Episode 6 – Meet Up With the School’s Madonna

The sky was dimly lit as the morning sun was rising, and the temperature was normal considering that it was May, and I felt a little chilly in my long-sleeved clothes.

I was waiting for someone in front of the station, which was almost empty of people, except for the occasional elderly jogger.

I was studying for an exam that day when I bumped into Watanabe san and she asked me to take her fishing.

She had given me several hints that she was interested in fishing.

The first time we went fishing, she seemed to be enjoying it, and she was even interested in the fried fish I made.

I’ve talked about fishing many times, so I guess she decided she wanted to experience it at least one more time.

“……I didn’t sleep much.”

Fishing for a long time is a physical challenge. Moreover, I’m looking forward to it more than usual because it is an expedition that straddles prefectures.

“But even so……”

I’m not able to concentrate my mind on fishing this time because I have other things to worry about besides fishing.

In case you’re wondering, it’s not that I’ve never been out with a girl before. I even had a childhood friend until she transferred to another school, and we even slept over at each other’s houses.

But when it comes to the school’s madonna, it’s a different story.

I felt strangely uncomfortable when I thought about the fact that such a beautiful girl was smiling at me and talking to me in a friendly manner.

Based on my past experience, Watanabe san would probably initiate the topic and I would respond to her, but I could not depend on her communication skills forever.

I should entertain her by talking about topics myself.

However, while I can talk endlessly about what I like, I’m a useless person who can only think of topics related to school classes.

I don’t even know what she likes, so I had to think until dawn about how to talk about it.

“Fwuaah…….”

I couldn’t help but yawn and wipe my tears,

“Sorry to keep you waiting !”

Watanabe san came running. She was wearing jeans, a shirt, and a hat. At first glance, it looked like a boyish outfit, and I couldn’t help but admire it without replying.

“Aikawa kun?”

Watanabe san peeked out from below with curious eyes as she approached me. I couldn’t tell her why I had fallen silent.

“It’s okay. The train hasn’t come yet.”

Since the first train was leaving, I had set an earlier meeting time, so there was no problem.

I checked her gear.

I told her that we were going fishing, so she should wear comfortable clothes and not bring anything too valuable.

Watanabe san was carrying a shoulder bag and a basket.

I guess she keeps her wallet, phone, and other small items in her bag, but what was the basket?

As I stared at her, she hid the basket behind her back.

“Ehehehehe, it’s still a secret.”

And then she smiled softly with a little blush on her cheeks.

“Yeah, I don’t see anything wrong with that, so let’s get on the train.”

I put the cooler box on my right shoulder and carried my backpack.

I have prepared all the necessary equipment for today’s fishing trip. The bag was bulkier than usual because it was for both of us.

“Okay, I’m looking forward to working with you today.”

She called out to me as she came up behind me.

This was the first time since I entered high school that I had gone out with a girl.

“We are going to the next prefecture today, right?”

Once we got on the train, it automatically took us to our destination.

We put our luggage down and sat down next to each other.

She immediately asked me about the place we were going to visit today.

“Yeah, have you ever been there before?”

“I’ve only been once when I was a kid on a trip, but it was by car, so I don’t remember much about it……”

The train was empty, probably because it was the first train, and there were a few people with fishing gear for the same purpose as ours.

But as a matter of etiquette, she leaned in close when talking to me and tried to speak in as quiet a voice as possible.

I felt a little awkward because of the distance between us,

“And yet, this is the first time I’ve ever taken a train ride away from home. Fishing is awesome !”

She seemed to be enjoying herself as she looked out the window at the view.

“Fishing is totally different depending on the time of year and the place. If you want to catch a variety of fish, you have to go far away.”

I normally fish in the neighborhood, but sometimes I go on expeditions like this. When I do, I still enjoy the scenery of the train and the atmosphere of the fishing grounds, just like Watanabe san does now.

I was relieved that she was not bored.

We talked about fishing, school, the midterm exam, and so on. Before we knew it, the hour and a half we were jolted by the train had passed, and we had arrived at our destination station.

“Wow…..the sunrise is so bright.”

The sun was shining on the surface of the sea, perhaps because it was a little after sunrise when we arrived at the station.

A sunrise at the beach is a great location and a state of mind for anglers to be at their most excited.

I led her inside after paying at the facility’s reception desk.

“Ah, I have to pay.”

“Don’t worry, I used my ticket.”

This is a well-known sea fishing facility with clean toilets and a store, so women can fish in relative peace.

When I’m on my own, I can go to a rougher fishing port, but since I’m going all this way, I want Watanabe san to accumulate pleasant memories.

Perhaps because I was traveling by train, I was unable to enter just after the doors opened, and the tip of the embankment had already been taken by regulars.

“I’ll get right to it. Here, put this on your hip.”

“What is this one?”

“It’s a life jacket that goes around your waist. It is an absolute requirement that you wear at least something to protect yourself at a controlled fishing facility like this.”

Some facilities will lend you one, but for today, I’ll let her use my spare.

While she was putting on the life jacket, I was quickly assembling the rod and preparing the hooks.

In fact, there are certain times of the day when fish are most likely to be caught. Early in the morning is the best time to fish, which comes only twice a day.

If we are slow here, it will make a difference in the catch of the day, so I don’t want to cut corners to entertain Watanabe san.

“H-how is it? Does it look good on me?”

She was wearing a life jacket, and her hair, which was tied back, swung like a tail as she made a quick turn on the spot.

“Y-yeah……it looks good on you.”

Is it really my secondhand?

Just the way she wears it, it looks one rank higher, like a high brand.

After getting myself together and finishing preparing for fishing, I give her a lesson on how to fish.