Flavor of Life

Author's Note: I had a really difficult time making this chapter. I was thinking too much, probably.

Disclaimer: I, KawaiiTenshiCeres, does not own Harvest Moon, nor Flavor of Life by Utada Hikaru.

FOUR- Smile Again...

-Vaughn's Point of View-

I didn't know how or why I felt this way.

I didn't know how much pain I had cause for her.

Even if I keep this act up, she would've eventually found out, sooner or later.

The only thing I saw in morning, was black hair. As the boat came onto the pier, all I saw was Sabrina. She was able to wake up early, just to see me, yet, I would rather just visit that small farm that Chelsea had. I often had to visit Regis, her father, who often hated me for getting to their money. How the hell did that ever occur to him, even though I was close to marrying one of the richest girls in the city? I got off the boat, seeing the determined Sabrina approach me, with a small blush scattered across her face. Frankly, I had to feel sympathetic, besides, she was close to passing out, and being a gentleman, I offered to help her...Though, I wondered, why Chelsea began to avoid me.

"H-Hello!" I heard her squeak. "...How are you?"

I tipped my hat to her, as we began to walk from the beach. Despite it being bright and early, I saw someone approaching the two of us. Immediately, I realized who it was. Chelsea was running towards the beach, seemingly trying to find or retrieve something. I glanced at her, as I quietly parted with Sabrina, who was seemingly attached to me in a way. She gave me a friendly wave goodbye, before retreating to the mansion before her father woke up. I glanced back, seeing Chelsea walking back with light dispair in her eyes. A sigh had escaped her lips, before looking up, and giving me a delicate wave.

"Hey! I didn't know you were here already!" she stated cheerfully. "...What's wrong..?"

I gazed at her, her large blue eyes staring at me in concern. I didn't know how I felt when she looked at me like that. She was telling me deep down, 'Why aren't acting like yourself?'. She didn't want to show it, but she tried to contain it deep within. In reality, I wanted to hear what she wanted to say, but at the same time...it felt painful to see her. Faintly, she reminded me of my ex-fiancee. Having that same smile that would often make me smile.

"...ughn...Vaughn!" Chelsea shouted, shaking me in a panic. "Why did you blank out?" she questioned furrowing her eyebrows childishly.

Looking away, I tried avoiding her gaze, but she simply kept waving her hands around my face. "...It's nothing..." I grumbled tiredly. "Why are you up so early?" I questioned, finally looking at her.

"I always get up this early." she muttered. "Hey..Vaughn? What...What happened to your fiancee?"

My eyes darted towards her, seeing her slightly pained look. I realized that Julia might have told her about Misaki...Inoue Misaki. My fiancee from a traditional Japanese family. I didn't know why or how she bothered questioning me, instead of her instead. I quietly began to head towards the Animal Shop, trying to ignorethe constant pleas and shouting that the farmer had chucked towards me. As I slowly reached out to get the knob, I stopped in my place, only to see Chelsea clenching her fists, on the verge of quitting and heading to the beach.

"You're running away aren't you?!" the brunette had shouted.

I turned, quickly storming towards her, and giving her a cold glare. "What happened to me back then was my own problem. Quit trying to pry into my life, Chelsea!" I argued. "I don't think that being a 'friend' means prying into my own business!" I yelled.

"I'm only doing this, because I freakin' care about you, okay?! I wanted to be your friend, because I knew you weren't happy! Jeez, if you keep this act up, you will cause more pain to everyone!" Chelsea shouted, before brushing past me to head back to her farm.

"...Yet again...I screwed up."

I stood there, with my hands jammed into my pockets. I yelled at a friend, who I cared about deep inside. I kept thinking about Misaki, and comparing her to Chelsea...Who were complete opposites in reality. Misaki..she was...a type to get herself into trouble. A bit of a tomboy for a princess...I remembered her smile towards me before we ever began to fight. My thoughts were slowly going off into the distance, as my eyes stared at the ocean deep in thought. While standing there, I couldn't notice the concerned Sabrina, who was trying to get my attention. I wasn't up to talking to her at the moment, as I strolled off to the diner.

It's not right...I can't compare her to Misaki. They're different. I thought to myself, seeing a few people heading to the same place as well.

I watched them enter, as I slowly opened the door. I never expect to literally bump into Chelsea. She was running out the door, as I opened it. My eyes averted from hers, noticing how concerned both Julia and Natalie looked, when they saw me. She muttered a small 'Excuse me', before she darted out yet again. Even though it was quite early, the place had people slowly filling up the tables. I walked towards my blond cousin, who had signaled me to sit with her. Sitting down, I felt a bit odd sitting with only girls at the table, while I kept my silence.

"...Vaughn. She knows about Misaki now." Julia stated, while she played with the straw of her drink. "You...should tell her sooner or later about her. I can't keep feeding her the rumors I knew...She doesn't realize it now...but she likes you. We don't know what's your relationship with Sabrina right now, but at least hang out with Chelsea when you're here, otherwise, she's going to keep moping around."

Taking off my hat, I ran a hand through my head in pure irritation. "We got into an argument over Misaki earlier. I don't even know if an apology's going to settle it." I muttered softly. "...I'm better off letting someone else take my place." I continued, closing my eyes. "We're only just friends, nothing else..."

I could tell my cousin didn't exactly take this too good. Her bitter anger was fueled up deep inside, similar to how Mirabelle is when she's angry. Hearing a slam onto the table, a glass tipped over, spilling water across the table. Julia gazed at me coldly, a rare sight to see from her. I knew something was up, as her red-headed friend, slightly snuck away from us, only to retreat to her boyfriend's house. I saw her quivering, before I noticed the table shaking from her anger. I looked into her eyes, before she glared at me.

"Listen Vaughn! I had enough of this! Ever since Misaki passed away, you keep avoiding me and Mom! When you met Chelsea, and slowly began to get friendly with her, we knew you would smile and be your old self! I..didn't want this to happen at all!" my cousin shouted, kneeling down, on the verge of tears.

My eyes widened at her words. Did I go overboard with Misaki's death? It felt like everyone was distancing away from me, because I was cold..but was it really because of my hidden depression? I looked down, before slowly walking out the door. I didn't know why, but I felt my body walking towards Chelsea's farm. It was already dark in the Island, so I assumed she was either doing something in her house or sleeping early. I couldn't bring myself to let her apologize to me, instead, I'll apologize to her. Walking into the farm, I noticed the garbage-filled farm, was squeaky clean, and outside were a few cows, in which I saw Chelsea standing there gazing at the moon with a smile on her face. I felt my face turning red, seeing her figure in the moonlight. I didn't know how or why, but I thought she looked beautiful.