Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad

[Pujimaki]

After being reincarnated in a parallel world eerily similar to Earth, Karlos Alejandro starts a new life as a humble fisherman. In just two years, he finds love, marries, and becomes a father to two children.

With a deep sense of responsibility and love for his family, Karlos braves the sea each day, working tirelessly to provide and protect. In this second life, survival, simplicity, and family take center stage.

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 1

A truck cruised down the road at a steady speed, its tires rolling steadily over the concrete. The driver, focused and alert, kept his eyes on the road while a K-pop song played on the radio.

As a truck driver, he knew that defensive driving was the key to getting home safely every day. He valued his life and the lives of others. He wasn't reckless. He respected traffic laws, checked his mirrors, and always stayed in his lane.

He also knew there were assholes out there. People who treated traffic signs like suggestions and drove like they had a death wish.

He was a changed man now.

Unfortunately for him, his truck was currently possessed by the spirit of Truck-kun, the infamous isekai maker. And Truck-kun was waiting patiently for the perfect moment to complete his mission.

"The driver's in a pinch. He just doesn't know it yet," Truck-kun muttered internally.

He'd been sent by the gods and goddesses to fulfill a mission, something about balancing the laws of the universe or whatever.

The target this time: an office woman who needed to be reincarnated to another world.

She was a depressed office worker with hollow dreams and just enough energy to survive each monotonous day. No love life, not even a casual fling. Her free time was consumed by romance novels, manhwa, and visual novels.

Truck-kun's job was to send her to a fantasy world, where she would become the villainess in the very novel she had just finished reading yesterday.

"For some reason, this is the meta lately. A strange trend among the gods. They keep sending these women into romance novels they've read, what's it called again? Otome Isekai?"

Truck-kun liked to talk to himself. He didn't get many opportunities to chat with other otherworldly entities, so monologuing had become second nature. He talked like a schizophrenic philosopher, and at this point, it felt normal.

Such was the lonely life of an entity tasked with possessing vehicles to carry out divine missions.

He was the Isekai Maker. The Grim Reaper on wheels.

"Where was I again? Right, Otome Isekai. So the genre goes like this: some girl gets reincarnated into a fantasy world, usually based in some kind of pseudo-European society, and ends up in the body of a noble villainess. Since she's read the story before, she tries to change the plot, rewriting her own fate like a rogue author."

"Sometimes she reincarnated a princess or a noble, but the concept is the same. Look, I don't write the damn things. I just hit people with trucks. I don't make the rules, I just follow them."

The villainess usually ends up entangled in a love story with a cold-hearted Duke, a tyrant Emperor, or some other traumatized man-child with six-pack abs, a tragic past, and a ridiculously huge "stick". Same trope, different hair color, but mostly men of red flags.

The gods, it seemed, had developed a taste for magical romance with a side of trauma.

This time, Truck-kun's target would be transmigrated into the body of a villainess known for causing scenes at royal banquets. The spoiled daughter of a rich Count who never loved her right.

"The plot's so damn predictable, I could guess what happens next with my headlights turned off."

While the driver remained calm and focused, Truck-kun was lying in wait, ready to seize control of the vehicle.

Once the truck made a left turn, it would all begin.

And there it was, the turn.

"Now!"

The truck suddenly went off course, speeding onto the sidewalk like a homing missile.

A woman with tired eyes stood there, holding a cup of coffee. She wasn't doing anything extraordinary. Just trying her best to keep going, even though life had lost all its color.

Her love life? Nonexistent. Her job? Soul-crushing. Her boss dumped impossible tasks on her without thanks or bonuses.

All she wanted was to stay in bed, reading novels and manhwa to escape her bleak reality. Fiction was the only place that made her feel anything at all.

"Miss! Run!"

A young man in his early twenties saw the truck barreling toward her. Acting on instinct, he sprinted forward and shoved her with everything he had.

But it was too late.

Though his push moved her slightly, she still got struck by the truck.

And the young man, brave, foolish, and selfless, was caught in the full impact.

Both died instantly, as horrified bystanders screamed and ran toward the scene.

"Shit! Shit! Fuck!"

Truck-kun was livid. His mission had been to hit one person, not two. But thanks to the wannabe hero, the situation had spiraled out of control.

To ensure success, he'd swerved wider than intended, catching both of them.

"Why the hell did you do that!? Now you're dead too, idiot!"

His spirit slowly faded from the mangled truck as the sound of approaching sirens filled the air. The truck driver, stunned and pale, sat frozen behind the wheel.

Truck-kun didn't feel sorry for him. The driver had a dark past, despite his law-abiding behavior. Only the gods knew how many people he'd truly harmed. Maybe this time, he'd finally face justice.

Truck-kun looked at the young man's broken body and sighed.

"Poor kid. You had a whole life ahead of you. Love, chances… maybe even a redemption arc."

He knew the guy didn't deserve to die. He was just trying to help, pure-hearted, brave, and tragically in the wrong place at the wrong time.

But Truck-kun never failed his missions, no matter how messy they turned out.

As the crowd dialed emergency services in a futile attempt to save them, Truck-kun vanished.

This wasn't his first rodeo and it wouldn't be his last. Good Samaritans tried to interfere sometimes, but he couldn't let that stop him. The plan was sacred, and collateral damage, while unfortunate, was part of the job.

"If the gods take pity on you, maybe you'll get another chance. Maybe you'll be reborn. But hey, I just crash trucks to people."

With that, Truck-kun was gone. He already had his next assignment: to possess a train and send a rule-following Japanese salaryman to another world as a young female soldier, because he'd pissed off a god.

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 2


A man in his early twenties was scraping barnacles off the hull of a raised yacht under the scorching sun. With a metallic scraper attached to a long pole in his hands, he worked diligently to remove the stubborn, toxic barnacles that clung to the bottom of the vessel like parasites.

The barnacles gave off a foul odor. A nauseating mix of diesel, decay, salt, and sun-baked rot.

Karlos wiped the sweat from his brow using his shoulder, grunting from exhaustion. His arms were smeared with bits of barnacle shells and tangled seaweed that clung to his skin like glue.

The stench clung to him, too, foul and pungent enough to make even a stray dog back away. He knew he'd need a proper shower later, no matter how tired he felt.

"Looks like you're done. Here's some cold water and bread before you go."

"Thanks," Karlos replied.

A Western man approached and handed him a liter of chilled water with ice cubes bobbing near the surface, along with a freshly baked loaf of warm bread. Karlos offered a tired smile and wiped his arms with an old rag before taking his first bite.

It had been two years since Karlos was reincarnated into this world. He had died while trying to save a woman from an oncoming truck, never knowing it had been the legendary Truck-kun. His good deed had ended in tragedy.

After his death, he'd met the deities responsible for the reincarnation process. Their expressions flickered between guilt and indifference as they explained that Karlos had not been the intended target. He was just a background character swept into someone else's story. As a form of compensation, they offered him a second life in a different world.

Now, Karlos lived in a parallel universe that resembled Earth but was also vastly different.

This world was called Thera. A planet with its own history and culture, much of which fascinated and confused him every day.

"Here's your pay," the Western man said.

"Thank you, Mr. Smith," Karlos replied.

The man, whose pale skin was sunburned around the neck, handed him 150 pesos. It was 50 more than they had agreed upon. Karlos raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

"You cleaned the yacht quickly. I'm impressed. Also, take the rest of the bread. You mentioned you have kids, right?"

"Yes."

Karlos smiled, deeply grateful. His twins were starting to eat soft solids, though they still struggled with harder textures. Soft bread soaked in milk or water was perfect for them.

He packed the bread into his worn-out backpack, its faded fabric patched and zippers barely holding on. With a respectful nod, he said goodbye.

The smell of sun-baked barnacles and diesel clung to him, but Karlos didn't care. He had earned money today and that was what mattered.

He stood on the pier where hundreds of luxurious yachts bobbed gently in the tide like floating palaces. Thanks to his fluency in English from his past life, Karlos could easily communicate with the many foreign retirees who lived aboard these yachts. His accent was stiff, but it didn't matter.

This pier was filled with foreigners living out their dream retirements, sun, sea, and slow days. Compared to the locals, who struggled to make ends meet, their lives seemed far better.

Luckily for Karlos, the languages of Earth and Thera were nearly identical. He used that to his advantage, offering his services to foreign yacht owners such as cleaning, minor repairs, and odd jobs. The work wasn't glamorous, but the pay was decent.

At a nearby gas station, he took a quick shower to rid himself of the grime and salt sticking to his skin. Thankfully, these public restrooms near the pier were accessible to workers and even used occasionally by yacht owners when their desalinators broke or fresh water ran out.

Karlos sealed his dirty clothes in a plastic bag before tucking it into his backpack, careful not to let them mix with the clean ones. He changed into a fresh set, then gave himself a hopeful sniff.

The strong odor was mostly gone, though a faint trace of diesel still lingered. He'd probably need another rinse once he got home to feel truly clean.

He waited by the roadside for a bus, watching traffic crawl by under the heavy sun. After about ten minutes, a rusted bus screeched to a halt in front of him. Karlos boarded, and a few women glanced his way before looking away just as quickly.

He found a seat and stared out the window, letting his mind wander. Sometimes, he still felt like he was back on Earth just set in a different era. The scenery outside was similar, even if the names and places were different.

The ocean stretched to the far right, glistening under the sunlight, while the land to the left was a patchwork of green and brown, rolling gently like a painted landscape.

Soon, the bus arrived in the town where Karlos now lived. From there, he still had to walk for half an hour to reach his home at the town's edge.

The streetlights flickered on as the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in warm hues of red and orange.

"Babe, I'm home."

Karlos stepped inside their bamboo house, his voice soft and warm. The faint hum of a radio filled the room, crackling with static and music. He removed his shoes and walked barefoot out of habit and respect for the floor.

Each step on the aged bamboo creaked like old bones. Some slats were soft with rot and needed replacing. One of these days, he would cut fresh bamboo by the river and repair the floor.

Their home, a traditional kubo, stood about one to two feet above the ground. Elevated to keep the bamboo dry, especially during rainy seasons. It was humble but warm, made from bamboo and nipa palm, typical near the shore.

"Hm. You're back."

Karlos saw his wife, Maya, nursing Arabella in the dim golden glow of sunset coming through the window. The baby girl's eyes were closed, but her mouth latched onto her mother's breast like it was her life's purpose.

Maya rocked her gently, smiling as she looked at her husband.

Karlos returned the smile and kissed her forehead, a quiet joy swelling in his chest. He leaned down and kissed baby Arabella with equal gentleness.

The little girl frowned slightly in her sleep but continued feeding without pause.

Next, Karlos approached the crib where their son was sleeping soundly, curled up like a kitten. He carefully picked the baby up and kissed his forehead.

"You're adorable," he whispered.

Two years had passed since he'd been given this second life, and finally he wasn't alone. He'd found his home, his purpose, his family.

"I brought fresh bread for them."

"They've had such big appetites lately, like tiny bottomless pits. Even formula isn't enough to keep them full," Maya said with a chuckle.

She gently placed Arabella beside her brother, tucking both into worn but clean blankets.

"I'll start on dinner. Watch the kids for a while," she added, stepping outside. Their kitchen was beneath a makeshift roof made of tarpaulin.

Karlos sat beside the crib, watching his twins sleep peacefully, side by side like mirrored souls. He smiled from the bottom of his heart.

Even on the hardest days, they gave him a reason to keep going.

+++++

Illustration of Kubo

 

[krahe]

It's so peaceful. Don't trust it at all

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 3

Maya took two careful steps down from the short ladder, since their kubo was elevated about two feet off the ground to protect it from moisture. She glanced at Karlos, who was staring at their twins with adoration written all over his tired but content face.

She gave him a soft smile, her eyes filled with warmth, before heading to their open-air kitchen and sink beneath a makeshift roof made from salvaged, stitched-together tarpaulin.

Their kubo was mostly made of wood, so starting a fire inside was too dangerous, something they'd never risk. Maya tucked her light red hair behind her ear as a gentle breeze carried the salty scent of the nearby sea.

Unlike on Earth, the people in Thera naturally had different hair and eye colors, like something straight out of an anime.

Maya had light red hair, deep crimson eyes, and sun-kissed bronze skin. People who lived near the sea usually had tanned skin, though the shade varied depending on exposure.

She opened the cooking pot and confirmed that the dish was done. A rich aroma filled the air. She also checked the rice pot to ensure nothing was burning at the bottom. When she lifted the lid, a cloud of steam escaped, briefly fogging her vision. The rice looked perfect, fluffy and fragrant.

"Let me help you carry them," Karlos said as he stepped outside the kubo.

He took the rice pot from Maya, using two pieces of worn cardboard to shield his hands from the heat. These makeshift pot holders had been in their home for almost a year, flattened, bent, but still dependable. They'd used them since they first started living together.

Karlos then carried the pot of mussel soup into the house, stepping carefully to avoid spilling, while Maya watched with amusement at how seriously he took the task. She grabbed two ceramic plates, a bowl, and a couple of spoons and forks from the shelf.

Their dinner was mussel soup, Nilagang Tahong, a staple in their household. Maya added ginger and lemongrass to cut through the fishiness and give it a refreshing kick.

Since their town was near the shore, and the local fish port handled tons of seafood daily, it wasn't surprising that seafood made up most of their meals. It was cheap, nutritious, and fresh.

The mussels Maya used only cost 35 pesos per kilo at the market, a small price for a dish so flavorful.

"Did you find another job at the pier?" Maya asked as she sat cross-legged on the bamboo floor, her tone relaxed.

Both of them preferred eating on the floor. They had only one table, and it was too large and heavy to bring inside without damaging the floor. It stayed outside, near the kitchen.

Dinner conversations were a cherished routine. Talking about their day made the simple meal feel more wholesome and comforting.

"Today was the last day. No one needs help with odd jobs anymore," Karlos said with a shrug as he scooped more soup.

"Then I guess you'll be carrying baskets at the fish port tomorrow."

"Hm," he nodded while chewing thoughtfully. The mussels tasted clean and savory, perfectly balanced by the ginger and salt.

To Karlos, it didn't matter what job he did as long as it was honest work. As long as he could provide for his family, he would take anything, no complaints, no hesitation.

"Tomorrow I'll ask Mr. Kanor if the parts I ordered have arrived."

Karlos had been saving money to buy parts for his broken engine. He had a small fishing boat, about four meters long, ideal for one or two people to fish near the shore during calm weather.

The boat was over thirty years old, and the engine parts were hard to find due to its outdated model. He had asked Mr. Kanor, the manager of a boat shop in town known for helping local fishermen, to search for them.

Thankfully, Mr. Kanor found the parts, but due to shipping delays, it would take about two weeks for them to arrive. During those weeks, Karlos worked any odd job he could find such as carrying fish baskets, scrubbing barnacles, anything to keep food on the table.

Tomorrow was the day the parts were scheduled to arrive and Karlos could finally start repairing his boat.

After dinner, the couple sat back and listened to the radio, sometimes chatting quietly about their day.

Karlos was originally from the year 2025, before he was transmigrated into this world. In this new life, he had landed in the year 1998, a time when technology was developing to improve lives, but hadn't yet become overwhelming.

Thera's 1998 felt similar to Earth's, particularly in its development and economy.

In fact, owning a radio in a rural area was already considered a luxury. Their family had one, though it was old and filled with static. Still, it was their nightly entertainment.

When night came, the couple had no reason to stay up. Crickets chirped outside as the breeze cooled the air. Maya checked on the twins, who were sleeping peacefully, satisfied with their milk and a bit of soft bread.

Karlos laid out their bedding on the bamboo floor with practiced care. He set up two mosquito nets, one for the twins and another for him and Maya.

They turned off the lights and the radio. Darkness filled the room, except for the faint silver glow of moonlight seeping through the window.

Maya lay down, but Karlos remained a few inches away, eyes open and staring at the ceiling.

She raised an eyebrow and turned toward him. "What are you doing?"

"Hm? About what?" Karlos blinked, feigning innocence.

"Why aren't you next to me?"

"I smell like diesel," he sighed.

"So what? I want you to sleep next to me," she said firmly, a slight pout forming on her lips.

"…Alright."

He scooted closer, inch by inch, until their bodies touched and their warmth blended. Maya giggled softly, clearly satisfied as Karlos wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close.

"Much better."

They didn't fall asleep immediately. The silence of the night wrapped around them in peace and comfort.

To anyone else, Karlos and Maya looked like a normal couple, but under the sheets, they were anything but ordinary. Why do you think they ended up with twins?

But just as they were about to doze off, the twins began crying.

Arabella cried first, quickly followed by Iñigo, forming a perfectly timed duet of wails that shattered the quiet.

Karlos sat up and checked on them.

"Looks like they soiled their diapers. I'll take care of them. You go back to sleep."

Maya yawned and returned to her slumber without protest.

Karlos methodically removed the dirty diapers. The smell hit him like a slap in the face, potent and powerful, now that the twins were eating solids. No matter how many times he did this, it never got easier.

After changing both diapers, he gently hummed lullabies and patted the babies with a steady rhythm. When they finally fell back asleep, he returned to bed, trying not to wake Maya.

But as he lay beside her, she frowned with her eyes still closed and mumbled:

"Stay away from me, you smell."

"…" Karlos let out a long, defeated sigh in the dark.

+++++

[Author's Note: For now, this novel will be updated one chapter per day.]

Maya Alejandro Illustration.

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 4

Karlos grunted as he pushed a cart loaded with baskets of fish, weighing around 200 kilograms. It was full-body labor that left his arms and back aching. He wasn't doing it alone. His friend, whom he had met two years ago, was helping him.

Karlos and Andres slowly hauled the cart to the back of a truck. Sweat soaked their bodies from head to toe as they finally stopped to catch their breath.

"Good job, guys."

Joseph patted their backs firmly and nodded in approval before opening the truck to make space for the delivery.

Both Joseph and Andres had red hair, a shared trait that ran in their family. To make things easier to explain, Joseph and Maya were siblings, and Andres was their cousin.

Their family had strong red hair genes, though Andres' shade was lighter than Maya and Joseph's.

"You load the baskets at the door. I'll place them inside," Andres said, stretching his back.

Karlos nodded and began stacking the baskets at the truck's door with practiced efficiency, while Andres carried them into the inner compartment, where iceboxes were already in place.

As for Joseph, he simply stood there with arms crossed, watching them work. He was the truck's owner and had hired the two to load the fish he had purchased. Simple transaction, work done, payment made.

Joseph and Maya's family wasn't rich, but they weren't poor either. They were stable, comfortable, though not extravagant. Their parents had died five years ago when Maya was still just seventeen. After that, the siblings inherited a few properties.

Joseph got the truck and the family house, while Maya received a piece of land, where she and Karlos currently lived, and two commercial spaces in town. One was being rented out while the other was too damaged to use, its roof torn off like paper during a typhoon years ago.

Karlos planned to repair that shop once he had saved enough money, turning it into a steady source of income.

Speaking of savings, Karlos had managed to earn quite a bit since he transmigrated to this world. Thanks to his persistence and willingness to take any honest job, he had made decent progress. But almost all of his earnings had been spent on the twins: diapers, formula, food, clothes, and hospital bills. He hadn't expected to get two kids at once, which had doubled both his joy and his expenses.

For now, he worked as a porter at the fish port to keep their family afloat.

Once the job was done, Joseph inspected the truck, checking the baskets, the ice, and the covers. He gave a satisfied nod after confirming everything was properly secured for transport.

"Here's your pay."

He handed them 100 pesos each, slightly crumpled bills. It wasn't much, 100 pesos was equivalent of about two U.S. dollars, but it was enough to buy some rice or a bit of seafood. They had worked almost three hours in the scorching midday sun for that money.

"Thanks, Joseph."

"Yeah, thanks, cousin. You even gave us an extra 20 pesos."

"No need to thank me," Joseph replied with a dismissive wave, then turned to Karlos.

"You've been in this town for two years now, right?"

"Yeah. My parents dropped me here in the province back in 1998," Karlos answered casually.

The original Karlos had been sent to the neighboring town by his parents, who forced him to stop college. That decision sent him into a spiral of depression, leading him to make reckless choices, and that was when Earth Karlos was transmigrated into his body.

Coincidentally, both Thera Karlos and Earth Karlos had the same name.

Karlos Alejandro, a surname that sounded noble but was actually common in the country. Even their physical appearances were nearly identical, except for eye color.

Thera Karlos had black hair, blue eyes, and white skin, eerily similar to his Earth counterpart.

"You married my sister... So I'm allowed to ask you some things. What are your plans from here on out? You've got kids now. You can't act like you're still single."

Joseph stared at Karlos seriously, his expression a mix of concern and protectiveness. Truth be told, he didn't support Karlos and Maya's relationship in the beginning. From his perspective, aside from being good-looking and somewhat charming, Karlos had little to offer.

In his opinion, Maya should've ended things before the relationship began and focused on her dreams. But she chose to start a family with Karlos without anyone's approval and Joseph had no choice but to respect that decision, even if he had his doubts.

Still, he gave them an old fishing boat he no longer used, ever since he started delivering fish inland, where the money was better and less dangerous.

"For now, I'll go to Mr. Kanor's shop and ask about the motor parts. Once I get them, I'll fix the boat and start earning better. One step at a time," Karlos replied calmly, wiping sweat from his forehead.

"Alright. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call me."

Joseph gave a final nod and climbed into the truck. He had to deliver the fish to inland markets where they'd sell at nearly double the price, mostly to wholesalers, restaurants, and wet market vendors.

The job was profitable but tiring. Traffic, unpredictable weather, and long hours on the road made it exhausting. Sometimes, he had to sleep in his truck, especially when it broke down in the middle of nowhere with no help in sight.

He wasn't rich, but he was surviving, stable enough to keep moving.

The truck rumbled away, kicking up dust as it disappeared down the road, leaving Karlos and Andres sweating under the afternoon sun.

"Are you going to look for another hauling job? It's only 2 p.m.," Andres asked, stretching his arms and back.

"I'll head home first. Maya said she made lunch and asked me to come around noon."

"…You're lucky. My wife doesn't even care if I starve to death. Well, I'll go hunt for more work," Andres said with a shrug.

"Yeah. See you."

Karlos wiped his face with his already drenched shirt, which clung tightly to his skin. The fish port in town was alive from sunrise to sundown. Many fishing boats docked here daily to unload their catch, helping the town's economy thrive thanks to its booming seafood trade.

Every other hour, trucks arrived from distant towns to buy fish, negotiating prices with sellers before hauling the catch into baskets or large styrofoam boxes.

But since trucks couldn't access the narrow docks or navigate the constantly wet floors, porters like Karlos were hired to carry the goods to a parking lot several hundred meters away.

It wasn't easy work, but Karlos made the most of it while his boat remained out of commission.

After walking past barking dogs and busy vendors, Karlos finally arrived home and found Maya folding clothes on the bamboo floor.

"Ga! Ga!"

"Gu! Gu! Gu!"

The twins babbled from their crib, crawling around with noisy excitement. When they spotted their father, their voices grew even louder, like a cheerful welcome.

"You're back. Go change your clothes, you're drenched. I'll get lunch ready," Maya said without looking up.

Karlos groaned in relief as he sat down, smiling at the twins who were stretching their tiny arms through the crib bars. The space between the bars was wide enough for the babies to stick their hands out and wave, trying to grab the air.

"You guys are so cute~~"

Karlos said in a playful baby voice while tickling their fingers. The twins giggled with toothless grins and bubbly laughter, lighting up the whole house with joy.

 

[ChickenZero]

Bahay-kubo, kahit munti
Ang halaman doon ay sari-sari
Singkamas at talong
Sigarilyas at mani
Sitaw, bataw, patani
Kundol, patola, upo't kalabasa
At tsaka mayro'n pang
Labanos, mustasa
Sibuyas, kamatis, bawang at luya
Sa paligid-ligid ay puno ng linga

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 5

When Maya returned with the food, Karlos was already playing with the two adorable bundles of joy who had taken over his heart. He carried them in his arms like a natural father who had done it a thousand times before.

Maya smiled warmly and placed the dish on the bamboo floor with a soft clack that echoed faintly across their humble Kubo.

"You eat. I'll take care of them. They've been hyperactive since morning, and it's not even their nap time yet."

Karlos handed baby boy Iñigo to Maya. Then he placed baby girl Arabella in the crib, but she clung to his shirt and refused to let go.

"Ga gaga!"

He looked at Arabella and chuckled softly. Her teary eyes made it clear she would burst into tears if he let go, even for just a second.

"Okay, fine. You'll stay with me while I eat. But remember, no grabbing the spoon again, you shouldn't move around."

He spoke to her, though Arabella was too young to understand his words. She responded only to his tone, giggling and tugging at his shirt like it was a game.

In the end, he held the baby in his left arm while eating with his right hand, slightly clumsy, but ate nonetheless.

Arabella followed the spoon's movement with curious eyes and let out a high-pitched gurgle, "Ga ga ga!" that made Maya turn around and laugh.

"I think she's hungry," Karlos said, prompting Maya to laugh even harder.

"I just fed them earlier before you arrived. They were so eager you'd think I starved them all morning. The twins ate a whole mashed banana. I don't dare feed them too much," she explained.

Karlos nodded and continued eating, occasionally making silly faces to amuse Arabella. This was their first time being parents, and they approached every little task with care and intention.

"Are you going back to the fish port?"

"I'll visit Mr. Kanor first before he closes the shop. I don't want to miss another day waiting. If the motor parts still haven't arrived, I'll go back to the fish port. But if they're here, I'll come home. After that, I might fish a little at the beach."

"Okay," Maya nodded, gently cradling Iñigo. She stroked his cheek while cuddling him as he slept peacefully in her arms.

Just like his brother, Arabella also fell asleep on Karlos' arm, her tiny fists curled up. She seemed perfectly content resting against his broad arm, his steady heartbeat soothing her like a lullaby.

They carefully placed the twins back into their crib, moving slowly so they wouldn't wake. Karlos took the opportunity to nap after the exhausting work earlier. He laid down directly on the bamboo floor with no bedding. Even a few minutes of rest were precious. The floor had small cracks that let in cool air, making his rest surprisingly comfortable despite its simplicity.

Over forty minutes later, Karlos woke up and stretched, letting out a yawn that even surprised him. He saw Maya at the sink, sleeves rolled up as she washed plates, humming softly.

"I brought 130 pesos today." He tried to hand her the money, but she shook her head without turning around.

"You keep it. You still have to pay the remaining balance to Mr. Kanor. If your money falls short, get 100 pesos from the cabinet in the small room."

"It's alright. I think 130 pesos should be enough, unless he suddenly added hidden fees. We already paid him 500 pesos last time."

"Still, we have to be sure. The parts you need are hard to find, especially for those old motor models. And you should give Mr. Kanor a tip as a bonus."

"Nah, he'll probably just add that to the final price anyway. No need to tip him."

Karlos waved his hand dismissively.

He kissed Maya's forehead with a soft peck and stepped away.

"See you later."

"Hm."

She nodded shyly with a slight blush, as if they were still new lovers. She admitted to herself that this life wasn't bad at all. Each day might be simple and repetitive, but she felt deeply satisfied. Her two adorable children and handsome husband made her life better in ways she never imagined.

Karlos didn't return to the fish port. Instead, he walked in the direction of Mr. Kanor's shop with determined steps.

Their town had developed significantly ever since the fish port became active almost every hour from early morning to the dead of night. Even at midnight, fishing vessels arrived unannounced, keeping the town alive and bustling with business.

As a result, the town prospered. More shops and stalls opened every few months, and there were even plans for expansion.

Karlos thought about the abandoned shop they owned just outside the fish port and how he could turn it into something useful. It was a great location for business, the foot traffic alone guaranteed customers.

Some people had already offered to buy the property, but Maya refused to sell it, no matter the price. It was inherited from her parents, and she held on to it for sentimental reasons. Of course, Karlos respected her decision.

Still, deep down, he felt insecure. He had brought nothing into the marriage. The original Karlos had also been abandoned, sent to the province by his parents to live with relatives.

Those relatives kicked him out after taking all his money and any chance at a stable life.

With no other options, the original Karlos wandered to the edge of the region and eventually ended up in this town. He decided to jump into the sea, hoping it would swallow his pain. That was when Karlos from Earth transmigrated into his body, carrying with him not just his memories, but also the emotional weight of another man's broken life.

'Just like the original Karlos, I also have nothing. In fact, the original had it better because he knew who his parents were, while my parents left me in an orphanage and never looked back.'

Both Karloses were resourceful and found ways to survive. Maybe their appearance helped, black hair and a charming face could attract the attention of beautiful women.

'Too bad Thera's Karlos was hated by his parents from the start. They never gave him love, not even a sliver. He had to survive on his own from the beginning.'

Honestly, Karlos couldn't blame the original for ending his life after all that neglect and cruelty. His pain was real.

He was already in his third year of college when his parents showed up at his school, made a scene, and forced him to drop out. They sent him to the province to live on his own and never contacted him again.

He had been working part-time to pay for his tuition, sacrificing everything to stay in school. But his parents ignored all that. They claimed he wasn't helping with chores, when in fact, he was the one who cleaned the house, cooked meals, and took care of his two siblings, all while working and studying.

Karlos sighed deeply at the memory. Neither he nor the original owner had it any better.

Fortunately, he met Maya and found a home in this world, a home he built with his own hands and heart. Now he had a place to return to whenever he felt like the world was too heavy, too punishing.

After walking and reminiscing about the past, he finally arrived at Mr. Kanor's boat shop.

"Karlos, looks like you're here for the motor parts. I have some good news for you. Your package still hasn't arrived, so you can keep worrying for another day."

"…"

 

[ChickenZero]

Dude! That Mang Kanor is one grade A asshole.

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 6

"I guess I have to return at another time," Karlos sighed in disappointment, scratching the back of his head.

He listened to what Mr. Kanor said with a long face and dejectedly turned around, as if his whole day had just been ruined.

"Pfft—haha! Look at you, kid. You look like you just lost your loved ones in some tragic drama or something. Are you really that excited to fix your boat?" Mr. Kanor laughed heartily, holding his stomach as his belly shook.

"Are you crazy? Of course I'm excited. How can I go back to sea and fish if the boat's broken? I need money. Besides, that boat was given to me by my brother-in-law. I'd look like an ungrateful idiot if I didn't take care of it."

"Fine, fine. No need to get mad or go all dramatic on me. I lied. The motor parts actually arrived yesterday, but you didn't drop by. We agreed you'd visit today, so technically it's your fault you didn't come earlier."

Mr. Kanor grinned mischievously and disappeared into the back room. He returned with a box stained with engine oil, carefully packed with motor parts.

"They cost 560 pesos. You already paid a 500-peso down payment last time, so you owe me 60 pesos. These parts aren't expensive, but they're hard to find because your boat is old."

"Here, count them."

Karlos pulled a 50-peso bill and a 10-peso coin from his pocket. Mr. Kanor didn't bother counting. One glance was enough.

"Thanks, Mr. Kanor."

"All good. You sure you don't want to hire me to fix your boat?"

"Nah, I can handle it. I've been maintaining the engine for over a year now. I know how it works down to the last screw."

Karlos had a complete set of tools that he'd acquired piece by piece, most of them old, but still reliable. There was no need to borrow from others.

"Suit yourself."

Karlos gave a polite nod and left, holding the box carefully. It wasn't heavy, but it was important. He had waited weeks for this, and he wasn't about to risk damaging it now.

He had no intention of going to the fish port. He had to return home immediately. Walking from the inner part of town to his house took nearly an hour under the blistering heat of the afternoon sun, which made his shirt stick to his back.

When Karlos arrived, Maya had already finished her chores. She was now lying beside the crib, reading a romance novel. The Kubo had bookshelves lined with her favorite novels, most of which she had read multiple times.

"I'll fix the boat tomorrow," Karlos said, kissing her forehead gently like a loving husband. He placed the box in the corner of the house, beside the tools he had already lined up in preparation.

"Well then," he smiled. "I'm gonna go fishing."

He excitedly left the house holding a fishing rod and a bucket.

"I'll bring back some fish later!"

Maya shook her head as she watched him run off like a little boy playing with his favorite toy.

"Is fishing really that fun?"

Maya had lived by the seaside all her life and had learned to fish from a young age. Yes, it was fun at first, but she eventually grew tired of it.

But Karlos was different. He always seemed genuinely happy and energized whenever he went fishing, like it gave him purpose. Maybe he truly loved it.

"I guess that's why he's not interested in looking for other jobs…" Maya sighed. Karlos had been a college student, and even without graduating, he probably could've landed a decent job thanks to his intelligence and charm.

She never pressured him to look for another job. Surprisingly, the money Karlos earned from fishing and trapping crabs was enough, sometimes even more than regular laborers. Maya never imagined fishing could be that rewarding.

In their region, people like Karlos, who always returned with a heavy catch, were called "Blessed by the Sea." It was a rare and respected title.

"I wonder what he'll bring back this time."

She returned to her novel, though a faint smile lingered on her lips. In a town with few entertainment options, reading had become her favorite hobby. Sometimes, she'd visit neighbors to watch TV shows, but she couldn't leave the twins for long. They were still too clingy and young.

.........
......
...

Meanwhile, Karlos walked toward the small beach near their home, carrying his fishing rod and bucket. It was just 200 meters away, and he passed by rows of coconut trees along the way.

The beach wasn't large, only about 150 meters long, and it didn't have the white sand that tourist spots were known for. Instead, their town's beach had black sand, formed from volcanic minerals over centuries.

It wasn't picturesque like the ones in magazines Maya sometimes read, but Karlos didn't care about the color of the sand. He just wanted to fish and forget the world for a while.

His bucket contained bait fish he had gotten from the fish port earlier, they were leftovers, too small or badly damaged to be sold.

The fishing rod he brought was from the city. He had begged Maya to buy it, promising he'd earn back the cost tenfold. Maya argued that they could just use a bamboo stick, but after his first bamboo rod snapped in half, she eventually gave in.

The rod cost 2,000 pesos, including accessories like hooks, lines, and sinkers. No wonder Maya hesitated.

But Karlos did the hard work so he felt he deserved at least one good tool. This rod could handle 15 to 30 kilograms of weight. Anything heavier, and it would meet the same fate as the bamboo stick.

So far, Karlos had treated it with the care of a prized possession, keeping it spotless and blemish-free.

After setting the bait, he cast the line with a strong swing, sending the hook flying as far as possible.

Some kids playing nearby saw him and came over, sand still clinging to their legs.

"Uncle Karlos! You're fishing today? We haven't seen you around for a few days."

"Yeah, I've been busy doing odd jobs at the pier."

"Pier? You mean the place where the cool-looking yachts are?"

"That's right."

"Cool!"

Karlos used his slippers as a seat so the black sand wouldn't dirty his faded shorts.

A few minutes later, the line jerked, something had taken the bait. Karlos grinned and stood up, excitement gleaming in his eyes. Judging by the pull, it might be the size of his arm… or even bigger if he was lucky.

"Uncle Karlos, you're so cool! You already caught a fish! My dad fishes too, but he always waits at least half an hour before catching anything!"

The kids watched eagerly as Karlos began reeling in, slow and steady, feeling the tension build in the line.

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 7

Karlos began reeling in, but not like a madman in a tug of war. He could feel the fish on the line was quite large, and if he pulled too hard, the line might snap. So he took it nice and steady, relying on patience and technique.

At first, the kids crowded around him with excited eyes, cheering him on. But when Karlos just stood there, holding the rod and carefully adjusting his balance, they quickly got bored and wandered off to play with pebbles and shells on the beach.

Back in his original world, Karlos had watched countless fishing videos online and on television. At first, he thought fishing was all about luck. But after experiencing it himself, he came to understand the fundamentals through trial and error.

First, keep the rod tip up, ideally at a 45-degree angle, to maintain control and responsiveness.

Second, lift the rod using the weight of your body, not just raw strength. This way, the arms don't tire quickly.

Third, lower the rod while reeling in and pull the fish slowly, inch by inch.

Fourth, repeat the process until the fish is caught without exhausting himself or damaging the equipment.

Karlos used his legs and back to form a solid stance on the black sand. Whenever the fish pulled hard, he let it run, keeping the tension balanced between resistance and freedom. He never reeled against the drag, that could damage the reel or snap the line.

Fortunately, Karlos had developed great strength. His regular work as a fisherman had gradually built up his endurance without him even noticing.

After ten minutes of steady reeling, the fruits of his hard work finally appeared in the shallow, clear water.

"Giant Trevally!"

He shouted with excitement and stepped into the shoreline, where the waves gently lapped at his feet.

The fish looked tired after the battle. It barely moved as the waves rolled it ashore like a defeated warrior. When Karlos approached, it flicked its tail weakly, but it had little strength left.

Grinning from ear to ear, Karlos scooped the fish into his arms. The kids came running back, cheering loudly.

"Talakitok! A big talakitok!" one boy shouted, pointing at the massive catch.

In their region, Giant Trevally was commonly called talakitok. But for clarity, let's stick to Giant Trevally.

The children surrounded Karlos as he placed the fish into the bucket. It was so large, it filled nearly half the space.

The fish he caught was about 28 inches long and likely weighed around 7 kilograms, a remarkable catch, especially from the shore.

"Uncle, can you sell it? I heard Giant Trevally sells well at the fish port."

In their culture, kids addressed older married men as Uncle out of respect, even if they weren't related. So it was normal for them to call Karlos that.

"Well, that depends on whether someone's interested in buying just one Giant Trevally," Karlos replied, squinting toward the ocean under the orange sunlight reflecting on the water.

At the fish port, buyers usually purchased in bulk. A single fish wasn't often sold unless it was particularly large or specially requested. Still, it wasn't impossible, it just depended on timing and luck.

'Let's see... if I remember right, Giant Trevally goes for around 40 pesos per kilogram.'

He had seen a fisherman selling several of them earlier at that rate while he was working as a porter.

'If I lower it to 35 pesos, I can still make a decent profit without much effort.'

The fish port in their town operated 24/7, except during typhoons or weather advisories. Most buyers were active from early morning until noon, when the catch was fresh and abundant.

If he sold the Giant Trevally at 35 pesos per kilo, he'd earn about 245 pesos. That was already equivalent to half a day's work as a porter carrying crates under the sun.

To be fair, a hardworking porter could earn more if he had steady contracts. Carrying a 20-kilogram basket usually earned around 10 pesos, but some buyers were stingy, and a few never paid at all, offering excuses. After getting fooled once or twice, porters avoided those kinds of clients.

While Giant Trevally wasn't exactly rare in their region, it wasn't common to catch one this size so close to shore.

After thinking it through, Karlos decided to sell the fish later. He would drop by the house first to put away his rod, then head to the fish port.

"For now, let's try catching more. Maybe I'll get lucky again."

Catching a 7-kilogram Giant Trevally on the first cast was incredibly lucky, even veteran fishermen would agree.

He picked another bait, a sardine the size of his fist, damaged and discarded at the fish port. It smelled fishy, but he didn't care.

With a precise swing, practiced countless times, Karlos cast the bait as far as possible. The line flew out and stopped once the bait hit the surface.

The kids tried to poke the Giant Trevally, but Karlos shooed them away, waving his hand like a vendor guarding fresh goods. He wanted to sell it in pristine condition, no bruises, no torn fins.

He sat down again, using his slippers as a cushion to keep the cold sand from sticking to his shorts. The kids ran off, playing barefoot further down the beach. Most of them had tanned skin from spending so much time in the sun, wild and carefree.

Karlos began slowly reeling in. Since his bait was already dead, he needed to mimic natural movement to attract predators. With live bait, a fisherman would usually leave the line still. But for dead bait, reeling slowly gave the illusion of life, something he had learned through trial and error.

He wasn't worried about the hook snagging on rocks or corals. The beach had already been picked clean from years of human activity.

It didn't take long before he felt another pull.

The line jerked hard, another big one.

From the tension alone, Karlos guessed this one weighed more than 10 kilograms. He followed the same method as before: patient, steady, and deliberate. No wasted energy. Just focus.

The fish below the surface was in full survival mode, thrashing and twisting violently.

Karlos remained calm, keeping steady pressure on the line. He rarely dealt with snapped lines because he always checked and maintained his gear meticulously, from the hook to the reel.

After 15 intense minutes, the fish finally began to emerge from the depths.

"Spanish Mackerel!"

In their region, it had another local name, but to avoid confusion, Karlos preferred to call it by its widely known name, Spanish Mackerel.

With effort, he grabbed the fish as it flailed. No matter how many times he went fishing, that moment, the moment he caught something, always felt incredible.

This one was long and sleek, weighing about 13 kilograms and spanning 40 inches. Despite the weight, it was difficult to handle with two hands because it was still alive and slippery.

Karlos laughed and slipped it into the bucket, now nearly full. The Giant Trevally stay still, while the Spanish Mackerel flopped wildly.

Spanish Mackerel was more valuable than Giant Trevally, often selling at 60 pesos per kilogram, sometimes even more, depending on the day.

As the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows on the beach, Karlos decided it was time to head home. The cold wind had arrived, carrying the smell of salt and sea. Even the kids had started going home.

Karlos balanced the heavy bucket in one hand and the fishing rod in the other.

As for the leftover bait fish, he tossed them back into the sea where they belonged, either to be eaten or to decompose naturally. He had no plans of eating them himself. Sure, they were technically fresh, but they were discarded for a reason. Better to let them return to the ocean.

 

[Pujimaki]

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."

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 9

"I'm not lying. I just caught these fish an hour ago, and they're fresh straight out of the water. How about it, boss? Interested in buying? I can give you a discount if you take both right now."

Karlos actually had a list of regular buyers, and his brother-in-law, Joseph, was one of them. He usually contacted Joseph when he had a decent haul. But most of the time, Karlos sold crabs, not fish, because that was what he could consistently catch with his equipment.

His small boat couldn't venture far into the sea, so he usually went to the mangroves south of town. The shallow, calm waters there were perfect for catching crustaceans. The area was rich with crabs thanks to the brackish water, which made an ideal breeding ground.

Because of that, selling fish was more of a bonus than a goal. And with only two fish today, there was no reason to chase down bulk buyers. Most of them weren't even present in the fish port right now anyway. Joseph, for instance, was probably out driving his delivery truck to the inner cities with seafood and other goods.

The old man who had been eyeing the fish squinted at them like he was evaluating a work of art.

"Let's see. They look fresh. The eyes are still clear, and the gills are red. But since these are only two, and I prefer buying in bulk… How much did you say they were again?"

"The Giant Trevally is 40 pesos per kilo, and it weighs about 7 kilograms."

"So, 280 pesos," the old man muttered, then pointed at the Spanish Mackerel with clear interest. He knew they could grow this big, but it was rare to find one caught from the shore, especially one around 40 inches long.

His real focus was the Spanish Mackerel. It had a premium taste, and he was already thinking of giving it to a wealthy friend to earn a favor or maybe just to brag a little.

"This Spanish Mackerel weighs 13 kilograms, and it's 60 pesos per kilogram since it's a high-value catch."

"So that's 780 pesos. Hmm… that's expensive. How about this, I'll pay you 800 pesos for both."

"900 pesos, boss. I've got a family to feed, and this is the freshest catch you'll get today."

"Come on, I've heard that excuse so many times I'm numb to it. We all have families. 850 pesos. Final offer. And you carry them to my pickup truck."

"Deal. But pay me in cash first, I won't lift a single fin until then."

Karlos didn't mind the price. He had expected some haggling anyway. He knew he couldn't sell these fish at their true value because most buyers here preferred to buy in bulk. He could maybe get a better price in the inner cities, but travel expenses and the risk of the fish losing its freshness weren't worth it.

The old man handed him the money without another word.

Karlos licked his thumb and counted the bills one by one to be sure. The amount was correct. He nodded and happily followed the man to his Toyuta pickup truck.

Unlike Joseph's truck, which was built for bulk transport, the old man's vehicle was smaller but had just enough room for a few fish and some ice. Still, owning a truck was a sign of wealth, Karlos didn't even have a motorcycle.

"Thanks, boss!"

He waved goodbye and walked down the street with light steps, a sense of accomplishment in his stride and money clutched in his calloused hand.

He passed by the grocery store and decided to take this opportunity to buy milk formula for the twins, who had been drinking more each week. He also grabbed some baby food, pureed mush made of fruits based what the label said. He didn't know exactly what was in it, but the kids loved it and he had seen commercials about it, so he kept buying it.

When Karlos got home, Maya was humming a lullaby while the twins napped beside her on the bed. Arabella was on her right and Iñigo on her left, both breathing softly in perfect rhythm.

Maya gently patted their tummies to soothe them.

Karlos grinned and placed the plastic bag on the bamboo floor with a quiet thump.

Maya sat up and stretched lightly.

"You sold the fish?"

"Yeah, got 850 pesos. Straight deal. I bought milk formula and food for the twins, so we won't have to worry for a couple of days."

"That's great. Let's go eat. Just give me a minute."

"It's fine. I'll take care of it. Just watch the kids and make sure they stay asleep."

Karlos went outside to grab the plates and dishes they had left to dry, while Maya tucked the twins in with a thin blanket.

Just like the night before, dinner was rice and seafood. In their town, seafood was cheap and abundant. On the other hand, chicken and pork were expensive, raising livestock took more time, money, and resources.

The couple often admitted they were getting tired of eating seafood daily. Their taste buds longed for variety, but they had no choice. Right now, their priority was saving money and focusing on the twins' needs.

"Tomorrow, I'll fix the boat. Then I'll head out to the mangroves and catch some crabs. We won't be so tight on money after that."

Karlos spoke his thoughts out loud, and Maya nodded while chewing slowly. That had been the plan all along, but she kept glancing at her husband as if she had something else on her mind.

After dinner, they washed the dishes under the dim yellow light and retired for the night. They placed the twins into their crib and adjusted the mosquito net.

The couple turned off the lights and radio... and got freaky under the sheets, as usual. It had become their nightly routine, spicy, intimate, and arguably their only real hobby.

Karlos and Maya practiced safe sex using condoms. They didn't want another child anytime soon. Arabella and Iñigo were already enough to handle. Honestly, they didn't plan to have another baby for at least five more years, not until their finances stabilized and the twins grew older.

"Why do you keep drinking the milk? Are you a kid? That's meant for the twins," Maya grumbled, shooting a glare at Karlos as he wiped her back with playful smugness.

"I can't help it. Everything about you tastes sweet like honey. Besides, if you didn't want me sucking your tits, why didn't you stop me? Bet you liked it too."

"Don't try to blame me."

Maya clicked her tongue and grabbed the towel from him, wiping her front with a huff of annoyance.

"Heh, you didn't answer my question though— Okay, okay, I'm just joking. Don't glare at me like that. Babe, you know how much I love you. And I always mean it."

"Hmph—!"

Maya threw the towel at him, and he started drying himself while chuckling softly. Maya glanced at her husband's body and silently admitted that she had chosen the right partner in both love and life. She swallowed hard and quickly averted her gaze.

After the horizontal monster smash left them both satisfied, the couple lay in bed. Maya wrapped her leg around Karlos like a warm blanket, seeking comfort.

"Babe… are you really serious about being a fisherman?" she whispered in the dark, barely audible.

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 10

Maya looked at her husband as they lay beside each other on their modest bed, waiting for his answer.

"I didn't finish college."

"But you can still apply for jobs even without a diploma, right?"

"I don't have my credentials with me here. I have to go to North Major Island to get the documents myself."

The country where Karlos and Maya lived was an archipelago made up of hundreds of islands. However, it had two massive main islands, each about 300 kilometers wide and stretching over 1,000 kilometers from north to south. These were known as the North Major Island and the South Major Island, home to the nation's largest cities and most significant infrastructure.

The two islands were separated by a sea, with dozens of smaller islands scattered between them. The name of their country? Adobo Country, yes, seriously. In this world, countries were named after beloved national dishes because food is culture and culture is identity, apparently. Their neighboring countries were named Sushi Country and Kimchi Country, proudly following the same culinary logic. This was a parallel universe, anything could happen, no matter how absurd it sounded.

For Karlos to retrieve his credentials, he had to book either a flight or a ship ride, neither of which were cheap. He would also need to travel to Maynila, the capital city, to reach his college. That meant more expenses on transportation, food, and possibly lodging.

"But you can still try other jobs while we wait and save up. Maybe we can fix the shop and start our business instead."

"Maybe..." Karlos replied thoughtfully.

He seriously considered the idea for the first time in a while. Currently, his only income came from fishing and trapping crabs. Odd jobs like being a porter were also possible, but they were physically demanding. Then again, fishing wasn't exactly easy either, especially on rough sea days.

"Fishing can be rewarding, but it's also a tough job. It demands both physical strength and mental patience. Plus, there are days when you can't go out because of the weather, red tides, or engine problems. Sometimes the catch isn't even enough to cover the diesel for the whole trip. Let's not forget, it's dangerous, and you're always at the mercy of the sea," Maya said, her voice filled with concern.

"You're right..."

Karlos agreed. He turned to Maya, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her close, gazing into her captivating crimson eyes.

"One year. If fishing doesn't work out for me within a year, I'll find a different job, something safer, more stable. For now, we have no choice but to make do with this life until we can afford more options. Besides, I get more free time when I go fishing. I usually spend around five hours at sea, then come home right after I meet my quota. I can help take care of the kids and give you some rest too."

"Hm." Maya nodded. In truth, Karlos did have more time for family compared to other jobs. Once he was done fishing, he often returned home by noon or early afternoon, giving them precious time together.

She smiled and gave him a soft peck on the lips as a show of support.

"Okay, Papi~" she teased.

She whispered sweetly, and Karlos grinned like a proud fool in love. He suddenly rolled over, pinning her down with playful energy.

"Looks like you're asking for more!" he teased with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

Maya giggled softly. She had feared he would brush off her concerns, but the fact that he thought seriously about their future made her love him even more.

"I promise, I'll give you and the twins a better life, no matter what it takes."

"Hm." She nodded again and gasped softly as his lips met hers once more.

.........
......
...

The next day, Karlos was carefully fixing the boat engine behind their kubo under the warm morning sun. The engine was detachable, and Karlos always removed it after fishing as part of his anti-theft routine.

A boat with an engine was easier to steal than one without, anyone with the right tools or knowledge could start it, even without the crank handle. Karlos had heard plenty of stories from fellow fishermen who had their boats stolen, even without a crank. It was terrifying.

He didn't know exactly how the thieves managed it, but he made sure he never had to find out by being extra cautious.

In their region, it was common practice to remove the boat engine and carry it home after each trip. Some fishermen left their engines on the boat, but their houses were close enough to the shore to keep watch. Karlos' house, on the other hand, was over 100 meters from the beach. Because of that, he always carried the engine, despite how much of a hassle it was.

Maybe he should rent a space at the town's small pier and dock his boat there, it would definitely be more secure. But walking back and forth would take nearly two hours, and that felt like such a waste of time and energy.

So for now, Karlos left his small boat on the beach, tied and padlocked to a coconut tree.

And even if someone did try to steal it, they'd have to paddle, against the tide, no less, which would buy time or make them give up.

Was this method effective? Definitely. Karlos had never had his boat stolen in two years. It was better to be safe than to lose his only livelihood.

"There are also some bastards who steal just the engine instead of the whole boat and that pisses me off more. Those guys are unforgivable."

Karlos muttered as he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. His palms were covered in grease and oil from tinkering with the engine.

"It's done." He exhaled in relief.

He started the engine. It sputtered at first, then roared to life. Since it wasn't hot yet, he hoisted it up and carried it to the boat still resting on the beach near the coconut tree.

It was the middle of a school day, so only little kids were out playing, building sandcastles or chasing dogs. Karlos reached his boat and reattached the engine with practiced ease. He removed the chains and pushed the boat into the water until it floated on the shallow waves.

The boat was small, only about 4 meters from end to end. It had very little space to move around and was only suitable for near-shore travel. Its light structure and modest engine couldn't handle deeper waters. If Karlos ventured too far, the waves could capsize his boat. That was a risk he wasn't willing to take.

That's why he stuck to the mangroves in the south, where the river met the sea and the brackish water made for a rich ecosystem, perfect for catching crabs. Mangroves were a crab's favorite hangout, and they had become Karlos' main source of income.

Once the boat was in the water, Karlos climbed aboard and used the crank handle to start the engine. He listened carefully to the rhythm of the motor. It roared smoothly, and the boat moved forward steadily.

He nodded, satisfied.

The boat was ready.

Tonight's trip would go as planned.

 

[Despacitoleo]

pure peak

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 11

The boat moved steadily against the waves, bobbing rhythmically as it cut through the water. Karlos' boat had two primary colors, blue and white. A common color scheme among small boats in their region. The upper part of the boat was painted white, though up close, it looked more like dirty white due to age and stains.

The lower part of the hull was painted blue. Boats in their area were called bangka, typically equipped with bamboo or wooden outriggers on both sides of the hull to stabilize against waves and prevent capsizing in turbulent waters. Some outriggers were made of wood, others of plastic, depending on availability.

These outriggers helped balance the boat and gave the hull more resistance against side currents. They played a crucial role in keeping the boat steady.

Karlos gazed at the endless horizon, then turned his head to glance back at the shore he had departed from just minutes ago. The contrast was clear. The sea was vast and mysterious, while the shore felt warm and familiar. He admitted both had their own kind of beauty that brought him peace in different ways.

He decided to spend a few more minutes at sea and complete a circle before returning to shore, just to ensure the engine was functioning well.

Once the water was shallow enough, Karlos stepped out of the boat and began pushing it using the outrigger as support while the hull scraped softly against the sandy bottom. With a final shove, the boat touched land.

He dragged it back next to the familiar coconut tree and secured it with a chain as part of his usual routine.

"With this, I can fish again." He grinned and wiped the sweat off his face.

He carried the engine back once it had cooled, grunting as he lifted the weight. The engine was about 25 kilograms and had 15 horsepower, not much, but just right for local fishing. It was a good match for his 4-meter-long boat, especially for crossing shallow waters.

When he returned home, he saw Maya playing with the twins. Arabella and Iñigo were crawling on the bedding like curious little turtles, full of energy even though it was barely noon.

The radio played softly in the background, tuned to a local station.

Karlos placed the engine in the corner of the house, far from the babies, to keep it safe and out of reach.

"I'll cut some bamboo later since it's still early and the sun isn't too hot."

"The kids and I already ate. There's food here for you."

Maya handed him a bowl of rice and fried fish. Karlos sat down and began eating quickly. His pants were still wet from stepping into the sea, but he didn't bother changing since he was heading out again. No point in wasting clean clothes.

Arabella spotted her father eating and approached with excited curiosity in her eyes.

"Ga! Ga! Ga!" she exclaimed. No one knew what it meant, but it definitely sounded urgent in baby language.

"You want to eat?" Karlos tilted his head, unsure.

He looked to Maya for confirmation, like any new dad would.

"Is she okay with rice?"

"Just give her the meat from the fish, make sure there are no bones."

"Ga!"

Arabella slapped his pants, splashing seawater that left dark spots on the floor. The little girl stared at the reaction with curiosity but then smiled and started gleefully slapping his knees again, making more water splash. She giggled loudly in delight.

"Don't touch my pants. You'll spread the water and someone might slip. Here, eat this."

He handed her a small piece of fish, and Arabella immediately lost interest in playing. Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth, munching the fish with great enthusiasm. Her chewing was surprisingly loud.

As expected, she quickly asked for more.

"Ga! Gaga! Ga!"

"I swear you're going to eat all my food before I even get the chance to finish it."

Unbothered, the girl crawled onto him, asking for more food with pure determination.

"Hey, don't touch me! My clothes are wet. You're always active when it comes to food. Do you really eat that much? You're going to get fat. Look at that chubby face."

"Ah! Gaa! Ggaa!" the little girl protested and slapped his stomach instead.

Karlos gently placed her back on the floor and gave her another piece of fish just to keep her from climbing again.

"Just eat your food already. I fed both Arabella and Iñigo earlier... but Arabella is such a foodie. Look at her chubby cheeks. She eats so much."

Maya giggled as she watched the father-daughter moment unfold.

"Ga!"

Arabella suddenly called out to Iñigo, who was crawling on the bedding, minding his own business.

"Ga! Gaaa!"

The little boy looked confused at first, but once he saw Karlos feeding his sister, he crawled over to ask for food too.

Now, Karlos had to feed both twins at the same time.

He didn't complain. He just kept giving them pieces of fish while he made do with rice and the bits of meat stuck to the bones. He ate without protest.

Knowing they'd want more, Karlos quickly finished his meal... He had to eat.

Once he was done, Iñigo looked at him, then turned around and crawled back to Maya as if disappointed that the show was over.

Arabella, however, stared at the empty bowl like her world had ended. When she saw only bones left, her eyes welled up with tears.

She let out a loud wail, making the couple shake their heads. They were all too familiar with this reaction. Out of the two, Arabella was the dramatic one, especially when it came to food and tantrums.

"Hush, hush, baby. I've got a milk bottle here. Take it."

Maya stepped in, shaking a milk bottle in front of Arabella. The little girl stopped crying instantly and reached out for it.

Maya also gave Iñigo a bottle to be fair. The two babies calmed down and began drinking peacefully.

As for Karlos, he had already washed his bowl and spoon and moved on to the next task.

He carried a sheathed machete, recently sharpened, as he stepped out of the house.

On the way to the river, he greeted some of the neighbors.

"Karlos, got nothing to do today?"

"I'm on a day off."

"Haha, that's great."

He reached the flowing river and spotted a sturdy-looking bamboo of the right length among the stalks. He planned to use it to fix the creaking floor of their house.

He began chopping the bamboo with steady hands and full force. It swayed and then fell away from the riverbank. Karlos carefully pulled it aside.

Once he found a better spot, he hoisted the bamboo over his shoulder, grunting slightly from the weight.

Some neighbors asked what the bamboo was for. Karlos answered honestly with a smile, no reason to keep it a secret.

When he got home, he found Maya shaking her head as Arabella waved her now-empty milk bottle, asking for more.

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 12

Arabella glanced at her mother, who sighed and shook her head in exhaustion, then at Karlos, who stood at the door after putting down the bamboo outside the house. Sweat glistened on his forehead.

"This girl will make us bankrupt, I can see it," Maya muttered under her breath, a mix of sarcasm and resignation in her voice. Karlos laughed as he wiped his hands on his shorts. Arabella looked at her parents cluelessly while holding the empty milk bottle.

She raised it toward Maya and Karlos, implying something without using words.

"Ah!" she said.

Karlos chuckled and stepped into the house to change out of his sweat and dirt soaked clothes. There was a small room in the kubo with a cabinet for clothes and space to change in private.

Maya curiously stared at the small room where Karlos was changing, slightly biting her lip.

Arabella, meanwhile, was disappointed that her father didn't care about her needs at that moment. She looked around in frustration and spotted her twin brother, still savoring his milk bottle as if it were the best thing in the world. An idea entered her mind.

She approached Iñigo and, with sneaky little fingers, pulled the milk bottle from him and exchanged it with the empty one like a trickster. The baby boy looked at the empty milk bottle with furrowed brows and decided to drink it anyway, trusting there would still be milk. It didn't take long for him to realize that he couldn't get anything from it.

He looked at Arabella, who was now drinking the baby milk with gusto and not a hint of guilt. He started crying.

"Waahh--! Waahh--!"

Karlos came out of the small room and saw Iñigo kicking his feet in protest and distress while Arabella acted innocent, drinking the milk like nothing had happened.

"These kids. I just turned away for a second and something like this already happened," Maya said, snapping out of her thoughts.

She gave Arabella her signature mom-glare, but the baby girl just looked back at her with wide, unbothered eyes. Maya sighed and took the milk away from her.

"It's not yours. That milk is for Iñigo."

She returned the milk bottle to Iñigo, and the boy stopped crying almost instantly, relief spreading across his face as he started sucking on the milk again.

This time, it was Arabella's turn to cry, watching her brother drink the milk like she had just lost her toy.

"Waahh--! Waahh--!"

"Oh Goddess, I can already see the future. These kids are going to grow up naughty."

Endless days of chaos flashed in her mind, kids causing scenes and making trouble like mischievous little goblins running wild. With a sigh from deep within her chest, Maya picked up Arabella and gently rocked her to calm her down.

"Hush, hush, Arabella, don't be sad. Mama's here," she said in baby talk as she swayed gently side to side. Arabella's crying slowly faded into sniffles as she looked at her mother with slightly puffy eyes.

Then, she recalled something important in her little baby brain. She tugged at Maya's t-shirt, particularly around the chest.

"Ga ga!"

"..."

Even though Maya didn't understand her words, she knew exactly what Arabella was implying.

"Okay, I'll breastfeed you, but don't bite me again. Your teeth are growing, and your bites are painful."

Arabella just stared at her, waiting for the grand feast. Maya adjusted her t-shirt and freed her breast. Arabella began suckling as Maya softly hummed a lullaby.

"I wonder when you'll call me Mama. You're the loudest one."

Maya looked over at Iñigo, who seemed content with the milk formula. She was grateful he was less troublesome compared to Arabella, who was much harder to satisfy.

If both twins were as mischievous, Maya didn't know what she would do and she didn't want to imagine it.

"Ack—!"

She let out a painful hiss and looked down at Arabella. The little girl stared back innocently, pretending nothing had happened even though she had just bitten Maya's nipple, hard enough to make her eye twitch.

"Don't do that again."

"What happened?" Karlos asked.

"Arabella bit me." Maya glared at Karlos hatefully, as if blaming him personally.

"Why are you looking at me like it's my fault?"

"It's because Arabella is your daughter. She probably inherited your behavior!" she snorted.

"..."

Karlos was speechless and deeply confused by the logic.

'Is that how it works? Man, I don't know.'

"I mean, I don't bite your tits that bad, right? You even like it."

"Humph, don't try to make excuses."

"Okay, fine. I'm sorry... Want me to kiss it or something?" Karlos asked with a playful smile.

Maya blushed hard, knowing exactly what he meant, and shook her head.

"C-Cut the bamboo first. We'll talk about it later."

"Alright. I'm going to cut them first, then dry them for a week before fixing the floor."

"Hm." Maya nodded and watched as Karlos went outside. She looked at Arabella, who was still clutching her breast like it belonged to her alone.

"Arabella, don't be mischievous like your father. It would be troublesome for your poor mother."

Outside, Karlos started cutting the bamboo into equal sizes, using a measurer for precision. He then spread the bamboo at the back of the house to dry so the green skin would turn yellowish-brown, a sign that it was ready to be used.

Just as he finished, someone visited their house without warning.

"Looks like some things have changed here since the last time I came."

Joseph arrived holding a basket filled with groceries. The kubo had more stuff than the last time he visited, and despite their simple lifestyle, it looked well-maintained.

"Joseph." Maya stopped breastfeeding Arabella and readjusted her t-shirt, making the baby frown in protest. She stepped outside, holding Arabella carefully in her arms.

"How's my little niece Arabella? Still cute? Uncle brought food for you and Iñigo."

"Joseph, come inside," Karlos said, returning to the front of the house.

"It's alright. I'm not staying long. I just came to drop these off and check on you all."

"How about coffee?" Maya offered.

"Maybe next time. Oh, hi, Iñigo~ Your uncle is here."

Joseph saw the baby boy crawling near the door and scooped him up with ease. Iñigo giggled and reached for Joseph's face.

"Maya, take this. I know you guys are in a pinch right now." He handed the basket to Maya, who was surprised by how full it was.

"You shouldn't have. We still have a lot of food."

"Take it or I'll get sad. Besides, the kids are growing and need more nutrition."

"Then... Thank you. I'll sort through the groceries so you can take the basket back."

"Alright."

Maya set aside the rice, fish, and vegetables from the basket and handed it back to Joseph.

"Well then, I'll take my leave. Take care. Call me if you need anything."

Joseph passed Iñigo to Karlos.

"Thanks, Joseph," Karlos said sincerely.

"We're family. We help each other. Karlos, work hard. Maya and the kids need you."

"I will," Karlos said, nodding with determination in his eyes.

Joseph waved goodbye and left. He had just returned from a delivery and needed to get back to his family before it got too late.

"He brought a lot. Some of these need to be cooked right away, especially the fish, which is still fresh."

"I'll cook it. I'm done cutting the bamboo anyway. Just listen to the radio and look after the kids."

 

[Despacitoleo]

Cute

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 13

Karlos got busy cooking in their open kitchen while Maya took care of the kids, who were now active and excitedly reaching out after seeing some delicious items from the groceries Joseph had brought.

"Ga! Ga!"

Arabella, in particular, was slapping her mother's thigh with her tiny hands, clearly hungry.

"Okay, okay. I'll give you some food. Let me just sort this stuff and put it in the small room."

Maya took out an avocado from the groceries Joseph had given and mashed it in a bowl before feeding the twins. Iñigo was fed first, and Arabella didn't like that. She tried to grab the spoon from Maya with both hands.

"Ga!!"

"Arabella, behave yourself. Here, I'll feed you too, don't worry."

The little girl settled down with mild grumpiness after being convinced by half a spoonful of mashed avocado.

Clearly, Arabella was the more troublesome one with her many antics, while Iñigo was the well-behaved one who always waited patiently.

After an hour of cooking, with steam rising from the pot and the aroma spreading through the surroundings, Karlos announced that he was done. The couple began eating at the wooden table outside the kubo. As for the twins, they had fallen asleep after a satisfying meal.

"I left a single fish for bait tomorrow," Karlos said, glancing at the fish soaking in water in a small metal basin.

Soaking a fish in clean water could delay rotting, but it also ruined the texture and flavor, making it mushy.

Since they had no intention of eating it, that wasn't a problem.

"Okay. I'll prepare some clothes and crackers for you later so you won't go hungry out there," Maya nodded, and they continued eating in peace now that the kids were sleeping.

That night, the couple decided to sleep early, skipping their usual nightly chat and funny business.

Karlos had to wake up very early to fish before sunrise.

Being a fisherman, Karlos naturally woke up before the sun thanks to years of habit and discipline. He gently got up from the bedding he shared with Maya, making sure not to wake her or the kids.

He grabbed his patched-up bag, which held his belongings and the food Maya had packed the night before. He wore a hat with a flashlight attached to it, then leaned down and kissed his wife on the forehead. Maya slightly opened her eyes and muttered:

"Take care. Always be alert to your surroundings... I love you."

"I love you too," Karlos replied softly so as not to wake the babies.

Maya returned to sleep, a faint smile lingering on her lips.

Karlos quietly closed the door and picked up the engine, bottles of diesel, and his bag. He packed them into a styrofoam box for easier carrying. Carrying it over his shoulder, he walked toward the shore, the moonlight dimly lighting his path.

Along the way, he saw other men coming out of their houses to begin their day of fishing, just like him.

They nodded and greeted each other, a form of camaraderie, before going about their own business.

On the beach, dozens of boats were docked in rows. Some were huge and long, others were chained up. A few were small and powered only by paddles instead of motors.

Karlos reached his boat, attached the engine, and unchained it. He poured diesel from an old plastic bottle into the tank.

Some nearby fishermen helped push his boat into the sea with practiced teamwork, and Karlos thanked them with a grateful nod and a smile.

The sun had not yet risen, and darkness still blanketed everything. The stars shone brightly above the quiet sea.

Karlos started his engine using the crank handle, and it revved loudly. He grabbed the steering handle and turned on the light attached to his hat, which illuminated only a small area ahead.

The boat began to move forward, slowly gaining momentum as the waves gently rocked it. Karlos felt that the waves were a bit strong but still manageable. He decided to maintain a steady speed rather than accelerating, to avoid being capsized.

Based on the engine's output, the boat was likely running at around 7 horsepower, just enough for a modest trip.

About two kilometers south of their town were mangroves, and that was where Karlos set and checked his traps. With the boat's speed and the current conditions, he estimated it would take around 20 minutes to reach the mangroves if everything remained calm.

Steering the boat was monotonous but required constant attention. Karlos had to be mindful of reefs near the surface to avoid running aground his boat, a damage he couldn't afford.

Thankfully, he knew the route like the back of his hand and was confident he could avoid danger, even in darkness.

To his left, he could see the faint silhouette of the land. To his right stretched the endless sea, black and vast, reflecting the stars above.

Some might be scared by this scenery, where the sea seemed like a bottomless void. Karlos had been nervous too when he first started fishing. But now, he was used to it and even found it oddly calming.

After 20 minutes of travel, he arrived at his destination: the mangroves and the brackish water. This was where the river met the sea, creating a mixture of salt and fresh water. Karlos didn't know the science behind it, but he figured that's what "brackish" meant.

Anyway, no time for daydreams about science. He began searching for floating styrofoam.

"...I hope they weren't stolen."

Karlos had been gone for two weeks due to a broken engine, and there was a real possibility that someone had taken his traps. He wasn't the only one fishing in this area, and not everyone respected territory.

The river mouth was wide, about 50 meters across, flanked by thick mangroves that stretched over a kilometer on both sides, forming natural green walls. It was a massive place, often used by locals to catch crabs and other seafood.

Karlos had 15 traps set up here, and now he was looking for them. The traps could have been moved by the waves, or worse, stolen without a trace.

Thankfully, he spotted one of his floaters, a piece of styrofoam marked with red paint. This was one of his traps.

He grabbed the floater and pulled the thin but durable rope.

It took only a minute of pulling before the trap became visible beneath the murky water.

The trap was made of bamboo and mesh. Crabs and other seafood like prawns could easily enter but had difficulty getting out due to its clever design. Smaller ones could escape through the mesh holes, which was intentional. Karlos only kept adult crabs, allowing the young ones to grow and be caught another day.

"...Just as I expected. Most of them are dead from being trapped too long. Euugh! Smells bad."

Karlos gagged and opened the trap, wrinkling his nose. Inside were a few moving crabs and a single live tiger prawn.

He carefully placed the live crabs into the styrofoam box, arranging them neatly to avoid injuries, and making sure their pincers didn't get him. The prawn went into a small container with just enough water to keep it alive. He secured both containers so nothing would escape.

As for the dead ones, they had likely been trapped for days and were starting to rot. With a disappointed sigh, Karlos threw them back into the water. He washed the trap, added a fresh slice of bait, and set it back in its original position.

With that done, he looked around for the next floater.

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 14

An hour later, the surroundings were still dark, and only the soft sound of waves and chirping birds could be heard. It was 4 a.m., and the sun had yet to rise.

Within that hour, Karlos found three more crab traps scattered across different spots and caught dozens of live mud crabs and tiger prawns.

Just like the first trap, the other three had dead crabs that Karlos had to throw away since they were no longer sellable. He only took the ones that were still moving and active. He also cleaned the traps thoroughly using brackish water and added fresh bait to prepare them for the next day.

Because of the darkness and limited visibility, Karlos had to rely solely on the flashlight attached to his hat to light the area ahead.

He had a total of 15 traps. It would probably take at least four hours to locate all of them, as they were scattered in random spots. While the traps weren't far from each other, they still required careful searching. Thankfully, they were all within the territory he recognized as his base.

He didn't go to other parts of the mangroves, as those areas were already owned or claimed by other fishermen.

Karlos recalled the first time he tried to set traps in this place when he was still new to the area. He had nearly gotten into a quarrel with another fisherman who believed he was trespassing.

Fortunately, the problem was resolved quickly thanks to Joseph, Karlos' brother-in-law, who had good connections in town and managed to ease the tension with a calm and mature approach.

Joseph and Maya's father was actually well-known in their town and nearby communities for a heroic act many years ago. He had saved several people when a cruise ship sank during a tragic accident. He kept going back and forth with his boat to rescue passengers, eventually becoming famous and even appearing on TV. That act earned him widespread respect.

Since then, Karlos had experienced a relatively smoother time working as a fisherman, though there were still occasional troubles involving territory disputes or misunderstandings. Karlos usually avoided problems by staying low-profile and respectful.

"Huff."

He continued the same process, locating the floaters, collecting the live crabs while being careful with their pincers, and discarding the dead ones into the sea. Buyers preferred crabs that were still alive and moving, as this indicated freshness.

As he worked, the sun slowly began to rise, and the darkness gradually cleared. Karlos turned off his flashlight and squinted as his eyes adjusted to the natural light.

With better visibility, the early morning sun helped him spot the floating styrofoams marked with red paint, his trap markers. Some of them had drifted from their original positions, likely due to strong currents or waves, which explained why he had trouble finding them earlier in the dark.

By the time he finished checking the eleventh trap after hours of patient work, his styrofoam box was almost full of crabs, and the smaller container for tiger prawns was nearly packed as well. The prawns were at least eight inches long, quite large. Which meant it took them longer to escape from the traps due to their size.

Karlos was honestly impressed that his traps had managed to catch so many tiger prawns. Fishermen like him who set crab traps typically only caught two to three tiger prawns per day on average. Five prawns was already considered a lucky and profitable day.

After completing the eleventh trap, Karlos looked around and narrowed his eyes. The brightness of the morning sun allowed for farther visibility, but despite this, he couldn't locate the remaining four traps in the area where he had set them.

Using his instincts and knowledge of the sun's position, he estimated it was around 5:45 a.m., give or take a few minutes.

He maneuvered the boat to the expected location of the missing traps but found nothing. Hoping they might have drifted farther, he pushed forward to search beyond the usual area. Still, he saw no sign, not even a single floating styrofoam.

Karlos sighed in disappointment. As he suspected, the traps were probably stolen by other fishermen. Fortunately, only four were missing. Losing all of them would have been a massive financial setback. Each trap took time, money, and effort to build.

"Good thing I cut a bamboo yesterday. I'll use half of the sticks to make four traps," he muttered to himself.

Karlos believed that 15 traps were enough for his area, given the size of his territory. Making more traps could lead to overcrowding, overlapping placements, and possibly driving away the crabs due to too much disturbance. He believed crabs weren't completely stupid, they could sense danger.

As for expanding his territory, Karlos had already decided against it. He didn't want to bring trouble upon himself. His priority was his family, not profit.

If he crossed the wrong person at sea, there was a real chance he might never return. Revenge wasn't unheard of in their region, and stories of missing fishermen were sadly common. At least a couple went missing each year, whether due to weather, accidents, or foul play. Karlos didn't want to be one of them. More importantly, he didn't want Maya to become a widow.

This was also the reason why he didn't explore further in search of the missing traps. He didn't want to provoke suspicion or stir any trouble.

After checking everything thoroughly and confirming he hadn't overlooked anything, Karlos decided to leave the mangroves and head to the fish port.

So far, he had spent about four hours at sea since leaving before dawn. He opened the box and found the crabs still alive and moving, though a few were slowing down. Some were weak and might need to be sold at a lower price due to their condition, but Karlos took comfort in knowing that he didn't cheat buyers. He never sold old or dead crabs or faked freshness. If a few crabs died in the box, that was simply part of the job.

What's in the box?

A movie reference?

No.

Crabs.

As for the tiger prawns, some were still jumping with energy, while others had become sluggish and barely moved.

Regardless, Karlos decided to leave before the heat of the sun became too intense. Tomorrow, he'd return to the mangroves for another day's catch. At least then, he could be confident that his catch would be 24 hours fresh.

The boat gradually moved forward, slowly creating distance between him and the mangroves behind.

This part of the trip was monotonous and quiet, except for the steady hum of the engine. Karlos kept his eyes forward, steering with practiced hands and adjusting the speed and direction of the boat with skill.

The waves were calmer now compared to earlier, so he decided to travel at around 12 horsepower to save time heading back.

"Hm?" Karlos squinted his eyes toward the horizon.

As the boat picked up speed in the open sea, he noticed a group of seagulls flying ahead.

He slowed down and looked in their direction, suspecting what might be going on. He knew the signs when seagulls gathered like that.

Just as he expected, his hunch proved correct. With a mix of excitement and certainty, he saw a dark moving patch on the surface of the water rippling with motion. The birds were diving in and catching fish one after another.

"A school of fish!" he exclaimed with a wide grin.

Karlos immediately turned the boat to the left toward the lively spot. As he approached, he recognized the species.

"A school of mullet!" he confirmed aloud.

Karlos quickly grabbed the cast net that was always kept ready on the boat for moments like this. He threw the net with practiced motion. It didn't form a perfect circle nor expand as wide as he wanted, but it still reached the center of the dark spot, where the surface of the sea was bubbling with movement just beneath.

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 15

Karlos let the net sink into the sea before pulling it back in. He grunted with effort as he realized how heavy it was. As the net slowly reached the surface, the fish kicked and flipped with frantic energy, making it harder for Karlos to haul it in. It took him around 20 minutes to fully retrieve the net, his arms aching and sweat dripping from his face.

He exhaled sharply through his nose and grinned with satisfaction as the mullet jumped into the boat, the net draped over them like a mass of wriggling silver.

With that single throw, Karlos had likely caught at least 10 kilograms of mullet. A solid catch by any fisherman's standards.

He looked out at the endless stretch of sea and felt a slight pang of disappointment when he realized the school of fish was already gone. Half an hour was enough for a school to move to a different location entirely.

The seabirds that had been circling above earlier were also nowhere in sight. He scanned the wide sky but couldn't track where they had gone.

With no container available, he had to place the mullet directly on the boat. He would sort and transfer them into baskets once he reached the docking station for smaller boats.

The sun was now at an angle, casting golden rays across the water. Based on its position, Karlos estimated the time to be around 7 a.m.

The boat continued moving at a steady and reliable pace. Unlike earlier, when he'd found the school of mullet, this part of the journey was uneventful and direct with no stops along the way.

While steering the handle and occasionally glancing at the waves, Karlos remembered what had happened about two weeks ago. His engine had stopped in the middle of the sea, a nightmare for any lone fisherman.

Luckily, it had been a bright day with no storms on the horizon, and the waves were manageable enough not to capsize his boat. He'd had to paddle all the way back to shore, leaving his muscles sore and his back aching for days. The memory still lingered in his mind. Repairing the engine had cost him money.

Hopefully, this time the engine would hold up and not fail him again. The engine's chugging served as both his background music and rhythmic companion all the way to the fish port.

Their fish port had wide docking stations made of sturdy concrete, large enough to accommodate dozens of big fishing vessels without congestion or collisions.

However, Karlos needed to travel a bit farther along the coastline to reach the docking station designated for smaller boats like his modest bangka.

By the time he reached the fish port, it was around 7:30 a.m. though he wasn't completely sure. He was only making a rough guess, as he didn't have a watch to confirm the time. Modern waterproof watches were expensive, far beyond his budget.

Once he docked, he stepped out of the boat and landed on the concrete with a light thud.

Nearby, he spotted a basket made of thinly sliced bamboo lying unattended. Baskets like that were often left at the docking station, and if unclaimed overnight, anyone could use them. This one looked fine and clean, though it was missing a handle, which made it slightly harder to carry.

Still, since no one claimed it, Karlos took it without guilt and brought it back to the boat to sort the mullet he had caught.

"Hey Karlos, looks like your boat's working again. What did you catch this time?" a familiar voice called from the side.

Andres, Karlos' friend, approached the boat and raised an eyebrow at the catch.

"You're doing great. You even caught a lot of banak," he said with a low whistle.

"Yeah, I got lucky and found a school of banak on the way back," Karlos replied, scratching his head.

Mullet, called banak in their region, was considered a good catch both for eating and selling. These fish were often found in brackish water, coastal areas, and running rivers.

"Do you need help?" Andres offered.

"If it's free." Karlos grinned mischievously.

"Do I look like someone who charges a friend?" Andres snorted.

"Then thanks for your help." Karlos nodded gratefully.

The two carried the catch with practiced teamwork. Karlos hauled the basket of mullet and a container of tiger prawns in each hand, while Andres carefully carried a styrofoam box filled with crabs.

Karlos struggled a bit with the bamboo basket since the missing handle caused it to tilt awkwardly with every step.

Fortunately, they didn't have to walk far. Soon, they reached their usual selling area, where several buyers were already waiting under the entrance of the fish port, sheltering from the morning sun.

There, they spotted Joseph, Karlos' brother-in-law, already standing in place. He was planning to buy another batch of seafood to sell inland, where fresh seafood fetched higher prices.

"Karlos, seems like you're doing great," Joseph greeted him after stepping on a cigarette butt he had just finished.

Karlos nodded in acknowledgment and gave a small smile.

"What do you have here? Let's see... Alimango (crabs), Sugpo (prawns), and Banak (mullet). Karlos, you're really a lucky guy. Most trappers catch only a few kilos of crabs and maybe a handful of prawns. But you? You just filled this whole box and container. And you even got a dozen kilos of mullet."

Joseph was clearly impressed. In their region, someone who consistently hauled in abundant catch was often called Blessed by the Sea, as if the ocean itself favored them.

"You're interested in buying?" Karlos asked, wiping the sweat from his face.

"Of course. Let's weigh them."

They started with the crabs, placing them in a plastic basket to drain the water. Joseph had brought his own weighing scale, a standard practice to avoid being scammed.

Some fishermen used rigged scales to charge more, so Joseph always carried his own to ensure fairness.

As for Karlos, he trusted his buyers not to scam him. After all, this whole industry was built on trust, a fragile but vital currency.

Joseph knelt and inspected the crabs, nodding in approval. All were alive except for three that were limp and motionless.

"Let's set these three aside for Maya and the kids. Don't worry, I'll buy them myself," Joseph offered kindly.

"Huh? Joseph, what are you talking about? Those three crabs are for them anyway. You don't have to pay me," Karlos insisted, frowning slightly. It didn't sit well with him to accept payment for something meant for family.

"If you say so." Joseph chuckled and raised both hands in surrender.

They placed the three dead crabs in a separate styrofoam box, away from the live ones. The crabs had still been moving just hours ago but likely died after being crushed under the heavier pile.

Next came the prawns. Joseph carefully inspected the container.

The tiger prawns were also drained in the plastic basket before weighing, to get a more accurate reading.

Unlike the crabs, most of the prawns were already dead, though a few still twitched or jumped weakly. After checking their freshness, Joseph decided to buy all of them. Most buyers didn't mind if prawns were dead, as long as they were freshly caught and hadn't spoiled.

Yes, consumer expectations varied depending on the seafood. People were fine with dead fresh prawns, plain and simple. But with crabs, it was different. Buyers preferred live, moving crabs to guarantee freshness. Of course, they still bought dead crabs if they were stored properly in ice. But dead crabs spoiled faster and were smellier if not handled right, which made people hesitant.

As for the mullet, even though they'd been drained, they were still placed in the plastic basket before weighing for consistency. The basket's weight had already been calibrated into the weighing scale to ensure fair measurement, which was why it was used every time.

+++++

[Illustration of Bangka]

 

[Lauenburg1]

Thanks for the Story, its a great window to a differnt part of the world with a differnt cultur and tradition compared to Europe or USA, but shows the same struggle as many fishermen all around the world.

 

[Pujimaki]

Thanks for the Story, its a great window to a differnt part of the world with a differnt cultur and tradition compared to Europe or USA, but shows the same struggle as many fishermen all around the world.

Click to shrink...

Thank you

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 16

"Let's calculate it..." Joseph pulled out a calculator from the front pocket of his worn-out vest.

The calculation went like this:

The mud crabs weighed 10.8 kilograms, and their price per kilogram was 200 pesos, a good deal for an early morning catch. Karlos earned 2,160 pesos from them.

Tiger prawns weighed 6.2 kilograms and sold at 300 pesos per kilogram due to their size. This added another 1,860 pesos.

The mullet came in at 15.4 kilograms, priced at 75 pesos per kilogram, which was the standard market rate. Karlos earned 1,155 pesos from that.

After totaling the amounts, Karlos earned 5,175 pesos in all. A satisfying profit for a single fishing session.

He had started fishing at 3 a.m. and reached the fish port by 7:30 a.m.

He worked for only 4 hours and 30 minutes and managed to earn over 5,000 pesos in less than half a day. That was quick money for a fisherman, especially compared to others in the area. No wonder some people called Karlos Blessed by the Sea.

"Nice. Let's sell all of them to you. Do you need help carrying them to the truck?" Karlos asked while stretching his arms.

He grinned and wiped his sweat-soaked face.

"It's alright. I still need to buy more fish, preferably galunggong."

Galunggong was the local name for round scad, one of the staple fish for the masses.

"Okay then," Karlos nodded in understanding.

Joseph pulled out the cash and counted it. The fish port was getting busier as more boats arrived to sell their catch, and the morning sun slowly climbed over.

Joseph handed the money to Karlos, who counted it again to be sure. Once everything was confirmed, Karlos helped pack the seafood. Storing live crabs was a bit of a hassle, so they placed them in a wide container with holes and added a bit ice to keep them alive and fresh until delivery.

As for the prawns and mullet, they were easier to store. They could be placed in containers and covered with ice to maintain freshness until they were sold.

"Andres, here."

Karlos handed Andres 20 pesos.

"But I thought you weren't going to pay me?"

"Nah, I was just joking."

"Thanks, then."

Andres grinned and went off to find more buyers who needed a porter, as the port grew livelier with more traders arriving. Karlos, meanwhile, said goodbye to Joseph after securing the money in his inner pocket.

He quickly made his way to the docking station for small boats and found his vessel loosely tied to an iron pole. He stepped onto the boat and untied the rope before starting the engine.

It didn't take long to get back. The fish port wasn't far from the beach, and Karlos reached it in less than ten minutes. Some people on the shore helped him push the boat onto the sand, expecting a tip. He gave them 20 pesos and let them divide it among themselves as a token of appreciation.

He carried his bag and container, including the slightly broken bamboo basket into the house first. He planned to fix the handle later when he had some spare time.

When he reached home, Maya was humming as she cooked breakfast. The twins were still sleeping soundly in their crib.

Karlos excitedly hugged Maya from behind, causing her to yelp in surprise as she almost spilled the oil.

"What are you doing? It's early in the morning, and you're acting like this!"

She scolded him, but Karlos only chuckled and tightened his arms around her waist for a second.

"Nothing. I'm just happy to see you."

"...Well, I'm also happy." She averted her gaze, a slight smile tugging at her lips.

She weakly pushed him away as she returned her focus to the pan.

"You're done fishing? Just wait half an hour. The meal should be ready."

She already knew his routine. This was usually the time he returned home after fishing.

"I'll go back to the boat to get the engine. But first, here. I earned quite a sum today."

He whispered and proudly placed a stack of money in her hand.

"You're really doing this in broad daylight? Just give it to me straight. No need to act suspicious."

Maya curiously counted the bills. Even though she acted nonchalant, she was eager to know how much he earned, especially after seeing the large denominations.

"5,135 pesos... Wow, in just a day?"

"In just a day," Karlos replied with a proud grin.

"..."

Maya chuckled and went inside to store the money in the cabinet. She was already thinking about how to budget it wisely. She couldn't admit out loud that Karlos looked more handsome when handing the money, but her cheeks betrayed her with a faint blush. Yes, she was attracted to her hardworking husband.

When she stepped back out, Karlos was already gone. The only things in the open-space kitchen were the bag, the containers, and a bamboo basket she didn't recognize.

Karlos had returned to the beach to detach the engine. He moved quickly. By the time he arrived, the engine was no longer hot, so he could carry it without a problem, even though its awkward shape made the task difficult.

He greeted his neighbors as he walked home, smiling despite the heavy weight in his arms. Detaching and reattaching the engine every day was a hassle, especially when he was tired. But he knew it was necessary. Laziness could cost him far more than the inconvenience.

If the engine got stolen because he left it on the boat, he would have no one to blame but himself. Better to endure the trouble than deal with regret.

"I should probably make a cart to make this task easier. Carrying heavy equipment like this is tough, especially when the engine is burning hot," Karlos muttered, adjusting his grip.

He reached the house and saw Maya still humming while working in the kitchen. He placed the engine gently in a corner on top of a cloth to avoid staining the floor.

Then he helped her finish setting the table and arranging the utensils.

Half an hour later, the couple shared breakfast, exchanging small smiles and bites of food.

"Ah! Ga! Gugu!"

Suddenly, Arabella woke up and glared at the couple like they had committed the worst crime, which was eating without her. The sound of utensils had stirred her awake. To her, that noise meant food.

The couple giggled as the little girl cried out impatiently, demanding to be fed.

"Give us a few minutes, and we'll feed you."

"Ah ga!"

Arabella didn't listen. She grabbed the bars of the crib and began shaking them. Iñigo woke up because of the noise, blinking in confusion. He looked at his twin sister as if she were crazy.

It didn't take him long to figure out what was going on. He, too, grabbed the bars and began shaking them, matching Arabella's intensity. The twins looked like little prisoners trying to escape their crib for breakfast.

"They're getting naughty and troublesome as they grow. They probably inherited that trait from you," Maya said, playfully squinting at Karlos.

"Huh? Why me?"

"Don't act like you don't understand. You're also a naughty guy."

"What? No, I'm not. I'm only naughty for you."

Maya scoffed and continued eating, but a small smile escaped her lips despite her best efforts.

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 17

After eating quickly, the couple cleaned up and prepared food for the twins who sat up excitedly. Their bright eyes wide and their little hands restlessly waiting for their meal.

This time, they were fed Cerelak, a brand of cereal meant for toddlers. The product was expensive, so they rarely gave it to the kids. Still, whenever they did, it felt like a small treat. According to Nestled promotion, Cerelak was packed with essential nutrients and vitamins needed for a child's growth and health.

The Cerelak they used came from the groceries Joseph brought the previous day when he visited with a basket full of supplies.

Maya mixed the cereal with warm milk in a small bowl, her hands moving with practiced ease. Meanwhile, Karlos distracted the overly excited twins by making funny faces to distract them.

Arabella and Iñigo happily ate as Maya fed them spoon by spoon, opening their mouths like little birds waiting for worms. It seemed they really liked Cerelak, as they behaved unusually well. No grabbing the spoon or causing mischief as they normally would.

"Should we buy more Cerelak? I can visit the grocery later."

Karlos yawned loudly and rubbed his eyes, exhausted from waking up so early to fish.

"Cerelak is expensive."

"But it seems like the kids love it."

"Then buy one pack or two. If I remember right, one pack costs around 50 pesos. Also, buy a can of milk. We're running low." Maya wiped the leftover food off the twins' faces with a soft cloth and smiled gently. The kids giggled, making her smile even wider as her heart swelled with affection.

"We need to wash you."

"Ga!"

"Ha!"

Maya tickled the twins, and they burst into laughter, kicking their feet in pure delight. Their laughter echoed through the small home.

"Babe, fill the basin with warm water."

"On it."

Karlos grunted as he stood up slowly, stretching his tired back before heading to the corner where the water basin was placed. He grabbed the thermos and poured the warm water carefully to avoid splashes. After checking the temperature with his hand, he nodded. He was satisfied that the water was just right, not too hot, not too cold.

Maya carried Arabella first, whispering softly to soothe her. As soon as Arabella saw the basin, she started protesting and kicking, knowing it was bath time. Fortunately, Maya had tired her out earlier with tickling, so she was slightly more manageable than usual.

Maya always bathed Arabella first since she was the more active one, constantly moving during bath time. Handling her first made the second bath easier, especially since Iñigo was much calmer.

"Arabella, behave."

Karlos spoke sternly while holding the squirming child as Maya began washing her. Arabella looked at her father, confused, and shook her head, as if refusing to acknowledge his authority.

Then, she began flapping her feet, sending warm water splashing everywhere. It hit both Maya and Karlos, who sighed deeply in resignation. Arabella was definitely a handful.

Finding it fun, Arabella kept splashing around like she was in a tiny swimming pool. Once they finished, Karlos dressed her in a new diaper and clean clothes while she continued to wriggle energetically.

"How about diapers? Do we still have enough?"

"Yes, just buy milk and Cerelak. I'll give you money later."

A few days earlier, Karlos had already bought formula milk, but the twins had become so active that they kept asking for food and milk constantly.

"Okay."

Karlos nodded and gently placed Arabella back into the crib where she immediately became energetic again, crawling in circles and babbling with joy.

Then, the couple bathed Iñigo, who was more well-behaved and didn't cause any trouble, a stark contrast to his sister.

"Mwah! Iñigo is such a behaved baby boy. Mama is proud of you." Maya rewarded him with a kiss.

Iñigo giggled softly, his eyes sparkling with happiness.

After drying him off, Karlos dressed him in a fresh diaper and clean clothes, then gave him a kiss on the forehead.

"You're going to grow up to be a mature and respected guy. Make us proud, Iñigo."

"Ga! Ga!"

When Karlos placed him in the crib, both twins began crawling around again. The crib was becoming too small for them. They might soon have the strength to climb out, which worried both Maya and Karlos.

"You can take a nap first. You're tired, don't push yourself too hard."

"Okay."

Karlos yawned again and lay down on the bamboo floor, letting the cool breeze from the window brush across his face. He had woken up early and knew he needed rest. Tomorrow would be another long day.

About an hour later, Karlos opened his eyes, groggy and frowning.

"Arabella, what are you doing?"

He saw the twins crawling on top of him like little mountain climbers. Arabella was slapping his face with her tiny hands, giggling as if she'd just pulled off the funniest prank ever.

Meanwhile, Iñigo had comfortably settled on Karlos' stomach like it was the coziest bed in the world.

Arabella giggled again and then let out a loud fart right into her father's face, full of mischievous glee.

"Pwe—! Pwe—! You kid! Where did you learn that?"

Maya witnessed the whole thing and burst into laughter, holding her stomach from laughing too hard.

Arabella, unaware she did anything wrong, continued laughing as well.

Karlos gently set the twins down and stood up with a long sigh. He headed to the kitchen to wash his face, hoping to get rid of the lingering stink clinging to his skin.

As he wiped himself with a towel, he glanced over at the twins, who were now crawling around, messing with anything they could reach. He sighed again, this time even deeper. He was beginning to understand just how tough childcare was. Taking care of one mischievous baby was hard enough, but two? It was a full-time job. His respect for Maya grew even more.

"Babe, here's a 500-peso bill. Buy Cerelak and formula milk. Also, get a whole chicken. I want to eat something nice today."

"Alright!"

Karlos grinned from ear to ear. He, too, wanted to enjoy a proper meal for a change. Eating seafood every day, even if it was fresh, had become tiring.

"I already boiled the crabs," Maya added.

Karlos changed clothes and took the 500 pesos from Maya. He leaned in to kiss her, but she dodged him.

"Arabella farted on your face."

"..."

Karlos quietly accepted defeat and decided to take a bath first. The bathroom was located just outside the house, a few meters from the open kitchen.

Afterwards, he headed to the grocery store and bought Cerelak, milk, five kilograms of rice, and some canned goods.

Then he stopped by the town's wet market to buy a whole chicken for their special meal. The fish port and wet market were in different locations. The fish port was farther away, while the wet market was more accessible for daily shopping. It also offered a wider variety of meat like pork, beef, and chicken, giving families more choices depending on their budget and preferences.

On his way back, he spotted a new stall selling toys and decided to check it out, groceries in hand.

But when he saw the prices, he shook his head.

"100 pesos for a Barbie doll? I can buy five kilos of rice with that."

He clicked his tongue in disappointment and walked away. He had wanted to bring something home for the kids, but reality reminded him of their priorities.

---

[Author's Note: The rain hasn't stopped for a week now, and many cities are flooding. Fortunately, we live on elevated ground, so we haven't experienced flooding here but the constant rain is still a challenge. To all my readers in the Philippines, stay safe, guys.]

 

[Pujimaki]

Reincarnated as a Fisherman and a Dad Chapter 18

"More than 5,000 pesos in one sailing..."

Maya weakly muttered under her breath in disbelief while counting the money Karlos had earned from the day's catch.

Despite holding the cash tightly in her hands, Maya couldn't help but sigh as the weight of her worry pressed heavily on her chest. She knew that a salaried man working in an office wouldn't earn 5,000 pesos in a single day no matter how hard he tried. That was just impossible.

She knew that Karlos was meant for the sea, especially since he could earn such a huge amount in just one day with his fishing skills.

However, Maya couldn't shake her concern. She had lived in this town her entire life, and she understood how dangerous the sea truly was, especially during storms or unpredictable tides. She feared that one day, something might happen to Karlos and she would never see him again.

Maya loved her husband more than anything. Yes, she loved Karlos more than her own children, even though it felt wrong to admit it. The reason she agreed to start a family with him in the first place was because she couldn't imagine a life without him. Maybe it was obsession, some might call it unhealthy, but she loved him more than words could explain.

Of course, she was grateful that Karlos worked hard for their family and always did his best. But if possible, she didn't want him to remain a fisherman forever, constantly risking his life at sea.

That was why she was glad when Karlos listened to her during their talk a few days ago. He had said that if fishing wasn't the right path or if he couldn't support the family through it, he would look for another job. Maya was thrilled that he took her opinion seriously.

Unfortunately, judging by how things were going, Karlos was truly meant to be a fisherman. The fact that he could earn 5,000 pesos in a single day, twenty times the daily minimum wage, was both extraordinary and rare. The minimum wage in their region was only 250 pesos, yet Karlos easily surpassed that amount, as if it were nothing.

He was truly a man blessed by the sea and guided by fortune. Even a typical office worker would trade places with Karlos in an instant just to earn 5,000 pesos per day.

Maya carefully placed the money in the hidden stash inside the secret compartment of the cabinet, a small spot that only she and Karlos knew about.

"It seems like Karlos will choose to be a fisherman no matter what," she murmured to herself, slowly accepting the truth.

On top of that, it was clear that Karlos genuinely loved being a fisherman. He didn't see the job as monotonous or boring like others might think. Every trip to the sea brought new surprises and a sense of adventure.

Once she was done counting the money and checking the receipt meticulously, Maya noticed something odd. 40 pesos were missing from the expected amount. She decided to let it go. Maybe Karlos had spent it on something small or necessary.

'...Perhaps beer?' she thought bitterly to herself.

Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. Karlos, like many men, had a habit of drinking, especially after a long tiring day. Though he'd been trying to control the urge over the past two weeks due to their tight finances, she still had her doubts.

"I'll ask him later," she finally decided, making a mental note.

Just a few minutes later, Karlos returned with groceries and a wide smile on his face. He neatly arranged the items on the table and helped Maya cook the chicken without needing to be asked. Tonight, they would have chicken adobo, a delicious meal and also the name of their country.

When dinner was served, the couple enjoyed the adobo along with the three crabs Karlos had brought home.

The children were eager to eat crab meat, so Maya patiently fed them.

"Babe, the money you brought home is missing 40 pesos based on the receipt," Maya said in a firm tone.

"Ah, that. I forgot to tell you. I paid Andres and the people who helped me 40 pesos," Karlos replied casually.

"I see. That explains it," Maya nodded, her heart settling.

She sighed in relief. She was glad to know he hadn't spent the money on beer behind her back. She didn't want her husband to get addicted to alcohol.

"Oh, by the way, babe~ Can I buy a bottle of beer, please?" Karlos asked in a playful tone.

He started baby-talking and tried to win Maya over, but she had a stern expression like a strict teacher. She stared at him while he acted cute, like a puppy begging for food.

"..."

"Please~"

"Just one," she finally gave in.

"Thank you!" Karlos exclaimed with joy.

He hugged her and did all the chores without a single complaint. He washed the dishes while Maya took care of the babies, who were starting to get sleepy.

After finishing the chores, Karlos went to the small neighborhood store and bought a cold bottle of beer straight from the refrigerator.

He greeted their neighbors politely on his way back, cheerful and relaxed. Back at home, he drank the liquor like it was the best thing in the world, savoring every sip.

Maya grimaced while watching him enjoy a bitter drink she could never understand. She never got the appeal of alcohol, it didn't even taste good, at least not to her. Her father loved alcohol. Her brother loved alcohol. And now, even her husband loved it just the same.

"...I guess I'll always be a part of an alcoholic family," she sighed to herself, shaking her head lightly.

That night, Karlos went to bed early with a content smile on his face, knowing he had to rise before dawn. Maya turned off the lights and set up the mosquito nets to protect the family from bites.

.........

......

...

"Waahh--!"

"Waahh--!"

Karlos sat up and rubbed his face groggily. The kids were crying in duet again. He looked at the clock on the wall. It was 2:45 a.m. Still early, but not unusual. Just a few minutes earlier than his usual wake-up time for fishing.

Despite feeling sluggish and half-asleep, Karlos got up and attended to the kids with practiced hands. He checked their diapers and they were clean. That meant they were probably hungry.

One thing he had learned as a father of twins, Arabella and Iñigo loved crying in duet. If one started crying, the other followed without hesitation.

He found their clean milk bottles neatly stacked in the cabinet. He added formula and warm water from the thermos, shook the bottles gently and evenly, and tested the temperature to make sure it was safe.

He handed each of them a bottle, smiling softly. Arabella and Iñigo could already hold the bottles on their own, but he still supervised them, just in case.

Arabella finished first and exhaled peacefully. She let go of the bottle and drifted back to sleep like nothing happened. A few minutes later, Iñigo finished his as well. Karlos took their bottles and kissed both their foreheads.

Then he checked on his wife and kissed her forehead gently before turning away.

He placed the used bottles in the sink and began preparing for the long day ahead. He picked up the styrofoam box, his bag, the engine, and a bottle of diesel all in one go, trying not to make a sound.

Other men in the neighborhood who were also heading to sea were waking up around the same time. They greeted each other quietly as they walked toward their boats, preparing to set sail before sunrise.

+++++

[Please comment something... This author needs motivation.]

 

[Ouroboros62318]

Honesty, I think this is a great story and I like this recent chapter with its sweet and innocent tone. Any critique I can give is mostly my preferences of longer chapters and less repetition of words.

 

[nemo1986]

It's definitely a pallet cleanser of a story. Sometimes you just want to read a slice of life where nothing really happens.

 

[Pujimaki]

Honesty, I think this is a great story and I like this recent chapter with its sweet and innocent tone. Any critique I can give is mostly my preferences of longer chapters and less repetition of words.

Click to shrink...

Thank you, I appreciate your comment

 

[Pujimaki]

It's definitely a pallet cleanser of a story. Sometimes you just want to read a slice of life where nothing really happens.

Click to shrink...

Thank you, I appreciate your comment