Prologue
After the death of my mother, I'd been given her farm. The funny thing was, I never knew her. I'd lived with my dad all my life. My mother left him with me in his care shortly after my birth—at least, that's what my dad had told me. But, over the years, I'd grown more and more curious about my missing mother-figure in my life. I never felt like I ever truly knew her.
And then, when I was nineteen, my dad died. I was suddenly without anyone to look after me. And despite my age, I felt utterly alone. The year following, I'd grown so distant from all of my friends and relatives, that I was indeed very alone for the first time in my life.
I received notice via mail nearing the end of that year that my mother had died and included me in her will. It seemed as though she'd never really been determined to keep me out of her life. It was slightly comforting to learn this about my mother.
But that was how I'd found myself on Shadow Farm. My mother had fled to Forget-Me-Not Valley in search for her new life and now, it was where I'd start mine.
Suitcase in hand and my cat Muffin tucked in my other arm, I stepped onto the farm. The field behind my new house was enormously spacious, with a single tree in its center. I couldn't help but wonder why it was so desolate, if my mother had lived here the past twenty years. The sound of a clearing throat brought me out of my reverie.
"Well, hello. I take it you're Annika, Renae's daughter? You're taking over the farm?" I was greeted by a smiling old man, who looked like he really took care of himself well. Dressed in a white sleeveless and frayed blue jeans, the man held out a hand for me to shake.
I let my cat jump out of my arm as I extended my own hand to shake his. Attempting a smile, though I knew it looked weary, I nodded and said, "Yes. That would be me. And you are...?"
"Takakura. I live in that small house by the entrance to the farm. I knew your mother; I'm very sorry for your loss."
"Actually," I told Takakura, "I didn't really know my mother. She left me in my father's hands when I was an infant."
"Oh, well..." Takakura shifted uncomfortably on his feet. "I think you would have liked her. She was a very kind woman. I miss her very much." My face contorted in uncertainty, unsure of what to feel about his comment. "Anyway, I'll be here to help you get started on your farm. But then again, I'll still be here once you've gotten started." He smiled and turned to leave. After a few steps forward, he stopped and looked over his shoulder at me to say, "The front door of the house is unlocked. Keys are on the table by the phone. There's a box of tools your mother didn't really use much that I'm sure you can put to good use. Enjoy yourself." Then he continued forward toward his own home.
I gripped my suitcase and turned to find Muffin. I spotted her a distance away, playing with a blossom that had fallen from the lone tree. I smiled in spite of myself. If Muffin could find some happiness in this wasteland of a farm, I hoped I could.
Disclaimer: I do not in any way own Harvest Moon.
Author's Note: Hello any and all readers... I would appreciate very much any constructive and/or helpful reviews for the starting bit of my fanfic. Thanks!