Disclaimer:

I am not a game designer or the scriptwriter of Harvest Moon. I just created this fan fiction because I like playing this game.

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Chapter Summary

Jack got a visitor who brought an important mission for him.

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FAMILY DINNER

Chapter 1

Grandpa's Coming Over

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Another busy day. Spring had come, and it's time for me to clean up the remaining winter snow after two days ago I spent the holiday with the townpeople, celebrating New Year's Eve and New Year, with happy yet heavy party involving beer and dance. It's time for me to get busy with all the farm works: planting spring seeds, feeding chickens-sheep-cows-fish, collecting eggs-milk-wool, making all of them worth-selling. This year, my job would not be any easier from before, I'm sure of it.

It is really a busy, exhausting day. From this morning I had started my spring work, I went back to my house when the dusk approached after Zack came to the farm to carry all the stuff I had to sell. I just talked to him in a flash, chit-chatting for less than fifteen minutes, then he asked to leave because the sun had set itself.

I set my fireplace. This night was extremely cold because of the early days of spring. Plus, the forecast said that tomorrow would be rainy all day. I should be glad about it because I didn't have to spray my plants anymore, making my works easier and less tiring. But troubles came when this freezing atmosphere brought me the lazy day of work, even an uncomfortable feeling to be home alone. Oh, not alone. I just remembered that Perro, my dog, was in the house. I could feel he would be freezing out there if I didn't bring him home.

My own steps brought me to the kitchen to check is there any foodstuff left in the refrigerator. This chilly feeling made me desperate to have grilled fish with soysauce in it. I drooled while preparing cooking tools and cleansing the fish that I had saved for a long time. I searched the recipe of grilled fish that I wrote after watching "Delicious Time" channel every Tuesday. A piece of paper containing of that recipe was apparently stored in my cabinet.

Soon I followed the steps of the recipe. Quite easy. Not for long, grilled fish with soysauce that I was desperate for had been served on a plate. I brought it to the dining table, while Perro woofing, moving in circle, shaking his tail. He wanted a slice.

"You want your slice, Perro? Wait there until I'm full."

Perro still used his woof woof sound to claim his slice while moving in circle under the table. I tried avoiding him. I could say that I was enjoying my warm grilled fish, fresh from the frying pan. After the plate only had a piece of flesh and some fish bone, I gave it to Perro, then went back to the kitchen for brushing my teeth and washing my face.

I am ready for bed.

The clock placed its short and long hand at number nine and three respectively when I entered my room. On purpose, I left the firework burning. Comfortable blanket and warm fire would make my sleep even more relaxed. After writing what I'd been through in my diary, I covered myself on top of the bed near the wall. I glanced to a bed aside of me, questioning myself why Gotz put it there when I asked him to upgrade my house. Didn't he know that I live alone? Or is it possible that he put it there intentionally to sleep over at my house when he was afraid to sleep alone at his house near the mountain? Ah, this is not the right time to think about that nonsense. I was exhausted, freezing and need sleep more than anything. Easily with my left hand, I clicked the lamp off.

It was right. It only took a short while for me to be able to close my eyes. The mix of warm comfortable blanket and a restful nuance of fireplace sang me a lullaby and brought me to dream realm.

Sleep took over your exhaustion.

Sleep would bring back your strength.

Sleep helped you get ready tomorrow.

Not for long. I was forced to open my eyes when I heard someone's whisper, calling my name.

"Jack, Jack…"

I frowned, but still want to sleep. In the mean time, the hearing slowly continued.

"Jack, wake up…"

I was too exhausted to get up early in the morning.

"Wake up, Jack. It's Grandpa. Your Grandpa."

Suddenly the last sentence brought me back to life and activated every single neutron I had. I slowly opened my eyes, narrowing them at first before looking at someone who sat on the empty bed with my dilated eyes. Someone who I'd known for a very long time.

"Grandpa?! Oh, God!"

Grandpa laughed. I was fully awake by then.

"Be calm, Jack. I'm not a ghost. I'm still your Grandpa."

"Yeah, but… what are you doing here?" I started to take over surprise and fear that lingered around me.

"You've done a very good job for the farm, Jack."

Seriously, it didn't aswer my question at all.

"Thank you," I replied, putting myself in a more comfortable sitting position to look Grandpa face to face. "But you haven't answered my question before."

He sat silently, contemplating, "Which question?"

Without any hesitation, my hand went to my forehead.

"I've been a forgetful old man, Jack. Forgive me." He gently cried.

"What business which brings you here?"

"Oh, that," now a smile raised on his wrinkle face, "there's a very important business that we have to talk about."

Hearing that, I remembered once when I was a child, I prepared myself to hear anything Grandpa would like to say.

"I always watch your job, Jack."

I surprised. That's a little creepy.

"Although you came all the way here from the city," he continued, "your work at taking care of the farm business and this house is excellent."

I gave no comment, just listened.

"I see you expanding the house now. Oh, I've always wanted a fireplace. I couldn't afford it." He looked sad when saying that. "You have to stay here, Jack, to continue your good work taking care of the farm, the plants, the animals. You have to take care of my undone works. Thus, I think it's time for you to pick one of the girls in town to be your wife."

While I remained silent, I realized what Grandpa trying to say.

"Is that so?" I asked after thinking for a while.

Grandpa looked at me with questioning face, "Yes! That's how it worked. You have to be a married-man, soon."

"But I haven't really thought about that."

"Oh, please. I've been expecting your Dad when I was your age."

I haven't responded Grandpa's last sentences. Instead, now my head is full of a thousand question marks that I didn't know where they all come from.

"Do you think I am ready for marrying a girl?"

Grandpa rolled his eyes, "What do you think these two beds are for?"

"Oh, that. That's bothering my mind, too." Grandpa gave me a sudden realization. "Gotz made that bed when I asked him to upgrade this house. I think he want to spend the night here sometimes. You know, living in a house that relatively far from other citizens might make him lonely."

Grandpa shook his head, "Jack, Jack. You're too naïve."

"Is that a compliment?"

"This bed is for the girl you married!" Again, Grandpa avoided my question. "And you have to start thinking about it. Are you getting along with the girls in town? As far as I remember, there are a lot of girls your age when you spent your last summer holiday here."

Grandpa's words suddenly reminded me of a girl I used to play with at summer holiday. She's nearly forgotten because I couldn't remember her exactly. Her face, her name, they were hard to be brought in mind. Sometimes I asked myself, is my memory in remembering someone really that bad? Hmm, I don't think so. I can remember her voice, her sweet voice when humming our melodies at the peek of Mother's Hill.

"Yeah. I used to play with one of them, long time ago. But I forget about her now."

"I could say that there is a possibility your childhood friend is still in town," Grandpa's voice recalled his memories, "Not many girls leave this town. Except Aja, Duke and Manna's daughter, I think the other girls didn't leave her parents."

I agreed.

"Are you getting along with the girls?" For the second time, Grandpa asked me the same question.

I nodded. "Of course I am getting along with all townpeople. I followed what the Mayor suggests."

"You're a good boy." Grandpa smiled, "But is there a certain girl who really care about you? Had she ever given something as a memento for you?"

I need more time to aswer that question. My thought flew, recalling what the town girls have done to me that some of their stories I've written in my diary. I can remember their goodness, but it is hard for me to choose one certain girl when all of them have been good to me in their own way. Elli often made me sandwich. Popuri trusted me to take care of an egg from Poultry Farm. Ann offered me to become egg-suplier for the inn. Last year, Karen gave me Moondrop seeds in the spring. Even Mary, the most introvert girl I've ever known lent me one of her favorite books from the library. See, all of them are very kind to me. Some girls also gave me chocolate and cakes at the Winter Thanksgiving. Didn't those behaviors indicate that the girls in town are special?

"I'm not sure, Grandpa." I said frankly. "Those girls are very kind to me. And I mean, all of them."

"Hmm…" Grandpa touched his beard playfully, "So you have to know each of them better, closer. Invite those girls and their family to have dinner at your place."

"Dinner?" I repeated.

"Yes. Invite them. One girl, one family each night. I think it could help you to judge the girl who is most suitable for you. Remember, Jack, to be your lovely wife."

"How does that help?"

"Knowing the family before asking the girl for marriage. If you bring them here, I can judge them as well. I can help you to make the best decision."

I almost choked hearing that.

Once again, Grandpa repeated his command, "Invite those girls and their family for dinner."

I felt like Grandpa's command became the obligation that must not be disobeyed instead of a suggestion. It is probably worth to try.

"If you said so, I'll try."

"Good," he said, laughed a little, "I know you're a good boy, Jack. You'll find a perfect girl."

After saying the last sentence, Grandpa can't be seen anymore. No, it's not because he disappeared mysteriously, but it because my eyes were actually still closed and only opened when I heard the sound of the clock and the crowing of the chickens. Also, I can hear clearly the sound of morning rain.

"What was that?" I suddenly realized.

I woke up, still exhausted. A little difference my sleep made is my mind that now full of Grandpa's words. Dinner. Finding the perfect bride. Get married. And live happily after in this town. You did an excellent work, Jack. I am one hundred percent sure that it's just a dream. A really convincing dream. A dream that commanded me to follow Grandpa's suggestion. Despite my discomfort state due to my lack of sleep, I am glad seeing Grandpa happy and healthy as always.

The spark of the fireplace almost wore off. I am fully awake by now, getting ready to start a new day. I saw Perro still laid around under the dining table, facing off the plate I used to eat my grilled fish last night. I wasn't gonna wake him, so I went back to the kitchen, searching any edible food to eat while watching some channels on television. My eyes were able to watch the screen but my brain thought hard to determine which girl and her family that I should invite first.

I haven't decided where I should go after finishing breakfast. It is between the supermarket, the hospital, the library, the inn and Poultry Farm. Shouldn't be that hard, right?

But in reality, it is hard. I had to finish my farm works at the field, the barn and chicken stalls. Hopefully, getting myself busy will make me think more rationally to come up with a decision.

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To be continued…

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Next:

Chapter 2 – The First Dinner

Who will be the first girl that Jack invites over? And how will be the reaction of her parents when they know that they are also invited for dinner?

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a/n:

Hi, there! This is my first fanfiction of Harvest Moon: BTN that actually translated from my Indonesian fanfic entitled "Makan Malam."

I apologize for any grammatical errors or some words that are difficult to understand. English is not my first language, so writing this fic is my way to improve my writing skill. Hope you can help me with that. *wink, wink*

So, how do you guys think about this fic? Any comments, critiques, suggestions and questions are welcome. But please, be nice! :)

Cheers! –MM