Anima guided me to a prime fishing spot. I wasn't exactly a seasoned pro, but I had enough experience that there wasn't much she needed to teach me. We settled in side-by-side and cast our lines into the water.
True to her nature, Anima had clearly done her homework. She’d chosen a quiet, comfortable opening where the trees didn't grow too thick—a perfect spot for a peaceful afternoon. It felt like a true hidden gem; there wasn't another soul in sight, and the fish seemed bold, biting at our hooks at a fairly brisk pace.
However, things didn't go perfectly in every aspect. After less than an hour, I found myself in a bit of a predicament.
"U-Umm... Anima, what do you think about this?"
"E-Err, well... it is just as expected of you, Master! To think you would catch so many rare Crystal Fish in such a short time..."
"Thanks. But to be more precise... I should say that I can only catch Crystal Fish."
"I see. It seems Master’s peerless luck can lead to situations like this as well."
To be blunt, it was a hell of a haul. The magic-item livewell was teeming with life, but every single fish I’d caught was a Crystal Fish. Anima, on the other hand, was pulling in standard River Fish. Not a single Crystal Fish had touched her hook.
"Crystal Fish are rare, aren't they?"
"Yes, even I have only managed to reel them in a few times. At the very least, you have surpassed my personal record in just this one hour. It is a magnificent harvest."
"But... you can't eat them, right?"
"No, you cannot."
They were valuable, certainly, but they weren't edible. My dream of grilling our catch over an open fire was rapidly fading.
"Master, perhaps we should try different bait? Crystal Fish are on the smaller side; they might ignore something larger."
"Ah, good point. Thanks, Anima. Let me try that right away."
Following her advice, I took the dango-style bait I’d been using and kneaded several pieces together into a large lump before casting my line once more.
"Still, if something bites this bait, it’ll probably be a pretty big catch."
"Yes, we can have high expectations. I believe Stripe Fish can sometimes be caught in this river during this season."
Stripe Fish... if I recalled correctly, they were similar to salmon. That sounded delicious. I could already imagine them cooked in foil... though I suppose I shouldn't count my chickens before they'd hatched.
I stood beside Anima and watched the river. A light breeze brushed my cheeks, and the gentle sun made the air feel incredibly pleasant.
"Taking it easy and fishing like this is really nice. It makes me feel at peace."
"Yes. I also enjoy this feeling of time flowing slowly. If my former self heard this, she might find it hard to believe... but relaxing like this is truly a fine thing."
"It really is."
Just as Anima said, this sensation was wonderful. More than anything, having her here by my side allowed me to truly enjoy the calm conversation.
As those thoughts crossed my mind, I glanced at her. She was watching the river with one hand on her rod, her profile reflecting the genuine enjoyment she’d mentioned.
Caught up in the serenity of being alone with my lover in nature, I reached out and covered her free hand with mine.
"Hah-whee?! M-Master?!"
"Ah, sorry for startling you. I just thought... well, since we’re lovers and all..."
"Y-Ye-Ye-Yes, that is true! Since we are lovers, this much is..."
Though she was flustered and flailing, she didn't pull away. On the contrary, she turned her palm over and interlocked her fingers with mine in a lover's grip.
She might get embarrassed easily, but she was always proactive once she made up her mind. It was very typical of her.
A flush of embarrassment hit me as well, but we soon settled into the silence. Feeling the pleasant warmth of her palm, I returned my focus to the fishing rod. Neither of us spoke, but there was no awkwardness. It was a soul-soothing atmosphere where our feelings seemed to connect without words.
Just as I was losing myself in that happy sensation, my rod bent violently.
"Whoa! Something's here! The pull is huge!"
"Master!?"
I’d hooked something massive. The force nearly ripped the rod from my hands, but Anima immediately stepped in to help me steady it.
"Thanks, Anima. That saved me."
"N-No... but this pull is extraordinary."
"A Stripe Fish?"
"The probability is high! Master, I will support you, so please pull back slowly while raising the rod."
"O-Okay!"
With her strength, she could have reeled it in instantly, but she remained focused on supporting me, offering advice on when to pull and when to let go. After several minutes of struggling, the fish's resistance finally weakened, and we hauled it onto the bank.
It was a magnificent creature, exceeding a meter in length—and it was shimmering with a brilliant gold.
"It's... it's huge."
"It's golden, though... This isn't a Stripe Fish, is it?"
"N-No. It is a Gold Tail... commonly known as the Golden Fish. To think it inhabited this river... I had no idea."
"Just to be sure... can we eat this?"
"It is extremely popular and rare... as an ornamental fish."
"I thought so."
Why was I only catching the ones you couldn't eat? Was my luck really this lopsided?