Ichiro had been awfully excited about the date he would be going on with (Y/n). The entire day, he had been preparing for what he had planned, wanting to show her what he thought of as a good time. He wasn't entirely sure about what the younger girl wanted in a romantic partner, so he was more nervous than he had been on other dates. Still, when she assured him she wanted to see what he wanted, he felt a pressure lifted off of his chest.

There was no doubt about the difference between the bluenette and his younger brother. The latter demanded the best things in life, especially befitting a royal. He wanted to be pampered and treated with the highest regard and desired his lover to be subject to the same treatment. On the other hand, Ichiro only needed the company of nature, particularly fauna though he also loved being surrounded by flora.

Still, there was a cultural difference between those raised in Vethela and those raised in Athain. One put the beauty of the simplicity in life on a pedestal and the other preferred knowledge and intelligence. Nonetheless, the (h/c) haired girl tended to stray from certain things, so there was no guarantee that she would require such a trait from him. He knew he was hardly a competitor for his brothers' intuition and intellect, but he hoped he had other things to make up for it.

Sooner or later, the evening had arrived, and the bluenette was getting ready. He showered thoroughly, massaging his scalp with a pleasantly smelling shampoo and conditioner. The soap he used was floral and natural, and the best one he possessed. Personally, he adored the smell. It reminded him of home in the garden; one of the only places he felt as though he belonged. He had hoped it would inspire some compliments from the younger girl.

After his shower, the male dried himself off, using a hairdryer to make the process go faster. The bluenette then carefully chose his outfit. As a model, he had been given enormous amounts of designer clothes. Some of them highlighted certain features, but he wanted to highlight all of his features. Since he was not particularly masculine in his body type, he strayed away from form-fitting outfits. In the end, he chose to wear a more mature outfit. He didn't want to seem like a child, after all.

The male then waited outside, nervously tapping his foot as (Y/n) got ready. Chariot waiting beside the bluenette, tilting his head from side to side as if trying to figure out his owner's emotions. When Ichiro heard her door open, the male's head popped up and a smile crossed his face as he turned around to look at her. His cheeks then became bright pink as he noted the girl dressed up for him.

He was surprised to find that she was wearing a dress of his design. Not that he minded. In fact, he adored seeing his handiwork on her form. It suited her. It was adorable and yet graceful, something that made the bluenette press his fingers together in anxiousness. The thought that he would be able to go on a date with someone so precious and cutesy made him blush uncontrollably.

"A-Are you ready?" he asked, tensing his shoulders as he stuttered.

"Only if you are. I want to have fun, so don't worry about impressing me, remember?"

Ichiro nodded, but he let out a nervous whimper when the younger girl hugged his arm. The two made their way to the elevator, and the male began to drive the two to their destination. The (h/c) haired girl wasn't surprised to find that Ichiro had arranged for them to have their date at an aquarium. He gave a shaky sigh as he led her into the area, providing the entry tickets. It was clear he was quite nervous even when it was only supposed to be fun and games. That being said, he was intent on making it an official date.

As the two entered the aquarium, the bluenette's eyes sparkled at the displays. They were stunning and some glowed faintly as if magic. Of course, it was simply just light, but the male's childish wonder prevented him from thinking in such a manner. The fish just added another touch of beauty that he adored. Looking to the side, the male was pleased to find that the younger girl found the exhibits stunning as well. He quietly celebrated, giving a faint "yes" before pulling his fist back in joy.

"I've never been here before, d'ya know that?" the bluenette chuckled, sneaking his hand to interlock with hers, "I wanted to save it for something special."

After his cheeks warmed up due to the statement he had made, the younger boy led the younger girl through the aquarium. They looked at exotic fish and sharks they'd never seen before and even some turtles and penguins. Ichiro kept a close eye on (Y/n) to make sure she wasn't bored. It seemed to linger in his mind that if he didn't give her a good time, she would despise him. Perhaps that wasn't the case, but it certainly felt like it to him.

Though it was true that he wasn't the life of his parties while his brothers were, he knew what he liked. The only thing he thought he could do was hope that she enjoyed what he did. If that was the case, he wholeheartedly believed she would find him better than Rei or Kazuki. It seemed only the latter of the two knew that was possible and felt great love for him. Ichiro wished the (h/c) haired girl would feel the same. Being loved by someone other than his family was his highest desire.

Sooner or later, the bluenette had shown the way to the dolphins. It was as if he had an innate sense to track down animals or find them in the middle of nowhere. (Y/n) wouldn't doubt it, and despite what he thought, the younger girl was having an extremely nice time. The little things that the bluenette would do for her when she was uncomfortable were incredibly sweet and supportive. He obviously wanted to protect her, something she valued intensely.

The younger girl was terrified of public spaces after her many interactions with people that sought to harm her. Thus, Ichiro had endeavored to do even small things like hold her hand or stroke it when she was nervous. Of course, there were big things he did as well, including making sure no one, especially males, were too close for comfort. In fact, through all of his habits, (Y/n) was finding herself forgetting all of her worries. A pure smile etched its way onto her face, prompting Ichiro to blush uncontrollably.

"I don't remember the last time I saw one of these," the younger girl giggled, pressing her hand against the glass of the dolphin exhibit.

"W-Well, do you like them? Or...which animal is your favorite so far?"

"Definitely the dolphins! They're so playful and the noises they make are adorable. What is your favorite?"

"D-Dolphins!" the male squeaked, covering his mouth when he realized the noise he made.

To be honest, the bluenette didn't particularly have a favorite animal. Rather, it changed time and time again with his manic mind. One second, his favorite animal was a guinea pig. The next it could have been a snake. However, it wasn't his favorite animal that was the issue at hand. It was that the younger girl preferred dolphins. Therefore, through his mind, she would like him much better if he agreed with her thoughts on the matter.

If it were up to him, he would have preferred to share his honest thoughts with her, but he needed her to love him quickly. She might have already been thoroughly attached to Rei, but he had a chance albeit a slim one. That being said, it wasn't his younger brother that was the issue. Rather, the bluenette knew the most desirable out of all of them was Kazuki. At least, he believed him to be. If (Y/n) fell in love with him, he would never have a chance.

"Um, I...I have a surprise!" the male decided, grabbing onto the younger girl's hand, "b-but if I show you, can you hold my hand for a bit?"

The (h/c) haired girl nodded enthusiastically, but it only made the bluenette blush furiously. Going on a date was bad enough for the color of his cheeks, but with the addition of her pure smile, the male couldn't make it five minutes without his heart being spiraled into a rapidly beating mess. However, he wouldn't have had it any other way. He was rather thrilled to have the opportunity to be out with her alone.

It appeared that the male was going for more than he bargained for, but, thankfully, not more than he could bite off. He was able to do whatever he wanted due to his family's influential name and the amount of money he had to back it up. Thus, the male made his way to the aquarium's owners. In appearing, he was immediately questioned if he got lost. The thought made him frown in embarrassment. He hadn't wanted to be treated like a child. No, he wanted to be mature like Kazuki was. Yet it never seemed to work out that way.

"I'm Ichiro Hirasi of the Trewin family of Vethela," the male announced, squeezing the younger girl's hand.

The supposed owner of the aquarium gave a surprised look and stood up from her chair, bowing to the male. It must have been due to the fact that she appeared Vethelan that she immediately bowed. People from other countries would most likely have been unimpressed if he wasn't the heir to the throne or the ruler of a nation. However, the bluenette gave a sigh of relief. If the owner was reluctant to do such a thing, he might have seemed weak in the eyes of the younger girl. Anybody who lived would have bowed to Rei. It was just common sense.

"Your highness, it's a pleasure to meet you in person!" the owner smiled, placing her hand on her heart, "What can I assist you with?"

"Raise your head," the male requested, the woman doing as he said with an excited grin on her face, "I'm an avid lover of animals. So, I would like to ask for a small favor."

"Of course! Just name it!"

"I'd like to show my date the opportunity to swim with the dolphins. Would it be possible?"

"For a member of the Vethelan family, I'd cut off my own arm! Letting you swim with the dolphins is nothing! Please, follow me. I'd be happy to show you to the exhibit."

The woman grabbed a set of keys off of the table. She then motioned for the bluenette and younger girl to follow through the aquarium until they reached a locked door. Holding it open for the other two, the woman then showed them to the dolphin keepers in the middle of teaching the aquatic animals tricks. Upon realizing there was an unfamiliar male in the environment, the trainers directed their attention to their boss.

"I'd like you to show these two to an hour or so session with a couple of the dolphins. Treat them with the utmost of respect."

There was a man around the age of 30 or so that stepped forward to accept the job handed to the group of employees. He gave a wave to the two as the owner of the aquarium bowed once more to the younger male and left, wishing them fun. At the same time, (Y/n) and Ichiro were shown to the employee changing rooms to get into some wetsuits. When they came back, the man was waiting for them behind the exhibit of the dolphins in a private enclosure.

"Welcome!" he said with a smile, "Come on in the water. These guys are friendly, I promise."

Ichiro wasted no time jumping in, throwing his hands in the air in a silly manner. He hadn't wanted to look childish to the younger girl, but it just sort of slipped out. It wasn't as if he could hold together a composed and refined aura forever. Besides, there hardly seemed any danger that he felt he needed to protect the (h/c) haired girl from. The only thing that the male distrusted was the other man, with whom he had never acquainted himself with. Strangely enough, the bluenette found himself jealous of the male for a reason he couldn't yet comprehend.

That being said he chose to ignore the gut feeling he had about the unknown person and turn his attention to the hesitant younger girl. She was still on the edge of the water, uncertain about jumping in or staying on the ledge of the ground. However, when she saw Ichiro's supportive grin and felt his hand on hers, something compelled her to put all of her faith in him. It was like when she was with Rei, but there was a small difference she wasn't aware of at the time.

When the younger girl jumped into the water, she found that the bluenette had wrapped his arms around her, hugging her tightly. It was as if he was congratulating her for joining him in the fun, rubbing his cheek against hers in an overly affectionate manner. It reminded her of Chariot when she rubbed a certain spot he had been dying to itch at. The thought was comforting and oddly precious.

"Alright now, there aren't too many rules here with these guys," the exhibit keeper explained, "They tend to be very friendly and playful, but you gotta make sure you're not annoying them. I'll stop it if it gets too far, but they might lunge at you if they think you're a threat."

The bluenette was already being swarmed by the dolphins in the exhibit, most trying to sniff at him or coerce him into petting them. It baffled both the exhibit keeper and (Y/n) herself though she had seen the occurrence happen all too frequently. Still not able to piece it together, she gave a faint chuckle, feeling Ichiro's hand slip into hers. He then gave her an appreciative and somewhat gentle smile.

He pulled her through the water so he was holding her by her waist. Of course, from their time in the pool a long while ago, the male was fully aware that the younger girl could swim by herself. However, some part of him must have still wanted to appear mature. He, himself, wasn't too knowledgeable about what it meant exactly, but he knew it was attractive to many girls, especially in Kazuki's case.

Still, Ichiro resigned himself to mindlessly having fun, as the younger girl had wanted in the first place. He turned off his thinking and did what he thought would result in the happiest result for him, hoping it would turn out the same for (Y/n). It didn't do him much to worry, after all. Nonetheless, the first thing that the male did after pulling her to him was lean his head onto her shoulder and use his free hand to guide hers to a dolphin's head.

The younger girl made a playful giggle at the slippery feeling of its smooth skin, prompting the bluenette to snicker along with her. He greatly enjoyed watching her interact with the aquatic creature, beaming from ear to ear as he held her to him. It seemed to him as though he had succeeded in making her smile, but he wanted more than that. It was always that way. He wasn't content with just being something. He wanted to be the one that people admired and held in high regard, but that was just wishful thinking on his part.

And yet, for all of his moping and comparing his brothers to himself, he would have never imagined Rei doing something so ordinary as going to an aquarium. In much the same way, nor would Kazuki have had the desire to mingle with dolphins. It appeared as if he'd stumbled upon something that he and the younger girl mutually shared and that excluded the others. He just wished he could hold onto it.

"You know," the exhibit keeper chuckled, "Hatsume 'ere can balance a ball on her nose. It's a fine trick, I'd say. Would you like to throw the ball to her, little miss?"

(Y/n)'s eyes lit up at the sound of participating in a dolphin's trick, and she all but immediately swam away from the bluenette to stand on the ledge just before the water. The keeper exited as well, opening some kind of storage container and pulling out a big inflatable beach ball. He handed it to the younger girl, instructing her on how to alert the dolphin so she knew it was time to do her special trick. And while the younger girl was delighted, Ichiro was far from it.

He'd known jealousy before. It had practically nurtured itself in his mind as he was raised along with Rei and Kazuki, of all people. Still, it had never stung as badly as it had at that moment. Ichiro would rather have been disowned all over again than to experience the pain in his heart that came with seeing the (h/c) haired girl so near another male. He had believed he was supposed to protect her on their trip out together, but it didn't seem as though she was there exclusively for him. In fact, it seemed more that she would have joined anyone if it promised fun.

Ichiro let his nose sink under the water and began to blow bubbles of air out of his mouth to relieve the stress building up. It didn't work all that well, but the dolphins did a decent job of keeping him company. Of course, he would rather have had the younger girl, herself, cheering him up, and snuggling against him as a way of an apology, but it wasn't going to happen. He resigned himself to sitting down and watching her converse with someone more mature than him.

Then a dark thought popped up in the bluenette's mind. No, it was more like it overcame his mind. There was little reason placed in his head as he thought about the situation, his eyes narrowing at the rival male he perceived to be a threat. His teeth gritted against each other before he balled his fists together. How badly he wanted to take his head and bash it against the rocky ground. It seemed to be the only thing left in his mind other than the searing need to take (Y/n) back. She was in danger.

Before Ichiro's thoughts progressed to the point of action, he felt warm arms around his neck from the ledge. His eyes snapped back to the way they were - the cyan color a lively and cheerful hue - and he looked up at the younger girl smiling widely down at him. She was happy. He wanted her to be happy, didn't he? Yes, of course, he did. But then why did it hurt him so terribly?

"Are you having fun?" the bluenette mumbled, his voice monotone and almost unclear.

"Yes!" (Y/n) exclaimed, hugging the male a bit tighter, "I just wanted to thank you. It's been too long since I've felt this carefree. Would you mind if we stayed a little longer? Like...dinner or something?"

A spark made its way into the younger male's heart and his eyes filled with shimmers and light. He no longer wore a bored frown on his face. Instead, he was beaming, almost to the point of crying out in tears. Never would he have ever thought that she would accredit her joy to him and actually thank him for it. As he placed his hands on the arms she had around him, he leaned into her touch, fully savoring the rare moment.

Nonetheless, he could not deny that something was about to take him over. Some form of envy prompted him to faze out of his pacifistic state of mind and into one of sheer violence and hatred. Even if he had been stopped from going through with his plan to eradicate the older man, it didn't erase its lingering presence. But, if Ichiro had (Y/n) and Kazuki to keep him in line, everything would be fine, right?