Chapter 216 - A Big Catch, In a Way
"This is huge!"
[Charinbow] "What's the big catch!?"
[Taikoskii] "Did an Inada eat the horse mackerel you caught?"
[Harrisun] "Hold on, the line's gonna break!?"
etc. etc…
Oh no, oh no, oh no! The line's gonna break!
"Eh? Ah!"
The tension suddenly lightened. I thought the line broke, then it jumped out of the water…
"Ah, I got played…"
"Huh? What happened?"
[Swivel] "Gill-wash."
[Metal Jig] "Whoa, this game even has gill-wash tactics, haha."
[Hipper] "Probably a sea bass."
[Bouzunashi] "Thanks for the rare scene!"
etc. etc…
Mion probably had no idea what happened, but the kind fishing players in the comments section were explaining it to her. It was when a fish opened its mouth and jumped out of the water, not to cut the line, but to spit out the hook. I myself had only heard about it, and this was my first time it actually happened. Though it's debatable whether Full-Dive VR counts as 'actually'.
Can it be countered if my Fishing skill levels up? Remembering, I feel like a skill assist prompt might have appeared for a moment.
"Well, can't be helped."
They say the fish that got away is always big, but that one felt over 50cm.
I stared blankly at the spot where it escaped… Hm?
[Kankanpo] "Is something there?"
[Galeso] "Huh, what's that?"
[Napalm] "Wait? A seal?"
[Shumei] "A kaiju, or rather, a sea beast!"
etc. etc…
"Huh? I'm being stared at intensely, is it a monster?"
"Shou-kun, prepare for battle!"
"No, it doesn't seem hostile, I think it's just a regular seal."
Lupi would react first if it was dangerous, but there was no sign from her whatsoever. So, it would be great if it came close enough for me to see its nameplate… Oh, it's approaching. Um… what's a [Selkie]?
[Muchomuru] "Mermaid?"
[Diash] "You mean a dugong?"
[Bearmen] "Mokyumokyu~ (〃ω〃)"
[Legerry] "A Selkie, you say!"
etc. etc…
The seal—no, the Selkie—slowly approached right below the pier where I was, and floated a fish, about 50cm long, on the water surface.
"Kyu?"
"Huh? Is that the fish I failed to catch?"
"Kyu~♪"
It seemed to understand, and yet it didn't… Also, why are there no talking NPCs on this island? Do I need to acquire language skills like fairy language or spirit language?
"Lupi-chan. Could you wake Sweee-chan?"
"Wafun."
At Mion's words, Lupi shook her body and nudged Sweee awake. Indeed, Sweee was more likely to be able to communicate.
"~~~!?"
"Sweee, I'm sorry. A little help."
After looking around groggily, her eyes landed on the Selkie, and as if understanding something, she floated over… Was she talking to it?
"~~~♪"
Sweee returned, pointed to the fish the Selkie had brought, then pointed to the cooking utensils I had left out.
"Are you asking for that fish to be cooked?"
"Ah, so it wants me to make something."
"~~~♪"
"Kyu~♪"
[Taraami] "They're communicating haha"
[Shazun] "Sweee is super competent."
[Koji] "As expected of the Queen!"
[Daytron] "
etc. etc…
It was fine to cook, but don't seals just eat raw fish? No, no, if I start thinking like that, Lupi eats all sorts of things, and besides, it's a game, so I'm probably overthinking it.
Still, marinade or carpaccio felt like good options.
"Okay, I'll cook that fish… I need to move somewhere it can come up, right?"
"Kyu~!"
"Eh, whoa!"
The Selkie casually tossed the fish over, then, somehow, jumped out of the water too…
[Wasanko] "Whoaaaaaah!?"
[Legerry] "Selkies just wear seal skins, you know~"
[Bluesha] "So cuteeee! (((o(゜▽゜)o)))"
[Woody] "This might split popularity with the Gnomes…"
etc. etc…
Landing softly on the pier, what appeared was a boy in a seal kigurumi (animal costume pajamas). Is that what animal kigurumi pajamas are like?
He looked about a first-grader's age, and his friendly smile reminded me a bit of Natto when we were younger. No, Natto was more of a mischievous kid.
"Kyu~♪"
"~~~♪"
"Wafu~"
"They're friends in no time!"
[Amatsunoyu] "So calming~ ( ´ ▽ ` )"
[Fel] "Is this island heaven? haha"
[Bluesha] "Fluffy Island! (((o(゜▽゜)o)))"
etc. etc…
It's good that they're friends, but he's so innocent, I'm worried he might get tricked by bad people…
Anyway, I didn't seem to have time for anything too elaborate, so for something quick and tasty… Ah, I should Appraise the fish first.
[Ratiola]
Large carnivorous fish inhabiting near coasts. A migratory fish, its name changes: Lati, Ratio, Ratiola. Cooking: Grilling and simmering are common.
Middle stage, so it still grows larger…
The comments section was mentioning 'Seigo' and 'Fukko' (names for young sea bass), probably because sea bass are also migratory fish.
"What kind of dish will you make?"
"Probably a quick carpaccio."
I filleted it into three, then thinly sliced it. I had the Water Spirit conjure cold water for a rinse. For seasoning, I used Grapeful Vinegar, Perilsense sesame oil, Greenberry Fruit juice, and a pinch of salt. Oh, I'll add diced Lycos (tomato) too.
The comments section was getting excited, but the Selkie's sparkling eyes put more pressure on me. I hoped it would suit his taste, and took a sample bite…
"Mm, it's fine for me. Should I… not put too much on at once? It's probably delicious as is, so just a light dressing, and it's done."
"Kyu~!"
"Ah, chopsticks might be hard for you, here's a fork."
I handed him a fork I'd made from Papu thinnings. Despite wearing a seal kigurumi, he skillfully used it to take a bite…
"Kyu~♪"
"Good. Was worried if our tastes were different…"
He smiled broadly, then started eating ravenously, and I felt relieved.
[Reaper] "Of course it's delicious (tears of blood)"
[Amokun] "Seriously starving now…orz"
[Lemonmilk] "Shou-kun's feeding them again haha"
etc. etc…
I took a bite myself… Mm, delicious. I gave some to Lupi. Sweee didn't seem to eat meat or fish, so I gave her Torotoro Dried Papu Fruit.
"Shou-kun, it's almost time."
"Ah, already…?"
It should have been less than 30 minutes left when I started fishing, and an hour just flew by. The Selkie arrived and things got hectic, I wish I had a little more time…
`
"Shall we extend a little?"
"Yeah, sure. Maybe until this kid finishes eating and goes home?"
[Daytron] "
[Nelson] "
[Bluesha] "
[Bearmen] "
etc. etc…
"Ah, thank you!"
Whoa, so many super chats flowing in. Is Yata-sensei planning this?