First Light Of A New Day

Strolling on the promenade back to my home, I must say that I have never felt so accomplished. I did what I set out to do and things turned out so much better than I had expected. I still couldn’t fully comprehend what had happened!

It was the first time in a long time I remember having this much fun on a day of work!

Kokomi’s words lingered in my mind:

“I know we agreed on two weeks, Kayo but I think it’s a good idea if you take this contract and give it a thorough read. It’s best if you know all the information before you make a decision.”

She was right, thinking back to the conversation, I’m glad she pushed me into taking it. I’ll make sure to read it once I get back to the house. No matter how hard I try, I can’t stop smiling after a day like today!

Walking in through the front door, I could hear the sizzling sound of food cooking on the stove from the other room.

“Oh Kayo, is that you? I was just preparing dinner for you! Come, come and tell me how everything went!”

I moved into the kitchen and put my bag down on the floor as I pulled out the chair and sat down. I could smell the delicious grilled salmon from the doorway and it reminded me that it had been hours since I last ate. My stomach rumbled loudly in protest as I settled.

“It went great Grandma! Doctor Kokomi was really nice. She offered me a full-time role. I told her I wasn’t sure since I had initially planned to be here for a short duration, so she offered me the role for two weeks then told me that we can decide at the end.”

“She seems like a very smart lady. She made sure to accommodate you well by the sounds of it and I must say, it would be nice to have you closer to us than up in Tokyo. We have missed seeing you all these years. The whole situation with your father well...” I heard my grandma let out a heavy sigh before continuing with a small shrug, “We’re not sure how it went so wrong, but we can’t control how he sees us.”

She placed the freshly grilled salmon on a dish in front of me and offered me a steaming bowl of rice as she sat across from me, clasping my hands before I could start eating.

“I know this is a big decision for you and even though I’d like you to stick around here, it is ultimately up to you what you decide to do. Nevertheless, both your grandfather and I will support you in any decision you choose to make. But if you do decide to stay, we’re both happy for you to stay here as long as you need. Having you here even a day has brought a lot of youth back into this house and we love it.”

I placed my own hand over hers as I smiled in response to her words, “Thanks, grandma but right now I’m going to take each day as a new experience and decide as the date gets closer. I don’t want to think about it yet. I want to enjoy my time down here first and see where it takes me.”

Grandma nodded as she gestured for me to begin eating.

The smell of this homely dinner just invited me in, and before I had even realized it, I had polished off the entire plate. I had forgotten how hungry you get after diving.

I thanked my grandma for the meal, grabbed my bag, and headed upstairs. Reaching my room, I began to unpack my bag which was full of all the new gear from my locker at the aquarium.

Inside my suitcase, I had brought home a few shirts, shorts for working, a couple of hats, sunglasses, and my lanyard with my security badge inside. I hung the lanyard on the door handle to make sure I wouldn’t forget it when leaving tomorrow. I can’t forget something as important as that like I did with those forms earlier.

I admired all my new items from the aquarium and then sat down on the bed. I think this was the first time in the whole day when my head wasn’t racing a hundred miles an hour. I had finally digested everything that had happened and thinking back on it left me with the largest grin on my face.

Today was such an enjoyable day and one that, regardless of what I decide in the future, will be a day I remember forever. I really want to go diving again soon. I hope I can swim with the dolphins again. As my mind began to wander, I remembered again everything that had happened and replayed the memories like a movie. I lay there for a while, thinking of nothing else in the world.

After about an hour, I decided to sit up and read over the contract Kokomi had given me earlier. She said everything I needed for the role was inside. Reaching into my bag I pulled a big yellow envelope with my name on it. Inside the envelope was a plastic folder filled with stacks of stapled documents. I began reading the introduction letter and what the role included.

Toya had already filled me in with what the role included but this went into more detail.

Basically, I was to be the direct assistant for Doctor Kokomi. I was expected to follow her everywhere, and this included anywhere overseas the Doctor was required to travel. All travel expenses for my travels with the Doctor were covered within the contract and would be booked by Doctor Kokomi. During the winter months in Japan, I would be traveling with Doctor Kokomi on research trips to the southern hemisphere’s tropical region. The main areas that she would focus on were situated around the Great Barrier Reef in Northern Australia.

I can’t believe this; I would really get to go on international trips too! I need to get a passport!

Australia huh, I’ve never been there before. I’ve always wanted to travel abroad but I don’t speak any English. That would definitely make things difficult. I wonder if this will be an issue. I guess I can work that out should I get that far in this role.

Reading further in the document, I came across the section disclosing the remuneration package for the role. I hadn’t realized how much it was! If I remember correctly this is almost on par with what I'm being paid in Tokyo! No wonder so many university graduates want to work for her! While money isn’t a factor in my decision, it’s still nice to know it’s not a problem to worry about. I bet that the cost of living here is much cheaper than in Tokyo as well.

Not only that, but all the diving equipment is also covered by the aquarium! It states here that: ‘since working with Doctor Kokomi entails diving and facilitating research with her at all times, (sometimes at very short notice) equipment for all environments will be kept for your personal use at all times to help in time management for critical events.’

This job almost seems too good to be true. They really provide everything for you! I’m hoping the faith they placed in me isn’t misplaced. I’m going to have to give it my all to not let them down! I need to show them my passion!

Turning to my phone, I set my alarm for early the next day to make sure I arrive on time for my first full day on the job! I’m so excited, I really hope I can fall asleep tonight.

This didn’t turn out to be an issue. Within thirty seconds of my head hitting the pillow, I had passed out.

Fast asleep from the best day in so many years, I was excited to see what the next day had in store.

Once again, I found myself walking along the promenade towards Oceanworld, I was fully dressed in my new work clothes, feeling better than ever. My stomach was jumping with excitement with what Doctor Kokomi had planned for today.

I wonder what she has in store for me.

I checked my watch, it was eight-thirty A.M. Good, I still have a good thirty minutes before my presence was required. I decided to stop for a few minutes and watch the surfers enjoying the early morning surf break. Just then I heard a voice call out from my side.

“Could that be Kayo Suzuki by any chance?”

I turned to face the direction of the unknown caller. Who could be calling my name? Below me on the sand was a surfer who, for some reason, I recognized but could not place a name or a distinct memory to his appearance.

“Yeah, that's me. And you are?” The expression on my face could be nothing other than bewildered.

“Oh, pardon my rudeness! Kayo, it’s been almost ten years since, and I almost didn’t recognize you myself! It’s Reggie. Remember me? We used to go swimming all the time down here at the beach. I taught you how to surf?”

Surprise now overtook the bewilderment on my face, “OH, MY GOODNESS Reggie! I can’t believe I didn’t recognize you! It’s been so many years! You’re well over six feet tall now! You and I were the same height last time we met! How have you been? Didn’t your family head back to Hawaii when I moved to Tokyo?”

“You have a good memory Kayo! Yeah, I went back to Hawaii to finish school, but I came back here just a few years ago. I’ve been surfing still all these years and was even in consideration for the Olympics. Sadly, an injury at the start of this year meant I couldn’t compete. I was devastated... But I’m back in the water now so it’s all good. I can always try again in four years.” Reggie seemed to shrug off the mention of his injury and his temporary disappointment.

Looking over at my person, Reggie beamed, “I like the outfit you have! Did you decide to follow your passion and work at the aquarium? You were always saying you would work there when we were kids. How have the last few years treated you?”

“I only arrived back in Kamogawa a few days ago. Today is my first full day and I’m pretty nervous. I’ve been given a tough decision on whether to stay here or move back to Tokyo. I already have a life in Tokyo, yet I willingly agreed on the spot to a trial working here on a wishful childhood dream. I’m still not sure what to think.”

“Well, what I think is that people should always follow their heart. My parents didn’t want me to come back to Japan but I decided to follow my passion and try out for the Olympics. I may have come up short in the end, but I have no regrets following my heart. Satisfaction in life is hard to come by, so you should honestly fill your days with what makes you happy. Stay true to yourself. I remember your family being very controlling so it’s good to see you stepping beyond your comfort zone and taking your first steps towards what you want to do!”

“Thank you for the kind words, Reggie. I’d never considered looking at it like that.”

“Well, if you’re going to be around Kayo, maybe we could meet up again in the future?”

“I’d like that a lot, Reggie! Why don’t we swap contacts?”

I grab out my phone and we exchange QR codes so we can contact each other soon.

“I better get going, my surf buddies are waiting for me. Good luck with the first day Kayo!”

With a pleasant conversation with an old friend to start my day, we bid farewell to each other, and I headed into the aquarium to start my first full day.

“Oh Kayo, you made it! Toya, can you go grab the briefing notes and meet us at the large tropical fish tank. Kayo and I will go and get ready.”

“Understood doctor, I will see you over there.”

Toya nodded and took his leave towards the office.

“So today, I have something exciting planned for you Kayo. This morning we are going to do two dives so that you can get familiar with your new equipment. You must get a good feel of your equipment quickly as we’re going to be using it very soon.”

“I’m sorry Kokomi, I don’t understand. What are we going to be using it for?”

“Oh, you’ll know in due time Kayo. First, let's get started. It’s been a few years since you last dived but after watching you handle yourself in the water yesterday, I have no worries that it won’t take you long to get the hang of the new gear. Now, let's head inside and get ready.”

With that, I followed Kokomi towards the locker room. We both donned our full diving wetsuits this time. The full diving wetsuit was a tricolor of blues and white stripes that fit the color scheme of the aquarium. There was also a black suit inside hanging on the wall next to a shorter one for hot summer days. I proceeded to put on the boots and gloves that went with the wetsuit.

“Ah, I almost forgot Kayo, you’re going to need a diving hood today.”

“What are we going to need a diving hood for?”

“For today's dive, of course, I’m going to be training you on using and operating a full-face mask just like this one.”

Kokomi brushed past me and pulled a black full-face mask from my locker.

“Have you ever used one before?”

She handed me the mask and I started to inspect it. Turning it in my hands before holding it up to my face to see how it fit. “No, I've never used one. I was taught about them when I was in the diving club; that they were used for specific tasks. So why are we using them?”

“Good question Kayo. We are using them so we can communicate with each other underwater. The side strap of the mask has an earpiece and inside the mask is a voice-activated microphone. This way we can talk to each other while we are down below but also talk to the people on the surface.”

“I never knew that you could use microphones underwater! That’s a really useful piece of technology!”

“The other advantage is that you don’t get any jaw fatigue from holding the regulator in your mouth. Now, let’s take the equipment out. We will put everything on this cart and take it all with us to the tropical fish tank.”

Kokomi motioned to the cart next to her locker.

After putting the hood on and donning my wetsuit, we place all the equipment and wheeled it to the tropical fish zone. As we entered, I noticed there were no people in this area of the aquarium.

“Umm Doctor Kokomi, where are all the guests? This part of the aquarium seems empty today.”

“I told the security to rope this area off for the day. We need it for training, so they closed it off until the afternoon so we could practice in peace. Isn’t it great!”

I had no idea just how much influence Kokomi had over this place.

Getting out of the water after the dive, I began to understand why Doctor Kokomi prefers diving in a full-face mask. It’s fantastic! Being able to breathe normally without having to clamp down on something in your mouth is so much less work. Also, being able to clearly communicate with everyone makes working underwater so much easier.

Doctor Kokomi had me carry a normal dive mask around my waist as well. This is for emergency use just in case something goes wrong with the mask I was wearing. We practiced taking the mask on and off under the water. Flooding your sinuses is never fun but it’s better to learn it now than in an emergency.

We also practiced ascending if one of our masks wasn’t working and we had to use the spare regulator of the other person. She also showed me some of the diving hand signals I could use in case the microphone stopped working. Overall, it felt like I was back in the high school dive club again. Practicing skills like this brings back many good memories.

The tank we were practicing in would probably be better described as a miniature ocean. Inside, there was a large assortment of tropical fish and coral below, mimicking the ocean floor. The tank was about fifty meters across and easily more than thirty meters deep. Windows were winding around the outside where visitors could peep through and see the tank from all different heights. It certainly was an incredible place to practice.

“How did you find the morning dive, Kayo? You looked like you were getting the hang of it by the end.”

“It was certainly amazing! I can see why you choose to dive with a full-face mask. It is so much easier to dive without having to clamp onto something between your teeth. I never expected you’d be able to communicate underwater so easily!”

I paused for a moment before continuing, my curiosity getting the better of me, “By the way, why did you choose today of all the days to do some communication training?”

“Well, I suppose now would be a good time to tell you why we are doing all this training. Over the course of the next two days, we are going to be heading out on an expedition to collect data from a research boat.”

I looked up in shock. An expedition?! Already?! Am I ready to handle such a huge responsibility this close to my first day here?! I could tell that Kokomi could see how nervous I was.

“Don’t worry. Toya and I will be there the entire time, and this will be a great experience for you. You’ll get to meet some very educated people and get to collect real data in the field, isn’t this exciting?”

“It is a pretty daunting thing for me, but it does sound like an amazing opportunity. Wow, my first expedition.”

“We will be leaving first thing tomorrow and I will give you a short briefing about the sort of things we will be looking for. We won’t be going too far out to sea, but this expedition will also be conducted alongside JAXA, NOAA, UJNR as well as NASA. This is definitely one of the bigger outings I have ever gone on.”

All those big organizations on this one trip! I feel like nothing compared to some of the people from these institutions! I almost feel like I need to go and study just for this. I need to bring my best for this trip. Doctor Kokomi led me back to the storeroom to start putting away our diving equipment, but I could hardly focus. Everything is moving so fast; I can hardly keep up! This is really like my first business trip on this job but instead of days filled with meetings and presentations, I’ll be diving with some of the best scientists in the world!