"Fishing? You?" Chie asked quizzically as she stared at the fishing rod in Yukiko's hands. "Where did this come from?"
"I got the rod myself," Yukiko said proudly.
"I mean, what's with the sudden fishing craze?" Chie clarified.
"Oh, well, you know how my cooking's always been kinda... awful, right?" Yukiko grimaced.
"Yeah?" Chie gave a sympathy wince.
"I think I figured out the problem. A good chef uses only the freshest ingredients, right? What's fresher than getting it straight from the source?"
"Uh... Yukiko? I don't think catching fish straight from the river is any different than just buying some at the store..."
"You'd think so, right? But get this," Yukikok said with sudden energy. "Yesterday, while we were exploring the TV, Yu-kun was looking pretty bad after a battle, but before I could heal him he just whipped out this huge fish, ate it all in a few bites, and was fully restored!"
"What!?" said Chie. "You've gotta be kidding me! An entire fish?"
"Yeah, I almost couldn't believe my own eyes, but that's what happened!" Yukiko replied. "I asked him about it afterwards, and he told me that he sometimes fishes right here on his free time, and that's how he got that fish."
"Seriously? Wow... of all days to not be in the main group."
"These fish are definitely special. If I use one of these in my cooking, it'll definitely improve the meal I make."
"I'm not sure about that," Chie said nervously. "But what the hey, count me in,"
"Thanks, Chie," Yukiko said warmly.
"You know, come to think of it, I think I remember seeing Yu-kun standing on that pier over there sometimes," Chie pointed to a stone dock. "Think that's his magic fishing spot?"
"Looks as good a place to me as anywhere," Yukiko shrugged.
Rod in hand, Yukiko walked over to the pier, with Chie close behind. Standing at the edge of the pier, Yukiko peered down into the mostly-clear water rushing on by. She thought she could see something swimming about. "Okay, here goes," Yukiko said, swinging back with the fishing rod and casting into the river.
"Nice," Chie said, letting out a whistle. "So, what's next?"
"I think I have to wait now, until I catch a fish?" Yukiko ventured.
"Ah, gotcha," Chie nodded.
The girls stared at the bobber intensely, waiting for something to happen. Five minutes passed. Which soon became ten, then fifteen. All without a bite.
"Ugh, we've been waiting forever. Something happen already!" Chie complained.
"That is quite odd. Which bait did you use, again?" an elderly voice popped up behind them.
"WAAH!" Chie and Yukiko screamed, with Yukiko almost dropping the rod. Glancing around, they saw an old man hunched over staring at them.
"Geez! Don't sneak up on us like that, you almost gave me a heart attack, old man!" Chie shouted.
"W-What do you want with us?" Yukiko asked.
"Your concentration's good, it seems," the old man continued, seeming to ignore Chie's outburst. "But I think there might be a problem with the bait you're using."
"Bait?" Yukiko asked.
"Just reel in your line, girl."
"Okay, okay," Yukiko complied while Chie stood on edge.
"Well, there's your problem," the old man pointed at the bare hook. "Your bait's gone and fallen off the hook. You haven't run out, have you?"
"Bait?" Yukiko asked, confused. "Chie, am I forgetting something?"
"I dunno, but maybe..." Chie shrugged.
"No bait!?" the old man stood up straight as a pole. "Is this your first time?"
"So what if it is?" Chie said, eyeing the old man with disgust.
"I thought so! Then what you two need are the basics! ..." he suddenly rambled into a long explanation about fishing before either Chie or Yukiko could say anything.
"...and that should be all you need to know, understood?" he asked.
"Uh..." Chie blinked, clearly having lost track.
"I... think I get it now," Yukiko said. Though a lot of the mechanics he mentioned such as the gauge bar, weather patterns, and Diligence escaped her, she thought that she was able to grasp the gist of what he said. "Um... you wouldn't happen to have any bait that we could use?"
"Why it just so happens I do! Ten of these aught to do you just fine for now," the old man grinned, handing Yukiko a bunch of strange meaty blobs.
"Uh, thanks..." Yukiko said, taking the pack. "So fish actually eat this..."
"Well, that's all from me, unless you need any refreshers. Oh! And if you'd like to trade me any fish you catch, I've got some nice items I can give."
"That's all right," Yukiko said. "I'm just here for the fish, really."
"Ah, spoken like a true angler. I'll leave you to it then!" he said, and shuffled off downstream along the riverbank.
"What a wierdo..." Chie said eventually.
"Yeah... though he did give us plenty of bait," Yukiko replied.
Yukiko place a piece of bait on the hook and wound up for another cast, the baited hook landing in the river with a plop.
"Now, how long do you think it will be until you-"
*whizz* the fishing line suddenly reeled.
"I-I have one!" Yukiko gasped, grabbing at the reel to start pulling it in. "It's pretty heavy!" she grunted, struggling to pull it in.
"Come on Yukiko, you can do it!" Chie cheered.
Yukiko pulled with all her might and... the line snapped!
"ACK!" Yukiko squawked, falling backwards flat on the ground.
"Yukiko!"
"I'm fine, ow..." Yukiko winced, rubbing her head. "I think I pulled a little too hard on that one."
"You sure you're gonna be okay?" Chie asked.
"I'm fine, really... Let me just get another hook,"
With line rebaited, Yukiko tried for attempt number 3.
"I've caught something!" Yukiko shouted with glee.
"All right! Remember, carefully this time."
With great care, Yukiko slowly reeled in her line. It was quite arduous, but Yukiko succeeded, reeling in... an old boot?
"What!?" said Chie.
"This just isn't fair," Yukiko grumbled, tossing the boot onto the beach behind her. "It even used my bait and everything."
"How did- wait, we probably don't want to know," Chie said, eyeing the booth with suspicion.
Yukiko sighed as she baited her hook once more. She could already see the sun start to head towards the horizon. Fishing was a lot more difficult and time-consuming than she thought it would be. She was already feeling drained; this was probably the last attempt she had in her for the day. Flinging her line into the river once more, she waited.
After a while, the telltale tug of the line was felt once more.
"I've got one! I hope this is it!" said Yukiko pulling in the line once more.
The line suddenly pulled back. She wasn't dealing with a boot this time. "Whoa!" Yukiko yelped, as she was pulled to the edge of the pier. "Ch-Chie?"
"On it!" Chie sprung up, dashed towards Yukiko, grabbed hold of her and pulled back. The struggle was great, but the pair was slowly making progress.
"Mmph! Almost there, you think?" asked Chie.
"I... I think so," said Yukiko, giving one last heave.
In the end-
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