Harvest Moon
The Appearance of a Normal Life
By: Belldandy'sKeiichi
Note: [any text in here is a thought text]
Author's Time: Ok...one more Harvest Moon story before I go back to writing Love Hina stories. Anywho! Hope you have fun reading this as much as I had fun typing it all up. And who knows...you might just learn something about me...
Setting: O...BTN settings I guess...
Disclaimer: You know the drill, I don't own Harvest Moon...
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Jack stood at the peek of Mother Hill looking out at the small village he called home. He let out a sigh and looked back at the letter that was in his hand. "Do really want to go through this..." He said to himself looking back at the village. He then looked down at the mountain slope and took another step forward. "I would say about a good ten meter drop...twenty maybe...I think that'll be enough to finish the job..." He said as he took another step forward. But before he could take another step off the mountain, a voice called and he immediately turned around.
"Jack! Hey! What are you doing here?" A girl's voice asked as she hiked up the mountain. Jack quickly pocketed the letter and walked away from the edge.
"Er...nothing Ann! Just...just looking at the view..." He said, smiling nervously. Ann tilted her head in confusion but turned around.
"Ah...I see...well, I just came here for the fresh air...but I didn't expect you to be here as well..." She said looking at him over her shoulder.
"Heh, well...either way, I'm heading down now..." Jack said, as he started to walk down the hill. He was instantly held back by Ann.
"You're no fun! It's spring time! Come on, surly you can spend some time for fun right?" She said to him, smiling. Jack loved that smile. The smile of care, hospitality, and friendship. If he had the chance, he would just gaze at that smile all day.
"Well...I guess it wouldn't hurt..." He said, smiling back.
"Great! Come on!" She said, pulling on his arm.
[Damn...looks like today won't be the day...] He thought, looking back at his pocket where he pocketed he letter.
Chapter 1: Jack's Secret
It was late and Jack just came home from the Inn after bringing Ann home. He took off his cap and threw it on the kitchen table and sat down with a couple of rice balls in front of him. He casually picked one up and held it up.
"Cheers...to a less than perfect life..." He said, taking a bit out of the rice ball. [Yeah...that's me...Jack. And this is my farm...well, me grandpa's farm at least. I came here about a year ago and so far, I'd have to say that I'm doing pretty well for myself...I've won a couple of festivals and I'll pretty well known to the villagers. All seems good right? Well...there's a problem...in my opinion...I'm not the luckiest penny on the ground...] He thought, suddenly spitting out the food that was in his mouth.
"Good lord that tastes nasty!" He said, drinking down a glass of water. He walked over to his kitchen and looked at the items he used to make the rice balls. A sweat drop appeared on his head and he picked up an empty bottle of vinegar. "...good lord..." [See what I mean? I'm not that great when it comes to luck...and it seems that I do the stupidest stuff when I'm around other people or around the girls....like that one time back in the winter time at the Inn...] He thought back.
~Flash Back~
"Come on Jack! Drink up!" Cliff said, encouraging him. Jack, Gray, Cliff, Rick, and the girls were all sitting around the table. This year, they decided to celebrate the starry night festival together and have a party at the Inn.
"Er...I'm good Cliff...." Jack said to him.
"O come now Jack....surely three...four...five drinks won't hurt right?" Karen said as she leaded against him, drawing circles on his chest with her finger.
"No thanks Karen...as much as possible; I don't want to drink under the table..." He kindly said to her.
"Yeah...but for you...they're can hurt all of us..." Elli said to her playfully.
"Not to mention that I'm pay for most of the drinks..." Ann sadly said, as he severed out the drinks. They all laughed together as they continued to drink. Jack looked back at Karen, who was still leaning on him and then back at Ann.
"Whatcha staring at Jack?" Karen asked, pulling herself closer to him. He quickly turned around and smiled her Karen.
"Er...it's nothing!" He quickly said.
"Heh...I see...but eh, I really don't care..." She said to him. Jack raised an eye brow at her.
"Don't care about what?" He asked as her. Karen winked at him and looked over at Ann.
"Don't mind me...I really don't care if you're IN LOVE with Ann or anything..." She practically blurted out. All the guys suddenly put down their drinks and the girl started to lean towards Jack.
"Wha-What did you say?" Jack said to them, trying to make them back up. He started to push his chair backwards but then he accidentally backed up into Ann, making her spill the entire tray of alcohol on her.
"Ack! Jack!" She yelled at him.
"O my god! I'm soooo sorry!" He said, reaching into his pocket for a handkerchief.
"Erg...it's all right Jack...not your fault..." She said, wiping herself with her hands. Ann knelt down and started to pick up the tray and the bottles as Jack continued to look for his handkerchief.
"Hey Jack! What time is it?" Cliff asked, secretly setting him up.
"Huh? O, it's um..." He said, looking at his watch.
"Kyahh! Jack you nut!" Ann screamed. He looked down and noticed that he was spilling his drink on her head.
"O man! I'm soooo story!" He said immediately, straightening out his hand.
~End of Flash Back~
[Ok...I admit...that wasn't the greatest days ever...and it's days like these that I despise my luck. I think I'm the unluckiest guy I know...but then again, there are those days when I do get lucky...] He thought as he took another bite out of his rice ball. "Ack! ...gotta stop eating..."
~Flash Back~
Jack was sitting on his fence with Popuri by his side on his farm. It was a cool fall evening and he promised Popuri that he'll spend the whole day together with her. And so far, it's been a lovely day. First they went to the pier to watch the sunrise and then went over to the Inn for a bite to each. And all afternoon they spent the rest of the day up in mother hill, picking flowers and admiring nature at its best. The day was perfect and nothing went wrong. Jack gazed at Popuri who was to busy watching the sun set behind his house to notice.
[Could she be the one for me? She's nice...caring...and very active...and she's pretty cute when she smiles...] He thought, getting lost staring into her eyes.
"Jack? Jack? What are you doing?" She said, staring back at him.
"O geez! I was just! Um..." He said, turning away from her. Popuri leaned over to see he face better.
"What's wrong? You're nose bleeding or something?" She asked, trying to find a good angle to see his face.
"Popuri...have you ever felt like...you've found that certain someone in your life...but then aren't sure if he's the one?" Jack asked her. She was taken back by the answer and straightened up.
"Well...can't say that I haven't...I mean...it's not like have anyone in mind right now...why do you ask?" She said to him. Jack let out a sigh and then finally looked at her face to face. He smiled at her.
"O...just asking is all..." He said to her.
"O...I see..." She said in disappointment as she looked back at the ground. There was an awkward silence in the air.
[Geez...didn't expect an answer like that...] He thought when he felt the wind blow.
"Brrrrr....chilly isn't it..." She said, bundling herself up. Just then, Jack had an idea. Slowly, without making a sound, he raised his arm so that he could put his hand on her shoulder. He closed his eyes and let his hand drop. There was a sudden jolt, probably the reaction from Popuri and as he opened his eyes to look at her, he saw his dog, panting. A sweat drop appeared on is head as his dog licked his hand.
"I had a wonderful time today Jack! I'll see you around!" Popuri called as she left his farm.
~End of Flash Back~
[Yeah...and my love life stinks also. I don't have a girlfriend, nor know if the girls have a crush on me. In my mind, that's kinda pathetic! By know I thought there would be at least one girl that would show some kind of affection towards me! Man...I'm not sure who my heart belongs to. There's sweet Elli...and the cute Poprui...and then there's the kind at heart Ann...and the live wire Karen...I just don't know where I'm going! And it seems like I'm nothing but a friend to them... It's always, "God Jack, you're the greatest friend a girl can have!" or "Man Jack, I can always rely on you!" or "Get me another drink darling!" ...well, maybe that's from a drunk Karen...but still, no signs of affection. And I started to think, what's my purpose in life? Where am I supposed to do? Am I ever going to find true love? I tried to look at the positive things in my life. Things like "I'm supporting the whole village by being here" and "I'm helping out anyone that needs it" But then again, of all the trouble that I've cause because of my clumsiness and luck...all I ever do is get into trouble...I feel like I'm an nuisance to the village...and to the other people. Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if I weren't here...heh...better if you ask me... and probably more efficient with another farmer...I'm no one special... I can't even make these damn rice balls correctly!] He thought, throwing the rice balls into the trash.
Jack let out a sigh.
"Sometimes I wonder...." He said, taking out the letter from his pocket.
"...if the village would be better off without me..." He said, looking back at his last will.
End of Chapter 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well! That's it for chapter 1! So how did you like it? Hate it? Love it? Rate it! Read, review plz so I know that you guys want to read more!
The Appearance of a Normal Life
By: Belldandy'sKeiichi
Note: [any text in here is a thought text]
Author's Time: Ok...one more Harvest Moon story before I go back to writing Love Hina stories. Anywho! Hope you have fun reading this as much as I had fun typing it all up. And who knows...you might just learn something about me...
Setting: O...BTN settings I guess...
Disclaimer: You know the drill, I don't own Harvest Moon...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jack stood at the peek of Mother Hill looking out at the small village he called home. He let out a sigh and looked back at the letter that was in his hand. "Do really want to go through this..." He said to himself looking back at the village. He then looked down at the mountain slope and took another step forward. "I would say about a good ten meter drop...twenty maybe...I think that'll be enough to finish the job..." He said as he took another step forward. But before he could take another step off the mountain, a voice called and he immediately turned around.
"Jack! Hey! What are you doing here?" A girl's voice asked as she hiked up the mountain. Jack quickly pocketed the letter and walked away from the edge.
"Er...nothing Ann! Just...just looking at the view..." He said, smiling nervously. Ann tilted her head in confusion but turned around.
"Ah...I see...well, I just came here for the fresh air...but I didn't expect you to be here as well..." She said looking at him over her shoulder.
"Heh, well...either way, I'm heading down now..." Jack said, as he started to walk down the hill. He was instantly held back by Ann.
"You're no fun! It's spring time! Come on, surly you can spend some time for fun right?" She said to him, smiling. Jack loved that smile. The smile of care, hospitality, and friendship. If he had the chance, he would just gaze at that smile all day.
"Well...I guess it wouldn't hurt..." He said, smiling back.
"Great! Come on!" She said, pulling on his arm.
[Damn...looks like today won't be the day...] He thought, looking back at his pocket where he pocketed he letter.
Chapter 1: Jack's Secret
It was late and Jack just came home from the Inn after bringing Ann home. He took off his cap and threw it on the kitchen table and sat down with a couple of rice balls in front of him. He casually picked one up and held it up.
"Cheers...to a less than perfect life..." He said, taking a bit out of the rice ball. [Yeah...that's me...Jack. And this is my farm...well, me grandpa's farm at least. I came here about a year ago and so far, I'd have to say that I'm doing pretty well for myself...I've won a couple of festivals and I'll pretty well known to the villagers. All seems good right? Well...there's a problem...in my opinion...I'm not the luckiest penny on the ground...] He thought, suddenly spitting out the food that was in his mouth.
"Good lord that tastes nasty!" He said, drinking down a glass of water. He walked over to his kitchen and looked at the items he used to make the rice balls. A sweat drop appeared on his head and he picked up an empty bottle of vinegar. "...good lord..." [See what I mean? I'm not that great when it comes to luck...and it seems that I do the stupidest stuff when I'm around other people or around the girls....like that one time back in the winter time at the Inn...] He thought back.
~Flash Back~
"Come on Jack! Drink up!" Cliff said, encouraging him. Jack, Gray, Cliff, Rick, and the girls were all sitting around the table. This year, they decided to celebrate the starry night festival together and have a party at the Inn.
"Er...I'm good Cliff...." Jack said to him.
"O come now Jack....surely three...four...five drinks won't hurt right?" Karen said as she leaded against him, drawing circles on his chest with her finger.
"No thanks Karen...as much as possible; I don't want to drink under the table..." He kindly said to her.
"Yeah...but for you...they're can hurt all of us..." Elli said to her playfully.
"Not to mention that I'm pay for most of the drinks..." Ann sadly said, as he severed out the drinks. They all laughed together as they continued to drink. Jack looked back at Karen, who was still leaning on him and then back at Ann.
"Whatcha staring at Jack?" Karen asked, pulling herself closer to him. He quickly turned around and smiled her Karen.
"Er...it's nothing!" He quickly said.
"Heh...I see...but eh, I really don't care..." She said to him. Jack raised an eye brow at her.
"Don't care about what?" He asked as her. Karen winked at him and looked over at Ann.
"Don't mind me...I really don't care if you're IN LOVE with Ann or anything..." She practically blurted out. All the guys suddenly put down their drinks and the girl started to lean towards Jack.
"Wha-What did you say?" Jack said to them, trying to make them back up. He started to push his chair backwards but then he accidentally backed up into Ann, making her spill the entire tray of alcohol on her.
"Ack! Jack!" She yelled at him.
"O my god! I'm soooo sorry!" He said, reaching into his pocket for a handkerchief.
"Erg...it's all right Jack...not your fault..." She said, wiping herself with her hands. Ann knelt down and started to pick up the tray and the bottles as Jack continued to look for his handkerchief.
"Hey Jack! What time is it?" Cliff asked, secretly setting him up.
"Huh? O, it's um..." He said, looking at his watch.
"Kyahh! Jack you nut!" Ann screamed. He looked down and noticed that he was spilling his drink on her head.
"O man! I'm soooo story!" He said immediately, straightening out his hand.
~End of Flash Back~
[Ok...I admit...that wasn't the greatest days ever...and it's days like these that I despise my luck. I think I'm the unluckiest guy I know...but then again, there are those days when I do get lucky...] He thought as he took another bite out of his rice ball. "Ack! ...gotta stop eating..."
~Flash Back~
Jack was sitting on his fence with Popuri by his side on his farm. It was a cool fall evening and he promised Popuri that he'll spend the whole day together with her. And so far, it's been a lovely day. First they went to the pier to watch the sunrise and then went over to the Inn for a bite to each. And all afternoon they spent the rest of the day up in mother hill, picking flowers and admiring nature at its best. The day was perfect and nothing went wrong. Jack gazed at Popuri who was to busy watching the sun set behind his house to notice.
[Could she be the one for me? She's nice...caring...and very active...and she's pretty cute when she smiles...] He thought, getting lost staring into her eyes.
"Jack? Jack? What are you doing?" She said, staring back at him.
"O geez! I was just! Um..." He said, turning away from her. Popuri leaned over to see he face better.
"What's wrong? You're nose bleeding or something?" She asked, trying to find a good angle to see his face.
"Popuri...have you ever felt like...you've found that certain someone in your life...but then aren't sure if he's the one?" Jack asked her. She was taken back by the answer and straightened up.
"Well...can't say that I haven't...I mean...it's not like have anyone in mind right now...why do you ask?" She said to him. Jack let out a sigh and then finally looked at her face to face. He smiled at her.
"O...just asking is all..." He said to her.
"O...I see..." She said in disappointment as she looked back at the ground. There was an awkward silence in the air.
[Geez...didn't expect an answer like that...] He thought when he felt the wind blow.
"Brrrrr....chilly isn't it..." She said, bundling herself up. Just then, Jack had an idea. Slowly, without making a sound, he raised his arm so that he could put his hand on her shoulder. He closed his eyes and let his hand drop. There was a sudden jolt, probably the reaction from Popuri and as he opened his eyes to look at her, he saw his dog, panting. A sweat drop appeared on is head as his dog licked his hand.
"I had a wonderful time today Jack! I'll see you around!" Popuri called as she left his farm.
~End of Flash Back~
[Yeah...and my love life stinks also. I don't have a girlfriend, nor know if the girls have a crush on me. In my mind, that's kinda pathetic! By know I thought there would be at least one girl that would show some kind of affection towards me! Man...I'm not sure who my heart belongs to. There's sweet Elli...and the cute Poprui...and then there's the kind at heart Ann...and the live wire Karen...I just don't know where I'm going! And it seems like I'm nothing but a friend to them... It's always, "God Jack, you're the greatest friend a girl can have!" or "Man Jack, I can always rely on you!" or "Get me another drink darling!" ...well, maybe that's from a drunk Karen...but still, no signs of affection. And I started to think, what's my purpose in life? Where am I supposed to do? Am I ever going to find true love? I tried to look at the positive things in my life. Things like "I'm supporting the whole village by being here" and "I'm helping out anyone that needs it" But then again, of all the trouble that I've cause because of my clumsiness and luck...all I ever do is get into trouble...I feel like I'm an nuisance to the village...and to the other people. Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if I weren't here...heh...better if you ask me... and probably more efficient with another farmer...I'm no one special... I can't even make these damn rice balls correctly!] He thought, throwing the rice balls into the trash.
Jack let out a sigh.
"Sometimes I wonder...." He said, taking out the letter from his pocket.
"...if the village would be better off without me..." He said, looking back at his last will.
End of Chapter 1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well! That's it for chapter 1! So how did you like it? Hate it? Love it? Rate it! Read, review plz so I know that you guys want to read more!