Harvest Moon: Magical Melody

Love Advice

After Jamie finally finished up with his morning chores, the reluctant couple entered his purple home. While Jamie ate his chestnut cake silently, the eager Lyla was desperate for any topic of conversation.

"So, how about that Harvest Chef competition? It was kinda a surprise how Katie came on top like that, huh? Carl must really be proud of her progress!" Lyla mentioned.

Jamie merely sat at his kitchen table and proceeded to chew his cake.

The curious gift shop owner nodded to herself.

"The Fall Horse Race festival was really exciting to watch! Who knew Doctor Alex could ride a horse with such skill? He looked really dashing in his white lab coat in one of the earlier races! And in that final race... you were really impressive out there! You blew past Kurt and Blue easily, but then it was practically a struggle between you and Gwen! It must've been upsetting when Gwen managed to pull away with the win at the end like that, but at leat the inn has a new Cool TV, now!"

The anti-social rancher stared at his cake for a brief moment before he slowly turned his head.

"Trying to change the subject isn't going to work. Neither is flattering me..." he uttered in a monotone voice.

Lyla shrugged. "I guess... despite everything that's been happening lately, you're still a little down about life, aren't you?" she answered sympathetically.

Again, Jamie stared at his cake once again. He then took a bite and chewed slowly. After finally swallowing his portion, he let out a big sigh.

"You know... there is such a thing as being too considerate..." he clearly uttered.

Lyla gazed at him curiously. Her usually smile widened out of flattery, but the rest of her body shook.

"I see. That's an interesting statement..." she answered.

Jamie took yet another bite and chewed slowly and carefully for a long time before swallowing.

"I admit that you remind me... of her... if only a little..." Jamie muttered.

The pink-haired beauty slowly took a few steps closer to Jamie.

"Her? You mean I actually remind you of the Harvest Goddess? That's sweet of you to say!" she answered in a thoroughly thankful tone.

Jamie nodded slowly. "Except... those yearnings of romance disrupt whatever respect you deserve. It's... disgusting... selfish... Things I've come to loathe." he admitted.

Lyla sighed. "You may actually have a point. I still look back on past moments here with a heavy heart, and if I recall correctly, you were actually much more considerate to me before."

Jamie turned his head and briefly glanced at Lyla with regret before continuing his cake.

At that moment, both of them recalled meeting in the Flower Festival and secretly lamented over the loss of the Harvest Goddess' former holiday.

Author's Note: Okay, what was planned to be yet another semi-long oneshot "evolved" into a short story with a bunch of really short chapters. Not only that, but what was originally supposed to be a simple romance story with a humorous conversation on Jamie's reluctance changed into the continuation of a former fanfic, "A Prelude To a Farmer's Romance". Yep, I wasn't intending to it in the beginning, but I'm showing what I consider Lyla's dark side. Heh, I guess I'll take this time to apologize to my in-game wife for doing this to her. ;)