Chapter 2 The Unexplored Depths

Chisaki woke up to see Tsumugu was no longer sleeping besides her, but instead a piece of paper written on it "Chi". She opened the note and read what was inside. "Chi sorry I left so early I had to get work done and didn't want to wake you. Anyways Grandpa left to go to the city to repair the boat and I need to finish setting up the research station. Have a good day with Monaka and tell her I said hi for me. Also I love you… ~ Tsumugu. Chisaki held the paper dearly and thought of Tsumugu and how much she wanted to be with him for every waking moment they were together. She finally got out of bed as it was time to meet Monaka at the station to head into the city for the day. As she walked to the station she passed by the harbor and looked down to see her home of Shioshishio and it's beauty even above the water. It had been 6 months since she had returned home for winter break, but now she was home to stay. The sea and the ocean hasn't changed much in a physical sense she thought , but on the inside the swell of emotions and memories seemed even deeper than before. She had remembered it as a light arcing wave when she was little and in middle school. But after the hibernation the ocean seemed to carry a heavier tide than before, yet in a good way that made her love it even more, made it easier to call her home.

Chisaki finally arrived at the station and saw a woman with light brown hair, dark grey pants and a maple brown top. Chisaki didn't know exactly who it was at first, but as she approached she was shocked to find it was Monaka. In the time in between when she was at school and hadn't seen Monaka for months, she looked like a young 18 year old girl, but now she looked her age 23. Like the age she should be if she never hibernated. She was taller, her womanly figure grew and matured like Chisaki, and her face changed ever so slightly to as adult-like as Monaka's face could get. Chisaki still a few meters away saw Monaka look in her direction and she began to wave. Monaka waves back running towards Chisaki and along the way stumbled once or twice.

Chisaki chuckled and said to herself "Same old Monaka no matter how old she gets or grows."

As Monaka got close Chisaki could hear her name being called out by Monaka "Chi, Chi!"

And she opens her arms out to hug Monaka.

Chisaki and Monaka gave each other the biggest hug they could and Monaka squeezed her even tighter than before, like she got a little more strength from her sudden growth and change.

"Oh Chi you look so good!" Monaka exclaimed not seeing her best friend for months.

"I can say the same about you but that would be an understatement."

Now up close Chisaki had a better view of how Monaka had changed. Her breast grew larger, her figure more defined and became more plump compared to her thin figure from before, again she thought like the 5 years of growth she should have had.

"Monaka, what happened to you? You grew so fast in such a short time." Chisaki in wonderment.

Monaka put her figure to her lip to think of how to explain it to Chisaki. "Well shortly after you left around my 18th birthday I just started growing and changing rapidly and now I look 23 like you."

"So like super puberty?" Chisaka stated.

"Yeah something like that. It also happens to the others."

"Wait you mean everyone in the sea village aged rapidly like that?"

"No No just the gang. Me,Hiki, and Kaname." Monaka explained.

Chisaki actually felt kind of relieved from a change for once in her life. She had always felt like she was almost so different from the others being 5 years older in a physical and mental standpoint. But now she felt more comfortable with her friends not always looking like an adult hanging around younger kids.

"Wow that's great Monaka you look so beautiful now!" Chisaka complimenting her friend now looking like her age.

"Thanks Chi."

The train arrived and the two climbed aboard sitting down in the same spot as they always did, from all those years ago subconsciously.

"So Chi what should we do first." Monaka asked with her almost uncontained excitement.

"I was thinking we eat lunch first then go shopping around. What do you think?"

"That sounds perfect Chi."

The two caught up on the train about their last 6 month that hadn't seen each other and about what they were doing.

"What have you been up to since graduating highschool?" Chisaki asked Monaka.

"Well Hiki and I made it official that we are dating now and I started going to the local Oshiooshi college on the surface to study marine biology,Hiki is studying in law and politics and training to become head priest, Kaneme started a fishing company and also made it official that he was dating Sayu. What about you?"

Chisaka replied "Well I just finished nursing school and became head nurse at the local hospital so I'm here to stay now."

"Really?! That's awesome Chi now we can hang out more now that you're living back in Shioshishio again!"

Chisaki replied heistently "Well I uhh…"

Monaka cut her off "Oh wait you're living with Tsumugu that's right!"

Chisaka felt a little embarrassed to admit it , but Monaka didn't care. She was happy for her friend and that's all she cared about. The train arrived in the city and they made their way to a little cafe, where they sat down for lunch to continue their conversation.

As soon as they sat down and ordered Chisaki asked Monka "So...how are things going between you and Hiki?"

"Hmm? Oh same old same old Hiki is as stubborn and dumb as ever, but taking care of me. We moved into an apartment together after Hiki got a part time job and moved out of his family's house. Sometimes he works so hard to pay for the bills I'm worried he's pushing himself too hard…"

Chisaki, seeing the worry on Monaka's face said to her "No that's not true Hiki always works hard, especially when it comes to you Monaka."

Monaka giggled "You think so?"

"I know so"

"So what about you and Tsumugu, how are you guys doing."

Chisaki happy she could take her turn to talk about her relationship now. "Everything is going great. We moved back into his grandpa's place so we could take care of him and Tsumugu has a new research facility back at Oshiooshi from his research grant. So now he is here to stay."

"Oh that nice you guys can finally settle down then eh?" Monaka said

"I guess so…"

Chisaki thought for a moment. All this time she had always had her life running around. One moment she's in middle school living in the sea, the next she is stranded to the surface and lived with Tsumugu for 5 years, and then moved to go to medical school. But she now had a chance to slow down and settle.

"So Chi have you and Tsumugu ever you know…? Do the deed?" Monaka asked with a slight devious tone.

"Uh what no never, I uhhhh…what made you ask that?" Chisaki turned red, being so caught off guard by the question.

"Oh come on Chi you don't have to lie to me I'm your best friend."

"No really we haven't, I'm serious." Chisaki wanting this embarrassment to stop.

"What about you and Hiki?" Chisaka quickly changed the question from her.

"Oh well after me and Hiki made it official and moved in with each other...well we decided to experiment and see what it was like." Monaka said with a slightly embarrassed sound.

Monaka back with her devious voice "Maybe you and Tsumugu should try it tonight… yknow like a welcome back gift." Monaka winked a Chisaki.