The fishing itself had been fun, but the aftermath was a nightmare.
To determine a winner, we needed to tally the scores, and to store anything in our [Inventories], we first had to butcher the fish.
So, without hesitation, I started by butchering as many fish as possible.
As for the tallying method, the plan was to store only the catch from one team into our [Inventories] first.
Even though they were categorized by species in the [Inventory], the quantity was displayed numerically, so counting them that way was much faster than counting manually.
Once we recorded the count for one team, it was time to store the catch from the other team.
After that, all you had to do was subtract the first team’s total from the overall grand total to figure out the second team’s score.
The real hard part was butchering the fish, which we handled by working together as a group.
For anyone who really couldn’t stomach it, we didn’t force them.
It was all about putting the right person in the right place.
Since they were our friends, there was no shame in letting those who could handle the task do it.
Roa’s competence really shone through here, but with one hiccup after another, it took them until lunchtime to wrap things up.
In the end—.
“Looks like we won,” I said.
Though the Tsukai group had also made a massive catch, we managed to secure more fish than they did.
“Guaaah…! I lost…”
Moeko knelt on the ground, resting her hands and knees, visibly frustrated by her defeat.
Incidentally, with this method of tallying, they have no choice but to trust my word, though none of them seemed to mind that fact.
I suppose I’ve earned that much of their confidence.
Besides, even if I were to lie in a worst-case scenario, Shi-on from the opposing team would see right through it, so there’d be no point anyway.
“The childhood friend wins. And goes on a one-day date.”
“Ah, if that’s the case, then me too……”
“I shall consult with you about this again later.”
“Erm, ahem. I don’t think we should be asking students for such things, but declining here would ruin the atmosphere, wouldn’t it? It would also be ungrateful to dismiss your kind gesture so casually. Sensei, that is……the ‘that thing’ you mentioned earlier……”
Chi-yu, Shinpou, Roha, and Sensei Luminus referenced their request to me, which served as the reward for the winning team.
Of course, I intend to keep my promise, and I have a reward as well.
The right to make a request to every single member of the group.
Since I’ve already had my share of pleasant experiences, nothing comes to mind immediately regarding how I might use it, but the mere fact that I acquired such a privilege stirs up a strange kind of excitement.
Of course, I’m not about to ask them to do something they don’t want to do.
“Shoeko, you look really frustrated. What were you going to ask for?”
Shion stroked Shoeko’s back in a comforting gesture as she asked.
“Mm… Sōsuke and the others mentioned wanting to go to the beach before, but everyone was busy with various things, right? So I figured if we won, I’d ask again…”
Sure enough, they had talked about that before.
Since it was a request related to the sea, Shoeko remembered it clearly.
“No way! I want to go too.”
Shōbu reacted to Shoeko’s words.
“But what about our swimsuits?”
“Besides, we lost…”
Yume-gai said with a bored expression, while Gen-chū spoke in a dejected tone.
“The beach, huh…? If so, once we finish the deal with the remaining guys, let’s all go.”
At my words, Shoeko snapped her head up sharply. “Wha-? Really?”
“It’s what was promised before. Besides, it wasn’t a personal request from Shoeko; she just proposed that everyone go together, right? So, anyone who wants to can come along. Plus, we can gather materials from the beach area while we’re at it.”
With my “Craft” ability, seawater, seashells, seaweed, sponges, even sand—materials that would shine brilliantly.
“Hoo-rah!”
「By the way, regarding Dream World. It’s impossible to make full-fledged outfits with my power alone, but I can make swimwear. We’ve gathered just about everything we need now, so feel free to pick whatever you want in the Bonus Area too.”
”……Isn’t it true that Kuuno goes easy on Shouko?”
“Ai ai. Soji loves me a lot, after all~”
Shouko instantly started riding high on the compliment.
It was a bit frustrating that there was no denying it.
I expected some dissatisfaction to bubble up over having to fulfill Shouko’s wishes despite her losing, but nobody said a word.
More than that, they started chatting excitedly and cheerfully about what kind of swimsuits to choose.
I see… so everyone else actually wants to go to the beach too.
Besides, as I mentioned earlier, Shouko’s wish wasn’t a personal one; it was a plan to have fun as the entire party.
That must be influencing things too.
And then, right there, Shouko’s stomach growled.
“U-My tummy is empty… I don’t seem to end up being the ‘always hungry’ type here and there, do I?”
Her face was red.
Thinking back on it, it does feel like Shouko often complains about being hungry.
“That’s fine. I’m starving anyway, and it’s about the perfect time for lunch.”
“How about we go home and cook something up?”
I could just pull out the dishes Shion has stored in the [Inventory], but since we’re here, I’d really like to eat some fish dishes.
“That sounds good, but how about we eat right here? Look, you know how it is—like on TV—I actually want to try doing it myself.”
Several people who understood what Moushi was talking about, including me, nodded in agreement, “Ah, I see.”
Many people have likely seen footage on TV of someone grilling sweetfish over a fire by the river.
“Sounds good. Let’s do that.”
“I’ll help you out.”
Shion and Loa immediately sprang into action.
The tables and chairs we had set up before starting to fish were still there, so we decided to use them as is.
I prepared enough sweetfish for everyone, making sure to remove the entrails from those who couldn’t stand the bitter taste.
Some people say that’s the delicious way to do it, but it all comes down to personal preference.
With the shaping function of my [Craft Ability], handling those details was easy enough.
I also generated skewers in a snap and prepared some salt.
We gathered around the campfire, waiting for the fish to roast.
Before long, a wonderful aroma began to drift through the air.
By the way, I gave Sensei a bottle of red wine made from grapes.
I’m not an expert on alcohol, but based on a vague sense of how it should look, I generated a bottle and handed it to her along with a glass.
“Wha… Y-you really have booze out here on a desert island… Thank you, Kouno-kun.”
Her smile was beautiful, but the way she hugged the wine bottle against her arm made her look like a real drinker.
“It’s nothing. I can make more as soon as we need it, and once we’ve gathered enough ingredients, we can try making other types too.”
Right now, I was generating items strictly according to what the [Craft Ability] displayed, but as my own knowledge increased, I realized I’d be able to tweak various aspects even for the same wine.
Sensei seemed eager to drink right away, but she hesitated, clearly thinking about having to go search for the boys afterwards.
“Sensei, it’s fine. If you get drunk during dinner, I’ll just cure you before we set out.”
“Iyama-san… A teacher who gets this much care from her students is truly blessed. Well then, I’ll enjoy my meal!”
Sensei slowly poured the wine into her glass. She took only a tiny sip for the first one, savoring it on her tongue, but soon she started drinking glass after glass.
Then, her body began to tremble.
”……It’s delicious.”
It was a voice that seemed to come from the very bottom of her heart.
Sensei had arrived on the desert island on the ninth day, and since it was the tenth day now, she had actually been holding off on drinking alcohol for just one day…
Actually, I probably didn’t drink that often even before the transfer; I might have been pretty tough about it.
Either way, if you’re happy, that’s all that matters.
“Everyone, go ahead, it’s safe now.”
At Shion’s words, everyone reached out to grab their skewers.
The well-fattened salt-grilled fish was obviously delicious even before taking the first bite.
Though they were initially surprised by the heat, everyone quickly started gnawing on them enthusiastically.
Toasted and soft, with a saltiness that was exquisite in its ability to whet the appetite, I didn’t even notice until I had finished it off completely.
“This is bad—this is too delicious.”
I couldn’t help but mutter.
Even Moushi, who usually makes big reactions, ate silently.
“Fufu~ let me know if anyone wants seconds.”
One by one, almost everyone quietly raised their hands.
I stood up again to serve more sweetfish, followed by Shion and Roa.
And so, we successfully secured a large amount of fish.
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