Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon nor any of the characters. Also I haven't played Tree of Tranquility so I'm kind of improvising after getting hyped up and reading game summaries so any errors… were kind of planned for. I'm addicted to Harvest Moon games but I can't afford a wii.
I opened my eyes when my pillow moved. Turned out my pillow happened to be my brother's arm. He sat up in the bed and looked at me drowsily as I looked at him in the same fashion. Then he fell back onto the bed and back asleep just like that. I was not so lucky. My head was throbbing terribly. To the doctor, I told myself silently.
Soon I was back snuck out the front doors of the inn and searching for the clinic by following what signs the town had. I found it relatively quickly and went inside. "How may I help you dear?" the woman behind the counter asked. She looked like the strict type. Her hair was pulled back so tightly, I think it actually made some of her wrinkles go away. That's when I collapsed into the floor. "Dear lord! She's fallen!" I heard her shout. Footsteps and then someone lifted me and carried me setting me on a bed.
I didn't know who it was because my eyes were shut so tightly I wasn't sure I would be able to open them again. I clenched my skull lying there until someone pulled back my arm firmly jabbing a needle into it. "Calm down. That shouldn't take long to start working." Their voice was deep, rich, but serious.
Finally I did relax and opened my eyes to see the doctor who had apparently seen me twice now, although this was my first time to see him. He looked almost too young to be a doctor. His dark eyes watched me calculating a moment before he relaxed as well. "You seem to have hit your head rather hard," he said. "Miss Yumei correct?"
I nodded.
"You do appear to have a concussion, but it isn't serious. I wasn't entirely sure until now. I'll prescribe some medication for now. If it gets any worse come back by and I'll up the dose." He pulled a small capsule of pills out of his lab coat pocket and handed it to me. "Only two for now."
I nodded again and took the medicine from his hand. "Thank you," I muttered still sleepy and now exhausted from that bought of pain.
"It's my job. It's best I do it properly," he replied impassively. "Just so long as the people are healthy." He went back to mixing herbs for medicine at a counter not far from the bed I was on. I watched in silence waiting to feel a little better pulled together before I ventured out again. I wanted to make it back to the inn and preferably to my room before collapsing. The incident before was embarrassing. A man I didn't even know having to carry me because I was unable to walk. It was pathetic of me, and creepy all together.
"You're staying at the Kirsh Inn waiting for your house to be built." It wasn't a question I noticed. He was completely aware of our situation. I nodded. Takeru must have told him. "Your brother was quite concerned about you last night. He kept asking questions as to whether you were going to wake up, and what he should do in such a situation," the doctor said. A smile found its way onto my face. Maybe Papa had been right and Takeru just needed a fresh start.
The doctor continued. "It's going to be quite interesting when one of the young men here starts trying to court you. I have a feeling that boy will be very overprotective."
Young men? I blinked and the smile fell. Well, I hadn't really had any admirers that I could remember so I had no idea how Takeru would act in such a situation, but what had brought such a topic up? "Are there a lot of people my age here?" I asked meaning not just men but women as well. I wanted to have friends to talk to who could relate. The doctor turned a small smile on his face, and seeing it heated my cheeks slightly. That smile made him handsome.
"There are. The majority of this town is our generation." Then he turned back to his work. Wait, "our" generation? So how old was he?
"Thank you for the medicine. I guess I should get back now, I'm sure Takeru's conscious and probably about to look for me since I've been gone a while. I'm Arika," I said bowing.
"Won," he stated nodding. I walked out thanking the woman at the desk as well with the medication stowed away in my pocket. She told me her name was In'ya.
Walking back into the inn through the front doors I realized sneaking back up to our room was not an option. The old woman, Yuba, called to me. I sighed but followed her orders to sit at a table. "Go wait on her and stop complaining," I heard her say to someone back in the kitchen. "I'll handle this. Don't worry."
A young man with lovely hair walked out looking very bored. "What would you like?" he asked offering a fake smile.
"I don't know what's on the menu," I deadpanned. His face faltered but he quickly recovered.
"Pancakes sound good to you?" he asked.
I shrugged. "That's fine." He walked back to the kitchen and I heard the old woman grumbling and griping about something he had done, but ignored it. My brother's feet appeared on the stairs and I waited for him to see me. He did and greeted me with a large yawn as he approached the table I sat at and took the seat beside me.
"What did the doctor say?" he inquired after telling Yuba he wanted coffee.
"I have a concussion and he prescribed medication for the pain." I watched the young man come back to our table with a brisk walk set the coffee on the table with a glass of water for myself and then walk quickly back to the kitchen muttering to himself.
The door to the inn opened and a girl came in, in a pink waitress's uniform. "You're late," the young man growled from the kitchen.
"I'm sorry Chihaya-sempai, Oba-san," the girl stated bowing as she hurried to the kitchen.
"Oh, thank goodness. Mai dear, you put up with this boy now. I've got errands to run," Yuba said leaving the inn in a rush. I sipped my water watching as the door closed back on itself letting some of the crisp fall air I had trod through earlier sweep in and rustle Takeru's hair. Fall had always been his favorite season. I preferred winter.
"How are you today?" the girl called Mai called cheerfully as she brought a plate of food to our table. I turned just in time to see her trip and the other waiter, Chihaya she'd called him, catch the dish before it hit the floor safely placing it, on the table before me.
"I have dishes for you to wash from last night. Why don't you go ahead and do that?" he ordered rather than offered seeming a little more than mildly annoyed by her clumsiness. I snickered not really feeling too sympathetic. I wasn't in a good enough mood to have compassion. "Is there anything you would like sir?" he asked Takeru. My brother shook his head declining and the man shrugged giving me a glance before walking back to the kitchen. I had a guess that he was the one who was actually cooking all the food. Now was time to test it and see if it was actually any good.
I popped some of the butter flavored un-sugared pastry into my mouth and nearly melted. Yes, he was very good at his job. These things kicked my specialty egg and waffle sandwiches out the window. As I finished and went to leave, since Takeru suggested in the middle of my stuffing my face that we tour the town, I went up to the counter pulling extra money out of my pocket and waiting for the man who was currently fixing up some more food to see me. He did and held up a finger signaling for me to wait a moment.
"What can I do for you?" he inquired with a small smile out of politeness after setting his spatula aside. I held up the tip and dropped it in his hand which happened to be a good bit larger than my own.
"Best breakfast I've ever had. Thanks," I told him. Then I turned and headed out the door with Takeru leaving him standing there with the money I had given him.
"What was that?" Takeru questioned once we were out walking down the street.
"I was complimenting a decent meal. He's better than me," I answered my hands behind my head as I stared ahead while keeping pace with my twin.
"Maybe I should have ordered something other than coffee," he replied examining the buildings.
"Maybe." I began to look at the buildings too. After a few minute we had come to the conclusion that all this town had going for it was a tailoring shop with decent clothes. Other than that we missed the city. There was the Meringue Clinic, which was where I had gone previously and was the name of a dessert, a fishing company—boring—, the Bagel Carpentry which was yet another food name, a church, a mansion—probably the mayor's—, Rusk Super market, and the city hall. A very boring town with a disturbing food obsession.
"Hey!" I heard behind us as we were walking. Both Takeru and I turned to see the waiter and cook from back at the inn waving at us. We walked toward him as he beckoned us to him. "The mayor stopped by," he said once we were fairly close. "He wanted to check on you two. So you're the ones who won the land give away?"
"Yeah," Takeru answered. "And you're the guy who has my sister worried that her cooking isn't good enough anymore." Takeru's smile warmed me. Perhaps he would form a new friendship. I hoped so. This guy seemed okay if you looked past that fake smile he kept putting on. I wasn't sure if anyone else could see it, but I was pretty sure that he wasn't as happy as he came off.
"Should we go back to the inn or did he mention meeting us somewhere?" I asked trailing off and leaving room for other possibilities. I was surprised the mayor had time to louse about town calling on newcomers. This town really was boring.
"He only said to tell you he came by. That was all," Chihaya—at least I think that was what the girl had called him earlier—said. "Have you toured the town already?"
"Yes," both Takeru and I said in unison. It was an odd perk.
"I see. My name is Chihaya. I just got back from traveling a little before the both of you last night and I thought about introducing myself then, but there seemed to be such a commotion going on and I was tired so I decided to wait." By commotion I assumed he was referring to Takeru flipping out that I wasn't waking up, and probably a lot of people worrying over me. Glad I hadn't been awake for that.
"I'm Takeru, and this is Akari," my brother introduced us. "It's good to see that there are some people our age here. Reassuring."
"I'm happy to see people my age move here as well," the guy replied offering another one of those smiles.
"Well, I suppose I'll check out that tailoring shop. You two seem to get along well," I stated starting to slink away. "Have fun!" With that I trotted back down the street and around the corner to the next street before slowing. I wouldn't let Takeru back out of that by chasing after me. He would have to talk to that man. I wanted him to have friends here.
Opening the door to the shop the little bell dingled and I observed the amazing designs. One of them caught my attention more than others mainly because winter was coming up and I remembered I didn't have a decent coat.
"May I help you?" a little girl with pink tinted hair asked as I felt of the coat's sleeve to test the texture.
I turned to look at her and smiled. "How much is this one?"
"It's—I don't remember ever seeing you before. Are you one of the new people?" Well, there went getting in and getting out. Looks like I would have to meet yet someone else.
"Yes, I'm Yumei Arika," I answered.
"Oh, I heard a rumor that your twin brother is very good looking!" the girl blurted seeming to ignore my extended hand entirely. "Does he have a girlfriend? What is he like?"
Already I didn't like her. "He's an ass," I stated sourly before looking back at the jacket. "How much—"
"It's fifty," a quiet voice cut me off and I looked over to see a girl with long hair pulled back and her eyes downcast. Immediately I was curious about her. Shyness acted like a magnet for me. I thought they were adorable. Shy people were my absolute weakness.
"I'll take it then," I smiled at her and followed as she shuffled over to the register. Pulling out my money I tried making conversation. "There are such wonderful clothes here. I'm amazed. Really, the city could use designs like this. Whoever the seamstress is, they are very talented." I looked up to see the girl's face was bright red. "Oh, did I say something wrong?"
She shook her head and took my money swallowing a little. How cute. Well, it was obvious she was the designer now. "It's beautiful work," I added on watching her face tint a little darker.
The girl then walked over to the coat and slipped it off of the mannequin and handed it to me. "Thank you very much for your patronage," she said softly and handed me the coat. I smiled widely. I would come here as often as I could. I already wanted badly to be friends with this girl. I wanted to bring her out of that world in which she kept to herself. She seemed so scared of me. I didn't like that.
For the first time I introduced myself on my own accord. "I'm Arika," I said extending my hand toward her. She tentatively took hold of it and the blush which she had just recovered from reappeared.
"…Kotomi," she managed to whisper. I smiled softly back at her and squeezed her hand before letting it drop and heading out the door. Meeting Kotomi had put me into a good mood. I smiled as I walked down the cobble paved road—until I bumped into something and fell.
I opened my eyes after having them shut tight expecting to hit the ground when I realized that I hadn't fallen that far. Before me was a man in nice clothing with long well taken care of hair. His arm under my back was what had saved me from a painful acquaintance with the ground. "Are you alright honey?" he asked not budging from the position we were in. The red in my cheeks had to be obvious. I could feel them burning so why didn't he just help me up and be done with it?
"I-I'm fine," I said feeling rather flustered. His eyes fell to the coat I had clutched in my arms and a smile lit his features.
"One of Kotomi's masterpieces. That girl is a wonder," he muttered. "You are a face I've never seen before. What is your name?" he asked.
How many times today will situations like this happen? "Arika," I stated dully. "May I stand up now?"
He grinned. "You aren't happy with your position? That's rather surprising. Perhaps you are a special girl." He was full of it. Egotistical…
"Arika!" I could tell it was Takeru before I turned around. He walked up giving the man who had yet to introduce himself a harsh glare. I knew he had seen how he'd held me before and I also had a guess he hadn't seen me fall so that made it look all that much worse. "You were taking too long and Chihaya had to go back to work. He was only on a short break."
"It's nice to meet you. I assume you are the lovely Arika's brother? I'm Juli," the man said with a smirk.
"Yes, I am her brother," Takeru eyed the man for a moment and decided he didn't like him. I knew that look. "Let's go back to the inn Akari."
"You look adorable Akari-chan!" Juli called after us. I stomped onward trying to walk faster than Takeru so he couldn't see me blush. It was a compliment I would accept. The man was not badly dressed himself. I wasn't sure if I liked being called "Akari-chan" though.
"Welcome back," Mai said as we walked inside the inn.
I nodded toward her and had fully recovered from my spell of flattery and didn't have any trouble dragging Takeru in with me to sit down at the table and rest. "Ah, I'm already bored of this place," I sighed slumping down in my seat and hugging the soft coat.
"Heh," Takeru noticed the purchase I'd made. "You've bought something. I guessed you would. Couldn't resist could you?"
"Not really," I answered with a grin. "The girl who makes those clothes is so cute too! I like her already. She's very talented."
Takeru thought for a moment. "She must be a quiet girl. You only like someone right off when they're overly reserved."
My grin grew. "She was absolutely terrified of me."
"Good luck sailor," Takeru saluted me grinning back now.
"I haven't introduced myself yet," Mai stated walking over with a little plate of cupcakes. "My name is Mai. My parents own this inn so I work here. It's nice to meet you." I was happy she didn't trip this time.
"I'm Arika," I replied taking one of the cupcakes and looking back toward the kitchen where I could see Chihaya rinsing his cooking utensils off.
"Takeru," my brother stated.
"I want to hold a town meeting and just introduce myself to everyone," I mumbled.
"Oh, have you had to say who you were a lot today? I'm sorry. That was rather thoughtless of me to introduce myself then. I just felt a little rude." Mai stuttered.
"No, she isn't upset with you. She's just being lazy," Takeru assured her. "Arika hate's monotony."
"Oh," she mumbled.
I rolled my eyes. "You're acting more human lately," I told Takeru. "It's nice to see you make contact with people again."
He frowned. "Well, you have been really compliantative recently so I'm not the only one acting different."
"Lately? I've been complaining for a year now and you finally hear me? I'm in awe that someone could ignore another person for so long." I scooted my chair back and stood up. "I want to do something fun…" I whined.
"Arika-san," Chihaya called from the kitchen. I looked up to see him looking over his shoulder at me. "Come here."
I shrugged and made my way over. As soon as I was there he pointed to a mixing bowl with a whisk in it. "Get two cups of powdered sugar, a cup of milk, a stick of butter, and two drops of whatever color food coloring you like."
"You want me to… make icing?" I asked beginning to pull the ingredients he called for out of the cabinet and measure them out.
"I want to test you," he smiled again. Another fake one. What was this guy's problem? I shook my head and got to work. Soon I had made purple icing just because the normal primary colors were boring. Blue was really my favorite color though, but I wanted to mix things up.
"Done." He stopped whatever he was doing to look at my work, stuck his finger in it, and popped his finger into his mouth.
"You added extra sugar," he stated knowingly. "And… salt? Is that really salt?"
"Makes for a better sweet," I said. "Am I done now? Would you like me to throw it away?"
"No, I'm going to use it on the cake I'm making for the window. Good job." His whole cheerful act was getting annoying so I just shrugged and walked out toward the stairs to go to our room. Takeru watched me from the table where Mai had been talking to him. Mai's mother Cole had just come in as well.
Flopping down on the bed I stared up at the ceiling feeling very blah. Boring, boring, boring. "Uhg," I grumbled sitting back up. I would have to do something. Cooking wasn't something I considered fun anyway, it was just something I had to do. Something I considered fun was going on adventures. If only I were still a kid. Well, who was to say I couldn't act like one for just a day? I grinned to myself and wondered if I could sneak outside without Takeru noticing. He would be sure to tail me if he did. I couldn't have that. I wouldn't want to embarrass myself. I was supposed to be eighteen, and mature. Papa had left me in charge of taking care of Takeru after all.
I crept into the hallway and noticed a window at the end of it. Perfect. Tiptoeing over to it, I opened it and looked out. There was a tree close enough I could reach the branch. A short leap off of the window sill and I caught the branch and climbed carefully toward a lower one. Soon I was on solid ground.