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Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2022
- Messages
- 1,078
- Likes received
- 16,754
Thank you
Chapter 32
New
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2022
- Messages
- 1,078
- Likes received
- 16,754
Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 32
Karlos was smiling the whole time he returned to the beach, his steps light but swift. He even gave the young men 30 pesos. It was 10 pesos more than he usually tipped them, something that made them happy.
His pace quickened as he carried his belongings with excitement. When he reached the house, the twins giggled while Maya tickled them on their soft, chubby bellies.
"Wife!"
Karlos was so excited that he dropped his belongings under the Kubo without even glancing at them and entered the house without restraint.
"Did something happen?" Maya was confused by his sudden entrance and burst of energy.
"I earned 18,000 pesos today." Karlos lowered his voice, but it was obvious he was excited. His blue eyes shone, mesmerizing Maya.
"You earned what!?"
Maya was so surprised that she stopped cuddling with the twins and sat upright.
"Here."
Karlos handed her the stack of money, proud of his accomplishment. Maya accepted it, surprised to find the cash crisp and new. So new it still had the distinct scent of freshly printed paper. Each bill was a crisp 1,000-peso note, fresh from the bank.
She counted them with growing disbelief and wide eyes.
Eighteen pieces of 1,000-peso bills.
18,000 pesos!
"How did you earn this? You caught a Leopard Coral Grouper and Yellowfin Tuna or something?" she asked curiously, clutching the bills, still unsure whether to be happy or suspicious.
She recalled how when she was young, her father had to spend two days at sea just to earn the same amount. And even then, it was a brutal process filled with risk and exhaustion. He also had to spend money on food and water to survive those two days.
But Karlos was different. His only expense was the fuel. He didn't even like eating the crackers Maya prepared for him every night because he was too focused on the sea to think about snacking. In that regard, Karlos had better profits and clearly much better luck.
"That's right! I caught two Leopard Coral Groupers and a Yellowfin Tuna! Then I sold them to a rich boss from a big yacht I encountered on my way back. He didn't even blink when I told him the price."
"... Tell me honestly, Karlos, you're not doing something illegal like trafficking drugs, right?"
Maya stared at him seriously, her eyes filled with equal parts concern and disbelief. Earning 5,000 pesos per sail was already overwhelming for someone like her, who had grown up by the sea and seen all kinds of "miracles." And now, her husband had brought home 18,000 pesos, something even more shocking.
"What are you talking about? Maya, do I look like I'm crazy!? I'm a law-abiding citizen." Karlos was offended by the accusation. He even frowned at her for accusing him wrongly.
"Alright, alright. I'm sorry, I just want to make sure."
Maya realized she had said something hurtful. To fix it, she hugged Karlos... intentionally rubbing her breasts against his shoulder in a way she knew always melted him. It usually worked.
"I'm sowwy, you're not mad at me, right?" she said in the most adorable way she could muster, complete with a pout and teary eyes that made Karlos' feelings melt quickly.
He sighed and hugged her back as if all his frustrations were washed away in that single embrace.
"I'm not mad at you. How can I be? I love you too much."
Maya bit her lip slightly to hide her smile, her heart fluttering from the warmth of his words. She tried to control her lips from curling up. She really liked it whenever her husband professed his love for her. However, she knew the situation was quite sensitive to smile openly.
"I'm sorry, babe. I'm just worried that you're doing something that could endanger you. I was just so shocked when you said you earned 18,000 pesos. You also didn't bring a receipt. Besides, catching a Yellowfin Tuna is a very hard thing to do. I don't think your fishing rod can handle that kind of fish."
"I'm not lying. I really caught a Yellowfin Tuna and two Leopard Coral Groupers," Karlos replied with a serious expression, as if defending his honor in court.
"I believe you," Maya answered sincerely after a few seconds of quiet internal debate.
"You're a guy who's not good at lying," she added, poking his chest with a gentle finger.
"I'm sorry. You'll forgive your wife, right?" she gave Karlos the teary eyes again, just in case.
"I forgave you." Karlos sighed with a mix of surrender and amusement. He couldn't hold a grudge against his wife, not when she looked that adorable.
They stared into each other's eyes for a moment that felt like the world had paused for them alone. The tension between them was heavy. They shared a passionate kiss filled with forgiveness and lingering desire. If not for the daylight and the lack of condoms, the couple might have shaboinked right then and there without hesitation.
Still, they shared a deeply intimate kiss and skinship that would linger in their memories all day.
They only stopped when they found Iñigo peeing his diaper, and Arabella followed suit in a synchronized sibling moment. The couple giggled at their kids' innocent expressions despite their dirty deeds.
Maya put the money in the secret compartment inside the cabinet.
"I believe you. I'm sorry for doubting you. I know you caught two Leopard Coral Groupers and a Yellowfin Tuna."
"Alright, I get your point. I'm not mad anymore." Karlos sighed. He might have been angry earlier, but Maya's kiss had erased his anger like waves smoothing the sand.
Maya stood up and changed the kids' diapers with practiced grace, humming softly.
As he watched his family, Karlos had an idea that made him raise his eyebrows in sudden realization.
"Babe, how about we buy strollers for the twins? They're getting bigger and harder to carry. If we had strollers for both of them, we wouldn't need to carry them anymore whenever we go to church. I went to the market a few days ago and saw a stroller that cost around 2,000 pesos. Do you think we should buy one or two?"
"Strollers?"
Maya paused and then looked at Iñigo, who was also staring at her with his usual curious expression, waiting for his diaper so he could get back to crawling.
"What do you think, Iñigo? Do you want a stroller?"
"Ma!"
Iñigo replied, causing the couple to freeze as if time had stopped.
Maya and Karlos stared at each other before looking at Iñigo, who was still waiting for his diaper.
"Iñigo? Did I hear that right? You called me Ma?" Maya's excitement bloomed with a growing smile she couldn't contain.
"Call me Mama again." She leaned down, waiting for her son's next word.
Iñigo frowned and slapped her face.
"Ga!"
"..."
Maya was disappointed and decided to change his diaper without holding out hope for another "Ma" today.
"I heard he called you Ma," Karlos said as he approached and stared at Iñigo, who was now back to crawling as if nothing monumental had just happened.
"Yeah, I heard it too." Maya changed Arabella's diaper with a sigh.
"Arabella, call me Mama," she tried with her daughter instead, hoping for a better response.
"Gu!" The little girl didn't even bother to entertain her mother and crawled away with an attitude that screamed independence.
Watching all this, Karlos decided to carry Iñigo and make the same request.
"Iñigo, call me Papa."
"Pa!"
"Haha, that's great. Papa loves you!" Karlos laughed out loud as his son answered correctly and lifted him into the air.
"My son can speak now! Say my name again," Karlos requested, gently holding him up.
Iñigo stared at his father and opened his mouth.
"Pa... Pa."
"My son..." Karlos grinned and showered Iñigo with kisses. The little boy giggled loudly, slapping his father's cheeks in delight.
"That's unfair." Maya witnessed the whole scene. She was jealous yet filled with warmth as she watched the two men in her life bond.
...
[There are remaining 8 slots for the 50% discount. You can check out my Patreon if you're interested.]
Karlos was smiling the whole time he returned to the beach, his steps light but swift. He even gave the young men 30 pesos. It was 10 pesos more than he usually tipped them, something that made them happy.
His pace quickened as he carried his belongings with excitement. When he reached the house, the twins giggled while Maya tickled them on their soft, chubby bellies.
"Wife!"
Karlos was so excited that he dropped his belongings under the Kubo without even glancing at them and entered the house without restraint.
"Did something happen?" Maya was confused by his sudden entrance and burst of energy.
"I earned 18,000 pesos today." Karlos lowered his voice, but it was obvious he was excited. His blue eyes shone, mesmerizing Maya.
"You earned what!?"
Maya was so surprised that she stopped cuddling with the twins and sat upright.
"Here."
Karlos handed her the stack of money, proud of his accomplishment. Maya accepted it, surprised to find the cash crisp and new. So new it still had the distinct scent of freshly printed paper. Each bill was a crisp 1,000-peso note, fresh from the bank.
She counted them with growing disbelief and wide eyes.
Eighteen pieces of 1,000-peso bills.
18,000 pesos!
"How did you earn this? You caught a Leopard Coral Grouper and Yellowfin Tuna or something?" she asked curiously, clutching the bills, still unsure whether to be happy or suspicious.
She recalled how when she was young, her father had to spend two days at sea just to earn the same amount. And even then, it was a brutal process filled with risk and exhaustion. He also had to spend money on food and water to survive those two days.
But Karlos was different. His only expense was the fuel. He didn't even like eating the crackers Maya prepared for him every night because he was too focused on the sea to think about snacking. In that regard, Karlos had better profits and clearly much better luck.
"That's right! I caught two Leopard Coral Groupers and a Yellowfin Tuna! Then I sold them to a rich boss from a big yacht I encountered on my way back. He didn't even blink when I told him the price."
"... Tell me honestly, Karlos, you're not doing something illegal like trafficking drugs, right?"
Maya stared at him seriously, her eyes filled with equal parts concern and disbelief. Earning 5,000 pesos per sail was already overwhelming for someone like her, who had grown up by the sea and seen all kinds of "miracles." And now, her husband had brought home 18,000 pesos, something even more shocking.
"What are you talking about? Maya, do I look like I'm crazy!? I'm a law-abiding citizen." Karlos was offended by the accusation. He even frowned at her for accusing him wrongly.
"Alright, alright. I'm sorry, I just want to make sure."
Maya realized she had said something hurtful. To fix it, she hugged Karlos... intentionally rubbing her breasts against his shoulder in a way she knew always melted him. It usually worked.
"I'm sowwy, you're not mad at me, right?" she said in the most adorable way she could muster, complete with a pout and teary eyes that made Karlos' feelings melt quickly.
He sighed and hugged her back as if all his frustrations were washed away in that single embrace.
"I'm not mad at you. How can I be? I love you too much."
Maya bit her lip slightly to hide her smile, her heart fluttering from the warmth of his words. She tried to control her lips from curling up. She really liked it whenever her husband professed his love for her. However, she knew the situation was quite sensitive to smile openly.
"I'm sorry, babe. I'm just worried that you're doing something that could endanger you. I was just so shocked when you said you earned 18,000 pesos. You also didn't bring a receipt. Besides, catching a Yellowfin Tuna is a very hard thing to do. I don't think your fishing rod can handle that kind of fish."
"I'm not lying. I really caught a Yellowfin Tuna and two Leopard Coral Groupers," Karlos replied with a serious expression, as if defending his honor in court.
"I believe you," Maya answered sincerely after a few seconds of quiet internal debate.
"You're a guy who's not good at lying," she added, poking his chest with a gentle finger.
"I'm sorry. You'll forgive your wife, right?" she gave Karlos the teary eyes again, just in case.
"I forgave you." Karlos sighed with a mix of surrender and amusement. He couldn't hold a grudge against his wife, not when she looked that adorable.
They stared into each other's eyes for a moment that felt like the world had paused for them alone. The tension between them was heavy. They shared a passionate kiss filled with forgiveness and lingering desire. If not for the daylight and the lack of condoms, the couple might have shaboinked right then and there without hesitation.
Still, they shared a deeply intimate kiss and skinship that would linger in their memories all day.
They only stopped when they found Iñigo peeing his diaper, and Arabella followed suit in a synchronized sibling moment. The couple giggled at their kids' innocent expressions despite their dirty deeds.
Maya put the money in the secret compartment inside the cabinet.
"I believe you. I'm sorry for doubting you. I know you caught two Leopard Coral Groupers and a Yellowfin Tuna."
"Alright, I get your point. I'm not mad anymore." Karlos sighed. He might have been angry earlier, but Maya's kiss had erased his anger like waves smoothing the sand.
Maya stood up and changed the kids' diapers with practiced grace, humming softly.
As he watched his family, Karlos had an idea that made him raise his eyebrows in sudden realization.
"Babe, how about we buy strollers for the twins? They're getting bigger and harder to carry. If we had strollers for both of them, we wouldn't need to carry them anymore whenever we go to church. I went to the market a few days ago and saw a stroller that cost around 2,000 pesos. Do you think we should buy one or two?"
"Strollers?"
Maya paused and then looked at Iñigo, who was also staring at her with his usual curious expression, waiting for his diaper so he could get back to crawling.
"What do you think, Iñigo? Do you want a stroller?"
"Ma!"
Iñigo replied, causing the couple to freeze as if time had stopped.
Maya and Karlos stared at each other before looking at Iñigo, who was still waiting for his diaper.
"Iñigo? Did I hear that right? You called me Ma?" Maya's excitement bloomed with a growing smile she couldn't contain.
"Call me Mama again." She leaned down, waiting for her son's next word.
Iñigo frowned and slapped her face.
"Ga!"
"..."
Maya was disappointed and decided to change his diaper without holding out hope for another "Ma" today.
"I heard he called you Ma," Karlos said as he approached and stared at Iñigo, who was now back to crawling as if nothing monumental had just happened.
"Yeah, I heard it too." Maya changed Arabella's diaper with a sigh.
"Arabella, call me Mama," she tried with her daughter instead, hoping for a better response.
"Gu!" The little girl didn't even bother to entertain her mother and crawled away with an attitude that screamed independence.
Watching all this, Karlos decided to carry Iñigo and make the same request.
"Iñigo, call me Papa."
"Pa!"
"Haha, that's great. Papa loves you!" Karlos laughed out loud as his son answered correctly and lifted him into the air.
"My son can speak now! Say my name again," Karlos requested, gently holding him up.
Iñigo stared at his father and opened his mouth.
"Pa... Pa."
"My son..." Karlos grinned and showered Iñigo with kisses. The little boy giggled loudly, slapping his father's cheeks in delight.
"That's unfair." Maya witnessed the whole scene. She was jealous yet filled with warmth as she watched the two men in her life bond.
...
[There are remaining 8 slots for the 50% discount. You can check out my Patreon if you're interested.]
Chapter 33
New
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2022
- Messages
- 1,078
- Likes received
- 16,754
Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 33
"Iñigo, please call me Mama. Mama~"
She faced the little boy. Iñigo had no idea what was going on, so he said:
"Ga."
"Ga? What do you mean by ga? Is that how you call me? Ga?" She was so disappointed that her lips curled downward, and her expression turned melancholy.
As for Karlos, he was grinning with victory as if he had just won the lottery.
"My son calls me Papa." He was so happy that his chest puffed out proudly, and everything that had happened earlier was forgotten.
He raised Iñigo, and the little boy saw the ceiling from a new angle for the first time in his life. He felt like he could see everything while Karlos lifted him high.
"Pa!" he giggled in joy, kicking his feet wildly. The view from up high was amazing.
"I've decided. I'll buy you a stroller!"
"Pa!"
"Say it again!"
"Pa!"
Maya pouted as she watched their interaction. She couldn't believe Iñigo would say Papa more than Mama, especially when she had spent more time nursing and cuddling him.
"Well, at least he said Mama first." That made her feel better, if only just a little bit.
Once Karlos was done with Iñigo, he passed the little boy to Maya. She kept asking Iñigo to call her Mama, repeating it sweetly and patiently while tapping his nose with her finger, but Iñigo only replied with "ga" and "gu".
Since Iñigo had already called him Papa, it was time to ask Arabella the same question. He scooped up the little girl and faced her.
"Arabella, call me Papa. Your brother already called me Papa. You shouldn't lose to your brother."
Arabella glanced at Iñigo, who was currently being pestered by their mother, asking to be called Mama.
"... Ga..."
"Go on, call me Papa." Karlos waited for her response, smiling widely with his eyes twinkling with anticipation.
Being called Papa by the kids felt amazing, like receiving the warmest hug on a cold day. It was just a simple word, but it healed his heart in ways no medicine ever could.
"Pa."
"Hahahahahaha! Arabella called me Papa!"
Arabella had no idea what was going on, but she laughed alongside Karlos because his laughter was so contagious.
"... Why?"
Maya asked herself as she watched Arabella call Karlos "Pa".
It was an incomplete word, but "Pa" meant something, and to her, it meant defeat. Now Maya was pouting sadly. She couldn't believe Arabella had also called Karlos Papa.
"I treat you guys well, and this is how you repay me?" She sighed in disappointment while shaking her head dramatically.
"Ga! Ga!"
Iñigo, who was in her embrace, called her urgently with his tiny voice. He was pulling down her dress, he wanted milk.
"After you call me Ga, you're asking for my milk?"
"Ga."
Iñigo was so adorable with his cheeks puffed and hands gripping her clothes that Maya had no choice but to breastfeed him.
"Even if you can't say Mama, I still love you so, so much," she muttered to Iñigo, who was currently nursing.
"Since you called me Papa, I'll also buy you a stroller!" Karlos announced with great enthusiasm as he showered Arabella with kisses.
The little girl was so happy, but that happiness vanished the moment she saw Iñigo being breastfed by their mother.
Without a moment's hesitation, tears gathered in her eyes, sparkling like tiny jewels, and she cried loudly.
"Waahh--! Waahh--!"
Maya shook her head as she braced herself for the chaos only twins could bring. Having twins was truly a tough job. She had no choice but to feed Arabella too. Karlos assisted by holding Arabella while she nursed.
The twins were getting heavy now that they were growing, and Maya couldn't carry them both at the same time, so Karlos had to step in.
Although the couple admitted that this kind of thing was awkward, it put them in close and funny positions because they had to stay still so as not to interrupt the kids.
"Babe, I'm thinking of buying two strollers. What do you think? Arabella and Iñigo would love it if they had strollers to lie on whenever we go outside," he explained, imagining their strolls under the afternoon sun, the kids content and relaxed.
"Alright. I'll prepare money for you. Are you going to ride a tricycle?"
"The market is quite far away."
"Then I'll give you 6,000 pesos later. Bring me back the change."
"Of course. I'll also buy five boxes of condoms."
"... Hm." Maya blushed and shyly nodded, avoiding his gaze as her heart skipped a beat. She already had an idea of what would happen later.
When the kids fell asleep while nursing, the couple placed them carefully and quietly into the crib as if placing rare treasures.
Karlos didn't sleep that day, even though his body begged for rest. After he ate breakfast, he went to the back of the house to set up a chicken coop.
He assembled the chicken coop far from the house so the kids wouldn't be disturbed by sudden clucks. He hammered nails into the bamboo he had chopped a few days ago.
He only needed a small chicken coop that could accommodate three hens, just enough to have fresh eggs every morning. Each hen had its own small room to lay eggs.
It didn't take long to finish thanks to his earlier preparations. After that, he decided to make four crab traps. He added mesh around the skeletons of the traps to make them secure and sturdy. The adult crabs couldn't escape, but the smaller ones could.
Fortunately, the bamboo he had was enough to make all four traps, with extra left over to fix their creaking floor. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Karlos worked hard, sweat dripping from his brow.
"Are you sure you don't want to sleep? You don't have to buy the strollers today. We can wait until tomorrow," Maya said with concern, seeing how exhausted he looked under the afternoon light. He had drunk the night before and still needed rest.
However, Karlos shook his head. He was determined to buy them today, like a man on a mission.
"I want to buy condoms."
"..."
Maya was speechless, but quietly pleased as her cheeks reddened slightly again.
"Alright. Since I can't stop you, here's the money. Come back quickly."
Maya handed him 6,000 pesos, and Karlos left after changing into clean, presentable clothes for the market trip. He rode a tricycle to the market, where all sorts of products were being sold. For clarification, the wet market and the market were two different places.
The wet market was close to their neighborhood, while the market was on the opposite side of town and required a longer commute.
He remembered a store that sold all kinds of baby products. It was still open, and he found the strollers, which cost 2,200 pesos each.
He checked them first to make sure the wheels rolled smoothly, he didn't want to buy anything flimsy. Satisfied, he handed over the money to the store owner.
"You're buying two?"
"I have twins."
"Ah, that explains it. I'll sell them to you for 2,000 each since you're buying two. Strollers are harder to sell compared to baby formula, pacifiers, and diapers. They take much spaces," the store owner said.
"That's great. Thank you so much. Then I'll also buy five packs of Cerelak."
"You know how to do business. I like that," the store owner grinned.
Karlos paid 4,500 pesos for everything. On his way back, he also bought five boxes of condoms...
"Iñigo, please call me Mama. Mama~"
She faced the little boy. Iñigo had no idea what was going on, so he said:
"Ga."
"Ga? What do you mean by ga? Is that how you call me? Ga?" She was so disappointed that her lips curled downward, and her expression turned melancholy.
As for Karlos, he was grinning with victory as if he had just won the lottery.
"My son calls me Papa." He was so happy that his chest puffed out proudly, and everything that had happened earlier was forgotten.
He raised Iñigo, and the little boy saw the ceiling from a new angle for the first time in his life. He felt like he could see everything while Karlos lifted him high.
"Pa!" he giggled in joy, kicking his feet wildly. The view from up high was amazing.
"I've decided. I'll buy you a stroller!"
"Pa!"
"Say it again!"
"Pa!"
Maya pouted as she watched their interaction. She couldn't believe Iñigo would say Papa more than Mama, especially when she had spent more time nursing and cuddling him.
"Well, at least he said Mama first." That made her feel better, if only just a little bit.
Once Karlos was done with Iñigo, he passed the little boy to Maya. She kept asking Iñigo to call her Mama, repeating it sweetly and patiently while tapping his nose with her finger, but Iñigo only replied with "ga" and "gu".
Since Iñigo had already called him Papa, it was time to ask Arabella the same question. He scooped up the little girl and faced her.
"Arabella, call me Papa. Your brother already called me Papa. You shouldn't lose to your brother."
Arabella glanced at Iñigo, who was currently being pestered by their mother, asking to be called Mama.
"... Ga..."
"Go on, call me Papa." Karlos waited for her response, smiling widely with his eyes twinkling with anticipation.
Being called Papa by the kids felt amazing, like receiving the warmest hug on a cold day. It was just a simple word, but it healed his heart in ways no medicine ever could.
"Pa."
"Hahahahahaha! Arabella called me Papa!"
Arabella had no idea what was going on, but she laughed alongside Karlos because his laughter was so contagious.
"... Why?"
Maya asked herself as she watched Arabella call Karlos "Pa".
It was an incomplete word, but "Pa" meant something, and to her, it meant defeat. Now Maya was pouting sadly. She couldn't believe Arabella had also called Karlos Papa.
"I treat you guys well, and this is how you repay me?" She sighed in disappointment while shaking her head dramatically.
"Ga! Ga!"
Iñigo, who was in her embrace, called her urgently with his tiny voice. He was pulling down her dress, he wanted milk.
"After you call me Ga, you're asking for my milk?"
"Ga."
Iñigo was so adorable with his cheeks puffed and hands gripping her clothes that Maya had no choice but to breastfeed him.
"Even if you can't say Mama, I still love you so, so much," she muttered to Iñigo, who was currently nursing.
"Since you called me Papa, I'll also buy you a stroller!" Karlos announced with great enthusiasm as he showered Arabella with kisses.
The little girl was so happy, but that happiness vanished the moment she saw Iñigo being breastfed by their mother.
Without a moment's hesitation, tears gathered in her eyes, sparkling like tiny jewels, and she cried loudly.
"Waahh--! Waahh--!"
Maya shook her head as she braced herself for the chaos only twins could bring. Having twins was truly a tough job. She had no choice but to feed Arabella too. Karlos assisted by holding Arabella while she nursed.
The twins were getting heavy now that they were growing, and Maya couldn't carry them both at the same time, so Karlos had to step in.
Although the couple admitted that this kind of thing was awkward, it put them in close and funny positions because they had to stay still so as not to interrupt the kids.
"Babe, I'm thinking of buying two strollers. What do you think? Arabella and Iñigo would love it if they had strollers to lie on whenever we go outside," he explained, imagining their strolls under the afternoon sun, the kids content and relaxed.
"Alright. I'll prepare money for you. Are you going to ride a tricycle?"
"The market is quite far away."
"Then I'll give you 6,000 pesos later. Bring me back the change."
"Of course. I'll also buy five boxes of condoms."
"... Hm." Maya blushed and shyly nodded, avoiding his gaze as her heart skipped a beat. She already had an idea of what would happen later.
When the kids fell asleep while nursing, the couple placed them carefully and quietly into the crib as if placing rare treasures.
Karlos didn't sleep that day, even though his body begged for rest. After he ate breakfast, he went to the back of the house to set up a chicken coop.
He assembled the chicken coop far from the house so the kids wouldn't be disturbed by sudden clucks. He hammered nails into the bamboo he had chopped a few days ago.
He only needed a small chicken coop that could accommodate three hens, just enough to have fresh eggs every morning. Each hen had its own small room to lay eggs.
It didn't take long to finish thanks to his earlier preparations. After that, he decided to make four crab traps. He added mesh around the skeletons of the traps to make them secure and sturdy. The adult crabs couldn't escape, but the smaller ones could.
Fortunately, the bamboo he had was enough to make all four traps, with extra left over to fix their creaking floor. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Karlos worked hard, sweat dripping from his brow.
"Are you sure you don't want to sleep? You don't have to buy the strollers today. We can wait until tomorrow," Maya said with concern, seeing how exhausted he looked under the afternoon light. He had drunk the night before and still needed rest.
However, Karlos shook his head. He was determined to buy them today, like a man on a mission.
"I want to buy condoms."
"..."
Maya was speechless, but quietly pleased as her cheeks reddened slightly again.
"Alright. Since I can't stop you, here's the money. Come back quickly."
Maya handed him 6,000 pesos, and Karlos left after changing into clean, presentable clothes for the market trip. He rode a tricycle to the market, where all sorts of products were being sold. For clarification, the wet market and the market were two different places.
The wet market was close to their neighborhood, while the market was on the opposite side of town and required a longer commute.
He remembered a store that sold all kinds of baby products. It was still open, and he found the strollers, which cost 2,200 pesos each.
He checked them first to make sure the wheels rolled smoothly, he didn't want to buy anything flimsy. Satisfied, he handed over the money to the store owner.
"You're buying two?"
"I have twins."
"Ah, that explains it. I'll sell them to you for 2,000 each since you're buying two. Strollers are harder to sell compared to baby formula, pacifiers, and diapers. They take much spaces," the store owner said.
"That's great. Thank you so much. Then I'll also buy five packs of Cerelak."
"You know how to do business. I like that," the store owner grinned.
Karlos paid 4,500 pesos for everything. On his way back, he also bought five boxes of condoms...
Chapter 34
New
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2022
- Messages
- 1,078
- Likes received
- 16,754
Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 34
"Mama!"
"Aww, my baby can say Mama with no problem!"
Maya was overjoyed as she played with Iñigo, who could now call her Mama. His tiny hands reached up for her cheeks.
"You too, Arabella, call me Mama."
"Mama!" Arabella giggled and wobbly stood up like a small penguin.
"I love my kids so much. Mwah! Mwah!" She kissed the twins with rapid little pecks until both squirmed and laughed.
It had been two months since Karlos fixed the boat. Since then, he had been sailing to the sea almost every day, earning money.
Arabella and Iñigo were now 8 months old, and they could call their parents Mama and Papa with ease. Of course, their vocabulary wasn't great; they usually only said Mama and Papa, sometimes in rapid succession to get attention.
The twins were born on January 16, 2000, and after 8 months of being in this world, they were growing healthy and active, with curious eyes that seemed to study everything.
A few days ago, Arabella had even tried to climb out of the baby crib all by herself. Since then, the couple decided the kids no longer needed the crib. They now slept on bedding next to Maya and Karlos, where they could keep the little adventurers from causing trouble.
Because of that, Karlos and Maya's intimate moments decreased, the kids would make noise if they tried anything snu snu.
As the kids grew, they could now eat a wider variety of food. Maya fed them fruits and rice porridge. She no longer had to mash fruits for them. Their appetites were strong, and they would eat almost anything put in their mouths.
The radio in the background played a song, and Maya sang along softly, swaying as her warm, sweet voice blended with the music. She had an amazing voice that captivated the kids. They tried to follow her singing, but it usually came out as babbling and random noises with no sense of tune.
"Once Papa arrives, we will take you out for sightseeing."
Right as Maya said that, Karlos showed up carrying baskets and containers that clunked faintly. He placed them under the Kubo.
"Papa's here, kids! Say hi to Papa."
"Papa!"
"Pa!"
The kids listened to their mother and waved at Karlos, who wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, leaving a faint streak of sweat on his temple. He waved back at them.
"I'll be right back. I have to push the engine." Karlos grabbed a pushcart he had built a few weeks ago. Carrying heavy things was now easier thanks to it.
"Okay, I'll prepare breakfast."
Maya took out the strollers and parked them in front of the open kitchen, under the tarpaulin where the morning breeze could still reach them, but the harsh sun could not.
She put Arabella and Iñigo in their respective strollers and strapped them in securely, testing each buckle twice. She made sure they couldn't escape, they were getting far too mischievous.
Taking care of two toddlers was getting harder as they could move around faster now. Once, Arabella had nearly fallen from the two-foot elevated Kubo when she saw a cat outside.
Karlos had to make a barrier at the entrance, a makeshift bamboo fence, to ensure the kids couldn't escape even if the door was open.
Since then, whenever Maya had something to do, she strapped the twins in their strollers. Arabella especially was too naughty to be left free, treating every corner of the Kubo like her personal climbing wall.
Maya kept singing as she prepared breakfast. Today she was cooking beef stew, and the aroma was enough to make anyone hungry.
Arabella's nose crinkled as she caught the scent, her eyes lighting up.
"Mama! Ga! Mama!"
She could only say Mama, Ga, Gu, Ah, and Ha, but that didn't stop her from bouncing in her seat with excitement. Thankfully, she was strapped in so she couldn't do anything funny or dangerous.
"Dear Goddess, you always go crazy whenever there's food. Look at you, your cheeks are getting fatter. You just ate earlier, how fast is your metabolism?" Maya shook her head in amused disbelief, though her tone was more loving than scolding.
Maya sighed at her daughter, who was wiggling, twisting, and trying to free herself from the straps as if she were in a straightjacket in an asylum.
"Ga!"
Arabella cried out, clearly the glutton of the family and she was proud of it.
"Why don't you be like your brother? Iñigo behaves most of the time."
"Ga!"
Iñigo stayed quiet because he had already eaten earlier. Arabella had eaten too, but now her gaze was fixed on the cooking pot.
Maya was preparing the dishes when Karlos arrived with the pushcart, the engine and other belongings still smelling faintly of oil and seawater.
"Let's eat first. Don't mind Arabella; she already ate earlier."
"Ga!" Arabella cried, kicking in protest.
Karlos nodded and sat next to Maya. The two began to eat, but Arabella's constant cries forced Maya to feed her rice with a small piece of beef just to stop the rebellion.
When Iñigo saw his sister being fed, he started fussing too, not wanting to miss out. Now Maya had to feed him as well.
Karlos quickly finished his meal so Maya could rest. "I'll take care of feeding them."
"Alright."
Karlos took the bowl of rice and beef stew, cutting the beef into small pieces so the kids could chew without trouble. His kids rarely got stomach aches, but it was better to be careful. He kept an eye on Arabella's impatient hands reaching for the spoon.
He blew gently on the hot rice until it cooled, then fed Iñigo. He repeated the process for Arabella.
Maya watched quietly, her lips curling into a smile at the tender sight.
"They're done eating... They didn't even finish the bowl."
The bowl was still two-thirds full, but the rice scattered on the twins' mouths made it clear they had enjoyed what they did eat.
"Well, they already ate earlier. Just eat what's left."
"Alright."
Karlos finished the leftovers in a few big bites, barely a snack for him.
"Take them back to the house. I'm sure they want to move around after getting their fill. I'll take care of the dishes."
Once freed, the twins happily explored the wooden floor. Iñigo curiously eyed the engine in the corner, but Karlos quickly covered it with a tarpaulin.
"Don't go there, the engine smells bad."
"Pa!"
Karlos warned, and Iñigo replied before turning back.
"That's my son." Karlos tickled Iñigo's nose, making the boy scrunch his face.
"Mama!"
"Aww, my baby can say Mama with no problem!"
Maya was overjoyed as she played with Iñigo, who could now call her Mama. His tiny hands reached up for her cheeks.
"You too, Arabella, call me Mama."
"Mama!" Arabella giggled and wobbly stood up like a small penguin.
"I love my kids so much. Mwah! Mwah!" She kissed the twins with rapid little pecks until both squirmed and laughed.
It had been two months since Karlos fixed the boat. Since then, he had been sailing to the sea almost every day, earning money.
Arabella and Iñigo were now 8 months old, and they could call their parents Mama and Papa with ease. Of course, their vocabulary wasn't great; they usually only said Mama and Papa, sometimes in rapid succession to get attention.
The twins were born on January 16, 2000, and after 8 months of being in this world, they were growing healthy and active, with curious eyes that seemed to study everything.
A few days ago, Arabella had even tried to climb out of the baby crib all by herself. Since then, the couple decided the kids no longer needed the crib. They now slept on bedding next to Maya and Karlos, where they could keep the little adventurers from causing trouble.
Because of that, Karlos and Maya's intimate moments decreased, the kids would make noise if they tried anything snu snu.
As the kids grew, they could now eat a wider variety of food. Maya fed them fruits and rice porridge. She no longer had to mash fruits for them. Their appetites were strong, and they would eat almost anything put in their mouths.
The radio in the background played a song, and Maya sang along softly, swaying as her warm, sweet voice blended with the music. She had an amazing voice that captivated the kids. They tried to follow her singing, but it usually came out as babbling and random noises with no sense of tune.
"Once Papa arrives, we will take you out for sightseeing."
Right as Maya said that, Karlos showed up carrying baskets and containers that clunked faintly. He placed them under the Kubo.
"Papa's here, kids! Say hi to Papa."
"Papa!"
"Pa!"
The kids listened to their mother and waved at Karlos, who wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, leaving a faint streak of sweat on his temple. He waved back at them.
"I'll be right back. I have to push the engine." Karlos grabbed a pushcart he had built a few weeks ago. Carrying heavy things was now easier thanks to it.
"Okay, I'll prepare breakfast."
Maya took out the strollers and parked them in front of the open kitchen, under the tarpaulin where the morning breeze could still reach them, but the harsh sun could not.
She put Arabella and Iñigo in their respective strollers and strapped them in securely, testing each buckle twice. She made sure they couldn't escape, they were getting far too mischievous.
Taking care of two toddlers was getting harder as they could move around faster now. Once, Arabella had nearly fallen from the two-foot elevated Kubo when she saw a cat outside.
Karlos had to make a barrier at the entrance, a makeshift bamboo fence, to ensure the kids couldn't escape even if the door was open.
Since then, whenever Maya had something to do, she strapped the twins in their strollers. Arabella especially was too naughty to be left free, treating every corner of the Kubo like her personal climbing wall.
Maya kept singing as she prepared breakfast. Today she was cooking beef stew, and the aroma was enough to make anyone hungry.
Arabella's nose crinkled as she caught the scent, her eyes lighting up.
"Mama! Ga! Mama!"
She could only say Mama, Ga, Gu, Ah, and Ha, but that didn't stop her from bouncing in her seat with excitement. Thankfully, she was strapped in so she couldn't do anything funny or dangerous.
"Dear Goddess, you always go crazy whenever there's food. Look at you, your cheeks are getting fatter. You just ate earlier, how fast is your metabolism?" Maya shook her head in amused disbelief, though her tone was more loving than scolding.
Maya sighed at her daughter, who was wiggling, twisting, and trying to free herself from the straps as if she were in a straightjacket in an asylum.
"Ga!"
Arabella cried out, clearly the glutton of the family and she was proud of it.
"Why don't you be like your brother? Iñigo behaves most of the time."
"Ga!"
Iñigo stayed quiet because he had already eaten earlier. Arabella had eaten too, but now her gaze was fixed on the cooking pot.
Maya was preparing the dishes when Karlos arrived with the pushcart, the engine and other belongings still smelling faintly of oil and seawater.
"Let's eat first. Don't mind Arabella; she already ate earlier."
"Ga!" Arabella cried, kicking in protest.
Karlos nodded and sat next to Maya. The two began to eat, but Arabella's constant cries forced Maya to feed her rice with a small piece of beef just to stop the rebellion.
When Iñigo saw his sister being fed, he started fussing too, not wanting to miss out. Now Maya had to feed him as well.
Karlos quickly finished his meal so Maya could rest. "I'll take care of feeding them."
"Alright."
Karlos took the bowl of rice and beef stew, cutting the beef into small pieces so the kids could chew without trouble. His kids rarely got stomach aches, but it was better to be careful. He kept an eye on Arabella's impatient hands reaching for the spoon.
He blew gently on the hot rice until it cooled, then fed Iñigo. He repeated the process for Arabella.
Maya watched quietly, her lips curling into a smile at the tender sight.
"They're done eating... They didn't even finish the bowl."
The bowl was still two-thirds full, but the rice scattered on the twins' mouths made it clear they had enjoyed what they did eat.
"Well, they already ate earlier. Just eat what's left."
"Alright."
Karlos finished the leftovers in a few big bites, barely a snack for him.
"Take them back to the house. I'm sure they want to move around after getting their fill. I'll take care of the dishes."
Once freed, the twins happily explored the wooden floor. Iñigo curiously eyed the engine in the corner, but Karlos quickly covered it with a tarpaulin.
"Don't go there, the engine smells bad."
"Pa!"
Karlos warned, and Iñigo replied before turning back.
"That's my son." Karlos tickled Iñigo's nose, making the boy scrunch his face.
Chapter 35
New
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
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- 16,754
Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 35
When Maya finished washing the plates, she found Karlos gently cradling the twins to sleep with a slow, rhythmic motion. He carried one in each arm as if they weighed nothing, his hands steady and his shoulders relaxed. Maya was impressed; she knew she couldn't do that without feeling her arms ache within minutes.
The twins were now bigger, and carrying both at once was something she could hardly manage. Their little legs kicked, their heads bobbed with every movement, making it even harder to keep them balanced. But for Karlos, holding two babies at the same time seemed effortless.
"They're getting sleepy, so I'm gently cradling them to sleep... Are there other terms for cradling? Does the term 'lulling' work?" Karlos asked after an epiphany, glancing at the twins' slowly closing eyes.
"Gently swaying and nursing could work," Maya replied, playing along with his sudden thought.
"You can't carry them for long. I'll prepare their bed."
She set the bedding for the kids and carefully tucked them in, making sure the blanket covered their little toes. Karlos lightly stretched his shoulders, faint pops of relief sounding in the quiet room. He went to the cabinet and presented the money and the receipt like a fisherman showing off his proudest catch. He also grabbed the bankbook that recorded their deposits.
"I earned 3,700 pesos today."
"That's great, it's better than yesterday." Maya was genuinely impressed as she studied the receipt and counted the money twice.
The usual earnings of a fisherman were between 1,000 to 2,000 pesos a day, if luck and weather were on their side. There were even times when they failed to meet their quota and came home with barely enough fish to sell. So for Maya, earning 3,000 pesos in a single trip was impressive.
She confirmed the amount and did some quick calculations in a separate notebook.
"The money we have on hand is currently 16,000 pesos, while the bank account has 385,000 pesos... Wow."
Maya decided to double-check her computation, but the result was the same. Her lips curved into a satisfied smile.
"That's a lot. I know I've been earning a good amount, but I didn't expect to make over 300,000 in just two months."
Last year, Karlos had worked hard to prepare for the twins' birth. When he realized Maya was carrying twins, he knew it was too risky to give birth at home or even in the small clinic in town, where medical equipment was limited.
He convinced Maya to go to the best hospital in the neighboring city so she could give birth safely and without the fear of unexpected complications. That decision cost them a large sum and wiped out their savings, but Karlos never regretted it.
He knew their town couldn't provide the best care for Maya and the babies, and going to a better hospital was worth it, even if it meant starting from zero again.
Now, Karlos and Maya were building their finances back up. But unlike last time, they noticed that money was coming in faster than the year before.
It had taken Karlos seven months to save the same amount of 350,000 pesos last year, and that was with countless days at sea.
This time was different.
"It's probably because you're fishing every day. Last year, the rainy season lasted three months before you could safely sail again," Maya said, and Karlos nodded in agreement.
Last year's circumstances had been difficult. He was still learning how to fish and had to fight for his territory because some fishermen didn't respect him. Fortunately, this year had gone smoothly. There hadn't been a single rainy day in the past two months, and the sea had been unusually calm.
But now that August had arrived, Karlos knew the rainy season, and with it, the threat of typhoons and dangerous waves was drawing near. This was usually the month when storms hit their region.
"This is amazing. Should we celebrate? Maybe buy a television? I know you're getting bored in the house," Karlos teased with a smile.
Maya chuckled and hugged him, snuggling against his chest like she always did when she felt playful.
"We can celebrate that later. For now, let's celebrate on our own. The kids are sleeping~"
Her tone left no room for misunderstanding. To make it short, they spent some intimate time together in their small room, having a population-growth-meeting. A young and healthy couple couldn't help but give in when love and opportunity aligned. They were simply in love, and neither saw a reason to resist.
The next day, Karlos was awakened by the sound of rain. Around 3 a.m., the steady sprinkle drummed on their nipa hut, insistent but soothing. He started to sit up, but Maya held his shoulder, her grip sleepy yet firm.
"It's raining tonight. You don't have to go and sail. You know how dangerous it is to fish when it's raining."
Her hand stayed on his shoulder, as if afraid he might ignore her.
Karlos was a little surprised. He ran his fingers through her hair, feeling its softness even in the dim light. She still hadn't opened her eyes, probably too sleepy and comfortable to move.
"I know. I'm not going to sail today. I just wanted to check if there's any leak in the roof."
The kubo was mostly made of organic material, and so was the roof, woven nipa palm leaves that rustled faintly with every gust of wind.
"It's alright, just check it tomorrow. I'm getting cold, hug me."
"How about the kids? They might get cold."
"Then put them between us so they can share our warmth," she murmured without opening her eyes.
"See? I still have to stand up," he teased.
Maya's crimson eyes opened, glinting faintly in the dark.
"I'm sleepy, no time for jokes. Just bring the kids to our mosquito net."
"You know you're really gorgeous."
"Karlos~"
"Alright, I'll get them."
He carefully placed the twins between them, making sure their heads were cushioned and that they wouldn't wake up. The pitter-patter of rain continued, creating a cozy rhythm that lulled the family back to sleep.
As the temperature dropped, the twins clung to the nearest adult for warmth, like little kittens seeking body heat.
When Karlos woke again, he found both children sleeping soundly on his chest and stomach, their breaths warm and steady.
Outside, the rain still hadn't stopped. In fact, it had grown heavier, the sound of water dripping from the roof edges now louder and more frequent.
Looking around, he realized Maya wasn't in bed. The only sounds were the rain and the static of the radio's news report.
Karlos gently set the twins down before heading outside.
There, he saw Maya cooking despite the rain splashing around her knees and feet. The tarpaulin overhead wasn't enough to shield her, and droplets still misted her shoulders and legs.
His heart ached at the sight.
"You're already up. Just wait a few minutes, I'll get the food ready," she said with a smile, even though her red hair was damp from the rain and her body shivered slightly from the chill.
---
If you want to read more, you can check out my Patreon. It has:
21 chapters of Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad
40 chapters of Behind The Spotlight
Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_maki
When Maya finished washing the plates, she found Karlos gently cradling the twins to sleep with a slow, rhythmic motion. He carried one in each arm as if they weighed nothing, his hands steady and his shoulders relaxed. Maya was impressed; she knew she couldn't do that without feeling her arms ache within minutes.
The twins were now bigger, and carrying both at once was something she could hardly manage. Their little legs kicked, their heads bobbed with every movement, making it even harder to keep them balanced. But for Karlos, holding two babies at the same time seemed effortless.
"They're getting sleepy, so I'm gently cradling them to sleep... Are there other terms for cradling? Does the term 'lulling' work?" Karlos asked after an epiphany, glancing at the twins' slowly closing eyes.
"Gently swaying and nursing could work," Maya replied, playing along with his sudden thought.
"You can't carry them for long. I'll prepare their bed."
She set the bedding for the kids and carefully tucked them in, making sure the blanket covered their little toes. Karlos lightly stretched his shoulders, faint pops of relief sounding in the quiet room. He went to the cabinet and presented the money and the receipt like a fisherman showing off his proudest catch. He also grabbed the bankbook that recorded their deposits.
"I earned 3,700 pesos today."
"That's great, it's better than yesterday." Maya was genuinely impressed as she studied the receipt and counted the money twice.
The usual earnings of a fisherman were between 1,000 to 2,000 pesos a day, if luck and weather were on their side. There were even times when they failed to meet their quota and came home with barely enough fish to sell. So for Maya, earning 3,000 pesos in a single trip was impressive.
She confirmed the amount and did some quick calculations in a separate notebook.
"The money we have on hand is currently 16,000 pesos, while the bank account has 385,000 pesos... Wow."
Maya decided to double-check her computation, but the result was the same. Her lips curved into a satisfied smile.
"That's a lot. I know I've been earning a good amount, but I didn't expect to make over 300,000 in just two months."
Last year, Karlos had worked hard to prepare for the twins' birth. When he realized Maya was carrying twins, he knew it was too risky to give birth at home or even in the small clinic in town, where medical equipment was limited.
He convinced Maya to go to the best hospital in the neighboring city so she could give birth safely and without the fear of unexpected complications. That decision cost them a large sum and wiped out their savings, but Karlos never regretted it.
He knew their town couldn't provide the best care for Maya and the babies, and going to a better hospital was worth it, even if it meant starting from zero again.
Now, Karlos and Maya were building their finances back up. But unlike last time, they noticed that money was coming in faster than the year before.
It had taken Karlos seven months to save the same amount of 350,000 pesos last year, and that was with countless days at sea.
This time was different.
"It's probably because you're fishing every day. Last year, the rainy season lasted three months before you could safely sail again," Maya said, and Karlos nodded in agreement.
Last year's circumstances had been difficult. He was still learning how to fish and had to fight for his territory because some fishermen didn't respect him. Fortunately, this year had gone smoothly. There hadn't been a single rainy day in the past two months, and the sea had been unusually calm.
But now that August had arrived, Karlos knew the rainy season, and with it, the threat of typhoons and dangerous waves was drawing near. This was usually the month when storms hit their region.
"This is amazing. Should we celebrate? Maybe buy a television? I know you're getting bored in the house," Karlos teased with a smile.
Maya chuckled and hugged him, snuggling against his chest like she always did when she felt playful.
"We can celebrate that later. For now, let's celebrate on our own. The kids are sleeping~"
Her tone left no room for misunderstanding. To make it short, they spent some intimate time together in their small room, having a population-growth-meeting. A young and healthy couple couldn't help but give in when love and opportunity aligned. They were simply in love, and neither saw a reason to resist.
The next day, Karlos was awakened by the sound of rain. Around 3 a.m., the steady sprinkle drummed on their nipa hut, insistent but soothing. He started to sit up, but Maya held his shoulder, her grip sleepy yet firm.
"It's raining tonight. You don't have to go and sail. You know how dangerous it is to fish when it's raining."
Her hand stayed on his shoulder, as if afraid he might ignore her.
Karlos was a little surprised. He ran his fingers through her hair, feeling its softness even in the dim light. She still hadn't opened her eyes, probably too sleepy and comfortable to move.
"I know. I'm not going to sail today. I just wanted to check if there's any leak in the roof."
The kubo was mostly made of organic material, and so was the roof, woven nipa palm leaves that rustled faintly with every gust of wind.
"It's alright, just check it tomorrow. I'm getting cold, hug me."
"How about the kids? They might get cold."
"Then put them between us so they can share our warmth," she murmured without opening her eyes.
"See? I still have to stand up," he teased.
Maya's crimson eyes opened, glinting faintly in the dark.
"I'm sleepy, no time for jokes. Just bring the kids to our mosquito net."
"You know you're really gorgeous."
"Karlos~"
"Alright, I'll get them."
He carefully placed the twins between them, making sure their heads were cushioned and that they wouldn't wake up. The pitter-patter of rain continued, creating a cozy rhythm that lulled the family back to sleep.
As the temperature dropped, the twins clung to the nearest adult for warmth, like little kittens seeking body heat.
When Karlos woke again, he found both children sleeping soundly on his chest and stomach, their breaths warm and steady.
Outside, the rain still hadn't stopped. In fact, it had grown heavier, the sound of water dripping from the roof edges now louder and more frequent.
Looking around, he realized Maya wasn't in bed. The only sounds were the rain and the static of the radio's news report.
Karlos gently set the twins down before heading outside.
There, he saw Maya cooking despite the rain splashing around her knees and feet. The tarpaulin overhead wasn't enough to shield her, and droplets still misted her shoulders and legs.
His heart ached at the sight.
"You're already up. Just wait a few minutes, I'll get the food ready," she said with a smile, even though her red hair was damp from the rain and her body shivered slightly from the chill.
---
If you want to read more, you can check out my Patreon. It has:
21 chapters of Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad
40 chapters of Behind The Spotlight
Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_maki
Chapter 36
New
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2022
- Messages
- 1,078
- Likes received
- 16,754
Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 36
Karlos looked at his wife, who was shivering from the cold and rain, her damp hair clinging to her cheeks and tiny droplets sliding down her neck. His heart ached as Maya smiled like everything was alright.
"You should have woken me up. You didn't have to leave the house. You shouldn't take the rain lightly, you might get sick." Karlos sighed and rubbed his forehead, clearly frustrated that she had put herself in harm's way.
"But you rarely have the time to get enough sleep. Every day you have to wake up in the middle of the night. I wanted you to get proper sleep today." Maya didn't mind the cold or the smell of the rain-filled air, even though her shoulders were slightly trembling.
"I have a raincoat; you should have used it."
"But it's too big. I can't cook if I wear that, I can't move around—Kyah! Karlos, what are you doing?"
Maya yelped as Karlos lifted her into a princess carry and walked back to the house with steady steps despite the muddy, slippery ground beneath his feet. She blushed hard, not expecting this kind of situation, and could feel his warmth even through his damp shirt.
When Karlos put her down in the kubo, Maya felt her legs weaken, as though the sudden closeness had melted all her strength away. Her body felt weak because of that sudden gesture. Karlos kissed her forehead gently before looking for his raincoat.
"I'll take care of the dishes. You're getting cold and you need to change your clothes. Wear a jacket to protect yourself from the cold. Stay in the house," Karlos said seriously, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Eh?" Maya was still stunned and stared at him with wide eyes, her mind trying to catch up to what had just happened. Being princess-carried had probably short-circuited her brain.
Karlos found his raincoat and put it on.
"What do you want to eat?" he asked as he stepped outside, glancing at her once more before leaving.
"Fried eggs and a warm cup of coffee..." Maya replied shyly, playing with the hem of her clothing. She felt childish.
"Maya."
"Yes?"
"You don't have to work yourself too much. Just talk to me if you need help." Karlos still couldn't get over the fact that Maya went to the open kitchen to cook while he was asleep. The image of her working in the rain made his chest tighten. It didn't sit well with him that she was outside getting splashed by the rain.
"... I should be the one telling you that," Maya muttered softly under her breath. She felt like her husband was pushing himself too much. She wanted to ease his burden by making sure he had a complete meal every time he returned home tired, it was her way of loving him back.
"Babe."
Before Karlos left, Maya called him.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Karlos had been longing to build a proper house, but reality was often disappointing. Their savings weren't enough to build a proper concrete house with a sturdy roof. If they cut costs when building, the purpose of having a sturdy home would be lost, it wouldn't be truly durable.
Karlos went to the kitchen, the rain splashing on his knees and legs, but he wasn't bothered. Every time he went sailing, he always got wet, so the sensation of water was nothing new to him.
He checked the dishes Maya had already cooked. She had made rice and reheated the beef stew from yesterday, which still smelled rich and savory. She had also filled the thermos with hot water so that anyone could have a warm drink whenever they needed it.
Karlos went to the back of the house and checked on the three hens they had bought two months ago. The hens were safe and comfortable in their chicken coop, nestled in a layer of dry straw. He inspected the coop and found six eggs, enough for his family to have breakfast.
He returned to the kitchen and started frying the eggs. The oil sizzled as Karlos adjusted the fire. They were using wood at the moment because their stove was broken. They needed to buy a new one.
He added dried wood, stored under their house and carefully stacked to keep it from absorbing moisture. The flames grew stronger, and Karlos fried the eggs.
When he was done, he carried the pot of rice into the house, using a piece of cardboard to protect his hands from the heat. They had to eat inside since it was raining.
He found Maya wearing a jacket and combing her wet crimson hair in slow strokes to dry it. He also saw his two adorable children wearing jackets, making them look like tiny, puffy marshmallows.
The twins were awake and seemed confused by the pitter-patter of the rain, tilting their heads in curiosity. Karlos smiled warmly and set the rice pot on the floor, placing thick cardboard underneath to protect it.
Arabella became excited when she saw the pot of rice. She crawled toward it, trying to touch it, but Maya quickly scooped her up before her small hand could touch the hot metal.
"Arabella, that's dangerous," her mother said sternly. The little girl, startled by the sudden firmness, teared up and began to cry.
"Waahh—!"
Maya sighed and rubbed her temple.
"If you touch that pot, you'll get scalded."
"Waahh—! Mama! Waahh—!"
Arabella didn't understand what her mother said and continued crying with hiccups.
Karlos returned with the dishes and set them on the floor. He found Arabella crying, reaching for the food like an impatient little one. He immediately understood what was going on.
"Arabella, why don't you follow your brother and behave? Look, Iñigo is just playing on the bedding—Oops, never mind, he peed himself." Karlos noticed the dark wet spots on Iñigo's shorts and chuckled in disbelief. Shaking his head, he went outside to grab plates, cups, and utensils.
"Dear Goddess, you two are very naughty," Maya muttered, unable to hide her amusement as she changed Iñigo's diaper.
Karlos took off his raincoat and hung it at the entrance of the house, where it dripped steadily onto the floor. They had a warm meal with hot coffee that instantly chased away the chill in their bones. The twins also enjoyed the beef stew and fried eggs, making happy little noises between bites.
They turned on the radio to listen to the weather report. Relief washed over them as they learned there was no typhoon, the rain was just a passing heavy downpour. If the report was correct, it would stop late at night or by tomorrow.
Maya and Karlos shared a cup of coffee while keeping an eye on the twins, who were learning to walk and kept grabbing onto anything within reach for support.
At noon, Karlos decided to check his boat to make sure it was secure in the worsening weather.
"I'll go out to check if the boat is secure. If the waves are strong and reach farther, I'll call Andres and the others to help me carry it."
"Alright, just stay away from the sea. We don't know how the waves will be. Promise me you won't do something dangerous."
"I promise."
The couple kissed passionately for a few seconds before Karlos left the house with his raincoat. The rain was getting heavier and showed no sign of stopping.
He walked on, the rain slightly blurring his vision as streams of water trickled along the path. Even so, Karlos moved forward with ease. When he reached the beach, he found that...
Karlos looked at his wife, who was shivering from the cold and rain, her damp hair clinging to her cheeks and tiny droplets sliding down her neck. His heart ached as Maya smiled like everything was alright.
"You should have woken me up. You didn't have to leave the house. You shouldn't take the rain lightly, you might get sick." Karlos sighed and rubbed his forehead, clearly frustrated that she had put herself in harm's way.
"But you rarely have the time to get enough sleep. Every day you have to wake up in the middle of the night. I wanted you to get proper sleep today." Maya didn't mind the cold or the smell of the rain-filled air, even though her shoulders were slightly trembling.
"I have a raincoat; you should have used it."
"But it's too big. I can't cook if I wear that, I can't move around—Kyah! Karlos, what are you doing?"
Maya yelped as Karlos lifted her into a princess carry and walked back to the house with steady steps despite the muddy, slippery ground beneath his feet. She blushed hard, not expecting this kind of situation, and could feel his warmth even through his damp shirt.
When Karlos put her down in the kubo, Maya felt her legs weaken, as though the sudden closeness had melted all her strength away. Her body felt weak because of that sudden gesture. Karlos kissed her forehead gently before looking for his raincoat.
"I'll take care of the dishes. You're getting cold and you need to change your clothes. Wear a jacket to protect yourself from the cold. Stay in the house," Karlos said seriously, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Eh?" Maya was still stunned and stared at him with wide eyes, her mind trying to catch up to what had just happened. Being princess-carried had probably short-circuited her brain.
Karlos found his raincoat and put it on.
"What do you want to eat?" he asked as he stepped outside, glancing at her once more before leaving.
"Fried eggs and a warm cup of coffee..." Maya replied shyly, playing with the hem of her clothing. She felt childish.
"Maya."
"Yes?"
"You don't have to work yourself too much. Just talk to me if you need help." Karlos still couldn't get over the fact that Maya went to the open kitchen to cook while he was asleep. The image of her working in the rain made his chest tighten. It didn't sit well with him that she was outside getting splashed by the rain.
"... I should be the one telling you that," Maya muttered softly under her breath. She felt like her husband was pushing himself too much. She wanted to ease his burden by making sure he had a complete meal every time he returned home tired, it was her way of loving him back.
"Babe."
Before Karlos left, Maya called him.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
Karlos had been longing to build a proper house, but reality was often disappointing. Their savings weren't enough to build a proper concrete house with a sturdy roof. If they cut costs when building, the purpose of having a sturdy home would be lost, it wouldn't be truly durable.
Karlos went to the kitchen, the rain splashing on his knees and legs, but he wasn't bothered. Every time he went sailing, he always got wet, so the sensation of water was nothing new to him.
He checked the dishes Maya had already cooked. She had made rice and reheated the beef stew from yesterday, which still smelled rich and savory. She had also filled the thermos with hot water so that anyone could have a warm drink whenever they needed it.
Karlos went to the back of the house and checked on the three hens they had bought two months ago. The hens were safe and comfortable in their chicken coop, nestled in a layer of dry straw. He inspected the coop and found six eggs, enough for his family to have breakfast.
He returned to the kitchen and started frying the eggs. The oil sizzled as Karlos adjusted the fire. They were using wood at the moment because their stove was broken. They needed to buy a new one.
He added dried wood, stored under their house and carefully stacked to keep it from absorbing moisture. The flames grew stronger, and Karlos fried the eggs.
When he was done, he carried the pot of rice into the house, using a piece of cardboard to protect his hands from the heat. They had to eat inside since it was raining.
He found Maya wearing a jacket and combing her wet crimson hair in slow strokes to dry it. He also saw his two adorable children wearing jackets, making them look like tiny, puffy marshmallows.
The twins were awake and seemed confused by the pitter-patter of the rain, tilting their heads in curiosity. Karlos smiled warmly and set the rice pot on the floor, placing thick cardboard underneath to protect it.
Arabella became excited when she saw the pot of rice. She crawled toward it, trying to touch it, but Maya quickly scooped her up before her small hand could touch the hot metal.
"Arabella, that's dangerous," her mother said sternly. The little girl, startled by the sudden firmness, teared up and began to cry.
"Waahh—!"
Maya sighed and rubbed her temple.
"If you touch that pot, you'll get scalded."
"Waahh—! Mama! Waahh—!"
Arabella didn't understand what her mother said and continued crying with hiccups.
Karlos returned with the dishes and set them on the floor. He found Arabella crying, reaching for the food like an impatient little one. He immediately understood what was going on.
"Arabella, why don't you follow your brother and behave? Look, Iñigo is just playing on the bedding—Oops, never mind, he peed himself." Karlos noticed the dark wet spots on Iñigo's shorts and chuckled in disbelief. Shaking his head, he went outside to grab plates, cups, and utensils.
"Dear Goddess, you two are very naughty," Maya muttered, unable to hide her amusement as she changed Iñigo's diaper.
Karlos took off his raincoat and hung it at the entrance of the house, where it dripped steadily onto the floor. They had a warm meal with hot coffee that instantly chased away the chill in their bones. The twins also enjoyed the beef stew and fried eggs, making happy little noises between bites.
They turned on the radio to listen to the weather report. Relief washed over them as they learned there was no typhoon, the rain was just a passing heavy downpour. If the report was correct, it would stop late at night or by tomorrow.
Maya and Karlos shared a cup of coffee while keeping an eye on the twins, who were learning to walk and kept grabbing onto anything within reach for support.
At noon, Karlos decided to check his boat to make sure it was secure in the worsening weather.
"I'll go out to check if the boat is secure. If the waves are strong and reach farther, I'll call Andres and the others to help me carry it."
"Alright, just stay away from the sea. We don't know how the waves will be. Promise me you won't do something dangerous."
"I promise."
The couple kissed passionately for a few seconds before Karlos left the house with his raincoat. The rain was getting heavier and showed no sign of stopping.
He walked on, the rain slightly blurring his vision as streams of water trickled along the path. Even so, Karlos moved forward with ease. When he reached the beach, he found that...
Chapter 37
New
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
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Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 37
The wind was blowing stronger than usual as Karlos reached the beach. The waves were taller and more powerful, crashing against the shore like walls of water. It was indeed fortunate he hadn't gone fishing today, he knew his boat couldn't handle such waves without risking capsizing or serious damage.
He looked around and saw other fishermen watching the waves clash against the sand, retreat, then surge forward again, repeating the cycle like nature's steady heartbeat.
Some fishermen were pushing their boats farther from the beach, working quickly so they wouldn't get caught by the creeping waves.
Thankfully, Karlos's small bangka was chained securely to a coconut tree. Even if the rain and wind intensified, he didn't have to worry because his boat was well out of the wave zone.
"Hey, Karlos, mind giving us a hand? We can't carry this boat with just three people."
Antonio, the owner of a mid-size trawling boat, waved him over.
"Alright. Let's make it quick, my wife's expecting me back before the rain gets worse."
He grabbed hold of the outrigger. Together, the four men carried the boat far from the shore to prevent the waves from smashing it against the sand or rocks. A boat left on the shoreline could be destroyed by waves, and repairing one could take weeks, a loss no fisherman could afford. That's why they always moved their boats far from the beach during rough weather.
For larger boats that couldn't be carried, fishermen would take them to a protected harbor, bay, or typhoon shelter and secure them with thick ropes.
North of town was a crescent-shaped bay, shielded by land, where large vessels anchored safely even during storms. This natural shelter was one reason their town's fish port could handle big fishing vessels, they had the natural infrastructure to let them stay and unload their catch safely.
Judging from the rain and the waves, today wasn't bad enough to send the boat owners rushing to the bay, but it was always better to be safe than sorry.
"Today's the perfect time for a drink," Antonio joked with a grin. "It's cold, and nothing warms the stomach better than alcohol." His two workers laughed and nodded.
Even Karlos agreed, just the thought of a cold beer made him salivate.
"How about it, Karlos? Want to drink with us? I've got a whole case of gin at my place, probably twelve bottles, all unopened."
"Gin? Nah, I'm a beer guy. Gin's too strong, burns going down, and leaves my throat dry. If it were rum or brandy, maybe I'd join you."
Karlos had sworn off gin years ago after a bad hangover.
"I'll invite you next time if I get something better," Antonio chuckled. Truth be told, the gin had been sitting untouched for months, he didn't like it either.
After helping Antonio, Karlos returned home but paused at the doorway, as if debating something.
"Why aren't you coming in?" Maya asked, spotting him from inside.
"Babe…" Karlos licked his lips, unsure how to ask for a beer without sounding irresponsible.
"What?" Maya prompted.
"Don't stand out there, you'll get sick. Come in."
"Babe…" He scratched the back of his head, still hesitating.
"For Goddess' sake, just say what you want."
"Can I buy a bottle of beer?"
"Karlos, really? The rain's getting stronger and all you can think about is getting drunk like it's a holiday?" Maya's voice was sharp.
"I mean… I've got nothing to do anyway. Might as well enjoy a beer while listening to the rain."
"Enjoy my ass!"
"I'd love to enjoy your ass." Karlos smirked. They usually did that kind of "eating" at night, when the kids were asleep.
"You…!" Maya gritted her teeth and let out a long sigh.
Karlos waited, giving her a sweet, puppy-eyed look.
"Fine. Only one bottle. And buy bread from the bakery, bread's good with coffee."
Maya dug into her pocket and handed him 50 pesos. Karlos kissed the back of her hand when he took the money, a small act of love that still made her cheeks warm, even if she knew he was doing it for beer. She rolled her eyes anyway.
Karlos walked down the street, bought a cold beer, and picked up six pieces of freshly baked bread, still warm from the oven.
When he returned, he wasted no time. He cracked open the bottle with his teeth in one swift motion and took a long gulp, exhaling in satisfaction as the bitter taste spread across his tongue.
Maya shook her head, watching her husband enjoy the beer like it was the rarest treasure in the world.
"Ma!"
The twins tugged at her clothes, asking for bread in their tiny voices. She gave them small pieces, enough for them to nibble without choking. Soon, Arabella and Iñigo were covered in crumbs, cheeks dotted with sticky bits of bread, and jackets smeared with saliva.
Maya sighed at the mess, wiping their faces and cleaning their jackets.
An hour later, Karlos smacked his lips, savoring the aftertaste of his drink. He turned to Maya, who was soaking bread in her coffee.
"Wife, can I—"
"Don't even think about it." She shot him a cold glare.
"I wasn't even finished talking."
"I know what you're about to ask. And no, I'm not giving you money for another beer."
"I was actually thinking about enjoying your ass… but I wouldn't say no to another beer either."
"..."
Maya was speechless.
"Let's talk about it later," she muttered.
The wind was blowing stronger than usual as Karlos reached the beach. The waves were taller and more powerful, crashing against the shore like walls of water. It was indeed fortunate he hadn't gone fishing today, he knew his boat couldn't handle such waves without risking capsizing or serious damage.
He looked around and saw other fishermen watching the waves clash against the sand, retreat, then surge forward again, repeating the cycle like nature's steady heartbeat.
Some fishermen were pushing their boats farther from the beach, working quickly so they wouldn't get caught by the creeping waves.
Thankfully, Karlos's small bangka was chained securely to a coconut tree. Even if the rain and wind intensified, he didn't have to worry because his boat was well out of the wave zone.
"Hey, Karlos, mind giving us a hand? We can't carry this boat with just three people."
Antonio, the owner of a mid-size trawling boat, waved him over.
"Alright. Let's make it quick, my wife's expecting me back before the rain gets worse."
He grabbed hold of the outrigger. Together, the four men carried the boat far from the shore to prevent the waves from smashing it against the sand or rocks. A boat left on the shoreline could be destroyed by waves, and repairing one could take weeks, a loss no fisherman could afford. That's why they always moved their boats far from the beach during rough weather.
For larger boats that couldn't be carried, fishermen would take them to a protected harbor, bay, or typhoon shelter and secure them with thick ropes.
North of town was a crescent-shaped bay, shielded by land, where large vessels anchored safely even during storms. This natural shelter was one reason their town's fish port could handle big fishing vessels, they had the natural infrastructure to let them stay and unload their catch safely.
Judging from the rain and the waves, today wasn't bad enough to send the boat owners rushing to the bay, but it was always better to be safe than sorry.
"Today's the perfect time for a drink," Antonio joked with a grin. "It's cold, and nothing warms the stomach better than alcohol." His two workers laughed and nodded.
Even Karlos agreed, just the thought of a cold beer made him salivate.
"How about it, Karlos? Want to drink with us? I've got a whole case of gin at my place, probably twelve bottles, all unopened."
"Gin? Nah, I'm a beer guy. Gin's too strong, burns going down, and leaves my throat dry. If it were rum or brandy, maybe I'd join you."
Karlos had sworn off gin years ago after a bad hangover.
"I'll invite you next time if I get something better," Antonio chuckled. Truth be told, the gin had been sitting untouched for months, he didn't like it either.
After helping Antonio, Karlos returned home but paused at the doorway, as if debating something.
"Why aren't you coming in?" Maya asked, spotting him from inside.
"Babe…" Karlos licked his lips, unsure how to ask for a beer without sounding irresponsible.
"What?" Maya prompted.
"Don't stand out there, you'll get sick. Come in."
"Babe…" He scratched the back of his head, still hesitating.
"For Goddess' sake, just say what you want."
"Can I buy a bottle of beer?"
"Karlos, really? The rain's getting stronger and all you can think about is getting drunk like it's a holiday?" Maya's voice was sharp.
"I mean… I've got nothing to do anyway. Might as well enjoy a beer while listening to the rain."
"Enjoy my ass!"
"I'd love to enjoy your ass." Karlos smirked. They usually did that kind of "eating" at night, when the kids were asleep.
"You…!" Maya gritted her teeth and let out a long sigh.
Karlos waited, giving her a sweet, puppy-eyed look.
"Fine. Only one bottle. And buy bread from the bakery, bread's good with coffee."
Maya dug into her pocket and handed him 50 pesos. Karlos kissed the back of her hand when he took the money, a small act of love that still made her cheeks warm, even if she knew he was doing it for beer. She rolled her eyes anyway.
Karlos walked down the street, bought a cold beer, and picked up six pieces of freshly baked bread, still warm from the oven.
When he returned, he wasted no time. He cracked open the bottle with his teeth in one swift motion and took a long gulp, exhaling in satisfaction as the bitter taste spread across his tongue.
Maya shook her head, watching her husband enjoy the beer like it was the rarest treasure in the world.
"Ma!"
The twins tugged at her clothes, asking for bread in their tiny voices. She gave them small pieces, enough for them to nibble without choking. Soon, Arabella and Iñigo were covered in crumbs, cheeks dotted with sticky bits of bread, and jackets smeared with saliva.
Maya sighed at the mess, wiping their faces and cleaning their jackets.
An hour later, Karlos smacked his lips, savoring the aftertaste of his drink. He turned to Maya, who was soaking bread in her coffee.
"Wife, can I—"
"Don't even think about it." She shot him a cold glare.
"I wasn't even finished talking."
"I know what you're about to ask. And no, I'm not giving you money for another beer."
"I was actually thinking about enjoying your ass… but I wouldn't say no to another beer either."
"..."
Maya was speechless.
"Let's talk about it later," she muttered.
Chapter 38
New
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2022
- Messages
- 1,078
- Likes received
- 16,754
Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 38
The next day, Karlos instinctively woke up early again, this had become his habit. The pitter-patter of rain was still echoing in the house like a soft drumbeat on the nipa hut, and he knew he couldn't sail today. However, he could tell the rain was weaker this time, a gentle drizzle rather than the pounding rain from yesterday.
He decided to close his eyes and sleep again, savoring the rare comfort of a slow morning. The twins were sleeping between the couple, comfortable with tiny fists curled, feeling safe next to their parents. Nothing in the world could harm them while Mama and Papa were close.
When the sun rose, the rain had completely stopped, and the sky was a vividly bright blue.
"I'll check the beach and collect seashells."
"Take care. Don't step on the sand with bare feet, and watch where you're stepping," Maya reminded him with a protective tone.
Karlos grabbed a bucket and tongs, his trusty tools for beachcombing. For the record, tongs and thongs were different, and he was definitely bringing the metal grabbers.
When Karlos reached the beach, he was satisfied to see that his boat was safe and sound. The waves hadn't reached that far, and his chained boat was untouched despite the rain's tantrum the day before.
He looked around and found kids and adults exploring the beach with the excited energy of treasure hunters, each hoping to find something valuable washed ashore. They were digging in the sand using tongs or screwdrivers. Someone had even brought a full shovel and was attacking the sand like they were searching for buried gold.
Karlos followed suit, finding his own spot a little away from the crowd so he could work without distractions.
After a long rain or typhoon, the waves often brought many kinds of seafood to the beach, nature's own way of delivering a surprise haul without sailing out. Karlos dug into the sand beneath him and was surprised when, with just one scoop, he found a crab snapping its claws at the sudden intrusion.
The crab was fat and edible, with a glossy shell and strong legs. Karlos sometimes caught similar crabs in his traps.
He used the tongs to push the crab back to the sea, watching it scuttle away in a hurry, disappearing into the foamy waves. Then he searched for other types of shellfish. It didn't take long for him to find clams and oysters half-buried in the sand.
Oysters, crabs, and some species of clams loved living in brackish water and mangroves, so Karlos wasn't surprised to find them after the rain, especially knowing the mangroves were just south of town and always thrived after a downpour.
After scooping the sand, Karlos found more oysters and clams. He stopped only when he had filled the bucket to the brim, the shells clinking softly against each other.
"Hey, Karlos, you're going to eat these?" one of his old neighbors asked as he carried the bucket back to the house.
"Nope, I'm just going to shuck them open. Maybe I'll get lucky."
"That's good. You know eating shellfish after a rain isn't recommended."
Karlos knew that toxicity increased after rain or a typhoon, especially for shellfish. Since they were filter feeders, clams and oysters absorbed everything in the water, good or bad. They often became contaminated after heavy rain, so people near the sea usually waited three to four days before eating them. It was a precaution passed down through generations of coastal families.
Karlos' intention in collecting clams and oysters was for one thing only: luck. In their region, people gathered shellfish after the rain not to eat them but in hopes of finding the rare prize of a pearl tucked inside.
Maya was a bit surprised that Karlos had collected a bucket so early in the morning.
"Let's cook later. How about you help me open these oysters and clams first?"
Last year, someone from their town had found a golden pearl and earned one million pesos, an event that spread like wildfire through the community and made every fisherman's wife dream of similar fortune. It became a sensation that inspired people to open shellfish, particularly oysters and clams, hoping to catch even a fraction of that luck.
In fact, a few years ago, Maya had also found a white pearl, although it was only the size of a BB pellet. She decided to keep it.
Maya, excited, agreed to shuck the oysters and clams, her eyes already scanning the shells like a prospector eyeing rocks for gold. She wanted to experience the luck again and maybe, just maybe, beat her own record.
The two opened the oysters and clams one by one at the door where the light was good and the breeze kept them cool. The kids were curious, leaning close to watch but keeping a safe distance whenever the screwdriver pried a shell open.
Arabella wanted to eat the meat of the clams and oysters, but her parents both shook their heads firmly. She became grumpy, pouting in protest.
Even though it might seem like a waste, once these clams and oysters were stranded on the beach, they would eventually dry out and die under the scorching sun. The couple didn't feel bad about what they were doing, knowing nature had already decided their fate. If they got lucky and found a pearl, then shucking the shellfish would be worth it ten times over. They worked slowly, using screwdrivers to pry the shells open and taking care not to injure their hands.
"Babe, I found one... I found one!" Maya couldn't help but jump when she spotted a pearl in an oyster, her heart skipping a beat as the small round treasure gleamed in her palm.
"Really?" Karlos was surprised and leaned in quickly to see for himself.
Maya showed him the pearl. It was white, but bigger than what they'd found last time, catching the light with a milky glow. It was one centimeter in diameter, almost as thick as Maya's pinky finger, and smooth as polished glass.
After calming herself, Maya glanced around to make sure no one else had seen their find. Thankfully, no neighbors had heard her excitement, or they'd be swarming the kubo in minutes.
"Mama." Arabella saw the pearl in Maya's hands and pointed at her mouth, automatically thinking it was edible.
"This isn't something you eat." Maya realized her daughter's intention and gently wagged a finger at her.
"How much do you think we can sell it for?" Maya inspected the pearl, turning it over in her hand and looking for any flaws.
"Let me see." Karlos extended his hand, and Maya carefully placed the pearl in it.
The pearl was a complete circle with no imperfections, a rarity. It was a perfect white pearl.
Karlos was impressed. He knew this kind of pearl would be expensive, though he wasn't sure exactly how much since prices could vary.
"Perhaps 50,000 pesos."
"Really?"
Maya was surprised. She had thought it would sell for 10,000 pesos at best. Finding pearls wasn't new in their region, and she had heard of people selling theirs for around that amount.
"This pearl is a perfect circle, and I can't find a blemish."
"Now that you say it..." Maya's smile grew brighter. She carefully placed the pearl in a small cup to ensure it wouldn't get scratched.
Now, opening the oysters and clams was worth it, especially when they had found a pearl that could sell for 50,000 pesos, a sum that could cover many household needs. That was two weeks' worth of fishing without even leaving the shore.
"Let's continue opening them."
"Ah! Ma!"
Arabella called out, asking for food. Maya decided to give the kids small pieces of bread from yesterday to keep them busy and away from the shucking area.
She didn't tire of opening the clams and oysters, even though her fingers were starting to ache from prying the shells.
"Be careful. We have all the time in the world to shuck these. Don't hurt yourself," Karlos reminded her.
The couple didn't stop until everything was open. Out of all the shellfish they had shucked, they found only one pearl, but the excitement from that single find still lingered in the air. They weren't discouraged, finding even one pearl was already worth it.
At least this was better than gambling or playing the lottery, they hadn't spent a cent, and their only investment was time and effort. All Karlos had done was collect shellfish from the beach, a free ticket to a little adventure and the possibility of fortune.
---
[You can read more on my Patreon.]
The next day, Karlos instinctively woke up early again, this had become his habit. The pitter-patter of rain was still echoing in the house like a soft drumbeat on the nipa hut, and he knew he couldn't sail today. However, he could tell the rain was weaker this time, a gentle drizzle rather than the pounding rain from yesterday.
He decided to close his eyes and sleep again, savoring the rare comfort of a slow morning. The twins were sleeping between the couple, comfortable with tiny fists curled, feeling safe next to their parents. Nothing in the world could harm them while Mama and Papa were close.
When the sun rose, the rain had completely stopped, and the sky was a vividly bright blue.
"I'll check the beach and collect seashells."
"Take care. Don't step on the sand with bare feet, and watch where you're stepping," Maya reminded him with a protective tone.
Karlos grabbed a bucket and tongs, his trusty tools for beachcombing. For the record, tongs and thongs were different, and he was definitely bringing the metal grabbers.
When Karlos reached the beach, he was satisfied to see that his boat was safe and sound. The waves hadn't reached that far, and his chained boat was untouched despite the rain's tantrum the day before.
He looked around and found kids and adults exploring the beach with the excited energy of treasure hunters, each hoping to find something valuable washed ashore. They were digging in the sand using tongs or screwdrivers. Someone had even brought a full shovel and was attacking the sand like they were searching for buried gold.
Karlos followed suit, finding his own spot a little away from the crowd so he could work without distractions.
After a long rain or typhoon, the waves often brought many kinds of seafood to the beach, nature's own way of delivering a surprise haul without sailing out. Karlos dug into the sand beneath him and was surprised when, with just one scoop, he found a crab snapping its claws at the sudden intrusion.
The crab was fat and edible, with a glossy shell and strong legs. Karlos sometimes caught similar crabs in his traps.
He used the tongs to push the crab back to the sea, watching it scuttle away in a hurry, disappearing into the foamy waves. Then he searched for other types of shellfish. It didn't take long for him to find clams and oysters half-buried in the sand.
Oysters, crabs, and some species of clams loved living in brackish water and mangroves, so Karlos wasn't surprised to find them after the rain, especially knowing the mangroves were just south of town and always thrived after a downpour.
After scooping the sand, Karlos found more oysters and clams. He stopped only when he had filled the bucket to the brim, the shells clinking softly against each other.
"Hey, Karlos, you're going to eat these?" one of his old neighbors asked as he carried the bucket back to the house.
"Nope, I'm just going to shuck them open. Maybe I'll get lucky."
"That's good. You know eating shellfish after a rain isn't recommended."
Karlos knew that toxicity increased after rain or a typhoon, especially for shellfish. Since they were filter feeders, clams and oysters absorbed everything in the water, good or bad. They often became contaminated after heavy rain, so people near the sea usually waited three to four days before eating them. It was a precaution passed down through generations of coastal families.
Karlos' intention in collecting clams and oysters was for one thing only: luck. In their region, people gathered shellfish after the rain not to eat them but in hopes of finding the rare prize of a pearl tucked inside.
Maya was a bit surprised that Karlos had collected a bucket so early in the morning.
"Let's cook later. How about you help me open these oysters and clams first?"
Last year, someone from their town had found a golden pearl and earned one million pesos, an event that spread like wildfire through the community and made every fisherman's wife dream of similar fortune. It became a sensation that inspired people to open shellfish, particularly oysters and clams, hoping to catch even a fraction of that luck.
In fact, a few years ago, Maya had also found a white pearl, although it was only the size of a BB pellet. She decided to keep it.
Maya, excited, agreed to shuck the oysters and clams, her eyes already scanning the shells like a prospector eyeing rocks for gold. She wanted to experience the luck again and maybe, just maybe, beat her own record.
The two opened the oysters and clams one by one at the door where the light was good and the breeze kept them cool. The kids were curious, leaning close to watch but keeping a safe distance whenever the screwdriver pried a shell open.
Arabella wanted to eat the meat of the clams and oysters, but her parents both shook their heads firmly. She became grumpy, pouting in protest.
Even though it might seem like a waste, once these clams and oysters were stranded on the beach, they would eventually dry out and die under the scorching sun. The couple didn't feel bad about what they were doing, knowing nature had already decided their fate. If they got lucky and found a pearl, then shucking the shellfish would be worth it ten times over. They worked slowly, using screwdrivers to pry the shells open and taking care not to injure their hands.
"Babe, I found one... I found one!" Maya couldn't help but jump when she spotted a pearl in an oyster, her heart skipping a beat as the small round treasure gleamed in her palm.
"Really?" Karlos was surprised and leaned in quickly to see for himself.
Maya showed him the pearl. It was white, but bigger than what they'd found last time, catching the light with a milky glow. It was one centimeter in diameter, almost as thick as Maya's pinky finger, and smooth as polished glass.
After calming herself, Maya glanced around to make sure no one else had seen their find. Thankfully, no neighbors had heard her excitement, or they'd be swarming the kubo in minutes.
"Mama." Arabella saw the pearl in Maya's hands and pointed at her mouth, automatically thinking it was edible.
"This isn't something you eat." Maya realized her daughter's intention and gently wagged a finger at her.
"How much do you think we can sell it for?" Maya inspected the pearl, turning it over in her hand and looking for any flaws.
"Let me see." Karlos extended his hand, and Maya carefully placed the pearl in it.
The pearl was a complete circle with no imperfections, a rarity. It was a perfect white pearl.
Karlos was impressed. He knew this kind of pearl would be expensive, though he wasn't sure exactly how much since prices could vary.
"Perhaps 50,000 pesos."
"Really?"
Maya was surprised. She had thought it would sell for 10,000 pesos at best. Finding pearls wasn't new in their region, and she had heard of people selling theirs for around that amount.
"This pearl is a perfect circle, and I can't find a blemish."
"Now that you say it..." Maya's smile grew brighter. She carefully placed the pearl in a small cup to ensure it wouldn't get scratched.
Now, opening the oysters and clams was worth it, especially when they had found a pearl that could sell for 50,000 pesos, a sum that could cover many household needs. That was two weeks' worth of fishing without even leaving the shore.
"Let's continue opening them."
"Ah! Ma!"
Arabella called out, asking for food. Maya decided to give the kids small pieces of bread from yesterday to keep them busy and away from the shucking area.
She didn't tire of opening the clams and oysters, even though her fingers were starting to ache from prying the shells.
"Be careful. We have all the time in the world to shuck these. Don't hurt yourself," Karlos reminded her.
The couple didn't stop until everything was open. Out of all the shellfish they had shucked, they found only one pearl, but the excitement from that single find still lingered in the air. They weren't discouraged, finding even one pearl was already worth it.
At least this was better than gambling or playing the lottery, they hadn't spent a cent, and their only investment was time and effort. All Karlos had done was collect shellfish from the beach, a free ticket to a little adventure and the possibility of fortune.
---
[You can read more on my Patreon.]
Chapter 39
New
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
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- 16,754
Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 39
Maya safely put the pearl in the secret compartment in the cabinet that only she and Karlos knew about, placing it in a small box where she kept the jewelry she had inherited from her parents. She was happy to have gained another pearl, and this time it was bigger and far shinier than the last one.
When she left the house, her eyes immediately caught sight of Karlos burying the useless meat from the clams and oysters. As for their shells, Karlos intended to crush them before adding them to the soil in the garden where Maya grew herbs, vegetables, and a few flowering plants. Using shells was good for the garden.
He had only learned this after living by the seaside and observing how the older fishermen's wives maintained their backyard gardens. Shells could improve the soil.
"Look after the kids, I'll cook today."
"Okay." Maya sat at the entrance to block the kids from possibly leaving, as the twins had been getting more adventurous by the day. Arabella was more interested in exploring the outside, her curious eyes always searching for something new. Even the fence Karlos had built was no match for the naughty little girl, who would climb over it whenever they weren't paying attention.
"Is there anything you want?"
"Stir-fry vegetables with eggs." Maya craved it and subconsciously licked her lips as she imagined the aroma. She was happy her husband pampered her whenever he had nothing else to do, taking over the kitchen duties without complaint.
"I'll do it."
He went to the backyard and picked eggplants, okras, and tomatoes fresh from the source. When he checked the chicken coop, he was pleased to find eight eggs nestled neatly in the straw. The three hens were exploring the backyard, scratching the dirt and pecking at small insects for food. Karlos and Maya didn't have to feed them except for leftover scraps after meals, which made them low-maintenance and cost-efficient. Sometimes they gave them feeds if they couldn't provide scraps.
Karlos went to the kitchen and started the fire. He could hear the twins giggling as Maya played with them. He smiled softly, his chest warming at the simple joy of their family life while listening to their adorable laughter echoing through their small home.
An hour later, the rice and stir-fry vegetables with eggs were ready, and the smell filled every corner of the house. The couple ate with satisfaction while feeding the twins between bites. The kids especially loved the eggs, happily chewing on the soft pieces.
"Let's take the kids outside using the strollers. Arabella is getting too active," Maya suggested, and Karlos had no problem with the idea, knowing fresh air would do them all good.
"While we're out, let's buy meat from the wet market. I'm craving fried chicken. I'll cook later," Karlos added with a grin.
Maya nodded and continued feeding Iñigo, who was frowning impatiently for his next bite. Arabella was being fed by Karlos, who also wiped the bits off her cheeks. Once the twins were done, the couple wiped their faces clean, as eating always left them adorably messy.
That whole day, Karlos did all the chores, from washing the dishes to sweeping the yard, while Maya rested and played with the kids.
When the afternoon sun began to set, the couple decided it was a great time to take the kids outside. The air had cooled, and the golden light made everything look warm and peaceful, perfect for exploring their neighborhood. On the way, they would also buy chicken for fried chicken as Karlos had promised earlier.
Maya locked the cabinet, the small room, and the house, triple locks just to be sure. They couldn't afford to risk someone sneaking in while they were away.
The twins lay comfortably in their strollers, watching the surroundings with wide, curious eyes. Arabella was so happy and excited that she giggled every time she saw something interesting, like a dog walking by or a brightly painted house.
The couple strolled slowly, letting the kids enjoy the sights. Iñigo looked left and right as if trying to memorize every detail.
When they turned left at the crossroad, Karlos thought he heard a sudden crashing noise, like ceramic shattering. He paused mid-step.
He turned around to find the source of the noise, but all he saw were a few neighbors chatting in front of their homes.
"Is there something?" Maya asked with a puzzled expression.
"No, I just thought I heard a ceramic plate breaking."
"I didn't hear anything." Maya tilted her head, listening.
"I was probably wrong. Let's go."
They continued walking until they reached the wet market. On the way, Arabella and Iñigo began making noises when they saw a toy store with colorful toys displayed at the entrance. Moments later, they cried loudly, making Maya sigh in defeat. She had no choice but to buy each of them a stuffed toy for 100 pesos. Arabella got a teddy bear, while Iñigo got a tiger plushie, which they immediately clutched tightly.
The twins hugged their toys as the couple pushed the strollers to the wet market, which was bustling with families buying ingredients for dinner.
Karlos bought a whole chicken, chopped fresh at the butcher's stall. He also got flour, crushed peppers, and a bottle of cooking oil for the crispy fried chicken he had in mind.
On their way back, the couple intentionally avoided the toy store by taking the opposite side of the street, not wanting a repeat of the earlier scene. The twins were disappointed but quickly forgot since they already had their new toys.
When they reached their neighborhood, Karlos and Maya once again heard the shattering of ceramic plates, this time much louder and unmistakable.
They found many of their neighbors gathered, watching as if the street had turned into a stage for a live drama.
"That's Miguel and his wife..." Karlos muttered, narrowing his eyes for a clearer view. Miguel was the mid-sized boat owner who had recently tried to hire him.
Maya was also puzzled by the chaotic, loud scene.
"You bastard, I can't believe you'd do this to me. After everything I sacrificed for you!" Miguel's wife screamed, her voice breaking with rage as she hurled plates, coffee mugs, and utensils at him.
"Reina, what's going on here?" Maya asked Andres' wife, who was watching the commotion with a mix of shock and amusement. She kept her voice low so as not to disturb the shouting match.
"Gloria found out Miguel is cheating, hence the scene."
"Miguel cheated? But I thought he loved Gloria so much. How could he cheat?"
"I don't know either. I just heard them fighting, and Gloria's been throwing a fit, smashing whatever she can at Miguel, who's doing his best to dodge."
Reina watched intently, clearly not wanting to miss a second. Almost everyone in the neighborhood had gathered, it was the main event after the rain.
"You bastard! Just because you're tall, handsome, and have a boat, you think you can cheat on me and impregnate another woman!? How dare you!" Gloria screamed hysterically, her face flushed with fury.
Maya instinctively looked at Karlos when she realized every description Gloria shouted fit him perfectly, and her eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion.
"Babe? Why are you looking at me like that?" Karlos asked, confused and slightly nervous at the intensity of her gaze.
---
[You can read more on my Patreon.]
Maya safely put the pearl in the secret compartment in the cabinet that only she and Karlos knew about, placing it in a small box where she kept the jewelry she had inherited from her parents. She was happy to have gained another pearl, and this time it was bigger and far shinier than the last one.
When she left the house, her eyes immediately caught sight of Karlos burying the useless meat from the clams and oysters. As for their shells, Karlos intended to crush them before adding them to the soil in the garden where Maya grew herbs, vegetables, and a few flowering plants. Using shells was good for the garden.
He had only learned this after living by the seaside and observing how the older fishermen's wives maintained their backyard gardens. Shells could improve the soil.
"Look after the kids, I'll cook today."
"Okay." Maya sat at the entrance to block the kids from possibly leaving, as the twins had been getting more adventurous by the day. Arabella was more interested in exploring the outside, her curious eyes always searching for something new. Even the fence Karlos had built was no match for the naughty little girl, who would climb over it whenever they weren't paying attention.
"Is there anything you want?"
"Stir-fry vegetables with eggs." Maya craved it and subconsciously licked her lips as she imagined the aroma. She was happy her husband pampered her whenever he had nothing else to do, taking over the kitchen duties without complaint.
"I'll do it."
He went to the backyard and picked eggplants, okras, and tomatoes fresh from the source. When he checked the chicken coop, he was pleased to find eight eggs nestled neatly in the straw. The three hens were exploring the backyard, scratching the dirt and pecking at small insects for food. Karlos and Maya didn't have to feed them except for leftover scraps after meals, which made them low-maintenance and cost-efficient. Sometimes they gave them feeds if they couldn't provide scraps.
Karlos went to the kitchen and started the fire. He could hear the twins giggling as Maya played with them. He smiled softly, his chest warming at the simple joy of their family life while listening to their adorable laughter echoing through their small home.
An hour later, the rice and stir-fry vegetables with eggs were ready, and the smell filled every corner of the house. The couple ate with satisfaction while feeding the twins between bites. The kids especially loved the eggs, happily chewing on the soft pieces.
"Let's take the kids outside using the strollers. Arabella is getting too active," Maya suggested, and Karlos had no problem with the idea, knowing fresh air would do them all good.
"While we're out, let's buy meat from the wet market. I'm craving fried chicken. I'll cook later," Karlos added with a grin.
Maya nodded and continued feeding Iñigo, who was frowning impatiently for his next bite. Arabella was being fed by Karlos, who also wiped the bits off her cheeks. Once the twins were done, the couple wiped their faces clean, as eating always left them adorably messy.
That whole day, Karlos did all the chores, from washing the dishes to sweeping the yard, while Maya rested and played with the kids.
When the afternoon sun began to set, the couple decided it was a great time to take the kids outside. The air had cooled, and the golden light made everything look warm and peaceful, perfect for exploring their neighborhood. On the way, they would also buy chicken for fried chicken as Karlos had promised earlier.
Maya locked the cabinet, the small room, and the house, triple locks just to be sure. They couldn't afford to risk someone sneaking in while they were away.
The twins lay comfortably in their strollers, watching the surroundings with wide, curious eyes. Arabella was so happy and excited that she giggled every time she saw something interesting, like a dog walking by or a brightly painted house.
The couple strolled slowly, letting the kids enjoy the sights. Iñigo looked left and right as if trying to memorize every detail.
When they turned left at the crossroad, Karlos thought he heard a sudden crashing noise, like ceramic shattering. He paused mid-step.
He turned around to find the source of the noise, but all he saw were a few neighbors chatting in front of their homes.
"Is there something?" Maya asked with a puzzled expression.
"No, I just thought I heard a ceramic plate breaking."
"I didn't hear anything." Maya tilted her head, listening.
"I was probably wrong. Let's go."
They continued walking until they reached the wet market. On the way, Arabella and Iñigo began making noises when they saw a toy store with colorful toys displayed at the entrance. Moments later, they cried loudly, making Maya sigh in defeat. She had no choice but to buy each of them a stuffed toy for 100 pesos. Arabella got a teddy bear, while Iñigo got a tiger plushie, which they immediately clutched tightly.
The twins hugged their toys as the couple pushed the strollers to the wet market, which was bustling with families buying ingredients for dinner.
Karlos bought a whole chicken, chopped fresh at the butcher's stall. He also got flour, crushed peppers, and a bottle of cooking oil for the crispy fried chicken he had in mind.
On their way back, the couple intentionally avoided the toy store by taking the opposite side of the street, not wanting a repeat of the earlier scene. The twins were disappointed but quickly forgot since they already had their new toys.
When they reached their neighborhood, Karlos and Maya once again heard the shattering of ceramic plates, this time much louder and unmistakable.
They found many of their neighbors gathered, watching as if the street had turned into a stage for a live drama.
"That's Miguel and his wife..." Karlos muttered, narrowing his eyes for a clearer view. Miguel was the mid-sized boat owner who had recently tried to hire him.
Maya was also puzzled by the chaotic, loud scene.
"You bastard, I can't believe you'd do this to me. After everything I sacrificed for you!" Miguel's wife screamed, her voice breaking with rage as she hurled plates, coffee mugs, and utensils at him.
"Reina, what's going on here?" Maya asked Andres' wife, who was watching the commotion with a mix of shock and amusement. She kept her voice low so as not to disturb the shouting match.
"Gloria found out Miguel is cheating, hence the scene."
"Miguel cheated? But I thought he loved Gloria so much. How could he cheat?"
"I don't know either. I just heard them fighting, and Gloria's been throwing a fit, smashing whatever she can at Miguel, who's doing his best to dodge."
Reina watched intently, clearly not wanting to miss a second. Almost everyone in the neighborhood had gathered, it was the main event after the rain.
"You bastard! Just because you're tall, handsome, and have a boat, you think you can cheat on me and impregnate another woman!? How dare you!" Gloria screamed hysterically, her face flushed with fury.
Maya instinctively looked at Karlos when she realized every description Gloria shouted fit him perfectly, and her eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion.
"Babe? Why are you looking at me like that?" Karlos asked, confused and slightly nervous at the intensity of her gaze.
---
[You can read more on my Patreon.]
Chapter 40
New
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2022
- Messages
- 1,078
- Likes received
- 16,754
Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 40
"... Nothing." Maya's expression was complicated and hard to read.
Seeing her reaction, Karlos took her hand and held it tightly, as if anchoring her thoughts back to him.
"I don't know what you're thinking, but I'm always with you." His voice was low and steady, making Maya's ears burn red. Her heartbeat quickened with every word.
"Alright... We'll talk later." Maya gave a gentle smile, though it carried a trace of unease. She knew Karlos was different from Miguel, her husband was far better in many ways: more patient, and far more loving. That realization didn't help her at all. It only made her more aware that Karlos was too attractive for her own peace of mind.
She wasn't afraid that Karlos would cheat, but she feared that some bitch might get the idea to seduce him, especially with that quiet charm of his that seemed to draw people in without him even trying.
The idea of locking Karlos in the house entered her mind like a ridiculous yet oddly comforting daydream.
'For some reason, I feel like locking Karlos in the house is not that bad. At least no one can take him away from me if he stays here.' Maya's thoughts spiraled into irrational territory.
However, that diabolical idea vanished when she heard a painful scream.
She turned toward the commotion and saw Miguel screaming in pain as Gloria struck his face. Blood rolled down in a thin crimson line, dripping onto his shirt.
"You fucking bitch! How dare you hit my face!?"
"You deserve it!"
"You—!" Miguel tried to approach Gloria, but she was already prepared to throw another plate at him. Her eyes blazed with fury, making him hesitate.
"So what if I impregnated another woman!? At least she's younger and more beautiful than you, who's aging in a very bad way! Your skin is rough and dark, and all you ever did was ask for my daily earnings! Whenever I tried to talk to you about sex, you avoided me and got mad! Why do you think I found another woman? Because she does everything you never did!"
"Aahhhh—!!! I'm going crazy! Leave! Don't ever come back! If your son hears about what you did, he'll beat you up!"
"My son understands me more than you!"
"Die! Die, you bastard!"
Gloria lost all sense of reasoning and hurled plates at Miguel with pure hatred, completely ignoring the mess she was creating.
"After what I've done for this family! I cook for you every day, wash your laundry, and keep the house spotless for when you come home! And this is what I get!? Don't ever come back!"
Miguel glared at her and left, his jaw clenched and his steps heavy. His face was covered in blood, his pride clearly wounded, his expression twisting into a bitter scowl.
"Ahhh—!"
Gloria collapsed to the ground, sobbing loudly. Her shoulders trembled, and her cries echoed down the street. She kicked her feet like a toddler throwing a tantrum, making the scene both pitiful and unsettling. The entire neighborhood had witnessed it, and whispers spread quickly among the gathered onlookers.
"I can't believe Miguel and Gloria came to this. I thought they loved each other so much," Reina said in surprise.
"Heh, if Andres did that to me, he'd better say goodbye to his children. I'd leave and make sure he never saw us again." Reina scoffed, her eyes carrying a glint.
Some married women helped Gloria and tried to calm her down, but it was clear the damage had been done. Words alone wouldn't heal this wound.
When the commotion ended, the crowd slowly dispersed in small groups, murmuring about what they had just seen. From kids to adults, everyone left shaking their heads in disbelief.
"Arabella and Iñigo are so cute~ Say 'Auntie Reina.' Say 'Auntie~'"
Reina bent down, speaking in a playful tone. Arabella giggled, but Iñigo stared at her cautiously.
"You don't remember me, Iñigo? I changed your diaper just a few months ago, and you've already forgotten me? I was even at the hospital when your mother gave birth to you."
Iñigo remained skeptical, raising his brow and hugging his stuffed toy closer to his chest as if guarding it.
"This kid is too guarded," Reina chuckled, though clearly amused.
"You guys went to the wet market?"
"That's right. We took the kids to explore the neighborhood and buy food along the way so they could see more of the area and get some fresh air. Tell one of the kids to visit the house later, I'll give them fried chicken each." Karlos offered, since a whole chicken was too much for them. It also seemed like a nice way to share with friends. Besides, they had already planned to give some to Andres' family to keep good relations and spread kindness around.
"The kids will love it. Well then, I'll be off now, I still have to wash the sheets." Reina waved before heading down the street.
Karlos and Maya walked back home side by side, the earlier scene still lingering faintly in their minds. Once inside, they set the twins down so Arabella and Iñigo could finally move around freely and play with their new toys.
"Babe, are you okay? You've been quiet for a while."
"No, I'm alright."
Maya tried to smile, but Karlos caught the worry in her eyes, which made him concerned. Not knowing what she was thinking, he decided to hug her, hoping his warmth would draw out her feelings.
"Karlos, what are you doing?" Maya was surprised when he hugged her from behind, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder.
"I just want to hug you. Is there something on your mind?"
"... Well," Maya sighed heavily, debating whether to speak. She felt it was immature to worry about something that might never happen, yet she couldn't push the feeling away.
"I'm scared that someone will take you away from me."
"Wait, what?" Karlos was caught off guard, his eyes widening slightly. He thought she was worried about the cost of the toys, not something this personal.
"Why do you think that will happen? No one's going to seduce me, I'm just a fisherman who spends more time at sea than anywhere else. Honestly, I'm still shocked you chose someone like me. In my eyes, you could've done far better. I'm lucky you married me." Karlos kissed her neck, making Maya shiver and blush.
'This guy is clueless. He doesn't know how attractive he is.' Maya sighed internally.
"Alright, alright, stop kissing me. Just cook the chicken, one of Andres' kids will show up later, and they might be disappointed if you haven't made it yet."
"Alright. Babe, don't worry too much. What you're thinking won't happen. I only love you."
"I know. I love you too." The couple shared a kiss before Karlos stepped outside to start cooking, the faint sizzle of oil soon filling the air.
Maya stayed with the twins, who were dragging their toys along the floor, laughing and babbling in their own little language.
"Don't eat the toy, Arabella. You just put it on the ground, listen to me." Maya took the toy away, but Arabella immediately began to cry, big round tears forming in her eyes. Maya reluctantly gave it back for the sake of peace, knowing she'd have to clean it again later.
---
[You can read more on my Patreon.]
"... Nothing." Maya's expression was complicated and hard to read.
Seeing her reaction, Karlos took her hand and held it tightly, as if anchoring her thoughts back to him.
"I don't know what you're thinking, but I'm always with you." His voice was low and steady, making Maya's ears burn red. Her heartbeat quickened with every word.
"Alright... We'll talk later." Maya gave a gentle smile, though it carried a trace of unease. She knew Karlos was different from Miguel, her husband was far better in many ways: more patient, and far more loving. That realization didn't help her at all. It only made her more aware that Karlos was too attractive for her own peace of mind.
She wasn't afraid that Karlos would cheat, but she feared that some bitch might get the idea to seduce him, especially with that quiet charm of his that seemed to draw people in without him even trying.
The idea of locking Karlos in the house entered her mind like a ridiculous yet oddly comforting daydream.
'For some reason, I feel like locking Karlos in the house is not that bad. At least no one can take him away from me if he stays here.' Maya's thoughts spiraled into irrational territory.
However, that diabolical idea vanished when she heard a painful scream.
She turned toward the commotion and saw Miguel screaming in pain as Gloria struck his face. Blood rolled down in a thin crimson line, dripping onto his shirt.
"You fucking bitch! How dare you hit my face!?"
"You deserve it!"
"You—!" Miguel tried to approach Gloria, but she was already prepared to throw another plate at him. Her eyes blazed with fury, making him hesitate.
"So what if I impregnated another woman!? At least she's younger and more beautiful than you, who's aging in a very bad way! Your skin is rough and dark, and all you ever did was ask for my daily earnings! Whenever I tried to talk to you about sex, you avoided me and got mad! Why do you think I found another woman? Because she does everything you never did!"
"Aahhhh—!!! I'm going crazy! Leave! Don't ever come back! If your son hears about what you did, he'll beat you up!"
"My son understands me more than you!"
"Die! Die, you bastard!"
Gloria lost all sense of reasoning and hurled plates at Miguel with pure hatred, completely ignoring the mess she was creating.
"After what I've done for this family! I cook for you every day, wash your laundry, and keep the house spotless for when you come home! And this is what I get!? Don't ever come back!"
Miguel glared at her and left, his jaw clenched and his steps heavy. His face was covered in blood, his pride clearly wounded, his expression twisting into a bitter scowl.
"Ahhh—!"
Gloria collapsed to the ground, sobbing loudly. Her shoulders trembled, and her cries echoed down the street. She kicked her feet like a toddler throwing a tantrum, making the scene both pitiful and unsettling. The entire neighborhood had witnessed it, and whispers spread quickly among the gathered onlookers.
"I can't believe Miguel and Gloria came to this. I thought they loved each other so much," Reina said in surprise.
"Heh, if Andres did that to me, he'd better say goodbye to his children. I'd leave and make sure he never saw us again." Reina scoffed, her eyes carrying a glint.
Some married women helped Gloria and tried to calm her down, but it was clear the damage had been done. Words alone wouldn't heal this wound.
When the commotion ended, the crowd slowly dispersed in small groups, murmuring about what they had just seen. From kids to adults, everyone left shaking their heads in disbelief.
"Arabella and Iñigo are so cute~ Say 'Auntie Reina.' Say 'Auntie~'"
Reina bent down, speaking in a playful tone. Arabella giggled, but Iñigo stared at her cautiously.
"You don't remember me, Iñigo? I changed your diaper just a few months ago, and you've already forgotten me? I was even at the hospital when your mother gave birth to you."
Iñigo remained skeptical, raising his brow and hugging his stuffed toy closer to his chest as if guarding it.
"This kid is too guarded," Reina chuckled, though clearly amused.
"You guys went to the wet market?"
"That's right. We took the kids to explore the neighborhood and buy food along the way so they could see more of the area and get some fresh air. Tell one of the kids to visit the house later, I'll give them fried chicken each." Karlos offered, since a whole chicken was too much for them. It also seemed like a nice way to share with friends. Besides, they had already planned to give some to Andres' family to keep good relations and spread kindness around.
"The kids will love it. Well then, I'll be off now, I still have to wash the sheets." Reina waved before heading down the street.
Karlos and Maya walked back home side by side, the earlier scene still lingering faintly in their minds. Once inside, they set the twins down so Arabella and Iñigo could finally move around freely and play with their new toys.
"Babe, are you okay? You've been quiet for a while."
"No, I'm alright."
Maya tried to smile, but Karlos caught the worry in her eyes, which made him concerned. Not knowing what she was thinking, he decided to hug her, hoping his warmth would draw out her feelings.
"Karlos, what are you doing?" Maya was surprised when he hugged her from behind, resting his chin lightly on her shoulder.
"I just want to hug you. Is there something on your mind?"
"... Well," Maya sighed heavily, debating whether to speak. She felt it was immature to worry about something that might never happen, yet she couldn't push the feeling away.
"I'm scared that someone will take you away from me."
"Wait, what?" Karlos was caught off guard, his eyes widening slightly. He thought she was worried about the cost of the toys, not something this personal.
"Why do you think that will happen? No one's going to seduce me, I'm just a fisherman who spends more time at sea than anywhere else. Honestly, I'm still shocked you chose someone like me. In my eyes, you could've done far better. I'm lucky you married me." Karlos kissed her neck, making Maya shiver and blush.
'This guy is clueless. He doesn't know how attractive he is.' Maya sighed internally.
"Alright, alright, stop kissing me. Just cook the chicken, one of Andres' kids will show up later, and they might be disappointed if you haven't made it yet."
"Alright. Babe, don't worry too much. What you're thinking won't happen. I only love you."
"I know. I love you too." The couple shared a kiss before Karlos stepped outside to start cooking, the faint sizzle of oil soon filling the air.
Maya stayed with the twins, who were dragging their toys along the floor, laughing and babbling in their own little language.
"Don't eat the toy, Arabella. You just put it on the ground, listen to me." Maya took the toy away, but Arabella immediately began to cry, big round tears forming in her eyes. Maya reluctantly gave it back for the sake of peace, knowing she'd have to clean it again later.
---
[You can read more on my Patreon.]
Chapter 41
New
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2022
- Messages
- 1,078
- Likes received
- 16,754
Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 41
Karlos was whistling as he drove the boat against the waves. The engine's roar drowned his whistle almost completely, the vibration rattling the wood beneath his feet.
Today, he was happy about what he caught. His styrofoam box was filled with lively crabs that kept snapping their claws, and his smaller container was filled with tiger prawns, some still jumping.
And now, before going to the fish port, Karlos headed to a fishing spot where he usually fished. The place had deeper water with shades of deep blue, so he knew that his line wouldn't get tangled or snap against corals and reefs, unlike in shallower areas.
He stopped the engine and continued whistling as he set up his bait. He had taken a few sand fleas from the beach to use as bait. The small creatures wriggled in his hand. He carefully hooked one before throwing the line as far as possible in a clean arc.
This was his daily routine. After collecting crabs and prawns, Karlos fished in this spot to catch big fish. He mostly caught species like trevally and mackerel, dependable for income. But sometimes, he got lucky and hooked bigger fish such as Yellowfin Tuna.
Well, to be precise, he had only caught a Yellowfin once before, and it was incredibly big and strong.
Karlos whistled and waited for the fish to take the bait. Sure enough…
The fishing rod started twitching, and Karlos felt the pull, a familiar rush of excitement each time he had a good catch. He adjusted his position and calmly reeled in with practiced rhythm, letting the drag tire out the fish instead of forcing it too soon. Based on its strength, this one was probably around 10 kilograms, not too light, not too heavy, but enough to fetch a decent price.
A few minutes later, Karlos saw the fish and recognized it immediately. It was a Dorado. It had three common names: Dorado, Mahi-Mahi, or Dolphinfish. Its most obvious characteristic was its large forehead and shimmering golden-green scales.
"Sweet. This fish is expensive."
Karlos placed the fish in the bucket without water and cut its gills to bleed it. This was the best way to maintain the quality of an expensive fish like Mahi-Mahi.
Once he was done, he hooked another sand flea and threw it into the water with the same steady hand. Just a few seconds later, another fish had already taken the bait. Karlos didn't even have time to stretch or sip water from his plastic bottle as he grabbed the fishing rod again.
This time, he caught a beautiful red snapper. As its name suggested, it had a reddish-pink color that gleamed brilliantly under the morning sun, along with sharp teeth. Another delicious and expensive fish, weighing around 8 kilograms, a prize that made Karlos grin with satisfaction.
He was about to set another bait when his eyes caught something in the distance. The reflection of the sun made it difficult to see clearly as the water sparkled, but as the shape drew closer, Karlos recognized a fin.
"Is that a shark? And it's moving fast!"
Karlos braced himself as he realized the shark was coming directly toward him. He gripped the side of his boat tightly until his knuckles turned white.
"It's attacking a big fish!"
The shark was following a large fish, possibly to eat it. Both predator and prey were charging in his direction like a deadly chase scene unfolding across the waves.
Suddenly, a huge fish leapt straight into his boat! It was massive, bigger than Karlos himself. Its sheer weight made the hull thud loudly under the impact.
The boat shook violently as the fish thrashed, seawater splashing everywhere. Karlos felt as if the boat might capsize if he didn't act fast. He grabbed the paddle next to him and smashed the fish's head with every ounce of strength he had. The echo of wood hitting bone cracked sharply. The paddle splintered into pieces across the floor, but Karlos struck again, desperate to stop the thrashing. If he didn't, the boat could capsize, leaving him in the water where the shark was circling.
It took three solid blows before the fish finally went still.
Breathing hard, Karlos finally had time to assess his situation. He looked over the edge of the boat and froze. A massive great white shark was circling, its dorsal fin cutting through the water like a blade. Its enormous body was a reminder that he was facing one of the ocean's greatest predators.
The shark seemed frustrated that its prey had leapt into Karlos's boat instead of becoming its meal. Its slow, angry circles gave the impression of a predator refusing to surrender its claim.
If the boat tilted or capsized because of the fish's weight, Karlos knew he had little chance of survival. The shark could easily make him its next meal, or worse, he might drown in the open sea. There was no island nearby, only endless blue in every direction.
Karlos gripped the steering handle and nervously started the engine. The great white's fin followed close behind. Karlos' body moved on instinct as his heartbeat thundered in his chest, desperately searching for a way to escape.
He pushed the engine harder, hoping the shark wouldn't ram the boat out of spite.
Thankfully, another boat appeared on the horizon. Relief washed over Karlos at the sight. Even if others couldn't do much against a shark, their presence alone gave him courage.
"Hey Karlos! What the heck have you caught!?"
"That's a huge fish!"
"Dear Goddess, is that what I think it is?"
The fishermen on the other boat shouted in shock as they saw the enormous fish lying in Karlos's boat.
"This? This is a…"
Karlos froze. Now that he had the chance to actually examine the fish, he realized what it was. His eyes widened. It wasn't just a big fish, it was a Bluefin Tuna. The legendary catch every fisherman dreamed of.
A freaking Bluefin Tuna! The most expensive tuna in the world. No wonder the other fishermen were stunned.
"Bluefin Tuna!"
"How did you catch that!?"
"This fish… it was being chased by a great white shark, huh?"
Karlos looked around, but the shark was nowhere to be seen.
"Karlos, you're really lucky! That fish is worth a fortune!" they shouted.
"Did you guys see a shark following me? I swear it was right behind me…" Karlos asked.
"Shark? No, we didn't see any."
"We were watching your boat from a distance, and we didn't see any fin or shark at all."
"Huh?"
Karlos frowned in confusion. He was certain he had seen a great white shark. The image of its massive fin slicing through the waves was still vivid in his mind, far too real to be a mere hallucination.
Was he imagining it?
"You should bring that fish back to the port as soon as possible. You don't want it to spoil."
"Have you bled it yet?"
"Ah, right. Thanks for reminding me."
Deciding to forget about the shark for now, Karlos stood and began bleeding the huge Bluefin Tuna. His hands trembled, not from fear this time, but from overwhelming excitement.
---
If you want to read more, you can check out my Patreon. It has:
24 chapters of Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad
43 chapters of Behind The Spotlight
Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_maki
Karlos was whistling as he drove the boat against the waves. The engine's roar drowned his whistle almost completely, the vibration rattling the wood beneath his feet.
Today, he was happy about what he caught. His styrofoam box was filled with lively crabs that kept snapping their claws, and his smaller container was filled with tiger prawns, some still jumping.
And now, before going to the fish port, Karlos headed to a fishing spot where he usually fished. The place had deeper water with shades of deep blue, so he knew that his line wouldn't get tangled or snap against corals and reefs, unlike in shallower areas.
He stopped the engine and continued whistling as he set up his bait. He had taken a few sand fleas from the beach to use as bait. The small creatures wriggled in his hand. He carefully hooked one before throwing the line as far as possible in a clean arc.
This was his daily routine. After collecting crabs and prawns, Karlos fished in this spot to catch big fish. He mostly caught species like trevally and mackerel, dependable for income. But sometimes, he got lucky and hooked bigger fish such as Yellowfin Tuna.
Well, to be precise, he had only caught a Yellowfin once before, and it was incredibly big and strong.
Karlos whistled and waited for the fish to take the bait. Sure enough…
The fishing rod started twitching, and Karlos felt the pull, a familiar rush of excitement each time he had a good catch. He adjusted his position and calmly reeled in with practiced rhythm, letting the drag tire out the fish instead of forcing it too soon. Based on its strength, this one was probably around 10 kilograms, not too light, not too heavy, but enough to fetch a decent price.
A few minutes later, Karlos saw the fish and recognized it immediately. It was a Dorado. It had three common names: Dorado, Mahi-Mahi, or Dolphinfish. Its most obvious characteristic was its large forehead and shimmering golden-green scales.
"Sweet. This fish is expensive."
Karlos placed the fish in the bucket without water and cut its gills to bleed it. This was the best way to maintain the quality of an expensive fish like Mahi-Mahi.
Once he was done, he hooked another sand flea and threw it into the water with the same steady hand. Just a few seconds later, another fish had already taken the bait. Karlos didn't even have time to stretch or sip water from his plastic bottle as he grabbed the fishing rod again.
This time, he caught a beautiful red snapper. As its name suggested, it had a reddish-pink color that gleamed brilliantly under the morning sun, along with sharp teeth. Another delicious and expensive fish, weighing around 8 kilograms, a prize that made Karlos grin with satisfaction.
He was about to set another bait when his eyes caught something in the distance. The reflection of the sun made it difficult to see clearly as the water sparkled, but as the shape drew closer, Karlos recognized a fin.
"Is that a shark? And it's moving fast!"
Karlos braced himself as he realized the shark was coming directly toward him. He gripped the side of his boat tightly until his knuckles turned white.
"It's attacking a big fish!"
The shark was following a large fish, possibly to eat it. Both predator and prey were charging in his direction like a deadly chase scene unfolding across the waves.
Suddenly, a huge fish leapt straight into his boat! It was massive, bigger than Karlos himself. Its sheer weight made the hull thud loudly under the impact.
The boat shook violently as the fish thrashed, seawater splashing everywhere. Karlos felt as if the boat might capsize if he didn't act fast. He grabbed the paddle next to him and smashed the fish's head with every ounce of strength he had. The echo of wood hitting bone cracked sharply. The paddle splintered into pieces across the floor, but Karlos struck again, desperate to stop the thrashing. If he didn't, the boat could capsize, leaving him in the water where the shark was circling.
It took three solid blows before the fish finally went still.
Breathing hard, Karlos finally had time to assess his situation. He looked over the edge of the boat and froze. A massive great white shark was circling, its dorsal fin cutting through the water like a blade. Its enormous body was a reminder that he was facing one of the ocean's greatest predators.
The shark seemed frustrated that its prey had leapt into Karlos's boat instead of becoming its meal. Its slow, angry circles gave the impression of a predator refusing to surrender its claim.
If the boat tilted or capsized because of the fish's weight, Karlos knew he had little chance of survival. The shark could easily make him its next meal, or worse, he might drown in the open sea. There was no island nearby, only endless blue in every direction.
Karlos gripped the steering handle and nervously started the engine. The great white's fin followed close behind. Karlos' body moved on instinct as his heartbeat thundered in his chest, desperately searching for a way to escape.
He pushed the engine harder, hoping the shark wouldn't ram the boat out of spite.
Thankfully, another boat appeared on the horizon. Relief washed over Karlos at the sight. Even if others couldn't do much against a shark, their presence alone gave him courage.
"Hey Karlos! What the heck have you caught!?"
"That's a huge fish!"
"Dear Goddess, is that what I think it is?"
The fishermen on the other boat shouted in shock as they saw the enormous fish lying in Karlos's boat.
"This? This is a…"
Karlos froze. Now that he had the chance to actually examine the fish, he realized what it was. His eyes widened. It wasn't just a big fish, it was a Bluefin Tuna. The legendary catch every fisherman dreamed of.
A freaking Bluefin Tuna! The most expensive tuna in the world. No wonder the other fishermen were stunned.
"Bluefin Tuna!"
"How did you catch that!?"
"This fish… it was being chased by a great white shark, huh?"
Karlos looked around, but the shark was nowhere to be seen.
"Karlos, you're really lucky! That fish is worth a fortune!" they shouted.
"Did you guys see a shark following me? I swear it was right behind me…" Karlos asked.
"Shark? No, we didn't see any."
"We were watching your boat from a distance, and we didn't see any fin or shark at all."
"Huh?"
Karlos frowned in confusion. He was certain he had seen a great white shark. The image of its massive fin slicing through the waves was still vivid in his mind, far too real to be a mere hallucination.
Was he imagining it?
"You should bring that fish back to the port as soon as possible. You don't want it to spoil."
"Have you bled it yet?"
"Ah, right. Thanks for reminding me."
Deciding to forget about the shark for now, Karlos stood and began bleeding the huge Bluefin Tuna. His hands trembled, not from fear this time, but from overwhelming excitement.
---
If you want to read more, you can check out my Patreon. It has:
24 chapters of Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad
43 chapters of Behind The Spotlight
Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/Puji_maki
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Chapter 42
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Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 42
He couldn't see any fin or large shadow lurking in the water. Karlos felt confused and uneasy, scanning the rolling surface again and again as he cut the gills of the Bluefin Tuna.
"You're sure you've seen nothing?" he asked the other fishermen, narrowing his eyes.
"If there's a shark, we would have warned you from afar."
"Fair enough." Karlos nodded with a sigh of relief. Perhaps he was hallucinating? He should have eaten the biscuit he kept in his bag, his hunger clouding his focus.
"Anyway, don't avoid the question. How did you catch a Bluefin Tuna? You need a strong fishing rod to get that."
One of the fishermen asked curiously. Some of them were jealous, their eyes following every movement Karlos made, lingering on the shimmering body of the massive tuna.
Karlos recalled how the tuna had jumped into his boat with a thunderous splash that nearly overturned it. The absurdity of it was still fresh in his mind, and he smirked.
"The tuna jumped into my boat." He chuckled as if retelling a joke.
"Bullshit!"
"Get the fuck out of here."
"If you don't want to tell us, just say it straight."
"Haha, I'm not joking. The tuna really jumped into my boat." Karlos excused himself before the conversation turned sour.
"I'm going to leave now. I have to sell my catch as soon as possible."
"Take care then."
Karlos recognized most of the fishermen as townsfolk. However, some were obviously eyeing his tuna, their stares heavy with envy and greed. He felt he had to leave. It might be a small chance, but if given the opportunity, they could steal his catch and throw him into the water.
After bidding farewell, he sped up, pushing the little engine harder than usual to put distance between himself and the other boat. Thankfully, he didn't see the great white shark anymore, and the silence of the ocean brought him some peace of mind.
Once he reached the fish port, other fishermen saw his catch and were shocked, their voices rising in disbelief as they pointed toward his boat.
"Bruh."
"Dear Goddess."
"Hey, make way! Make way!"
Andres and Joseph rushed over when they spotted Karlos' boat, which carried a huge Bluefin Tuna so heavy that it sank nearly two-thirds of the bangka. They never expected Karlos to catch something like this with such a small boat.
Bluefin Tuna wasn't rare in their region, but they were usually far from shore, thriving in the colder, deeper parts of the ocean.
Around November and December, the fish port would be packed with Bluefin Tuna and King Salmon that migrated during those months, turning the docks into a bustling marketplace filled with shouts of buyers.
Occasionally, a boat might encounter Bluefin Tuna in August since temperatures dropped slightly during this time. Still, it was shocking for a small bangka that only explored near the shore to catch a fish of this size, it defied logic. Such an event was extremely rare. By regulation, if a Bluefin Tuna was smaller than 27 inches, it was illegal to catch it.
But the one Karlos caught was obviously much bigger. At least 70 inches long, around 2 meters if converted, it was a towering presence that dwarfed everything else on the dock.
"What in the Goddess happened for you to catch a huge fish like this?" Both Joseph and Andres were so shocked their jaws nearly dropped as Karlos tied his boat to a pole.
Karlos grinned. He realized he'd hit the jackpot today, and his heart raced at the fortune this one catch could bring.
"The tuna jumped into my boat because a great white shark was going after it."
"Karlos, you need a better excuse than that." Joseph looked skeptical but intrigued.
"As if people will believe you. It's alright, you don't have to tell us if you're not comfortable."
"Haha." Karlos chuckled and shook his head, knowing the truth sounded ridiculous. Even he still had trouble believing what had happened.
"I'll call more people to carry this fish."
"Yeah, we need at least four people."
Other fishermen and buyers also gathered, staring at the giant Bluefin Tuna. They couldn't believe Karlos had caught such a monster without losing his boat or breaking his gear. Like Andres and Joseph, they bombarded him with questions, but Karlos gave the same answer as before. Most didn't believe him.
Together, Karlos, Andres, and a few others carried the massive fish into the fish port.
"How about your other catch? What are you going to do about it?" one of the buyers asked with interest, eyeing the containers on Karlos' boat. Karlos had a good reputation for selling plump, fresh crabs and prawns.
"How about you give it to us free? You're going to earn a big profit from the tuna anyway."
Karlos frowned. It sounded more like a demand than a request.
"I'm going to sell it to my brother-in-law."
Joseph nodded at that and gave Karlos a small smile.
"Let's settle that later. I'll have someone watch over your catch."
"Thanks, Joseph."
They reached the fish port, and people parted for them like a parade. Curious onlookers cleared the path with murmurs as they made their way to the open space where big tunas were inspected by professional buyers.
"You're lucky. Some foreigners from Sushi country are here today," Andres teased with a grin, nudging Karlos as they laid the tuna on a free spot to await inspection.
"That's great."
Bluefin Tuna was the best for sushi, and people from Sushi country would likely pay a high price for it, given the endless demand for premium sashimi.
The tuna was weighed and measured 327 kilograms and 2.2 meters long. Karlos was tall, but this tuna was even taller than he was, and its sheer weight made the wooden platform creak beneath it. A clerk quickly wrote down the details and attached the tag to its tail.
Over 30 huge tunas were being inspected, most were Yellowfin, some Bigeye, and a few Bluefin. The Bluefin was undoubtedly the most valuable, often selling for sums ordinary fishermen could only dream of. Their fish port had long turned such inspections into a free spectacle.
Some wealthy-looking buyers stabbed the tunas with thin metal probes, checking the color and fat content of the meat. Karlos wasn't an expert, but he knew the best quality tuna had higher marbling, a firm yet tender texture, and vibrant red flesh.
One of the buyers approached Karlos' Bluefin and stabbed it with the thin probe. Slowly, he pulled it out and examined the sample. He gave a slight nod, though of course he didn't taste it on the spot. The tuna had to be processed first, which required flash freezing.
Karlos couldn't confirm what the nod meant, so he wasn't sure if the buyer was satisfied. The man looked at him sharply and spoke.
"Are you the one who caught this Bluefin?"
"That's right."
---
[You can read more on my Patreon.]
He couldn't see any fin or large shadow lurking in the water. Karlos felt confused and uneasy, scanning the rolling surface again and again as he cut the gills of the Bluefin Tuna.
"You're sure you've seen nothing?" he asked the other fishermen, narrowing his eyes.
"If there's a shark, we would have warned you from afar."
"Fair enough." Karlos nodded with a sigh of relief. Perhaps he was hallucinating? He should have eaten the biscuit he kept in his bag, his hunger clouding his focus.
"Anyway, don't avoid the question. How did you catch a Bluefin Tuna? You need a strong fishing rod to get that."
One of the fishermen asked curiously. Some of them were jealous, their eyes following every movement Karlos made, lingering on the shimmering body of the massive tuna.
Karlos recalled how the tuna had jumped into his boat with a thunderous splash that nearly overturned it. The absurdity of it was still fresh in his mind, and he smirked.
"The tuna jumped into my boat." He chuckled as if retelling a joke.
"Bullshit!"
"Get the fuck out of here."
"If you don't want to tell us, just say it straight."
"Haha, I'm not joking. The tuna really jumped into my boat." Karlos excused himself before the conversation turned sour.
"I'm going to leave now. I have to sell my catch as soon as possible."
"Take care then."
Karlos recognized most of the fishermen as townsfolk. However, some were obviously eyeing his tuna, their stares heavy with envy and greed. He felt he had to leave. It might be a small chance, but if given the opportunity, they could steal his catch and throw him into the water.
After bidding farewell, he sped up, pushing the little engine harder than usual to put distance between himself and the other boat. Thankfully, he didn't see the great white shark anymore, and the silence of the ocean brought him some peace of mind.
Once he reached the fish port, other fishermen saw his catch and were shocked, their voices rising in disbelief as they pointed toward his boat.
"Bruh."
"Dear Goddess."
"Hey, make way! Make way!"
Andres and Joseph rushed over when they spotted Karlos' boat, which carried a huge Bluefin Tuna so heavy that it sank nearly two-thirds of the bangka. They never expected Karlos to catch something like this with such a small boat.
Bluefin Tuna wasn't rare in their region, but they were usually far from shore, thriving in the colder, deeper parts of the ocean.
Around November and December, the fish port would be packed with Bluefin Tuna and King Salmon that migrated during those months, turning the docks into a bustling marketplace filled with shouts of buyers.
Occasionally, a boat might encounter Bluefin Tuna in August since temperatures dropped slightly during this time. Still, it was shocking for a small bangka that only explored near the shore to catch a fish of this size, it defied logic. Such an event was extremely rare. By regulation, if a Bluefin Tuna was smaller than 27 inches, it was illegal to catch it.
But the one Karlos caught was obviously much bigger. At least 70 inches long, around 2 meters if converted, it was a towering presence that dwarfed everything else on the dock.
"What in the Goddess happened for you to catch a huge fish like this?" Both Joseph and Andres were so shocked their jaws nearly dropped as Karlos tied his boat to a pole.
Karlos grinned. He realized he'd hit the jackpot today, and his heart raced at the fortune this one catch could bring.
"The tuna jumped into my boat because a great white shark was going after it."
"Karlos, you need a better excuse than that." Joseph looked skeptical but intrigued.
"As if people will believe you. It's alright, you don't have to tell us if you're not comfortable."
"Haha." Karlos chuckled and shook his head, knowing the truth sounded ridiculous. Even he still had trouble believing what had happened.
"I'll call more people to carry this fish."
"Yeah, we need at least four people."
Other fishermen and buyers also gathered, staring at the giant Bluefin Tuna. They couldn't believe Karlos had caught such a monster without losing his boat or breaking his gear. Like Andres and Joseph, they bombarded him with questions, but Karlos gave the same answer as before. Most didn't believe him.
Together, Karlos, Andres, and a few others carried the massive fish into the fish port.
"How about your other catch? What are you going to do about it?" one of the buyers asked with interest, eyeing the containers on Karlos' boat. Karlos had a good reputation for selling plump, fresh crabs and prawns.
"How about you give it to us free? You're going to earn a big profit from the tuna anyway."
Karlos frowned. It sounded more like a demand than a request.
"I'm going to sell it to my brother-in-law."
Joseph nodded at that and gave Karlos a small smile.
"Let's settle that later. I'll have someone watch over your catch."
"Thanks, Joseph."
They reached the fish port, and people parted for them like a parade. Curious onlookers cleared the path with murmurs as they made their way to the open space where big tunas were inspected by professional buyers.
"You're lucky. Some foreigners from Sushi country are here today," Andres teased with a grin, nudging Karlos as they laid the tuna on a free spot to await inspection.
"That's great."
Bluefin Tuna was the best for sushi, and people from Sushi country would likely pay a high price for it, given the endless demand for premium sashimi.
The tuna was weighed and measured 327 kilograms and 2.2 meters long. Karlos was tall, but this tuna was even taller than he was, and its sheer weight made the wooden platform creak beneath it. A clerk quickly wrote down the details and attached the tag to its tail.
Over 30 huge tunas were being inspected, most were Yellowfin, some Bigeye, and a few Bluefin. The Bluefin was undoubtedly the most valuable, often selling for sums ordinary fishermen could only dream of. Their fish port had long turned such inspections into a free spectacle.
Some wealthy-looking buyers stabbed the tunas with thin metal probes, checking the color and fat content of the meat. Karlos wasn't an expert, but he knew the best quality tuna had higher marbling, a firm yet tender texture, and vibrant red flesh.
One of the buyers approached Karlos' Bluefin and stabbed it with the thin probe. Slowly, he pulled it out and examined the sample. He gave a slight nod, though of course he didn't taste it on the spot. The tuna had to be processed first, which required flash freezing.
Karlos couldn't confirm what the nod meant, so he wasn't sure if the buyer was satisfied. The man looked at him sharply and spoke.
"Are you the one who caught this Bluefin?"
"That's right."
---
[You can read more on my Patreon.]
Chapter 43
New
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
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Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 43
"I'll buy this fish for 600 pesos per kilo."
"600 pesos per kilo!" Andres was shocked, and so were the others who watched the situation unfold.
"Karlos, that price means your tuna is sashimi-grade and sushi-grade. Also, that guy buys tuna here at least three times a week. He's a frequent buyer with deep pockets," Joseph informed him.
"Mister?"
"You can call me Mr. Sanchez. I took a liking to this fish, and I'm ready to offer 600 pesos per kilogram. Let's see, it says here this tuna is 327 kilograms. That means you can earn around 196,000 pesos in just one transaction. That's amazing, right?"
Someone gasped from the audience, although most of them weren't too shocked. In this fish port, that kind of transaction wasn't rare, especially with tuna. Big-money buyers often showed up, and locals had become accustomed to outrageous amounts being thrown around like pocket change. However, it further confirmed that Karlos was a lucky fisherman for catching a Bluefin tuna.
Karlos licked his lips. He was tempted to take the deal since the number alone made his heart pound and his palms sweaty. However, he was waiting for the foreigners to inspect his catch, hoping for a better deal because his gut told him the tuna he caught was far too valuable to sell in haste.
He looked around and found two foreigners and one local inspecting a tuna a few meters away with intense concentration, poking at the flesh and nodding at one another.
"I know that look. You're probably waiting for the foreigners to check your catch and offer a higher price. You are free to do that, but if their offer is smaller than mine, then you'll regret it because I won't take a tuna that's already been stabbed twice," Mr. Sanchez said.
"... I'm sorry, but I have to decline."
Karlos gritted his teeth and refused. Mr. Sanchez was disappointed. He glanced at the Bluefin tuna, which clearly had excellent quality. He worked in an import company that delivered high-quality sashimi-grade tuna to Sushi Country. His job was to find quality fish and earn commission from it.
600 pesos per kilogram was actually cheap because their company could sell it for seven times that price once it reached Sushi Country, where demand for premium tuna was insatiable and chefs were willing to pay fortunes just to slice the perfect sashimi. Even after subtracting importation expenses, the profit was still extravagant, and Mr. Sanchez was frustrated that his golden opportunity was slipping away.
"How about I buy it for 750 pesos?" Mr. Sanchez offered a higher price with a slightly forced smile, hiding the irritation building in his chest.
'Today is bad luck for me. Why did foreigners from Sushi Country have to visit this port? Now I can't find a proper tuna because of the competition.' Mr. Sanchez bitterly sighed.
The appearance of the foreigners prevented him from buying high-quality tuna that day. The one in front of him was the best he had found, and he didn't want to let it go without a fight because losing it meant losing not only commission but also face in front of the other buyers.
Karlos quickly computed the profit. If he sold the tuna for 750 pesos per kilo, he would earn about 245,000 pesos! That was nearly two months' worth of fishing compressed into a single glorious payday, the kind of windfall most small fishermen only dreamed about.
Even Andres and Joseph looked at Karlos, waiting for his response. Honestly, they felt the amount was already high, maybe even too good to refuse. Even Joseph, who handled about 50,000 pesos of revenue per trip, couldn't handle that amount without feeling dizzy just thinking about it.
However, Karlos decided to trust his instinct. He shook his head and apologized to Mr. Sanchez.
"I'm sorry, but I'm interested in selling the tuna to the foreigners."
"... Then don't regret it if they buy it for less." Mr. Sanchez moved on to the next tuna with a bitter taste in his mouth, grumbling silently that he had wasted his time.
No one else inspected Karlos's Bluefin tuna because they probably couldn't afford it, especially after he revealed that the last buyer had offered 750 pesos per kilo. The buyers scoffed at that price and didn't bother stabbing his tuna, since risking damage to something they couldn't afford was pointless. This kept the quality intact until the two Japanese buyers and a local man finally showed up.
The Japanese meticulously punctured the fish and checked its quality. They started talking in Japanese, and even the local man gave his opinion in fluent Japanese, which made Karlos narrow his eyes in curiosity.
Unbeknownst to them, Karlos could also understand and speak Japanese.
"This fish is high quality. I have no problem buying it for 15,000 yen per kilogram."
"You're right. My personal chef can make amazing sushi and sashimi with this meat. We can invite our business partners for a nice dinner."
"That's right, that's right." The two foreigners spoke without concern for their surroundings, completely oblivious that their every word was being understood.
"Mr. Geto, Mr. Satoru, how about I buy this tuna as a gift? Our business deal has been fruitful, and I feel bad not delivering any gift. Don't worry, the importation is on me. This fish will reach Sushi Country in just a day."
The local man spoke fluently in Japanese. He had black hair and blue eyes, and he was strikingly handsome with a polished presence that made him stand out in the crowded port.
"That will be great, I appreciate your hospitality."
The local man slightly bowed and looked around.
"Who's the man who caught this tuna? We are interested in buying it. How about 1,000 pesos per kilogram?" He switched to the local language and raised his voice.
"That's me," Karlos replied, stepping forward while feeling the weight of the crowd's curious stares.
The two foreigners watched their negotiation but didn't understand what was being said.
"You... Have we met before?" The man with black hair and blue eyes, Roman Alejandro, raised his brow slightly, looking at Karlos with faint recognition.
"I'm not sure," Karlos answered honestly.
Neither of them remembered the other. Roman had no reason to remember a fisherman, while Karlos had been too busy earning money to even notice Roman back when their paths unknowingly crossed.
"Anyway, I will buy this tuna for 1,000 pesos."
"Nope. If you convert 15,000 yen to pesos, it would be 6,600 pesos." The last time Karlos checked the yen-to-peso conversion was last week at the bank when they deposited money. It was 1 peso = 2.3 yen.
"Huh? Can you repeat what you said?" Roman was confused.
"I want to sell the tuna for 6,600 pesos. I heard your conversation earlier. They said they had no problem buying my tuna for 15,000 yen."
"Wait a minute, you can understand Japanese?"
"That's right. I can also speak it."
"... "
Roman was left speechless, as if his brain had short-circuited trying to process how a simple fisherman could not only catch top-tier tuna but also understand Japanese with ease.
'What the hell? Since when did fishermen know how to speak Japanese? Did they change the education curriculum or something while I wasn't paying attention?'
"I'll buy this fish for 600 pesos per kilo."
"600 pesos per kilo!" Andres was shocked, and so were the others who watched the situation unfold.
"Karlos, that price means your tuna is sashimi-grade and sushi-grade. Also, that guy buys tuna here at least three times a week. He's a frequent buyer with deep pockets," Joseph informed him.
"Mister?"
"You can call me Mr. Sanchez. I took a liking to this fish, and I'm ready to offer 600 pesos per kilogram. Let's see, it says here this tuna is 327 kilograms. That means you can earn around 196,000 pesos in just one transaction. That's amazing, right?"
Someone gasped from the audience, although most of them weren't too shocked. In this fish port, that kind of transaction wasn't rare, especially with tuna. Big-money buyers often showed up, and locals had become accustomed to outrageous amounts being thrown around like pocket change. However, it further confirmed that Karlos was a lucky fisherman for catching a Bluefin tuna.
Karlos licked his lips. He was tempted to take the deal since the number alone made his heart pound and his palms sweaty. However, he was waiting for the foreigners to inspect his catch, hoping for a better deal because his gut told him the tuna he caught was far too valuable to sell in haste.
He looked around and found two foreigners and one local inspecting a tuna a few meters away with intense concentration, poking at the flesh and nodding at one another.
"I know that look. You're probably waiting for the foreigners to check your catch and offer a higher price. You are free to do that, but if their offer is smaller than mine, then you'll regret it because I won't take a tuna that's already been stabbed twice," Mr. Sanchez said.
"... I'm sorry, but I have to decline."
Karlos gritted his teeth and refused. Mr. Sanchez was disappointed. He glanced at the Bluefin tuna, which clearly had excellent quality. He worked in an import company that delivered high-quality sashimi-grade tuna to Sushi Country. His job was to find quality fish and earn commission from it.
600 pesos per kilogram was actually cheap because their company could sell it for seven times that price once it reached Sushi Country, where demand for premium tuna was insatiable and chefs were willing to pay fortunes just to slice the perfect sashimi. Even after subtracting importation expenses, the profit was still extravagant, and Mr. Sanchez was frustrated that his golden opportunity was slipping away.
"How about I buy it for 750 pesos?" Mr. Sanchez offered a higher price with a slightly forced smile, hiding the irritation building in his chest.
'Today is bad luck for me. Why did foreigners from Sushi Country have to visit this port? Now I can't find a proper tuna because of the competition.' Mr. Sanchez bitterly sighed.
The appearance of the foreigners prevented him from buying high-quality tuna that day. The one in front of him was the best he had found, and he didn't want to let it go without a fight because losing it meant losing not only commission but also face in front of the other buyers.
Karlos quickly computed the profit. If he sold the tuna for 750 pesos per kilo, he would earn about 245,000 pesos! That was nearly two months' worth of fishing compressed into a single glorious payday, the kind of windfall most small fishermen only dreamed about.
Even Andres and Joseph looked at Karlos, waiting for his response. Honestly, they felt the amount was already high, maybe even too good to refuse. Even Joseph, who handled about 50,000 pesos of revenue per trip, couldn't handle that amount without feeling dizzy just thinking about it.
However, Karlos decided to trust his instinct. He shook his head and apologized to Mr. Sanchez.
"I'm sorry, but I'm interested in selling the tuna to the foreigners."
"... Then don't regret it if they buy it for less." Mr. Sanchez moved on to the next tuna with a bitter taste in his mouth, grumbling silently that he had wasted his time.
No one else inspected Karlos's Bluefin tuna because they probably couldn't afford it, especially after he revealed that the last buyer had offered 750 pesos per kilo. The buyers scoffed at that price and didn't bother stabbing his tuna, since risking damage to something they couldn't afford was pointless. This kept the quality intact until the two Japanese buyers and a local man finally showed up.
The Japanese meticulously punctured the fish and checked its quality. They started talking in Japanese, and even the local man gave his opinion in fluent Japanese, which made Karlos narrow his eyes in curiosity.
Unbeknownst to them, Karlos could also understand and speak Japanese.
"This fish is high quality. I have no problem buying it for 15,000 yen per kilogram."
"You're right. My personal chef can make amazing sushi and sashimi with this meat. We can invite our business partners for a nice dinner."
"That's right, that's right." The two foreigners spoke without concern for their surroundings, completely oblivious that their every word was being understood.
"Mr. Geto, Mr. Satoru, how about I buy this tuna as a gift? Our business deal has been fruitful, and I feel bad not delivering any gift. Don't worry, the importation is on me. This fish will reach Sushi Country in just a day."
The local man spoke fluently in Japanese. He had black hair and blue eyes, and he was strikingly handsome with a polished presence that made him stand out in the crowded port.
"That will be great, I appreciate your hospitality."
The local man slightly bowed and looked around.
"Who's the man who caught this tuna? We are interested in buying it. How about 1,000 pesos per kilogram?" He switched to the local language and raised his voice.
"That's me," Karlos replied, stepping forward while feeling the weight of the crowd's curious stares.
The two foreigners watched their negotiation but didn't understand what was being said.
"You... Have we met before?" The man with black hair and blue eyes, Roman Alejandro, raised his brow slightly, looking at Karlos with faint recognition.
"I'm not sure," Karlos answered honestly.
Neither of them remembered the other. Roman had no reason to remember a fisherman, while Karlos had been too busy earning money to even notice Roman back when their paths unknowingly crossed.
"Anyway, I will buy this tuna for 1,000 pesos."
"Nope. If you convert 15,000 yen to pesos, it would be 6,600 pesos." The last time Karlos checked the yen-to-peso conversion was last week at the bank when they deposited money. It was 1 peso = 2.3 yen.
"Huh? Can you repeat what you said?" Roman was confused.
"I want to sell the tuna for 6,600 pesos. I heard your conversation earlier. They said they had no problem buying my tuna for 15,000 yen."
"Wait a minute, you can understand Japanese?"
"That's right. I can also speak it."
"... "
Roman was left speechless, as if his brain had short-circuited trying to process how a simple fisherman could not only catch top-tier tuna but also understand Japanese with ease.
'What the hell? Since when did fishermen know how to speak Japanese? Did they change the education curriculum or something while I wasn't paying attention?'
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Chapter 44
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Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 44
Roman had no idea that Karlos was different from the usual fisherman. He went to college, both in his current and past lives. Just like in his past life, Karlos also majored in Linguistics. Although he didn't finish college in either life, he died in his past one, while he dropped out in this one, he still gained remarkable skills. He knew how to speak Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, and English fluently enough to hold conversations, negotiate, and even understand jokes in each language. So yeah, he was not the simple fisherman Roman believed him to be.
"I heard from your friends that my tuna is high quality and they have no problem buying it for 15,000 yen per kilogram. If you convert that to pesos, that would be 6,600 pesos per kilo."
Karlos explained, further proving that he understood Japanese.
"From what I can see, your friends seem important. You want to leave a great impression by buying the fish as a gift for them. This is Bluefin Tuna we are talking about, a prized catch that chefs consider a jewel of the ocean," Karlos muttered.
"This guy…" Roman was speechless and even a little unsettled. He didn't expect a fisherman to corner him in just a few sentences like a seasoned businessman. He was the businessman here. Their family had carried strong business sense since his grandfather's generation, and now his pride felt wounded by being cornered by a mere fisherman.
However, he also knew his situation. Out of all the tuna they had inspected so far, Karlos' Bluefin Tuna was the best in freshness, color, and overall quality. Still, for some reason, Roman didn't feel like bullying this fisherman as he usually did with sellers to exploit them for the lowest price. Perhaps he was impressed, or maybe he just took a liking to Karlos' unique behavior?
"If you don't, I can speak to them in Japanese," Karlos added confidently, his tone sharp and unwavering.
The two Japanese, Mr. Geto and Mr. Satoru, were watching them closely. They were actually stunned to see the obvious similarities between Karlos and Roman, not only in their facial features but also in the way they carried themselves with confidence. If not for the age difference, they might have been mistaken for twins, standing side by side like mirror reflections.
"Haha, I see, you got me. How about this, I'll pay you 4,000 pesos per kilogram instead. It's not that bad, right?"
"5,000 pesos per kilogram and you have a deal. That's a fair price."
"Deal."
Both agreed. Just like Roman, Karlos felt he didn't want to push the businessman into a corner because of his own sense of morality. It didn't sit well with him to take advantage of someone, but he also disliked being taken advantage of. For him, 5,000 pesos per kilo was already a great deal, enough to secure his family's needs.
"This is your cheque. Also, if you catch nice and rare seafood, you can contact me through this business card. My secretary will answer you." Roman handed him both the cheque and the card.
"You won't scam me, right?"
"Do I look like the kind of guy who'd ruin his reputation for a few pesos?"
"I don't know."
The few pesos Roman was talking about was 1.6 million...
Karlos carefully inspected the cheque, making sure it wasn't fake. His hands trembled slightly as he read the amount, he never imagined holding something worth that much money in his life.
1,635,000 pesos. 1.6 million pesos. He swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry from excitement and nervousness.
He checked the quality of the paper, the microprinting, watermark, and security thread. He had some knowledge about spotting counterfeit cheques, and so far this one seemed authentic, which gave him both relief and disbelief at the same time.
Then he read the businessman's card.
"Roman Alejandro? Hey, we have the same surname." Karlos' mood lifted instantly. Realizing that the businessman shared his surname, he felt an odd sense of kinship and trust.
"You're also an Alejandro?"
"That's right. My name is Karlos Alejandro."
"You're from Evitac City?"
"That's right, my father's from Evitac City," Karlos replied, suddenly feeling like fate was playing tricks on him.
"Then we might be related. My grandparents are also from Evitac City."
The two laughed loudly and genuinely, the tension between them dissolving into something much lighter. Evitac City was far east of their town, located in the inner part of Timog-Kanluran Province. It was also the very place where Karlos' parents had dropped him off about two years ago.
"We're actually related, look at that."
"Yeah, I guess so."
Their earlier heavy interaction eased up. Now that they realized they had the same surname, they felt no hostility toward each other. A thin thread of trust began weaving between them.
"Well then, you can process the tuna. Are you interested in red snapper and Mahi-Mahi? I can give them to you as a gift. Treat it as a freebie."
"Nah, it's fine. I'm just taking my business partners to tour this fish port since they're interested in buying seafood."
Roman bid farewell and followed the two Japanese. The tuna was processed by flash freeze, and Roman hired workers to cut its head and tail. Then they filled its stomach with ice before placing it in a styrofoam box and surrounding it with more ice to ensure freshness during transport. As for the head and tail, the Japanese would, of course, eat them later, because in their culture, every part of a prized tuna was valued.
"That guy looks like you," Andres commented as he approached Karlos.
"That's what I thought too," Joseph added.
"Huh? We don't look alike at all." Karlos shrugged and left the tuna area. He carefully tucked the cheque into his inner pocket like it was the most precious piece of paper he had ever held… which, technically, it was.
Andres and Joseph looked at each other, then shook their heads.
"You and that guy almost have the same appearance, except you look younger."
"Really?" Karlos frowned. "Perhaps it's because we have the same surname. Maybe we're closely related. I heard from my grandma that we have rich relatives, but I'm not sure, she never liked me and always avoided talking about family ties."
"Well, that explains it."
Karlos then sold the crabs and prawns to Joseph for 4,289 pesos. Joseph and Andres didn't ask how much he had earned from selling the Bluefin Tuna, they respected his privacy and knew that money matters were sensitive. They were simply there to help Karlos if he needed them.
Still, Karlos tipped Andres 100 pesos since he felt great that day. The gesture made Andres happy, small tokens meant a lot to hardworking porters. Karlos also paid the other porters who had helped carry the tuna 25 pesos each, making sure everyone who contributed received a fair share of the joy.
After that, Karlos returned to the beach with a wide smile, his steps lighter than usual and his heart beating fast with triumph. He carefully shielded the cheque in his inner pocket from the water.
"Maya! Maya!"
Karlos excitedly opened the wooden gate, carrying his belongings with renewed energy.
"What? Did something happen?" Maya asked. She rarely heard her husband raise his voice with such excitement, which made her heart pound with curiosity and concern.
"I caught a Bluefin Tuna and earned a huge amount of money. Look at this." Karlos handed her the cheque with trembling hands, his smile stretched wide across his face.
"Huh? Wait—huh? Huh?"
Maya froze, staring at the amount written on the cheque. Her knees nearly gave way from the shock.
"Later, let's settle the amount in the bank."
"O-Okay." She nodded and carefully placed the cheque in the cabinet. She was still confused, but judging by Karlos' expression, something incredible had happened. Especially when the cheque they received was worth 1.6 million pesos.
[Author's Note: Thank you guys for all of your support, you can read more on my Patreon.]
Roman had no idea that Karlos was different from the usual fisherman. He went to college, both in his current and past lives. Just like in his past life, Karlos also majored in Linguistics. Although he didn't finish college in either life, he died in his past one, while he dropped out in this one, he still gained remarkable skills. He knew how to speak Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, and English fluently enough to hold conversations, negotiate, and even understand jokes in each language. So yeah, he was not the simple fisherman Roman believed him to be.
"I heard from your friends that my tuna is high quality and they have no problem buying it for 15,000 yen per kilogram. If you convert that to pesos, that would be 6,600 pesos per kilo."
Karlos explained, further proving that he understood Japanese.
"From what I can see, your friends seem important. You want to leave a great impression by buying the fish as a gift for them. This is Bluefin Tuna we are talking about, a prized catch that chefs consider a jewel of the ocean," Karlos muttered.
"This guy…" Roman was speechless and even a little unsettled. He didn't expect a fisherman to corner him in just a few sentences like a seasoned businessman. He was the businessman here. Their family had carried strong business sense since his grandfather's generation, and now his pride felt wounded by being cornered by a mere fisherman.
However, he also knew his situation. Out of all the tuna they had inspected so far, Karlos' Bluefin Tuna was the best in freshness, color, and overall quality. Still, for some reason, Roman didn't feel like bullying this fisherman as he usually did with sellers to exploit them for the lowest price. Perhaps he was impressed, or maybe he just took a liking to Karlos' unique behavior?
"If you don't, I can speak to them in Japanese," Karlos added confidently, his tone sharp and unwavering.
The two Japanese, Mr. Geto and Mr. Satoru, were watching them closely. They were actually stunned to see the obvious similarities between Karlos and Roman, not only in their facial features but also in the way they carried themselves with confidence. If not for the age difference, they might have been mistaken for twins, standing side by side like mirror reflections.
"Haha, I see, you got me. How about this, I'll pay you 4,000 pesos per kilogram instead. It's not that bad, right?"
"5,000 pesos per kilogram and you have a deal. That's a fair price."
"Deal."
Both agreed. Just like Roman, Karlos felt he didn't want to push the businessman into a corner because of his own sense of morality. It didn't sit well with him to take advantage of someone, but he also disliked being taken advantage of. For him, 5,000 pesos per kilo was already a great deal, enough to secure his family's needs.
"This is your cheque. Also, if you catch nice and rare seafood, you can contact me through this business card. My secretary will answer you." Roman handed him both the cheque and the card.
"You won't scam me, right?"
"Do I look like the kind of guy who'd ruin his reputation for a few pesos?"
"I don't know."
The few pesos Roman was talking about was 1.6 million...
Karlos carefully inspected the cheque, making sure it wasn't fake. His hands trembled slightly as he read the amount, he never imagined holding something worth that much money in his life.
1,635,000 pesos. 1.6 million pesos. He swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry from excitement and nervousness.
He checked the quality of the paper, the microprinting, watermark, and security thread. He had some knowledge about spotting counterfeit cheques, and so far this one seemed authentic, which gave him both relief and disbelief at the same time.
Then he read the businessman's card.
"Roman Alejandro? Hey, we have the same surname." Karlos' mood lifted instantly. Realizing that the businessman shared his surname, he felt an odd sense of kinship and trust.
"You're also an Alejandro?"
"That's right. My name is Karlos Alejandro."
"You're from Evitac City?"
"That's right, my father's from Evitac City," Karlos replied, suddenly feeling like fate was playing tricks on him.
"Then we might be related. My grandparents are also from Evitac City."
The two laughed loudly and genuinely, the tension between them dissolving into something much lighter. Evitac City was far east of their town, located in the inner part of Timog-Kanluran Province. It was also the very place where Karlos' parents had dropped him off about two years ago.
"We're actually related, look at that."
"Yeah, I guess so."
Their earlier heavy interaction eased up. Now that they realized they had the same surname, they felt no hostility toward each other. A thin thread of trust began weaving between them.
"Well then, you can process the tuna. Are you interested in red snapper and Mahi-Mahi? I can give them to you as a gift. Treat it as a freebie."
"Nah, it's fine. I'm just taking my business partners to tour this fish port since they're interested in buying seafood."
Roman bid farewell and followed the two Japanese. The tuna was processed by flash freeze, and Roman hired workers to cut its head and tail. Then they filled its stomach with ice before placing it in a styrofoam box and surrounding it with more ice to ensure freshness during transport. As for the head and tail, the Japanese would, of course, eat them later, because in their culture, every part of a prized tuna was valued.
"That guy looks like you," Andres commented as he approached Karlos.
"That's what I thought too," Joseph added.
"Huh? We don't look alike at all." Karlos shrugged and left the tuna area. He carefully tucked the cheque into his inner pocket like it was the most precious piece of paper he had ever held… which, technically, it was.
Andres and Joseph looked at each other, then shook their heads.
"You and that guy almost have the same appearance, except you look younger."
"Really?" Karlos frowned. "Perhaps it's because we have the same surname. Maybe we're closely related. I heard from my grandma that we have rich relatives, but I'm not sure, she never liked me and always avoided talking about family ties."
"Well, that explains it."
Karlos then sold the crabs and prawns to Joseph for 4,289 pesos. Joseph and Andres didn't ask how much he had earned from selling the Bluefin Tuna, they respected his privacy and knew that money matters were sensitive. They were simply there to help Karlos if he needed them.
Still, Karlos tipped Andres 100 pesos since he felt great that day. The gesture made Andres happy, small tokens meant a lot to hardworking porters. Karlos also paid the other porters who had helped carry the tuna 25 pesos each, making sure everyone who contributed received a fair share of the joy.
After that, Karlos returned to the beach with a wide smile, his steps lighter than usual and his heart beating fast with triumph. He carefully shielded the cheque in his inner pocket from the water.
"Maya! Maya!"
Karlos excitedly opened the wooden gate, carrying his belongings with renewed energy.
"What? Did something happen?" Maya asked. She rarely heard her husband raise his voice with such excitement, which made her heart pound with curiosity and concern.
"I caught a Bluefin Tuna and earned a huge amount of money. Look at this." Karlos handed her the cheque with trembling hands, his smile stretched wide across his face.
"Huh? Wait—huh? Huh?"
Maya froze, staring at the amount written on the cheque. Her knees nearly gave way from the shock.
"Later, let's settle the amount in the bank."
"O-Okay." She nodded and carefully placed the cheque in the cabinet. She was still confused, but judging by Karlos' expression, something incredible had happened. Especially when the cheque they received was worth 1.6 million pesos.
[Author's Note: Thank you guys for all of your support, you can read more on my Patreon.]
Chapter 45
New
Pujimaki
Padoru padoru
- Joined
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Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 45
Maya was still clueless about what had happened and how Karlos earned 1.6 million pesos in just one sailing, a figure so absurd that her mind could barely process it. When she left the small room, she found her husband leaving again with the cart to push back the engine and other things, still full of energy from the unbelievable catch earlier.
Maya waited a few minutes before Karlos returned, pushing the cart. She opened the wooden gate for him, and Karlos beamed a smile at her as he pushed the cart onto the property, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.
"Babe, uhh, what was that?" Maya asked cautiously, making sure there were no people who could hear their conversation.
"I'll explain it to you later."
Karlos kissed her forehead gently to reassure her, then returned to sorting his equipment and other belongings like he always did after a long day at sea, only this time, his movements seemed lighter, almost triumphant.
"I'll prepare the meal. Let's eat inside the house." Maya shrugged and busied herself to hide her curiosity, though it was itching to explode.
After that, Karlos and Maya had their chance to talk, and Maya finally learned how Karlos earned that amount.
"1.6 million pesos for a Bluefin Tuna? I know Bluefin Tuna is expensive, but I've never heard of tuna being sold at that price."
Usually, big tuna in the fish port was sold for 100,000 to 200,000 pesos. That was already a huge amount. But for Karlos to catch a Bluefin Tuna and earn 1.6 million was unheard of.
"I got lucky. Some rich foreigners were interested in buying fish." Karlos told her the complete story, including the part where he negotiated with Roman, who happened to share his surname, which, to Maya, almost felt like a movie.
"Babe... I feel so happy right now that I want to kiss you." Maya couldn't explain it. Her husband was already handsome, but knowing he had earned such a huge amount of money today made him seem even more attractive than ever.
"I mean, if you're alright with tasting a bit of rice and fish sauce, I'm cool with it," Karlos replied with a toothy grin that made Maya roll her eyes.
"Well..."
The couple kissed, but not long or passionately, not when the twins were screaming for food and shaking their tiny fists like little royals.
"You're sure no one knows how much you sold the fish for?" she asked. 1.6 million pesos was blinding, and someone with bad intentions might come to their house.
"No one knows how much I earned. They only saw Roman hand me a cheque. As for the exact amount, not even Joseph and Andres knew about it and I intend to keep it that way."
"Good." She nodded in satisfaction, relief softening her face.
"Should we take the kids to the bank?"
"I'm actually thinking of buying a television and baby walkers for the kids. I think we should bring them to Reina for the afternoon... Besides, we haven't had a date in a while, and it would be nice to feel like a couple again."
"Hm." Maya smiled slightly while feeding Iñigo, who was waiting for his food with his mouth wide open. Karlos was feeding the greedy Arabella, who was still chewing yet somehow managed to stuff food faster than her brother, like a little goblin.
Most of the time, Maya was against spending money on useless things. But since her husband earned such a huge amount today, she decided there was nothing wrong with buying some things for once. She felt spoiling herself and the family was justified.
She was tired of visiting her neighbor just to watch a telenovela. At least once she had her own television, she could watch whenever she wanted. That idea excited her a lot, and she could already picture herself sitting in the house, laughing at her favorite shows while holding the twins in her arms.
"I'm also thinking of fixing the second shop. What do you think, babe?" Karlos asked, scratching his chin, already imagining how the shop could look if it was finally repaired.
"Let's do it. That property is just sitting there. Let's consult a contractor or engineer to estimate the expenses."
The couple had actually struggled with what to do with the second shop. They wanted to fix the roof so they could rent it and earn passive income. A year ago, they consulted a contractor who said they could fix the roof for 70,000 pesos, but if they wanted a full renovation, it might cost 150,000 pesos.
The couple had been saving money to fix the shop, expecting to have enough financial freedom to do it around December or January next year. But now, it was different, they could start the project the next day if they wanted, and that thought filled them with happiness.
The twins burped in satisfaction after a nice meal that left their cheeks dirty. Karlos was the first to take a bath while Maya prepared food for the kids to take in Reina's house, then it was her turn once he was done.
They wore simple clothes, nothing flashy, yet they looked good as a couple, their natural charm radiating from love.
Pushing the strollers with the kids inside, they reached Andres's house, which was only a few blocks away. Reina, who had nothing to do, agreed with Maya to take care of the kids for a few hours. She happily scooped Arabella into her arms while grinning at Iñigo.
The couple then found a tricycle and went to the bank to settle the money. Fortunately, the cheque was not fake, and they received confirmation from the smiling teller, who congratulated them while stamping the documents.
They decided to take 50,000 pesos in cash while depositing the remaining amount into their bank account. They were shocked as they read the updated savings in the passbook, the numbers felt almost surreal.
1.9 million pesos!
Including the 300,000+ pesos that Karlos had earned a few months ago, they now had 1.9 million pesos in their account. Both of them were overwhelmed, and even Maya couldn't help but flirt with Karlos the whole time they were in the bank, giggling like a young girl in love all over again.
She fell in love with the best man, and she knew deep inside that no amount of money could ever replace the way he made her feel safe.
After that, they went to the market and bought baby walkers for the kids and a brand new television, a 21-inch tube-type, since flat screens and LCDs weren't even a thing in 2000.
The television was for entertainment, while the baby walkers were for the kids so Arabella and Iñigo could walk with assistance and strengthen their wobbly legs little by little.
They also bought other things, such as two whole roasted chickens, one of which was for Andres's family as a thank-you for helping them take care of the kids.
Naturally, they couldn't carry everything, so they hired a tricycle to bring them back to the southern edge of town. Tricycles were the most common form of transportation in the town, aside from buses and bikes. Taxis could only be found in major cities, and riding one was considered a rare treat for people like them.
Maya was still clueless about what had happened and how Karlos earned 1.6 million pesos in just one sailing, a figure so absurd that her mind could barely process it. When she left the small room, she found her husband leaving again with the cart to push back the engine and other things, still full of energy from the unbelievable catch earlier.
Maya waited a few minutes before Karlos returned, pushing the cart. She opened the wooden gate for him, and Karlos beamed a smile at her as he pushed the cart onto the property, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.
"Babe, uhh, what was that?" Maya asked cautiously, making sure there were no people who could hear their conversation.
"I'll explain it to you later."
Karlos kissed her forehead gently to reassure her, then returned to sorting his equipment and other belongings like he always did after a long day at sea, only this time, his movements seemed lighter, almost triumphant.
"I'll prepare the meal. Let's eat inside the house." Maya shrugged and busied herself to hide her curiosity, though it was itching to explode.
After that, Karlos and Maya had their chance to talk, and Maya finally learned how Karlos earned that amount.
"1.6 million pesos for a Bluefin Tuna? I know Bluefin Tuna is expensive, but I've never heard of tuna being sold at that price."
Usually, big tuna in the fish port was sold for 100,000 to 200,000 pesos. That was already a huge amount. But for Karlos to catch a Bluefin Tuna and earn 1.6 million was unheard of.
"I got lucky. Some rich foreigners were interested in buying fish." Karlos told her the complete story, including the part where he negotiated with Roman, who happened to share his surname, which, to Maya, almost felt like a movie.
"Babe... I feel so happy right now that I want to kiss you." Maya couldn't explain it. Her husband was already handsome, but knowing he had earned such a huge amount of money today made him seem even more attractive than ever.
"I mean, if you're alright with tasting a bit of rice and fish sauce, I'm cool with it," Karlos replied with a toothy grin that made Maya roll her eyes.
"Well..."
The couple kissed, but not long or passionately, not when the twins were screaming for food and shaking their tiny fists like little royals.
"You're sure no one knows how much you sold the fish for?" she asked. 1.6 million pesos was blinding, and someone with bad intentions might come to their house.
"No one knows how much I earned. They only saw Roman hand me a cheque. As for the exact amount, not even Joseph and Andres knew about it and I intend to keep it that way."
"Good." She nodded in satisfaction, relief softening her face.
"Should we take the kids to the bank?"
"I'm actually thinking of buying a television and baby walkers for the kids. I think we should bring them to Reina for the afternoon... Besides, we haven't had a date in a while, and it would be nice to feel like a couple again."
"Hm." Maya smiled slightly while feeding Iñigo, who was waiting for his food with his mouth wide open. Karlos was feeding the greedy Arabella, who was still chewing yet somehow managed to stuff food faster than her brother, like a little goblin.
Most of the time, Maya was against spending money on useless things. But since her husband earned such a huge amount today, she decided there was nothing wrong with buying some things for once. She felt spoiling herself and the family was justified.
She was tired of visiting her neighbor just to watch a telenovela. At least once she had her own television, she could watch whenever she wanted. That idea excited her a lot, and she could already picture herself sitting in the house, laughing at her favorite shows while holding the twins in her arms.
"I'm also thinking of fixing the second shop. What do you think, babe?" Karlos asked, scratching his chin, already imagining how the shop could look if it was finally repaired.
"Let's do it. That property is just sitting there. Let's consult a contractor or engineer to estimate the expenses."
The couple had actually struggled with what to do with the second shop. They wanted to fix the roof so they could rent it and earn passive income. A year ago, they consulted a contractor who said they could fix the roof for 70,000 pesos, but if they wanted a full renovation, it might cost 150,000 pesos.
The couple had been saving money to fix the shop, expecting to have enough financial freedom to do it around December or January next year. But now, it was different, they could start the project the next day if they wanted, and that thought filled them with happiness.
The twins burped in satisfaction after a nice meal that left their cheeks dirty. Karlos was the first to take a bath while Maya prepared food for the kids to take in Reina's house, then it was her turn once he was done.
They wore simple clothes, nothing flashy, yet they looked good as a couple, their natural charm radiating from love.
Pushing the strollers with the kids inside, they reached Andres's house, which was only a few blocks away. Reina, who had nothing to do, agreed with Maya to take care of the kids for a few hours. She happily scooped Arabella into her arms while grinning at Iñigo.
The couple then found a tricycle and went to the bank to settle the money. Fortunately, the cheque was not fake, and they received confirmation from the smiling teller, who congratulated them while stamping the documents.
They decided to take 50,000 pesos in cash while depositing the remaining amount into their bank account. They were shocked as they read the updated savings in the passbook, the numbers felt almost surreal.
1.9 million pesos!
Including the 300,000+ pesos that Karlos had earned a few months ago, they now had 1.9 million pesos in their account. Both of them were overwhelmed, and even Maya couldn't help but flirt with Karlos the whole time they were in the bank, giggling like a young girl in love all over again.
She fell in love with the best man, and she knew deep inside that no amount of money could ever replace the way he made her feel safe.
After that, they went to the market and bought baby walkers for the kids and a brand new television, a 21-inch tube-type, since flat screens and LCDs weren't even a thing in 2000.
The television was for entertainment, while the baby walkers were for the kids so Arabella and Iñigo could walk with assistance and strengthen their wobbly legs little by little.
They also bought other things, such as two whole roasted chickens, one of which was for Andres's family as a thank-you for helping them take care of the kids.
Naturally, they couldn't carry everything, so they hired a tricycle to bring them back to the southern edge of town. Tricycles were the most common form of transportation in the town, aside from buses and bikes. Taxis could only be found in major cities, and riding one was considered a rare treat for people like them.