Salty droplets flew down my face like summer rain, dripping onto the damp grass as I tried to regain my breath. Whilst everything was still relatively new to me, I had developed a particular order of doing things on the farm each day. The first task every morning was to take care of Birdie, the first and latest addition to the farm. A few days had passed since my new chicken was delivered to my farm by the owner of the animal husbandry stall in Westown, and so far things had mostly been going well. It had been two whole days since Birdie tried to run off and escape - a number I prayed would rise every morning I walked towards the tiny coop in the corner of the farm.

This morning, Birdie seemed happy to see me and hopped out of her nest when she saw the chicken feed I was preparing to hand out. Whilst Birdie was distracted eating the feed, the next task of the day was to gather up the eggs she had left overnight. For the first few mornings, Birdie left no eggs for me, I was worried I was doing something wrong even though I followed all the instructions in the care guide Uncle Frank had given me. I considered the possibility that perhaps she just hated me but to my relief, on the third day I entered the coop to find two eggs. I gifted Frank my first egg, whilst he wasn't short of chickens or the eggs that came from them I thought it would be a nice gesture to thank him for his help and encouragement. I really owed that man.

After that, I put them into my shipping bin to be shipped and sold for a fairly decent amount of money. Holding Birdie's egg in my hand this morning I wished for a kitchen more than ever so I could save an egg or two to be used to cook. I craved cheesy omelets or a cake made from their produce. I craved warm food that could be consumed in the comforts of my little shack. Although I took Lisette up on her offer and started eating with her at the local restaurant it was sometimes tiring making the trek to and from the restaurant to eat - not to mention eating out all the time was starting to burn a hole in my pocket. I could hear my father's voice in my head nagging at me. Wasting your money? Irresponsible. Careless. It wasn't my fault I didn't have a kitchen to cook food in or that the carpenter who could build me one lived in a town that was currently blocked off and inaccessible. It'd be stupid to withdraw from eating properly, especially since I needed the energy after completing my farming chores every morning.

Once I had taken care of Birdie, I would head off the corner of my farm that I had currently reserved to growing crops. I currently had a row of potato seeds growing and, thanks to Wayne's generosity, three pouches worth of strawberry seeds. Each morning I would stare at the plants, which were almost ready to be harvested, willing them to grow just that little more.

It took a great deal of energy to water all of the plants on my farm. It still hadn't gotten any easier, by the time I finished my chores at around 10:00 AM every day I was sore, hot and exhausted. I prayed my stamina would eventually increase as I became more used to my morning tasks. Even after taking care of Birdie and the crops I knew there was so much more on the farm that needed to be completed. The farm was flooded with rocks, boulders, stumps, branches, and weeds. It wasn't pretty but there was so much of it that it was hard knowing where to start. At its current rate, the thought of the farm being cleared of these things seemed impossible, especially as I sat on the steps of my shack during to regain my composure.

After completing my chores today I decided to trek into Westown to visit uncle Frank, get some lunch at the restaurant and look at what the market stalls had to offer today.

-

"I hope yer don't mind but I need to pop into the post office to send off a letter to yer old man," mentioned Uncle Frank as we approached Wayne's workplace. I felt my heart sink. I forgot that Frank would be informing my father of my progress. Would the letter contain praise and good things? If it didn't, then what? Would I be sent home?

"That's fine." I squeaked, "I'll wait for you outside." Frank ruffled my hair and headed into the post office. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a bench, I sat down and glanced around absentmindedly. Westown was bustling with life today. There were a lot of people buying things from the market stalls, many of them I assumed came from outside of town since I didn't recognise them.

"Wayne!" squealed a woman's voice desperately.

The sudden noise startled me, I turned my head towards the direction of the voice expecting something serious to be happening by the way she had cried out for Wayne. Just behind the post office, by the ramp leading to the restaurant and Lisette's shop, stood a crowd of women pushing and shoving each other whilst Wayne stood awkwardly in the middle. I recognised a few of the faces from the group of women who had run after Wayne a few days ago, but there were some women I hadn't see before. I guess his fan club was ever growing.

The group of females was bickering loudly, trying to barge each other out of the way in order to get the closest to Wayne as possible.
"Hey! You were linking arms with him earlier, right?! Give someone else a turn!" One of the girls retorted as she attempted to grab Wayne's arm.

Wayne chuckled quietly, "Ladies, ladies, please. There's no need to fight. Such anger will only ruin your beautiful faces." Wayne winked at them all and I felt myself cringe as the ground of women squealed in excitement. At that moment Uncle Frank came out from the post office and tapped me on my shoulder. "Something interestin' goin' on, Nami? You've got a funny look on your face." Frank's attention was quickly diverted to Wayne's fan club as they squealed his name in glee. I folded my arms, "No it's just that... Wayne seems rather popular this morning."

"... Oooh, that'd explain it." Frank wiped his brow and chuckled, "They're probably fans who came all this way just to see lover boy over there. This happens every so often, he's crazy popular with the ladies." He said matter of factly as if a hoard of women fighting over someone was a regular occurrence and not just something you'd see in a cartoon. I raised my eyebrow at him and nodded slowly, "I see. How interesting."

"I can get why, though. He's handsome an' has this refreshing aura about 'im. But most of all, he can talk the talk better than anyone else out there. It's no wonder the regulars at the post office are almost all women." I could see where Frank was coming from, whilst I wasn't as enchanted with Wayne as the crowd gathering around him from my exchanges with him he seemed like a kind and genuine person. He was always fully engaged when I spoke to him and would always ask about the farm.

"Now, if he were some kinda jerk, I'm sure some folks would be resentful, but... He's a good guy through an' through. And that's on top of being smart an' a hard worker." I nodded quietly in agreement. "Heck, if he were a lady, I'd be lookin' to make him my wife, m'self."
"Uncle Frank! You did not just say that!" I narrowed my eyes at him jokingly, "Perhaps you belong with that circle of ladies around him. You'd fit in nicely."
Frank raised both of his hands and let out a hearty laugh, "Hey now, don't take that seriously. I was just kiddin'." He winked, "Mostly." I rolled my eyes.

"Sorry, ladies, but it's about time for me to get back to work. These letters aren't going to deliver themselves, after all." Wayne said goodbye to them all as the crowd made way for him to leave. They waved and giggled as he walked away and made his way in Uncle Frank and I's direction.
"Well, if it isn't Nanami and Frank. Good to see ya!" Wayne smiled as he stood and readjusted his satchel, it must have been pulled whilst his adoring fans had been trying to grab him.
"Howdy, Wayne. Seems like the grass is as green as always on your side today, eh?" Frank smirked and nudged Wayne playfully. Wayne grinned and chucked, "Hahah, come on now. Don't start, Frank. Anyway, how've you been gettin' along with the townsfolk, Nanami?"

I contemplated for a moment what to say. For the most part, the residents had been some of the kindest and most welcoming people I had ever met. On the other hand, Ford, the doctor I had an uncomfortable encounter with a few days ago, seemed displeased at my attempts to great him as we crossed paths around town. He just reminded me that the clinic was currently closed and I should only visit if I need immediate medical attention. I don't think Ford likes me very much. "They've been ready me well, thanks! Everyone has been really kind to me."

"That's great! I expect as much, though. You're a really good person, after all." I felt heat go to my cheeks. I don't know why Wayne calling me a good person made me blush. I felt almost. Touched by the comment. "Everyone is probably trippin' over themselves to help you out, yeah? I'm rooting for ya. Well, I've got deliveries to make so I'll see you two later." Wayne glanced at his watch then hurried down the ramp.

"See? See?! It's almost annoyin' how good a guy he is!" I was convinced I saw Frank pout slightly when he finished grumbling. Frank sighed, "He's so handsome an' kind that occasionally a girl comes along who gets the wrong idea. It might not be apparent to us, but I'm sure he has his own problems he has to deal with."
"I guess there are pros and cons to being so popular-" At that moment I heard a loud shriek, I glanced around quickly to see where the noise is coming from.

"WAYNEEEEE, BABYYYYYYY!" The voice howled like a hungry animal. Speak of the devil. Instinctively I ran towards the direction of the noise, when I arrived at the bottom of the ramp I spotted Wayne cornered into a wall. There was a grey haired woman who seemed to be older than most of the girls who were surrounding Wayne just a few moments ago. She was holding a sparkling object up in her hands. It was an engagement ring. A very pretty and expensive looking one. "Wayne, my darling! Today's the day you're going to accept this ring!"

At that moment I saw some of the colour drain from Wayne's face, he backed away slightly then glanced around realising he had nowhere to go. "N-Now, now. Uh, now, maybe, you should take a second too, uh, to calm down? Think things through?" He stuttered.

"NO WAY. YOU'RE GOING TO ACCEPT ALL OF MY PASSIONATE FEELINGS RIGHT NOW." She screamed. I glanced at Frank but he was too distracted by the chaos that was going on. Poor Wayne. This was one difficult lady.

Wayne was flustered, it was almost as if you could see the cogs turning in his head trying to think of something to say. "Uhh... I'm real flattered an' all, but... Do we know each other? I don't often forget the face of my customers." Even in his moment of peril, he managed to wink. It really wasn't like Wayne to forget a face. Whenever I overheard his conversations with other females he seemed to know everyone's names. Was this just a crazed admirer from afar?

"Oh, you kidder~" She slapped him lightly, "I talk to you every day, silly!"
Her eyes suddenly changed, "In my head."

And that's how Wayne died.

Sorry. I'm just kidding, Wayne didn't actually get murdered by a crazed admirer. He definitely at that moment looked like he wanted someone to kill him though!

Frank chuckled awkwardly, "Guess I spoke too soon. Looks like Wayne's in a bit of a pinch, there."

I mumbled quickly, "I need to do something." I ran down the ramp towards the commotion, behind me I heard Frank shouting at me to wait but I couldn't just stand there. Sure Wayne could be quite the flirt and it was no surprise that a lot of women were crazy for him but he didn't seem malicious and definitely didn't deserve to be left to deal with this situation alone. What if he had no other choice but to accept this woman's proposal?

"Hey!" I raised my voice once I was behind the woman to get her attention, "Leave him alone!"
She jumped slightly and almost dropped the ring she was holding above her head. "W-Who are you? W-Where'd you come from?"

I gestured for her to lower the ring, "He's never met you and you have him trapped against a wall. That's not fair."

The woman hissed and shoved me back wards with one of her hands. "Shut up, you! I'm in the middle of a very important conversation, so scram!" She went to lift one of her hands up in a threatening gesture but I stood my ground. Whilst her back was turned to Wayne he took the opportunity to quickly walk forwards and take the woman's hand. "I'm sorry, miss. Mysterious women are certainly attractive to me, but... I'm afraid I can't be your husband." He spoke gently.

"W-Wha?" The woman seemed confused. Surely she didn't expect him to say yes and for them to live happily together. Even though some of the customs of Westown were different to what I was used to I was pretty sure this wasn't something normal around these parts.
"But don't fret... Our relationship's only just begun." He smiled. I felt my heart drop, for some reason I didn't know whether to be shocked or... Disappointed? No, stop it Nami. "Next time you see me, I want ya to talk to me directly. Y'know... Instead of just watchin' from afar." Ah, that's what he meant. I felt foolish for even thinking he meant something different.

The woman's face lit up and she nodded eagerly. "Oh, I will! I don't want my Wayne baby to feel lonely!"
"All right, then. Until we meet again, my dear." Smooth. The woman skipped off happily and left without forcing Wayne to accept her proposal or murdering him.

Wayne wiped his brow. "I'm sorry ya had to get involved in that, Nanami. But I'm happy you came to my rescue. Thanks for that."
"No problem..." I was distracted staring at the woman who was skipping off in the distance. She stopped to talk to a familiar looking woman who was watching me annoyed. It was the same woman from the other day...

Frank ran over and squeezed my shoulder, "Man, you really surprised me when ya ran off like that, Nanami. And Wayne! That was incredible! That lady was satisfied with what you had to say an' left without a fuss."

"Well, my grandpa always stressed about how important it is to be kind to women. He said all women were beautiful, and that all us men should treat 'em right. Besides, what kind of man would I be if I made a woman cry."

I could see where Wayne must have got his charm from, I bet his grandfather was just like him. Wayne was just a gentleman who was always nice to people, I don't think he would ever hurt a woman.

I glanced behind myself, the woman from a few moments ago was gone. I glanced back at Wayne and Frank and spoke, "Well I'm glad I don't have to hurry around to buy a wedding outfit so soon. I need to get back to my farm now, I'll see you both later."

Wayne smiled, "You'll have to come by the restaurant later. I need to buy you a meal as thanks for helping me."
I was slightly taken aback by the gesture, I felt like a shy child all of a sudden. "I'd like that a lot." I rushed off quickly back towards the farm as I felt my cheeks redden. I wish I wasn't so pale, then these things wouldn't be so obvious. I didn't know why I was acting like this. I wish my expressions could always be inscrutable. I wanted to be the cat gazing coolly down from a wall.

-

As I was reaching the crossroads, I saw the angry looking woman from earlier walk from the direction of my farm. I tensed as she walked by yet continued walking to the farm unsuspectingly. It was only when I reached the entrance of my farm that I became suspicious of why she was around here. At first, I assumed she was walking from one of the other towns but... The entrances of the other towns were inaccessible, the only entrances at the crossroads you could reach were the entrance to Westown and my farm. I sprinted onto the farm, unsure what to expect but still expecting to see something. That woman had no other reason to be here. I reached my shack first.

A note was pinned to the door.

A shiver ran through my spine like a bolt of electricity.

I walked towards the door hesitantly and unpinned the note. My hands began to shake instinctively and all I could see was red writing. Who writes a note in red ink?

I steadied my hands and read through the note carefully.

'Back off.
Or else.
Next time I'll damage all of your crops.'

I can feel my pulse pounding in my temples. I was confused. I haven't done anything wrong. Who do I need to back away from? Wayne? We've only talked, we're just acquaintances. I'm not even competition.

Suddenly my eyes were diverted to the last line of the note: 'Next time I'll damage all of your crops.'

I dropped the note and immediately ran to the patch of crops of plants I had been carefully nurturing and taking care of since I'd gotten them.

Two rows of strawberries that were a couple of days away from being fully grown had been pulled out of the ground, thrown to the side and squashed.

I dropped to my knees and cried out, all that hard work had been wasted.

Author's Note: I finally got around to looking at some of the reviews I've gotten on this story! I'm sorry to the people that left some that it's taken me so long to respond to them - I didn't realise I had any! In this future I'll respond to any reviews in this little second at the end of each chapter.

KandiBOXX: Thank you do much for your comment! I'm hoping to introduce some new in-game characters soon so hopefully my representation of them will be okay! How are you finding the game? I'm enjoying it a lot more than the first Story of Seasons, the town(s) seem more alive and I love the characters.

PokeFarmer: Hi there! Thank you for pointing out my typo, I'll be sure to change it since Daryl definitely wouldn't be cheering :') I'm glad you're enjoying the story, thank you for your comment!