Victor turned his head and saw Ethan running over with his Buizel.
Arriving in front of Victor, Ethan was a little out of breath.
"Sorry, Owner, for making you wait."
"We just got here ourselves."
Victor motioned that it was fine, then looked behind Ethan. No backpack.
He wasn't even carrying a fishing rod himself.
"Ethan, the fishing rods—"
"Oh, I already put them on the boat. We can just head straight over," Ethan said, catching his breath.
"Oh." Victor nodded. On the boat, then. That's fine.
Wait a minute.
"On a boat?" Victor was puzzled.
Weren't they just going fishing? Don't tell me we're going sea fishing?
"Yep, on the boat." Seeing Victor's expression, Ethan finally understood.
"It's like this: you know I bought a boat, right? It's specially for sea fishing. And while I'm out, I also sell tickets to other fishing enthusiasts who want to fish from the boat. I just charge a small fee," Ethan explained.
Oh, so that's how it was.
That's pretty good, buying a boat and renting it out.
"You... bought a boat?"
"Just a small one. Let's go, Owner." Ethan gestured as if it were no big deal.
He then led Victor towards where his boat was docked.
When they arrived...
Victor was speechless.
You said you saved 'a little money' from your job? How 'little' are we talking?
Staring at the massive yacht in front of him, Victor didn't know what to say.
But he followed Ethan on board anyway.
There were already a dozen or so fishing fanatics waiting on deck.
Their attire was very familiar to Victor.
Youngster? Fisherman? Is that you?
"Everyone's here! Let's get going!" Ethan shouted.
He then led Victor up to the observation deck.
"Owner, you can sit here for a bit. I'm going to pilot the boat. I'll call you when we reach the spot."
Victor looked around. It was a good spot for sightseeing.
He nodded at Ethan. "Thanks for your trouble."
Ethan laughed, waving it off as nothing.
Ethan then went to pilot the boat. With a lurch, the boat set off.
Victor sat on the deck, quietly watching the scenery with Gengar and the others.
It really was a different kind of view.
Flocks of Wingull flew in the sky, and schools of Finneon swam alongside the yacht, following it into the distance.
As the yacht moved on, more and more Pokémon that couldn't be seen in the shallow waters began to appear.
Mantyke, Mantine, a Mantine with a Remoraid attached—
And, of course, splashing Magikarp.
The sea breeze blew Victor's bangs across his forehead.
He breathed in the scent of the ocean.
Victor took out his camera and snapped one picture after another.
Although he was curious why no one else came up to this deck, he was happy for the quiet.
No unnecessary socializing, just his Pokémon beside him. This was the kind of time Victor loved most.
He was admiring the photos he'd taken of his Pokémon when the yacht came to a stop.
"Owner, we're here," Ethan called up to Victor from the stairs.
Victor put his camera away and stood up.
He followed Ethan down to the main deck.
The other fishermen had already found their spots and started fishing.
No needless chatter. Their eyes held only the desire to fish.
Ethan led Victor to his usual fishing spot.
He got a rod for Victor, and seeing the curious Gengar, he got one for it too.
"You try it too, Gengar."
Gengar took the rod and politely said thank you. It then learned how to use it from Victor and Ethan.
After getting the general idea, Victor confidently cast his line.
"Um, Owner..."
"Hm? What is it? How's my form? Not bad, right?"
"The form is fine, but... Owner, you didn't put any bait on the hook."
Victor's face flushed red.
"You don't get it. This is 'Jiang Taigong fishing'—the willing will take the bait."
"Jiang-who? Whose grandpa?" Ethan was completely confused.
Victor just laughed it off, then viciously tugged the tail of the Gengar who was laughing mercilessly at him.
Psssssshhhh~
He then made a funny face at the Lilligant and the others who were also laughing.
Lilligant, not one to back down, immediately made one back.
The other Pokémon followed their "big sister" and all made funny faces at Victor.
Watching the interaction between Victor and his Pokémon, Ethan smiled.
He then helped Victor put bait on his hook.
Plunk~
The sound of the line hitting the water.
Ethan, Victor, Gengar, and Buizel stared intently at the bobbers on the water's surface.
After getting a nod from Victor and Ethan, Lilligant and the others began to wander around the deck.
Mime Jr. and Gothita, however, came to Victor's side and quietly asked something.
Victor nodded, then turned to Ethan.
"Ethan, is there a kitchen on this boat?"
"Sure, do you need to use it?" Ethan replied, a bit puzzled.
Victor shook his head. "Not me. Mime Jr. and Gothita want to make us some snacks so we can focus on fishing."
"That's great! The kitchen is just down the stairs," Ethan said, looking at them.
Mime Jr. and Gothita nodded and politely excused themselves.
Victor and the others went back to fishing.
Victor was very focused. He knew fishing was an activity that required patience.
Just as Victor was daydreaming about catching a Magikarp...
The fishing rod next to him started to move.
Victor turned. Gengar had a Golden Fruit Stick hanging out of its mouth.
It was pulling hard on the fishing rod.
"Must be a big one."
"Gengar, pull in the opposite direction it's moving!"
Gengar nodded. With the snack in its mouth and its black glasses on, it pulled hard against the fish.
"Now! Pull hard!"
Ethan shouted. Gengar floated into the air, lay back 180 degrees, its short legs kicking wildly as it floated backward.
With a final heave...
A giant Remoraid was pulled up by Gengar.
Looking at the Remoraid flapping on the deck, Gengar gave a peace sign.
Victor smiled and took out his camera to snap a picture.
In the photo, Gengar was holding a Remoraid that was using Water Gun, a Golden Fruit Stick in its mouth, black glasses on its face, giving a peace sign.
Just then, Ethan's rod started to move.
He skillfully reeled in the line.
Just as the fish was about to be hooked, the line snapped.
"Oh-ho, you think you can get away from me?"
In a flash, Ethan stripped off his clothes, leaving only his shorts.
"Buizel, let's go get it!"
With that, he dove into the sea.
Buizel jumped in right after him.
Watching the churning water, Victor was stunned.
This is how you catch your fish?
Victor was shocked to see Ethan resurface, holding an Octillery.
Is that fishing method of yours... even correct?
His Buizel was still repeatedly slapping the Octillery in Ethan's arms with its tail.
...
Get 10 chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"