I hope you enjoy reading the story so far~

Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon.

Reine

One morning, Felicity comes into my class and approaches me. Her appearance attracts a lot of attention in my class, especially among the guys. "Reine, you're in karate, right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Can I ask you a favour..."

"Depends whether it's doable or not."

Felicity seems to be rather scared.

"A stalker?" Well, Felicity is very cute; I know some guys in my class secretly like her, and Gwen told me once many guys in her class asked for Felicity's number since she's in the art club too.

"N—no..."

"Oh, good." I ask again, "Then, what is it?"

"Can you... introduce me to Neil Forrester?"

Whoa. That's a surprise. I never knew she's into Forrester's kind of guy. But I have to admit he's kinda cool, too, especially during that rain with Pochi: the way he gently picked Pochi into his arms wouldn't leave my mind... he's so... different.

Okay, I'm rambling.

"It's for art project."

"Eh?"

"Yeah, I have to make a sketch on him."

"Oh, okay." I reply. "Just follow me to the club after school today."

She seems reluctant. "W—why...?"

"Huh? To meet him, of course!"

"No, I mean, why aren't you scared of him? Is it because you can defend yourself?" she asks in low voice. "You know what they said..."

Her words somehow stir the emotions inside my heart. I stand up as a bang is heard when I hit my table rather hard. In my head, the gentleness with which he took Pochi keeps replaying itself. Someone who doesn't have the heart to throw a stray dog back to the road surely can't be that brutal. "Have you... ever seen him in a fight with gangsters?"

"N—no..."

"Then, what is there to be scared of?"

I walk out from my class when I notice Ms Swann is about to open the door, "Reine, can you follow me?"

Not willing to go back into the class, I nod. She leads us to the rooftop.

"So?" I ask.

"I heard what you said earlier in your class."

"So, what?" I ask back. "Isn't it right? I mean, you can't judge someone just based on what people say! How could..."

"You don't know how powerful words can be. You can't take back what you've said nor can you completely forget what people had said." Ms Swann interjects calmly. "Forrester is enough proof for it."

Then I remember his golden hair. People do think light-coloured hair is a signature of gangster since many gang members bleach their hair. His golden hair indeed falls into that category.

"It's his natural hair! His eyelashes are—"

"How many people bothered to look closely at him?" she asks. "By this time, how many people dare to look closely at him?"

She has a point there.

"But, Reine, you are different." She continues, "You look right into his eyes without any fear."

"No, it was him who look into my eyes the first time we met."

"But you weren't afraid of him. Even after you heard rumours about him."

"I was just... doing what I think is the most sensible thing to do."

She smiles. "Thank you for being so sensible, then."

"I just wish... others can see him differently, too." I tell her honestly.

Then I remember Felicity's request. If Felicity can see that other side of him, maybe... just maybe. If Felicity can truly understand Forrester... maybe that would be the first step I need to make them realise that Forrester is much nicer than he lets on.

Well, I've got to give it a shot.

Neil

"Yo! It seems to me you've been getting closer to that junior!" Rod suddenly says out of the blue as we're walking to the training room.

"Pochi likes her and he drags me along for a walk every Saturday."

Since that Saturday, we do meet up on that spot just so that Pochi can walk with her. Mark my word: Pochi.

"That doesn't really answer my question," Rod replies. "Are you sure it's only Pochi that has taken a liking on her?"

His words somehow tug a string in my heart. "Pochi likes her."

I feel foolish now.

"Then, why don't you just leave Pochi with her for a walk instead of tagging along?"

"I was thinking of doing that, too..." I admit, "but... darn it!"

"You've got similar taste with your dog when girls are concerned, isn't it?" he asks teasingly. "Like dog, like master."

"Nonsense!"

Rod laughs. "She is a nice girl. A bit unpredictable, but nice." He continues, "Iroha told me she's quite a good karateka as well."

I have seen her practice a few times by now, and I have to admit that her strength is remarkable. She even surpasses Iroha, the current female captain, in terms of raw strength.

When we open the door to the training hall, I can see Reine is waiting inside with a girl I've never seen before. "Hey, you're early!" Rod says.

Reine approaches us with that girl, who has a pair of large blue eyes. "I have a favour to ask you, Forrester."

She then glances at that girl who doesn't even dare to look up. "P—please be my model!"

Huh? What other nonsense is this?!

"Oh, you must be from art club," Rod says. "Yuri asked me to be her model. It's for your term project, right?"

She nods slowly.

"I don't even know you." I reply, "Go away."

It's much easier to push people away, especially those who are easily scared like her.

"But..."

"Her name's Felicity Fressier." Reine says, "Felicity, this is Neil Forrester."

What is she doing?

"Now you know her name. Why don't you just be a good guy and help her out?"

"Who are you ordering me around?"

Reine glares at me with her fierce green eyes. Her gaze is always strong and unbending; something that I haven't found in others since I came to this school.

I sigh long. "This is troublesome." I eventually say, "Just do whatever you want."

Reine smiles. "I know you're nicer than you look."

I let out another sigh. She's so troublesome.

Will Reine succeed in changing others' perception of Neil?

Oh yeah, a poll: what do you think is the answer for Rod question: "Are you sure it's only Pochi that has taken a liking on her?" :p

Stay tuned to find out more! Please do give rate and reviews to this story ^^