Episode 4,9:"Riverlight Chronicles: The Adventures of Shin and Soutarou"

# 31

Soutarou slowly gets up while holding his cheek which is red from being slapped by the chest earlier. Shin stares at the chest with curiosity mixed with wariness, while Akuro is already busy trying to open the chest lid using his beak.

Shin:

(steps slowly towards the chest) "Is that... really treasure? How could it be in the river?"

Soutarou:

(stands up, still a little unsteady) "If this is a trap... it's the most deliberate trap ever."

Akuro:

(pecks the side of the chest, then turns to Soutarou) "Krrrk!"

Soutarou:

(sighs, then crouches beside the chest) "Yeah, yeah... I'll open it slowly, don't eat the contents yet."

Carefully, Soutarou touches the latch and opens the chest lid. When it opens, a golden light immediately shines towards the three of them.

Shin:

(raises his hand to cover his eyes) "So dazzling! Wow... is that real gold?!"

Soutarou:

(gawking) "This is... ancient jewelry? Gold coins? There's a scroll of manuscripts too..."

Akuro:

(sitting on the edge of the chest, looking proud) "Krrr."

Shin:

(low tone, slightly amazed) "Could it be... this isn't an ordinary river? This place seems to hold a lot of secrets."

Soutarou:

(smile) "You noticed, huh? Ever since you came, strange things have been happening all the time."

Shin:

(pouting slightly) "So it's my fault, is that it?"

Soutarou:

(laughing softly) "Not really... you're just like a magnet for weirdness. But you also bring good luck."

Akuro:

(spinning in the air proudly, then landing on Shin's head)

Shin:

(stupid face) "...Akuro, you're heavy. Get down."

Soutarou:

(chuckles softly) "The strangest morning... but also the most exciting."

#32

Soutarou pulls a scroll from the chest and begins to slowly unwrap it. At first he thought it was an ancient document, but when he unfolds it completely, he can clearly see lines and symbols that form a map. In the middle of the map, there is a picture of a waterfall with a symbol of sparkling light shining from behind it.

Soutarou:

(squints, noticing the details) "This... is not an ordinary manuscript. This is a map."

Shin:

(comes closer and looks) "Map? Map to where?"

Soutarou:

(points to the part of the waterfall) "It looks like this leads to a waterfall in the north... near the Dreamland forest. Look, there's a symbol of light here."

Shin:

(tilts his head, curious) "Why is the map kept with the treasure? Could it be... that place is more important?"

Soutarou:

(serious tone, but his eyes are sparkling) "Could be. Or maybe... that place is more valuable than the contents of this chest itself."

Akuro:

(approaches and looks at the map, then quickly turns to the north as if understanding)

Shin:

(glances at Akuro) "Don't tell me you also understand the map..."

Soutarou:

(smiles faintly) "If Akuro points the way, we might get there before anyone else."

Akuro:

(spreads his wings wide, then flaps as if to say he's ready to go)

Shin:

(stands up slowly) "...If this is a new adventure, you won't drag me into other rivers, right?"

Soutarou:

(laughs) "No promises."

They look at each other for a moment, before looking back at the map—as if they know that this will lead them to something much bigger than just treasure.

#33

After staring at the map for a long time, Soutarou slowly rolls it up and slips it back into the chest. He carefully closes the chest, then pushes it to the safer side of the ground, slightly hidden behind the bushes.

Soutarou:

(sits back down on the riverbank, holding his fishing rod)

“We’ll take care of the map later… For now, let’s spend the day in peace.”

Shin:

(glances at the chest, then focuses back on his fishing rod)

“If this all leads to another strange adventure, I’ll pretend I didn’t know…”

Akuro:

(stands on a rock, with a guarded expression)

“Krraaak!”

Soutarou:

(glances at Akuro, grins slightly)

“Calm down, big guy. We’ll discuss the map together tonight. Now let’s go collect some fish for dinner.”

Shin:

(smiles slightly, but remains focused on the water’s surface)

“…Yeah. Besides, this is the first time I’ve felt at ease in a long time.”

A gentle breeze gently sweeps across the river. The sunlight dances on the surface, and three different creatures sit silently, peacefully, beneath the vast blue sky.

# 34

After seeing the contents of the treasure, they sat back down on the riverbank. Each of them had their fishing rods in their hands, and the calm flowing water once again witnessed the moment of togetherness.

Soutarou:

(straightens his fishing rod, leans back casually)

“Let’s go back to the real world first… We need a catch for dinner.”

Shin:

(holds the fishing rod enthusiastically, his ears moving slightly)

“Yosh… This time I’ll win big.”

A few minutes passed. Shin’s float began to move wildly, and he skillfully pulled his fishing rod. He managed to pull one, two, even three fish in a short time.

Soutarou:

(sees Shin’s results, chuckles)

“Your luck is crazy today. Akuro could lose.”

Shin:

(looks at the fish he caught with a gaze that is… adorable and full of taste)

“…It looks really delicious…”

He brought the fish a little closer to his face, his tongue sticking out a little unconsciously.

Soutarou:

(quickly reprimanding, while holding back laughter)

“Hey! Don’t eat it raw, hey! This isn’t sashimi! Wait until we cook it!”

Shin:

(frowns, ears drooping slightly)

“Hmpf… I was just looking…”

Akuro:

(from behind, lifting one leg as if to sarcastically say: “yeah, just looking~”)

Soutarou:

(glancing at Akuro then back at Shin)

“I don’t believe you were just ‘looking’. Your eyes are like a predator’s…”

Shin:

(slowly moving away from the fish bucket with an awkward look)

“…No, I’m not a predator, I’m just… hungry.”

Soutarou:

(laughing softly)

“Relax, we’ll grill it together later. This time you win.”

A gentle wind blew again. In the middle of the forest and the river, their small laughter filled the air, bringing peace before the next adventure began.

# 35

Time keeps going by, and Shin is getting more serious with his fishing rod. After previously successfully catching 3 fish, now he is getting more agile and precise every time his float moves. Meanwhile, Soutarou just sits back and watches, as if watching a small ‘massacre’ in the fishing world.

Soutarou:

(leaning against a tree with an amused smile)

“Okay, that’s the fourth fish, Shin. Are you serious about emptying this river?”

Shin:

(pulling the rod deftly, another fish rises)

“Five!”

Soutarou:

“...Five, noted.”

Akuro:

(from the top of the tree, looking with his mouth open—shocked and amazed)

Shin:

(continuing to pull one by one with a focused gaze)

“Six… seven… eight!”

Soutarou:

(surprised tone)

“Huh?! Are you using a cheat?!”

Shin:

“This is… instinct.”

Soutarou:

(laughs out loud)

“Your cat instincts are too much. I’m not even in the mood to pull the rod anymore.”

Akuro:

(turns over as if giving up, then continues to sleep on the branch)

Shin:

(continues to pull again)

“Nine… ten…”

Soutarou:

“…This is bad. We can’t let this happen. We’re going to have a natural freezer tonight.”

Shin:

(still in high spirits)

“Eleven! Twelve! Thirteen!!”

Soutarou:

(approaches and grins)

“I should start calling you ‘River Predator Shin’.”

Shin:

(smiles proudly)

“Fourteen… and—fifteen!”

The 15th fish was successfully pulled out and put into a large bucket. The bucket was barely big enough to hold them all.

Soutarou:

(stares for a moment then pats Shin's shoulder lightly)

“That's awesome. We don't have to fish for the next week.”

Shin:

“Yay~ keep eating well!”

Akuro:

(approaches and tries to sniff the bucket in hopes of getting a bonus)

Soutarou:

(giggles)

“Okay... you get a share too, Akuro. But the rest is for us.”

Shin looked at the bucket full of his catch with sparkling eyes. That day, he was officially crowned by Soutarou as the most terrifying angler in the small house.

# 36

Soutarou:

“Fifteen against two... huh... the most humiliating defeat in the history of fishing.”

Shin:

“You could say, you were humiliated by a cat.”

Soutarou:

“Being talked about like this makes it hurt even more.”

Shin:

“I told you, my instincts are sharp.”

Soutarou:

(complaining while carrying a bucket)

“Yeah yeah, river predator instinct. I’ll tell you to look for shellfish tomorrow too.”

Shin:

“Okay, as long as you don’t make me take a bath again.”

Soutarou:

“Deal. But you’re still the one who lights the stove, okay?”

Shin:

“I’m a fisherman, not a chef.”

Soutarou:

“Huh?! So I, the loser, have to cook too?! This isn’t fair!”

Shin:

“The loser has to accept fate.”

Akuro:

(short voice) “Kraa~!”

Soutarou:

“Look, even Akuro agrees with you… you feather traitor.”

# 37

Shin:

“It’s getting hot, huh… the sun is right overhead.”

Soutarou:

“It’s broad daylight like this, the fish are starting to be lazy about catching fish.”

Shin:

“I’m also starting to be lazy about moving… I feel like sleeping under a tree.”

Soutarou:

“If you sleep there, don’t blame me if you have dreams about fish.”

Shin:

“I’m more worried that you’ll cook my fish without permission.”

Soutarou:

“Hmm… good idea, but no. I’m still sane.”

Shin:

“Thank goodness.”

Akuro:

(spreads his wings and perches on a rock) “Kraa…”

Soutarou:

“Look at Akuro, he’s starting to look for shade. How about we go home now?”

Shin:

“Okay… but you’re the one carrying the bucket, okay?”

Soutarou:

“Why is it always me?!”

Shin:

“Because I won 15-2.”

#38

Soutarou:

“Haaah… Alright, I accept my defeat with an open heart…”

(lifting two buckets full of fish)

“…and my hands are full of burdens.”

Shin:

“A rare sight, Soutarou lifting two buckets at once.”

Soutarou:

“This isn’t rare, it’s tragic.”

Shin:

“If you want, I can help… cheering you on from behind.”

Soutarou:

“Oh, thanks for that… fake cheer.”

Akuro:

(flying above them, whistling loudly)

“Kraa!”

Shin:

“Even Akuro is teasing you.”

Soutarou:

“Awesome. I’m the official joke of the day.”

(walking slowly)

“Let’s go home before I change my mind and cook you first.”

#39

Shin:

(turning head quickly, glaring)

“Did you just say… cook me first?”

Soutarou:

(slowly turns away, pretending not to know)

“Huh? Did I say that?”

Shin:

(walks closer quickly)

“Repeat it. Repeat it. I want to make sure my ears didn’t hear wrong.”

Soutarou:

(shrugs, small smile)

“Maybe I meant… with love?”

Shin:

(shoulders raised, cat ears perked up)

“With love, your head! Do you think I’m a fish?!”

Akuro:

(flies low and imitates the “kraa” sound twice, as if laughing)

Soutarou:

“Whoa, calm down, calm down. Don’t ram me with your ears, Shin!”

Shin:

“Watch out if you say something weird again. I’ll mark what you just said!”

(points at his face with two fingers, then at Soutarou)

Soutarou:

“Message received, Mrs. Sharp Ears.”

#40

Shin:

(with red face and bulging eyes)

“Ms. SHARP EARS YOU SAY?!”

Soutarou:

(laughs while slowly backing away)

“I was just kidding, Shin! Relax, relax!”

Shin:

(breathing up and down, claws out)

“THAT’S CROSSED THE LINE!”

Soutarou:

(panicked face)

“Okay! Okay! I’m sorry! Don’t use s—”

Shin:

(jumps towards Soutarou)

“RAAWR!!”

Soutarou:

(runs towards the house)

“I DON’T WANT TO BE SCRATCHED TO DEATH BY A CAT!!”

Shin:

“STOP!! STOP RIGHT THERE!!”

Akuro:

(following from above while screaming like a wrestling audience)

“KRAAA! KRAAA!!”

Soutarou:

(already at the door, but stumbles)

“Aaagh! My foot—!”

Shin:

(jumps and lands directly on his back)

“THIS! IS FOR! WHAT YOU SAID EARLIER!!”

(claws at his shoulder—light enough but makes him regret it)

Soutarou:

“AAAA—SHIN! THAT FELT REAL!!”

Shin:

(sits on his back, crosses his arms)

“So I’ll learn a lesson! You ignorant human!”

#41

Soutarou:

(lies on the floor, wincing)

“Geez… I give up… Shin, you can be a ninja, you know that?”

Shin:

(wags his tail while sitting on the sofa)

“Hm. Watch your mouth next time.”

Soutarou:

“Lesson learned… Oh, I forgot another bucket, huh?”

Shin:

(looks outside)

“Leave it, get it later—”

Akuro:

(appears from outside flapping his wings, holding the bucket handle with his beak)

Soutarou:

“...Huh?! Akuro?!”

Shin:

“He brought the bucket?!”

Akuro:

(lands with a flourish, places the bucket in front of the door and turns around with a proud expression)

“KRAAA.”

Soutarou:

(smiles amused)

“Today’s hero, huh?”

Shin:

“...Can’t he cook too?”

# 42

Akuro:

(Kraa! screams loudly, flapping his wings in annoyance after hearing Shin's sentence)

Shin:

(looks around quickly)

“Huh? What is it, a chatty bird—”

(Akuro immediately turns around and with a quick movement, he enters the house. A few seconds later, he returns while carrying a small container filled with water in his beak)

Soutarou:

(raise an eyebrow)

“Ehh... Akuro? What are you doing?”

Shin:

(backs away slowly)

“Don't tell me... don't—”

Akuro:

(KRAA!!)

quickly, he splashes the water right at Shin

Shin:

(screams like a cat hit by water)

“AAHHH!!! GAAHHH!!! COLD!!”

Soutarou:

(holding back laughter, almost falls while holding his stomach)

“Pfft—! Hahaha! Perfect revenge!”

Shin:

(stands up with fluffy feathers and an annoyed face)

“Insolent bird... You wait...!”

Akuro:

(spins in the air with satisfaction, then lands and nods slowly at Soutarou)

Soutarou:

“Good job, Akuro. But now we all need to change, especially that one cat who’s soaked."

#43

(After the little chaos died down, the atmosphere started to calm down again. Shin sat on the floor with wet hair and ears, still pouting. Akuro stood nearby, tidying up his fur. Soutarou came over with a small towel.)

Soutarou:

(crouching in front of Shin, offering the towel)

“Okay, peace out? I’m sure the water isn’t that bad…”

Shin:

(accepting the towel, sighing)

“…Hmph. Okay. But only because I’m too lazy to make a fuss again.”

Akuro:

(kraa… soft voice this time, then he turned his face away as if he didn’t care)

Soutarou:

(smiles slightly, sits down next to Shin)

“Besides, it’s better for us to get along… than splashing water on each other, right?”

Shin:

(wiping his hair, softly)

“…I might bite him later if he splashes me again.”

Akuro:

(Kraa! Shout loudly, then jump up onto the wooden shelf, as if saying ‘Try it if you dare!’)

Soutarou:

(laugh softly)

“Well, your version of peace… is enough for me.”

After the commotion from morning to noon died down, the house was calm again. The fish that had been caught were put in the kitchen, and Shin had changed into his dry clothes. Akuro perched on top of the cupboard, his eyes staring intently at the window.

Outside, the sun was starting to tilt, a thin orange color covering the trees. Soutarou took a deep breath, feeling at peace—for now. But far away among the trees… a pair of binoculars were silently watching from behind a bush.

Meanwhile, the hunters (episode 5)

In the distance, two figures dressed in dark forest camouflage were crouching, lurking from behind the thick foliage. One of them was holding a pair of digital binoculars, while the other was writing something down on a handheld communication device.

Hunter 1:

“Target alive. Captured by thermal camera along with two other subjects. No signs of active defenses.”

Hunter 2:

(checking screen)

“Safe range 200 meters. We’ll continue surveillance tonight. Wait for air unit’s signal.”

Hunter 1:

“Copy that. Shin won’t be able to run anywhere. Not here…”

The forest wind blew softly, but the aura of menace was already starting to be felt. The disaster had begun, silently—and tensely.