Episode 2

*"The Ocean Will Tell You"* is the second episode of the Wave!! anime.

## Summary

Masaki's obsession with surfing has taken over his life, it is the only thing he thinks about. He surfs rain or shine, every second of free time is spent riding waves. However, it comes with great risk when his recklessness goes too far when Sho warns Masaki of a typhoon approaching. Despite Sho's warning and attempts of keeping Masaki from going into the water, Masaki goes anyways.

The day after his first time surfing, he is eager to feel the flying sensation of riding a wave again. He gets up far too early to hit the waves. However, despite his performance the previous evening, being able to get on a wave on the first try, all he can manage to do now is wipeout over and over again. Nalu and sho show up and Masaki makes his way back on to the beach to greet them and remarks that they are late, Nalu reply's that Masaki is actually far too early. With the greeting over Masaki gets back in the surf to try again. Later that morning, as the group is laying on the beach relaxing before school. Masaki appears to have paid the price for his early morning, having fallen asleep on the beach.

Masaki determined to learn how to surf properly, as he wants to feel the flying sensation again, dose not give up and begins to really work hard at it. Day in and day out he is practicing and reading books on how to better his surfing skills, even during English class. Sho, Nalu and Masaki have really become a trio and celebrate Sho's birthday at Masaki's house.

Masaki hard work begins to really pay off and Nalu and Sho both marvel at how quickly Masaki improves at surfing. Sho offers constructive criticism to Masaki, who takes every wave that comes his way. Sho explains that it is better to wait for the perfect wave to ride rather than failing on waves that aren't as good.

The day the typhoon approaches, Masaki learns of Nalu's plan to go to Hawaii to study and become a researcher, like his father. Masaki is saddened by this, because it means his friend will be leaving him in the near future. Despite that, Masaki tries to convince Sho to join him in surfing. Masaki sees the dangerous weather as an exciting opportunity to ride big waves. Sho is adamant on telling him no. Masaki goes alone, and of course he is knocked off his board, it gets pulled under by the rip tide and he is getting ripped away farther and farther from the shore. He is alone, as far as he knows, and the waves keep crashing down on top of his head, making every gasp of air combined with a gulp of seawater. His way out of this and impending doom is coming down on him all at once. Next thing he knows, he is engulfed by the ocean and the surface is many feet above him, growing more dim the more he sinks. His board is nowhere to be seen, presumably ripped off of him, but it wouldn't save him even now.

Just as his vision begins to fade, Masaki sees Sho diving down after him. Sho successfully brings Masaki to shore, and Nalu arrives just on time to pull Masaki's board from the water. Sho scolds Masaki after he regains consciousness, telling him working hard and recklessness are two completely different things. Later that evening at the bath house, Sho explains that surfing is the sport closest to heaven. He goes on to say that training to surf is so one can enjoy it without dying, not dying trying to learn it. Masaki is faced with the reality that if he died, others would miss him. This is the first time Masaki has been challenged with this, and it is up to him to reflect on what that means.

Masaki confesses that he knows of Nalu's plans for his future, and Masaki explains that he has no goals for his own future. He has nothing to look forward to and currently, surfing is the only thing that occupies his mind. Masaki desperately wants to surf more because he knows that their time together is running out. Sho, optimistically says that even if they are separated by land, they are all connected by one ocean and that the ocean will tell them what the other is doing through it. He also adds that Masaki has a perfectly good goal as well, which is to improve at surfing. Nalu adds that the three of them have plenty of time to make amazing memories together surfing. Sho then pitches the idea of the three of them entering a surfing competition together. The competition is set for next summer and Masaki is so excited, he convinces Nalu to join him and Sho in it. Masaki truly was devoted to following in Sho's footsteps.

## Characters

* Masaki
* Sho
* Nalu
* Shoko