Despite having been here for a week now, I was still waking up bright and early. However, I didn't quite mind it at this point. Productivity on the farm was increasing and I really didn't want to see a lack of success now, so early mornings must continue.
When I awoke, it wasn't to the typical birds I had so far come to know. Instead, a loud, incessant pattering replaced them.
"That must be the rain. Either it rains a lot heavier here, or," I said and stopped myself short, realizing that wouldn't make any sense. The real culpirt of the pattering was the tin roof, I soon concluded.
"Hey, at least I don't have to water those parnsips, then," I said as I stepped outside, wearing my dark blue jacket.
My farm was picking up. I had cleared out a majority of the debris, leaving behind only the rocks and stumps I had deemed too strong for my tools so far. Those and the weird purple rock yet stood in my farm. I had already had my first harvest of parsnips. I would call it a success, but considering all I did was pour some water on some dirt for four days, it wasn't what one might call rewarding. Still, I was finally making some money, even if parsnips weren't that lucrative. In addition to the debris and parsnips, a man, Demetrius, had visited me a couple days ago. He agreed to set up my cave with either fruit bats or mushrooms, and, because bats terrify me, I chose mushrooms. Mushrooms don't terrify me, for the most part. Now that I was thinking of that cave, I decided I may as well check it out.
"So, do I just, like..." I was kind of confused. There were definitely mushrooms in these things. I reached in and pulled a brown mushroom out. Despite it just being a mushroom, I still felt a little disgusted.
"If I'm grossed out by a mushroom, maybe I'm not really cut out for this," I said and chuckled a bit. In all seriousness, I definitely preferred spending time in town, talking to all the interesting people, than spending time laboring over my farm. So, I decided I'd spend the rest of my day off in town.
This was my first time seeing the town in the rain, and I had to admit, I preferred it in this weather. I took a bit more time looking through town today, as the rain almost gave the town a new feel. The puddles splashing with each step and the dark clouds shrouding the land in mild darkness, the whole atmosphere really complemented the look of the buildings. Even the people seemed darker than usual. Wait, no, that was just a guy with dark hair wearing all black. I guess I hadn't met him yet.
"Hey, I, don't think we've met yet, I'm the new farmer, (m/n)." I said as he got closer to me. This greeting felt robotic at this point.
"Oh. Hey. I'm Sebastian."
"Well, Sebastian, what brings you out in the rain."
"Just looking for frogs." He said with a light smile.
"Oh, haha, nice."
"Well, I'll see you around." He said and walked off. Despite his immediate appearance, he was pretty nice.
"I wonder if Sam works today." I said to myself. I had actually seen and talked to Sam a couple times since our first encounter. As it turns out, he plays guitar in a band, and his Dad is out fighting the Gotoro Empire. He hates his job at Jojamart and we listen to the same music. He doesn't actually do anything to his hair, it somehow stays like that all on its own. He has the biggest room in his house. He appreciates and loves his mom, but she gets on his nerves sometimes so he doesn't spend too much time with her. He loves to skateboard. There are plenty of other things I could say that he told me, he was just too interesting.
While I dreamed...er, thought about Sam, I made my way to the Jojamart. I had actually grown desensitized to the place despite my dramatic reaction to it earlier, and so I walked in.
"Greetings valued custo-" I angirly glanced toward Morris, the corporate crony manager trying to turn the town into a Joja puppet. "mer..." He returned my glare.
"You know, sir, we have a strict 'no loitering' policy instated here." He said, each word more poignant and scathing than the last.
"Oh, no worries, I'm just browsing." I said politely and passive-aggressively, not batting an eyelash or giving him the courtesy to look at him while I spoke. I had absolutely no respect for him.
Of course, I was not there to shop. I was there to see Sam. Usually, he was in the back "working", so that's where I went. Fortunately, there he was, mopping the same spot over and over again, paying much more attention to his music. Nice.
"Hey, Sam."
Nothing.
"Hey, Sam." Louder this time.
He jumped.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you."
"Haha, it's okay. What're you doing here?" He lifted one ear of his headphones and leaned on the mop. I was happy to know he was glad to see me.
"I, uh, came to see you." Now that I said that out loud, I realized it was kind of creepy.
"Well, I'm flattered," He said, and, if I wasn't mistaken, blushing a little at the same time.
"When does your shift end?" I knew the answer, I had memorized his schedule when he told me. Of course, I had timed my walk to get in when he was supposed to get off.
Sam checked his watch. "Right now, actually."
"Oh, cool."
"Let me just put my stuff away."
I waited for Sam and we walked toward the mountain lake. I hadn't spent too much time up there yet. Only to visit Robin once in a while. Sam took me across a couple bridges to a small island in the middle of the lake with a lone tree. We sat on either side of it, skipping rocks.
"So, why do you stay working at Jojamart?"
"Why do you farm? With Dad gone, I'm the breadwinner now."
"Point taken. Doesn't your mom work?"
"She does, but it's nice to have some extra cash for Vincent's sake. Plus, considering I have so much free time, I may as well try and do something to benefit the family, at least somewhat."
"Oh, that's thoughtful."
"Don't get me wrong, it's nowhere near my dream job. I'd give anything for something different, but it's really the only place to work around here."
"I know that feeling all too well. What is your dream job, then?"
"I'd love to be a musician. Like, professionally. I wanna tour across the country with my band. I wanna write songs about everything."
"Hey, me too! Does your band need a keyboard player?"
"Well, we could use another one, I guess. You want in?"
"Definitely! Who else plays?"
"Sebastian, but, and don't tell him I said this, he's not very good."
"Oh, haha. I met him earlier today. Seems like a nice guy."
"Yeah, he won't admit, but he's really a big softie."
We sat there a bit. We didn't say much, but it wasn't awkward. The rain had slowed down, becoming almost mist. It was cool and slightly windy. The perfect weather, Sam and I agreed. I learned Pierre's daughter, Abigail, played drums in the band.
"I don't think I've met her, yet."
"Ah, you guys'll get along great." Sam said this, but not in his usual, cheery tone. I could tell she was a sensitive topic.
"You good?"
"Yeah, totally."
"Alright."
We sat a bit longer. We didn't talk about Abigail anymore, but he told me a bit about Sebastian. Normally, I felt somewhat offended when people talked too long. I always felt like I had plenty of stuff to say. However, I couldn't manage to be upset with him. Listening to him talk was just too satisfying. Maybe it was time to finally admit to myself that Sam was pretty great. Of course, I hardly knew him. But all I did know of him was good. He reminded me of myself, and we related to each other well. I don't know how to describe it, hanging out with him just felt right.
And so we sat there, speaking little and understanding each other.