Chapter 1
Prologue
I began to write this story to journey into the depths of the sea, to travel into the past.
I arrived at the port of Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture.
The moment I stepped out of the car, the scent of the sea greeted me. From near and far, the wind carried the sound of countless overlapping waves. A seagull cried sadly, a solitary white speck against the overcast sky. A cold March wind that bore the remnants of winter swept through the desolate port. It still carried lingering traces of the disaster.
My childhood friend Shimizu waited in the small vessel floating on the water. Even from a distance, his towering figure was unmistakable, making the boat seem oddly small. He had gained even more bulk than before, looking like a giant bear that had wandered into the port. As I approached, he noticed me and broke into a grin. His smile reminded me of Ebisu, one of the Seven Gods of Fortune. Despite his size, he had a gentle and friendly face.
Yakki!
He hoisted himself from the boat onto the dock and ran toward me, then swept me into a powerful hug. It was like a scene on the news: Local Man Attacked by Bear.Shimizu has always been physically affectionate. But for me, his over-the-top yet warm display of affection felt just right, and it made me happy.
It's been a long time, Shimizu.
I hugged him back with all my might, patting his pleasantly plump side.
Finally releasing his hold, Shimizu's eyes turned distant as he spoke.
It's been four years, hasn't it?
Yeah, four years already . . .
As I thought about just how much time had passed, tears welled up in my eyes.
Shimizu took a seat in the covered cockpit of the small boat. I sat behind him, using a hard case of luggage as a makeshift chair. I held a box of fragile items tightly. The engine roared to life and the boat began to move. It cut through the sea, leaving a white spray on the dull ocean, which shone with a metallic light. The outline of the port receded into the distance, replaced by the grand silhouette of the Abukuma Highlands, emerging like black waves.
After about forty minutes the boat came to a stop. There was nothing around us but the vast, desolate ocean extending in all directions. We checked our latitude and longitude on a GPS app.
37°49'99" latitude, 141°9'41" longitude.
It perfectly matched the location we had been given by Fukushima Fisheries Cooperative.
We started preparing to dive. We put on our wetsuits, masks, flippers, and strapped on our tanks. I had just received my Advanced Open Water Diver certification in Okinawa solely for this trip. Shimizu, who was more experienced, checked my equipment for me.
With a burst of energy, Shimizu dove into the sea. It reminded me of our swimming classes. Ever since we were kids, Shimizu was always the first one to jump in, bold as a lion. On the other hand, I was as cautious as a timid serpent, and slowly dipped my toes in the water. The water was warmer than I expected, but my thin frame started shivering almost instantly. Seeing this, Shimizu swam over, looking concerned.
Yakki, you okay? Your lips are turning purple already.
Huh, already?
I felt embarrassingly weak.
I'm fine. I think.
Are you sure?
I could see Shimizu's questioning expression.
Okay then, let’s go. I'll dive first, you follow me.
Shimizu bit down on his regulator and gracefully dove down. I awkwardly followed after him.
We entered into a deep, blue world.
The sound of the waves grew distant, muted by the water's surface, while the sound of my breathing and the bubbles escaping from my mouth amplified.