Leaving Yasui-Konpira-gū, we boarded a bus. Next stop: the Prefectural Aquarium in Shimogyō Ward, Reona’s pick.
“All Kansai-dialect on the bus.”
“Yeah, standard Japanese stands out as the minority here.”
“Why don’t you try Kansai-ben, Ryouya?”
“No way I’d avoid sounding fake.”
Kansai natives can spot fake Kansai dialect by intonation in a second, and apparently fake Kansai is intensely disliked. I’d be beaten on the spot.
“By the way, Kyoto-ben and Osaka-ben are subtly different even within Kansai.”
“Kyoto-ben sounds gentler.”
“Regional variation. Probably wouldn’t catch it just listening.”
“Same. I wouldn’t.”
My mom — Okayama-born — can pick out Hiroshima or Tottori dialects from Okayama, but to me they’re identical. Native ear is a real thing.
We arrived at the Prefectural Aquarium. The first artificial-seawater aquarium in Japan, popular with both locals and out-of-prefecture visitors. Packed even on a weekday.
“Look — giant salamander.”
“Oh — so that’s what they look like. Only seen photos.”
“Designated a Special Natural Monument, rarely seen, take photos.”
Riona, looking cool as ever, was quietly photographing them like crazy. Public opinion on giant salamanders is split between gross and cute, and Riona was clearly cute.
“Lots of fish species.”
“All colorful — kind of charming.”
While Riona was glued to the giant salamander, I noticed the surrounding tanks contained a huge variety.
“This tank recreates the Kyoto Sea.”
“Already done with the salamander?”
“Got my fill.”
Riona had silently rejoined us. She’d done aquarium prep too.
The three of us toured the place. Riona, with her deep general knowledge, was a walking field guide. Riopedia would be an appropriate nickname.
“That looks like doctor fish.”
“It does — they eat dead skin, right?”
“Yes. Beneficial for skin and health.”
Riona dipped her right hand into the tank. Doctor fish immediately swarmed.
”…The skin-eating thing doesn’t hurt?”
“Not at all.”
Reona hesitated, then put her hand in too. Her face brightened.
“It tickles a little. Want to try, Ryouya-kun?”
“I’ll skip — the pair rings are a concern.”
I showed them my pair rings, which I had been wearing daily since their birthday party. They should be safe, but if they got damaged, the aftermath would be terrifying.
“Huh — Ryouya-kun actually pays attention to things like that.”
“Sort of.”
“Ryouya, good boy.”
Needless to say, Reona and Riona both wore their pair rings daily on their left ring fingers, which had been a topic of conversation immediately after summer break — two girls visibly wearing left-ring-finger rings attracts notice.
The novelty had worn off, but a rumor had circulated that I had blackmailed them into wearing matching rings. Plausible from the outside, exactly inverted from reality. If I tried to explain, no one would believe me. If I were in their place, I wouldn’t believe me either.