Hi people! I have chapter 9 up right now! Alot of my friends keep wondering this: what are the girls' heart colors if in the game right now. Well I guess I'll have to say this: I think so far, Popuri's heart would be somewhere around the green and yellow area. Same thing with Elli. Karen, however, would probably be in a yellowish-orange direction right now. Mary's heart would be green and Ann's would be yellow. At first in this chapter, it doesn't really make much sense until you keep reading. Well I apoligize. It was late at night and I was tired, so that's the reason why it didn't really make sense. Eh... my cousin suggested that I add in more drama than comedy in this chapter since it's summer. I apoligize for any kind of cheesy, corny, stupid soap opera stuff. I'm sorry. It was my cousin's idea and she's a sucker for drama. So hope you'll enjoy this chapter, I'll have more up soon, if I find bad reviews then I'll just delete them.
Talking
Thinking
Important words/Emphasis
Chapter 9: Summer Problems
It was a very beautiful day in Mineral Town. Koji has just woken up and ready to start his day. He got out of bed, ate breakfast, brushed his teeth, got dressed, put on his cap and headed out the door. As he walked out, he noticed Karen outside waiting for him.
"Morning Karen."
"Oh! Um… morning Koji."
She blushed madly and went over to give him a hug. Once she got her arms around him, there was no letting go.
"Um… gee Karen… you sure are happy today."
"It's nothing… it's just that summer air coming."
"Uh… that's great I guess."
"It's not just great it's perfect! Kai's finally coming back after being gone since last summer!"
"Who?"
Suddenly, Popuri came out of nowhere.
"Don't tell me that you don't know Kai!"
"I don't. I'm new here? Remember?"
"Well you should know about him! He's the cutest, handsomest, and coolest guy around! It's too bad that he only comes in the summer though."
"So this guy is pretty much the cool guy around here."
Karen looked at Koji in disbelief and gave Koji another hug.
"(scoff) Of course not! It's obvious you're the cool guy around this town to me…"
"Um thanks I think…"
Koji separated from Karen's hug, who reluctantly let go. He waved goodbye to Karen and Popuri and started to look up into the clouds. Then he overheard Karen saying that Kai is still awesome next to Koji. To Koji, he felt almost a little jealous and then a horrible thought of Karen and what seems to be some silhouette of a random figure next to Karen. The figure went over to Karen and then the two touched lips. The normal feeling in his heart fell and his mind started to wonder and question. He walked past Rick's house, who seemed to have caught up with him.
"Trying to steal Karen away from me again?!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Yeah well don't try anything funny!"
"As much as it pains me to say this, but since you've been here longer, I gotta know something. What is Kai like?"
"How dare you fill my mind with such ill!!! Don't you ever say that name in front of me again!!!"
"Ooh… I see that someone's getting a little jealous…"
"I'm not! To me, Kai is the most horrible, putrid, pathetic person that I have come to known! I like everybody in the village except Kai and you! He's popular with the women but I don't like his style!!!"
"Okay, you don't need to rant on in my face nerd…"
His face suddenly blown up to what looked like an ugly expression of anger on his face and shouted at Koji with his corn and chicken scented breath.
"I AM NOT A NERD!!! I'M COOL!!!! I SAID SO!!!"
"Ugh!! How come all the retards I meet always seem to have bad breath with the scent of corn, chicken, or cow poop?!"
"As you may know, my breath has the scent of a thousand roses and flowers!"
"Yeah, that are probably dead!!!"
"I shall have my revenge on you yet Koji!!!! You'll never be able to get Karen!!!"
Koji turned away from him and walked away while Rick was still shouting at him. He then returned to the clouds and started to think.
"He's popular with women huh? Maybe I should ask Cliff."
So he did. He went to Cliff to ask about Kai.
"Kai? Well I do hear that he's popular with the women."
"Oh he is huh?"
"Oh yeah. That Kai is one smooth and cool dude."
"Don't say that."
"Why? Are you feeling a little jealous?"
"Well if he's popular with women, I'm a little worried about Karen."
"Come on! Don't talk like that! You're starting to sound a little jealous to me."
"Jealous?! Me?! Heh! I- I don't know w-what you're t-t-talking about! I'm n-not j-jealous! N-no-not one b-b-bi-bit!"
"Sure…"
Cliff left the bar and headed outside while Koji looked back at his drink and started thinking.
"Me? Jealous? Yeah right."
Unfortunately, Karen's, Cliff's, and even Rick's words were still buzzing around his head. He gripped his bottle tightly until suddenly it snapped him out of it when it shattered. Doug came over to Koji to see what was going on. His words shocked him.
"Bad day?"
"Huh? Oh… it's… it's nothing…"
"Come on Koji, I know you're better than that so tell me what's wrong. I mean it's not normal for a regular human to break a wine bottle in just one grip."
"I… dunno… it's just that the thought of Kai is still bothering me. I guess you can say I'm a little jealous of him."
"Ah don't worry Koji, you should know your better than him!"
"I just don't know. I'm outta here. I'll see you later I guess."
That night, Koji was staring at the ceiling in his bed. He wasn't able to sleep until 2:00 at night. The next day, Koji did his usual routine and then headed outside. He walked past Popuri's house only to be caught up with Karen.
"Koji!"
"Hmm?"
"Morning sleepy-head? Huh? What's wrong?"
"It's nothing."
"Come on. You know that I know that you can give me a better answer than that."
"I got a lot on my mind."
"Well I know that, but come on! Stop being so secretive about everything."
"It's nothing really. I'm just tired. That's all."
"Well… okay… I guess I'll see you later then. I'm heading towards the beach with Popuri to see Kai. You're okay with that… right?"
"Huh? Um… well…"
Then Karen gave Koji a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Thanks. You're really sweet."
Then she walked off with Koji still looking back at her. Koji turned his attention away from Karen and headed off to the inn to see Cliff. As he arrived, he met up with Cliff at the bar.
"Hey Koji, what's up?"
"Eh… not much… really."
"Well alright then."
Doug approached the boys with two ice cold bottles of wine.
"Here you go Koji, on the house."
"Thanks Doug."
The two boys opened up the bottle and then drank. Koji only took his first sip and then stared at the bottle. After a long pause, Cliff broke the silence.
"I heard Kai's coming today."
"Huh?"
"Kai. He's coming back to Mineral Town for the summer."
"Oh, that's cool… I guess."
"You're still worrying on about yesterday?"
"I thought I told you I'm not jealous."
"Well if you're not jealous then why don't you go to the beach and meet Kai?"
"I can't do that. I mean I just don't want Karen to see that I'm a little jealous of him."
"Hey come on. I'll come with you."
"(sigh) Alright… I guess…"
So the two headed towards the beach. Koji looked over the steps and saw Popuri and Karen waiting at the docks. He hesitated for a moment to talk to Karen and Popuri, but he finally swallowed his pride and went over to the girls.
"Um… hey…"
"Oh hey Koji! I didn't know you would be here."
Cliff grabbed Koji by the shoulder and made a thumbs-up sign.
"Heheh!! He's just here so he wouldn't let Kai show him up and become jealous!"
"Cliff, I am sooo gonna kill you right now…"
Karen turned away from Cliff and looked at Koji.
"Koji? Is this true?"
He turned away for a moment and then he smiled a little.
"Heh! I'm kidding!"
"Oh! Well… that's glad to hear!"
So Koji and Karen sat next to each other by the pier and looked at the water. Karen looked back at Koji and put her hand on top of his. She smiled at him and Koji hesitated and smiled back. Karen looked out to the ocean and let out a big sigh.
"I love the summer."
"Hmm?"
"Summer. I just love it. The air feels great and the ocean breeze just relaxes you. (sigh) it sounds so romantic."
"Oh… really?"
Popuri suddenly jumped up on the pier and started to wave at something.
"Karen! It's Kai he's coming now!"
Koji felt a little nervous and tried so hard to not let his jealousy show. Karen got up and started to wave too. They started to wave at a boat that was coming.
"Kai!!! It's us!!! Karen and Popuri!!!"
Cliff went over to Koji and picked him up and patted him on the back for reassurance. When the boat arrived, a boy about Koji's age has jumped off and on to the pier. He wore a purple bandana with a brown leather jacket with black pants and shoes. He also wore a white t-shirt under the jacket and had a smirk on his face. He had brown eyes and slightly tan skin, which meant he's the type who really relishes the season of summer. Popuri first ran over to him and gave him a hug. In turn, Karen went over to him and gave him a small hug as well, which made Koji feel a little uneasy.
"Hey Popuri. Karen. You two look lovely as ever."
Both Karen and Popuri blushed a little. He looked right behind them and noticed Koji and Cliff.
"Cliff? Is that you?'
"Yeah it's me."
"Wow. You haven't changed a bit! And- uh… who's this?"
Koji looked up. Kai smiled at him and Koji tried to return the favor. Karen went over to Kai and introduced Koji to him.
"This is Koji. He just moved here to Mineral Town."
"Oh yeah! So you're the farmer that's running that poor excuse of a dirt patch!"
Koji twitched a little and then smiled a little.
"Hey. That so-called dirt patch is my grandfather's."
"Well anyway, it's nice to meet you in person! Popuri has told me so much about you. It seems you're a little popular with the ladies yourself. Well what can I say I'm starting to like you already. Maybe I'm even starting to get a little jealous if you know what I mean."
Koji slowly moved his eyes towards Popuri.
"Don't count on it. I may be a little jealous myself."
"Then I guess I'd better watch my back! Well, it's nice seeing you. I'm gonna head off to town."
So then Kai and Popuri walked off with each other and Cliff, Koji, and Karen were left. Karen looked at Koji's face and his smile was suddenly turned to a solemn frown.
"Koji? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure? You look like that you're about to throw up."
"I said I'm fine. You don't need to worry."
"Okay that's it Koji! I wanna know what's up with you today! First you're all depressed, then you make nicey nice with Kai, and now you're all depressed again! What's wrong with you? I don't wanna get angry at you!"
"If I made you angry… then I'm sorry."
"So that's all you have to say?! You're sorry?!"
"………Yeah. I guess that's it."
"You're so unbelievable Koji!"
Karen turned away from him and then Koji looked up glaring at her then walked away.
"I'm outta here."
"Fine! Go! I don't ever wanna see your face again Koji!!!"
He stopped for a brief moment. He looked back and then turned away.
"Okay… see ya."
Karen scoffed and then turned away with a "Hmph!". So then Cliff tried to catch up to Koji.
"So that's it?! You're just gonna walk away from the girl of your dreams without making her feel better?!"
Koji stopped again and then looked at Cliff.
"If she doesn't want to see me again. Then fine. Have it her way."
"Look man, you cannot let jealousy take over your life!"
"Like my life cares…"
"I didn't know you would actually feel that way…"
"When I first arrived here, I didn't know what to expect. So I guess I just let time and fate be my master. So if Karen doesn't wanna see me again, then she can have it."
"And you're just gonna walk away?! Even if it means losing the one you care about most?!"
Koji tilted his head away until you couldn't see his face anymore.
"My life is of no concern to you."
"Alright then. I guess I'll see you later."
"Whatever…"
And just like that, he was gone. The next day, Koji walked right past the shop and towards the inn. Karen and Koji only gave each other passing glances on that day. As Karen walked past him with another "Hmph!" and looked away at his face, Koji was unaffected. She then stopped and thought for a moment.
"Should I… apologize?"
She shook it off and then just kept on walking. She entered her house and went over to her room. She laid herself out onto her bed and looked up at the ceiling. Suddenly, her inner voice started to talk to her and she then had a conversation in her mind.
"You weren't just gonna walk away like that were you?"
"Well Koji was being such a jerk yesterday! I'm glad I'm through with him!"
"So now you're just gonna step all over him."
"Well when you put it that way."
She closed her eyes and then she suddenly woke up in a very strange world. The sky was dark and empty. She looked down and saw a beautiful mosaic stained glass floor of a Moondrop flower. Then, she heard footsteps. The air inside was cold and unbearable. She saw a dark figure approaching her. When the figure appeared, she stared for a moment. The figure was wearing a black and white cap backwards and a black shirt and pants with black shoes. It wore a white bandana around its neck and had ghost white hair. Its eyes were a light faded brown. The only thing that separated it from human were long black streaks that came down from its face to its arms and they were excreting black wisps of smoke.
"Wh-who are you?"
The figure looked back and gave a very disapproving frown to her.
"K-Koji?! Ugh! I thought I don't wanna see your face again!"
Then the figure spoke in a calm and an even more mature voice than Koji's original.
"I'm afraid you've mistaken me with someone else."
"Of course you're Koji! You can't be anyone else!"
"I'm not Koji. I'm your inner voice."
"My… inner voice?"
"The voice of reason that tells you right from wrong. Look at what you've done to me. These cursed black marks that have scarred me. You should be ashamed of yourself!"
"Why should I be ashamed?"
"Your heart."
"My heart?"
"You turned Koji away, even if it meant losing your very best friend. You lost him and now… this… your cold, dark, black, heart has made me appear for what I am… for what you are… a monster."
"I'm not a monster!"
"Koji has given you the best of his life for you. He tried so hard to make you happy and now just yesterday you threw him aside like a battered doll about to break."
"Well… Koji was… Rrgh! You can't be my inner voice!"
"Aah… but I am. I am your inner voice Karen… You see…"
The smoke from the marks grew and shrouded the figure in black smoke. Then, a different figure appeared. It wore a torn black tank top and a torn black miniskirt to go along with it. It wore long black stocking with black high heels. Its hair was long and black with white bangs. Its eyes were then a faded emerald green and the marks had still appeared.
"I am you…"
"No you can't be!"
"Your decision has made your heart cold and distant. You have to start making things right."
"But…"
"What? Koji has been a jerk to you and you'll never forgive him?"
"Well…"
"Forgiveness is one of the many keys to happiness. Do the right thing."
Karen woke up from her slumber and then looked at her clock. It was getting late. She then thought for a moment and headed to the inn. When she came in she sat next to Ann, who was taking a break from all that cleaning and working. The two greeted each other happily and started to do their usual talk of life and goals. Then Koji walked in and noticed Kai being bothered by Duke and Rick.
"So Kai! Come to try and ruin our lives again?!"
"You better stay away from my sister you lowlife… uh… jerk."
"Come on guys, you really can't blame me for being nice to everyone can ya?"
"We liked it better when you left this village! What do you think Koji?!"
Koji looked at the two and looked at Kai. He noticed Karen talking to Ann at the bar. He thought for a moment and then turned away.
"I don't care who's right. Do what you guys want."
Kai smirked a bit and Duke and Rick looked like they're about to throw up. So Koji walked over to the bar and then ordered a bottle of wine. Back to Karen, Ann's break was already over so she had to get back to work. Karen noticed Koji about five seats away from her. Koji stared at the bottle and then drank out of it. The words of her inner voice was still bothering her.
"Do the right thing…"
So she walked up to Koji and greeted him.
"Hey stranger…"
Koji moved his eyes away from the bottle and glared at Karen.
"I thought you didn't wanna see me again."
She sat down next to him and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Look… Koji… about yesterday… I'm sorry I shouted at you…"
"How can I tell you're not lying?"
She got closer to his face and gave him a peck on the cheek.
"Because I care about you too."
"Heh. Where'd you get that? From some kind of corny, stupid, soap opera-esque illusion you had in your mind?"
"(giggle) well… sort of… I guess."
Koji finally smiled at her and she smiled back at him and she held him even closer to her.
"Now will you tell what was wrong?"
"(sigh) well alright. But just promise me you won't yell at me."
"Well?"
"Alright. So I guess a got a little jealous of Kai for awhile there. I mean I heard you say how awesome he is and Cliff told me he was a little popular with the women around here so that increased my problems."
"Well guess what?"
Then Karen blushed and then kissed Koji. She smiled and looked into his eyes.
"He's wrong."
So then everything went right for once. Karen forgave Koji and then rested on his shoulder for the night. Rick and Duke were pissed off at each other because of Kai. And Koji finally got his friendship back with Karen.
