Jobless Man’s Zombie Survival Life - Chapter 45: Unemployed Fishing Bliss

Chapter 45: Unemployed Fishing Bliss

“The sea’s so vast, so grand~”

A wide ocean stretches before me.

Clear skies, not a cloud in sight.

The breeze carries a salty tang, sparking excitement.

“Gets me pumped! Let’s fish like crazy!”

I gear up with enthusiasm, setting up my fishing equipment.

Even small fish would be great.

A few days after dropping Mondo-occhan and Sachiko-san at the shelter, I’m at a small fishing port on the edge of Shiiya City’s West District.

About a twenty-five-minute drive from home.

I parked at the far end, so no one’s around.

Just the sound of waves and seagulls.

I backed in the truck for a quick getaway if needed.

Mondo-occhan and Sachiko-san didn’t stay at the shelter.

I thought it was due to limited space, but they just prefer their lifestyle.

Plus, they’ve got their garden to tend.

Miku-chan stays safe at the shelter, and they’ll visit often.

…Probably five times a week, knowing them.

Whatever, fishing time.

It’s just past eight in the morning.

Overslept and missed the dawn bite.

No set plans today.

If I catch a ton, I’ll head home early; if not, I’ll stay till dusk.

Brought plenty of canned food—my “bento”—and drinking water, ready to settle in.

Got a battery-powered cooler for any catches.

In times like these, I’m the only nut fishing, so no competition for spots.

Folding chair, table, cutting board, fishing knife, and gear—check.

I toss a roped bucket into the sea for hand-washing water.

Assemble the rod from the tackle shop, tying a worm-like, colorful lure to the line.

All set! Let’s do this.

Oh, gotta wear the straw hat—can’t risk heatstroke.

I cast the lure, reeling it in.

The trick is using wrist snaps and rod twitches to mimic a living creature.

Reel, pause, reel, pause.

When the lure’s back, cast again.

…Pretty busy work.

Bait fishing’s more chill, watching the float.

If this doesn’t work, maybe I’ll flip rocks for worms…

I switch spots, casting again.

Reel, pause, reel, pause—

Yes! A hit! Fiiiish!!

I reel fast, yanking it from the sea.

The fish glints in the morning light.

It’s…

“A puffer, damn it!!!!”

I unhook it and toss it into the opposite sea.

I’d eat anything, but that’s a death sentence.

At least a goby—I could fry those…

Shaken but casting again, aiming for the tetrapod’s base.

Fish love those shady spots.

Yes! Got it! Fiiiish!!

A strong pull—please be good!

Yes!! An ajii!!

About fifteen centimeters—big for this season!

Score!

I unhook it, toss it in the bucket’s seawater, buzzing with excitement.

Aji are schooling fish, so there’s likely more nearby!

It’s a race against time! Go, lure-chan!!

Cast, reel, cast, reel.

An hour later…

“…Overdid it.”

The bucket’s stuffed with aji—thirty fish, easy.

With so few crazy fishers around, the fish aren’t wary, biting like mad.

That’s enough for today…

Wait, what if I…

I prep another rod with a bait setup.

I gut the smaller aji with the fishing knife, slicing them up.

Hook the chunks and cast.

Forgot about this method.

Now for some calm fishing.

I sit, puff a cigarette, and watch the float.

Perfect moment.

Time slows—

The float dives!

Of course, they’re biting like crazy!

Heavy pull! Big one!!

Sabaaaa!!

My second-favorite fish!

Salmon’s first, but no chance here, so saba’s king.

This alone made the trip worth it.

I fish till the bait’s gone, hitting noon.

Today’s haul: ten aji, three saba, one small buri (tsubasu).

Perfect!!

Fish are available year-round, making the sea a top food source.

Come summer, maybe I’ll dive for clams.

Dreams abound.

Time for lunch with the catch.

I fillet all the fish with the fishing knife, removing heads—my preference.

Fresh, so I’ll eat one aji and one saba raw.

Here’s my secret weapon.

Black liiiight~ (old cat-robot style)

Under a towel in the truck’s shade, I shine it on the fillets.

Parasites glow under blacklight—Dad’s wisdom.

No anisakis fears, just tasty sashimi!

I plate the sliced aji and saba, with soy sauce and wasabi in a dish.

Alpha rice from home—ready!

Itadakimasu!

The rice vanishes instantly.

Tears well up.

No, they’re flowing.

So good~ Fresh food after so long…

Aji’s crisp flavor, saba’s rich, fatty umami—irresistible.

I scarf it down, thanking Mother Sea.

Stuffed, I process the rest.

I sink the filleted fish in clean seawater in a container, then into the portable cooler.

Dry them at home for half a day—easy dried fish.

Should last two weeks in the fridge.

With fish secured, maybe I’ll try smoking them someday.

I can always catch enough for myself.

Not enough for the whole shelter, but maybe a discreet gift for those I owe…

While cleaning up, dreaming of dried fish, I spot four figures approaching from the port.

Zombies? No, humans, with rods and coolers.

Enemies?

I subtly grab the sword naginata from the truck bed, mounting it on my waist, and grip a shuriken.

Didn’t bring the Japanese sword—salt air’s its enemy!

The four chat and approach, spotting me but not tensing.

“Hey, catching anything?”

An older man in front speaks casually.

Feels like pre-zombie days.

No scheming vibe.

The others seem his age.

“…Hey, yeah, got a bunch of aji and saba.”

“Nice! What setup?”

“Lures, switched to cut bait after.”

I reply normally, staying ready to pounce, but they seem chill.

“Alright! Let’s aim for a big tsubasu today!”

“This time’s good. Wish we could hit dawn…”

“Blame Yoshi-san’s oversleeping!”

“Shut up!”

The four old guys dive into fishing talk, having a blast.

…Just fishing buffs.

If they were Mondo-occhan-level masters, I’d be dead already.

“So… you guys coworkers or something?”

“Yeah, worked at a company nearby. Now we’re at the fishery center shelter.”

“Fishing all day under ‘food gathering’!”

“Barely any zombies around here.”

“Yup!”

They’re genuinely stoked.

Kinda jealous.

I ask about fishing spots, and they spill—good rocks for live bait too.

Wait, let me note this!

Really nice guys.

I gift them a carton of cigarettes I don’t smoke from the truck.

They’re thrilled, inviting me to fish together next time.

Plenty of food makes people less cutthroat…?

I don’t want good folks getting hurt, so I share some info.

Warn them about shady types in the city center, but not the shelter’s details.

Even if they’re nice, who knows who’s at their fishery center?

On the way back, I spot a tackle shop and grab a fine mesh net.

With some work, I could make a cage trap for the sea, baited with fish chunks.

Didn’t fish for squid today, but maybe next time.

Today was awesome! Fishing’s the best! I’ll come back regularly!!

“Why does it always end like this…”

Thought it’d be a perfect day, but stopping at a convenience store was a mistake.

I’m facing off with three guys.

I went in for cigarettes, chocolate, juice—gifts for the shelter’s women—and got blocked at the entrance.

“This is our turf. Drop your stuff and leave.”

The leader barks.

“Alright, alright…”

I move to comply, avoiding trouble, but notice the two behind him gripping iron pipes.

As I crouch to set down the goods, the leader raises a knife in my peripheral vision.

Knew it—they’re gonna kill me either way.

Familiar moves. Career criminals.

No mercy needed.

I toss the goods in their faces, blinding them, and front-kick the leader’s solar plexus.

He flies back as I draw the sword naginata reverse-handed from my waist.

I slash the necks of the two goons.

They drop their pipes, clutching their throats, but severed arteries mean no survival.

No stitching available.

I step past the gurgling goons, avoiding their blood, and approach the leader, crouched and clutching his gut.

“Guh… you… I’ll kill you…!!”

He’s all bravado until he sees the bloodied naginata, paling.

“S-Stop…! I’m sorry…!!”

“Little late for regrets… Try again next life.”

“Eek!? …Guh…”

I feint a head strike, then slash his throat.

I leap back to dodge the blood spray.

He collapses face-down, bleeding out on the parking lot.

I watch a few minutes, confirming they’re all dead.

Back inside, I grab more stuff and leave.

Poor guys… but they came to kill, so no choice.

…Not that sorry.

Tough luck, but fair.

…Even the twist makes it a great day!! Damn it!!!