The welcome party was in full swing, with those beasts wildly chugging hard liquor. There weren't even three pairs of underwear among the entire group.
Aina covered her mouth in distress as she watched the scene, she had just been listening to the older sister talk about diving precautions. When she heard that they had to wear swimsuits, she felt a little shy. After all, as a normal girl, wearing a swimsuit naturally made her self-conscious.
She searched the area, hoping to find someone who shared her sentiment, but… looking around, there wasn't a single normal person here!
Damn it, she had to correct the improper atmosphere of this club no matter what!
…
Meanwhile, Kotobuki, watching the trio drinking, suddenly thought of something and said seriously,
"Speaking of which, with more and more newcomers joining, it's about time you all started your diving license training!"
Hearing the senior's words, the three of them froze for a moment before quickly composing themselves, as if they had just realized something.
"So, that time has come…"
"Haha, I didn't expect it so soon."
"A license, huh…"
The trio exchanged glances and then confidently responded to their two seniors.
"It must be a quick-change license!"
"It's definitely a quick-drinking license!"
"Hmph, foolish mortals, you're all wrong. It has to be a strip rock-paper-scissors license!"
Watching the three of them speak with such certainty, Tokita couldn't help but feel a tinge of guilt.
"Is it our fault that they think this way?"
"Ah, it's about half and half," Kotobuki replied.
Hearing that, Tokita's guilt instantly vanished. So it wasn't entirely their fault! Half of it was because of those three themselves.
"Well then, let me ask—have you all read this textbook?"
Saying that, Tokita pulled out a diving manual.
"Of course." (Never read it.)
"No need for you to ask." (Never even opened it.)
"This book is great." (Used it to press down instant noodles.)
Seeing their calm expressions, Tokita was absolutely certain—none of them had read the book!
"Well, in that case, let's have a test!"
Kotobuki chimed in. A test was the best way to assess their learning.
Since all three were beginners, the two seniors decided on a topic suitable for them—hand signals!
Hand signals were an essential part of diving communication.
"From now on, I'll make a few gestures, and you guys have to guess their meanings," Tokita explained.
Hearing this, the trio nonchalantly agreed.
Hand signals? That's easy.
Shiro didn't even take it seriously. Not to mention that he knew a bit of sign language, interpreting images and writing corresponding meanings was practically in his DNA!
First up—Iori!
Tokita showed him three hand signals.
The first gesture: Tokita gave a thumbs-down, which in diving meant "descend now."
The second gesture: Tokita pointed at himself, which in diving meant "look here."
The third gesture: Tokita spread both hands in front of his chest, which in diving meant "stop."
These three were deliberately chosen to be easy since the seniors knew these three hadn't read the book.
However, in Iori's eyes…
"I'm taking you down here!"
"I'll handle this!"
"This is the end for you!"
"So, Iori, what's your answer?" Kotobuki asked. Even someone who hadn't read the book should be able to guess this, right?
"Before my opponent takes me out, I'll take them out with a speargun!"
Iori responded seriously, though his answer was completely absurd…
Hearing his response, the two seniors silently took a step back. "Better be careful using hand signals in front of Iori…"
"…Also, why would you bring a speargun to go diving?"
Kitahara Iori—FAILED! Has a tendency to shoot his teammates!
With Iori marked as unqualified, it was now Kohei's turn. He was determined to show the difference in intelligence between himself and Iori!
Tokita once again posed the questions.
The first gesture: Tokita extended his right arm and waved it, similar to hailing a taxi. In diving, this meant "there's a problem."
"Yoo-hoo!"
The second gesture: Tokita slid his hand across his neck, which in diving meant "I'm running out of air."
"Come on, come on~"
The third gesture: Tokita gave a thumbs-up, which in diving meant "ascend."
"Yeah? Yeah?"
"I will gaze at him with gentle eyes!"
Before the seniors could respond, Kohei immediately blurted out his answer, looking very satisfied with himself.
"…You're just going to watch your teammate die?"
"What a… unique perspective."
Imamura Kohei—FAILED! Has a tendency to watch teammates die slowly!
The two seniors gave up. No matter how simple the gestures were, these three would surely interpret them completely differently.
"Hmph! The protagonist always goes last!"
Shiro walked up with a smug look, having watched the entire process unfold. He mockingly glanced at the other two.
His two companions clearly still had primitive intelligence.
"Watch closely and learn! This is the difference between you and a genius!"
Iori and Kohei, seeing his arrogant expression, were already thinking about how to mock him once he failed.
"…So he's not even trying to hide the fact that he didn't read the book."
=????(??? ????)
Shiro's face stiffened for a moment. Why did things suddenly seem different when it was his turn…?
Fortunately, the seniors didn't say anything. They hadn't had any expectations from the start.
The third challenger, Kamishiro Shiro, enters the trial!
The first gesture: Tokita crossed his fists in front of his chest in a defensive stance. In diving, this meant "there's danger!"
Seeing this, Shiro hesitated. Why did it feel like his was getting harder…?
This must mean… "I challenge you to a duel!"
The second gesture: Tokita pointed at himself, then at Shiro, then to the side. In diving, this meant "follow me."
Seeing this, Shiro remained confused, but he decided to connect it with the first gesture!
"Come with me! Let's duel over there!"
The third gesture: Tokita held up three fingers, then placed his other open palm over them. In diving, this meant "three-minute safety stop."
"I'll finish you in three moves!"
Shiro was certain! The three signals clearly formed a coherent sequence!
"So, what's your answer, Shiro?"
"I'd turn around and swim in the opposite direction. I'm really fast at swimming!"
"..."
Seeing Shiro's smug face, the two seniors sighed in exasperation.
These three truly had the wildest imaginations. Running away to danger… how bold.
Kamishiro Shiro—FAILED! Has a tendency for self-destructive behavior!