Penny smiled while she washed the dishes from breakfast. Her first tutoring session with Alex had gone very well the previous night, and she was almost excited to start their second session this afternoon. He seemed very enthusiastic about reading, which was always a nice quality to have in a student. While she scrubbed grease off of a small frying pan, her mother Pam grunted comments at TV commercials.

"Joja has that new kinda beer now, Penny. That kind that's supposed to give you more energy!" She remarked, raising her voice so Penny could hear her over the running water. Penny rolled her eyes with a sigh.

"Mother I don't think that works." She replied, rinsing the pan off. Pam scoffed a few times and argued the point to herself. Penny set the pan onto the drying rack with the other dishes and dried off her hands.

"You shouldn't buy into everything that Joja Company advertises, mom." She hesitated a second. "I don't think you should even buy anything from them at all…"

"But those prices! You can get ten TV dinners for 50g—you can't beat that." Pam smiled to herself.

"Yes but… they're not very good for you—" Penny started, but her mother interrupted.

"—oh not all that nutrition talk, Penny! I ain't a little kid, I don't need 'milk for my bones' or any of that nonsense. Let up on it already!" Pam barked at her, getting irritated with her daughter's nay-saying. Penny sighed sadly.

"Yes, mother." She mumbled, before retreating back to her room. Her mother was impossible to reason with when it came to her health, or anything else she was steadfast on, really. At least today she didn't have tutoring with the children, so she could catch up on her reading.

She smiled as she picked up the current book she was reading. The library had many old novels, which could range from average life in a small town, to the daring deeds of adventurers. Willy had recommended a few of the lesser known books about the high seas to her when he dropped off a pamphlet of fishing tips years ago, and Marnie always recommended the latest romance story she was engrossed in—but right now Penny was working through a story about the daughter of a grumpy old rancher. The heroine was very brave, and confident, and it was nice to imagine what it might be like to have the guts to tell that bully ranch hand where to stick it. Penny slipped the book into her bag contently, then left her room to get a bottle of water from the fridge.

"Mother I'm going out, I'll see you tonight." She said, knowing full well her mother wouldn't arrive home until well after she was asleep in bed. Pam waved goodbye to her, and asked her to pick up some frozen food from Joja Mart. Penny felt a little guilty, knowing that she wouldn't, but her mother would be so drunk by the time she came home she'd have forgotten about asking for it anyway.

She walked out of the trailer and turned to head toward the cemetery. Her favorite spot to read was right beside it; the patch of greenery was perfect for a quiet place to read and enjoy the sound of the river in private. As she walked, she noticed Alex across the yard, throwing his gridball up into the air and then catching it over and over. Penny was used to that sight by now, but she had to admit she never paid much attention to him, mostly because she knew he paid no attention to her. He looked so focused, and you could tell just by how he flicked his wrist that he'd thrown that ball thousands of times. It was almost endearing, Penny thought, seeing him so invested in his passion. She waited another moment, then continued on to the cemetery, unnoticed by Alex.


Hours later, Penny was immersed in her book when she heard the sound of footsteps on the cobblestone path. She looked up and saw Sam walking from his house towards town. Penny gave a small smile seeing it was him—he was the only person her age, besides Maru, that she ever really spoke to. Sam had gone out of his way to make her feel included after he and his family had moved to Pelican Town, and even bothered to invite her to his birthday parties every year. Sam was humming something to himself happily, when he spotted her sitting against the cemetery fence.

"Penny!" He grinned and waved at her. "What are you doing over here so late?"

Penny's good mood had a small hiccup.

"…late?" Her voice already sounded nervous. "What time is it?"

Sam quirked an eyebrow at her urgent tone. He opened his phone to check again, even though he had just seen the time at his house.

"Almost 2PM, why?" He asked, confused. Penny gasped in horror.

"2PM!?" She gripped her book anxiously. Sam nodded, not taking her question as rhetorical. Penny quickly packed her book back into her bag and slung it over her shoulder. She hadn't gotten so engrossed with a book that she'd missed lunch in a long while. If she didn't have tutoring with Alex, she could go home and have a late lunch, but once again, that's life.

"Thanks Sam, I've got to go!" Penny said goodbye quickly and hurried away. Sam turned his head to the side in confusion, before shrugging and continuing his stroll.


Penny trotted up to Alex's house, slightly out of breath. She was sure she had made good time and wasn't late for their tutoring session, but now she was starting to feel the results of not eating for a good six hours. Her stomach grumbled at her unhappily, but told herself she would just have to ignore it. It was her own fault for reading so late, after all. She let herself into the house again, feeling a little more confident about walking in unannounced.

"Penny dear!" Evelyn smiled at her excitedly. "You just missed lunch—here let me fix up a little something for you."

Penny's stomach whined appreciatively, but she didn't want to impose.

"No, thank you, Granny." Penny smiled back, though it wavered a little. Evelyn hummed contently, already in the cupboard.

"Oh don't be silly, dear." She smiled at her again, bread in hand. "I don't mind. Would you like a cookie, too?"

Penny laughed awkwardly, but it would be rude to continue to argue Evelyn's hospitality.

"Thank you, but maybe later, I should get to work—" Penny was interrupted by Evelyn piping up happily.

"Oh yes, yes, those reading lessons! Alex was talking about that at dinner last night." Evelyn smiled up at her. "He seems so excited about it. It's nice to see him talking about something besides sports."

Penny smiled back at her and bowed her head slightly.

"I'm glad to hear that." She smiled more, feeling her cheeks tingling. That feeling of being appreciated and doing good was the best part of teaching, in her opinion.

"You go on back, I'll bring you both some snacks." Evelyn shooed her away gently before returning to cooking. Penny walked down the hallway, feeling more cheerful now. With a boost of confidence, she swung the door to Alex's room open, only to gasp and stop dead in her tracks. Alex stood in the center of his room, curling dumbbells in each arm, and wearing nothing but a pair of athletic shoes and green gym shorts. He smirked watching the dumbbells reach his shoulders with opposite intervals, when he noticed Penny in his doorway.

"Oh, hey Penny." He grinned wide at her. "Is it 2PM already? I must have got caught up in my work out again."

Penny could only stammer, eyes fixated on his toned body. Alex didn't bother to pause, and continued his exercise, all the while ignoring Penny's reddening face. She had seen shirtless men before, of course, but Alex was the most muscular guy in all of Pelican Town—he looked like he belonged on a fitness magazine! And while she had seen him and some of the other guys shirtless at the beach or spa, being this close to him, watching his muscles flex with each movement, glistening with sweat—she had to look away. In fact, she had to turn all the way around and hold her face in her hands.

Alex did manage to notice that, and cocked his head to the side while he continued to lift his weights.

"Don't worry, teach, I'm almost done." He smiled again, assuming she was pouting because he wasn't ready to study. He counted out the final curls. "289… 299… 300!"

The weights landed on the floor with two loud thuds that made Penny jump slightly. Alex rolled out his shoulders and laughed a little, ready to brag.

"Pretty impressive huh? And I only stopped there because we've got training to do!" He approached her from behind and touched her shoulder. Penny turned her head back quickly on reflex, took one look at his naked collar and shoulders, and made a choked squeaking sound before hiding her face in her hands again. Alex was startled by the sound and started to step around her, leaning in to try and see her face.

"Hey what's the matter?" He placed his hands on the side of her arms. Penny peered past her fingers against her better judgement, and saw herself boxed in by rippling muscles. She squeaked again and squeezed her eyes shut, clasping her hands in front of her chest and turning her face away while Alex kept his hold on her arms.

"Alex!" Penny managed to gasp, still refusing to look.

"…yeah?" He frowned in concern. Penny could barely stand the genuine confusion in his voice.

"Don't you think there's anything inappropriate about being shirtless around someone like this!?" She raised her voice a little, managing to peek at him. She did her very best to stay focused on his face and nothing else. Alex continued his confused expression while his brain worked through her question, but quickly smiled after he understood.

"Oh what? What for?" He laughed, stepping back a little. Penny tried to stammer an explanation, but Alex continued. "You don't like this?"

Alex dropped his hands from her arms, and flexed them down at his sides. Penny stared at him, unsure of what he was doing, until she saw movement on his chest. Her eyes flicked down naturally, and quickly widened when she saw his pectorals bouncing interchangeably, seemingly at her. Alex smirked proudly, flexing each of them at a steady rhythm. He loved putting all his hard work on display! Penny stared, mouth open and eyebrows twitching, for a few more horrified seconds, before letting a quick shriek past her lips and running around him and out of the room, horribly embarrassed.

Alex was shocked—he had never gotten that reaction before. Usually they were squeals of excitement. He spun around and ran after her as fast as he could, which was much faster than Penny. She had barely made it to the front door before Alex caught up with her. When he grabbed her arm to turn her around, Penny immediately covered her face again, and did her best to continuously turn away from him, leaving Alex hustling in circles around her.

"Penny!" He laughed a little at her ridiculously allusive response to his awesome physique. "Hey, come here—!"

His chuckling and touching only served to make Penny try and retreat more into her hands and shoulders, bowing her head and trying to explain that she wanted him and his big muscles away from her. Alex managed to get his hands on her shoulders, and with his firm grip keeping her from turning her whole body away, he squatted and tried to get his face under hers so she would have to look at him.

"Alex!" Evelyn's voice came from the kitchen. Alex turned his head a little and smiled at his grandmother.

"Yeah, Granny?" His voice was lively from what he thought was playing with Penny. Evelyn huffed a little, puffing out her cheeks.

"Would you leave that poor girl alone! What are you doing to her?" She placed her fists on her hips. Alex looked confused again before smiling and trying to get his head under Penny's once more.

"We're just horsing around, Granny, it's okay!" He laughed again while Penny continued to burn. Evelyn looked at Penny's awkward, knee-in, face covered position unconvinced. She walked over while Penny continued to try and squeak out an explanation and wriggle away from Alex. Evelyn half got between them and shooed Alex away from her before taking Penny's hand kindly.

"Oh dear, are you alright? You're as red as a fresh garden beet." Evelyn's voice was gentle again, and she patted Penny's hand comfortingly. Penny continued to rub her face with her free hand, but nodded.

"Y-yes, I'm alright." Penny managed, though her voice shook. After a few more seconds of gathering herself she smiled more fully at the older woman.

"What has my grandson done to you? Was he trying to get you to kiss him? He can be so—" Evelyn couldn't even finish her question before both Alex and Penny erupted in denials; Penny in embarrassment, and Alex in insult from the idea of anyone running away from kissing him. Evelyn was surprised for only a second before laughing. She hummed knowingly and gave a soft laugh. "Oh, I see."

Penny straightened up a little, staring at her in shocked embarrassment. She hoped Evelyn didn't think there was something less-than-innocent happening here. The older woman putzed back to the kitchen, shaking her head fondly and humming to herself. The pair blinked after her before turning back to each other, and Alex quickly flashed her a smile.

"You're a riot Penny, y'know that? What were you even doing?" Alex laughed again. Penny sunk into her shoulders, mouth twitching awkwardly. Was he really that dense? There wasn't even a point in asking anymore, she thought. She sighed in exasperation and trudged back to Alex's bedroom. Alex hesitated for only a second, then jogged after her. Before he could speak to her again, Penny turned around, frowning at him angrily. Alex had never seen her with that expression before.

"Alex!" She whispered at him, wanting to keep her frustration private. "That was totally inappropriate!"

Alex only blinked in response.

"What?" He asked, confused. Penny groaned into her hand.

"Alex I'm your tutor! You shouldn't be trying to… grab at me or… be shirtless near me!" She huffed, keeping her voice hushed. Alex waited a beat before laughing.

"Aw, you act like you're so old!" He laughed again and walked around her into his room. Penny stared off in disbelief of him completely ignoring her, before turning around and following him, intent on continuing her point.

"It's not that I'm acting old, it's that this is a professional relationship and—" She started to argue, but ended up sighing while she watched Alex drying off his neck with a towel and probably not listening again.

"You are so uptight!" He remarked while he scrubbed under his chin. Alex set the towel over his shoulder and turned around to smile at her again. He walked up to her with that horrible air of confidence he had, making Penny shrink into her shoulders again.

"Hey, c'mon." He smiled more genuinely. "I know, I know, you'd never seen a guy this built before. It's cool! You can look if you want. You wanna touch?"

He gave her a flirty wink, and raised his chest up expectantly. Penny didn't even have the energy to squeak and run anymore, she just pushed her face into her hand, shaking her head in disbelief. This was the most arrogant, ignorant, obnoxious man she had ever met, hands down—the worst part being he was probably vindicated in all of it. She drug her hand over her face and rubbed her eyes hard before dropping it.

"Alex, I do not want to touch your—"

'—yeah you do~o." His smile was almost feline. Penny closed her eyes and begged Yoba for patience. The idea of touching his muscles with her bare hands was so scandalous she wouldn't even let herself indulge in the fantasy mentally.

"—No, I do not, Alex." She huffed, blushing harder again. Alex grinned at that, before closing his eyes and rolling his neck around comfortably while she spoke. "You need to show me a… a- little more respect! I am your instructor, and um…"

She wasn't used to making demands, and her confident voice was already wavering. Alex smiled at her again and reached a hand out to rub her shoulder.

"Hey, hey…" His smile tried to be genuine, but was betrayed with a teasing look in his eyes. "I'm sorry, alright? I didn't mean to embarrass you."

The rumbling in his voice made Penny shiver all over. He slid his hand down to her forearm before letting it drop.

"I promise I'll behave from now on, okay 'Miss Penny'?" His smile widened into something more playful, and he swaggered over to his bathroom to finish cleaning up. Penny stared after him, watching his back while he moved until he had disappeared inside the bathroom. Her face burned hot again, and she managed to huff;

"…a-and put a shirt on, for Yoba's sake!"


AN: Oh boy, the sexual tension is a'coming. Penny's never been flirted with in her life… (Was that not obvious? Hah!) Alex is so arrogant it always cracks me up… poor Penny. How embarrassing!

For those that haven't bothered befriending/romancing Alex, there's a scene where you walk in on him lifting weights :3c I like to think that for all my in-game ships that they'd get some kind of variation of the cutscenes you do with them... if that gives you any hint to some key plot points ;)