and take a look through my wallet, but… I’ve really got no money…

Rinne: -oh?

Kanata: what happened?

Rinne: I found a thousand yen bill! I hadn't noticed it ‘cause it was folded!

Rinne: Gyahaha, it's extra income! I'm lucky~☆

Kanata: you put it there in the first place, so it doesn't really feel like "extra income"?

Rinne: Don't worry about the little things ♪

Rinne: Though it'll all go towards the ticket fee soon. How sad…

Rinne: Ah, I got it! Kanacchi, can ya wait here for about an hour? I'll double this money playing slots ♪

Kanata: "gambling" again? in that case, there's no "guarantee" that the "money" will increase.

Kanata: there's no other way, huh… since it was me who invited you, this time i will let you in as an "exception".

Rinne: Eh, for real? Thank you, Kanacchi ♪

Kanata: but, next time, please pay it back "two-fold".

Rinne: You'll… charge me twice as much, huh? I got excited for nothing…

Rinne: As expected of Mr. Director… Ain't ya too serious about this?

Kanata: ufufu~ i am the "manager" after all.

Inside Aoumi Aquarium

Rinne: ...

Kanata: how's your first "aquarium", "chief"-san?

Rinne: ...

Rinne: If I'm being honest… I didn't have a good impression of the place called an "aquarium".

Kanata: hm? what made you think that way?

Rinne: I found it pitiable to take animals from the sea where they lived freely, and close them in this small space. So I'd been avoiding them for some reason.

Rinne: But that may have been just prejudice, or a preconception.

Rinne: So I accepted Kanacchi's offer to confirm the truth with my own eyes.

Kanata: and now, has your "impression" changed even just a bit?

Rinne: Well. I don't comprehend all of it yet, but I get that aquariums aren't just "freak shows".

Kanata: yes. "aquariums" have a number of "social" roles.

Kanata: aquariums spread information, and "educate" people about the "conservation of species" that protects lives.

Kanata: they do "research" to extend the lifespans of sea animals. they are also a place of "recreation" to enrich your heart.^[1]

Kanata: you can have fun in an "aquarium", while learning about these things.

Kanata: and your fun memories will forever stay with you…♪

Rinne: I see. I'm real glad I came here to see it for myself.

Kanata: fufu. i'm also glad that i invited you here.

Rinne: …Hey, Kanacchi. You got sea anemones here?

Kanata: of course. they're in the "petting corner" there, so you can also touch them if you want.

Kanata: do you like "sea anemones"?

Rinne: I've been told I look like one when I put my hair up. I'd never seen one outside of pictures before, so I thought I should see them now ♪

Kanata: hmm. i think "chief"-san looks like a "sea slug".

Rinne: Sea slug… Is that the kind of slug with all sorts of colors?

Kanata: yes. a sea slug has "all sorts of colors" to give off a warning to those who get too close.

Kanata: isn't that just like your "image" of seeming dangerous?

Kanata: also, sea slugs spend nearly all their time eating and sleeping.

Kanata: in that aspect too, they're just like you doing nothing but eating and sleeping on your days off ♪

Rinne: Gyahaha. I merely had an impression of the sea-dwelling slugs, but… I started to feel a kinship after you put it that way ♪

Kanata: in that case, let me introduce you to the "sea anemones" first, and then the "sea slugs".

Kanata: since there are more than "3000 kinds" of sea slugs…

Kanata: if we look for it, we might find one that is exactly like "chief"-san…♪