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Harvest Moon © Natsume.

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The Dog Lover

It didn't take a long time for Jack befriended the Flowerbud villagers. However, the brunette with blonde bangs wasn't on his list. It was hard to befriend her, it was hard as he tried to tame Gray's horse. She had been avoiding him for some reasons after the flower festival. Every time they met, Karen turned away.

From all of the townspeople, he was close with both Ellie and Ann. They were sweet, even Ann with her tomboyish attitude and treated her like a sister. After all, he was the only child in his family and it was quite fun to have a sister who always blushed whenever he teased her.

"Ah! You bring Rook here!" Ann said happily and ran toward Jack and his dog, Rook. "I haven't seen him in two weeks!" Ann laughed and patted Rook's head. She blushed when she realized Jack smiled at her, then averted her eyes.

Jack kneeled down levelling Ann's height. "I want to take a walk with Rook, want to join us?"

Ann looked troubled. She glanced at her brother then sighed. "I'm sorry, I think I couldn't even thou I want to join." Ann rose up and sighed again. "I can't leave my job, or else dad will mad at me."

He smiled and rose. "Okay then, see you later, Ann."

"See you, Jack."

By the time he turned around, he found Karen was standing before him, holding a bottle of wine, probably delivering it to Hall.

"Hi," Jack said.

Karen didn't answer his greet. She locked her eyes at Rook who was running around Jack. Her eyes were sparkling and her face went red.

"Karen, what's wrong?" He asked.

She kneeled down and hugged Rook. "I've never met a cute dog as yours!"

Jack turned his head at Ann and the orange-haired girl was laughing awkwardly. Jack then stared at Karen and kneeled down as he patted Rook's head. "I don't know you are a dog lover." He smiled at Karen and she lowered her head, hid her red face that was redder than tomatoes.

"We-well, your dog doesn't seem too clever!" She said and turned her head away.

"Huh?" Jack paused but then laughed at Karen.

"What are you laughing at!?"

He shook his head. "I remember a girl who used to play with my grandpa's dog."

Karen's eyes rounded and blushes appeared on her cheeks. "Hu-huh?"

"If you like Rook so much, you are welcomed to come to my farm and play with Rook," Jack said and smiled broadly.

Karen averted her eyes but then took a glance at the farmer that made her heart racing, "O-okay."

Jack stood and stretched his body. "I'll wait for your visit, but now I must go," he waved at Ann and Karen, "since I've promised Rook to take a walk with him, later," he finished his sentence and ran with his dog to the town.

Ann waved at him then she glanced at Karen. "Karen, what's wrong? You're all red!"

Karen snapped her eyes and shook her head. "I'm fine!"

To be continued