Black Ice 2: Fatal Mobs (KBTBB) Completed

XVIII.

• chapter eighteen •
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next day, everyone meets up in the hotel lobby. We're supposed to go return the golden statue like planned...

"Morning," I greet everyone in sight.

"Top o' the mornin' to you, pretty lady. Do you have any plans today?" Baba inquires with a joking tone.

"I thought we were going to return the statue?"

"That's a different story, morning glory," Baba flashes me a guidebook that he seems to have pulled out from thin air. I sometimes think he could make it out as a magician...

"Hokkaido, a fresh seafood paradise?" Ota reads out.

"No, no, next to that,"

"Fishing for pond smelt?" Amaya reads it. "Wait, you're going ice fishing?"

"Yeah! Sounds interesting, right?"

"We're going to return the statue," Soryu reminds.

"We came all the way to Hokkaido. I want to make some memories!" Baba says with a hint of mischief in his smile. "Don't you think that'll be more fun for Reina and Amaya?"

I switch looks with the younger girl. "It'll be okay to check it out for a bit," I answer.

"But we don't have to do it right this minute," Amaya speaks up. "Don't you think it'll be bad for you, Reina?"

"Well, it's fine if it's just for a bit." I say.

"Are you sure?" Questions Soryu, a hint of worry in his eyes. I nod. I'm covered enough and if it's just for a while I don't think it'll be so bad.

"No way! Soryu's actually going to deviate from the plan for once?!" Ota inquires, shocked.

"It must be the power of love," Baba starts his usual teasing.

"Let's just go," Soryu gives an aggravated sigh and then tugs on my hand towards him. He leans down to whisper after noticing my concern look. "If we don't go along with them, we'll never get anything accomplished. So let's go catch some fish so we can hurry up and return that statue. We can leave early if you start to feel tired," I smile at his concern for me.

"I've got the flu, so there's no way I can go out on the ice." Ryosuke pouts sadly.

"Aw, that's a shame. You'll just have to stay behind, then." Says Baba.

"Take this then, Baba." The younger one hands the older male the statute carefully.

"Okay, I won't let your sacrifice be for nothing, young man!"

"I'm not dead yet,"

Baba's his usual flamboyant, dramatic self as he takes the statue from Ryosuke before we leave.

+++

"Fishies, oh fishies! Don't worry, now. There's nothing to be afraid of. So go ahead and come to me. Come to Baba!"

"I'm not sure seduction will work with fish, Baba," Says Ota to the older male.

"I can't believe he's the oldest here..." I whisper to Amaya and she giggles in agreement. We're out on the ice with some rented equipment trying to catch fish. Our guide cuts a hole in the ice for us and we drop our fishing line through the water underneath. Obviously I knew it was going to be freezing sitting still on the frozen lake so I brought extra blankets and towels. For a while, we're all trying our best to catch fish in the freezing temperature.