A/N: So I have a little story. When I started this particular fanfic, I was pretty happy where I was in life. I don't exactly remember it but I know I had things pretty good. I was in love, I didn't stress much with school or home life, things were going good. But like most good times, it ended. I split with my boyfriend, started self-harming, started self-medicating (if that's what you want to call it), got into more trouble than anything, and moved to a different state. I haven't even played Harvest moon in months... But I found a saved file the other day and played it for hours. Then I found my stories again and decided to set a goal to finish at LEAST one by the time I graduate. Which... Is castle approaching, brb crying. But anyway... That's my story. I'd really appreciate some feedback.

It had officially been three days since Lillian agreed to take care of Ash's animals. Lillian was busy tending to Ash's animals when Cheryl strolled out of her house and up to her. She watched her carefully, as if debating something when she finally asked, "Are you here because Ash is sick?"

Lillian was caught off guard slightly, having decided the girl was only there to stare. She pushed her hair out of her face and tried to smile at the younger girl, "Yeah, he was so nice to me when I first moved in, I figured I might as well repay that." Which was true, Ash had been one of her first few friends here. His charisma was what drew Lillian to him, she loved chatty people. But that didn't mean she didn't like Cam, he was just different. Lillian decided she liked people in general.

Cheryl nodded, taking this answer slowly. "Do you miss your brother?"

This was definitely not something Lillian had expected. She hesitated too long, Cheryl continued. "Because if Ash went away for a week I'd miss him. Who would play with me? Mom's too tired all the time..." She trailed off, mentioning people who she couldn't play with and why. Lillian was politely nodding, but in her head she was wondering if Phillip missed her at all. Being that there was no letter or visit, she wondered if this was how things were to be from now on.

After Cheryl had run along to tend to the sickly Ash, Cam stopped by. Lillian noticed him with his elbows propped up on one of the fence posts as she was brushing one of Ash's favorite cows. He seemed to be staring off into space. After shooing the cow along, she walked up to him and asked, "done with work?"

Cam blinked a few times and met her gaze, straightening up politely. With a nod and a yawn, he said, "Yes, I think so. I've already been to the mountains today as well. I'm actually pretty tired, I might call it a day early. Tomorrow is the cooking festival anyway, Laney has us get up early to prepare."

Lillian glanced at her watch, was it already this late? Sure enough, it was a quarter past six. Time sure did fly while working. Good thing she foraged in the cooler mornings and let her animals graze. She was tired as well, but had to ask, "cooking festival?"

Cam raised a brow, "Rutger didn't tell you?"

"No," she said slowly, frowning.

Cam sighed, "well, just get up early and come to the café, we'll get you set up."

"Alright," Lillian said as she tossed her tools back into her bag and parted ways with the florist for the day.

On the other side of the mountain, Phillip was finishing up watering his crops for the evening when Ina dropped the bomb on him.

"Cooking? You expect me to cook," he frowned at the mayor. "You're joking."

Ina shook her head, "no, it's a contest and tradition. You will compete with us."

"And if I refuse?" He challenged. Phillip wasn't one to just conform to things simply because it's 'tradition' or any other ridiculous idea. He also wasn't particularly skilled in the culinary arts. That was always Lillian's expertise.

Ina didn't miss a beat, "I believe the prizes are fairly nice this year. But if you wish to not compete, there are no punishments. I would, however, like you to attend. Bluebell will be in attendance."

Ina knew this was how she'd get him to come. And it would work. The mention of Bluebell spiked Phillip's curiosity. Would Lillian attend? Surely she would, she loved cooking.

As Ina left on that note, Phillip stayed outside for a little while after the sun had already set. He yawned, but made to attempt to go inside and sleep. Instead, he later back in the grass and stared up at the stars. The previous night, Reina had stayed out as well and she pointed out the constellations that she knew. She may be a botanist, but she sure knew a lot about everything else as well.

Finally, after Phillip had had his fill of the chilly night and stargazing, he went inside to sleep.

Phillip was elbow deep in flour when a knock at his door had him looking frantically around for a rag to wipe off his latest attempt at cooking. When he couldn't find one, he gave up and yelled, "come in!" Hopefully it wasn't a murderer, he thought, but then frowned. Why would a murderer knock? He shrugged and continued with his cooking. A door closing behind him had him looking back. And then almost knocking over his bowl of edible plants next to him.

Reina stood in his house, apron on and everything. "Ina said you might need help," she smiled lightly, "but she didn't say you'd need this much help."

He scoffed lightly. "I know nothing about cooking," he said disdainfully.

"You didn't know anything about plants and herbs when you started," Reina replied, stepping beside him and taking charge of this operation. "What have we got here?"

"Uh," Phillip didn't even really know.

Reina sighed, "let's just make something simple, alright? Start with some of this," she took a handful of herbs, carefully laying it out onto the cutting board. "Cut it up into little bits, alright?"

"Yes, ma'am," Phillip muttered, grabbing the knife from the counter beside him and beginning to cut up the herbs.

It would be another hour before Reina's simple recipe was done, and it was far from perfect, but it was something at least.

Beyond Konohana, in the village of Bluebell, a trio of young adults were gathered in Howard's café. Laney was humming to herself as she washed carrots in the sink, Cam was assembling the tools fobr this task, and Lillian was suiting up in an apron, having just arrived.

"It's a good thing you brought milk," Laney said with approval, "we may make some vegetable soup."

"That sounds lovely," Lillian agreed.

Cam was quiet as usual, bjut nodded his head in approval anyway. He set the knife just next to the cutting board and laid out the pot that would be needed for their soup.

"Have you had much experience in the kitchen, Lillian?" Laney asked as she set the carrots back into the bowl, ready to cut up.

"Yes, actually," Lillian said as she set her milk on the counter across from Laney. "I cooked all the time for my family. When Phillip and I left home, I was the one cooking. I love it, it's sort of..." she struggled to find the word.

"Calming?" Laney offered, having already become very interested as soon as Lillian confirmed she did indeed know how to cook. Laney and Howard were the only people in the village that knew cooking in depth, how wonderful it would be to have someone else love cooking, she thought happily.

Lillian nodded with a grin, "yes, it's calming. Even the simplest recipes help reduce stress."

"It's the same for me, my father taught me at a very young age."

Lillian nodded, "my mother passed away when I was young, and my father didn't cook very well. So I decided to take it up. I checked out library books, looked at cook books from our neighbors, anything that had recipes. You wouldn't believe how much I could cook when I was ten."

"Ten?" Laney said, surprised, "I started when I was ten!"

Lillian and Laney shared a laugh, while Cam was sitting down, absently staring off. This would be a long, long day.