I sit at the table, facing the small girl named Marina. She stares at me intensely, a fake smile plastered on her face. In the corner, the old man sways in his rocking chair, as if none of this matters.
— Ahem… It's a pleasure to meet you, Marina. — I say with a slight smile. — I'm Rafael.
— …Tell me, what are your skills? — she asks, completely ignoring the introduction.
— About that… I have almost none. Just [Gatherer], [Cook], [Stabber], [Fisherman], and [Survivor]. — I reply, avoiding mentioning the ones that don't make sense for a simple fisherman.
She watches me in silence, serious, probably trying to guess if I'm lying. But all I see is that cute face forcing a severe look, which actually makes me more comfortable.
— So you really are just a fisherman… — she comments, as if pondering about something, although I know there's nothing to ponder on.
— You could have just asked your grandpa. He'd tell you the same thing.
Her smile falters. Seeing her mask almost fall makes me want to laugh, but I hold it in.
— Punk, stop bothering my granddaughter and just say what you're going to do. — the old man grumbles, joining the conversation.
— Old man, can't we negotiate? — I ask, looking at him. — Is there any way you can find me a job until, at least, my arm gets better?
— What do you think I am? A recruiter? — he retorts impatiently. — If you have no idea, just go to the church.
— So that really is the only option… — I murmur, sighing.
For a moment, I think about asking the old man for shelter, but that would be too much after all he's done for me. I accept that my destiny, for now, will be the church.
As I dwell on these thoughts, Marina is still watching me.
— Hmph, so you're nothing but a fisherman. — the girl says in a snobbish tone. — I've wasted my time talking to someone like you.
— Sure, sure… — I reply, not caring.
— What's with that attitude?! Do you even know who you're talking to?!
— Marina, right?
— Yes… No! …I mean …Yes, I am Marina! But do you know what family I'm from?!
— The old man's family.
— Exactly! …No, wait, that's not what I meant!
I watch the girl, who tries to maintain an elegant pose but fails to control the conversation. I feel an immense urge to laugh, but I hold it in.
From her mannerisms and the way she speaks, she is undoubtedly from an influential family in the region, perhaps even the family that owns this city.
— So it's very likely I'll never interact with her again… — I think, containing my smile. — But, since the old man seems like nothing more than a fisherman uncle, maybe I'll see her again.
— I'm from the famil- — Before she can finish speaking, her voice is cut off.
— Wow, that's incredible! I never would have guessed you were from such an important family! — I interrupt, feigning surprise.
— But I didn't even say the name yet!
Seeing that the conversation is going nowhere between us, the old man intervenes with a sigh.
— Haa… What are you two doing?
— Well, old man, I appreciate everything, but if I stay here any longer, your granddaughter is going to start using her family name against me. — I say, getting up from the chair. — So, goodbye. I'll see you the next time I go fishing!
I walk out the front door, taking one last look at the girl, who once again is paralyzed, not knowing how to react.
She probably had never been treated like this, especially repeatedly. If her family is really that influential, maybe she was spoiled like a princess, which would explain her difficulty dealing with me.
— Since asking the old man for help failed… let's go to the church. — I conclude.
My new plan is simple: to live peacefully, because I never want to go through the same struggle I had on that island again.
It's a shame my plans never work out…
[To be continued…]
[???]: And so the real story begins, but first, we'll have to go back and look at the protagonist's skills.
[+++]: Could you not talk to yourself while I'm working?
[???]: Okay…