Operation Mackerel: 10 Ways to Make Dazai Osamu Jealous

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 8

After agreeing to leave their older brothers alone, Chuuya and Dazai start spending the day with each other. They start visiting the oceanarium, and Chuuya is amazed by the different creatures of fish that he sees swimming freely in the water. There are fishes everywhere and while walking slowly to indulge the view, Dazai would state random facts about them about the fishes that they are seeing. Chuuya secretly enjoys hearing those facts because the fish are too cool and he doesn't mind Dazai being talkative if it means he can gain knowledge from the man's words.

"Did you know that Angelfish can grow to nearly 10 Inches? On average, well-cared angelfish will reach about 6 inches at adulthood, and that adulthood means they are about a year and a half old. If they are housed in very large tanks and are not overcrowded, they can reach nearly 10 inches." Dazai stated calmly. The atmosphere inside the oceanarium is calming and Chuuya is staring at the fishes with bright eyes. It made Dazai smile softly while staring at the chibi.

Chuuya's eyebrows curl a little in curiosity as he stares at the beautiful angelfish in the aquarium, "Really?"

Dazai nods, "Yes, though angelfish turns more territorial and aggressive as they mature. For this reason, it's usually better to house them in a separate tank as adults. They also become aggressive with each other, which usually occurs during breeding times. Males can fight with other males over mates, and females can be aggressive when protecting their offspring from other male and female fish looking for a snack."

Chuuya blinks again, fascinated by the things Dazai is randomly spitting. For a loudmouth, Dazai is indeed intelligent.

"Look. That one is arapaima, one of the world's largest freshwater fish species. These giants can grow up to 15 feet long and weigh up to 440 pounds, though fish that big have not been reported for many years. More commonly, they're about six feet long and 200 pounds."

"It's really large." Chuuya agreed.

Dazai pointed at another one, "And that's flatfishes. Flatfish are masters of camouflage, thanks to their ability to mimic the various colors of the ocean floor. The fish expand and retract their chromatophores—pigment-containing cells—to quickly change color if threatened or stalking prey."

Chuuya blinks excitedly again, clearly enjoying learning things now, "Why are they flat?"

"About a month into their development, the fry undergo a metamorphosis: Their skull shape begins to change, and one eye begins to migrate over the fish's head to join the other. They're just flat upon their development."

"That's awesome, Dazai!"

The light in Chuuya's eyes soften Dazai's gaze as they walk within the oceanarium filled with fishes. They are taking their time enjoying the scenery around and they are both silently indulging themselves into that enjoyment.

"What about that fish that looks like chainsawman?" Chuuya added curiously and Dazai feels warm with the genuine curiosity from the chibi.