Tomikawa
This time you traveled about 30 minutes by jet ski, to a place where you went snorkeling and sea kayaking. Let me ask each of you: which marine sports did you enjoy most and why?
We’ll start from the other side. Reina.
REINA
It’s too hard to choose, but if I had to pick one, I’d say the jet skis.
Tomikawa
What did you enjoy about them?
REINA
There are no traffic lights out on the water. Everyone just races around freely, and until you experience it, you really don’t know how great that feels. Now I want us all to get our licenses so that next time we can drive by ourselves.
Tomikawa
We’re from the Yutaka Ozaki generation, just want to hit the road on a stolen motorcycle*.
*Lyrics from “15 no Yoru” by singer Yutaka Ozaki.
REINA
I sure do (laughs).
Tomikawa
It’s that kind of fun, isn’t it.
REINA
You can’t know that exhilaration until you try it. I had a lot of fun riding on the back, so next year I want to tear around on my own.
Tomikawa
Going to get your license?
REINA
I am.
Tomikawa
Nice to have a new goal.
MINA
Ah, it’s a tough choice. I have to say the same as Reina, the jet skis.
Tomikawa
Oh really?
MINA
I got so hooked on it that now I want to get my own license. But…
Tomikawa
But?
MINA
But but…
Tomikawa
Okinawa Shogaku? Not marine sports?
All
(Laughing)
Toyoda
You seemed to enjoy that the most.
Tomikawa
You were providing commentary—“We’ve scored!”
And dancing, right?
Toyoda
The moment they clinched victory she was dancing.
MINA
I was singing, I was dancing. Okinawa Shogaku winning Koshien was probably the most fun.
All
(Laughing)
Toyoda
You seemed to enjoy that moment most of all.
Tomikawa
Watching high school baseball on the beach.
MINA
I really wanted to do a celebratory beer shower with everyone. We were all drinking, at least.
Tomikawa
So that was the marine sport you enjoyed most.
MINA
Let’s go with that. Is that alright?
Tomikawa
Okinawa Shogaku’s victory.
MINA
Sounds good. It shows you can enjoy that anywhere.
Tomikawa
But the place made it a rare experience.
MINA
Very rare.
Tomikawa
That’s one way to enjoy it.
What about you, Lina?
LINA
That’s really hard. But I’d have to say the jet skis as well.
Tomikawa
The night before, we drew straws to decide who would ride with whom.
LINA
Yes, that’s right.
Tomikawa
Those with licenses were paired up with members from MAX, and Lina you rode with Morizo.
LINA
I lost the rock-paper-scissors and had to pick last. I thought, ‘Maybe the last pick will be lucky’ — and it really was.
Morizo was like a carefree little boy. I was a bit nervous riding on the back, but he brought me more and more out of my shell, and I really got to enjoy the jet ski.
Tomikawa
On the way back, you were in your regular clothes.
MINA
She looked the most seasoned out of all of us.
Tomikawa
You had your life jacket on, of course.
LINA
It was morning when we went out to the location, and evening by the time we headed back. The difference in the color of the sky and the feel of the waves really hit me.
Tomikawa
It was completely different, wasn’t it. What about you, Nana?
NANA
I had never gone snorkeling before in my life. It was incredible.
Tomikawa
First time in your life?
NANA
Yes, it was. People had told me how great it was, but I never managed to take that first step.
Even this time, I was a bit hesitant, but everyone said, “You absolutely have to see the ocean here,” so I went in. As it was my first time, I had trouble with breathing at the beginning and water came bubbling into my snorkel.
Then Morizo gave me the advice to breathe more slowly and naturally, and I was able to get the natural breathing going.
Once I was able to breathe properly, the fish came swarming around me.
Tomikawa
The bubbles stop fish from coming close. When you were able to breathe naturally, the water was calm, and the fish came to you.
NANA
The fish I’ve always loved were coming right up to me.
Tomikawa
Loved seeing, or loved eating? Eating, I assume.
NANA
The instructor taught me about exotic fish, pointing out parrotfish and other types.
LINA
We even found Nemo*.
*The titular clownfish character in the Disney film Finding Nemo.
Tomikawa
There were clownfish.
NANA
I was a bit scared at first but gradually got used to it.
Toyoda
You were really tense before going into the water.
NANA
But once I got slightly used to it, I became better and better with my fins, and it felt like I was The Little Mermaid.
Tomikawa/Toyoda
Nana the mermaid.
NANA
I became Nana the mermaid. It was such a joy. I saw this whole other world.
Tomikawa
It sounds like you’re quite hooked.
NANA
Swimming with the fish was fun.
There were also schools of little fish.
LINA
The schools of fish were amazing. Long and thin fish, like guppies.
Toyoda
Even the instructor said it was rare to see such schools.
NANA
And we were in amongst them, swimming together. It was amazing.
Tomikawa
So much fun.
Toyoda
Just like being inside an aquarium.
Tomikawa
After all that time becoming yaninju with the fish, will you still be able to eat them?
NANA
I looked them in the eye and said, “Thank you.” I expressed my gratitude, so I think it’s okay.
LINA
“Thank you for letting me keep eating you.”
Tomikawa
Gratitude is important, isn’t it?
NANA
I truly felt like I was part of nature, and it was an incredible feeling.