AN: Thanks for all the reviews so far. I understand there's some conflict over some of the characters names. I prefer the name Mumu over Muffy and intend to keep it that way. However, I have checked the spelling to the other girls name and am now calling Sepilia, Sepiria. I also hope Rokku doesn't seem too out of character here. And now to the tale…
Mumu was awake bright and early the next day. Gafan noticed that she was in a great mood this morning due to her happy humming as she made breakfast.
"Penny for your thoughts Mumu?" Gafan asked while sipping some coffee.
"Huh?" Mumu said while flipping a flapjack. "What do ya' mean, Gafan?"
"I mean, I've just happened to notice that your in a chipper mood this morning. What's the occasion?" He grinned. Mumu turned back to the stove, blushing lightly.
"Oh, no reason really." She said idly. She smiled. "It's just that it's such a beautiful day today, an' I guess that's it."
"Uh, huh…" Gafan said unconvinced. He let the matter drop though. She piled several flapjacks onto his plate along with bacon and eggs. She sat down at the kitchen table and began eating her food at a rapid pace. Gafan raised an eyebrow. It wasn't like her to wolf down her food like that. She finished and quickly washed her plate. Then she started to leave. She stopped at the doorway to wave at Gafan.
"See ya' ladder Gafan!" And left.
"Wha…?!" Gafan said stunned. She had left so quickly. What's gotten into that girl, Gafan thought while raising his hand to scratch his head. He yelped in pain when coffee spilled all over his head. He'd forgotten that he was still holding to the coffee cup.
Mumu walked cheerily along the road, saying hello to passerby. She spotted Kate teasing Hugh again. She shook her head in distaste. Poor Hugh, she thought, Kate really should leave tha' poor guy alone, I mean, he's almost in tears. She was headed over to Jack's house to thank him for yesterday. She had a small basket of oatmeal cookies with her. A present for Jack.
"I hope he likes them." She said to herself, climbing the hill. "I just know he will." If there was one thing Mumu took pride in, it was her cooking. Sure, she wasn't a grand chief, but she wasn't bad either. The sun shinned brightly onto her. She wiped some sweat from her brow. "Whew! Gosh, it sure is hot ta'day. Maybe I shudda' brought lemonade instead." She mused to herself.
She reached the farm. She walked through the gate. "Jack!" she called. "You, whoooo! Are ya' there Jack?" She called a few more times. She shrugged. "I guess he's not home." She looked at the cookies for a moment, then to Jack's house. She smiled. "Well then, I guess I'll go look for him." And trotted back to town, but now without tripping on her heels again. "Ouchie!"
Mumu didn't know where to begin searching. She decided to go ask Ru at the inn. She normally knew what was going on in town everyday, being an innkeeper and all.
Ching! Went the bell at the door as Mumu walked in. Ru was at the service counter cleaning the top with a rag. She was a dumpy sort of woman with tanned skin, black hair, and a friendly face. Mumu walked up to her and bowed.
"Good morning Ru." Mumu said with a smile. Ru stopped cleaning to look at her.
"Well, good morning to you Mumu. What's going on?" Ru asked. Mumu shuffled her feet a bit, a little shy of what she was going to ask.
"Uh, well, I was just wondering if ya've seen Jack around town ta'day. He's not at his farm, an' I got's something for him."
"Jack?" Ru said blankly. Then it clicked. "Oh! You mean the new farm boy! Nope, but Nami might know. She's always staring out the window all day." She pointed to a girl who had her back to them. She was currently leaning on a chair, and was looking out the window. She had short red hair, and wore an orange tank top with a blue button down sleeveless shirt over it (currently unbuttoned) and wore kaki shorts with blue sneakers. All in all, she looked very tomboyish. Wow!, thought Mumu. She sure looks like one tough cookie. She walked up to Nami. Nami paid no attention to her as she approached.
"Um, s'cuse me…" Mumu began. Nami's cold blue eyes glanced to her.
"Yes?" she asked dryly.
"…" Mumu sweatdropped. "H-have you seen a guy named Jack around?" Nami nodded.
"Yeah, he walked into the botanist shop a while ago." Mumu grinned.
"Gee, thanks!" And left. She happily walked to the botanist shop.
"Hey Mumu, wait up!" called a voice. Mumu turned. It was Rokku, Ru's son. Rokku didn't look like Ru at all. He was of average build and was pale with sandy blond hair. He walked up to her and presented her with a bouquet of flowers. "Here, this is for you." She sniffed the bouquet.
"Thanks Rokku. That's sure nice of you."
"Say Mumu, how'd you like to have lunch at the inn with me today?"
"Er, well…" Mumu began. She knew that Rokku had a thing for her, but she wasn't that interested in him. It's not that he wasn't a nice guy, but he wasn't her type.
"Gee Rokku, that's a nice offer an' all, but I godda' do something first."
"What's that?" he asked, curiously pointing at the basket in her hands.
"I'm just delivering something ta' Jack." Rokku frowned.
"Jack? You mean the guy with Sepiria over there?"
"What!?" Mumu turned around sharply. Jack had just come out of the shop with a pretty brown haired girl. Each were carrying a crate full of items and were talking idly to each other as they walked to the shed at the side of the shop. Mumu watched as Sepiria laughed at something Jack said. Mumu felt her heart drop. Gee, they look like a cute couple, she thought sadly. Her hands fell to her side, and the basket tumbled to the ground.
"Mumu? Hey Mumu!" Rokku said. "You still up for that lunch?" Mumu felt a pang of jealousy looking at Sepiria. She turned to Rokku, giving a forced grin.
"Sure Rokku, why not." She said.
"Thanks for helping me and Betsy with these crates Jack." Sepiria said. She and Jack had just finished loading up crates full of seeds and tools to the shed.
"No problem Sepiria, glad to help." Jack replied. Sepiria took out her money bag.
"Here's 300g like Betsy and me promised." She said handing the money. Jack took the money and pocketed it.
"I better get back to the farm now." Jack said. Sepiria smiled.
"Ok, see you tomorrow." She waved goodbye to him. Jack walked on back to the farm. He took his time walking. He had no reason to hurry since he'd already watered the plants this morning. They were coming along nicely. He happened to glance at the inn and saw Mumu through the window. She was sitting at one of the tables. He smiled, but frowned instantly when he saw Rokku sit at the table with her. They were eating lunch together. I didn't know she and Rokku were…, he shook his head. No, no that can't be right. Then he smiled. I'm sure their just eating together since Rokku lives there.
He suddenly stopped as his boot hit something. He looked down to see a basket with a handkerchief over it. He picked it up and lifted off the handkerchief and saw the cookies as well as a slip of paper. He read off the paper. It said:
To JackWith love, Mumu
Mumu picked at her food. One elbow was propped on the table; her chin resting on her hand. She couldn't stop thinking about Jack. She didn't feel angry at Jack anymore, just slightly sad. I shudden't be upset just 'cause he's got a gal', she thought. She lifted her chin off her hand smiling. I can still be a good friend ta' him. She regained her appetite and started munching her meal. Rokku was completely oblivious to her changing expressions. He just stared at her pretty face. She's got to be the most gorgeous girl this town has ever had. He grinned to himself. I'll be sure to ask her to the festival coming soon, and by the end of the summer, his hand gripped into a fist, She'll be my girl…
AN: The plot thickens…^_~