Hello! This is the very last chapter for this story, I hope you have enjoyed it. I would like to say thank you to all those who have reviewed, the reviews were, and still are, greatly appreciated.

Disclaimer: Of course, I do not own Harvest Moon. I only own the original characters and my plot. That is all.

….

Going Away

Andrew looked down lovingly at the sleeping form of Matt, who was curled up beneath the blankets. He glanced at the peaceful face lying on the pillow, half obscured by jet-black hair.

The old farmer sighed. It's tough, having to give you up, you know? But it is essential for your future. I wouldn't want you to have a bleak future just because of me. Groaning softly, he wrenched his gaze from the sleeping boy to the cuckoo clock in the living room. It read four thirty in the morning. Too early. I'll tell him when he wakes up, Andrew decided. Yawning, he lay back in bed, a telegram clutched in his fist.

….

Matt woke up as usual, listening to the joyful chirrup of birds and other farm animals. Rubbing his eyes sleepily, he turned around to see Andrew snoring softly beside him. Just then, Andrew shifted his position to a more comfortable spot. Hearing the soft scrunching of paper, Matt scoured the bed to find a piece of paper wedged firmly in the farmer's hand. Try as he might, he could not pull it out and contented himself with shaking the man awake.

"What?" Andrew said, rolling to the side of the bed. "Okay, okay, I'm up already. Why don't you change while I prepare some breakfast for the both of us?" Matt nodded happily. With a huge grin plastered on his face, he traipsed off to the bathroom with a towel and a change of clothes.

Andrew watched the boy wistfully. Soon the source of long-lost joy and happiness will be gone, far away to the heart of the city, perhaps never to return here except for short visits, like what his own son had done. Sighing heavily, he got out of bed, folded the blankets neatly and went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

A delicious smell of baked corn greeted Matt as he emerged from the bathroom, his hair still dripping wet. He sniffed the odours circulating around the house with pleasure.

"Are we having baked corn today, Uncle Andrew?" he enquired eagerly as he took his seat at the table.

"Yes," Andrew replied gruffly. Matt frowned. It wasn't like him to answer in such a tone.

"Is anything wrong, Uncle Andrew?"

The person mentioned shifted his gaze uneasily from the inquisitive boy. "Eat your breakfast, lad. It will be cold soon," he muttered as he pushed a plate of baked corn towards Matt.

Still Matt stared at him. The normal cheery look Andrew wore was gone today. So was the merry twinkle in his eyes. His mouth was twisted into a frown. Matt suspected something serious. The two ate the baked corn in total silence. Andrew seemed to eat his without really tasting it.

After a very gloomy breakfast, Andrew rose to clear the table. Matt got up to go out and play but he was stopped by the farmer.

"Stay there Matt," he said softly. "There is something I need to tell you." Puzzled, Matt complied. Andrew washed the plates quickly and sat down on the chair opposing Matt's.

"There's something you need to know," he muttered, not taking his eyes off the table. He took a deep breath and started. "My son and his wife had decided to allow you to live with them in the city." Matt nodded to show that he understood.

"Not only that, but since enrollment into a school there requires them to sign papers as your parents or guardians, they…they adopted you as their own son," he said heavily. Matt's eyes widened.

"Um…I'm sorry Uncle Andrew, but what does it matter if they adopted me?" Matt asked politely.

"They will have custody of you legally. You may consider them your surrogate parents."

"So that means…." Matt said slowly, "you're my grandfather now?"

Andrew nodded, unable to conceal the hint of pride and happiness on his face.

Matt smiled widely. "Grandfather," he whispered. He liked that word. He had been itching to call Andrew that since the man took him here to Mineral Town, since he felt at home. Finally, his wish had come true.

Andrew turned away from the boy. His eyes were slightly wet. He had wished and wished for a grandchild, and now he had one. It was one of the happiest moments in his life. "Grandson," he muttered.

"Anyway, you will have to go to school. And because of that …you have to leave Mineral Town," Andrew said. He watched the boy's reaction carefully.

Matt didn't know what he wanted to do. Mixed feelings coursed through his body, leaving him in confusion. Happiness at finally having a good family, or at least he hoped so, and a great sorrow at having to leave this town that he had grown to love. He had a sudden urge to say that he didn't want to go, he wanted to stay here with Andrew and his newfound friends.

As if reading the boy's thoughts, Andrew spoke up. "It's for your own good, son. You can have a bright future ahead of you. Don't ruin your only chance just because you want to remain with this old man." Matt started to protest but Andrew held up his hand, signaling Matt to halt. He then continued his speech.

"You can always see the folks of Mineral Town when you grow up with a promising career. The villagers will welcome you with open arms," he said proudly as he stroked his beard, which was rapidly growing white.

Matt slumped into his chair, all the fight gone out of him. He knew that he was fighting a losing battle. He sighed, resigning himself to his fate. They had to take him away just when he began to fit in happily in a new home.

"When do I have to leave?" he asked instead, trying very hard to stop tears from falling down his cheeks.

"This afternoon. You will reach the city by nightfall. Your dad - my son that is – will be waiting at the dock with his wife."

"I guess I'll have to pack then."

Andrew shook his head. "No, I will do it. Why don't you run off and say your goodbyes to those friends of yours? I'm sure they want to see you again before you leave."

Nodding his head, Matt slipped off his chair and pulled the handle of the great oak door inwards. The door swung open to allow him exit. Instead of going to visit his friends, he ran in the direction of the Goddess Pond, where he sat near the water's edge. He poked a finger into the water, watching the ripples thoughtfully.

"Hey Matt," a sift voice chided behind him. Popuri sat down beside him, gathering her skirt up before doing so. Ann came up next, skipping up the steps in a very un-girlish way. Well, that's Ann for you. Always pretending to be a boy.

"We've heard," Ann said, placing a gentle hand on Matt's shoulder. He picked up a stone and plopped it into the water. The crystal clear water was distorted for a moment before returning to its former splendour.

"I'm sorry Matt." That was Popuri. She had a sad smile on her face as she crouched near him and twirled the water with a stick.

"I suppose I won't be seeing you for a few years then," Karen's melodious voice floated over from the bottom of the stairs that were carved into the ground. "I'll miss you. Especially this little bird here," she teased as she stroked the rich plume of a very familiar looking bird with a blue crest. Matt smiled as she stretched out his finger towards it, inviting it to come down. With a happy chirrup, it complied and soared down, landing gracefully onto his finger. Matt grinned and started stroking its back. It crooned in satisfaction.

"Sometimes I can't see the difference between this bird and a cat," Matt joked. "Look at the way it is brushing against my hand! I thought only cats do that." He then sobered up, staring at the waterfall, the water cascading down in gallons per second, releasing a tremendous roar and rumble in the process.

"I'll miss you all," he blurted suddenly, startling the girls. "You five girls are the only friends I ever had."

Ann wore a look of sorrow as she placed an arm across his shoulders. Popuri patted his back gently while the bird had climbed up to his shoulder and was now pecking affectionately at his ear. Karen simply stared at him, an I-don't-care-ish look pasted on her face.

"I suppose…." She grumbled, seeing that no one was paying the slightest attention to her.

Popuri stood up then rummaged about in her pockets, searching for something. "Where is it?" she muttered. Her eyes brightened as her fingers brushed against what she was looking for. "Ah yes, here it is…."

She pulled it out of her voluminous skirt pocket. Matt stared at the item in her hand. It was a locket in the shape of a small golden egg.

"What's this?" he asked dubiously. If she was trying to cheer him up, she was doing a very bad job of it.

Popuri giggled. "It's a lucky charm, silly. Wear it on your necklace at all times. It should bring you luck. It is mine, but I'll give it to you as a parting gift."

Matt smiled gratefully. "Thanks a lot Popuri. I'll cherish it, always." He slipped it onto his necklace and clicked the clasp into place. "There." The golden egg and the birthday locket hung side by side on the pink chain.

Karen stood up and brushed her shorts. "Why don't we go to the farm? If Uncle Andrew is packing your stuff, he won't have enough time to tend to his farm before dusk approaches."

He inclined his head in agreement. "Yeah, I guess we could go help Grandfather." Perplexed at the shocked looks the girls gave him, she popped a question.

"What's wrong? Did my tongue slip?"

Ann shook her head slowly, still dazed. "N-No, but did I hear right? Did you call Uncle Andrew Grandfather?" At Matt's nod, she sat down onto the ground again with a flop, breathless.

"So that means…." Karen trailed off, her eyes wide. Matt nodded yet again. "Oh."

"Oh what Karen?" Popuri, as dense as ever, asked innocently. Karen turned around to stare at the pink-haired girl.

"Can't you make head or tail of this?" she asked exasperatedly. Popuri shook her head. Karen sighed before launching her explanation. "What do you call your mom's father?"

"I don't know," Popuri muttered, frowning. "I've never seen him."

"Fine. Your dad's father then?"

Popuri was taken aback. The abrupt mention of her father left her in utter shock. "D-Dad?" she stammered. Tears started to fill her eyes. Turning away, she sighed. "I don't know. You do know that my dad travels a lot, don't you? I've never seen his father either," she sniffed.

The blonde was shocked, realizing that she had touched a nerve. "I'm sorry, Popuri!" she wailed. "I forgot."

"It's okay," Popuri mumbled. "You still haven't told me the reason you two freaked out though," she added, brightening up instantly. Matt shuddered. Her sudden change in moods can be very unnerving.

Karen sighed. "Matt called Uncle Andrew Grandfather, Popuri. What do you think that means?"

"Um…nothing special."

"No! The only reason you call a person Grandfather is that he's related to you," Karen expressed each word with care.

Popuri's eyes grew wide. "So you mean…Uncle Andrew is…."

Ann and Karen awaited her understanding impatiently.

"So that must mean that Uncle Andrew is Matt's cousin!" she exclaimed happily. Her two girlfriends sweatdropped at her answer. Both shook their heads sadly, wondering how they had managed to withstand her for five years without going insane.

"No, no, no! Uncle Andrew is now Matt's grandfather, so that could only mean that his son had adopted Matt!" Ann screamed in frustration. Popuri wasted no time in plugging her ears with her hands. When the vibrating scream faded away, she released the tight clamp on her ears with a sigh.

""His son? Adopted?" Popuri asked innocently, blinking her eyelashes. Groaning, Karen fell onto the ground softly, cushioned by the lush grass.

"Forget it. You coming or not?" she snapped. Popuri started and nodded, watching the blonde warily. "Come on then."

Together, the four children descended the stairs and headed off to the farm. True enough, the ripe harvest remained unpicked on the plants. Matt could distinctly hear the cattle mooing hungrily for their daily supply of hay. The chickens were all right because they had been let out to roam freely about the farm and to find their own food.

Matt approached the door with growing dread. He could not bear the sight of his belongings standing in the middle of the hall, ready for travel. Andrew's voice issued from the bedroom.

"Back already Matt? Eat the lunch I have prepared for you on the table then we must go to the pier to await the ship."

Matt's shoulders slumped as he sat down on the very same seat he sat on earlier. It was then that he remembered the three awkward looking girls, standing near the door.

"We have company Grandfather!" he hollered. Not long after, Andrew's ruffled head poked out of the door to the bedroom.

"Why, so we have," he exclaimed, surprised. "Sit, girls. I will prepare some fried rice for you."

"Thank you Uncle Andrew!" they chorused as they took their places around the table. Not long after, a huge pile of steaming fried rice sat in the middle of the table. Andrew divided it into four equal portions, since Matt already had his share. After a very subdued meal, Andrew accompanied Matt to the dock, where a majestic ship was, awaiting the moment of departure.

The old farmer gave Matt a gentle push. "Go on, lad," he whispered encouragingly. Matt gulped before taking a step forwards. His luggage was carried by Zack and a man whose name Matt didn't know, except that he loves photography.

In no time at all, Matt was aboard the ship, waving madly at the villagers he was leaving behind. Matt slid down the side of the ship as soon as they were out of sight, sobbing hysterically. Popuri…Ann…Mary…Karen…Elli…all of their images coursed through his mind. Although they do not share the same parents, Matt knew, deep inside, that they were all a family, one that he was a part of…a part of his true family.

….

…How was it? I hope it's good, I want to leave a good impression on you readers. Okay, now back to announcements.

Announcement 1:

Special thanks to….

Dark Nemesis 7

rosebabykiss

DarklightZERO

Tiger-Cub684

Ksim3000

anominus

StarrNight

For using up some of their precious time to send a review to me concerning this lousy story.

Announcement 2:

I've decided to take a poll: to write a sequel or to stop the story altogether. For those who want a sequel, send in a review with the word 'sequel'. As for those who wish for this boring story to end, type 'no sequel' in your review and send it to me. I will check up on this at the end of this month. This will give you all ample time to consider your answer. If you're wondering why I am stretching the deadline so far, it's because I have a lot of assignments to complete so I will not be able to write a sequel to this story before I hand them in anyway.

Bye you readers, I hope you enjoyed my humble story!