This is my second fanfic! I'm taking a break from Megaman NT Warrior for a while. But don't worry! I'll have another chapter up soon! Anyway, this fanfic is based on my file on Harvest Moon: Back To Nature. I once played it when I was 11. Then later, it was all forgotten. Now I'm back to playing it again and in the past, I already made a comic for it. This story is on Back To Nature because this was my most favorite Harvest Moon game of all. Hope you'll love it. I don't own all of the characters except for the main character and the animal names.

Talking
Thinking
Important words/Emphasis


Chapter 1: A New Day, A New Life: Part 1

It was a beautiful day in Mineral Town. The birds were chirping, the sun was shining and everything was perfect. Suddenly, there was a low rumble of a moving truck coming in to town. The truck came to a stop at an old, abandoned farm. The farm looked as if everything was left alone. There were weeds everywhere and rocks in all shapes and sizes. There were even a few branches and stumps. Then suddenly, a boy of an age of about 15 jumped out of the truck. And right behind him was a small man who stands at the waist of the boy.

"So much has changed since you came 10 years ago. There were so many special memories on this farm that you shared with your grandfather before he died. Can you remember them?"

Then, the boy spoke.

"Yes. I remember. I've always hated going to the farm when I was a young boy. But that was before I met her…"

The boy looked up into the clouds and thought about his memories.

"My mother had to cancel our summer vacation trip for a business meeting… She told me that I could spend my summer vacation at Grandpa's farm… just to make up for the other one… I've regretted going there, but then the village was starting to grow on me… I always played with the animals on the farm… I even got attacked by the chickens… even now I still laughed about that… All the people in the village were really nice… then came that special day… I went under a tree to just lie my head down and look at the clouds a little. Then I went into a deep sleep because the grass was so comfortable… Then I was woken by singing… It was the most beautiful voice I've ever heard… When I woke up, suddenly there was a really pretty girl standing over me… 'You're the boy who came to the old man's farm for vacation right?'… that question was the first thing she said…'Tell me some stories about the city… and about you… especially you…' After a while, we went up to that hill and looked at the sunset… Then when she started singing, I couldn't help but sing too… We had so much fun on that day, we even made a promise that if I leave, I would always come back for her… Then on that dreadful day, I already had to leave… When I first came here, I've always been so eager to get home, but… after meeting that girl… I suddenly regretted it. I saw the look on her face… It was covered in tears…'What's wrong?' I asked…'Are you leaving already?' I said yes and then she said this... It was this sentence that had me worry about her everyday…'If you're leaving, then I'll be so alone…' I looked at her with tears in my eyes too…'Well, will you come back? Remember, you promised…' From that day, I've thought about leaving home and going back to the village and find her one day…"

The small man looked at him for a while.

"Koji?"

Then the boy turned his attention away from the clouds and looked at the man.

"Mayor Thomas, I'm ready to get this farm back into shape! I want everyone in the whole village to know that I really AM my Grandpa's grandson!"

The mayor observed the boy. He had an average body and wore a blue hat that was turned backwards just like his grandfather's. He also wore an outfit similar to that of his grandfather's. He had brown hair and determined brown eyes. Then the mayor smiled.

"If you say you're ready, then you are ready. But let me tell you. This as a village we made this promise. If you neglect the farm too much for three years, you will have to leave. Koji, are you sure you're ready?"

Koji looked determined. The memories of the village, the girl, and the promise he made to her was racing through his mind.

"I'm ready for anything that you throw at me."

The mayor stared at Koji's eyes and then after a while, he smiled. The decision was already made.

"Then congratulations Koji, starting tomorrow, you make sure that you get this farm into shape! If you're successful, then we will claim you as the rightful owner of the farm and your grandfather would be proud!"

Koji smiled and shook the mayor's hand.

"Thank you sir. Don't worry, I'm gonna make sure that this farm is exactly as my grandfather had it."

The next day, Koji was still unpacking his things. Then a knock on the door came. When Koji opened the door, the mayor was in front of him, smiling.

"Uh… Mayor? Why are you here so early?"

"Are you ready for the tour around town?"

"Um… well… I'm still unpacking-"

"So you're ready then! Great! Now let me introduce you to everyone in town!"

"But-"

"No time for 'buts'! We have to get you into town for this tour to start!"

The mayor dragged Koji on the ground while Koji was still trying to crawl his way back into the house. After a while of struggling, Koji found himself at town.

"Now this crossroad will lead you into three ways: your house, the town, and the Poultry and Barley's farm. The Poultry Farm is where you get all you chickens and chicken equipment. Lillia's the owner of the farm and she has two children. Rick, who's just about the same age as you, and Popuri, who's about a year younger than you. Barley's farm is where you get your cows, sheep, and equipment for your barn. He has a granddaughter who's about 5, her name's May. The house right in front of us is the blacksmith's, Saibara, house. He has a grandson about the same age as you, his name's Gray. Right next to the blacksmith's is the wine shop! Duke and Manna live there and they make the best wine and grape juice in the whole village. Anyway, we must keep going!"

The two kept walking until they reach to another building.

"This is Basil and Anna's house! Right next to their house is the library, which their daughter, Mary, works at. But since today's Monday, the library's closed. Right next to the library, is Ellen's house. She's a sweet old woman who doesn't seem to have much life in her legs. She lives with her two grandchildren: Stu, and Elli, who's a nurse and about your age! She mostly stays at the clinic except on Wednesday, which is closed at that day. And to the other side is my house. Let's move on"

Koji and the mayor kept walking until Koji couldn't help but have to say something.

"Hey mayor, can we take a break? I can't run all the time and plus, your hand is cutting the circulation of my hand."

"Oh no problem Koji. I guess I'll see you then. If you have any questions, just ask anyone in town. They might know something."

Koji walked the rest of the way until he stumbled upon a small store. He realized that a farm can't be a farm unless there are plants around. So he went in to buy some seeds for his farm. Upon arrival, he noticed a guy, who's strangely about his age, wearing a white coat and had a stethoscope around his neck. He gazed in astonishment at the man and realized that the local doctor in town is about the same age as him. And right in front of the doctor was another man who's looking depressed.

"Put it on my tab."

"Huh? Oh alright."

Just when the doctor left, a woman came out and was looking very disappointed at the sad man.

"Jeff, I can't believe that you charged again! When are you gonna apply yourself and get the money straight from another person?! We need the money to pay those bills that you neglected!!! I… ugh… I just don't know what to do with you sometimes…"

Then the woman left. And then, another man came in. He looked about around his 30 or 40's. He had hair that was pulled back and had streaks of gray, white, and black. Not only that, he also shown signs that he's been drinking.

"Hey Jeff! I'm just gonna take this here bread alright? Heheh… you're a great guy sometimes Jeff!!! Just put it on my tab!!!"

Koji glared at the man and he didn't want trouble, but he also didn't want the woman to yell at the cashier again.

"You know, maybe you should really pay. I mean I don't want any trouble, it's just that maybe paying is the right thing to do."

"Hey it's ok, kid. Jeff here will understand! Ain't that right, Jeffy?"

Then suddenly, another person came through the door, but it wasn't the woman again. It was a young girl who looks similar to the woman but still around Koji's age. She had long brown, beautiful hair with little yellow highlights at the bangs. She wore a purple vest and white T-shirt. She also wore shorts and boots. Her face was high above average. She wore no make-up, but a really light shade of mascara on her eyelids. She had green eyes and had a smile that can turn a boy into Jell-O. Unfortunately, that smile was turned upside-down.

"Duke! Are you charging again?!"

"Karen?! Uh… I have no idea what you're talking about!"

"Don't play dumb! I heard this guy over here saying that you should've paid. You know that we need the money! Now fork it over!!!"

"Alright… sheesh…"

Duke handed the money over to the girl. And the girl took the money and gave it to her dad. Then she walked over to Koji and smiled.

"Thanks for sticking up for my dad. My dad can really be passive and have everyone walk all over him. Anyway, my name's Karen. You're the guy who just moved here right?"

Koji stared at her for a while and blushed. His legs suddenly started to feel weak.

"Um… yeah… I'm Koji."

"That's a really nice name. You're gonna love it here in Mineral Town. Everyone is so nice and friendly. And I was hoping that maybe you and I can be really close friends and maybe hang out with each other if you have the time."

"Uh… yeah…me too."

Karen giggled and smiled at him. Then she blushed and threw her arms around him.

"You're a really funny guy, Koji. I know you and I will get along great."

Koji blushed even redder than a tomato. He was in shock. But most of all, the hug felt really comfortable and gentle.

"Well, anyway, hope you enjoy Mineral Town!"

Koji left the store blushing tomato-red. Then he looked at the clouds and smiled.

"That girl…Hmm…"

Koji went down the road and met another girl at the hospital.

"You must be Elli. Right?"

The girl was wearing long dress with frills at the bottom. She had an expression on her face that made Koji blush even more. She had short brown hair and looked really friendly.

"That would be correct. Oh my! You have a cut! Does it hurt?"

Koji noticed a small cut on his right cheek. The cut hurt but not as much. He was too distracted by her looks. And he couldn't help but blurt out:

"Yeah, the pain's excruciating."

"Nice one Koji. You're sure to make a fool out of yourself now…"

Elli looked at Koji in disappointment and acted all stuck-up.

"Oh, well I only asked because boys aren't supposed to feel pain."

Then she reached into her pocket and took out a band-aid.

"Here, use this to prevent the cut from getting infected."

Koji took the band-aid and put it in his pocket. Then Elli turned her back against Koji and just let out a "humph!" He looked in confusion and then looked at the band-aid.

"Did I say something wrong?"

To be continued…