'Omero, he's coming your way!Finish him off!
'Yes, sir!
'If you miss, you'll be punished!
'What?

Immediately after I said that, Omero stiffened up somehow.
Oh, my God, you idiot!
Why are you stopping now?

When the prey is right in front of you, no matter what, no matter what happens, you must kill it!
That's the ironclad rule of the river fishing guild, isn't it?

Sure enough, the prey ducked under Omero's feet and fled to deeper water.
You can't beat a fish in the water.

If I had scales and fins like Masha's, I would have never let my current prey escape. ......

'd*mn ......'.

I slam my fist into my palm in frustration.
At the same time, the surface of the river rippled, and Omero's entire body hair stood on end. ...... What is it?Is that a threat?


'Huh?'

What the hell is this guy talking about that's so stupid?
Did he think he could lower his salary just because he missed one?I won't be so reluctant to pay you that you'll starve to death.
Our river fishing guild is making a profit because the demand for salmon is exploding.
And it's all thanks to Yashiro. ............

'......!

Suddenly, my heart starts to hurt.
No. Actually, it's been hurting all morning.

I'm trying to cover it up. ............

'Omero ......'.
'Yes, yes!
'You can go home for the day. Tell the others to do the same.'
'Yeah......' 'Oh, yeah. We've caught enough for today.

When Omero said this, I looked into the fish basket and saw that the salmon were crowded together.
I don't know if I've caught this many ......

'Oyakata. What's going on?
'What?
'Today, your spirit or ...... aura is tremendous. If you're worried about something, please go to .......'
'There's nothing here!

I bared my fangs and yelled at him.

...... No. This is not 'business as usual'.

'...... bad'.
'Oh, ............ no, ......'

Omero cowered.
He's always so jumpy and unreliable. He's good at what he does, though. ......

'Omero. Go back to the guild with your catch. I'll take care of the fish.'
'Ha, ha............ eh, master's not coming back?'
'I'm .......'

No.
Even if I go back to the guild now, I won't be able to be 'normal'.

'I'll keep fishing a little longer.
'But, but ......, I've already ...... for today.'
'I have to stay as usual!

Otherwise, ............ Yashiro will forget about you. ............ I'm sorry.

Regina said.
Regina said that we should not do anything wrong and just do what we always do.
But what's "business as usual"?
What am I always doing?

The more I think about it, the less I understand.
I'm in a hurry. ......

If you don't do the 'usual' thing, Yashiro will think you're ............

'Anyway, I'm going to catch a salmon!
It's a great way to get the most out of your time and money.

Omero rises from the river with a reserved smile.
He transferred the salmon in the fish basket to a barrel and left the riverbank with the large barrel.
Again and again, looking back at us, but without saying a word, Omero leaves.
The others followed Omero.

I was the only one left on the riverbank.

The fish basket is empty.
If there's an empty basket there, fill it with fish before nightfall.
That's what the river fishing guild has been doing for generations.
So I'm going to ............ 'as usual'.



'Oh, shit!

Scratch the surface of the river and you'll get a splash.
I feel like a fool even to myself.
Fishing like this is just taking it out on me. ...... This is not 'business as usual' at all. ............ But I don't have any other choice... .........

'Oh, you're so energetic!
'What?

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.
It was as if electricity ran through my body. ...... It was a shock like when I was hit by an electric eel.

I turned around and saw Yashiro standing on the bank, waving at me.
Before I knew it, the sun had risen, and the morning sun was casting a shadow over Yashiro.

Yashiro is there.

'............ Guffaw!

In an instant, the scene in front of me blurs. It's squishy and hazy.
But don't cry.
I don't always cry. I have to be "the same as always. ......

I try to hold back my tears and pretend to wipe away the splashes.
Once you've got it down your throat, ............ sigh ...... haha ...... ......Okay.

'Yashiroo~!

I wave to Yashiro in my usual voice, as usual.
I climb out of the river and run towards Yashiro.

Hahaha. That's weird.
I'm just running, but I'm having fun.
Yashiro is getting closer and closer to ............ right in front of me.

'What's wrong?Are you hungry for salmon?'
'Then I'll go to the sunlit pavilion.
'Why not? It's fresher here, you know.It's still alive.
'Even if it's too fresh, it's ideal if it's ...... grilled.'
'Grilled salmon!It's delicious!I love it too!
'Yeah, ...... I feel like we're getting off track, but ...... that's okay.
'Oh!Good!It's good, isn't it, grilled salmon?

I'm glad.
I don't know.
Talking with Yashiro makes me forget all the bad things and worries I have.

'By the way, you're a big guy.
'Huh?'

I followed Yashiro's gaze and found a salmon in my right hand.

'Why is it here?
'No, you caught it, didn't you?

Did I?
Well, yeah.

But... ......

'It's not a big fish at all, is it?
'Is it?With this much, you could make a grilled salmon set meal for ten people, right?
'I can eat that much by myself!
'Where do you think you're competing with, ......?

Because, you know, this is not really a big fish.

'I just chased down a much bigger salmon. But Omero suddenly stiffened up and ...... missed it.'
'Stiffness?What's going on?
'I don't know, but when I said, "If you let him go, I'll punish you," he suddenly said.
'It's because it's .............'
'Hmm?'

I feel like Yashiro is making a face like 'ouch ouch ......'.
What is it?Do you know how Omero feels?
You're so cocky, Omero.

'Anyway, I'll wash it next time.
'Don't do it. That's too unreasonable.'
'But you know, ...... it was really big.'

When I think of the fish's shadow running away, I can only sigh.

'I wish I could have caught it and shown it to Yashiro. ......'

I'm sure Yashiro would have been surprised to see that big fish, and he might have complimented me with ............ 'That's great, Delia! I'm sure Yashiro would have been surprised to see that big one and praised it. Then .................. he might not forget about me... ......... I thought.

............ Ouch.

'Splash!
'What's wrong, suddenly?

I pretend to wipe the splash and wipe my tears.


Oh, man. You'll be wet all the time in the river.

I'm stuck on ......, I swear.

'Hey. Is the fishing over yet?I don't see anyone else.

Yashiro scurries along the river.
Sometimes, when he comes to take a peek, our fishermen are catching fish here and there.
He's probably comparing it to that.

'The others are done. But I'm going to ...... some more .......'

I don't know.
I don't know if I should say, "I'm continuing to fish because I don't want to be forgotten by Yashiro.
That's not "business as usual," is it?
What should I say then?
Let's see: ...... Let's see: ............

'Well, you're trying to catch that big fish you missed, aren't you?
'Huh?...... Oh, yeah!Yeah!That's right!

I didn't know what to say, so Yashiro gave me a reason.
I really like Yashiro. He always helps me when I'm in trouble. No matter how small it is.
Even though he's so thin and small, he's more dependable than anyone else. ............ He's a great guy, Yashiro.

'Do you mind if I observe for a moment?
'Observe?
'I want to see how they fish.
'I want to see it too!Let's watch it together!
'No, I want to see you catch it!
'Then let's catch it together!
'Huh?

That's a good idea!
That's a good idea!

I want to catch the big one I just missed with Yashiro.
I'm sure I can catch it with you.

...... I wonder...
When I'm with Yashiro, I feel like I can do anything.
I feel that there is nothing impossible in this world.

'What?Let's do it together.What?What?
'I'm just here for a ...... visit and I don't have a ............ change of clothes or anything, so please go easy on me.'
'Yes!

I pulled Yashiro's hand and returned to the riverbank.


...... Yashiro's hands are warm.


'Alright!I'm going to catch a big one!
But first, do something about the salmon in your right hand.

When I looked at my right hand, I found a salmon still there.
How long are you going to stay there?...... This salmon is...

'Yashiro, put it in the fish basket.
'Hey!You threw it out of nowhere!

When the salmon was thrown, Yashiro failed to catch it and was hit in the face. I'll be back.
...... Pfft!

I'm not sure what to do.What are you doing, Yashiro?
I'm not sure what you're talking about....... What's that fishy smell?
'Hahahaha!

I wiped my face with the sleeve of my dress and said, 'Smell! I'm sure you'll agree that this is a great idea.
It's fun.
I'm having fun.

I always feel like this when I'm with Yashiro.

After all, Yashiro is good.

'Yashiro.
It's okay.

When I call his name, he responds properly and looks at me.

'Hee hee. I'm just calling you!
'What's that, ......'

It's a gesture that makes your lips pout and turn away. ...... Magda says it's a habit of hers when she's embarrassed.
So, Yashiro was embarrassed now? Hahaha. That's cute.

'Yashiro is so cute!


'You too.'
'What?

Suddenly, he said that and my heart squeezed. My heart squeezed so hard that blood rushed to my face. In an instant, my face became hot.
...... What is it? ............ Don't say things like that all of a sudden. ......

I'm not sure what to do, but I'm going to do it.
.............

I'm doing the same thing as Yashiro.

'Hmmm ............ kuku kuku ...... hahahaha'.

What? What?
We're the same.

I guess we're similar, me and Yashiro. I'm kind of happy.

'How long are you laughing?

Yashiro crunches my hair and pats me on the head.
............. It's embarrassing, so please don't do it out of the blue. ............ No, please don't do it out of the blue. But not too suddenly. ............

'Let's go for the big one.'

He gives me a thumbs up and sticks it out at me.
I don't know, that's... That's very motivating.

'Yeah!Don't think you can get away from me, river master!
'Now you've shut yourself in, haven't you, Lord?

The river master wouldn't be scared of that.
He's the River Lord, right?He's the strongest.
Yashiro is a funny guy.

The water is cold. ......'

With his pants rolled up to his knees, Yashiro enters the river.
He walks unsteadily to the middle of the river.

'Yashiro. Be careful, because it gets deeper suddenly over there!
'Oops!It's ...... true. It's really deep from there.
'That's where the Lord is.'
'Wow, looks like he's there .......'
'That's why he's there.

I enter the river and go next to Yashiro.
Yashiro can swim, but the river is dangerous. A little carelessness can be fatal.
I'll always be within reach, and I'll protect him.

Always be within ...... reach. .................. Gosh.

'Hmm?What's wrong?'
'Splash!

Turn your back and wipe your tears. Pretending to wipe away the spray, of course.
I'm not crying. I'm going to catch fish 'as usual'!

'Then don't teach me how to catch fish.
'A professional lecture. I'll be sure to listen.

Yashiro is always positive in these situations.
He never says you can't do it or that it's impossible.
If he came to the river fishing guild, I'd make him vice guild leader in a heartbeat.
The other fishermen agree with me on this point.
Omero said, 'I really wish you'd come, bro! he said.

Teach him the technique, and he'll get good at it.
Yashiro can do it.

'First, find a fish. A good one.'
'And how do you know which one it is?
'A good salmon is one that makes you drool the moment you see it.
'...... You're the only one who can tell.'

Why is that?
When you see a good salmon, you drool, right?
Even the guests at the sunlit pavilion were drooling.

'So, when you find a fish, what do you do next?
'I'll catch it!
'So, tell me how to do that!
'With a mighty 'bang! I'll do it!
'That's so out of order!
'Really?Then, go to ...... and say, 'Goon' and then 'bash!
'You're not increasing the amount of information!

What the hell!
I'm not sure why you don't get it!



'Well, okay. Anyway, one of us should drive the fish into the shallows, and the other one should kill it.'
'Yes!That's Yashiro!You've understood my explanation perfectly!
'...... I don't mean I understood your explanation.

It's Yashiro after all.
It looks like he's learned how to catch fish.

'Then, I'll dive down deep once and lure the Lord out.
'What do you mean, "lure him out"?
'I'll go on a rampage around the nest!
'...... That's not 'lure out', that's 'drive out'. ......'

What's the difference?
What's the difference? As long as the Lord comes out, that's all that matters. You're a stickler for the weirdest things.

'Well, I'll be back in a bit!
'Wait a minute!

As I began my preparations for diving, Yashiro stopped me with a panicked look.
What is it?
You don't need to worry. I'm a good swimmer.

'No, I mean, ............ you, you know, ......'.

Yashiro averted his gaze and stammered.
I feel like my face is red.

'......When you swim, you're completely naked, right?'
'Huh!

I'm not sure if you've seen this before, but I'm sure you've seen it before. ...... But that's because the people around me were all old men around my dad's age, and they all knew my dad, and I was much smaller. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea. ...... ...But!
After I met Yashiro, ...... I started to pay more attention to such things. ............ I felt embarrassed to be seen, I've been thinking about it for a while now,...... and I've become more careful about my clothes,............ and when I swim, I wear the swimsuit that Yashiro gave me. ......When I go fishing, I keep my clothes on. ...... So, so, so!

'No, you can't be!
'No, because Omero once told me ......'
'That was when I was a kid!
'It's from ...... last year, isn't it?
'I'll delete Omero for now!
'No, wait!When I was a kid!It's okay, it's from when I was a kid!Don't delete anyone!

d*mn it, ......, I'm gonna wash that Omero guy, ............. I swear I'm gonna wash it!I'll bleach it!

'I'm going under with my clothes on, so don't ...... look at me like I'm crazy!
I'm not looking at you.

You'll be able to find a lot more information on the web at .................., but you don't have to say it outright at ......, You're not interested in me? ............

I'm not going to ask you why your ears are flattened. ......'

Yashiro is approaching me, licking his lips.
Then, suddenly, he crinkled my hair again, this time twice, and stroked me.

'Be careful if you go. I'm sure you'll be fine, but the river can be dangerous.'
'Yes!All right!

Oh, ...... I love Yashiro.
He's the only one who cares about me like this. He's so kind.

Then, I'm off!If the Lord comes out, drive him to the shallows over there.
'Yes!I'll leave it to you.'

We exchanged glances, and I jumped into the deeper water.
All I can hear is the sound of water, and the water pressure tightens my body slightly.

I can no longer hear Yashiro's voice. ............ Let's lure the Lord out and return quickly.

This is the only place where the water is almost three meters deep, and the Lord is roosting on the bottom of the river in the deepest part.
Usually you can't kill him because you're alone, but if you're ...... alone, you can ............ kill him with Yashiro... ...

'......GaboGabo (Come out, Lord!I'm going to kill you today!

I'm not going to be able to do it.
A large number of air bubbles are generated on the riverbed and swirl upward.
The turbulent current that was forcibly created flowed into the Lord's roost and ...... the Lord appeared from the hole in the river.

The Lord is fleeing upward from the bottom of the river at great speed.
The Lord is running away from the bottom of the river at great speed.
But there's Yashiro up there.
There's nowhere for you to run, Lord!

He swims as fast as he can, lagging behind the Lord by more than ten seconds. ......

'Aha!Yashiro, where's the Lord?
'Ah!I've got him cornered now,......, and he's sticking around.

What's that?
What's that?
Yashiro let out a strange cry. Is that it?I'm not sure if it's a good idea or not.



'Crabby and boisterous!
'You don't have to copy me!And anyway, help me. He's so fast, it's hard to push him!
'Oh!I'll take care of it!

He kicks the bottom of the river and rushes to Yashiro.
He was dexterously guiding the Lord into the shallows, using a wide wooden plank that he had brought with him.
He's so smart. ...... I'll copy him next time.

'You, go around the other side!I'll drive him over there!
'All right!Don't let him get away!
I'll do my best!

I'll hunt down the Lord who has eluded me so many times.
I'm sure you and Yashiro can do it.

It's strange.
I have a feeling it'll work out with Yashiro.
You're so confident now.

'Yashiro!I'm ready!
'Wait a minute, this guy's too fast for ............, don't go that way!
'What are you doing, Yashiro?It's not that way!This way, this way!
I know what I'm doing!I know! But, ............, come on, come on!
'Guard it with a board!Yeah!Then kick the water to disrupt the current!Yes!And finally, stretch your arms out!About two meters!
You can do it!

I'm so close to .......

'Do you want me to help you?
'Sure!You stay where you are!
'But come on, .......'
'I'll definitely lure you there!Trust me, you'll be waiting there!

.................. My heart clutched at my chest.

'Trust me.'

...... Yeah. I believe in you, Yashiro.
I'll always believe in you.

'I believe in you, Yashiro!Hang in there!
'Oh!Watch me!

Yeah. I'll watch.
I'll always be watching you.

'All right!He's going your way, Delia!
'What?

Electricity shot through my body.
My mind went blank, and my body went rigid.

When the prey is right in front of you, no matter what, no matter what happens, you will get it!

......, but it was impossible.

Yashiro is ......
Yashiro's ............

'Hey, what are you doing, Delia?

Yashiro shouted, and a huge salmon ran past my legs.

'Oh no, it's gone!

Yashiro comes up to me, lapping at my feet.
He lets out a breath of disappointment and looks at me.

'What's wrong with you, Delia?
'............ languid!

Yashiro said ...... 'Delia'. ......

He called my name!

'ugh ............ eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
'Hey!Delia!
'Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!
'You're crying, aren't you?

She sank to her knees and sat there, splashing water from the river.
No, I can't stand up anymore. ......

'Are you that frustrated?Don't worry, you can try again next time. See?



No, it's not.
It's not. ......

I don't care about the Lord, Yashiro.
I'm ...... I'm ............

'Yajidoooooooo!
'Oh, God. Yes, yes. I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

No, no, no!
I'm happy!

'Yashiro...... Yashiro............ Yashiro-oh!

She clung to his waist and buried her face in his stomach.
I hate this. I absolutely hate this.

I'll make sure to put my scent on him so he doesn't forget!

He crinkles and crunches, and now he strokes me over and over again.
I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea. ...... It's strange ...... that when you're with Yashiro, all the things that make you anxious, lonely, sad, and uncomfortable turn into things that make you happy. ............ But it's still strange. ...... I'm so happy, but I can't stop crying. ......

Suddenly, something touches my face,
There is something strange in Yashiro's clothes. ............

When I took my face away for a moment, a seed tumbled from the hem of Yashiro's clothing.

This is the one that's going to ............ store Yashiro's memories.

I was going to crush it right away, but I'm not going to do that now. I think it would be better to give it to Regina and have her check things out.

I'd rather feel the warmth and smell of ............ Yashiro just for now.
I want you to stroke my head more.


So I buried my face in Yashiro's stomach once more and cried in the river.
I may sound like a child, but it's okay, right?
you like kids, right?

Yeah. Just for now, it's okay.


'Gosh, ............ hey, Yashiro, ...... what's your name?
'What?Did you forget your name?...... are you okay, Delia?'
'Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!Yashiro-oh!
'Oh, my God, ...... yes, yes. Okay, okay.'

Oh ...... it's strange ............ I'm always happy when I'm with Yashiro.
It's strange. ...... I wonder why. ............