Author's Notes: This story will treat each year as a standard 12-month year in lieu of the 4-month HM year. Since HM seasons are evenly divided, this story's seasons will span 3 months each. Characters will be kept true to their natures as depicted by the game.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any part of Natsume or the Harvest Moon series. This story and any images/characters associated with it are not for commercial use.

***Chapter 1***

It had been two months since her husband, Rod, passed away.

His death wasn't a noble one by any means; it was just a freak accident on his snowboarding trip with the guys. He'd hit a rock that was hidden beneath the snow, and from there, it was a series of bad coincidences…those two trees had been right there, and so close together…and he was going so fast…and how—just how—did his body happen to be so perfectly aligned in the shadow of death?

But what was worse—or maybe it was actually better—was that Mivi wasn't even there with him when it happened. She wasn't even on that trip. She was just home, innocently tending her farm, blissfully ignorant, chuckling as her derpy cow licked its nose…as Rod's head slammed into the tree gap…as his body flung about his trapped neck…

Why him? Why me?

She remembered being alerted that her phone was ringing from inside the house—their house—and how miraculous it was that she even heard it from so far away. She supposed human instincts were just that way, because she didn't hesitate to run to it when she normally would have brushed it off and continued working.

"…Mivi?"

"Allen…?"

"Mivi? Oh, god…"

"Allen, what's the matter? Are you all right?"

"It's Rod…he's badly hurt…he's not moving…"

"Wh-what? What do you mean?!"

"There's been an accident…Neil's calling for help, but—Christ—he's not moving!"

Mivi wondered if this memory would ever go away; she'd been tormented by it for what felt like ages. She currently sat slumped at her kitchen table across from where her loving husband used to sit, and she didn't even notice the tears sliding down her cheeks.

Had it not been for the incessant pounding on her door, she might have stayed there all day.

Grudgingly, she dragged herself up and to the door to open it, only to see Neil and Allen—two faces who had become exponentially more familiar these past couple of months—anxiously awaiting her.

"God, I've been knocking for like five minutes already!" Neil bellowed.

"Neil!" Allen sharply reprimanded him, "Don't be so rude!"

"Tsch well it's rude to keep us waiting; she knew we were gonna be here!"

Allen slapped him on the back of his head. "Shut up, you insensitive prick!"

Neil veered around, practically snarling at him, when Mivi snapped out of her daze and stopped him.

"No, no, he's right; I'm sorry to keep you both waiting. Please come in."

Neil pinched his eyes closed and seethed out a sharp sigh as he stepped inside. Allen followed behind him, looking pissed. Mivi guided them to where a couple of boxes were resting in the right wing of the house.

"These are his things," she stated sadly.

"That's it?" Neil asked. Allen's eyes narrowed at him.

Mivi nodded, then stiffened in mild alarm. "Oh, but his cart—with all his shop stuff—is behind the eastern barn. I just realized I hadn't gone through it yet, I'm sorry…" Before Neil could interject with his frustration, she added, "But don't worry; I'm quite sure I don't need any of that."

"And you're sure you're ready to part with all of this?" Allen asked.

"Yes, it's fine…after all, I know you'll need it to help get Neil up and running with…well, you know…taking over his shop…"

"…Well, I mean to say, are you keeping any memorabilia?" Allen shifted uncomfortably.

"Well I—I don't really see any point in holding onto…his clothes or anything…but I mean, I am keeping his dog and his horse…"

"Uuuhh, I kinda need the horse to haul the cart…" Neil started, but then corrected himself after receiving another nasty look from Allen, "but I can bring the horse back later…?"

"Oh—right, how silly of me. Um…no, don't worry about bringing the horse back; I have enough trouble looking after all of my animals as it is. And well, actually Neil, I may need to talk with you about possibly giving some of my animals back."

"What?! No way, you don't need to do that!" Neil almost shouted.

"But Rod…" Mivi's gaze and voice fell a little at saying his name aloud, "he used to help me with all of them. It's a two-person job, running this farm."

"Yeah, but you've been doing just fine handling not only them, but also all of the pets he left behind!"

"Jesus, Neil!" Allen exclaimed.

"But it's been so hard, and besides, you've been helping me!" Mivi surprised herself with this small burst of anger she was feeling. Couldn't Neil just go along with her wishes?

"Look, I'm already taking all of the damn cats and dogs; I don't have time for you to just not love your animals anymore!"

"It's not that simple, you jerk!"

Both Neil's and Allen's eyes widened in shock. Mivi was usually so gentle and kind that she would never resort to name-calling. Neil really did push her too far.

Quickly, Mivi's piercing green glare softened as tears flooded down her face and sobs shook her body.

"Now look what you've done!" Allen shouted at Neil.

"Let's just get this shit and go," Neil muttered, grabbing a box and storming out.

"Mivi, I apologize for that oaf. Here, have a tissue; you're quite a mess at the moment." Allen handed her one. "Shall I make you a cappuccino? I do love those."

"No thank you, Allen; I think I just want to be alone right now."

"Alright, suit yourself. Neil and I will get to work on that shop so that soon he'll be so busy he won't be able to bother you anymore!" He lifted the other box and headed out the door. "Ta ta!"

Once the door was shut, Mivi shuffled over to her bed to lie down, exhausted from the encounter. On her nightstand, she saw a picture from the day she and Rod got married and felt her heart pinch.

My god…is this pain ever going to go away?

***End of Chapter 1***

Author's Notes: I did really enjoy crafting the dynamic between Allen and Neil, as I imagine they would not get along particularly well. Staying true to Neil's tsundere character type made me cringe a little, but it will be an interesting challenge for me!