Chapter 152
“Maybe the fish are having a ball today.”
Muttering to herself, Sarubia reeled in the fishing line to replace the bait that had been swept away by the current.
“Should we head back?”
Worried that she might lose interest if she didn’t catch any fish, Rufus asked.
Sarubia shook her head.
“I’ll stay until I catch one.”
“You’re surprisingly stubborn.”
“Surprising? I’ve always been stubborn. Didn’t you know?”
Sticking out her tongue, Sarubia quickly resumed her fishing. Soon, her humming floated over the flowing river.
If I die,
I will become a single drop of rain,
To wash away your tears.
“…”
Rufus gazed at Sarubia, who was sitting beside him.
Her well-styled hair shimmered like ivory, fluttering in the breeze strand by strand. As he turned his gaze toward the swaying hair, her clear eyes met his.
Her eyes were like the sun.
Bright and untouchable, such pure eyes.
She shone like the sun, illuminating even the driest branches in the shadows. Only then did Rufus understand, to some extent, the feeling of a moth drawn to a flame.
Even if he were to burn, it didn’t matter.
If he could dwell in her radiant light until his last moment, if he could reach her light before he died, if only that were possible…
“Ah! It’s here!”
Suddenly, Sarubia exclaimed softly and sprang to her feet. At the same time, Rufus’s admonishment followed like a shadow.
“Sarubia, don’t stand up so suddenly!”
“Hold on, Rufus! This is real! I’ve got a bite!”
Sarubia was right. Her fishing line, submerged below the water, was taut, ready to snap at any moment. What kind of big fish could this be?
“It’s a big one! I caught a fish!”
Excited, Sarubia began to jump up and down in place. Each time she did, Rufus felt like he was being thrown to the ground.
“Sarubia, don’t jump. You’ll fall into the water.”
Rufus tried to suppress his anxious feelings and cautioned her. However, his words didn’t seem to reach Sarubia’s ears.
“Rufus, come help me!”
Groaning, Sarubia struggled with the invisible fish. Seeing this, Rufus quickly joined her in reeling in the line.
“It must be a giant fish! What did it eat to grow this big? I’m jealous!”
Panting, Sarubia pulled the fishing rod with all her might. But the fish seemed determined not to be caught.
A large shadow moved rapidly under the transparent water. The fish splashed so vigorously that white foam erupted on the surface.
Every time the fish thrashed, water splashed onto the rock where Rufus and Sarubia stood.
“Gah! That’s cold!”
“Be careful, it’s slippery.”
This was no ordinary fish.
“Rufus, use your strength! You were so good on the bed!”
“Why bring that up all of a sudden!”
Embarrassed, Rufus raised his voice without realizing it.
Meanwhile, the fish continued to struggle fiercely. The force it exerted with its jaw was formidable. It felt as if the fish were catching the people, not the other way around. The fishing line was as taut as a slingshot string.
A foreboding feeling washed over him.
“Sarubia, I think the line might…”
Unfortunately, his intuition was correct.
Snap!
The thin line connecting the rod and the fish broke. At the same time, Sarubia lost her balance.
The wet rock was slippery enough.
“Uh…?”
She didn’t even have time to scream properly.
Splash!
Sarubia vanished into the water.
“Sarubia!”
Rufus threw down the fishing rod and hurriedly searched for Sarubia. Her head bobbed to the surface.
“Ah! Cold!”
Fortunately, the current wasn’t strong. Sarubia floated in place, splashing around.
Rufus sighed in relief, but that relief evaporated like a drop of water in a furnace.
“What? My body is sinking…”
Sarubia’s head, precariously floating, submerged again.
“Sarubia!”
He didn’t have time to think twice. Throwing off his coat, Rufus dove into the water after her.
***
“Ugh, it tastes awful.”
Back on the rock, Sarubia spat out water. She was drenched from head to toe, as was Rufus, who had pulled her out of the water.
“You… can’t swim, can you?”
“Yes, as you can see.”
Sarubia replied, squeezing water from her hair.
Rufus sighed.
“Then why did you tell me to save my grandmother if you both fell into the water?”
“What?”
“Never mind, it’s nothing.”
Muttering, Rufus draped his discarded coat over Sarubia.
Sarubia sniffled.
“Sorry, I got you wet because of me.”
“It’s alright.”
Rufus looked around briefly.
The wind was chilly. Staying here could make them sick.
Should they return to the palace?
But it would take an hour to get back. They might get worse on the way back.
Discussion
0 CommentsReactions
No comments yet.