Chapter Text
“Itto!" you scream. "What are you doing?” Your hands are firm against the sides of your head.
The rope tied to the corner of your fishing net leaves ripples in the water and is now sinking further into the ocean. It’s too late to grab it now. Itto was supposed to be holding it.
“Hm?” he says, turning around and holding a false worm between his fingers. "Oh this thing? I'm just checking it out, ya know?" He continues investigating the variety of baits in your kit, but that’s not what he’s supposed to be doing right now.
You sigh. Those muscles are useless if he continues making mistakes like this. You should really fire him.
Your dad’s business grew after the Vision Hunt Decree ended, opening up more business opportunities with other islands. The rest of Itto’s gang learned enough from him to fish in the delicate waters of Watatsumi Island, but you're here stuck off the shores of another island to teach this guy the basics.
“How am I supposed to work with him?” you mentally complain. You’re familiar with Itto. Loud, chaotic, and not to mention unreliable. He has potential, your dad tells you, but being a leader of a ragtag group of guys doesn’t mean he’ll do well in the fishing industry.
Itto dangles the false worm in front of your face. "Is this thing really made of slime condensates?" he asks you.
"Yes, Itto," you say, pushing his hand away. "I mix them with berries."
"Ew. That's really weird… and gross," he says, rubbing his chin. "I guess I shouldn't have given them away."
"You what?" you exclaim, eyes shooting open. You had set aside a bunch for bait but Itto's bashful shrug indicates he indeed took them. "Of course. Of course, he would," you mutter to yourself.
"The traveler needed them for her friends," he says. "Something about ascension materials but who the heck needs slimes for ascension?" He sees you clenching your jaw and leans away from you. "Wait." His eyes grow wide. "Have I been conned?"
You sigh and tell him to forget it. Someone will be killing slimes over the next few days and it certainly will not be you – as long as he doesn't give away his claymore next.
You scoot up to the front of the boat and it rocks under your movements. You grab the net anchored on the bow to pull the rest of it out of the water.
"Wait! Stop!"
Itto grabs the net and whips his hand back in pain. Inside lies a small jellyfish, flopping without a care in the world.
"Look!" he says, holding his thumb too close to your face. "This would've happened to you." A small red bump grows on his skin.
"Are you alright?" you spit out, grabbing his hand.
"This is nothing," he laughs it off. "N-nothing I can't handle." He gives you his signature grin. "We don't want you getting hurt now, do we?"
You glance up at him, your cheeks heating up a little. You're grateful he noticed it. How did you miss the jellyfish? You must be more tired than you thought.
Itto begins to ramble about his last encounter with a jellyfish as you take a look at his thumb. You don't have any medical supplies with you on your boat. The two of you should head back.
"... this jellyfish was ten times bigger," he continues his story. "Granny used a secret special ointment on me. She rarely uses it. I was lucky to even get a glimpse of it." He goes on, chatting more about her, which isn't surprising since he brings her up often. But when he's finished, his shoulders drop as he slumps back into his seat.
"Hey," you soften your voice. "What's wrong?"
"Oh nothing really," he says. "We're just so close to Granny's…"
You've been working with Itto these past several days with little progress. Before your dad hired him, he had all the time in the world to go wherever he pleased.
"Why don't you go visit her?" you suggest. It shouldn't be too bad to take some time off.
"Do you mean that, boss?" His eyes light up as he clutches both of your hands. You nod and the smile on his face grows wider. "You're the best!"
He wraps his arms around you into a bear hug and your eyes widen.
"S-stop it, Itto. Let go." He's still holding you. "I said let go!"
"Oh, right," he says, releasing you from his grip. He rubs the back of his neck and lets out an embarrassed chuckle. "Sorry about that."
You sigh and pull up the rest of the net out of the water. You still need to go back to treat his sting.
Itto puts the bait back in your kit. "Did ya wanna come?" he asks.
"Hm?"
"To Granny's," he says. "Did you wanna come?"
Your heart skips a beat and you turn around to hide your face. Why did this feel like a big deal? You bite your lip. "Why should I come?" you ask.
"I always introduce my friends to Granny."
Friend. Itto has many friends. "I'll be busy," you tell him. "I need to ship another order to Uyuu restaurant. Besides, I'm your boss, not your friend."
"I know. I know. You tell me that all the time." He takes your hand and his skin feels warm. He caresses the back of your hand with his thumb. "You're still important, you know?"
You whip your hand back and your heart is pounding. "Does this guy know what he's saying?" Knowing him, he seems like he doesn't have a clue, which is true for the most part. But during times like these, you wish his actions were intentional. Maybe. You don't want to admit it.
Itto sticks out his bottom lip, assuming your silence is a rejection to his offer. His shoulders drop and he begins to fiddle with his fingers.
You rub your temple. He's troublesome but you don't like seeing his frown. "Fine. I can come visit after finishing up."
Itto's eyes sparkle and he quickly stands up, but he rocks the boat and causes you to lose your balance.
You're going to fall in the water.
He grabs your arm and tugs you close. Your heart is racing and you feel the warmth from his body.
"Uh, thanks," you say, "I–"
You glance up to see his eyes staring at you. His left arm is around your waist, holding you firm in his embrace. He glances at your forehead and fixes a piece of your hair to tuck it back with the rest. He's so gentle with you.
"Oh! I still need to get the slime condensates for you!" he says, his hands suddenly on your shoulders and pushing you back. He turns around to pack up the rest of the bait. "It's not going to work out now, is it?" you hear him mumble to himself.
Your hand remembers the pounding on his chest. You almost misinterpret it.
"He's only scared something would happen to his boss," you think to yourself. "Yeah, if anything happened, he wouldn't have a job anymore."
After the two of you pack up the fish, bait and tools, you row the boat back to shore and haul the fish back to the village.
"So I'll see you tomorrow?"
You nod. "Yup. Granny's place, right?"
"The one and oni!" he says, placing his hands on his hips, chuckling at his own joke. "I'll get those slimes while I wait for ya. How does that sound?"
"That sounds good."
"Good. Good…," he says, rubbing the back of his neck.
You smile at him as the sun’s setting behind him. It's been a long day but you’re a little sad to see him go.
"Bye," he says and dashes away. You're shocked at his abrupt departure, but when he's a fair distance away, he turns around and gives you a large wave.
You smirk at him and return his gesture. You don't want to admit it but you're a little excited for tomorrow.
"Wait!" You smack your forehead. "The medicine!"