Strangers on the Shore — The Firefly’s Cold Light pt.2
Thankfully I noticed one of our fishing lines was shaking, right when I needed to kick this awkward aura away. I took more proper look at the lines and, akh really, it must be a bite. The thought of catching a fish after sitting here for hours distracted me a bit from the awkwardness. This was the third times I noticed our fishing lines got bitten during our pensive conversations, but it seemed like no one cared. The line just fluttered for a moment and got blown away by the breezes again and again. I pondering between telling them now or just let it go like before, then I decided to wait for a change of atmosphere. If there was none, then I should break this prolonged awkwardness.
“The breeze is smooth and sea is much calmer today than I thought it would be. Maybe because the moon is in quarter. But the moonlight is so bright tonight too”. Store Owner be the one who broke the air, he looked straight afar at the sea. “Hmm maybe that’s why there are a lot of fish tonight” he added.
“You realized there are a lot of fish tonight?” I was startled.
“Yeah, of course, it’s obviously pulling for few times. You didn’t realize it?” Store Owner asked me in turns.
“You knew it all? I thought you all didn’t know. I noticed it a few times and wanted to tell you but I didn’t want to break the conversation.”
“How could I didn’t notice?” Store Owner chuckled. Oldman kept his eyes on me while giving a muted laugh.
“Then why you didn’t reel the rod?” I raised my eyebrows at them. This was getting confusing.
“Why would him? It’s bothersome to keep reeling the rod over and over” Oldman answered right off the bat. They all turned away from the sea and looked at me with teasing smiles. Now I really confused.
“Huh? Then why you two are fishing? Aren’t you going here to catch fish?"
Store Owner chuckled again, this time his grin was much wider. “Did I said that? I came here just to feel the breeze and gazing at the stars while carrying fishing gears. Or if I’m lucky, meeting someone to have a chat. Like you, him, and him”. He offered high five to Oldman which got answered nosily. A couple sitting few meters from us bothered by their loud laughs and giving us annoyed looks.
“Ah, they must be thinking we are a bunch of irresponsible husbands and dads gather at night to talk nonsense and just getting drunk.” Oldman commented.
“I can not rebut the assumption behind the annoyed glares, because, yes we indeed looked like that at time. If you just see us for a moment from a distance no wonder you got that kind of idea. Because I thought the same about you three earlier” Youngman responded without even giving a look to the couple.
“If you just want to get a breeze why bother to take a full fishing equipment with you? And the bucket, the hook, even you threw a line full of bait? It’s a hassle" I continued the conversation with more questions.
“Because I want people to think that I’m fishing right now” He gave me a smile full of riddle.
