Peacefully

The rest of the week was spent in relative tranquility, with most of their time spent hiking, watching television or exploring the nearby town to sate their curiosity. They visited bookstores, souvenir shops and the like. On their last day, they decided to go towards a nearby fishing farm that also owned a restaurant. Here, they offered to butcher and cook any fish visitors caught, granting a quarter discount.

Yutsuko, having never had the chance to do fishing since elementary school, was giddy with nostalgia and childlike glee, begging her boyfriend for a chance to visit. Naturally, he agreed.

Her earlier enthusiasm, however, was soon dampened as she pulled up her fishing hook, cursing at the lack of a catch once again.

"Oh, come on! It's been one goddamned hour already and I still haven't caught anything?" Yutsuko whined, weeping crocodile tears as she feebly put another piece of bait on the hook, "Come to think of it, my fishing skills were equally bad in elementary school..."

"You are impatient, angry, unfocused," Elwur gently pointed out, pulling up yet another catch he put into his bucket, "You must wait for the line to tug, and then for a heavy pull."

"Easier said than done," Yutsuko pouted, wafts of steam puffing from her head, "And you catching an entire bucket while mine's empty is just unfair!"

Elwur merely raised an eyebrow before he cast out his line again, and Yutsuko wished she had half his unflappable mien.

Eventually, the time came for dinner. Elwur released the rest of the fish back into the pond while he handed two to the chef to prepare. The interior was shaped like an old Edo-style fishery, with lanterns and old kanji signboards and the characteristic white plastered walls displaying the different menu options. The glass windows provided a full view of the sunset sky, and of the countless fishing boats returning from sea hauling their catch. Vaguely, they could see lights illuminating the scenery like a swarm of fireflies.

"Wow, to think the sea would look so beautiful," Yutsuko smiled, staring fondly at the amber reflection on the wavy waters, "Man, I'm really glad we came on this trip."

"So am I," Said Elwur, cracking the smallest of smiles.

"Are you smiling? You are smiling!" Yutsuko exclaimed happily.

"Do I not?" Elwur asked.

"Well, I hardly ever see you smile, so it's good that you're enjoying yourself," Yutsuko said, "Or is there something you like more than everything else so far?"

"Yes," Said Elwur.

"Oh? What is it?" Yutsuko asked teasingly.

"You."

Yutsuko felt her heart skip a beat, a cupid's arrow finding its mark. Elwur's words were dead serious, filled with as much romantic commitment as he could possibly muster in his stoic voice.

"...Thank you," She mumbled.

She felt herself blush like a little maiden, her face turning a deep shade of magenta again. One would say this was getting really old, but alas, Elwur always found some new way to throw Yutsuko off-balance.

"Thank you for waiting!" Said a waitress as she brought two trays of piping hot food, "For the lady, we have the meunière set meal, and for the sir we have the grilled fish set meal. Please enjoy!"

Yutsuko dug into her buttered fish with gusto, savoring the taste of fresh fish, butter and parsley and enjoying it with rice and stir-fried vegetables, sipping a cup of lemon tea to wash down the buttery flavour. Elwur, meanwhile, methodically picked apart his whole fish with surgical precision, separating every morsel of meat from the bones and setting it into one pile before digging in. Miso soup, rice and sukiyaki vegetables comprised part of his set meal.

The two enjoyed a peaceful and simple dinner, and by the time they finished the sun set in the distance, giving way to a starry night sky.

"Phew, who would've thought you could get full from a simple meal like that?" Yutsuko patted her stomach as they walked back to the ryokan, "Honestly speaking, we should come back here next time. Well, if we can."

Yutsuko remembered how gobsmacked she was at how expensive a one-night stay was at the Hanazono Ryokan, and it easily cost her at least three-months' worth of savings with her old salary. She was never more thankful for the coupons they were generously gifted.

"We shall," Elwur said.

"You sure? You sound awfully sure for some reason," Yutsuko stared at Elwur suspiciously.

"I have my ways," Elwur answered.

Yutsuko sighed, "You and your contacts. Honestly, I wonder just what kind of friends you have in high places."

Elwur said nothing more on the matter.

The day had finally come for them to leave, and the couple had packed all their things. They were greeted by the proprietress Kuneida Isono, who personally went to bow to them in gratitude.

"I thank you for choosing our ryokan as your vacation spot, and I sincerely hope that you come again," She smiled.

"And we thank you for your gracious hospitality, Isono-san," Yutsuko bowed in turn.

"By the way, since you used the special coupon, we would like to offer you a complementary free gift," Isono said, handing them a black box with cherry blossom patterns, thick and large enough to necessiate a hand-carry bag, "Inside is a selection of our finest daifuku and mochi with a variety of flavours, and good tea blends to enjoy with them."

"Wow! Thank you so much!" Yutsuko beamed brightly.

"It is no problem," Isono smiled.

Elwur took one glance at the box, and he frowned. When the couple turned to leave, Elwur took one glance at Isono, investigating her one last time as his eyes glowed an indistinct shade of blue.

In his eyes, the glamour gave way to reveal a matronly Dark Elf, tall, beautiful and shapely, her body developed in all the right places, her silver hair flowing down to her shoulders. In her crimson eyes was a deep and profound sadness, a **** as if she wanted him to stay just a little longer.

Elwur knew then that she was no enemy, but as to why she was here, the reason eluded him.

Perhaps one day, when they met again, they could discuss her being her in further detail.