Hazuki

"I don't know, Chase," I sighed, taking a large bite of cherry pie, "He's usually so friendly and open with new people. Did you do something to offend him or something? I swear this isn't how he truly is."

"You sure about that? He might just be finally showing his true colors. You seem to be someone he's close to, so he might not want you to know how he actually is."

"I'm pretty sure if I'm close to him, I'd know him. Better than you know him in fact," I turned to Chase with another sigh, "Maybe if you'd get to know him more before judging him, you might feel different. That goes for him as well. I don't know if you consider me a friend, but I'd like to be yours. I don't want my friends to fight."

"Alright," he looked at my plate, "I haven't been here too long. Are Raeger's desserts any good?"

"Why don't you ask the man yourself?" I waved to the chef himself, "Yo, Raeger! Chase hasn't really gotten to try your food. What kind of snacks would you recommend? I would tell him myself, but I have a lot of chores that I have to get done. You know how my life is. Busy all around the clock. My money is on the table. Thanks for the food."

"Thank you for asking, Chase," Raeger gave him a bright smile, "Here's our current special. I recommend trying all of my desserts a least once. I promise you that you won't be disappointed. I have many different pies. Blueberry, Apple, Pumpkin, you name it."

"I'll leave you to it," I waved at them as I got up and finished my food. Chase gave me a panicked look as Raeger kept asking him questions about his preferences. I shook my head a bit. It was quite charming and I'm sure that Chase will have a nice time getting used to the townsfolk. If he was acting fickle around Fritz, then Elise was sure to be a problem for him. I knew how the rich farmer acted, having lived here for so long. I haven't spoken to her for about a week, so I think that's where I'll go next.

When I reached her building, I could see Nadi standing around a batch of flowers, holding a huge bag of fertilizer. The dark skinned gardener looked lost in thought, a small frown on his face. He was certainly an interesting person. I had met him my first winter here, a few days after Eda's funeral. I remember the day like it was yesterday. I had planned on giving Elise some of my cow's milk to show its worth when I saw him in her yard. Ever since I met him, I've talked to him. He was a bit rough-tongued, but he seemed a bit lonely. He was one of my best friends and was good for advice.

"Hey Nadi. Is Elise home?"

"Not at the moment," he sprinkled the fertilizer on the whole field, "I saw you showing some guy around town. I guess he'll be staying here for now on? I've seen him at the inn a couple of times. He was hanging out with those sisters."

"I'm not too sure myself," I admitted, "I'm not too sure why he's here, but any new people are good people. I remember how well everyone welcomed us when each of us moved into town."

"And I remember how sad you used to be when I first met you," Nadi gave me a sad look, "I didn't even know Madam Eda, but I know how hard it is to lose someone. I'm sure you miss her after all this time."

"I do," I remembered Eda well. She was one of the first villagers I met and lived with. I took care of her side of the farm in her memory. I'm sure she would have liked that. What would she have said to Fritz or Chase? It was a pity that she would never be able to meet the rich boy.

"At least we all have someone we love to help us move on," he turned to the mansion with a sense of longing, "Even if they don't know how you feel. We just have to live the way we are. To make the people we love smile."

"Yup. Oh, there's Elise," I looked up as I heard the front doors open and the wealthy farmer left her house to do her chores.

Chase's P.O.V

As Raeger was telling me about his dishes, something that Hazuki had said just entered my brain. Friend? She wants to be my friend? Is that because she knows my secret? I don't need another fake friend. I don't want another fake friend. I sighed. Maybe I'm over thinking it. Yeah. Maybe she's just a nice person in general. After all, if she had a favor, she would've asked me by now.

The door opened, bringing me back to reality. Please don't let it be Melanie. Please don't let it be Melanie. I honestly can't handle her crush on me anymore. I don't know what to do about this. I sighed in a relief, seeing Iris. At least I think that's her name. Man, she's tall.

"Hello Raeger, hello..."She paused, tapping her finger on her lip.

"Chase. My name is Chase."

"Ah, of course! You're the boy who had asked Melanie to be your girlfriend."

"What?" I paused.

"Although you don't look fourteen."

"That's because I'm not. I'm twenty, Iris. Has Melanie told everyone that I asked her out? Because I didn't." That's it! I can't take it anymore! "What am I going to do? One day in town and a teenager has fallen in love with me."

"Nothing."

"What?" I faced Raeger.

"Melanie had fallen in love with me too, it'll pass. Just don't hang with her for a while."

"I'm staying at the inn, Raeger. I can't just ignore her." I would if I could.

"Sure you can." Kamil and Mistel walked in. "Wait who are we talking about?"

"Melanie." I told Kamil with a sigh.

"Ah." He sat next to me. "Yeah I got nothing."

"So," Mistel faced me, "When's the wedding?"

"Oh, how cute!" Iris sang.

"What?" I groaned. "Wedding? Mistel there's no wedding."

"That's not what we just heard." Kamil gave me a look. "We heard that you had asked her for her hand in marriage."

"What?" I groaned once more. "Is that even legal? She's only thirteen for goodness sakes." I sighed. This has gone to far. I give up. I need help to get this girl off my back.