Flatheads

**Flatheads** (マゴチ, *Magochi*) is the third episode of the Houkago Teibou Nisshi anime.

> "Trash at the fishing spot,
>
>
>  the more trash we pick
>
>
>
>  the cleaner the sea"
>
> ~ Natsumi

## Overview

The Embankment Club head to a place called Kamegahame where they go fishing for Flatheads. Its there that Hina catches one with the help of Makoto and Yūki and later helps prepare it.

## Complete Summary

At home, Hina does research on her Father's computer about "Flatheads" and is relieved that they aren't what she imagined them to be. Hina's Father then enters the room and learns from Hina that she was researching the next fish her club will catch the Flathead.

The following day, the club members meet up outside the club and prepare to go fishing for Flatheads at a place called Kamegahame. A place just around the corner from where they are and Hina details what she's learned from the computer about them. When Natsumi notes all of the heavy equipment will be tough to carry even if it's a short distance from where they're at. On the other hand, Yūki details that Makoto will be carrying all of the items with the Sea King Trolley. It was lent to the girls by the old men that fish around those parts and both Natsumi and Hina are embarresed to use it, but are begrudely convinced to use it. They soon load their fishing supplies onto the cart and head to their destination.

Arriving at Kamegahame, Yūki details to the young members how they'll catch the Flatheads with soft lures, a type of artificial bait made out of rubber. In conjuction with the artifical bait, special hooks called Jig Heads, which are, weighted hook will also be used. An explanation is then given by Yūki on how to use the lure to catch a Flathead. Hina curious to know how to tie the line onto the hook, Natsumi elaborates how to do it. Noting how the tie is similar to a thread knot, Natsumi details that it's called a Cinch Knot. Natsumi then elaborates on how to prepare a soft lure with the Jig Hook. Hina then tries to do it herself and succeeds. Noting her promise that she made to her father on catching a bunch, Natsumi details that Flatheads are big so one should be enough. This gives Hina an anxiety attack that she has to touch it, but Natsumi reassures her that everything be all fine.

Time passes by and Hina pairs up with Yūki and Makoto pairs up with Natsumi; both sides don't manage to catch a single fish. All Natsumi manages to catch is seaweed and so she decides to change location with Makoto following suit. Yūki explains that what Natsumi and Makoto are doing is called, "Run and Gunning". Right when Hina reels in her line, she finds that she too has caught nothing but seaweed. Yūki then explains that her techinque is inadequate and details how to properly use the lure to catch a Flathead's attention. So following Yūki's advice, Hina tries to catch a Flathead, but consectively, all she catches is seaweed. Eventually, however, she hooks one and with the help of Yūki and Makoto reel in a Flathead. Although, Hina should be happy with her accomplishment, she chastises it for its appearance and how difficult it was trying to reel it in.

Back at the clubhouse, Hina and Natsumi bag up the caught seaweed and Hina is told that she needs to prepare the fish she caught, as it's a club rules. Terrified to do so, she's relieved of preparing it, but she still has to finish it off and Makoto shows her how. Nervously, Hina does so and afterward the fish is prepared and served by Makoto. Although Hina enjoys most of it, she's caught off by the Flathead's head soup served to her.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Tsurugi Hina
* Hina's Father
* Hodaka Natsumi
* Ōno Makoto
* Kuroiwa Yūki