Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 8

The fish were discarded because they were too damaged from rough handling and poor storage. When a fish's intestines were ruptured and mixed with the meat, the taste turned bad, bitter and stomach-turning. It was too late to clean the bait fish properly, so it was best to return them to the sea and let nature run its course.

Karlos had once eaten a fish with damaged intestines back when he didn't know better. He had tried to wash it thoroughly, but no matter how much he rinsed it, the bile and fluids had seeped into the meat, leaving a bitter, unappetizing taste.

As he made his way home, walking steadily with his catch, he passed adults who were also returning after a long day of fishing or work. Their town had grown into a well-rounded community with complete facilities, clinics, schools, and even a modest but functional hospital. As money continued to flow in and more residents prospered, further infrastructure development was expected.

In fact, just a year ago, running water had finally reached the outskirts of town thanks to a large petition and months of planning. Because of that, Karlos and Maya no longer had to draw water from the well and carry it home every morning and evening. Though it had cost them quite a bit to set up the piping and apply for water line installation, it was worth every centavo.

Now, with a simple turn of the faucet, clean water flowed. They paid around 200 pesos a month on average, an affordable price to avoid carrying heavy basins of water daily. The running water was crystal clear and even drinkable without further filtration.

Karlos nodded at the familiar faces who greeted him along the way. Two years of living in town had allowed him to recognize most neighbors and even remember many of their names.

Some people asked about his catch, and Karlos explained as he walked, adjusting the weight of the bucket in his hand. He needed to sell the fish while they were still fresh.

"Babe, I'm back. I caught a Giant Trevally and a Spanish Mackerel."

"You caught what!?" Maya's voice shot up in surprise.

She rushed over and peered into the bucket, finding the two large fish still slightly dripping with seawater.

"You caught these near the shore? Wow."

Her reaction was understandable and maybe even a little skeptical. It was almost unheard of to catch such big fish close to the beach. Their shoreline was mostly stones, sand, and scattered shells. The marine life in the area had mostly vanished due to human activity.

Normally, to catch fish of this size, people had to sail farther out and cast nets in deeper waters. Unless one went to an untouched island, it was rare to find large fish near the beach.

Still, it wasn't impossible, certain conditions like tide, weather, and predator presence could drive big fish closer to shore. Maybe Karlos really was lucky. Or maybe he was just skilled.

"I plan to sell them at the fish port. I might be late," Karlos said.

Maya nodded without hesitation. It would be a waste for just the two of them to eat the fish, especially since the twins could only eat mashed food. They wouldn't be able to finish both before the meat spoiled.

"Hm, take care. Here, take some baby biscuits in case you get hungry."

"Thanks. I love you. I'll be back once I've sold them."

Karlos stored his fishing rod in the Kubo, where he kept his tools. He aired it out before placing it in the cabinet to keep it in good condition.

He kissed Maya on the forehead and smiled as he carried the bucket of fish out the door.

"... Why does he always do that whenever he leaves? Is it really necessary to say 'I love you' and kiss your forehead?" she murmured, cheeks turning slightly red.

Despite the mild embarrassment, she admitted to herself that she liked the gesture. In fact, she could never get tired of it. They were already married with two kids, and tradition expected them to be conservative in public. But a kiss on the forehead was sweet, more intimate than a hug.

"Waahh—! Waahh—!"

The twins cried in perfect sync like a well-rehearsed duet. Maya chuckled, checked their diapers, and confirmed they were clean. That meant only one thing, they were hungry and wanted their afternoon snack.

She crushed the baby biscuits and added a little water, turning them into a soft paste suitable for their tiny mouths.

As soon as the plastic wrapping of the biscuits crinkled, the twins perked up and sat upright, clearly recognizing the sound. For six-month-old babies, it was impressive, a good sign of development.

"Oh? You two can sit up on your own now? How cute!"

The twins giggled, wide-eyed and full of excitement, their mouths open like baby birds.

Maya scooped up a spoonful and fed Iñigo first since he was closer. The baby boy clicked his tongue while chewing, savoring every bite.

Arabella's eyes began to water as she stared at her mother with a betrayed expression. She looked as though she'd been wronged for not getting fed first, even though she couldn't speak yet.

"Aww, don't look at me like that. You'll make Mama sad."

Maya scooped another spoonful with extra love and fed Arabella, who immediately began chewing, just as happily as her brother.

Then, Iñigo opened his mouth again, asking for seconds.

Maya continued feeding them back and forth, maintaining a fair balance between the two. Having twins was tough, but she didn't hate it. Not even a little. Watching her babies grow each day was deeply rewarding. And the way they looked at her, with those innocent, trusting eyes, had melted her heart every time.

Arabella and Iñigo both inherited their father's black hair, but their eyes came from Maya, bright crimson red, like tiny rubies shining in the sunlight.

"Kids, say Mama."

"Ah ah!"

"Ga ga!"

"Well, I tried."

...

...

...

Meanwhile, Karlos arrived at the fish port and began calling out loudly, advertising his catch.

"Giant Trevally! Forty pesos per kilogram! Fresh catch! Big fish!"

"Spanish Mackerel! Sixty pesos per kilogram! Fresh catch! Big fish!"

He stood at the entrance where independent sellers usually gathered, since he only had two fish.

Some people turned toward his voice but didn't approach. Others came closer to ask questions, where he caught them, how much they weighed, whether he'd sell them cheaper.

"What's the weight of the Giant Trevally and the Spanish Mackerel?"

"The Giant Trevally weighs 7 kilograms, and the Spanish Mackerel is 13 kilograms."

"They're quite big. You said you caught them at the shore? Unless you're lying, that's an amazing feat for someone using fishing just a rod and bait."