Everyone made it back to the guest house in good spirits... well almost everyone. Iori was either mad or panicking at the fact that he might not pass the course. Everyone was carrying stuff back inside while he sulked off at the side holding his mask. 'No way. I'm the only one who's going to fail? If they find out...' Iori imagined both Kohei and Aina laughing and mocking him. Hell, even his brother teasing him as well. 'I'll die of embarrassment!' All because he couldn't clear his mask properly. He was thinking of trying to practice without the others knowing about it. Thinking about what to do, Iori was oblivious to Chisa walking up to him.
"Iori?"
"Maybe I can poison them!" Iori stated.
"What are you smiling about?" Chisa asked her cousin.
"Chisa! It's not nice to eavesdrop!"
"Not as bad as poisoning people."
"Hey, we're going to rent a car."
"We're going to the market." Kotobuki told everyone. Iori ran off leaving a stunned Chisa as Koji came up to her.
"Iori had another dumb idea?"
"I think so."
Everyone walked to the rental company to get a car. However, there was a problem. The car was… TOO SMALL! Tokita and Kotobuki sat on the roof whilst everyone else was crammed into the small car. The owner was smiling like there wasn't anything wrong. Like hell there wasn't!
"What's wrong?"
"What does it look like?" Iori muffled out.
"How are we supposed to fit in this?" Kohei asked.
"Someone open the door. Please!" Koji begged.
"Oh, I mixed up four and eight people." The owner said nonchalantly.
"How the hell does that happen dude?" Koji was stunned at this guy, as he desperately tried to open the door.
"Sorry, sorry. I'll get another car." Koji finally opened the car door and felt out of the car along with Azusa.
"At last, finally out." Koji opened his eyes to see Azusa right on top of him. "Uh, Azusa. Can you please get off me?"
"Why, you're more comfortable than the car." She said teasing the younger brother.
"WHAT!"
"As an apology, I'm going to give you a convertible with lots of room in the back seat!" That excited Iori and Aina. However, that excitement soon turned into disappointment as the car in question, was actually a small pick-up truck. "How is it?"
"Well, there is lots of room." Iori answered the owner.
"It feels liberating." Kohei added on.
"So, no problems." The two boys began complaining but the owner just left. All that was left to do was figure out who was driving and who was riding in which car.
Chisa could only drive automatics so she would take the small car. As for the manual, it turned out that Aina was the only one of them to have a manual licence with her. Meaning she would drive the pick-up. The guys apart from Koji chose to get in the pick-up, with Kotobuki, Iori and Kohei in the back, meaning Tokita would be Aina's passenger in the cabin. The girls and Koji would be in the small car. Iori and Kohei were worried about Aina driving them, but what about Koji, stuck in the car next to Azusa. Also, the owner told them the roads were on private land apparently. Just great.
Hitting the road, they began to make their way to a market. Iori and Kohei were stupidly surprised at Aina's driving. She tried playing it off, only to reveal how she really got to grips with manuals. The guys seemed to be enjoying the ride in the back of the pick-up. They soon spotted a truck coming the other way and had to hide. However, their idea wasn't such a bright one. Hiding under sheets in the back of a pick-up made them look like dead bodies as the truck driver swerved thinking that's what he just saw. Much to the amusement of the guys and embarrassment of Aina.
"What are you doing?"
Behind them in the small car, Koji kept relatively quiet listening to his music. Also, as a means to avoid Azusa teasing him.
"What are they doing?" Chisa asked following them.
A little while later though, they had arrived at their destination. "All right. Pick something you'd like to eat." Tokita said to the group.
"When we get back, let's each make a dish." Said Kotobuki. They went off in different directions. The elders went together much like the juniors did as well.
"There's a lot of unusual things here." Aina stated looking at one of the market tables.
"It tests our ability to choose ingredients." Said Kohei.
"I wonder what the guys are going to choose." Chisa wondered, reading through the market booklet. Aina went off the find them. The blue haired girl was wondering around until she found Azusa.
"Oh, there you are." Aina approached her. However…
"I… want to eat an old man." Azusa said to the market bender. It shocked Aina as she backed away in a confused state.
"What's wrong, Cakey?"
"What happened?"
"Azusa… was trying to eat the old man at the fish stall." She said confusing both Kohei and Chisa.
"An old man at the fish stall?"
"What did you see?"
"I probably just heard wrong." Aina said trying to convince herself. She then spotted Tokita wondering to another stall. "I'm going to ask Tokita."
"Okay." Said Chisa watching the girl run off.
Aina went to ask Tokita something, but. "Oh, I see. I want Hamasaki's wife." Shocking her again. Aina went back to Chisa and Kohei in a traumatised state.
"Aina?"
"Tokita…"
"What about him?" Kohei asked.
"Tokita was trying to get with a married woman." Aina told them.
"Hold on."
"What did you hear just now?" They questioned Aina about whether it was true or not. Aina seemed really convinced something was wrong. Chisa and Kohei thought that it was just Aina. They found Kotobuki and waited to see what would happen next.
"He's just shopping like normal." Said Chisa.
"There's nothing weird going on." Kohei stated.
"You think so?" Aina questioned it as they looked on. Kotobuki looked at the fish on sale.
"All right. A chubby high school student."
"OUT!" Kohei and Aina yelled out, but Chisa looked through her booklet trying to find something.
"What's he trying to buy here?"
"I told you!"
"Should we turn him in?"
"We should talk to him first."
"Wait, you two. I think you guys have the wrong idea." Chisa opened up her booklet. Showing the fish and their names. Aina and Kohei looked through and released she was
right. They were all just trying to buy fish, which was a relief to Aina and Kohei. Iori soon arrived looking for something.
"Excuse me."
"Hi, welcome." The stall vendor greeted Iori.
"I need a poisonous fish that can knock an adult out with one bite." Iori asked the vendor, but was immediate shut down with that kind thing not available.
'What' The trio thought watching Iori as he walked off. Aina heard something far off but it was familiar. "Do guys hear that!" Aina asked the other two, listening to some laughter and rumbling. Nodding their heads, they walked around trying to find the source and soon came across it.
Koji had his skateboard with him, but was helping a small kid stand on it and slowly pull them around getting small cheers from the other little kids and adults watching them. He helped the kid get off and gave him a high-five before letting another kid have a go. This time letting them wear his hat and slowly push him, acting all cool. It made the three of them but especially Chisa smile seeing Koji like that. Soon enough, everyone met back up and they would leave the market. However, someone with red hair noticed them and thought he recognised one of them.
"Was that…" The red head said before his friend with light blue hair cut in.
"Are you all right?"
"Thought I saw someone I knew from a while ago… probably just my mind playing tricks on me. Anyway, let's head back." The red head said as he and is friend left… on their skateboards.
Back at the house. The two idiots were at each other again as everyone else was putting their shopping away.
'It didn't work. If I don't do something. I'm going to die of embarrassment!' Iori imagined Kohei and Cakey laughing at him with their diving licences and him without his. 'Even my own brother!' Thinking Koji would be the worst of them.
"Okay, everybody draws one." Azusa told the others holding paper strand in her hand. Apparently, it was to decide who was cooking first and who would be with who.
"One problem. There's an odd amount of people here. So will there be a trio. Or is someone getting left out?" Koji asked. Azusa already knew what would happen.
"One has an "X". So, they'll get to choose either to be in a team or can stay out of the kitchen. Azusa explained the situation.
'Cooking in pairs? That means if I can get Kohei paired up with Cakey. I can practice while they're cooking!' Iori thought to himself as he heard the numbers they pulled.
"I'm number four." Said Aina.
"I'm number two." Said Chisa as she heard Iori whispering.
"Please paid me up with Chisa. Please pair me up with Chisa." Hearing that made Chisa flinch in fear as Iori said it over and over with an intense look on his face. Pretty much he begging like mad.
"Iori?" Chisa approached him slowly. However he soon barged his way through his own brother and picked out a paper strand. It read "2".
"Yeah! Hey, Chisa! We're paired up!" Iori said in delight but got kicked in the butt by Koji as he pulled out the "X" strand of paper and Chisa asked Aina to swap with her. Thankfully Koji hoped he could intervene. Even if it cost his sanity and/or life.
"I'll team up with Iori and Chisa." That relived Chisa somewhat, but annoyed Iori a lot.
"Hey! What are you doing?" Iori asked his brother being trapped in a headlock by Koji.
"Trying to save both of you from each other. You do something stupid and who isn't to say Chisa would stab your stupid ass!" Koji told Iori trying to get him to understand. He let his brother go as it was their turn to cook anyways.
As they started, Koji soon began to regret his decision, with him being stuck in the middle. Almost as if he was inadvertently his brother's meat shield. 'Way to go, Koji you dumbass!' Koji thought to himself. Koji was cutting up some vegetables and getting ready to throw them into the pot.
"Hey, Chisa." Said Iori and instantly. Chisa backed away like crazy holding the knife up which made Koji nervous.
"What?"
"Actually…" Iori began to explain his dilemma about not being able to clear his mask properly and needing some help. Hoping Chisa could maybe help him with that. Koji kept out of the way and seeing how normal they were now. It was nice, yet weird in a way. He quickly
left to use the bathroom leaving his brother and cousin alone. "That's the issue."
"So that's what's going on." Chisa said understanding Iori's problem.
"So Chisa, to help me practice…" That was when Aina come up to get some tea and over heard them. "will you go out with me?"
Immediately Aina's thoughts went crazy about what she just heard. 'What's going on? Why did Iori just ask Chisa that? Calm down. I might have gotten the wrong idea, just like when we went shopping.' Aina thought as she listened to them a bit more.
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah. I'm serious. I've fallen in love."
'I don't have the wrong idea!' Aina's mind screamed hearing that from Iori.
"Really? I'm glad." Said Chisa. That sealed it for Aina as she slowly backed away trying to process everything. Kohei asked her what was wrong and she told him what she had heard. He didn't believe her so he went to found out himself. Walking over to peek in on the duo, Kohei heard Iori say something really… risqué?
"Can you tie me up?"
Kohei immediately ducked behind the counted now wanting to be discovered. 'What's going on? Is what Cakey said just now true? Was she talking about the awakening of a sexual fetish? No. I can't tell from just that one sentence.' Kohei thought to himself.
"That's kind of dangerous."
"I see. Then can you at least step on me with all your strength?" Said Iori as Kohei peeked over, hearing his "friend" say that. The otaku made his way back to his seat. Just right after that. Koji came out of the bathroom.
"Sorry about that. Let's keep going." Said Koji to his brother and cousin. Looking behind he saw Kohei and Aina discussing something but left it alone. Though later on when the food was done, he did notice something odd. Most of the others aside from Nanaka and Azusa were looking at Iori if weird ways. 'Did I miss something?' Koji thought to himself.
Later that night after everyone had eaten and had a fun day. Everyone was sleeping. Then Chisa quietly snuck out of the bedroom, which woke up Aina. Aina made her way downstairs. Seeing Koji sleeping on the couch with a Thrasher magazine over his face. She overheard Iori, and instantly jumped to some ridiculous conclusion in her head.
"What if—? Are they trying to sneak in some alone time since they're dating now?" She quietly said to herself trying not to wake up Koji, but it got worse with what she heard next.
"I'm going to get wet." Chisa said faintly.
"You should take your clothes off." Iori replied.
It looked like Aina was in a nightmare. Back against the wall and sliding down to the floor. She was panting trying to gain some sort of composure to confront the two of them. "What are you d-…" Aina looked on as Chisa stomped on Iori's head pushing him under the water. "What are you doing? Aina yelled out the two startling them, but somehow they still kept going.
"What does it look like. Chisa is stomping Iori underwater, a strange way of trying to help someone out. I'm surprised no one else is awake after that scream Aina. Jeez!" Koji mumbled scratching his head trying to wake up as Chisa and Iori wore embarrassed faces but Iori tries to play it off.
"Y-Yeah. Chisa is helping me find my wallet." A gurgling Iori sputtered out being stomped back underwater. Koji walked over to the counter, seeing a wallet. He looked inside and saw it was Iori's.
"You mean this one?" Koji asked nonchalantly. Iori finally was released by Chisa and clambered out of the pool. "So, what's really going on?"
Iori began to explain that he had asked Chisa for help with mask clearing. Feeling he would be humiliated by the others if they found out. Aina thought they were engaging in some weird adult activity, which they kind of were. 'I mean why ask Chisa to help you out that way Iori. I mean come on bro.' Koji thought to himself. Aina offered to help Iori out along with Chisa. "I'll leave you to it." Koji walked back inside and fell back to sleep. 'You've got this Iori!'
The next morning Koji woke up just before the others did. Having his breakfast and cleaning up, he noticed one person hadn't come down yet. His brother. Koji went to the bedroom Iori was sharing with Nanaka and Azusa and saw the state he was in. He wouldn't be diving at all. "You okay Iori?"
Iori groggily opened his eyes to see his concerned brother. "I'm fine. Just not feeling too good today."
"That means you won't be able to take part in the lessons today. We may have been getting our diving licenses today as well." Koji said which put him in a sour mood. He knew his brother would be fine, but Koji felt a bit crappy knowing Iori wouldn't get his license and he would. "Now I'm not too sure if I want to go today."
"Go Koji. Don't feel bad about it. I can always get it another time." Said Iori trying to reassure his brother. Koji looked at Iori and got a nod of approval from him.
'Even though you're a complete idiot at times. You still have your moments.' Koji thought. "All right, I better get ready for this I guess. Take care of yourself and I'll see you when I get back." Koji left his brother and went to get his things ready. Making sure he had everything he needed, Koji went to leave but saw Azusa staying behind. "You're not coming Azusa?"
"No. I'm staying to make sure Iori feels better. Have a good time though." Azusa said.
"Thanks Azusa. See you when we get back!"
"Make sure you have a license when you do!" Azusa shouted out as Koji got into the van with the others and they drove off to the dive spot.
A little while later, the van of Peek-a-boo members came to a stop, having arrived at their destination. Koji got out and went to change into his trunks and wetsuit. As he was doing this, Koji was still feeling somewhat bad knowing his brother he was back at the house ill and he was getting ready to dive and hopefully get his diving license. Once done, he joined Kohei and Aina as Nanaka was explaining their next lessons for the day.
Koji was setting his air tank up after getting a reminder from Nanaka. Making sure he had the air he needed, Koji put his tank on his back and walked to the water with the others. However, a shiver suddenly went down his back getting Chisa's attention.
"Is something wrong Koji?" Asked a slight concerned Chisa.
"Don't think so. Might sound crazy but, I think I just had a sense of dread coming from Iori." Koji explained, which confused Chisa as he scratched his head confused and a bit embarrassed. "I got to be dreaming, anyway. Shall we dive now?"
"Yes." Chisa simply said as they began to swim out into the water and meetup with the others.
Koji joined Kohei and Aina as they were instructed by Nanaka to descend like they did last time. This time Koji and Aina had no troubles descending deeper like Kohei. Once they made it to the bottom, Nanaka had them do a quick revision of their last exercises. Mask and regulator clearing along with helping a dive buddy.
'Okay. Think I'm doing okay so far. Just got to pass these next few exercises and then I'm a qualified scuba diver.' Koji mentally encouraged himself trying to keep his focus, but after noticing his air supply was at 60 bar, he motioned that to Nanaka and indicated to end the dive. The group had a small break for lunch and to swap out the tanks for new ones. Going back into the water, the juniors were made to do one more refresher to be sure that they knew everything that was needed. 'This is really fun.' Koji thought but suddenly shivered feeling something wrong. 'What the hell was that. It similar to earlier but different at the same time. Like it was fear and regret or something, the hell.' Koji thought to himself as he shook his head before feeling a tap on his shoulder, looking over to see Nanaka and others look at him. Koji motioned that he was okay before checking his air gauge again and this time it read 80 bar, so he could still dive. However Aina once again had 60 but unlike the day before didn't try to hide it, and so they all made their way back to the surface and the end of the days diving.
As Koji was washing himself under the shower. He began to wonder if he actually did enough to pass and become a certified scuba diver, but also if he did. How would that affect Iori because of where the club planned to dive next. Trying to clear his mind. Koji stepped out of shower and started to drying himself to get dressed and after a few minutes did so as the senior members had finished putting all the scuba gear away. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"No we've pretty much got it all sorted out. Now we wait on the others to finish up and then we'll head back." Tokita told Koji as they sat down at the bench. Tokita could see that Koji may have been somewhat distant, not physically but mentally. "Is something on your mind Koji?"
Koji jumped a little bit hearing the question. Letting out a sigh he looked at Tokita and gave his answer. "Kind of. I'm just thinking about Iori. How is he going to handle not just the others but me if we actually passed and we're certified divers and he isn't."
"Hmm. That is quite a situation but I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just because he didn't get it now, doesn't mean Iori can't get certified later on and remember what he told you." Said Tokita and that reminded Koji of what his older brother told him before he left. "Go Koji. Don't feel bad about it. I can always get it another time."
"I guess so. Thanks Tokita." Koji lied down on the bench seat to relax. However as soon he did that. The others appeared and they were all wearing smiles. "What are all you smiling about?" Koji asked. Nanaka walked up to him and held her hand out. Koji put his hand out too and soon felt something in the palm of his hand. Looking at it, turned out to be a card. A card signifying that Koji was now a certified scuba diver. "Are you serious. Is this real?" Koji couldn't believe it.
"It is. Congratulations Koji. You are now a certified scuba diver." Nanaka stated as the other joined in the congratulations. Koji looked at Kohei and Aina seeing they also received their cards too. Looking at his card more carefully it took a few for this to register in Koji's mind. But once it did. Koji erupted in joy.
"HELL YES!" Koji yelled out and jumped around as if he landed a massive trick.
"Let's head back and see how Iori is doing." Nanaka said as they all piled into the van with Koji being the last one in. During the ride back to the guest house, Koji couldn't stop smiling seeing as he passed and was now certified. He was also hoping Iori was doing better now. Koji had a small nap as the club made its way back. A short time later, the younger Kitahara felt a small nudge and woke up seeing the guest house. He climbed out of the van still with his new diving certification ID card in his hand.
"Still can't believe this is real. I'm actually a certified scuba diver now. Miyakojima. Here I come! Of course, with all of you." Koji jokingly said getting the others to laugh at him. "Right, now to see how Iori and Azusa are doing." Koji jogged to the door hoping his brother was in the lounge. He was but just not in the "best" way possible. Koji slammed the door shut and looked back at the others who were confused. "Has anyone got a gun? Preferably with silver bullets." Koji grimly said confusing everyone. So they opened the door and walked in, only to find Azusa and Iori on the couch drunk off their behinds. Azsa still clothed but Iori once again naked and with one leak around his head and another. Well… pointing upward from a certain position.
Tokita and Kotobuki were dumbfounded but somehow not massively. Nanaka had a blank look on her face with a smile, somehow. Chisa was pissed and disgusted at Iori. Aina was distraught covering her face, and Kohei was horrified thinking Iori was a confirmed masochist.
"Like I asked. Has anyone got a gun with silver bullets?" Koji asked one more time.
A/N Author's Note: For the first time in years, my bum lazy ass finally puts up another chapter for a story. I was trying for so long to figure out how to write this damn thing out. So many rewrites it drove my head up the wall and through multiple ceilings on my way to the UPPER ROOM! But thankfully now that I've gotten a chapter up once again, it can help me get my juices for writing going again and this time not take forever.
For everyone that waited and still wrote thoughts, reviews etc. thank you. Also I did leave a small easter egg in the chapter, hope you can find out what it is and let me know what you think it is. Anyway thank you again and hopefully next chapter won't be in forever.
Eccentric Thistle