...
"Oh? Already used them all?" When Matikanetannhauser wanted to keep scooping, she realized all fifteen nets had been replaced.
"I'm done too. Let's compare." Lucian brought his basin over and placed it next to hers.
The difference was obvious at a glance.
Lucian's basin was crammed full of little fish—so packed it was practically fish holding water.
"Th-This many!?" Matikanetannhauser exclaimed loudly. "Trainer, how are you so good?!"
"Basic technique." Lucian looked up and happened to meet the stall owner's eyes. The two shared a knowing glance, wordlessly understanding each other.
"Trainer, I want to learn this—can you teach me?" Matikanetannhauser's eyes sparkled with admiration.
"No can do. Can't teach you—this is something only smart (despicable) people can master."
"Trainer! Why are you insulting me!"
"I mean you're too smart, so you can figure it out yourself—no need for me to teach."
"Never mind that." After returning both basins of fish to the tank, Lucian pulled Matikanetannhauser to her feet. "Tannhauser, you remember what happens when you lose, right?"
"Grant Trainer one request." Matikanetannhauser thought for a moment, then added, "But nothing too excessive."
"Don't worry—guaranteed to be within your capabilities."
"Mm, then no problem!"
"Let's go. Next stop is takoyaki, right?" Lucian recalled.
"Hah~ Yes, yes!" Mention of food instantly energized the little glutton. "Trainer, if you're ever interested later, can you make takoyaki for me?"
"No~" Lucian turned and waved his hand, walking ahead first.
"Why? Whyyy? Why though?"
Matikanetannhauser hurried after him, bombarding him with questions.
...
Passing countless food stalls, Matikanetannhauser gradually became dazzled by everything, no longer fixated solely on takoyaki.
Seeing her linger long in front of a yakitori stall, Lucian took the initiative and pulled her over, buying one grilled sausage skewer first.
As they continued searching for takoyaki, Lucian suddenly said, "Tannhauser, give me a bite?"
"O-Okay....." Matikanetannhauser hesitated between the food and Lucian's request for a long while before finally giving in. After all, he paid for it.
Indirect kiss, whether she minded or not—none of that crossed this little glutton's mind.
She only hoped Lucian would eat less so she could eat more!
"Here, Trainer." Matikanetannhauser held the skewer high.
"Arigatou~ Then I won't hold back." Lucian leaned down and stuffed the entire skewer into his mouth in one go. "Mmmphhh~"
"One... one bite and it's gone?!" Matikanetannhauser stared blankly at the empty stick for several seconds, tears welling up. "Trainer, you owe me a grilled sausage!"
Lucian chewed the sausage, temporarily unable to speak, and simply watched Matikanetannhauser quietly. For some reason, seeing her so frantic made him want to laugh even more.
In the end he couldn't hold it—nearly spat out the sausage from laughing. "Don't cry, don't cry~ I'll buy you another one later, and a whole box of takoyaki is all yours."
"Really?" The pitiful Matikanetannhauser really had tears gathering at the corners of her eyes.
"Really, really~" Lucian swallowed the sausage completely but still couldn't stop the laughter. "Pfft—" he burst out again.
Good thing it wasn't Mejiro McQueen in front of him, or she'd already be all over him with hands and feet.
"Trainer..."
"Ahem, come on, come on—let's go buy it now."
...
Having regained what was lost—and even gained an extra box of takoyaki—Matikanetannhauser was finally coaxed back to happiness.
"So good!" She squinted, blowing on the hot steam in her mouth, words muffled. "Trainer, let's go pray at the shrine! For good luck next year!"
"Mm, let's go."
The shrine here enshrined many deities, but Lucian wasn't familiar with most.
He followed behind Matikanetannhauser, stopping whenever she stopped.
"Trainer, hold this for me." Matikanetannhauser handed him the unfinished takoyaki. "I'm going to pray for good fortune."
"If the box is empty when you come back, you can't blame me, okay." Seeing her little face scrunch up again, Lucian quickly corrected himself. "Kidding, kidding—no more teasing~"
"Really? If Trainer cheats, I won't honor my promise either."
"Really. Go on." Lucian took the pile of food from her hands and watched her glance back every few steps. Helplessly he said, "I really won't eat it~"
Matikanetannhauser walked away doubtfully, but even after reaching the prayer platform, she couldn't resist turning for one last peek at Lucian.
"Go on, go on~" Unable to wave with his hands full, Lucian just lifted his chin to point.
Only then did Matikanetannhauser turn fully, grasp the prayer rope, and shake it left and right.
Then Lucian watched in disbelief as the bell at the top of the rope came loose, falling with a dull "clang," bouncing off the wall and smacking precisely onto Matikanetannhauser's head.
She'd even formed the proper praying hands gesture, but it seemed the gods had rejected her visit.
"Waaah waaah waaah—" Matikanetannhauser turned around, nosebleed and tears streaming like little rivers down her face at the same time.
"I... that was loud. Tough head." Lucian hurried over. "Tannhauser, how are you this unlucky?"
"Trainer, it hurts, waaah waaah waaah X﹏X—"
"Hold this first." Lucian handed the food back to her, then pulled a pack of tissues from his pocket and wiped her nosebleed and tears.
"Waaah... Trainer, you had tissues all along? Then why did you say earlier you'd use my itinerary?"
Lucian licked his lips speechlessly. "Thanks for taking time out of your busy crying to call that back."
"Because my memory's pretty good." Matikanetannhauser sniffled, tears still falling as she lowered her head to bite off a piece of skewer. "This flavor's pretty good too..."
Lucian: "..."
"Tannhauser, you can't be this prone to nosebleeds. If you end up anemic before a race, it'll be bad. Next year I'll take you to get checked."
Matikanetannhauser didn't refuse—missing a race over this would make her very regretful. "To the hospital? Will there be shots or surgery? Trainer, I can handle really bitter medicine, but I'm scared of pain."
"We haven't gone yet. Whatever the doctor says, that's what we'll do, okay." Lucian picked up the fallen bell and placed it on the stone platform. "The shrine visit... can count as done, I guess."
"But.... I didn't get any good luck." Matikanetannhauser looked at Lucian cautiously.
...