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Blacksmith's Shack.
Kogasa presented two brand-new "fishing rods."
They were essentially oversized steel exorcism needles with iron wire tied to the end.
"Master, how is my craftsmanship?" Kogasa beamed, swinging the rod.
SWISH.
The sound of metal slicing air was terrifying. If this hit a fish, it wouldn't be caught; it would be smashed into pâté.
"Awesome!" Leo lied (mostly). "Let's head home."
It was a bit different from a fiberglass rod, but hey, if the Umbrella could fish with its tongue, Leo could fish with a steel needle.
The Farmhouse.
Leo and Kogasa walked home under the umbrella.
The lights were on.
"Chen is back early?" Leo was surprised. Usually, the cat fished until 2 AM.
He peeked through the window.
Chen sat at the table, head in her hands, looking like a depressed middle-aged salaryman.
Opposite her sat four Flandres.
Flandre 1: "If you ask me, just drain the water! Suck the lake dry!"
Flandre 2: "Unrealistic. Get Cirno to freeze the lake. Then we smash the ice."
Flandre 3: "Cirno lost to a frog. Let's go to Eientei. Buy poison. Genocide Route."
Flandre 4: "Electrocution! Ask Nitori to hook up a power line. Zap!"
"Listen to me!" "No, listen to me! I'm the Main Body!" "Who cares?! It's 3 vs 1!"
The Flandres started brawling under the table.
Chen sighed. Why did I ask them? They share one brain cell.
She turned her head.
Five eyes were pressed against the dark window pane.
"MEOW!"
Chen's fur stood on end. She pointed at the window, trembling.
"Ahem."
Leo opened the door.
"I'm back. And I brought new family members."
The Umbrella (One-Eyed Xiao San) hopped inside, shaking off water like a wet dog. Kogasa sat on Leo's shoulder.
"This is Tatara Kogasa and Xiao San. From today on, they live here."
Leo placed Kogasa on the table. He looked at Chen.
"Meow," Chen avoided eye contact. "Hello, Xiao San. Leo, you should rest. I'm going out."
She grabbed the brawling Flandres and dragged them outside.
A secret mission.
Leo nodded. He ate his dinner (Rice and Jam) and watched them leave.
Once they were gone, he pulled out his phone.
[Chat: Poor Orphaned Mother and Daughter (Ran)]
Leo: Are you there? The cat went out late. She seems depressed. What happened?
Gensokyo. The Lost Home.
"Ran~~ My feet are cold," Yukari whined from the sofa.
Ran sat at her desk, tails working furiously. She ignored Yukari's icy feet.
"Lady Yukari. You don't care about Chen. She was bullied by a fish! You could have vaporized it with a finger!"
"Ran," Yukari sighed. "We can't spoil the child. Plus, that fish has World Protection. We have to wait until Leo asks for help. It's social etiquette."
"Hmph."
Ran's tail vibrated. She checked her phone.
"See? Even Lord Leo noticed immediately!"
She typed furiously.
Ran: I'm here. Chen was beaten up by a fish today. The Sage of Youkai refused to help. Don't worry, she's finding a solution.
Stardew Valley.
Leo read the message.
Beaten by a fish?
Ah. The Legend.
The Rainy Day Spring King. The Newbie Killer.
Chen must have encountered it. Without Level 10 Fishing and Iridium Rods, it was impossible.
Leo: Understood. I'll quietly prepare some supplies. I won't help directly. Let the child grow.
He put down his phone.
He needed to cook.
Dish of the Sea: Fishing +3. Trout Soup: Fishing +1. Trap Bobber: Slows escape bar decrease. Cork Bobber: Increases fishing bar size.
Leo went to the kitchen.
Operation: Catfish Support begins tomorrow.