Character Story 3: A Fishing Line that Catches Happiness
Scene: Near the coast.
Pecorine
Oh, heya, it's Yuuki! We've been running into each other a lot lately, huh?
Pecorine
What are you doing in a place like this?
Pecorine
The sea can be dangerous at night, you know? Really ferocious monsters can come out!
Pecorine
And you can see anything in the water, so if you fall in, you'll be in trouble!
Pecorine
If you're not an expert swimmer, you'll panic, and then you'll drown! Ha ha.
Pecorine
Hmm? What is it? Sitting idly on the beach like that...
Pecorine
Are you going through a difficult time? How sad! If it's okay, could you tell me about it?
Pecorine
It's our duty as peers to help each other out when we're troubled, after all!
Pecorine
Hmm, hmm. You want to make the fish cuisine that I taught you, so you came here to try to get some fish?
Pecorine
Well, getting fish yourself definitely saves money compared to buying them at the market.
Pecorine
But you're feeling down because you can't catch any fish?
Pecorine
Ah... But not only do monsters come out in this area, but fish can also be really tricky, you know? If you let your guard down, they could snap you right up! ☆
Pecorine
Besides that, catching fish by hand is pretty much impossible.
Pecorine
At the very least, you should prepare a fishing rod and a net. Would you like me to show you how?
Pecorine
Eh heh! Lately, in order to get ingredients for the restaurant I work at, I've been coming to seaside places like this.
Pecorine
I have some fishing equipment here -- I'll lend it to you.
Yuuki
1. "Thank you."
2. "No thank you."
Option 1.
Pecorine
Ahaha, no need to be thankful! We should help each other out when we have problems.
Pecorine
And besides, wanting to eat tasty things, wanting to cook, wanting to get ingredients... These kinds of desires -- I absolutely approve of them!
Pecorine
Eating is a part of life, after all. And when I see someone putting their all towards life, I can't help but root for them!
Option 2.
Pecorine
Huh? No need to be modest -- we're friends, after all!
Pecorine
Ah, you mean, if I were to lend you my fishing rod, it would be bothersome for me?
Pecorine
It's okay -- I'm a veteran! Even in the direst circumstances, I could still catch a fish with only my hands!
Pecorine
I often travel around the whole country on foot... And most ingredients, I can get from in the mountains or in the rivers.
Pecorine
So I'd say I'm pretty good at collecting ingredients, you know?
End of branches.
Pecorine
All right, here's the fishing rod. For you!
Pecorine
I'll show you a special fishing spot, too. I'd recommend the water around that bend!
Pecorine
The water around there has a lot of nutrients in it, so there are many different kinds of fish. You'll hook one in no time!
Pecorine
Oh, hold on a second. Let me get the bait ready.
Pecorine
Ah... Let's flip over some of the rocks over there...
Pecorine
We gather up the bugs that come out, pound them up, and then mush them into little balls.
Pecorine
Then, you attach these to the end of the fishing hook. Even though fish are more attracted to live bait, it's harder to attach live insects to the hook at night.
Pecorine
Okay, done! It actually took quite a bit of effort to make it look like normal fish bait.
Pecorine
Next, hold the fishing rod firmly, to make sure that it doesn't slip out of your hands...
Pecorine
Then, with all your strength, aim the rod somewhere distant and cast the line!
Pecorine
Nice, nice! Now, wait until you see some kind of reaction on the bobber, okay?
Pecorine
If there's no reaction at all, then that probably means the bait was already eaten, and you should pull the line back and check.
Pecorine
And if you feel like you're not getting any hits at all, you can try moving to different spots from time to time.
Pecorine
In the meantime, I'll set up the fishing net. Excuse me for a moment!
Pecorine
Hee hee... This way, by tomorrow morning, we'll be overflowing with fish to take back!
Pecorine
Huh? What's happening, Yuuki? Did you just let out that weird yell?
Pecorine
Whoa, you got a hit, a hit! Wonderful, huh -- it looks like the fish bit right down on the bait and isn't letting go!
Pecorine
Reel it in, reel it in, quick!
Pecorine
Ahh, look, I'll help you!
Pecorine
I'm going to hold onto you from behind! If it bothers you, let me know!
Pecorine
Ooh, what a strong tug! This is definitely a big one! Are you actually a fishing master?
Pecorine
Ah, don't pull so forcefully! Slowly, slowly... This way, you make sure you won't break the fishing line!
Pecorine
Good, good! We're doing well!
Pecorine
Judging from how strong this reaction is, maybe we even hooked a monster instead of a fish?
Pecorine
A-ah, even with two people trying to pull it in, I still feel like we might both get yanked into the water at once!
Pecorine
Forget about the line breaking -- won't the rod break at this rate? Terrible, huh?
Pecorine
Do your best, Yuuki! For the tasty food! Gugugugu...!
Pecorine
FISH!!!!!!!!!!
A splash.
Pecorine
Whoa, what kind of giant fish did we catch? I've never seen one like it before! I wonder what it tastes like?
Pecorine
Congratulations! Catching a fish yourself, and then cooking it yourself and enjoying it yourself -- isn't that the height of luxury?
Pecorine
I'm envious! I want to try a piece of that!
Pecorine
Eh, it's really okay? Because you were using the equipment that I lent you...?
Pecorine
Yay! What a nice guy! Is it okay if I fall in love with you?
Pecorine
Then, let's prepare this fish and cook it just like this! I'll unleash the full extent of my cooking skills!
Pecorine
Look forward to it, Yuuki!
Pecorine
Once we've eaten and we're all recharged with nutrients, let's catch even more fish!
Pecorine
Our night fishing hasn't ended yet! If it's with you, we'll definitely catch a ton! Ahaha!