Diving Shop!
"Wooooah!!!"
"There really are all kinds of gear!"
"I've never seen half of this stuff!"
"Honestly, I don't even know where to look!"
"How much does all this cost?!"
Out of the five of them, only Chisa maintained a bit of restraint—after all, she'd been here before. Even so, coming again was just as awe-inspiring.
For someone like her who loved diving, this place was practically paradise.
As for Shiro, his eyes had already transformed into yen symbols. This is one insanely profitable industry!
Unfortunately… they weren't here to make money today—they were the ones spending it. (≧∀≦)
He still preferred the zero-cost shopping method though.
"So, before diving, what do we need to buy?"
Shiro looked around the shop. Since they were here, they might as well spend something, right?
"But I heard you can just rent diving gear at first."
"Yeah, I heard that too."
Everyone else chimed in—they remembered Nanaka mentioning that beginners didn't need to waste money on equipment.
"That's right! Exactly! So, for beginners, all you really need to start is a towel!"
Tokita gave them a thumbs-up. Just a personal towel was enough to begin your diving journey—it was that easy!
"Got it!" ×3
"…Did they just forget about swimsuits completely?"
Aina didn't even want to comment anymore. Were they trying to do a "start with just a bowl" meme here?
Would it kill them to wear a swimsuit under the wetsuit? Not wearing one felt… off. Like, wouldn't there be friction or something?
"By the way, if you do want to buy something, start with the diving mask."
"Partly because it's cheap, so it doesn't hurt the wallet too much."
"But more importantly, diving is all about seeing the scenery underwater."
"If you end up with a mask that doesn't fit and you can't see clearly underwater, it'll drive you nuts."
Their seniors shared advice from experience.
"Got it! Let's go buy a diving mask!"
Shiro clapped his hands and headed straight for the diving masks.
"You little rich kid, slow down! We didn't even say we were spending money yet!"
"Are you some spoiled heir or what?!"
Iori and Kohei held Shiro back. At least let the senpai finish talking, geez.
"Haha, some people also say to buy a dive computer first—but you guys don't need that. We'll be with you, and we won't go anywhere dangerous."
"But if you're diving solo, it's essential."
"Got it! Let's go buy a dive computer!"
Shiro moved again, as if possessed. Something about this place was boosting his urge to shop—it's true what they say: once you're here, it's over.
"You madman! Just how rich are you?!"
"You're giving us financial anxiety over here!"
They wrestled him back again. This rich boy was just too much.
Suddenly, Iori noticed something he didn't recognize.
"What's this?"
He pointed to a small item with two hooks that vaguely reminded him of nostrils…
"Oh, that? That's a grappling hook. Like the name says, it's for hooking stuff."
"And this one?" Kohei found another weird gadget.
"That's a surface marker buoy. You inflate it and use it at the surface."
"Sugoii~. And this—I know this one! You just stab forward, right?!"
Shiro held a diving knife excitedly. Who knew they sold these here? This place was clearly more than just a dive shop!
"..."
Everyone took a silent step back. Literally anyone could use a knife.
"That's a dive knife—it's for clearing obstacles. We won't need that, so put it back, Shiro."
Azusa snatched it away. They weren't exactly hacking through seaweed jungles.
Looking at all the weird gear, the trio began to imagine things…
Scene 1:Iori uses the grappling hook to rescue Kohei. The hooks were, of course, attached to his nostrils.
Scene 2:Kohei inflates the buoy and straps it to Iori, only for both to explode together.
Scene 3:Shiro, armed with a dive knife, battles a horde of sharks while Iori and Kohei are already halfway down a shark's throat.
{{(°△°; "}}!
Just imagining it made the sea seem terrifying!
"..."
The others saw their faces and instantly knew they were thinking nothing good.
How were they even synced up in imagination like that? Did they share one brain cell?
"Anyway, feel free to look around. If you've got questions, ask us."
With that, Shiro immediately bolted to explore. There were too many things he was curious about.
First up: this thick-looking outfit with a hood—not a wetsuit?
"Oooh~ Shiro's got good taste~"
Before he could try it on, Azusa pounced. "That's a cold-water wetsuit~"
"Cold-water?"
"Yup! You'd need this for deeper dives, but we won't be going that far. Still… maybe I do need one. Shiro, raise my pay, will ya?"
!
"No way! Not a chance! A newbie like you doesn't get to make demands!"
"Ehh~ So cruel, Shiro. I heard from Hanabi you've got no artists working with you right now~"
"…Tch."
"What are you guys doing?"
While Azusa and Shiro were haggling, Iori arrived, looking for Chisa. But both Azusa and that guy were here too.
Chisa, meanwhile, was eyeing a little high-tech box that Shiro didn't recognize.
"Hey, Iori, do you know what this thing is?"
Azusa smirked mischievously, eager to hear his guess.
"Clothes? A box?"
After seeing all the weird gadgets earlier, a scene formed in Iori's mind.
"This is… a party accessory, right?!"
"…You forgot what kind of store this is, didn't you?"
"And your idea of a 'party' sounds illegal."
"Pfft—Hahahaha! Classic Iori!"
Azusa laughed out loud. As expected, Iori's brain worked on a different frequency.
Eventually, Chisa explained it was a 360-degree underwater camera.
Shiro bought it on the spot. He'd never owned something so cool—in either of his lives.
They also checked out some underwater communication gear, but it needed prior setup, so Shiro passed.
Useless!
So useless!
Why talk when you can just use imagination to connect thoughts?! Turn passive skills into active!
…
"Um, sorry to interrupt, but I have a question…"
Aina shyly approached the group after hearing them talk about communication equipment. A very important thought had just popped into her head.
"What's up?"
"Um, how do you choose a breathing regulator?"
"Regulator? You can just borrow those, right?"
"Yeah, no need to buy one, I think?"
"But still!"
Aina looked distressed. In her mind, she imagined using Iori's regulator—an indirect kiss!
(;?＿?)
Everyone broke into a cold sweat. How was she still hung up on that? Did she forget what club she'd joined?!
"Haha, don't worry—it's nothing like an indirect kiss," Azusa chuckled. "Just imagine how a regulator fits in your mouth…"
POP!
"If anything, it's more like… two people sharing a toothbrush."
"That's even worse!!!"
Aina freaked out. Now she was picturing Shiro brushing his teeth and then handing it to Iori without even rinsing it!
Shiro shuddered in horror and ran straight for the regulator section. Even if they were sterilized, he couldn't handle it—Azusa's analogy had been too vivid!
Why did I just see a vision of hell?! What the hell is that girl thinking?!
He vowed to keep his distance. Let Kitahara be the one to suffer their madness.
"Excuse me, sir!"
Shiro had barely taken a few steps when a store clerk shouted at someone nearby. He turned and saw Iori and the senpai—getting changed in the middle of the store?!
"Please use the changing rooms!"
The staff member looked like they were on the verge of a breakdown. Sure, sometimes guys changed in public, but this was swimwear! Just a pair of trunks!
Were they really planning to show off their chickens in the store?!
(′｀;)?
These store clerks are too soft. It's just changing clothes—what's the big deal?
Shiro made a mental note to suggest some counseling for the staff later.
WHAM!
Not far off, he ran into another friend—Kohei, kneeling reverently in front of two outfits.
"Kohei, you—"
Shiro trailed off as he saw what they were: plug suits from Evangelion—Unit 01 and Unit 02 pilots!
WHOOSH!
Without hesitation, Shiro pulled out his wallet. No man could resist mechs!
Crap. I don't have enough cash!
He'd bought too much already—and forgot his bank card!
Damn it!
Tears welled in his eyes. He stared longingly at the two outfits.
God… he had only one wish.
He suddenly missed his cosplay-loving ex.
When Iori finally found his friends, he saw this:
One kneeling in worship.
The other gazing like he'd seen God.
"..."
(???)
"You guys broken again?"
Iori hadn't seen Eva, so he had no idea what was going on.
"Kitahara, you too… did the mysterious force call you here?"
"You like mechs too, Kitahara?!"
"No, I was just looking for you. Also, these are just wetsuits, not mechs."
{{(°△°; "}}!
They stared in horror.
He… he hadn't seen Evangelion?
"This design is super stylish, but aren't these… for women?"
"No, I was just—"
"Being able to gaze upon them is enough!"
"…Why are you two acting like it's a religious experience?"
Iori didn't get it. The designs were nice, sure, but… seriously?
"I get it now. Wait here!"
He left, and the other two exchanged a glance—no sense of danger at all?
…
Pfft!
When Shiro saw them come out of the changing room, he couldn't stop the nosebleed.
"AAAAHHHH!!!"
Kohei nearly went Super Saiyan.
Chisa and Aina were wearing the Unit 01 and 02 plug suit wetsuits.
Shiro collapsed dramatically on the floor. His soul had ascended—this wasn't even about perversion anymore.
God bless.
Kohei trembled in the corner. He'd be willing to fight a mech for this moment.
"Kitahara, just for today—I'll call you a friend of the heart. Just for today."
(′｀;)?
Iori was confused. He never asked to be your "heart friend," thanks.
What were these two even on today?!
"What's up with them?"
"Something wrong with these suits?"
Chisa and Aina approached, finding them quite comfortable.
"Maybe they played too many games last night?"
Shiro and Kohei kept trembling. Let Kitahara say whatever he wanted—they were transcending.
…
Evening
Creak~
"We're back!"
They pushed open the GB club door, big smiles on every face. Everyone was holding something they bought.
"Ah, welcome back! Looks like you got a lot~ Great work, everyone~"
Nanaka greeted them with a smile, especially as she spotted what was in their hands.
Chisa bought a waterproof camera. The other four each bought a dive mask. Shiro even bought a regulator, dive computer, and a camera!
If he'd had enough money left, he would've taken those plug suits home too.
Feeling good, they tilted their heads when they heard Nanaue's words.
"'Hard work'?"
"All we did was shop, right?"
"Calling it 'hard work' seems a little much?"
"No no~" Nanaka shook her head. "You're all still paying for the Okinawa trip. And you went and bought diving gear on top of that? That's some serious effort~"
CRACK!!!
The four were struck like lightning.
They'd… forgotten about the budget!
Only Shiro remained calm.
He was a filthy rich bastard.
...
The next day, at a certain event venue—
Shiro and Nanaka were holding expensive cameras, enthusiastically snapping photos of the girls promoting on stage.
Beside them, Azusa watched the scene with amusement.
On stage, Chisa and Aina were dressed in outfits that were utterly embarrassing for them, promoting the event. At this moment, the only thing on their minds was the urge to strangle their past selves for their impulsive shopping spree!
That's right—both of them had also ended up taking on part-time jobs! The result of yesterday's shopping was that they, too, were short on money!
Ahhhhhhh!!!
Why did no one stop them yesterday?!
Even though these outfits technically covered more than swimsuits, they were still so embarrassing! And could people please stop taking photos already?!
Aina looked utterly hopeless. It's over… There's no way she'd ever get married now!
Down below, in the crowd, two figures in uniforms stood out...
Iori and Kohei currently felt like they wanted to die. No one had warned them that this event would be so packed!
At this rate, they might as well have helped Tokita-senpai move instead!
And hey—that creepy guy with the squinty eyes over there! If you're taking pictures, aim at the poster girls, not the staff! Photos of them aren't free, you know!
...
Though the part-time work was tough, it was all worth it in the end.
Because—
Okinawa, here we come!
Yahoo!
==========NOTICE==========
Yo~
Translator san's back and kicking finally so expect the updates.
And right, the Demon King Fic is finally picking up the pace so expect to it that I'll return to 2 chaps a day except sunday.
The Life Simulation is also 65% in completion and I'll focus into it. Its gonna result in 1 daily update of the Grand Blue fic. I think that'll also slow down the update for the SCP fic, sorry about that.
Imma get hard into translating the L.S. cuz my goal is to end it in early or mid May before our Barrio's Fiesta in late May.
Once I'm done with the L.S. fic, Imma start another project in June. Its prolly gonna be a Fate fic, a Danmachi fic, a One Piece fic, a COTE fic, or a Naruto fic.
Or I can write some short story shit, I dunno.
That's all.
Xiao~