Sunset. Most people say it's the most beautiful time of day. I don't. I say it's the time for new beginnings, new friendships, new...romance... This may in fact be the greatest new year of my life... The well might grant our wishes again, the town might become buzzing with tourists, and... someone might move into that abandoned farmhouse...
"Celia, there's someone here to see you!" called Vesta-san from downstairs.
"Coming, Auntie Vesta!" I answered, gathering my laundry and putting it down the chute, smoothening my apron and fixing my brown hair, putting it into an orange bandana and stepping down each creaky wooden stair as quickly as I could, not wanting to keep our company waiting.
"Good, you came down. Celia, this is Drake, the new farmer. He's taking a tour of the village, so introduce yourself." commanded Vesta-san, moving out of the way so I could see the new dude.
"Hi!" he said cheerfully, waving a gloved hand.
"Konnichiwa!" I greeted him poiltely. "I'm Celia-chan. You're... Jake-san, right?"
"It's Drake, but everyone messes that up. Might I say you look great?"
"Oh!" I put a hand to my mouth, not used to that kind of flattery; Muffy-chan was usually the dude magnet! "A-arigato!"
"Well, see you!" he waved and left, leaving me standing there, blushing.
"Hey, hey, hey! Looks like you've got an admirer!" teased Vesta-san, pushing my shoulder.
"Obaasan!"
"Sorry, sorry!"
I trudged back up to my awaiting room and sighed. Well, that farm finally has an owner... I only hope he's a good one, because we've had to rely on Mineral Town for our produce ever since 'Old Man Jack' passed away a couple years ago... But to actually have a flirtatious farmer... That could in fact be a problem. Mostly because his work could slip, but also because of... Marlin-san.
Marlin-san is Auntie Vesta's brother (Auntie Vesta's not really my auntie, so we're not realted), and he's very over-protective of me. If, at the shop, a boy comes to the counter, Marlin-san won't let me take the order, instead he will, and he'll glare at the guy the whole time. I'm flattered, but that also means I won't be able to have a boyfriend...
"Celia! It's time for your walk! Do you want to go today, or would you rather rest?" called up Vesta-san's rough but kind voice.
"I-I'm not really feeling my best today..." I answered, faking a cough. Anything not to go outside... I can't stand being protected by Marlin-san all the time!
Marlin's POV
Why wouldn't Celia want to go on her walk? I thought angrily. She's not lovesick, is she? My fists tightened and my teeth clenched- no one will get near Celia. I have to protect her!
Suddenly the door opened and a girl walked in. She was a brunette with two twin pony-tails and a JMONO t-shirt, with a green mini skirt over blue leggings. "Hi, are you...Marlin-san?" she asked in a sweet voice.
"Umm... Yeah... V-Vesta's upstairs tending to Celia r-right now, so she's not available, but the sh-shop is open later..." I stuttered, gestering toward the loft.
"No, actually I'm here because Drake-san told me that you were the Forget-Me-Not Valley Realtor! I'd like to buy the farmland!" she announced happily, giving off a warm feeling that heated the room.
"Erm... No, I'm not the realtor..."
"Oh... Um... So, do you want to talk?" she asked, tilting her head to the side, making herself look totally cute.
"I don't really have anyhting to talk to you about..." I said, anticipating her response... Hopefully she'll want to talk to me still...
"Oh..." she looked disappointed and stared around the room.
No! Wrong move! Ummmmm...
"Wh-what's your favorite food?" she demanded suddenly, catching me off guard. I stared into her determined face and immediately admired her courage.
"I never really have a good answer to that..." I mumbled, cursing myself for my lameness. "My favorite food is-"
"Oh! Marlin, who is this?" asked Vesta from behind me. Noooooooooooo!
"Um..." I looked hopefully at the girl, who looked embarassed.
"Gomen nasai! My name is Ayaki-chan. And you must be Miss Vesta-san!" she bowed and they bagan talking to eachother about what sounded like the farmland across the river.
"Hey, Marlin! We just made a deal! Ayaki is gonna be livin' on the farm in the guest house until that Drake kid moves out! Why don't you give her a tour?" called Vesta, ushering me over.
"Oooo, that would be wonderful!" Ayaki flashed a cute smile at me; how on earth could I say no?
"Yeah, it would. Here, I'll take you." I took her hand and led her to the door to begin her tour, or as I thought of it, our date.
"Wow, this place is amazing! It's so pretty, and especially when there's a beautiful sunset like now!" she exclaimed at the end of her tour around Forget-Me-Not Valley.
"Yeah, I know." I agreed as we sat our butts down on the sand at the beach.
"Well." she said triumphantly. "Thank you. For the tour. Annnd...I will see you tomorrow." she flounced away, off to the farm where she would be staying in the same area as that Drake guy.
Oh no! That jerk already has taken Celia away (maybe), but not Ayaki, too! At that moment I realized that I hated other men.
