Harvest Moon

My Friends of Mineral Town

Part I

Chapter IV

Journal Entry: July 4 Third week of Summer

It's the day of the Fireworks Festival. My first major holiday in Mineral Town. I don't necessarily consider island festival as major holidays. A hold over from my city up bringing.

I thought about asking Popuri to watch the fireworks with me, but then I saw her with her old friend Kai. He looked exotic to me. He had very dark skin and deep eyes. Probably from the Caribbean islands. His outfit also reminded me of that region. Loose fitting purple pants, black boots, a white wife beater shirt with a brown jacket, and a purple bandana.

Anyway, watching Popuri and Kai interact, it looks like they are an item. I remember how Rick told me he didn't want Kai around his sister. My thoughts are to let her choose her own path. And it looks like her path may follow his. Is this the wish I made coming to fruition. I wished for her to be happy. If he can make her happy, then I'll be happy for them.

But, why is it when I see them together, my heart starts hurting? She's my best friend on the island. We're not an item. We were not trying to be.

At the same time, I have been trying to find every opportunity to get close to her. Maybe I've let myself fall even a little for her.

Jack closed his journal and stood. He had to make a run up to the winery before heading to the beach. He'd planned on spending the day there to enjoy the summer day and to visit with some of the other villagers.

After he finished his chores, he stopped at the winery and bought a couple bottles of red wine. As he was leaving, he ran into Rick and Karen.

"Hey Jack," Karen said with a smile.

"What's up man?" Rick asked him.

"I was just getting some wine before heading to the beach," Jack answered. "What are you two up to?"

"We," Karen answered. "Are heading to the beach too. Care to walk with us?"

Jack nodded as the three walked down the road.

"Hey Jack," Karen spoke up, making Jack look at her. "I want to ask you something."

"What about?" Jack asked.

"About my sister," Rick spoke up.

Jack stopped in his tracks. "What about her?"

"Well," Karen spoke up. "We've seen you two hanging out and getting along well."

"But recently," Rick continued. "She's only been hanging around with Kai. I've told you what I think of him."

"Well," Jack said in a quiet voice. "It is her choice who she hangs with."

"Jack," Karen sounded disappointed. "How thick headed are you?"

Jack looked at her. "What do mean by that?"

She sighed. "You haven't noticed how into you she is? You never noticed how much time she wants to spend with you?"

Rick nodded. "Trust me Jack, my sister doesn't like to open up to many people. She's a private person. But with you..."

"She likes talking to you," Karen continued. "We've never seen her more at ease than when she is around you."

Jack didn't know what to say here. Though he didn't get the chance as Rick picked up where Karen left off. Did they rehearse this?

"We see something growing between you two. And I'm telling you to do something before you lose her to Kai. Because he'll take her from Mineral Town and we may never see her again. Do you want that Jack? Because Mom and I sure don't."

Jack was suprised. She could really leave? He didn't want that. Not at all.

"What should I do?" Jack asked.

Karen smacked him hard on the back of the head.

"Oww," Jack snapped, looking at her. "What the hell was that for?"

"What do you think?" Karen snapped back. "You already know what to do, you idiot. If we gotta tell you, you're already screwed."

"Easy Karen," Rick spoke up, getting her to back off of Jack. He then turned his attention to the farmer. "You do know what to do Jack. Just be with her alright. let anything between you to grow naturally. But, at the same time, you have to actively pursue her."

"Look Rick," Jack said. "I understand what you're saying, but I don't want to scare her away."

Rick and Karen laughed. Jack was confused. He didn't recall making any jokes here.

"Jack," Rick continued. "As her brother, I can tell you." He put his hand on Jack's shoulder. "You won't scare her away."

"Just try Jack," Karen spoke up. "You won't be disappointed."

They started walking again. Jack was given a lot to think about. Here was Rick and Karen, Popuri's brother and her best friend, encouraging him to pursue a romantic relationship with Popuri. Though he wasn't against the idea, he wasn't sure if she was up for it.

After walking in silence, the three arrived at the beach. Jack saw many of the young men and women from town. He saw Elli in a modest swimsuit with her brother Stu wearing his trunks playing in the water, Ann and Mary both wearing simple swimsuits sitting under an umbrella chatting. He saw the blacksmith's apprentice Gray laying on a beach towel sunbathing.

Rick and Karen set up a blanket and an umbrella. Rick took his shirt off, leaving himself in a pair of red swim trunks. Karen remover her shirt and shorts. She wore a blue bikini. Jack himself wore blue shorts and a white sleeveless T-shirt.

He looked around. He didn't see Popuri. He walked down the beach, headed toward Zack's house and the dock. He saw that Kai's beach shack was open. He hadn't been in there yet, so he decided to go in. There were a few other people inside chatting. He saw Thomas, Jeff, Manna, Duke, and Sasha at a table. He then saw Popuri at the counter, talking to Kai. Kai noticed Jack after a moment.

"Ah Jack," he said with a smile.

Upon hearing his name, Popuri turned toward Jack and smiled brightly.

"Hi Jack," she said in a very cheerful voice. "I was hoping you weren't gonna miss the party today."

"I wouldn't miss it," Jack said as he walked up to the counter. "So, what's good here?"

"Everything," Kai answered. "But I'd recommend the fish tacos. Perfect food for a day at the beach."

"Well then," Jack said. "I'll take two."

Kai nodded and got to work. Jack looked at Popuri, who smiled back at him.

"You want anything Popuri?" Jack asked.

She shook her head. "Nothing for me. But, after you eat, would you like to join me for a walk on the beach?"

"I'd love to Popuri."

Kai looked up at Jack and stopped working.

"Why don't you two go now," he spoke up. "I'll make up your tacos later."

"You sure Kai?" Popuri asked him.

He nodded. "Absolutely. Remember what you told me the other day?"

She gave him a nod before turning back to Jack. "Shall we Jack?"

"Let's," Jack smiled at her and walked to the door and held it open for her.

She gave him another smile and stepped outside. Jack noticed how different she was dressed. Instead of her usual dress and blouse, she wore a white summer dress with red and blue flowers on it. The dress had no sleeves and came down to her knees, she wore a pair of red sandals and had her hair tied in a ponytail. He had to admit, she looked very pretty.

They walked down the beach, away from the main group of people. Jack could've sworn he saw Karen and Rick give him a thumbs up. When Jack and Popuri were alone, they both stopped and looked out at the water, which had an orangish tinge with the late day sun.

"Jack?" Popuri spoke in a low voice.

"Yeah," he looked at her.

"I'm glad you came today." She looked at him. "I was hoping we'd be able to watch the fireworks together."

He smiled at her. "I'm glad I came too. I was hoping I'd get a chance to see you."

She blushed lightly. "Have I told you before that you're a kind man?"

"Yeah," he replied, scratching the back of his head. "I do remember you telling me that once."

"Well," she stepped toward him. "You are. And never let anyone tell you differently."

She reached up with her right hand and put it on his left cheek and looked in his eyes.

"You're my best friend in the whole world Jack. I'm greatful everyday that you returned to Mineral Town. I know my life would be boring without you."

Jack reached up and touched her hand on his cheek. She grasped his hand and he brought their hands down in front of them. They looked at eachother. both were blushing.

"You're my best friend too Popuri," Jack said back to her. "You've made Mineral Town truly feel like home. I don't know if I could've made it this far without your support. I couldn't imagine my life without you. Please never leave this island."

She giggled softly. "I see Karen and Rick did talk to you about me and Kai." She moved closer and rested her forehead on his shoulder.

"Please don't hate them," he muttered. "Or me."

"Silly boy," she whispered, not moving her head. "I could never hate any of you." She wrapped her arms around his waist. "Now please, no more words. Just hold me."

He smiled and wrapped his arms around her. They held eachother close. The only sounds were the gentle crashing waves. After a few more minutes, they slowly parted.

"Shall we go find a place to sit for the show?" Jack asked her.

She didn't say anything. She smiled at him and nodded. They held hands as they walked back to the party. Many more people have arrived at the beach for the fireworks.

Jack and Popuri were motioned over to Rick and Karen's spot.

"Right here you two," Karen said.

Popuri and Jack sat down. Rick and Karen grinned when they saw Jack and Popuri were holding hands.

"So," Karen spoke up. "Can I assume things went well Jack?"

"Karen," Popuri spoke before Jack could. "Quit meddling already."

"I'm not," Karen held up her hands defensively.

"It was me sis," Rick came to Karen's aid. "I convinced Jack to talk to you about getting close to you. I was worried. I didn't want you going off and marrying Kai."

"Rick," Popuri sounded a little angry. "I've told you over and over. My friendship with Kai is none of your business."

"I'm just trying to protect you," Rick now sounded like he was getting mad.

"I don't need you to protect me Rick," Popuri was mad now. "I'm a grown woman and can make my own choices. And if I want to have Kai as one of my friends, that's my choice too. I don't need you or Karen meddling in my life. And you didn't need to bring Jack into it."

Popuri stood and stormed away from them. Jack didn't waste any time as he got up and followed her. If they'd stuck around, they would have seen Karen smack Rick hard on the back of his head.

Jack followed Popuri into Rose Square. She stopped at the far end of the square. He stepped up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder. She looked back at him. She looked ready to cry.

"I'm sorry Jack," she said quietly.

"You don't need to be sorry," he said, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Your brother has no right to interfere with your life."

She turned to face him. "He's so afraid I'm gonna run away with Kai and elope. He doesn't understand. Kai and I never had any romantic feelings for eachother. He told me he had a girl back home."

They made their way to the nearby park bench and sat down.

"You see," she continued. "I try to visit Kai as much as I can since he's only here during the summer." She took his hand in hers. "Kai noticed something about me this year. That I was happier than in past years."

She looked at him. "I told him about you. My long lost childhood friend. He also pointed out something that I didn't, or wasn't ready to see." She moved a little closer to Jack. "Tell me Jack, what do you think of me?"

"Well," Jack blushed, but squeezed her hand. "I like you a lot. You're kind and fun to be around. When I'm around you I don't have to act like someone I'm not. I'm not very good with people." He looked at her. "You accept me for who I am. You have come to mean a lot to me."

She smiled, her eyes getting a little misty. She rested her head on his shoulder.

"Rick and Karen said something to me," Jack continued. "They said they saw something between us."

Popuri nodded, her head not leaving his shoulder. "Kai said the same thing to me."

"I'm not completely sure what it is," Jack continued. "But, if you're willing, I'd like to find out."

She lifted her head and looked at him. "Are you asking me out Jack?"

He looked at her. "I guess I am."

She smiled and laid her head back on his shoulder. "I do have feelings for you Jack. I do want to know where this will go too."

He used his finger to lift her face up to look in his eyes. "I can't say three words to you yet, but I think I'm falling that way."

"I can't say it yet either," she whispered. "At least not out loud. But they are in my heart Jack. You are in my heart."

He lightly stroked her cheek with his hand. He felt her push her cheek into his hand. He leaned in and gave her a light kiss on her forehead just as a flash and bang signaled the start of the firework show.

Jack and Popuri sat on the bench and watched the fireworks. For them, the night had been a magical evening they will never forget. After tonight, their relationship will never be the same. And they were both excited and scared on where things will take them.

The End of Part I

Author's Note: This is the end of what I hope to be a 4 to 6 part story. I have based it on my first play through of Harvest Moon Friends of Mineral Town.

It's my hope that I can do service to these characters. If anyone has any critiques f my work, please tell me.

Stay tuned for Part II which will be coming soon.

Thank you very much.