Reincarnated Into Anime World

The world around me was still and gloomy. There was movement all around me, from the gentle currents of the waves to the various shallow-swimming aquatic animals.

It's humans' instincts to close their eyes when faced with a new or shocking thing; after all, most humans rely on their sight the most out of their five senses, and it is imperative to ensure that we do not lose our eyes under any circ.u.mstances.​​

My breath was being held as well. Until I couldn't hold my breath any longer, I breathed. Through the regulator, it was difficult. I had to use some strength to breathe in through my mouth while expelling gas in the same way.

I found myself able to breathe underwater.

My eyes slowly opened, and the darkness slowly faded away. As the sunlight refracted in the seawater, the colors gradually returned, creating an illusion of a paradise for a moment.

"Jiii~~."

Yiiiiii! Oh my god, seeing Maruno's face staring so closely at me scared the shit out of me.

As a result of the weird noise I made, I accidentally choked on the air I was breathing in (by some miracle, I managed to choke on gas) and coughed to expel all the excess air.

Maruno's hand snapped in place, making up the "OK?" signal as he faced me, and after calming myself down, I returned him the same gesture.

After that, Maruno's "thumbs-up" sign pointed to his right, gesturing that we should swim in that direction. Only after I gestured another "OK" to him, he started swimming.

This diving session wasn't some deep-sea exploration. A long rope was already tied to the dock, leading to the more open ocean as a guiding rope for new divers like me to hold on to.

After swimming about twenty meters at a casual speed, Maruno, who was always in front of me to lead me, turned around and gestured to ask if I was okay.

Only after I returned the gesture did he continue swimming.

After swimming for another fifty meters this time, Maruno repeated his previous actions. And after that, he did it over and over again for every hundred-meter interval.

I would say that I'm slightly annoyed, but I know that he's only doing this because he cared a lot for me.

Seeing him wave his hand excitedly at some passing fishes, he quickly maneuvered himself towards a sea cuc.u.mber.

After reaching where we were supposed to go, Maruno spotted an interesting sea creature. Seeing Maruno act like a kid despite his age and numerous experiences in diving, a smile formed on my face.

This proves that diving will always be a sport to enjoy, no matter what age or how much experience you have as a diver.

While Maruno wanted to swim close to a fish, the fish was startled and hid behind a rock like how Chopper did in One Piece - with his behind still visible and only the head is hidden.

How cute...

The sea cuc.u.mber wriggled slowly on the ocean bed, and Maruno wasn't about to let it off. Gently grabbing it, Maruno swam back towards me and handed me the sea cuc.u.mber. The sea cuc.u.mber must have felt threatened by Maruno's touch as it violently contracted its muscles and jettisoned water and some of its internal organs out of its anus, which is pretty disgusting.

Several sea cuc.u.mber species exude a toxin that is lethal to small animals but not to humans; its venom is only toxic to humans if the Cuvierian tubules come into contact with the eyes, resulting in permanent blindness.

Though, that didn't stop me from holding it since my eyes are perfectly protected by my diving mask.

Holding the cuc.u.mber in my hands, it stopped squirming about and slowly climbed about with no direction. It was slightly squishy and soft, very much like some gelatinous food. Even though the various spikes on the sea cuc.u.mber body serve as a defense mechanism, it still feels very soft in my hands.

Seeing the cuc.u.mber in my hands, Chisa came over to me and stared at it curiously with a...is that a pout? She stared at me with her arms stretched out towards the sea cuc.u.mber in my arms, silently begging me to let her hold the sea cuc.u.mber.

I didn't mind, so I just placed the cuc.u.mber on her hand, only for it to squirm once more, ejecting more internal organs out of its gaping anus. Hmm...this doesn't sound like it's for readers of all ages.

Moving on!

Chisa immediately panicked as the sea cuc.u.mber floated in the water above her. It also poured some organs to land on top of her head. And because the sea cuc.u.mber was pretty slippery, Chisa couldn't get a firm hold on it.

Seeing the funny scene in front of me, I couldn't help laughing, creating more bubbles to be released from my regulator. I swam towards the comedic pair; the sea cuc.u.mber once again found itself on my hand, and only then did it calm down and stopped squirting its organs everywhere.

Seeing Chisa swim towards me once more with an even bigger pout, she gave up trying to hold the sea cuc.u.mber in my hand. Instead, she just positioned herself right in front of me and gently c.a.r.e.s.sed the sea cuc.u.mber. It didn't react violently this time, causing Chisa to break out a big smile as she continued to enjoy the touch of the calm sea cuc.u.mber.

The sight of Chisa acting so childishly was a sight for sore eyes. She might only be 13 years old, I think, since she never really introduced herself, but she was as pretty as Kaori in her own way.

But while I was focused on Chisa playing with the sea cuc.u.mber, I realized that we weren't alone. Two turtles had swum towards us, and their heads were stretched out of their shell, nuzzling against my arm.

Wow...this is already the second time where animals have come to me voluntarily. Even some fishes had come to swim around me, their lips "kissing" my swimsuit, and since my swimsuit wasn't very thick, to begin with, I could feel their ticklish kissing.

These fishes aren't scared of me; in fact, most animals seem to love me a lot. I even spotted a starfish, or "sea star". Its name is now being renamed as starfish isn't a fish at all. But that's beside the point.

Chisa and the others also became interested in all the animals surrounding me, and although we didn't speak underwater, I could tell that Nanaka and Maruno looked wildly impressed. Chisa was just too distracted to think of anything weird, and she's now currently playing with the sea star and the turtles, enjoying the smoothness that every animal provides.

Feeling a tap on my shoulder, I turned my head and saw Nanaka smiling with a huge thumbs up. It seems like she is enjoying the presence of all the animals around us as well.

We swam about with a small school of fish following us like some lackeys, and plenty of other sea creatures also joined us.

Unfortunately, like any other good time, it must end. The oxygen in my tank was running low, and to prevent any consequences that might appear if I chose to ignore the safety warning, we decided to leave the water.

Later, when I asked why Maruno chose to leave the water with us when he and Nanaka could clearly continue for much longer, Maruno smiled and replied, "Diving is a group sport; it is no fun when you're alone."

∞

"That...was so...so fun!!"

"It seems like you enjoyed yourself," Maruno spoke as he removed the top part of the swimsuit. Since it was a one-piece, Maruno let the top part hang by his waist while exposing his c.h.e.s.t.

"Yes!"

"I'm glad. I was just starting to worry about Chisa not having any friends her age to go diving with."

"Nee-san!" Chisa sported an embarrassed look as her sister exposed her mercilessly.

The swimsuit was very tight, so when I finally unzipped it down to my waist and let it hung on my waist like how Maruno did, the sudden gust of cool air cooled me down from my euphoria from diving.

"The view is amazing."

"I agree."

"I don't mean the view; I mean 'the' view."

What? I don't understand his words.

And my confusion probably showed up on my face as Maruno laughed once more.

"This is the first time I saw someone being surrounded by so many creatures. Even turtles, known to keep their distance, sea cuc.u.mbers known to aggressively react when in contact with humans, and sea stars, who are usually hidden beneath the sand, all came to you."

"That is certainly interesting. I'm also curious." Nanaka added from the side.

"Me too." Although Chisa mumbled her words, curiosity gleaned from her words. Honestly, she has such a different attitude during diving.

But towards their curiosity, I also have no clue. It happened during the aquarium's touch-it corner, and it happened once again in the ocean. I am probably the one who is most curious about this matter.

"I also have no idea. I mean, cats and dogs do like me, but never did this situation occur to me before today."

My words made Maruno think hard for about a second before he gave up with another laugh, "Hahaha, well, let's just leave it then! It may be a good thing if your natural attraction affects sharks as well. Maybe it would help you have safer dives in the future."

"It certainly makes people jealous."

Chisa did not speak for a while, even while we were walking back for our lunch.

As we were the ones carrying the oxygen tanks back to be replenished, Chisa and I were behind Nanaka and Maruno, both of whom claimed that it was for us to "exercise and be responsible for our own dive".

I don't mind the silence as we appreciated the shiny sea reflecting all the sunlight, but with Chisa constantly shifting her eyes towards me, it could get really uncomfortable fast.

"Kotegawa-san?"

"Did you have fun?"

"Of course! Now I can see why everyone is so lively about the sea."

"...I see..." Chisa looked away from me and let out the first smile I saw on her face, "I'm glad."

I might have involuntarily stared at her for a while before I snapped out of my thoughts.

"Kotegawa-san?"

"Yes?"

"You should smile more often. You look cuter with a smile."

Chisa's face froze at my words. Her face flushed with a light shade of red as her smile disappeared in an instant.

"Tch..."

She had her head turned away and clicked her tongue, making it sound she was irritated or annoyed by my words.

Though, she couldn't hide the red tips of her ears.

Honestly, why can't people just be honest about themselves? If they like being complimented, they should just say so.

For the next two weeks, my life with Grand Blue continued. Having various meetings with the muscular n.a.k.e.d men, drinking juice while playing games with them.

Of course, I don't strip. So while the men played their stripping game, I just went to hang out with Chisa. She made a much better companion; while her diving knowledge might not be the best, her experience in diving from a young age and her love for it ensured that there is nothing she couldn't talk about. As long as we were talking about diving, that is.

And while I was free, I also helped out in the store, mainly as a mascot, to attract more female audiences since I was still too inexperienced to help guide divers in the water.

But of course, this was just a vacation for me; it wasn't truly my home. As much as I enjoyed my time with them, it was time for me to return home.

∞

"Bye, Uesugi. It was fun to have you around." Maruno and Toshio waved and hugged me goodbye while Nanaka and Chisa stood by the side and waved.

After the two released me, Chisa came up to me and gave me a mini key chain of an octopus.

"For you to remember. Come again next time." Chisa didn't say anything more and left to hide behind her sister.

What a shy little girl.

"Thank you, I'll come and visit again."

After saying our final goodbyes, Suzuki (who was forgotten for the last three chapters) and I left for the airport.

He was in charge of getting me back in one piece, so until I reach my doorstep, he was going to be beside me.

Phew, after being away from my home for slightly less than a month, it was finally time to return home!

Oh boy, how have I missed the company of my parents, Shouko, Kaori, and my little sisters!

I wonder how Shouko is faring with our deal of her making friends.

*****************

A/N: I might have rushed this a little bit, but I feel that if I dragged this any longer, it would be no longer as interesting as it would sound because the only thing I could write about was the same things - diving and n.a.k.e.d, muscular man drinking.

Definition of "Stalking": When two people go for a long romantic walk together but only one of them knows about it.