I (30), Who Works for a Black Company and Died While Regretting My Gloomy Life, Started Over From High School!
Chapter 89: When you come to the sea, be a fool!

As for me, I believe my mental age is getting closer to that of a high school student. Young bodies seem to have a strong influence on the mind, and I am definitely not the same as my 30-year-old self from my previous life.

Nevertheless… I suppose from an adult’s perspective, I might be a bit too mature to be considered an ordinary high school student. Even Tokishiro-san mentioned that I lack freshness.

As I was thinking about that…”

“What are you doing, Shinichirouuuuuuu!”

“Whoa! G-Ginji!?”

After Natsuzaki-san left, I found myself face-to-face with Ginji, a small and youthful-looking guy who seemed to have just come out of the sea, soaking wet.

He seemed quite different from his usual self, and his energy was off the charts…

“Hey, I’ve been watching you for a while now! You’re just sitting under the parasol or walking on the beach! You’re not supposed to smile happily while watching everyone else have fun! Are you some kind of babysitting dad?”

“Uh, what? Why are you so fired up?”

I had never heard him raise his voice this much before. What’s with this sudden burst of energy?

“Hahaha! The thing is, I’ve been teased by Fudehashi-san and Kazamihara-san in the water, and I’ve become an insanely happy toy, bouncing around like flying fish! The joy of being teased by girls over and over has pushed me over the edge, and my brain has finally turned into mush!”

“W-Wow…”

It seemed like the combination of the summer sea and the overwhelming stimulation for a virgin was causing his brain to overheat. It was like he had just come back from a night of heavy drinking at several izakayas. (TLN: Izakaya )

“Anyway, I’m taking you with me! Yaaaa!”

“W-Wait a minute! What are you doi—”

“Quiet! I don’t care what’s going on with you, but I’m telling you this now! Your transformation is beyond belief for someone like me, your friend from our previous life. It’s like you came back from another world or something! Your specs may be the same, but your inside has powered up so much that you’re good at everything!”

As he suddenly said that, Ginji put his right arm around my neck and pulled me into a headlock-like hold. Then, he started running towards the sea, dragging me along.

“Hey! Wait! What’s going on with you—”

“Ha ha ha! Welcome, Niihama. We’ve all been waiting for you.”

As I was being dragged away, I emerged from the sea, and standing in front of me was not Ginji but Shijouin-san. Her long hair was tied in a ponytail, and she had a cheerful smile on her face.

Beside her were Fudehashi and Kazamihara, both smiling with a mischievous look on their faces.

What’s going on? What’s the situation?

“Listen, girls! This guy, who is supposed to be the host, has been selfishly watching us with a smug look on his face! So, I want to hold the first ‘Soak Niihama to the Bone Competition’ starting now!”

“W-Wait a minute!”

Ginji, who was now ten times more excited than usual, enthusiastically declared this without any hint of embarrassment. He kept saying that I had changed, but isn’t he changing too much in such a short time?

“Yes, I think it’s a great idea, Yamahira-kun! I’ve been feeling a bit lonely because Niihama-kun wasn’t getting wet enough!”

“S-Shijouin-san!?”

She was the first to agree with a beaming smile. She had already played so much and was sweating a lot, fully enjoying the summer sea environment.

“Hehehe, you’d better give up, Niihama-kun…! This is not just Yamahira-kun’s idea; it’s the consensus among all of us. Besides, being the only one sitting under the parasol is guilty as charged!”

“That’s right! What’s the point of coming to the beach? We should all empty our heads and have fun until we reach our limits!”

Looking at them, I could see Fudehashi and Kazamihara were already completely flushed and immersed in the summer spirit, with mischievous grins on their faces.

Wait, does this mean they are all drunk, and I’m the only one sober at this drinking party…!?

“Now take this, Niihamaaaaa!”

“Hahaha! Brace yourself, Niihama-kun!”

“Fu fu, get ready to get soaked!”

“Hahaha! That’s it!”

“Hey, stop! W-wait…!”

All my friends unleashed a spray of seawater at me, and in an instant, I was completely drenched. But strangely, it felt pleasant.

The warm seawater touching my skin and the strong scent of the ocean guided my mind to a nostalgic place—back to my childhood over 20 years ago, where I would play at the beach with family and friends, my eyes sparkling with joy.

Ah, that’s right…

Right now, I’m still just a kid.

I can simply enjoy the present moment to the fullest.

“Fufufu… Well done, everyone! Here’s my revenge!”

As my body and mind gradually heated up, I scooped up water with both hands, creating a water column that sent small splashes flying around, eliciting joyful screams from my friends.

“Hahaha! Niihama-kun splashed us!”

But Shijouin-san, who got hit by my spray, had a smile on her face, looking like a child as she wet her hair.

“But it’s okay…! It seems like Niihama-kun is having fun too!”

“…!”

From the relief in Shijouin-san’s voice, I realized that everyone had been worried about me.

Even though I thought I was enjoying myself, I couldn’t help but be delighted watching everyone else having fun, neglecting my own enjoyment and causing unnecessary worries for them.

And it seemed that Ginji took on the role of dragging me along to change this situation.

“All right…! From now on, I’m going to enjoy the sea to the fullest too! First of all, this is for dragging me into the sea earlier, Ginjiiiiii!”

“Whoa!? Hey, that was a sneak attack…!”

“Hahaha! I can’t hear you! It’s your fault for letting your guard down!”

I hit Ginji’s face with water without any hesitation, laughing like a child.

The excitement of everyone around me spread to me, simplifying my thoughts.

Playing with seawater like kids, it was such a simple and endlessly fun game that I wanted to keep going forever.

“Alright, it’s my turn now! Get ready to have your mouths full of saltwater!”

“That’s right, that’s what we were waiting for, Niihama-kun!”

“You talk big, Niihama-kun! We already know your weak spot: you freeze when Haruka pours water on you, and we won’t let you go!”

“Wait, when did I become your enemy too!?”

And so, the five of us, completely reverted to little kids, splashed water at each other, laughing with pure joy and amusement amidst the peak of our silly excitement at the summer beach.

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