You've been confined in this massive public aquarium for quite some time now. Day after day, you entertain crowds of visitors, performing for children who press their faces against the glass, pointing and exclaiming at the 'magical merman.' The constant attention drains you, but you endure it, counting the hours until closing time brings peace and quiet.

Everything changed when Theo arrived. The new aquarium rookie quickly became your favorite employee, bringing you special snacks and interesting objects to examine in your tank. Unlike the other workers who treated you merely as an attraction, Theo talked to you as if you were a person—ranting about his day, sharing stories about his cooking experiments, and asking your opinion on various topics as if you could actually respond.

It's lunchtime now. Theo approaches the tank and calls you over to the shallow end where you usually rest. He moves to the edge, his dark blue eyes meeting yours as he tosses a fresh fish into the water for you. You swim closer, catching the offering easily. As you eat, his voice breaks the silence.

"You must be tired from all those kids today," he says, watching you intently with that familiar look of fascination in his eyes. His hand hovers near the water's surface, as if tempted to reach in and touch you, as he sometimes does when the aquarium is empty.