[Goldfish Edo Tales] Night 2: Reading Too Much Into Demekin

Welcome everyone.I, Yuugyotei Junmyoraku, will weave amusing tales of goldfish and the people of Edo.

Night 2 features the 'Demekin'(Pop - eye Goldfish) with its charmingly large google eyes.Do enjoy the comical exchange between a self - conscious man and a silent goldfish.

Now then, let the story begin...

Night 2: "Demekin's Deep Reading"

Today's story is about the "Demekin". Those protruding big eyes. You might wonder what on earth they are looking at, but some say they actually don't see very well.However, Edo people considered that figure auspicious, saying they can "see through the future".

Now, here is a man staring intently at a Demekin.

"...Hey, Deme. You've been staring at my face for a while now, what do you want to say?"

This man's name is Kumagoro, and he is a bit self-conscious. Whenever he does something slightly guilty, he feels like the goldfish sees right through him.

"Goinkyo (Retired Master), listen to this. My Demekin gives me a look as if it knows that I drank sake yesterday hiding from my wife."

"Kuma-san, you're overthinking it. Goldfish are just waiting for food."

Even though the retired master laughed at him, Kumagoro was not convinced.One day, Kumagoro picked up a wallet on the roadside.There were a few small coins inside. "God will forgive this much," he thought, shoving it into his pocket.When he returned to the row house, the Demekin in the tank was looking at him with its eyes wider than ever.

"H-Hey... Don't look at me with eyes that big. I know, I just have to return it, right? I'll return it!"

Kumagoro couldn't stand it and went to the guardhouse to deliver the wallet. "Phew, that's a relief, " he said as he returned, but this time the Demekin looked like its eyes were popping out even more than before.

"What is it, do you still have something to say? ...Ha! I see. You saw through that I was expecting a 'reward' when I delivered it!"

Kumagoro blames all his inner unrest on the goldfish.Because he was making such a fuss, the retired master was amazed and said this.

"Kuma-san, you shouldn't be so afraid of goldfish. Demekin's eyes are on the side, so even though it looks like it's looking at you, it's actually just worrying about the 'neighbor's dinner'."

Kumagoro was disappointed to hear that.

"What, so it wasn't worrying about my hidden secrets, but hidden flavors?"