"G-get it away from me! No! No! Stay away!"

"But Reina, you asked for this."

No matter how many times I posted the request and no matter how many times Lillian presented me with that box filled with you-know-what, I would always keep the items inside the closed box without even bothering to get a good look at it. I had to give Lillian credit for sticking around despite my frantic screaming. She really was a good person.

"Okay okay.. you're right. I … have to deal with this. But keep it there! I'll … slowly walk to it myself." I kept my hand forward to give myself a sense of protection from the box. The lid was not sealed properly so I could smell the fishy scent. I had particularly asked for crabs for today's request. At least crabs weren't as slimy and less "staring at you with its round lidless eyes" compared to the fishes. Don't even get me started about frogs.

"You can do it Reina! You've made such a great progress already!" the farmer cheered as I slowly lifted the lid open.

"Hmph, if by progress you mean not throwing the box away after you handed it to me. Sorry about that."

Lillian laughed at the memory of me throwing the box from my room window that caused the fish to be thrown out, flapping helplessly in search for water. The sight gave me nightmares for several days that I had my uncle move my mattress to his room just so I knew there would be someone there to help me fend off the fishes.

This time though, I was determined to at least touch the shell of the crabs. Yeah, what high goals that I set myself with. I distracted myself by listing down the core parts of what made a great fertilizer that my uncle had submitted for his thesis. I found that trying to think of things unrelated to my fears helped calm my nerve and by the time I recited the last particle, my finger pressed a hard material that wasn't the box.

"Reina! You did it!" Lillian who was paying attention to my finger more than what I was distracting myself with, made me look inside the box and although the sight still repulsed me, I did smile at my success. Tired of all the tension, I exhaled and fell to the floor.

"Thanks Lil. Next up, touching the fish." I said, looking up to her as she took the box away. She promised me dinner using the crab if I managed to gain progress today. So off she went to the kitchen while I washed my hands furiously from the shell sensation. It wasn't bad actually. Perhaps I would be able to clear away my fear with Lillian's help eventually.

Mako was already waiting downstairs when I joined them at the kitchen/dining area. He made sure Lillian didn't put any eggs in the dish before preparing some tea for us to enjoy after the meal. I set up the plates and once the dinner was cooked, we all joined at the table to eat tom yum soup, as Lillian called it.

Dinner was delicious! Although our conversation was mostly stirred by Mako who constantly tried to discuss his fertilizer, we did manage to chip in some non-plant related conversation about the two towns and the tunnel. Apparently Lillian had the carpenter at Bluebell help restore the tunnel so that we could pass there again. It would surely help shorten my trip if I were to visit Cam in his shop.

"The carpenter's really good but she does have her own way of working. Oh! Sort of like how Sheng works! Only l was able to see how she works with my own eyes. Believe me it is never pretty." Lillian explained over dinner. "Still, she does get the job done really quickly."

We began to wonder what Sheng did in his shop when he upgraded Lillian's tool. I went with her once to wait for her to upgrade her watering can and it did sound pretty professionally scary in there. He even managed to scare away the animals that were nearby! I had a feeling that the two would make great friends, if not, partners of some sorts.

I offered to see Lillian off at least up until the entrance to the mountain since she moved to Bluebell this season. Apparently Bluebell had a bigger barn for her animals and since winter was coming, stacking up on milk and wool coats was a pretty good business. She still visited Konohana to tend to her crops. Man, that girl worked hard.

"Your uncle is really funny. He really doesn't talk about anything other than fertilizers, huh?" Lillian said as we walked side by side.

"He does that to other people for some reason, but he talks some serious things with me."

"Really? Like what?"

"Like… well, me starting a family, me moving on with my plant obsessed life, his role as an uncle and guardian for me, stuff like that."

"Huh. Makes me wonder how you two get to be so close like this. What does your parents say about you hanging out with your uncle like this?"

The topic of my parent made me think for a bit. Somehow we managed to avoid that topic until tonight. No matter how close knit the Konohanas were, nobody really talk about their private life openly unless you're really close to them. I considered my options and decided to let Lillian know something about myself.

"Not sure. I don't exactly know them. All I know is that I was raised by my grandparents only to grow up following the footsteps of the person who saved my life when I was a baby. He lost an eye because of that." I explained nonchalantly.

I could see Lillian trying to piece the information together and slowly came to a conclusion. "So… your uncle…wait."

"Yup. He never really told me why he lost his eye but the story that I was told is that he found me, gave me to my grandparents to be raised. He's not particularly happy at first when I decided to follow him here but he came around pretty soon afterwards. He was probably lonely here which is why he let me stay." I smiled, recalling the good 'ol memory. "I completely understand why people would be afraid of him the first time they see him. I was too."

The story made Lillian curious and she did ask more questions about Mako; mostly things I was unable to answer. At the end of the casual walk, we managed to share stories of our past; how Lillian decided to start a life as a farmer, why I decided to be a botanist. We pretty much covered the basics of being a good friend which saddened me because I began to understand how every guy would like her as a person.

"Well, it was fun chatting with you. You better hurry home and rest, Lil." I told her before we said our goodbyes for the night.

There was a buzz in Konohana that morning since the music festival was starting soon performed by the new musician in town. I didn't really know the guy very well and since we change performers every year I stopped trying to be friends with them. This time however, was different. Nori informed me that Mikhail—that's the musician's name—was going to stay here for at least 3 seasons.

"If you're giving up on that botanist, you might be into him since he likes to spend time with nature." My bestfriend said while we were waiting in town hall for the festival to start.

"What are you on about? I don't just fall for guys who like nature. There's a specific … category they need to fit into." I whispered back my reply, not wanting people to hear our conversation.

"Like, being blond and from the other side of the town that our mayor is enemies with. Oh your story is such a tragedy-based novel like this 'Romeo and Juliet' book I once borrowed from Town Hall. They were in love but their family were sworn enemies and the two of them wound up dead. The end."

"… Wow thanks for the support there, friend. Let's not forget that my Romeo isn't talking to me." I commented sarcastically.

"True. That and the fact you guys didn't fall in love and die within.. what was it… days? Weeks?"

"Seriously, that quick?" I asked, surprised at how fast the story flowed. Nori nodded her answer quietly and focused her attention to the stage.

The Mikhail person was up there holding a violin, accompanied by a girl we usually see during music festival. She was playing the piano, as usual, and soon the music started flowing and the violin started playing. It was a beautiful and soothing piece that surely managed to entertain everybody. I even suspected a tear drop from Mako's eye at some point. I could be wrong.

Everybody didn't want the festival to end but eventually Mikhail stopped moving his bow and took a bow. Hah… Bow… bow… People clapped, expressing their admiration before exiting Town Hall to resume their typical daily life. I could hear people chatting and commenting about the satisfying festival they had. I saw Mikhail shaking hands with Mayor Ina before heading back to his room.

…

…

Okay, after standing in place for quite a while, I finally decided to compliment his performance before the day ended. Personally. I knocked on the door and the white-haired man answered.

"Hey, uh. Yeah. Great job out there. It's good to have you playing with us—for us… today." I said, awkwardly. "So… keep up the good work." Without waiting for his reply, I left town hall and returned to my house. Why I decided to make a fool of myself I wasn't sure of it. At least I could say that I was no longer afraid to start up a conversation with a stranger.

I was partly expecting that I wouldn't have to face the musician until at least a week after my embarrassing compliment attempt allowing him to forget about it, but my luck was just horrible. I met him the next day; both of us on our way to the mountain. Nori's information was true. He really did enjoy the nature based on his peaceful expression that he put on while being in the mountain.

I was sitting on my usual spot with my plant friend, trying my best not to be seen or noticed by him but, again, did I mention my luck was horrible? The musician noticed me and made his way up the slope.

"Good morning. I didn't catch your name last night after you complimented me." He said ever so politely.

"Morning. I'm Reina, the botanist here." I said, gesturing at the plant and not bothering to stand up to shake his hand since he didn't offer to.

"Ah, lovely to meet you Reina. I hope you won't mind too much listening to me practicing my music around here." He said, lifting up his violin for me to see.

"I … don't see why not." I shook my head, "bye?"

So I wasn't proud of my social skill, but Mikhail didn't seem to mind my dismissal and continued up the mountain. I wondered to myself if he was going to go to Bluebell or if he was just going to find a spot to play. Either way, I was intrigued and I soon left my own spot to look for him.

He was telling the truth when he said he was going to play music there. Not far from the peak of the mountain, I could hear violin notes being played. He had his eyes closed during his solo performance so I waited until he finished before approaching him. I clapped, of course, to show my appreciation for his music.

"That was lovely. Why didn't you play that during the festival?"

"If I played everything I can offer, you won't call me again next year." He replied, smiling causing me to smile as well.

"True. True… Say, have you been to Bluebell yet?"

Mikhail raised his eyebrows questioningly. "I guess not." I concluded. "It's really just another town on the other side of the mountain. They have a pretty nice view and … style that's different from Konohana. Perhaps you'll find some … inspiration or something by visiting the town."

I wasn't sure why I was being a Lillian (if I was allowed to use her name as verb) but I wanted an excuse to visit Bluebell and if having to get out of my comfort zone and be a tour guide, then I'd do it.

"Sounds interesting. Lead the way then."

Taking up my offer, Mikhail soon followed me scaling down the mountain. We saw a few dragonflies as we walked down and saw two of the exotic triplets crossing the mountain to see their brother. We chatted for a bit, mostly about them wanting to make money, before we continued to the entrance of Bluebell. I hadn't visited Bluebell ever since Summer left us came so I was shocked by the sight. The fall colored trees was breathtaking. I had a feeling Mikhail also enjoyed it.

We ended up visiting the church area, admiring the beauty quietly. Mikhail was a fun person to hang around with since he, like me, tend to not talk a lot and simply enjoyed the silence. Out of nowhere, he began to play his violin so I sat on the bench and started to admire his music until I saw someone in the corner of my eyes. The person saw me too.

"Reina? What are you doing there?" Cam's voice was just as clear and beautiful as I recall. His expression didn't seem mad and cold, more like confused and baffled.

"Uh, I was… where are you going? Shouldn't it be your working day today?" I asked him a question back, suddenly feeling like I needed to defend myself for hanging out with Mikhail. It was my idea in the first place but I didn't expect to be caught enjoying my time with another man by the man I love!

"I'm on my way to Lillian's house when I heard some music. Who is he? Who are you, sir?" he continued to walk up the stairs, distracting Mikhail from his playing.

"Sorry. My name is Mikhail. I'm a musician currently staying in Konohana. Miss Reina is showing me around Bluebell since she believed it would give me some inspiration and it seems like she succeeded." Mikhail nodded to me in thanks, causing Cam to frown.

I could be standing there making a theory as to why Cam was frowning but I was too preoccupied being jealous after hearing that Cam was on his way to Lillian's house. Good to know he actually did visit houses in his own accord. Hint, hint my sarcasm.

"Yes. I was amazed at his playing yesterday during our music festival so I decided to help him with his work." I chimed in before Cam could reply. 'Unlike the help that I don't get from you, Cam!'

I was being weird. I was trying to make Cam jealous by purposefully placing myself close to Mikhail. The kind of close that was not normal for me or for two strangers in general. I even placed my hand on Mikhail's arm! What was Cam turning me into?!

Cam's frown didn't go away as he stared at where I placed my hand. "Uh-huh. Well… I hope you two have fun then. It's actually quite appropriate considering you're in front of a church."

That was his last remark before he left me dumbfounded. 'What the heck was that last line supposed to mean?! Was he trying to imply something?' I didn't realize that my hold on Mikhail's arm was getting stronger from anger or whatever emotion I was feeling. Mikhail's voice broke my thoughts.

"I sense… a sour melody coming from you." He said before he started playing the said sour melody. It was sad filled with half step notes that felt out of place seeing that we were in the middle of serenity and beauty.

"Sorry about that. I didn't know what came at me." I didn't feel like explaining my love story to Mikhail and he didn't really ask. I was starting to like him even more for his silence. His music was the one that did the talking for him when it started to change into a soothing tone as if trying to console me.

"Don't be. Thanks to you I managed to get plenty of inspiration. However … eventful this day had become, I think it's best that we head home now before things get even more sour." He said after finishing his violin monologue piece.

We walked home in silence until the time where we part ways; him going to the town hall, me going back to Mako's house. My sour heart didn't go away that easily even after Mikhail's attempt to cheer me up. To be honest I felt slightly betrayed by Lillian but at the same time, it was my fault for not telling her my feelings for Cam. Then again, was it too late? Was Lillian together with Cam now?

Knowing the kind of person that Lillian was, I feared the fact that she would be trying to help me get together with Cam in a super obvious way that would repulse Cam. There was still some misunderstanding that needed to be cleared between us and having Lillian meddle in between probably would not help. I needed advice and quick.

"Ugh… Nori's going to hate me."

AN:

Whoah! A faster update from last chapter! What can I say? When inspiration strikes, it strikes me so bad I can't sleep before finishing a whole chapter. It's 3.30 AM and I need to wake up for work in... 3 hours or less.

So here you are. Another chapter. I took liberty to create my own version of Reina's past. I did have an idea of why Mako started wearing an eye patch (also planning it to be a loose one shot for a MakoxAyame story) ... but who knows when that'll be done. It's just an idea that I would do after I finish this CamxReina story.

I also brought in Mikhail to the stage! *cheers for Mikhail* Personally, as a ToTT gamer, I hadn't spend a lot of time with him to know how his personality really works since I tend to miss him completely on some days when I work on traveling between Bluebell and Konohana. I had seen (and read transcripts) his heart events though. Hopefully that'd be suffice to get a feel of him. Then again, I don't really copy paste a character into this story. Hmmm... In any case, I hope I didn't disappoint any Mikhail lover out there.

...what else... yeah, I'll start to mix in-game event into the story that won't necessarily be the correct timing/day/date/character involved/etc ... just so that the story will make sense. Idk why I need to explain that but I do like it when the story fits close to the game as possible. Meh.. maybe it's just me.

Again, thanks guys for still sticking around for this story :) I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter! Thanks for the reviews as well!

Hugs and kisses!