Author's Note: ...Sorry for the lateness...I got busy with school and such, and this is the turn out.

Disclaimer: I, KawaiiTenshiCeres, does not own Harvest Moon!

Tsuki no Koibito

Chapter Five

"Snap out of it! I need to stop thinking about this..."

I was messing up my hair as I laid on my bed absently. It was mid-afternoon, a full month or season, after I had encountered Skye at Carter and Flora's tent. It was summer, and boy it was hot. I couldn't bear wearing my t-shirts under that sunlight, and I had to begin wearing tank tops...Which made me get attention from some of the bachelors of the Valley...Well, mainly Rock and Marlin, that's all. Though, during that period where I didn't see Skye...I found myself thinking about his next battle plan. I couldn't think he could say his competition was...him, right?

"Jill? You there?"

I quickly froze up on my bed. Was that voice...What a freakin' coincidence.

"The door's open, Marlin!" I shouted.

Marlin opened the door, with a slightly annoyed look on his face. He quickly approached me and flashed a piece of paper in my face. Cocking my head to the side, I gently plucked the paper out of his hand, and quietly skimmed it to myself. I stopped in my place. I didn't know what to think. Was he really showing me what I think he was showing me? That familiar writing...The familiar signature...I knew it.

"So, can you help us out?" he questioned.

"Eh?" I quickly responded. "...I guess."

A smile formed on his face as he nodded. "Okay. Meet me at Vesta's farm at 10. See you." he smiled.

I say on my bed staring at the warning note. Skye warned me to not mess with his next heist...But...Why did he decide to target Marlin? I didn't want to think about it. If he was really going to mess with him...I needed to see it. I didn't want anything bad to happen. I want to protect him...But at the same time...I needed to see Skye so badly. It's strange. I always had the urge to see Skye whenever he did these sort of things...Why is it...That he always makes me want to go to him..?

"Good. You're here. Okay, we'll split up into groups. How about me and Jill go to the fields and Marlin, you and Celia will check the crops near the store."

I hesitantly followed Vesta, while I glanced at Marlin talking with Celia. They...look happy. But, I looked at my dear boyfriend, who quickly looked at me, and quickly averted his eyes away from me. It was painful. It felt like he was avoiding me. When I went into the field filled with corn, I stood with Vesta quietly waiting for his appearance. He was casually stroll down the road, glancing up to see the two of us standing there. It was vague, but I noticed his casual face turned into a surprised, shocked look, even if it was for a second.

"Alright, pretty boy, I won't let you lay a finger on my veggies!" Vesta barked. "Stay behind me, Jill. This might be brutal.." she whispered.

"Oh? It's a shame that your anger's ruining your beauty." Skye sighed.

"Why you little-"

"Chick Beam...FIRE!" he shouted.

Vesta's body froze up, as I gently poked my head out from behind her. She couldn't move. Why...Why was I still able to move? Watching him walk away so casually, I quickly began to run after him, already seeing him encountering Marlin and Celia. A smirk formed on Skye's face, as he casually talked to the two of them. I didn't want him to reveal the fact that I've been talking with him...But...I couldn't even say a word.

"H-Hold it you thief!" Celia studdered.

"Heh~ Looks like I'm extra popular with the ladies tonight." Skye replied with a smile.

"Shut up, you pretty boy!" Marlin argued.

"Tch. Wonder what she sees in you..." Skye muttered, glaring at him. "You know, I prefer to not be caught by a man. Especially those who lie." he said.

"W-What on earth are you talking about?" Marlin questioned.

"You know, your love won't last." he muttered. "After all, you can't hide this forever..."

I watched Skye turn his head towards Celia, watching a smirk form on his face. "Chick Beam...Fire!" he shouted.

Celia's body froze up. She managed to glance at Marlin with a sheepish smile on her face. A concerned Marlin was stunned at the sight, not noticing the thief slipping away. Biting my lip, I quickly began to run after him. Rushing past the other two, I took a quick glance at Marlin's face. He was worried. Despite Vesta screaming for me to come back, I had to ignore her. I only glanced back to see him comforting the frozen woman.

"...Took you a while, huh?"

Leaning on the side of my house, I slowly approached Skye with a tired look on my face. I was trying to catch my breath, but I managed to make out what he was looking like at the moment. He looked...angry. More like annoyed. His arms crossed over his chest, looking like my decision to help catch him was bothering him. My hand slowly formed into a tight fist, as I pounded my fist onto his chest with frustration in my eyes.

"You could've told me!" I shouted. "Why did you have to go so far to do such a thing?"

A brief silence was between us. He closed his eyes for a moment to collect his thoughts.

"...Is it bad?" he questioned. "Is it bad that I wanted to fight for something I want? Is it bad to not hide my feelings about someone?"

I couldn't say anything. I only simply stared at him. Was he...? No. It was too early. I don't think he really would like me...Would he? I would openly carry a sign labeled 'hypocrite' if I planned on getting into a relationship with Skye if me and Marlin are still together. Though, it's several times more painful to think that Marlin did all that for me, and he ended up leaving me, because of my paranoia...But...I never knew what to think anymore..

"No.." was all I could say. "...But, if you told me..."

"You'd what, huh?" he questioned. "You'd try to stop me...Wouldn't you?"

"Skye, I-"

"I like you, Jill. I really like you..." he spoke up. "...But, I don't want you to be involved with someone like me...Especially if you're going to go back to someone who might not even love you anymore."

He began to walk away, not even trying to look back. All I did was stand there, looking down at the ground in the darkness. Tears formed in my eyes, forcing me to retreat back into my home. I should've ran after him. I should've said something to him...Even if I could...I know that sound wouldn't even come out. It was gruesome. It was painful. I wanted to scream it out to him, wanting to see that charming smile.

"Skye..."