NOTES: from now on, according to Sebastian's perspective, anything that is spoken in Korean will be written in Korean. In Jane's perspective, it will be written in English.

CHAPTER 9: POACHER (JANE)

'This is just right!' Jane thought as she looked to herself at the mirror. She was wearing a pair of short jeans along with a green T-Shirt that has the logo of World of Tanks drawn on it. '…Although the prosthetics make me look hideous…' She thought to herself as she saw her metallic deformed limbs. Today is the annual Egg Festival. The clothes that she is wearing now is what she will wear during the festival. For now, Jane had work to do. She stripped off her clothes and replaced them with her usual work clothes. Instead of her yellow shirt, she replaced it with a white t-shirt along with black overall short jeans. Her jeans limited her prosthetic leg's movements. Just as she gave a nod and was about to grab her watering can, she heard a knock on the door. Limping to it while avoiding the books that she left on the ground, she opened the door to reveal Lewis with a file full of papers.

"Hello, Jane! My, you look lovely today!" Lewis remarked as he handed the file to Jane.

Thank you! Jane replied through her phone. As Jane accepted the file, Lewis took a look at her face. Dark bags were weighing down below her eyes.

"Jane, didn't you sleep last night?" Lewis asked.

I did, but I was teaching Sebastian how to read sign language!

"Oh, that is great, Jane! But I'm concerned about how you will enjoy the Egg Festival today. Anyway, looks like that's Sebastian coming in the farm. See you later!" Lewis said, looking beside him to see a raven-haired boy approaching the farm. Jane bowed down to say goodbye and waved Sebastian as a warm greeting. How can she forget her usual disarming smile?

"Hey, Jane… whoa…" Sebastian said in amazement on what Jane was wearing. Clearing his throat, he focused back on what he was about to say. "…Should we get to work?" He asked as he saw Jane with the file. Jane nodded in response. Placing the file on her desk, Jane picked up her watering can and walked to her soil where her crops were growing.

"Phew! That was a lot of work to be done!" Sebastian said, wiping the sweat from his brow. Jane was lightly hyperventilating due to exhaustion. "Hey, are you okay?" He asked. Jane nodded. "Uh… what was that file, anyway? You know, what you had before we went to work?"

Oh that? It's the research paper that I was talking about! You said that E-cigs were completely okay, right? Jane replied.

"Whoa, I was joking about the science part! I'm agreeing with the no-side-effects part, though." Sebastian replied. In disbelief, Jane bolted up and stormed into the cottage. She retrieved the files and walked out back to the raven-haired boy and handed it to him. Sebastian opened it to find twelve papers filled with writings. "…So you wrote this when you were in 11th grade?" He asked with amazement. Jane nodded in response.

I want you to read it. Jane typed.

"But Jane…"

No excuses! You are NOT going anywhere until you finish reading that report!

"…The Egg Festival already began!" Sebastian said. Jane rolled her eye away. Mayor Lewis wouldn't be happy if she missed the first festival of Stardew Valley. Giving a sigh, she began typing on her phone.

Fine. That will be your homework for today. Give me the files and we'll go to town. Sebastian nodded as he handed back the research papers to the farmer. Jane took it and placed it back on her desk. She then made sure to lock the door of her cottage. We'll start today's lesson as soon as we get back. She added as she limped towards Sebastian who was patiently waiting for her.

"…So what's the reason you didn't sleep last night, anyway?" Sebastian asked as the he and Jane walked eastwards on the path that lead to the Pelican town. Jane jokingly glared at him as if she told him to get a hint. "Wait, did you… translate that entire thing to English just so that I can read it?!" He exclaimed in disbelief. Jane nodded.

That paper was in Korean. Jane typed.

"I… I get it, but… how long did it take for you to make it?" Sebastian asked. Jane showed him 2 fingers. "Days? Months? Weeks?"

Months of research. It took me eight hours to translate that whole thing!

"Jane…ugh. Jane, I'm actually amazed of how determined you are in things that you… love? Say, did you like what you were studying?"

To be honest, I decided to go for biochemistry because it was the easiest and my parents nagged me to go to the SKY universities.

"…SKY?"

It's the three greatest universities of Korea: Yonsei, Korea and Seoul.

"Oh, I see. Anyway, we're almost here. Jesus, that bustling of people bothers me every time. Alright, let's go meet everyone." Sebastian remarked as the two approached Pelican Town. The town square was covered with a white carpet the resembled the snow that was here before. There were baskets filled with decorated eggs under lampposts, trees and even between doors of houses. Vincent and Jas were running around chasing each other while Penny Anderson, the local teacher, watched over them with Maru beside her. Sam and Abigail were sitting on one of the tables laid down beside Harvey's clinic. The longest ones housed the food made by Gus which included various types of foods correlated to eggs. However, Pam, Penny's mother, seemed to be doing something to the raspberry punch. Shoving the curiosity away, Jane focused on Sam and Abigail who turned their attention to the two as they munched away on their food.

"Hey, guys!" Abigail chirped as she continued chewing on her food. Jane gave a big smile as she waved her back. The purple-haired girl scanned the clothes of the farmer and gave a gasp. "Oh my god, Jane! You look so adorable!" She then turned to Sam whose eyes were glued to Jane, blushing. "Aww, you have fans!" Jane blushed in response.

"Shut up, Abigail." Sebastian grunted as Jane's cheeks heated up.

"AWW, she's so cute when she blushes!"

"What does that have to do with us?" Sam asked.

"Well, you two boys obviously are in love with Jane! Boy, it's a love triangle that every stereotypical girl teen movie has!" Abigail remarked, howling in laughter as the two boys looked away in embarrassment. She took a look at Jane to find the farmer covering her face with her hands trying to hide her blush and laughter. She slowly started to scoot over to Sebastian as he shook his head trying to get rid of what he just heard from Abigail. "Seb, she likes you!" Abigail giggled. Jane bounced around without stability while covering her face. She started to feel the surge inside her body.

'Stop it!' Jane tried to speak, but the words became stuck in her throat, only giving out inaudible noises.

"You heard her, Abby! Stop!" Sebastian added. Jane was surprised. How did this boy know what she was trying to say? "Well, looks like the occultist has been burned for witchcraft. Alright, Jane. Let's go get some food before they take our seats as leg support." He said to the farmer as he escorted her to the food. When the two were out of audible range, Abigail turned to Sam, who had just finished his egg goulash.

"She likes him, Sam!" Abigail whispered.

"Really? How so?" Sam asked.

"Well, they keep blushing at each other! They look so perfect! How can you not see that?"

"I mostly get to see Jane during our Saloon nights during Friday!"

"Whatever. I ship them, and that will never change! You wait and see!" Abigail giggled as she took a bite out from her hard-boiled egg.

Abigail gave a funny look at Jane as she arrived to the table with a plate full of deviled eggs and a bowl of egg goulash. "What's with that look?" Sebastian glared at the purple-haired girl as she giggled. She didn't say a word, making Sebastian grunt and try to pull out his electronic cigarette. Jane, noticing this, immediately gave him a glare of denial, making Sebastian nod and lower it back into his pocket. Giving a nod, she grabbed her spoon and took a taste of her goulash. The red liquid combined with the egg pieces flowed through her throat and belly, giving her a warm sensation. Her attention was all at the food. The conversation that was going on between her old friends became silent as Jane took bite to bite on her food. Her binge consumption seemed to have come to an end when Sam patted her on her shoulder.

"Jane? JANE?!" Sam exclaimed, pulling the farmer back to reality. She looked around with a face that told her friend that she was trying to ask what happened.

"You were eating as if you were a member of Epic Meal Time!" Abigail remarked. Jane looked down to see that she had already emptied her plates. Seeing her current situation, she gave a smiling shrug.

Well, I eat what I eat. Jane typed. Sebastian chuckled. And if you stop me, you're next! Abigail howled with laughter.

"Okay, so… Jane, did Seb tell you about what happened to our Town after you left?" Abigail asked.

"…or he became the town's number one douche again?" Sam added. Sebastian glared at him with fire in his eyes. Jane nodded, signaling that Sebastian indeed explained what happened. "Well, looks like he wasn't such a douche that I thought he would be! At least less than Alex…"

Who's Alex?

"Alex is that jock over there." Sam replied, pointing at a tall brown-haired boy with a green jacket that seemed to look like a high school jersey. He had slightly dark skin and brown eyes, making Jane speculate one of his ancestors or relatives used to live in the Arabian Peninsula. He was talking to Haley, the very girl who mocked Jane's disabilities. It was as if she was a totem of her past bullies. "He always spits on us. I mean, what the hell is wrong with him and Haley, anyway?" Sam added. Jane looked back to him and gave a shrug.

"Sam, you gone way off topic!" Abigail remarked.

"Okay, I get it! Alright, now for the million dollar question! How was Korea?" Jane frowned when Sam asked the question. "…D… did I say something wrong?" Jane shook her head. In reality, Jane would have to write an entire paragraph to satisfy his question and her hand was already throbbing by all the typing she did back at her cottage. "Well, sorry. I'll ask later then."

"Sam, I want to congratulate you for saying something right for once in your life!" Sebastian said. Sam gave a smirk as he flipped him off. Just as the conversation came smoothly, a young woman who probably just entered her twenties with short red hair and a yellow dress came up to the group and sat on a chair next to Sam.

Who's that? Jane asked Sebastian.

"Ugh, I never knew this day would come. She's Penny, Sam's girlfriend." Sebastian replied.

"Hey, what's wrong? Jealousy got you?" Sam mockingly asked.

"It's not good to have a grudge about something you don't have, Mr. Callahan." Penny added.

"Ugh, I think that was some kind of involuntary mockery…" Sebastian said to himself.

"It's not. Don't worry." Penny assured. She then turned to Jane. "So you are the new farmer? It's nice to meet you!" Jane gave a bow of respect. "I couldn't see you during your first day here because I was working in my trailer."

"It's a long story." Sebastian whispered to Jane's ear. It made Jane's mind be surrounded with questions. She tried to unlock her phone, but her shaky hands prevented her from tapping the correct buttons. Penny, seeing this, signaled her to stop.

"Ms. Park, please look at me!" Penny called. Jane raised her head to find Penny doing… sign language?

I can do it too.

Jane couldn't be happier. If it weren't for her prosthetics, she would have launched herself to the woman and embraced her, but since she couldn't do that, she gave a big smile. From whom did you learn it from?

"Harvey." Penny simply replied.

This is the best day of my life! Jane signaled. Penny giggled. So, you're this guy's girlfriend, right? She asked, pointing at Sam.

"Mhm!" Penny responded, showing a black ring on her right index finger. Sam, seeing this, showed his black ring. "They're couple rings!"

They're so common in my country! I never expected them to be used here! Jane signaled. The conversation lasted for about ten minutes until Abigail started to feel uneasy.

"Uh… I don't know what you two are talking about? Still, the annual egg hunt is about to begin! Whoever wants to be annihilated by me, step right up!" Abigail said as she left her seat.

"I'm going to take her down." Sam said, leaving his seat to follow the purple-haired girl. Penny left her seat to return to the two children who were now walking towards the center of the town square. There were now only Jane and Sebastian left on the table.

What happens now? Jane typed on her phone.

"Well, basically, the contestants will be given one minute to find decorated eggs that Hitlewis scattered around. Winner wins money. It's just like what you do at elementary school, except the fact that this is Abigail's victory parade." Sebastian replied. Lewis was now walking towards the contestants: Abigail, Sam, Vincent and Jas.

Only four?

"Well, yeah. They're the youngest people here, except the fact that you're the youngest among the teenagers. Looks like it's about to begin."

"Alright, contestants! Are you ready for 2019 Egg Hunt?!" Lewis asked. Vincent and Jas shouted in reply as they bounced around. "Now now, kids! You should save up your energy for the hunt!" The mayor added. Jane giggled by how adorable the two children were. "Anyway, are you all ready? Get set… Timer set… GO!"

"…this beginning Abigail's parade." Sebastian whispered. The contestants were off. Abigail, unlike the other contestants, felt relaxed and went on a fast pace. Sam followed around Vincent as the younger of the Arvidel brothers ran around Willow Lane trying to search for eggs. Jas hopped around with her basket as she picked up two near the Mayor's manor. As Jane focused her attention back to Abigail, she was surprised to see her basket already filled with six eggs and barely forty seconds had passed. Fifteen seconds. The faces of the contestants started to become tense. Sam's smile was now gone. He started to pick up his pace as he picked up two more eggs from the graveyard. Ten seconds remaining. Jas dropped her egg basket, cracking two eggs in the process. Despite crying, she picked the eggs and put them into the basket. Five seconds remaining. Abigail was now walking back to the town square. She gave Jane a grin as she stopped. Jane waved back.

"Time's up, contestants!" Lewis exclaimed followed by a whistle. The four contestants gathered up back to the town square. Each of the baskets were filled with eggs. "My, that's a lot of eggs you all have collected! However! There can only be one winner! Now, let us count them!" He added as he started off with Sam's basket. He picked up the eggs one by one as he counted. "…three, four… four for Sam! Now for Vincent!" He counted on the child's basket. "…five! That's five for Vincent!" Lewis continued counting the eggs of Jas. Seven. It was now Sebastian's expected winner: Abigail. Lewis's eyes opened wide due to the sheer amount of eggs. Focusing, he continued to count her eggs. "…six, seven, eight… EIGHT! Once again, Abigail wins the Egg Hunt this year!" Abigail, hearing this, cheered loudly as she bounced around in glee. She received her prize as Sebastian approached Jane once again.

"See? I told you it's her victory parade." He whispered. Jane gave a shrug.

"Alright, that does it for this year's Egg Festival! Thank you all for coming! Please pick up what you've left behind before you depart!" Lewis exclaimed as the townspeople clapped. Just as Sebastian was about to stand up Jane tapped his shoulder to get his attention.

Don't forget about today's tutoring! She typed.

"Ugh, right. Sorry. Let's go after we clean up." Sebastian replied as he picked up his plastic plates and cup.

It was the second day of Sebastian's tutoring. Jane had prepared what her friend would learn today. She checked if he did his homework by asking him what each alphabet was in sign language. Sebastian managed to get A to H correct until he made a mistake on 'I' as he made the rock-and-roll symbol again, making Jane blush again. "Jane, there is something wrong, is there?" Sebastian asked with worry. Jane shook her head. "Are you sure?" Jane covered her face and nodded. "O…kay. Alright then. Let me get that right…" Sebastian continued as he made a light fist and pointed out his pinky. Jane gave a big smile, signaling that he was correct. Sebastian acted like a triumphant superhero. Jane's eyes sparkled as if she told him to continue. Shrugging, he proceeded to continue to make the sign language despite making some mistakes at 'Q' and 'T'. Eventually, however, he managed to get to Z. Jane clapped her hands with glee.

You did it! You did your homework! She typed as she crashed into him. Okay, let's start with today's lesson! Turn to page 12. Sebastian nodded as he obeyed his friend. Just as Jane was about to start tutoring, her computer gave a ring.

"Jane, isn't that the Skype ringtone?" Sebastian asked. Indeed, the farmer's computer screen displayed the chatting program with a family photo of Jane on it. Gasping, Jane hurried to her computer and accepted the call.

"Hello? Haneul? Can you hear us?" The people on the video asked. They were Jane's parents. Jane gave a nod after setting up the camera. "That's great! How is life at your grandfather's farm? Isn't it difficult for you?" She shook her head. "Are the people kind? Did you make friends?" Jane's father asked.

Dad, the people here are the nicest people in the world! I forgot to tell you that I had friends here before! Jane signaled. She turned her head to Sebastian to find him confused. Her parents were speaking to her in Korean and she was replying to them through sign language, the two languages that raven-haired boy didn't know at all. Her attention was locked back to the screen when her mother asked her a question.

"Jane's is there something wrong? Is there someone over there?" Jane nodded. "It better not be a boy!" Her father jokingly added. Giggling, Jane signaled Sebastian to move towards the screen.

"Ugh, do I have to?" Sebastian asked. Jane gave a pout and whined as if she was begging him to come. "Alright, fine." He surrendered as he picked up his chair and walked to where the computer was. He sat down next to Jane. "Uh… hello, Mr. and Mrs. Park. Ugh, this is awkward…" Sebastian greeted his friend's parents.

"Uh… hello!" Jane's mother replied with a heavy Korean accent.

She's not good at English. Watch my dad, though. Jane typed on a notepad on the computer.

"So, are you Jane's uh… namjachin… I mean, what was it… boyfriend?" Mother jokingly asked.

"What? NO! She's just a friend!" Sebastian panicked, blushing. Jane, hearing what her mother said, covered her face in embarrassment. She too was blushing.

Mom, it's embarrassing! We're just friends!

"I know, Haneul. Anyway, would you like to speak to your dad?" Jane nodded. "Okay! Honey?"

"Yes, dear?" A masculine voice replied in Korean.

"It's Haneul!"

"Really? I'm on my way!" After a short pause, Jane's father sat down next to the screen. "Huh? You have a friend over?" He asked her daughter in English. Jane nodded in response. "Well, if it isn't Haneul's boyfriend!" he jokingly added. Jane squealed with embarrassment flooding her every orifice. Sebastian looked away while covering his face with his left hand. "Just kidding, kids! Anyway, who are you, Mr. anime boy?" Father asked.

"Me? Oh, I'm Sebastian Callahan. I'm this woman's helper. It's nice to meet you, sir." Sebastian replied.

"Oh, that was anticlimactic. Anyway, it's nice to see that my daughter has already made friends. Please be good to Jane, alright?"

"I'm counting on you, Sebastian. Anyway, are you the only friend that Jane has?"

"Well, no. She made friends with my friends. They're good people, but annoying at the same time."

"Hmm, just like Minsoo."

"Mr. Park, may I ask who that is?"

He's my brother. Jane typed. Sebastian nodded.

"He's at his last day at military service. He should return tomorrow noon." Jane's eyes opened wide. Minsoo was Jane's most favorite person of her family. They shared similar interests in games and YouTube channels. He was the first person to learn sign language from her family and whenever Jane needed a shoulder to cry on, Minsoo would be it. This young man was three years older than Jane and was probably brawn of the Park family. He was quite popular among his school despite not being good at his classes. Now that he will finish his conscription tomorrow, Jane's heart skipped a beat. "We were supposed to send him there to help Haneul, but since you are here, Sebastian, I guess she will be fine!"

"Well, thank you sir!" Sebastian replied. Jane nodded at her father's words.

"Speaking of which, Haneul, your Hyunsoo and Jiwoo have been admitted to Yonsei University while Minseo was admitted to KAIST! You could have been with those two if you stayed here, you know?" Jane's father added.

Dad, I like it here. I hated how people there disgusted people with disabilities! Jane signaled.

"I know, Haneul. I hope you are happy where you are. Well, what are you two doing?"

"Jane's teaching me sign language, Mr. Park." Sebastian replied.

"Oh, really? That's good to hear! It's one step towards earning each other's heart! Way to go, you two!" Jane once again covered her face in embarrassment while Sebastian tried his best to hide his blush as he chuckled away. "Just kidding, you two. Haneul, how far did he go?"

He's currently finished the sign alphabet. He's a pretty good learner! Jane replied.

"Oh-hoh! A fast learner, eh? That's good. What does he do for a living?"

He's a freelancer programmer.

"Oh, that's what Minsoo wants to do right now! I remember him confining himself in his room while he downloaded C# and tried to make his own videogame."

"Videogame? Did he succeed?" Sebastian asked with utmost curiosity.

"Well, he kind of did, Sebastian. He used something called a Unity 3D. I think it's some kind of game engine. He made me test it only to crash as soon as I shot a gun." Sebastian, hearing this, howled in laughter.

After a long conversation with Jane's parents, the two young people waved them goodbye and continued with Sebastian's tutoring. He learned basic introduction in sign language. Despite having technical issues on learning more sophisticated signs, he managed to satisfy Jane as he successfully introduced himself in sign language including his identity, which was two gun-signs pointing at his chin in which Jane obviously squealed in happiness about. Now, time for your homework! You have a week before your next lesson, correct? Jane asked.

"Well, yeah. I still have to come here to help on your farm, you know?" Sebastian replied.

Here's your homework. I want you to introduce yourself by stating your name and your age.

"Really? That's a bit short for a weekly homework." Just as Sebastian finished his sentence, Jane pulled out the very files that she received at day. "Oh, darn. Not that."

Your second homework is to read this research paper and state three harmful effects of Electronic Cigarettes. I'll make you do something embarrassing if you fail, okay?

"Ugh, alright, Jane." Sebastian complied as he took a look at his phone. It was already 9 o'clock at night. His mother would be worried. "Well, today was fun. See you tomorrow, Jane!" Jane waved him goodbye with an adorable smile as she saw her friend close the door behind him.