Chapter 152: Food Must Not Be Wasted (Long Chapter)
"Chishima-kun, look! That's a Bamboo Shark. Back in my college days, I saw one in an aquarium with a friend, but this is my first time actually touching one."
Shizuka tapped Akishin's shoulder with pure, unbridled enthusiasm. Her eyes were glued to the shark below, and without blinking, she reached out her hand to give it a gentle stroke.
The Bamboo Shark remained perfectly still, offering no reaction. Its tail swayed lazily with the current, seemingly indifferent to Shizuka's touch. It was clearly used to this; there was no telling how many visitors poked and prodded it every single day.
Still, why call it a 'dog shark' (Bamboo Shark)? It doesn't look anything like a dog, Akishin thought, staring at the small creature in confusion. It wasn't just the Bamboo Shark; right next to it was a Catshark. And why a 'cat shark'? It doesn't look like a cat either!
But more importantly... Can you eat these things?
No, shark meat usually contains urea and isn't exactly edible, though he recalled some custom in Greenland about eating fermented shark.
Hotaru tugged at Shizuka's sleeve, whining softly, "Auntie Hiratsuka, I want to touch the little shark too."
She stared straight at the Catshark in the water, her big eyes wide with wonder, yet she didn't dare move. Her tiny hand reached out a few times only to be jerked back in fear of being bitten.
Shizuka offered some encouragement. "This kind of little shark doesn't bite. Come on, Hotaru, I'll hold you. Just stretch your hand out slowly and touch it."
"...Mhm!"
Emboldened by Shizuka's words, Hotaru felt Shizuka take hold of her left hand. She leaned over cautiously, dipping her hand into the water.
Her chubby face was the picture of concentration. She touched the Catshark ever so lightly, then instantly pulled back and dove into Shizuka's embrace, leaving only one eye peeking out.
Shizuka and Akishin both let out a chuckle.
Seeing that the little catshark truly didn't react, Hotaru crawled out from Shizuka's arms. She leaned over again, gave it a soft poke, and retracted her hand quickly. Still nothing. Feeling safe at last, she finally placed her small hand on the Catshark's back and gave it a proper pat.
"Good little catshark, such a good boy. Next time I come, Hotaru will bring you yummy food. But why are you called a catshark? Are you friends with kittens?" Hotaru looked up at Shizuka.
"...I'm not really sure myself."
Shizuka turned her gaze away, looking a bit sheepish. Children have such a thirst for knowledge, yet sadly, even adults don't always have the answers.
Akishin quickly pulled out his phone to look up some data on the Catshark. Once he had the facts, he explained with a smile, "It's because most of them don't grow longer than a meter, and they have stripes on their bodies like a tabby cat. That's why they're called Catsharks."
The Catshark, also known as the Brownbanded Bamboo Shark.
It belongs to the genus Chiloscyllium in the family Hemiscylliidae. They are found in the waters of northern Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the South China Sea.
Their primary habitats are coastal coral reefs. They move slowly and often rest on the seabed near the reefs. Remarkably, they can survive for about twelve hours after being taken out of the water. They are nocturnal hunters, feeding on small fish, shrimp, crabs, and mollusks.
Among sharks, this species is relatively small and beautifully colored, often kept as ornamental fish.
"Stripes... like a tabby cat?"
Shizuka and Hotaru both leaned in to inspect the Catshark with intense focus. After staring for quite a while, Shizuka laughed. "If Chishima-kun hadn't said anything, I really wouldn't have seen the resemblance..."
"The universe is full of wonders. Even thousands of meters deep in the ocean, there is life. It's not that strange for a shark to look like a cat."
Akishin recalled reading about a type of shrimp that lives near hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor, where temperatures reach over four hundred degrees.
His first thought back then hadn't been one of awe, but rather a culinary dilemma: How on earth would you cook that shrimp? Even a pressure cooker wouldn't stand a chance!
Then there was that sea anemone that digests its own brain once it takes root in one spot—truly a hardcore way to live in the wild.
This was just the tip of the iceberg of this world. There were countless stranger creatures out there, not to mention other worlds where things like 'gods' actually existed...
Hotaru turned around and raised her little hand. "Then Hotaru wants to see more cute creatures in the future, like bunnies. Does Uncle Chishima like bunnies? The fluffy ones with two long, cute ears. Sadly, Mama won't let me keep a bunny. She won't even let me have a kitten."
Hotaru stroked the little catshark sadly, as if pretending it was a rabbit.
Akishin ruffled Hotaru's hair, saying gently, "I do. Uncle Chishima likes bunnies the most." Especially when they're served on a dinner plate.
After touching every kind of fish available, they moved on to the next part of the tour.
Shizuka held Hotaru's hand as they walked ahead, while Akishin followed behind, camera in hand. After passing through several areas, they headed back inside the building, following the stairs toward the main hall.
Inside the hall was a water tank an entire level larger than the previous ones.
The sign read "Kelp Forest." Through the shimmering light, one could see the giant seaweed known as Macrocystis pyrifera from a distance, its long fronds swaying gently in the water.
Aside from the pale brown kelp, the dim hall was filled with sea anemones and coral reefs in vibrant reds and greens, glowing brightly under the spotlights.
In front of the tank stood rows of benches, arranged like a small theater. Visitors who were tired of walking could take a seat and rest here.
Currently, quite a few people were sitting on the benches, with the occasional sound of low whispering filling the air. There were elderly couples, young lovers holding hands, and happy little families with children.
Akishin found an empty seat and waved to the two of them. "Shizuka, sit here. Let's take a short break."
Looking at the time, an hour had passed in the blink of an eye. It was fine for the two adults, but Hotaru couldn't be allowed to overexert herself—even if she was the one having the most fun and hadn't complained once.
Once they were seated, Akishin spotted a vending machine in the distance. He went over and bought two cans of coffee and a carton of yogurt.
The yogurt was for Hotaru; the coffee was for himself and Shizuka.
"Thank you, Uncle Chishima," Hotaru said, accepting the yogurt politely.
However, she stared at the black coffee in Akishin's hand and asked in confusion, "That's really bitter, like medicine. Hotaru tried it once, and it wasn't as yummy as yogurt. Why is Uncle Chishima drinking something bitter? Did the yogurt run out? If it did, you can have mine."
Hotaru held out the yogurt she had just received. Her small face showed a moment of reluctance, but it quickly turned into a look of firm determination as she raised the carton high.
Akishin looked at the black coffee in his hand, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Shizuka, sitting beside them, laughed too, reaching out to gently push the yogurt back. "There's still yogurt left, but Uncle just likes drinking bitter things like this."
Hotaru stared at Akishin's large hand, biting her finger as she asked, "Why? Isn't bitter stuff really gross!?"
"Because Uncle wants there to be more sweetness in life." Akishin sat down next to Hotaru, gazing at the colorful world inside the "Kelp Forest." He spoke softly with a smile. "Once you're used to the bitterness, you get better at finding the sweetness in life."
"Sweetness in life? Is that candy? Uncle Chishima's cakes are very sweet, and there's the chocolate Mama buys too..."
"Haha, all of those count!" Akishin cracked open the black coffee and took a sip, feeling the bitterness spread through his mouth. He laughed. "These things are still a bit too far off for Hotaru. Once you grow up, you'll understand."
"Grow up? How much longer? Hotaru is only five, I'm still losing my baby teeth..."
"Hmm~" Akishin thought for a moment. "Probably when you're twenty. It'll be here in the blink of an eye. When that happens, you'll realize how fast time flies, so you have to cherish the time you have now, okay?"
...
After resting for over ten minutes, they left the kelp forest to continue their tour. They watched dolphins leap, observed fast-swimming tuna, and noted the sunfish that stayed perfectly still even as it drifted...
Akishin also bought a few small souvenirs for Hotaru—a zipper keychain, a coin purse, a small plushie, things like that.
He avoided buying anything larger, worried that Mrs. Miyako might feel burdened by the gesture.
By the time they returned to the hall, it was already noon—time for lunch. Hotaru's legs had given out about half an hour ago, so Shizuka was carrying her.
Shizuka, being a strong woman who had trained in martial arts, had stamina only slightly below Akishin's.
Stepping out of the aquarium, they were once again bathed in sunlight under a clear blue sky. A cool sea breeze blew in from the ocean, fluttering Shizuka and Hotaru's hair.
Since he had promised Hotaru a hamburger, he had to keep that promise. Adults are role models for children; every action you take can influence a child's future.
As it happened, there was a burger shop right near the aquarium. As they entered, the electronic door automatically chimed: "Welcome."
"Welcome, customers! How can I help you?"
The shop assistant, dressed in a festive uniform, offered a very sweet smile.
Shizuka set Hotaru down, picked up a menu, and asked, "What does Hotaru want to eat?"
Hotaru looked at the menu filled with hamburgers, chicken drumsticks, chicken rolls... She looked overwhelmed, biting her finger as she scanned the options. Finally, she only ordered a single hamburger.
Shizuka found it odd. "Hotaru doesn't want anything else?"
That shouldn't be right. Shouldn't she be ordering a few different things? Even if one burger would likely fill her up, did a child this young really have the presence of mind to order only what she needed? Especially when it was her favorite food.
Shizuka remembered when she was little; her mother told her she could order whatever she wanted, and she had immediately ordered a mountain of food, only to be ruthlessly shut down by her mother...
Hotaru hesitated for a moment but shook her head. "I won't order more. Mama says girls shouldn't eat too much, and since Uncle Chishima is paying, Hotaru shouldn't let you be wasteful."
This child was incredibly well-behaved. Despite playing all day, she hadn't proactively asked for a single thing. The drinks and souvenirs were all bought on Akishin's own initiative.
Hearing this answer, Shizuka was stunned. She traded a glance with Akishin, then rubbed Hotaru's head with a gentle smile. "Hotaru, you aren't making us be wasteful. Actually, didn't Mama give Uncle Chishima a lot of money earlier? You saw it too, right? So this is actually your Mama's money..."
Ah! Why is this child so considerate? Why isn't she my daughter? If my future daughter is even half this cute, it'll be a dream come true!
"It's still not okay. Mama works very hard for that money." Hotaru continued to shake her head. "Many times when Hotaru is already asleep, Mama is still sewing clothes."
Shizuka looked at Akishin again, her eyes clearly screaming: What do we do?
Akishin nodded along with Hotaru's logic. "Alright then, we'll just order one."
"Mhm, mhm."
Hotaru nodded, using all her strength to push the menu back toward the counter, which was taller than she was.
Shizuka was about to protest, but she saw Akishin give her a quick wink. Then, Akishin turned back to the assistant. "I'll have five hamburgers, five drumsticks, four chicken rolls, and three medium Cokes."
"Certainly, please wait a moment."
The three of them took a seat by the window. The shop wasn't crowded, the air conditioning was humming, and the atmosphere was quiet and comfortable.
From their spot, they could see the giant Ferris wheel in the distance, spinning slowly beneath drifting white clouds.
Soon, the order arrived.
Akishin first handed the hamburger to Hotaru, then popped a straw into a Coke and set it beside her.
This, Hotaru accepted.
Hotaru couldn't wait to unwrap the burger, taking small bites and occasionally sipping her Coke.
Akishin and Shizuka watched her with smiles on their faces.
By the time Akishin had finished two burgers, Hotaru had finally finished hers. She held her Coke, drinking it bit by bit. She was no longer looking at the burgers and drumsticks in front of Akishin, but her eyes would occasionally drift that way as she swallowed her saliva. It was clear she was still hungry.
Akishin laughed, placing two drumsticks and a chicken roll onto the empty plate in front of Hotaru.
Before Hotaru could speak, he beat her to it. "Hotaru, Uncle accidentally ordered too much. Do you think you could help me finish this?"
"But..."
Hotaru wanted to refuse, but Akishin laughed again. "Uncle doesn't want to waste food. Did your teacher ever tell you that wasting food is shameful? But Auntie and I are already stuffed. If we don't finish it, we'll just have to throw it away..."
What do you do when a child is too considerate and doesn't want to trouble you? Simple: you weaponize that very considerateness. This is how devious adults play the game!
Hotaru looked at Akishin, then at Shizuka, and finally at the golden-brown fried chicken in front of her.
Finally, she put on a serious little face and said, "That's right, wasting food is shameful. Since Uncle can't finish it, Hotaru will have to help. But Uncle must remember not to order this much next time. Mama says, order only what you can eat."
"Right, Uncle will remember." Akishin nodded sincerely.
Hotaru finally felt at ease. She picked up a drumstick and took a bite. Her chubby face was instantly filled with joy.
...
After lunch, Shizuka suggested riding the Ferris wheel, which received three unanimous votes.
They boarded a bus, enjoying the scenery along the way. As they passed the shoreline, a flock of seagulls flew by, accompanied by the vast expanse of the ocean. The feeling of the world being so wide and open filled their minds.
After getting off the bus and buying tickets, the Ferris wheel—which looked big from a distance—now looked absolutely gargantuan. It was no wonder it was called the largest Ferris wheel in the country.
This was different from the one he had ridden with Shizuka at the amusement park before; this one was bigger and much higher.
Looking at the sign nearby, it stated the diameter was one hundred and eleven meters, with a height of one hundred and seventeen meters.
While he couldn't think of a specific metaphor to describe that height, if he had to put it in one sentence, it would be: "Very high," and "Very terrifying!"
That was right—terrifying! When you stood close to it, the sheer scale of it was intimidating. Compared to it, you felt like an ant.
The wind howled against it, forced to curve around its massive frame.
Soon, they finished queuing and boarded the cabin.
As the cabin continued its ascent, it felt like embarking on a magical adventure. Every time a gust of wind blew, the cabin would sway slightly. Anyone with a fear of heights would likely be on their knees by now.
From atop this Ferris wheel, you couldn't see Chiba City very clearly. Even though they were technically in Chiba, they were separated by Tokyo Bay, meaning they saw more of Tokyo instead.
"Chishima-kun, look over there! That's where we went to Tokyo Tower last time. Can you see it..."
Shizuka pulled at Akishin excitedly, pointing toward Tokyo. Beneath the blue sky and white clouds, the red silhouette of Tokyo Tower stood tall among the buildings.
...
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