Disclaimer: "Harvest Moon" is a property of Natsume and Marvelous Interactive.

And "Hokuto Shinken" is from "Fist of the North Star". Thank you.


"Transcending truth and fiction, a tale of sores and soles eternally retold…"

-Some Epic Narrative Voice

Harvest Moon- A Tale of Sores and Soles-

Chapter 1: Claire of The North Star

"What!? Explain to me what's wrong with it! Come on!"

"What's wrong with it? The answer is inside of you! You have much to learn!"

Right at the counter of Mineral Town's Blacksmith shop, a young man with short, strawberry blonde hair covered by a blue hat reading "UMA" and sharp blue eyes bickered with an elderly man with thick, white eyebrows and an even thicker beard.

"Oh come on, Gramps! It's not like you're teaching me kung-fu here!" the young man shouted.

"Quite the contrary, my grandson. In our excessive training thus far, I've applied training techniques of the ancient art of Hokuto Shinken to physically train you for the physical endeavors of a blacksmith. Such a shame that my sole air has chosen to reject the full training regiment just to settle with the bare minimum." The elderly man huffed.

"Let's be real here, Gramps: Who in their right mind would need to learn kung-fu nowadays? Especially this "Hocky-Pocky Slinky" or whatever the heck name you just said a moment ago?"

"Hohoho… My grandson, as I've said before: You have much to learn. Or have you not noticed that the ladies go for a kung-fu man?"

Suddenly, the door behind them swung open. A curious young woman with bobbed golden hair and sapphire eyes stepped forth. She wore a short-sleved, cross-stitch red shirt with a pair of khaki pants and brown work shoes.

"WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT!?" the UMA hat boy roared, "IF YOU HAVE NOTHING--"

"Gray! How dare you talk to a customer like that?" The aged man cut in with even greater fercocity.

The young man called grey turned his head off to the side with a mixed expression of regret and frustration.

"So…sorry." He uttered quietly.

He then stepped off to the side as the mysterious girl stepped up to the desk.

"Welcome", the elderly man greeted formally.

"Morning! My name is Claire Kafka! I'm the new farmer" the girl greeted cheerfully.

"Hey, are you new here? What do you want?" Grey suddenly said aloud.

"Gray, right? Oh, I'm just here to check out the town, you know? I figured I'd be coming to the Blacksmith often to give my tools a checkup, so I came here first!" Claire said with a wink.

Gray gave an awkward nod.

"By the way, sorry for earlier." He muttered.

He then gave a sigh before continuing talking.

"I didn't mean to be rude… my grandfather was giving me a hard time .He never approves of my work, and then he keeps insisting that I learn kung-fu from him for really stupid reasons. I'm ready to quit… everything. I feel so stupid, you know?"

Briefly, Claire cocked her head to the side and scratched her hair a bit.

"Um…. are you the apprentice blacksmith around here… er, Gary?"

"Gray, and yes." Gray corrected.

"Okay, well then… not to be mean or anything, but what you're doing is essentially training… am I right?" she asked.

Suddenly, young Gray was struck with a light of inspiration.

"Ha, you're right. I'm such a wimp…" he uttered miserly. "Sorry for complaining so much…"

Through his general mood of negativity, the young apprentice barely manage a grin.

"Thanks, stranger. I don't get what my grandfather is saying nowm but I think the time will come. Just gotta keep trying… even if what he says feels like a lot of nonsense for now."

"It's Claire. Claire Kafka,and glad I could help!" she cheered.

"Hey, watch that mouth of yours, boy!" The old man at the back gripped.

"Still, that doesn't take care of his attitude, though…" Gray grumbled.

"Oh, don't worry about that! I'm sure he loves you like any other Grandpa with! Take mine, for example! Sure he acted really abusive towards Mommy when she had me be really distasteful means and all, and practically disowned her, leaving Mommy and I out on the streets for us to fend for ourselves for a long while, but I'm pretty sure deep down, he really loved my Mommy and I! Just like yours does you!" she blathered aloud in a chipper tone.

Gray cocked an eyebrow.

"Um…. thanks?" he replied in a confused tone. "Anyway, I'm working now. Gotta get back, you see."

After that brief exchange of words, the young blacksmith apprentice excused himself before heading off towards the workroom at the back.

"So, before you were rudely interrupted… what further business do you have with the Blacksmith, Miss Kafka?"

"Please, "Claire" is just fine!" she insisted. "Really, though. I just stopped by to introduce myself, and hopefully make a few friends along the way."

"Well, Claire. You're happy-go-lucky attitude has certainly earned my approval!" The old blacksmith grinned. "My name is Saibara, and it's a pleasure to meet you! My grandson could learn a lot from your positive outlook! If only he was willing to learn the ways of Hokuto Shinken…" he sighed.

"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Saibara!" Claire grinned. "Well, now that I'm done here, I think I'll head off to the Inn next! Bye!!"

And with that, the bundle of energy known as Claire head off in a flash, not forgetting to close the door behind her.

"Ah, a youth so full of spirit and vitality! Perhaps… if only she were my heir instead, she may yet be the perfect successor to Hokuto Shinken…." He sighed in regret.

Meanwhile, at the back, Gray still remained puzzled by the farmer's last remarks.

"Okay… was she serious, or was that just some joke she used to cheer me up?" he asked himself.


Next up is Mary. How do you think she's going to feel about the new farmer? Find out in the next chapter! ;)