My C-Card Is Better Than Yours

The sun up above shines brightly on this lovely day, and the wind is no more than a slight, refreshing breeze.

These weather conditions indicate a normal day in Ryusejima.

But today, isn’t just an ordinary day. For me, that is.

I am seated on a wooden bench, as the boat I am currently a passenger at, rocks slightly, as it cuts through the waves like a razor.

Before too long, it comes to a halt, not extremely far away from the shore, but enough for it to look distant.

“You ready?” A voice drags me out of my dream-like trance. A voice that belongs to none other, than my friend, Izumi Hana.

“Well I still have to wear my gear…” I voice as I get up and stretch a bit, since the boat is no longer moving.

“I mean mentally, you doofus!” She playfully hits my arm as she giggles.

“Ouch! Yeah, I’m ready all right, no need to get violent!”

And that obviously was the truth. I had attended the necessary classes, finished my practical training, passed both my written exam and the typical test in the pool and now it was time for the real deal.

Today, was the day for my final diving certificate test.

The test is rather simple. One would have to perform 4 dives over the course of 2 days, where they demonstrate to their instructor that they’ve truly learned everything they taught them about safety, equipment, and more. That may sound a little vague, but apart from the equipment check, the test is a breeze, since all you have to do is swim away from your instructor to a designated spot, and then come back safely.

I have already done that 3 times, which makes today, the last.

It may sound like it takes a while, but since I jam-packed everything in 4 days, with today being the 5th, I got to save up on time, since, after all, my time on the island is limited. Speaking of time, I only had a week and a half left.

Time sure flies by…

I think to myself, earning me a shake from Hana, this time.

“Wake uuup!”

She’s even more nervous than I am.

….

Not that I’m nervous…

“I’m wide awake, I assure you.” I grab her palms glued to my arm, and gently put them away.

“So, are you ready, Soraji-kun?” A man in his early 40s emerged from the boat’s cockpit, wearing a diving wetsuit. Of course, I was wearing the same.

This was my instructor Suzuki Ryuuji, and one of the 2 instructors that work full-time on the Iruka* Diving Shop, which was the name of Hana’s family diving shop. As previously stated, Hana was also a legitimate scuba diving instructor, but she was teaching more on occasion than full-time. Plus, it was decided that my instructor wouldn’t be someone I knew, just to avoid me getting special treatment.

(Iruka* = the word for dolphin in Japanese.)

“I was born ready, Suzuki-sensei!” I reply with a bit more enthusiasm than I normally display.

“Okay then, start putting on your gear!” He gave me a thumbs up as he started doing so himself.

I moved to another part of the boat, and started gearing up as instructed.

Unlike fishing, the diving equipment didn’t vary at all from diver to diver. It was rather standard and every piece was crucial for a successful and safe dive.

First and foremost, was the wetsuit which I am already wearing. If you weren’t used to it, putting on one could be really hard. They were made of an elastic material that fit tightly on the body.

After the wetsuit, came the diving cylinder. It should go without saying but that’s where the air comes from. And trust me when I say this:
It’s incredibly heavy!

Next, there’s the regulator that supplies the diver with air from the tank. Since the air in the tank is pressurized, it needs to be regulated to match the water pressure for breathing.

Then, there’s the vest-like BCD, or buoyancy compensator. This helps control buoyancy while underwater, but it can also be used as a life vest on the surface.

Fins are sometimes worn like boots or strap directly to your bare feet, and lastly of course, a diving mask to cover the nose and a snorkel.

There are also a bunch of smaller items too, like a pressure and depth gauge, and a compass to help with navigation at times.

“Uff!” I exhaled sharply, feeling the weight of my equipment. It wasn’t enough to hinder my movements at an unbearable extent, but the pull of gravity was rather forceful.

“Okay, what’s next, Soraji-kun?” The instructor asked, having already geared up himself, over a good 5 minutes or so, before me. He was a pro after all.

“Buddy check.” I replied with confidence, walking over to him.

In diving, there was an established system, called the Buddy System. It was a way to ensure safety when scuba diving.

That meant doing everything in pairs, with your diving buddy, such as setting up your dive plan, and ALWAYS staying together in the water.

Before diving, you had to perform a buddy check. This meant checking all of your buddy’s equipment, and having them check yours back.

“BCD okay, Weights okay…” Suzuki-sensei murmured, as he went through my equipment.

The sea, albeit beautiful, was a dangerous place to be for someone unaware of its dangers. It’s not hospitable to human life, and a single mistake could lead to a fatal accident. The buddy system was there to reduce that possibility as much as possible.

Of course, my instructor wasn’t really my buddy, and we weren’t going on a full-on dive at the depths of the sea either, but making sure that someone who is about to get a C-Card diving license can perform a standard buddy check was a MUST.

After the buddy check for both me and my instructor was over, we moved to the back end of the boat, where a small metallic ladder, had been placed.

The boat we were on was called a charter dive boat, and as the name suggested, was a boat suited for taking divers to diving spots, and also providing them with conveniences such as this ladder, and more.

There were various forms of entries in the water in scuba diving, such as beach entry, rocky surface entry etc.

The one best-suited for beginners was the giant-stride entry, that we had practiced in a pool beforehand.

It was a rather simple entry method, where you approach the entry point and stand at the edge of the shore, or boat, and make a large stride forward. Basically, you step out and push off, without jumping.

“Good luck!” Hana gave me a cheery expression, while I replied with a cocky grin and a thumbs up.

Standing at the last step of the metal staircase over the water, and after placing the regulator on my mouth, I stepped out with one foot, and before I knew it, I was slowly descending into the water, before my instructor.

Floating without much effort, I turn to him, and notice that he’s giving me a thumbs up, meaning my execution was good enough to earn his approval.

Not too long after he entered the water in the same way, I waved at Hana who was still on the boat and dove into ocean.

As soon as I did, my heart started racing from excitement.

Everything before me had turned into a blue canvas, and the light illuminated every nook and cranny I could lay my eyes on. I knew what to expect, yet I still couldn’t contain my emotions surging within me. This sight was just so beautiful, that it made me feel like I was seeing it for the first time.

Underneath the veil of the water’s surface, lays a whole new world, waiting to be explored.

That was one of the reasons why, I decided to take up diving, after all.

Having reached a significant level of depth, me and my instructor stopped at a certain point. Then, he pointed at a rocky surface, not too far away, and I knew that this was my signal.

Giving him a nod, I make my way towards the surface he indicated, slowly but surely, floating through this world of endless blue.

It was not long before I reached the surface I intended, as I grabbed hold of it and used it to turn around.

Watching me closely, the instructor nodded, and I soon started to make my way back to him, passing schools of energetic fish all the while.

When I had successfully reached him, Suzuki-sensei made the signal with his hand indicating that everything was okay, and we ascended up to the surface, leaving behind this azure world all too soon.

“You did iiitttt!” Back at the boat, the always energetic girl was visibly excited. “Oh, thank you so much Suzuki-san for giving the certificate to this doofus!” Hana, who was suddenly throwing verbal jabs at me instead, started shaking the instructor’s hand with vigor.

“Hey, why are you making it sound like it was just HANDED to me?!” And of course, I protest.

“Haha, pipe down you two. Soraji-kun deserves his C-Card! He wouldn’t have passed the exams, if he didn’t!” Suzuki=sensei gave a hearty laugh as he tried to get us to calm down.

But of course, that was nigh-on-impossible when me and Hana were involved.

“Seeee?! Soraji-kun deserves it!” I mockingly stick my tongue out to Hana.

“That’s EXACTLY what a doofus would say!” Hana countered, sticking her tongue out in the same fashion.

“What did you say?!”

“You’re a doofus, doofus!” Hana repeated over and over giggling both playfully and mockingly.

“Hey, stop it you guys!” My ex-instructor had to intervene, as we were just about ready to start wrestling.

…

After my usual little squabble with Hana, and a few hours of fast-forward, everyone had gathered at Natsu Café, to celebrate the official start of Yukio the diver, who, for the record, couldn’t swim just one week earlier.

Despite me being the guest of honor in this little gathering, I wasn’t allowed to take the night shift off. Thus, I was serving Hana, Daichi and the others, who were celebrating on MY account.

Of course, there were other customers on the terrace as well, some familiar and some not so, who had just come to either enjoy a drink, or their dinner.

“One fish teriyaki set!” I shout out to my grandma, who’s handling the kitchen tonight.

“Don’t boss me around!” She shouted back, but I had already retreated back to the terrace, as I was already getting used to her antics by now. My grandma’s antics weren’t the only thing I was used to though, As I swiftly, but smoothly, zipped through the tables and delivered an order to a hungry but patient customer.

“Here’s your order, sir. Enjoy!” I give him a polite, “waitery” smile before walking towards the biggest table set up on the terrace, occupied by none other than Hana and the gang.

“Wow, Yukio-chan, you really fit the waiter uniform!” Daichi declares jokingly.

“Shut up.”

“Indeed!” Emi interjects, clearly eyeing my buttocks.

“Shut up, times two!” I mouth, walking over to my seat in a huff, of course knowing it won’t be for long.

“Ei!” “Ouch!” While I was raising my left leg onto the chair to rest my arm on, Hana was karate chopping the top of Emi’s head.

Nice one, Hana.

“You truthfully seem like a trained professional while at work, Onii-sama.” Chinatsu, who was eating next to me, voiced, as she raised her head revealing some crumbs of food glued to her face.

“Thanks, Chinatsu-chan. Here.” I say, carefully wiping her dirty face with a napkin.

“T-Thanks…” The little girl suddenly lowered her tone and gaze, visibly embarrassed.

Yep, she’s definitely gonna have the whole island at her feet when she grows up! Just look at that face!

“Wow, Onii-sama is really acting like an Onii-sama, for once!” Daichi throws a sarcastic comment my way, yet again.

“Seriously, what’s with you today man?” I give him a look, to which he just bursts out laughing, slapping the wind out of me with his tree trunks for arms of his.

THIS BACK-SLAPPING THING ISN’T FUNNY ANYMORE, GUYS!

Seriously, 12 days in this island and this STILL hurts like hell!

“Fish teriyaki set, ready!!!” My grandma’s voice, like a pelican carrying an overweight baby, was carried off by the wind, as it made its way to our ears.

“Don’t worry, buddy. It’s not you.” I turn to the fish, swimming nervously in his tank, that’s resting on top of our table.

Before you ask, Hana insisted.

“Who’s a good, boy?! You’re a good boy!” Hana whispers sweet nothings to our ugly fish companion, in her usual Hana fashion. “Here you go, eat up!” And before I can stop her, she has already thrown a fried piece of chicken inside the bowl.

“Hey, don’t throw that in there, even as a joke! He can’t-“ Just as I’m protesting to Hana about her illogical actions, the fish’s whole head turns into a large mouth, gobbling the piece down in one go.

“WHAAAT?!”

WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?! DID I CATCH A PIRANHA?!

“He ate it?!” Even Daichi, the fish expert, can’t hide his surprise.

“See? Terry-kun likes meat! Everybody likes meat!” Hana declares with a beaming smile.

Oh, I’m definitely taking Terry back to Tokyo with me… This meat-freak is gonna feed him to death!

“Wow, I need this fish’s diet. Look how slim it is.” Emi stares longingly at the fish swimming away inside his residence.

“Uhm, of course it’s slim? It’s a fish?” I voice, clearly questioning the logic behind the blonde girl’s statement.

“WHERE ARE YOU, YOU GOOD FOR NOTHING BRAT?!” My grandma, AKA the undisputed boss, shouts with enough fury to make even the devil himself tremble before her.

“OH CRAP! COMING!” I hastily get up and fix my apron as I switch back to work mode.

I better earn my share because otherwise, I’ll be sleeping in the rain tonight!

After a good hour or two, most of the customers have already called it a day, and only my group of friends and a couple more guests remain on the deck of the café.

“To Yukio!”

“To me!” I repeat confidently, before our glasses touch.

“Cheeeeers!” The usual cheerful phrase is followed by the clinking sound of glasses, gently colliding with each other.

“Ah man, I can’t believe you got a C-Card now!” Daichi says, as he gulps down his alcoholic drink. In fact, he’s the only one who’s having alcohol, since the rest of us are underage.

Only NOW do you realize?

“Heh, it was only a matter of time, for a man of many talents, such as I, to master the art of diving!” Shrugging off his comment, I strike my usual pose, exuding confidence and style.

“You do realize a C-Card is for beginners, right?” And the usual wrecking ball of the hour, AKA Emi, destroys my cool façade all too quickly.

“Hehehe!” Then, a dry and unsteady laugh came in just the right time to stop my counter.

The one said laugh came out of, was none other than the eerily silent Hana.

“Hahahah! Beginner! Hahaha!” She laughed her heart out, her face growing redder and redder with each new “ha”.

“What’s wrong with her?” I point to the girl holding her stomach and laughing like a maniac.

“Hanaaa-chaaan?” Emi shakes her body slightly, but she doesn’t respond and just continues laughing at Emi’s attempt at a joke.

“Hey, Hana, snap out of it!” I join the quest of waking Hana up from her trance, as I grip her shoulders and turn her to me.

“She must be drunk…” Daichi deduces, rubbing his non-existent beard.

No shit, Sherlock.

“Yeah, either that or she’s possessed…” Emi chimes in, in her usual nonchalant way.

“Hanaaaa!” Despite their comments I continue shaking her.

“Who… are, fyou?” She barely manages to spell out, as she looks at me, her brows furrowed in confusion.

“Come on girl, it’s me, Yukio! Faces THIS good don’t grow on trees!”

“What does that even mean…?” Emi poses a question, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.

“My dear sister truthfully CAN’T handle her liquor…” Chinatsu sighs, somewhat disappointed of her older sister.

Okay, I get it that she doesn’t! But did she have to gulp it all down in one go?!

“Oh, it’s Yukio! Hehe!” Hana voices, drunkenly snaking her arms around my neck and pulling me closer. “Got ya!”

“Oh, wow, Han- I mean wait! Seriously!” I protest, trying to move away from her ridiculously strong grip, but to my utter disbelief, I cannot resist her. I can only look on, as our faces edge closer.

What’s gotten into her?! Is she seriously trying to kiss me while she’s drunk?!

I desperately plea with my eyes, looking over to Emi and Daichi.

Guys, seriously! Help me! Or just… look away! This is my first kiss damn it!

Our faces inch closer and closer, and millimeters before our foreheads touch, she stops and swipes her thumb near my lip.

“Yukio had… a little something… on his face! Hehe!” And then, started laughing just as drunkenly as before, while I release a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

My relief though, came a little too early, as she still hadn’t released me.

Slumped over her face like that, I can see every little detail of her profile.. Her long eyelashes, her tanned, and slightly flushed but beautiful skin, those upturned honey-colored eyes of hers, and her plum, red lips.

Those lips…

For a second, I felt like I could get lost in them.

Hana’s gaze was fixated on me, and her silly demeanor vanished for just a moment. And in that moment, I was facing a mature, but young girl, whose eyes were looking straight into my very being.

“Hahaha! It worked!” A familiar voice of a mature woman, broke the seemingly long silence. It took me a good 5 seconds to process it all.

…

That was Ms. Yui’s voice.

It worked? WHAT worked?!

“Yui-sensei?!”

“Don’t tell me YOU poured Hana that alcoholic drink..?” Daichi and Emi perked up, as the teacher walked over to our table with a self-serving grin.

“But of course! It was but a silly little prank! Tell me, do old women pull pranks like that? Hohoho!” She laughed like some sheltered princess character who spent hours rehearsing that line, as she crossed one leg over the other, trying to act graceful.

This old, alcoholic hag!

Right as I’m about to rip her a new one, Chinatsu taps my shoulder, and points behind me.

“Onii-sama…”

“Yukio-kun, care to explain what you’re doing to MY niece?!” A heavy voice, bubbling with pure fury interrupts every single thought of mine.

Uh-oh…

“Uncle Jun!” Hana exclaimed happily, her voice shaking from the alcohol.

“Uncle Jun…” I repeated after her with the same shaky voice. But mine wasn’t shaking due to any alcohol consumption, but from the tears of fear that were threatening to spill out.

Please, I don’t wanna die…

As the old man, who is built like a tank, crushed his paper cup with all his might, and made his way towards me and Hana, still entangled together, the others offered a prayer.

“R.I.P.”

DON’T “R.I.P.” ME! HE’S GONNA DO THAT! HELP ME!

And that was how the curtain fell, at my C-Card celebration party…