Yoshino

That's fine for now.

Yoshino's lips curled up slightly.

She walked over to him and sat down on the rock.

The stone wasn't big; it was a bit cramped for two people to sit on.

Her shoulder was against his arm, her body slightly stiff, but she didn't move away.

His long, light blue hair fell down his arms, tickling him.

The rabbit doll in her arms suddenly moved.

"Oh dear, oh dear."

The doll's mouth opened and closed, making a crisp sound.

"I have a feeling that Higashino -kun has ulterior motives towards the cute Yoshino!"

Yoshino's face flushed red.

She lowered her head and covered the doll's mouth with her hand, but the doll's voice still leaked out through her fingers.

"If that's the case, I suggest you just confess directly, after all, Yoshino— "

"Waaaaah!"

Yoshino pinched the doll's mouth shut.

Her face flushed red, and her deep blue eyes were filled with panic, like a small animal whose mouth had been gagged but was still trying to make a sound.

Seeing this, Higashino Makoto couldn't help but smile.

I realized it while watching the anime; this guy is really funny.

The doll is named Yoshinon, and it is a keepsake left to her by Yoshino mother.

She projected another side of herself onto this doll; what Yoshinon said was actually what she herself wanted to say but dared not say.

"Yoshinon, stop talking!"

"Waaaaah!"

The doll was still struggling, Yoshino hugged it tightly and buried her face in its fluffy head.

Higashino Makoto did not press further.

He set up his fishing rod again, leaned it against the tree trunk, and looked at the water.

Yoshino sat quietly beside him, hugging a doll and looking at the water.

The rain has stopped.

Somehow, the dark cloud dispersed, and the sunlight shone down again.

"Mr. Higashino."

"Um."

Do you fish often?

"Not very often."

"Then why did you come fishing today?"

"Because I had nothing to do and suddenly wanted to rest quietly."

Yoshino tilted her head.

"You come fishing when you have nothing better to do?"

"Hmm. If you catch a fish, you eat it; if you don't... that's impossible."

Yoshino chuckled softly.

"Mr. Higashino is really interesting."

"Interesting?"

"Hmm, he's different from everyone I know, he's really amazing! Speaking of which, I've heard that fish you catch yourself taste better, is that true?"

Higashino Makoto thought for a moment.

"I guess so. But I fish for the sake of fishing; eating the fish is something that comes later, not the goal."

Yoshino looked at him, a certain light gleaming in her deep blue eyes.

"Is that so?"

"Yes, I just wanted to kill time, and with such a cute girl Yoshino with me, I wouldn't be bored even if I sat there all day."

Yoshino.

This time, she laughed even harder, the corners of her mouth curving wider, and her eyes crinkling into crescents.

The float sank.

Higashino Makoto lifted the fishing rod, and the fishing line drew out a silvery-white arc from the water.

A crucian carp was hooked, its tail swishing back and forth, its scales shimmering in the sunlight.

He took the fish off the hook and put it in the bucket.

"I caught one."

"Amazing!"

Yoshino leaned closer, looking at the fish in the bucket, her deep blue eyes full of curiosity.

"It's so small."

"Small ones are usually easy to catch, while large ones are cunning."

Are fish cunning too?

"Those who live long become cunning in everything, or rather, the simple fish have already been caught, so what's left are the more cunning ones."

Yoshino nodded, seemingly understanding.

The sun moved from the east to the west, and the number of fish in the bucket increased from one to more than a dozen.

There were big ones and small ones, crucian carp and common carp, and a whitebait of unknown species.

Higashino Makoto squatted by the bucket, looking at the fish huddled together inside. After thinking for a moment, he poured them back into the river.

Only the largest crucian carp was left, estimated to weigh over two pounds.

Yoshino stood beside him, watching the fish swim back into the river.

Aren't you going to keep it?

"If you can't finish it, just keep one."

He lifted the bucket from the ground, and the crucian carp inside thrashed about at the bottom of the bucket.

"Come on, let me treat you to dinner."

"Well?"

"Let's eat, and while we're at it, have someone cook this fish for us."

Yoshino looked at the fish, then at him.

"May I?"

"Sure."

A slight smile played on her lips as she followed behind him.

The restaurant is located in the eastern district of Tengu City. It specializes in fish dishes. The restaurant is small, but it's very popular and almost full.

Higashino Makoto carried the bucket inside. The owner, a middle-aged man, saw the crucian carp and his eyes lit up.

"Wild?"

"Fished in the river."

How to do it?

After thinking about it, Higashino Makoto realized that he wasn't a professional chef, so it was better to leave it to them.

I just mentioned it because I thought Yoshino didn't seem to like spicy food.

"Take your time, don't make it too spicy."

"Okay."

The boss took the bucket of water and went into the kitchen.

Higashino Makoto and Yoshino sat down at a table in the corner.

She sat opposite him, her hands on her knees, her back ramrod straight.

Her long, light blue hair cascaded down her shoulders, the ends gleaming softly under the light.

The rabbit hand puppet is always on her hand and never leaves her side.

"Yoshino."

"Um."

"How old are you?"

Yoshino's fingers tightened slightly.

"Secret... secret."

Higashino Makoto looked at her but didn't ask any further questions.

The power I just obtained from Nia can be directly accessed, but after thinking about it, I decided against it.

If I remember correctly, she turned into the Elf Kingdom at the age of thirteen.

In terms of actual age, she is already in her thirties.

She's only younger than Kurumi and Nia, but by any measure, she's a legal loli.

He didn't expose him, and simply nodded.

Yoshino lowered his head.

Steamed crucian carp and braised crucian carp were served.

Higashino Makoto picked up a piece of steamed food and placed it in Yoshino's bowl.

She looked at the piece of fish, then at him.

"Try it."

She picked up a piece of fish with her chopsticks, put it in her mouth, chewed it, and swallowed it.

"Is it tasty?"

"Um."

She smiled and gave a thumbs up.

Higashino Makoto tasted it and confirmed it was absolutely chef-level skill. Was it true that true masters were often found among ordinary people?

To be able to randomly pick a shop and get thrown into such a skilled player—that's definitely protagonist treatment!

It was already dark when we left the restaurant after dinner.

Streetlights illuminated both sides of the street, and neon lights flickered on the distant high-rise buildings.

Higashino Makoto walked ahead, with Yoshino beside him.

"Mr. Higashino."

"Um."

Thank you for treating me to dinner.

"You're welcome. You helped me catch the fish, so you got a share too."

Yoshino lowered her head, a slight smile playing on her lips.

The two reached a crossroads; the light was red.