Chapter 5:

Episode 4.5 The first pull of the fishing rod of shin And the treasure?

Save a cat, but be your girl S1

# 12

Soutarou:

"Did you cry while taking a bath?"

Shin:

"...No."

Soutarou:

"I heard a cat meow really loudly."

Shin:

"That was... a reflex!"

Soutarou:

"A reflex to cry too?"

Shin:

"Emotional reflex!"

Soutarou:

"Hm... does that mean you're really emotional about water?"

Shin:

"...I'll throw this spoon at you."

Soutarou:

"If you throw it, I'll throw it back with the bowl."

Shin:

"...You barbarian."

Soutarou:

"And you're a drama cat."

# 13

After a light argument, they continued eating in a relaxed atmosphere. Shin glanced at Akuro who was busy with the fish below.

Shin:

"...That bird, it keeps looking at me a lot."

Soutarou:

"His name is Akuro. He likes to observe strange things."

Shin:

"I'm strange?"

Soutarou:

"Technically, you're a mix of human and cat, have magic, and fell off a cliff and were saved by a bird."

Shin:

"...Okay, that makes sense."

Soutarou:

"Akuro doesn't really like people either. But with you, he's like... taking care of you."

Shin:

"He was sulking because he was told he likes to bring strange things."

Soutarou:

"Haha, yeah. He's sensitive. But reliable."

Shin:

"He's part of your family?"

Soutarou:

"...Yeah. The only one who always comes home."

#14

Shin:

"...Aren't you afraid I'll bring trouble here?"

Soutarou:

"It's too late to be afraid, you're already here."

Shin:

"But they won't stop looking for me."

Soutarou:

"I won't stop looking after you either."

Shin:

"...Why?"

Soutarou:

"Because I'm human, and so are you. Part cat, yes, but still a person."

Shin:

"...That's the weirdest and best thing I've ever heard."

Soutarou:

"Get used to it, I'm weird."

# 15

Shin:

"...Have you ever thought about leaving this place?"

Soutarou:

"Sometimes. But here I'm free."

Shin:

"Free but alone?"

Soutarou:

"Alone doesn't always mean lonely."

Shin:

"...But now you're not alone."

Soutarou:

"Right. And that, for some reason, makes this place livelier."

# 16

As they were almost done eating, the atmosphere began to warm up and calm down. Akuro lifted his head from the bowl, then licked his beak while observing the two humans on the table.

Soutarou:

"I think you're starting to feel comfortable living here, huh?"

Shin:

"...I don't know yet. But... this place isn't as scary as it used to be."

Soutarou:

"That's enough for me. As long as you're safe."

Shin:

(smiles slightly) "You're weird."

Soutarou:

(chuckles) "You too. But I don't regret helping you, Shin."

Shin:

"...Thank you, Soutarou."

Soutarou:

"From now on, having dinner together is a must."

Shin:

"Huh? Why is it a must?"

Soutarou:

"Because... it makes me less lonely."

(he says it while staring blankly at the plate, a little nervous)

Shin:

"...Humans..."

(he looks down a little, his cheeks turning red)

# 17

After the meal is finished, they start to clear the table and take the plates to the sink. Shin stands by the kitchen door, looking hesitant.

Soutarou:

"Shin, can you help me wash the dishes?"

Shin:

(quickly shakes his head) "No. I... I don't like washing dishes."

Soutarou:

(raise an eyebrow) "Huh? Why?"

Shin:

"Water. Water again. I'll just help the others, clear the table or... sweep."

Soutarou:

(sounding amused) "Okay, okay. You win today."

Shin started sweeping the floor while occasionally watching Soutarou washing the dishes. After everything was done, Soutarou opened the cupboard near the door and took out two sets of fishing equipment. He smiled at Shin.

Soutarou:

"Come on, let's go to the river. The weather is perfect for fishing."

Shin:

(tilting his head slightly) "Fishing?"

Soutarou:

"Yep. Have you ever tried it?"

Shin:

"...No. But I like fish."

Soutarou:

(nodding in satisfaction) "Good. How about we find dinner together?"

They left the house and walked down the small path towards the river, followed by Akuro flying low above them.

#18

Shin:

"This place... is so quiet. Isn't there anyone else?"

Soutarou:

"Indeed. I live here alone, with only Akuro for company."

Shin:

"Aren't you lonely?"

Soutarou:

(a moment of silence) "Sometimes. But I prefer the quiet to the noise in the city."

Shin:

"...I understand that feeling."

Soutarou:

"You also ran away from a noisy place, huh?"

Shin:

(shoulders shrug slightly) "More like... a painful place."

Soutarou:

"I won't ask if you're not ready to tell me."

Shin:

"...Thank you."

# 19

They arrived at the edge of a river with a calm and clear flow. The shady trees around it made the atmosphere cool. Soutarou sat on a large rock and began to prepare his fishing rod. Shin sat a little further away, his feet touching the water, but his face remained alert.

Soutarou:

"I come here often. The fish aren't big, but they're enough for dinner."

Shin:

"Are you sure this place is safe?"

Soutarou:

"If you ask the guards... they wouldn't expect us to go towards the river. Akuro is always on guard, after all."

Shin:

"...I'm still not used to this place."

Soutarou:

"Take it slow. Think of this as your temporary escape."

Shin:

(head slightly lowered) "If I can... I want to stay here."

Soutarou:

(looks at Shin with a small smile) "Then we should go fishing together more often."

Shin:

"...As long as they don't have to jump in, I'm all for it."

# 20

While their fishing rods were still moving, the sound of flapping wings could be heard quickly from a distance. In an instant, Akuro darted from behind the trees and grabbed something from the surface of the river with his claws.

He flew low and placed a large fish into a bucket beside them, then stood proudly, looking at them as if to say, "Is that so hard?"

Soutarou:

(shocked, then chuckles) "Hah... Akuro, you cheated! We were enjoying the process, you know."

Shin:

(looks at the fish in the bucket, mouth slightly open) "That... was really cool just now."

Soutarou:

(smiles and pats Akuro's head) "Yeah, he's really good at this kind of thing. But he's usually not this active..."

Akuro:

(lifts his neck proudly and sits down)

Shin:

"He seems to... understand when we need help."

Soutarou:

"Or maybe he's just bored of waiting for us to be slow." (sits back down and closes his eyes for a moment)

Shin:

(smiles) "I guess life here won't be as lonely as I thought..."

#21

They sit relaxed on the riverbank. The water flows gently, and the sound of birds in the distance adds to the serenity of the morning. Shin sways his feet as he stares at the surface of the water, while Soutarou leans back with his hat covering his eyes for a moment.

Shin:

(whispers) "I didn't think... I could be this calm."

Soutarou:

(opens one eye) "Calm down, huh? It was just yesterday that we almost got blown up."

Shin:

(pouts slightly) "Don't think about it..."

Soutarou:

(smiles) "But you're strong. You're still here. And that's great."

Shin:

(pauses for a moment, then says softly) "I don't know if I'm strong or just forced. But... it feels like my body refuses to give up."

Soutarou:

"Sometimes, our bodies know first what our hearts need."

Shin:

(looks down) "And that heart... maybe just wants company."

Soutarou:

(looks at Shin for a moment) "If that's what you need, I'm here."

(slowly, sincerely)

Shin:

(pauses, cheeks slightly red) "You say that, but you also need friends, right..."

Soutarou:

(looks at the river with a smile) "Heh... maybe we saved each other without realizing it."

#22

The calm flow of the river was suddenly broken by the sound of a louder gurgling water. The tip of Shin's fishing rod tensed, and the line was pulled hard.

Shin:

(panicked) "Eh?! Eh?! What's this?!"

Soutarou:

(wakes up in shock, sits up quickly) "Wow, got it! Pull, Shin, pull slowly!"

Shin:

(straining, face tense) "I pull, I pull! But it's so strong—! Is this a water monster?!"

Soutarou:

(chuckles) "It's just a fish, not a dragon! Hold the rod lower, don't panic!"

Shin:

(bites lip, resists the pull) "I'm not panicking! I just... got pulled a little!"

The fishing line tightens, and Shin almost falls forward. Soutarou quickly helps support him from behind.

Soutarou:

"Keep your balance! Don't fall into the river too!"

Shin:

(face red, keeps pulling) "If you fall, I'll drag the fish with me too!"

With one big pull and the last of his energy, a large fish finally jumps out of the water and lands near the bucket.

Shin:

(falls back, breathing heavily) "I... win."

Soutarou:

(smiles widely) "Yeah, you won. But you seem to be the most tired out of all of us."

#23

After a long fight between Shin and the fish, Soutarou took the bucket, moved the caught fish there, and looked very satisfied.

Soutarou:

(smiling proudly) "Well, finally there's a result. This has to be immortalized."

He opened his small bag and took out a black digital camera. He adjusted his position while looking at the small screen.

Soutarou:

(lifting the camera) "Okay, come here. Take a photo together. Shin, you come here too, don't run away."

Shin:

(standing lazily) "Why do we have to take a photo? I'm wet, my hair is messy..."

Soutarou:

(smirking) "That's what makes it natural. Look here—"

Click!

The first photo was taken, showing the three of them—Soutarou, Shin, and Akuro sitting on the bucket in a winning manner.

Soutarou:

(checking the results) "Good! Second photo, free pose!"

Shin:

(raises two fingers, pouts) "If this is it, I'll go freestyle, okay?"

Click!

The second photo is captured—Shin pouts while tilting his face, Soutarou laughs beside him.

Soutarou:

"Akuro, you too! Don't just stay still!"

Akuro flaps her wings and jumps onto Soutarou's shoulder, then puffs out her chest.

Click!

The third photo, with Akuro posing bravely on Soutarou's shoulder.

Soutarou:

"The fourth photo, us and the fish!"

He lifts the bucket filled with fish and approaches Shin. They both hold the bucket and smile broadly.

Click!

The fourth photo, the moment the winner shares their catch.

Shin:

(sees the result) "Hmmm... this isn't bad."

Soutarou:

(amazed) "Oh, you're smiling too."

They continue to take the fifth photo while staring at each other fiercely. The sixth, Akuro pecks the end of the fishing rod. Seventh, everyone is sitting relaxedly by the river. And eighth, a candid shot of Shin laughing unconsciously.

Soutarou:

(tidying up the camera) "Eight is enough. The memory is full of your embarrassing memories now."

Shin:

(face turning red) "I'll delete it tonight..."

(mumbling) "...if I can steal the camera."

# 24

After a fairly long photo session, they returned to their original positions on the riverbank. The water was still flowing calmly, the sounds of nature returning to dominate after their laughter had subsided. Shin sat cross-legged with a fishing rod in his hand, more seriously this time. Soutarou leaned against a tree trunk, enjoying the wind.

Soutarou:

(calmly) "You were so excited when you took the photo earlier, now you're like a silent monk."

Shin:

(still looking at the water) "This is... meditative. Silent but there's hope at the end of the rope."

Soutarou:

(smiles faintly) "Wow, you're philosophical."

Shin:

(grumpy) "Don't bother me, the fish will run away."

Soutarou:

(raises his hands pretending to surrender) "Okay, okay... His Highness Shin is concentrating."

Akuro, who had perched on a rock on the riverbank earlier, decided to take a nap this time. He folded his wings and flapped them a little as the wind disturbed his feathers.

Soutarou:

(whispers while looking at Akuro) "Look, the most useful bird today actually went to sleep first."

Shin:

(while slowly pulling the fishing line) "Because he knows we can handle this ourselves. He believes it."

Soutarou:

(looking at Shin with a warm expression) "And I... am starting to believe you are not just a runaway cat."

Shin:

(pause, then slow down) "I'm starting to believe too... I'm safe here."

They calmed down again. Only the sound of water and wind. A few more minutes will be their next moment, who knows... another fish? Or other memories captured without a camera.

#25

The afternoon breeze blew gently, bringing the fresh scent of the river and leaves. Suddenly, Soutarou's fishing rod which was originally still started to move wildly. The fishing line is pulled firmly in the direction of the current, making it immediately alert.

Soutarou:

(shocked) "Wow, wow—come here, don't run away!"

He stood up quickly and started to reel in the line slowly, maintaining tension. Shin immediately turned his head.

Shin:

(stands up) "Did it get caught?! Is it big?"

Soutarou:

(resists the pull) "It looks big... it's really heavy!"

Akuro, who had been sleeping, looked up at the small commotion. He prepared to fly again, but only watched for now.

Shin:

(approaches Soutarou) "Are you sure you can pull it up by yourself?"

Soutarou:

(laughs) "If you fail, get ready to jump into the river, help me!"

Shin:

(serious) "I'm not a water dog!"

Soutarou:

(tries to reel again) "Yeah, yeah. The land cat is on standby here."

The fish was still struggling hard at the end of the fishing rod. The line was taut, splashes of water began to appear on the surface. They looked at each other, waiting to see who would win this tug of war.

#26

Soutarou:

"Come on... come on... don't lose now..."

Shin:

"He's pulling harder! Don't let go!"

Soutarou:

"I know! I know!"

(slowly) "Pull... hold... let go a bit... pull again..."

Shin:

"Why do you look like you're playing a game?"

Soutarou:

"This is fishing, Shin. This is really a mechanical duel!"

Shin:

"Okay, focus! Don't let the line break!"

Soutarou:

(biting his lip, enduring the burden) "The fishing line is strong, but my arm is starting to ache..."

Shin:

"If my arm falls off, I won't be responsible."

Soutarou:

"I also don't want to just because of a fish!"

Shin:

"Okay, hurry up, win the fight!"

Soutarou:

"Trying!! This is the final boss fish!"

The line starts to loosen a little, but is quickly pulled back as the fish tries to escape to the side of the stronger current. Soutarou persists in maintaining his rhythm.

#27

Soutarou:

"Aaarghh…! Three minutes and he still hasn't given up?!"

Shin:

"What kind of fish is that?! Why is it so strong?!"

Soutarou:

"I don't know! But he has the stamina of a marathon runner!"

Shin:

"Are you sure it's not a river monster?"

Soutarou:

"If it is, I won't give up until he's in the bucket!"

Shin:

"Good luck, bucket hero!"

Soutarou:

"Don't bother me now, Shin! Focus… just a little bit more!"

Shin:

"If you lose… I'll call you 'the loser to the fish' for the rest of my life."

Soutarou:

(gritting teeth) "I won't lose… to a fish!"

Shin:

"Good! Show the world… that humans are stronger than fish!"

Soutarou:

"This isn't about humans or fish—it's about pride!"

#28

Soutarou still holds his fishing rod tightly, his breathing getting heavy. His left hand supports the reel, while his right hand continues to spin slowly, trying not to break the line.

Soutarou:

"He's... still fighting... is this a fish or a small titan?!"

Shin:

(looking seriously) "It's been more than five minutes, you know! Are you sure your hands aren't tingling?"

Soutarou:

"A little... but it's okay. This is... a challenge!"

Akuro:

(jumps on the edge of the rock, then looks at them) "Kreee?"

Shin:

"Akuro is surprised. Usually you've won since earlier."

Soutarou:

"Because usually... the fish don't ask for a duel like this!"

Shin:

"If you lose... don't cry."

Soutarou:

(narrowing his eyes) "I won't lose. Listen, fish. I'll pull you out, even if I have to swim deep there!"

Shin:

(shakes head) "So dramatic..."

Soutarou:

"Shhh... this is a critical moment!"

The fishing line loosened a little, but a moment later it pulled tight again. The fight wasn't over yet.

# 29

Soutarou began to concentrate all his strength. Sweat dripped from his temples, his hands gripped the fishing rod tightly which continued to tremble violently.

Soutarou:

"Hahh... okay... this is... the last one!"

(he stood up and pulled the fishing rod up forcefully)

Shin:

(gasp) "Huh?! Don't force it like that, or—"

Soutarou:

(grits his teeth) "No... can... lose... now...!!"

With one big pull, the fishing line tensed to its maximum, and finally... a large fish jumped from the surface of the water, wriggling a few times before falling right into the bucket beside him.

Akuro:

(screaming in satisfaction) "Kreeeee!!"

Shin:

(stands still for a moment) "Eh… That's really big…"

Soutarou:

(takes a deep breath, then grins) "Hahaha! I… won!"

Shin:

(tries not to be amazed) "Yeah yeah, the river hero… really great…"

Soutarou:

(grinning proudly) "Maybe we should make a special dinner for this one."

Akuro:

(opens his beak wide towards the bucket) "Kree!"

Shin:

(says softly) "Akuro will taste it first, of course…"

#30

After a long tug-of-war, Soutarou's fishing line jerks wildly once more. He pulls with all his might—but this time, what emerges from the water isn't a fish...

...but a large chest decorated with gold carvings, rising out of the river in a dramatic fashion, like a treasure from legend.

Soutarou:

(eyes widen) "Huh?! That's... not a fish...!"

The chest hovers at the end of the fishing line for a few seconds, then...

CRACK!!

It hits Soutarou hard in the face and sends him flying backward, rolling on the ground.

Soutarou:

(screaming) "UGHH—!!"

Shin:

(jumps up in panic) "S-Soutarou!!? Y-are you okay?!"

Akuro:

(flies down, grinning like he's laughing) "Krrr...!"