Thanks to the Guide Map, I Ended up With a “Huge Catch”!
“Okay, just make sure to return it by tonight.”
“Got it! Thanks!”
“Tabito, that’s the happiest I’ve seen you in a while.”
“You’re like a little kid.”
I rented three fishing rods from the old guy with a towel wrapped around his head. Honestly, I could’ve bought them, but it felt wrong to pick my lifelong partner so easily (okay, maybe I’m exaggerating).
Anyway, I’ll enjoy myself with these today and get my own set before we leave.
Heh heh, heh heh, this is fun. I can’t wait. I know you’re looking forward to it too.
“Even though you’re smiling, it’s kind of an evil grin.”
“I can practically hear the *heh heh* coming from you.”
Milfie, who was supposed to be on the same comic relief team as me, seems to be getting influenced by Aqua’s straight-man commentary. If this keeps up, I’ll end up being the lone clown of the group.
I don’t really get it, but to protect my standing, I need to show something cool here.
Which means...
“All right, let’s have a contest! Whoever catches the biggest fish wins! We’ve got one hour, and of course, we’ll decide by size!”
Maybe it’s a little childish, but a fun challenge like this now and then can’t hurt.
I’m gonna become the Fishing King!
“Okay. Um, do we knock them out with this stick or something?”
“Are we supposed to stir the water? I feel like spinning it around might make them dizzy.”
“Okay, ladies, let’s all enjoy fishing together now.”
Teaching them step by step is also part of the fun!
◇
“Wow, we’re catching so many! Th-this is so fun!”
“You’re amazing, Milfie. Ah, I got one too!”
“Ohh, nice! That’s it, yep, just like that! Use the net to scoop it up—yep, perfect!”
We moved over to the fishing spot. At first, Milfie and Aqua were total beginners, but after a couple of casts, they started getting really good at throwing far. Their form was beautiful—honestly, even graceful.
Whoosh.
“Ah! I got another one!”
“…………”
“Me too! Huh? What’s wrong, Tabito? Taking a break? You’re sitting down.”
Aqua’s merciless words, as if catching a fish was as simple as throwing the line in.
Maybe people in this world are just naturally loved by fish.
As I sank into this sentimental thought, my map finally let out a “ding”.
I stood up and hurriedly checked it.
The [!] mark had changed to [Clothing].
I cast my line to test it out, and felt a tug.
When I reeled it in—it was clothing. A girl’s skirt, to be exact.
“You can catch stuff other than fish too, huh?”
“This is fun. There might be treasure down there.”
“R-right?”
Apparently, they didn’t notice my voice was shaking. Of course, I had anticipated something like this.
There’s no way I’d leave such a beautiful sea polluted like this. The name of fishing fanatic Tabito Sankichi Santaro would be tarnished! … Even though I still haven’t caught a single fish.
As we kept fishing, the sun gradually began to set.
To either side of me, Milfie and Aqua had buckets full of fish.
Apparently, the facility next to us would cook the catch for us.
Milfie was thrilled, saying it’d be the best feast ever. Aqua smiled gently and nodded, “Yes, it will.”
“All right, let’s head back.”
“Wait, b-but Tabito hasn’t caught anything yet!”
“It’s okay, Milfie. That’s how fishing goes sometimes. More importantly, I’m glad you two had fun.”
“... You’re really kind, Mister Tabito. You kept helping us instead of focusing on yourself. Thank you.”
I meant it.
Sure, it’s frustrating and sad. I want to whine and complain about it like a kid.
But fishing isn’t just today. I can always do it again.
Just then, as my stomach growled in protest, another [!] popped up on the map.
I reached for my rod in a panic—but remembered I was supposed to be leaving.
But then, Milfie and Aqua—
“Did you find something? Go for it, Tabito!”
“Good luck! I want to see a big one!”
“... Yeah!”
No need to overthink it. At this point, I’m going all in on luck.
With all my might, I cast the line far out.
As the cat and long-eared girls watched over me, I finally—felt something.
“Whoa!?”
“You can do it, meowaa!”
“Go Tabito! Use those strong legs!”
“What does that even mean!?”
Even as Aqua’s comment shook me a little, the real battle between me and the fish had begun.
The pull was insane. It felt like my arms were going to snap.
But my body was charged with mana.
“UWOOOOOOOOOOHHHHH!”
Fueled by the girls’ excited cheers, I yanked the rod up with all my strength—and out flew a fish that looked just like a real bluefin tuna.
"Huh?"
A bluefin tuna came plunging down from above.
It must have weighed at least 200 kilograms.
At this rate, it looked like my neck would snap...
Thanks, everyone.
If I’m going to die, at least let me remember—! My harem life flashing before my eyes!
… No good.
"Sorry, I'm dead."
I shouted while holding my fishing rod with a smile—but it was Milfie.
She kicked the bluefin tuna up and caught it with both hands.
Apparently it was a bit heavy, but Aqua used magic to lighten it.
"Wow!!! That’s our fishing maniac Tabito for you!"
"How do you even know that phrase!?"
"This bluefin tuna looks delicious."
"Are you reading my mind!?"
My ability to keep up with this nonsense is about to break.
But—
"Thanks... you saved me. Alright, let’s go! Today’s a fish party!"
"Meow!"
"Looking forward to it."
We moved on cheerfully.
Incidentally, Milfie was carrying the bluefin tuna.
Incidentally, I still didn’t know what that even was.
Incidentally, it seems I was murmuring my inner thoughts during the fishing trip.
And then—
"What? It’s already over!?"
"Yeah, tomorrow’s fine though. I thought I told you the time... sorry about that."
Yes, it had already ended.
Sure enough, the time had passed.
We could store the fish in our travel bag, but today we’d have to wait.
Sad. Sorry, stomach.
"Sad, but it can’t be helped."
"Sometimes it goes like this."
Fishing is fun. But eating the fish at the end is the best part.
I wanted the two of them to understand that, too.
But then, a thought hit me.
"Hey, Milfie, Aqua—"
◇
"So tasty meowww, just a little salt and you can taste so much flavor!"
"Yes, it's very delicious. The skin is fragrant and crispy—I'm getting hooked on this."
We went out beyond the city and carefully cleaned the fish that Milfie and Aqua caught.
As expected of a port town—we bought salt and seasoning, grilled it over a campfire.
To our surprise, the fish here had soft bones and weren’t bland—they were delicious.
Of course, I had checked beforehand to make sure it was edible.
The bluefin tuna was for tomorrow.
But even so, this was truly delicious.
Just one bite and it would fall apart in my mouth.
At the same time, it tasted like nostalgic Japanese flavor.
"Damn, this is so goo—"
Then, a memory flashed back.
(Told ya it was good, right? Next time I’ll catch an even bigger one!)
It was me, happily smiling, sharing fish with everyone.
Whoa... so I used to do the same kind of thing, huh?
—This is the best.
"Alright, we’re getting on a boat tomorrow."
"Meow! Mmm, hey Tabito, I want another one! No, make that two!"
"Munch munch, me too, munch munch... another two, munch munch..."
"Aqua, finish what you’ve got first."
—
Milfie
★★★★★
First fishing trip ever—so much fun!
I wanna eat more, meow!
Aqua
★★★★★
It was my first time, but I had so much fun.
I want to make more memories with everyone.
Maybe I’ll have a fourth one.
Tabito
★★★★★
I’m glad they found fishing fun.
What will that bluefin tuna taste like?
Can’t wait for tomorrow.
Ahh, really... every day is the best.
Fish-Cutting Master
★★★★☆
What do I do?
Can I even clean a fish that big?
Why didn’t I say no...?
I don’t want to disappoint them tomorrow.
Time to pull an all-nighter.
Let’s go, I’ll show them the pride of the Fish-Cutting Brotherhood!
What do you think about this chapter?
