As part of your routine, you happily strolled going to the supermarket expecting Rick to walk alongside you but he wasn't around. You went to buy some feed after but to your surprise only Popuri was at home, she told you that her brother went out to get some supplies for the farm. It feels strange as you were used to seeing him everywhere you go, having him vanish created an empty feeling inside you. After doing your daily chores, you proceed to offer in the waterfall pond of the harvest goddess which you do everyday. Picking a couple of flowers along the way, you heard voices near the pond and it sounded like Rick's. Excited, you hurried up going to the waterfall pond, only to see him with the girl from the supermarket. "I heard you were seeing another girl just because I'm gone", Karen told Rick "Yeah and so?", "I was grounded Rick! I wasn't able to go out for only a few weeks and next thing I knew you were flirting around already? How can I trust you?" You slowly approached as they were talking in front of the pond. "E-excuse me, I'm sorry I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I'm here to offer to the Harvest Goddess", you looked at Karen. She stared at you from head to foot then looked back at Rick before moving aside for you to pass through. As you pass through you heard her say "Is she the one? How come you trade me for her?", "Look we're just friends!", "Yeah? But Ran said otherwise", "Karen wait!". You heard her storm out as Rick chased after her. Hearing those words, it created a pain through your heart. "We're just friends…" you mumbled to yourself as you continued to pray to the Harvest Goddess, leaving a teardrop on her pool.
That thought clouded your mind as you went back to the farm and tended to your crops. 'Why am I even affected, Rick is right, we're just friends….what's wrong with me?' you thought as you clean the weeds and rocks from your farm. Trying to rationalize your emotions, you mindlessly chop logs and rocks until you're too tired. Zack collected your shipment and noticed your distress, "I know it's hard raising farm Y/N, but if you need extra income I can help" you smiled at his concern "Thanks Zack but it isn't financial" , "Then what is it? What's with the long face?" he placed the crates and sat on it while waiting for you to tell the story. You stared in nothingness for a long time until an idea came to your mind "Actually I need money" you laughed in excuse "I was thinking of going back to the city.. And maybe I could reopen my dress shop there if I get enough money here", "Ah! I know a customer, he pays good money for wild grasses and herbs in the mountains, he picks up those every Wednesday" Zack stated "Since you've been very nice to me, I thought maybe you could be his supplier then, besides I don't need much money anymore…" he trailed off looking at his side, "Why? I heard from Won that you're actually selling some of your items to him", "Yes but that's because I wanna buy a gift for someone special" he said scratching the back of his head. Interested to know about this, you leaned forward from the shipping bin "Ooohh and who's this lucky lady?" he looked at you worriedly and looked around making sure no one else can hear "Don't tell anybody ok? It's Lilia". Eyes widening you giggled "Really? But she's married!" , "But her husband is nowhere to be found! And who knows if he's still alive or what" , "What if he came back?", Zack's expression suddenly went sad "That's the time I'll leave this town" , "So wait, let me get this straight, you only stay here because of her?" Zack nodded.
"There's a lot of other opportunities in other towns where I could make a lot more money, but as I told you I don't need money. It doesn't make me happy. Lilia is the one that makes me happy." He stood up and began arranging the crates before carrying them. "Well then Miss Y/N, it was nice chatting with you again, I'll see you tomorrow! If you want extra income just bring in those herbs to me" he then left carrying all your crops and produce in a crate.
Thinking about the offer, you proceeded to go to the mountains late at night and pick up some herbs. Trying to find as much as you can since tomorrow is already Tuesday and as Zack said, his customer picks them up during Wednesdays.
You finished your tasks early so that you can gather more herbs since you were only able to gather a few last night. As you were out in the mountain area, trying to look carefully for herbs, wild grasses and medicinal plants, someone suddenly tapped your shoulder. You jolted in surprise and when you turned back to see who it is, it was Rick. "Oh you scared me" you exhaled in relief. He chuckled "need some help?", "uh sure?". For a moment it was awkward between you two as you search for the plants. Later on Rick can no longer hold the silence "About yesterday…" he trailed off, you looked at him sideways as you were trying to pull a wild grass from the ground. "I was just having a discussion with my childhood best friend, Karen and.." you cut him off, as you were able to pull the herb from the ground "It's ok Rick, you don't need to explain things to me." You turned your back on him to search for more plants around, "Besides i'm just a friend, I shouldn't be sticking my nose to your business-", he pulled your arm, turning you to face him "Look I'm sorry", tilting your head you asked "For what?","For lying.." he pulled you closer. You keep your arm on your chest to make sure you still have a barrier in case he decides to close the distance again, like what he did last time. "Lying about?" , "Lying to Karen that you were just a friend","But I am really just a friend, am I not?" And with that he pulled you closer, closing the distance between you.
You tried to push him away but you are holding herbs, 'well at least I have my arm as our barrier' you thought to yourself. He cut your thoughts by hugging you tightly. 'He's so warm', you began leaning your head on his shoulder as you loosen your arms on your chest. He pulled from the hug, holding you on both of your arms, looking intently in your eyes, making you blush "The truth is, I-I.. I really like you", his sudden confession made your heart melt, looking back at him, searching his eyes to see if it really is the truth "and I don't want to rem-" he got cut off by a girl calling his name in a sharp tone. You looked behind his shoulder to see Karen coming to you. "What are you doing here?" she pulled Rick in one arm, then she looked at you and looked back at Rick "Karen! What's your problem?" He nudged his arm out of her grip, making her release him, with furrowed brows he said sharply "Am I supposed to be your pupp-" Karen suddenly kissed him in front of you, making your eyes widen. You looked down awkwardly and stepped a bit back to give them space. "I'm your girlfriend, I'm supposed to know where you are! You just left me on the bench and went home, and when I got home your mom told me you also left!" Your heart sank at the word 'girlfriend'. Rick was shocked at what happened, speechless, he doesn't know what to say but he looked back at you. Tears pricking your eyes, you shook your head lightly in dismay to him, continuing to step back. Rick saw those tears in your eyes and his heart sank, wanting to explain "Come on now! My mom wants us to have lunch with her", she started pulling Rick away from you. Rick hesitantly gets dragged by Karen but is constantly looking back at you. He saw you ran away deeper into the woods crying, as they were already near the exit in Gott's house. Karen looked back at Rick, pissed "Stop making this hard for me!" Rick looked back at her and removed his wrist from her hand. He just followed, anger and sadness mixed inside, he remained silent.