My initial opinion of Nori was that she was one of those "too nice for comfort" type of people. She had been so welcoming to me with that smile plastered on her face every time she greeted me that it felt fake to me. It so happened that during one of the Moongazing festival, Kana left with his horse causing a great ruckus that ended up making Hiro the victim of Ayame's intensive care.

Mayor Ina was the scariest person in town—besides Mako—that I imagined would scold him to the death but, to my surprise, it was Nori who was going at Kana. Seeing her angry for the first time made me think that she was human after all, despite her outstanding patience and kindness. At the time, I assumed that the anger came from her motherly instinct. Now, I understood.

"I like Hiro."

The tea that sat forgotten suddenly became appealing to me to clear the clump in my throat. "S-since when?"

Nori placed a finger on her chin while thinking of the answer. "Since ... a loooong time ago." I could see from her expression that she was fondly recalling her memory.

"I had a minor injury once and I went to the clinic to find Hiro all alone there. He tended my wound and I told him he was getting better. He blushed." She giggled. "It was so adorable! When I told him I'd go to him the next time I get hurt, you know what he said?"

With lips parted slightly, I shook my head.

"He said he'd rather not see me hurt at all." Nori closed her eyes as she touched her flushing cheeks. "After that, I just started to pay attention to him. We'd converse more during the check-ups he did for Gombe, I'd sometimes accompany him during his day off by the river and I'd choose a place near him during festivals. I've been doing this secretly hoping that he'd like me back but..." Nori sighed, her brows furrowed. "He just treats me like another ... patient."

I chuckled. "Yeah, the only person he acts differently with is Kana. He always wanted to be like Kana."

"But I like him the way he is." Nori strongly stated. "He's perfect the way he is now."

"...yeah..." I cautiously responded. "So what does this have to do with my situation?"

"Regarding jealousy," Nori straightened her seat. "I also feel them."

"With Kana?" I joked.

"No. With...Ayame." She bit her lip with her head tilted as if embarrassed of that fact. "I know she's his mentor and there's no way they would... but... I just couldn't help but think things." Nori's long black hair fell forward that it covered parts of her face. I could see that she was about to cry just like I was earlier.

"And then Lilian showed up. She... She's so bubbly I couldn't compete with her." Her voice sounded bitter.

I was shocked that Nori, of all people, would think that. "What are you talking about? Nori, you're the most cheerful, happiest girl I've ever—"

"We're both farmers, Reina, and let's face it, it's a tiring job yet she still has the energy to go around greeting everybody even after 9 PM!" Nori shot me a look that shut me up. "And she doesn't just water her plants, nooo, she brushes her cow, feeds her chicken, and, and she dares go around with a smile on her face as if ..." Nori's eyes began to swell up with tears; her clenched fist trembled by the force she was applying.

I reached my hand to hold hers. She took it and squeezed it tight.

"She talks to Hiro on his day off. I don't know what they talk about but once they're done, he'll just go back to the clinic without even greeting me anymore." Her voice began to tremble, "And last time, I ... I saw him blush. I thought he only did that with me."

Nori bit the end of her sleeve and began to cry silently. The sight of her shoulders that shook with every quiet sobs was enough to bring tears to my own eyes. Soon, the two of us cried together in silence. I bit my lips to keep myself from bawling and I let teardrops mix into the tea that had gotten cold. I was no longer crying for myself. I was crying for Nori; for her pain that had endured far longer than I had. It was selfish of me to be thinking about myself when my closest friend was the one in need of a shoulder to cry on.

Suddenly Nori's shaking began to grow more violently. She was letting out sob noises and it was getting louder until she finally let go of my hand and, with her head thrown back, she began to laugh.

Tears were still running down my eyes when I stared at Nori who was already wiping her eyes with her sleeves.

"Oh Reina. You're such a good friend. I feel so much better now." The usual smile returned to Nori's place.

"O-okay..."

"Did you know crying is good for you? It's much better to let things out than keep things in." She stood up and walked inside the tea house. I ran after her to see her talking to Yun by the cashier.

"Sorry we couldn't finish the tea Yun."

"It's okay." With an understanding look, Yun nodded and reached over to gently touch Nori's cheeks. "You're always welcome here."

Nothing made me feel like a complete idiot than realizing how Nori had often come here to cry about Hiro. Nori noticed my guilt from the way I was looking at her and, without words, she simply held my hand and squeezed it lightly. She was indeed a great friend.

AN:

Sorry that this chapter is short. I was taking a while to update the scene after this that I decided to just post Nori and Reina's scene. I really hope you like this chapter because I feel that my description and story flow weren't very good. Constructive criticism is welcomed :)

So, here's my attempt to a sort-of canon coupling: NorixHiro. Nori may seem a bit out of character, but I was planning on giving HM characters a "deeper" personality than what's often portrayed in the game. I haven't seen it personally, but I've read some of Nori's heart events to know that she does get mad and upset.

Also, Buttersketch, I changed Mako's dialog in chapter 1 to "Rice balls again" according to your advice. Thanks for that!

And thank you all who reviewed :) You make me happy!

PS: I'm still thinking on whether or not to pair Lilian up with someone.. Any thoughts on that? If yes, who do you think she should be with? Should I make a poll? Should I stop asking question and just write what my heart tells me? Or should I just shut up and work on my next chapter? :p