The shimmering waves under the starlight, the lively fish, the cold-faced Laplace, and the lip-pressed Angel together formed the silent waters of this moment.
The still atmosphere persisted for a full minute before Laplace slowly lowered her eyes: "This fish doesn't count as one I caught."
After speaking, Laplace picked up the fishing basket and placed it on the water's surface. With a flip of her hand, the basket tilted downwards, and the fish inside rolled and flapped out, followed by a "plunk" as the serene water surface blossomed with moon-white splashes.
Angel watched as the fish swam into the shallow bottom, waving its tail as it disappeared into the distance.
It wasn't until the fish completely vanished underwater that Laplace's expression returned to calm, as if nothing had happened before.
Laplace glanced at Angel without speaking, but the look in her eyes was clear: Aren't you leaving?
Angel coughed lightly: "Actually, there's something else I wanted to tell you."
