Hey everyone! FacelessDoll here! Sorry it took so long to update my story because I've been busy being lazy these days. JOKE! The truth is I was just thinking of what will happen next to Alice. But we should leave that to my hands to type any random thing. And there was something else I haven't told you guys, just read it below after the story. Thank you!

QUESTION: Do they have a shipping bin in the game?

DISCLAIMER: Harvest Moon and all things that are associated with it are all owned by NATSUME, You must be seriously drunk and high if it was owned by another human being.

It was the usual day. I was on the fields harvesting the turnips I planted days ago, and putted them on the shipping bin. I headed towards the barn and opened the door. There I saw Milky, wide awake. When she saw me, she immediately mooed at me, as if she was greeting me. "Good morning to you too." I smiled.

I putted some food for her to eat, milked her and then brushed her. She was enjoying the way I was brushing her, so I took my time to make her fur smooth. I almost doze off when suddenly, the barn door opened and a figure came in with seems to be have a blonde hair. That's right, Neil.

"G-good morning. . ." I greeted without making eye contact.

". . ." He didn't reply but just seem to look at me with those cold eyes of his.

"Uhh. . ."

"Morning. Like you said, I'm here to check on her."

"Y-yeah."

He walked towards us; I stood up and let him check Milky. Once he started to pet and talk to Milky, he seem to have this warm feeling around him, and his eyes started to look warmer. It was unbelievable, but have I doubted Neil this whole entire time? He looks so friendly around animals, but when his around people, he's really cold. . . Maybe, just maybe. . .

"Neil, your warm feeling really puts me ease." I smiled.

"W-wh-?" He was astonished and at the same time, confused. When I realized what I just have said a while ago, my face turned red and I waved my arms around.

"Wah! I didn't mean to—what I m-mean is—y-you should—I m-mean—" I can't find the right words and I can't calm down.

"Idiot!" He shouted!

"Wah! I-I'm s-s-sorry!" I lowered my head and began tearing up.

"No, it-it's just that—"wait? Neil stuttered? I raised my head and saw his face. It was red across his nose. . . Wait, Neil blushing in embarrassment? It's so cute. . . Wait, what am I thinking?

"You should be more cautious of what other people are saying." He said.

"I-I'm sorry."

"It's ok, as long as you don't say stuff like those again." He said coldly, wow, he already gained his composure so fast. "Anyway, you seem to be taking care of your cow with great care. And here I thought she's already gonna be sick." That's just cruel!

"Y-yeah, Thank y-you."

"Hey."

"Y-yeah?" As I met his cold eyes, he seems to say something important or something mean, so I prepared myself. But he only sighed and walked forward, when he came to walk past me, he said—

"It's really rude for you not to look into my eyes when we talk." What?

"I'll be checking on your cow again tomorrow, see you then." He left the barn.

". . . Wow. . . I can't believe he noticed. . ." I stared at the door where he left without an expression.

"Wah. What should I do Iroha?" I asked my good friend while begging.

"Well, Alice, I think you should try looking directly." She answered calmly while sipping her tea.

"I can't! I just can't. . . He looks scary." I answered with a shiver on my back.

"Then how did you look at him directly of what you told me a before while you were explaining?"

"That's because. . . He had this look that seems to be . . . warm." I thought about the look that he did, and it made me smile.

"Then that should do it." She stood up and cleaned up the table.

"What do you mean?" I was confused.

"You should ask the person who is the closest to him."

". . . I don't see the connection about what your solution and the reason of what I had just said, Iroha. But I should stick with it." I thanked her and dashed away.

"Be careful." Iroha shouted.

I knocked on his door, and then it opened.

"Oh, hey Alice!" Rod greeted me.

"Hello, Rod. There's something I need help from you." I panted.

"Wow, it must be really important. Why don't you come in?" I walked inside and sat on a chair. "Sorry if I was rude just sitting on your chair, I was just tired."

"It's okay." He sat across of where I was seated.

I explained what my problem to Rod was, and told him what happened back at my barn.

"Haha, that's Neil for you alright!" He laughed.

"But Rod, when he gave that feeling, I was able to look at him, but when he gave me the cold shoulder, I became scared that I didn't look at his eyes."

"But that's Neil for you."

"Huh?" I was confused.

"Neil maybe cold in the outside, but the truth is he is kind." Rod gave me a smile.

"Really?" I was surprised.

"Yeah. Neil is just a shy guy, he's a guy that doesn't want people to see his kind side because for him, it's embarrassing, but he shows his kindness and love through his actions, not words. If it was, I can't imagine him saying kind words because I got used to his sharp tongue." He laughed.

"No wonder he was like that. . . And here I thought he hates me." I sighed in relief and I gave myself a warm smile.

"Heh, now that's the Alice I know!" Rod smiled.

"Huh? What do you mean Rod?" I was surprised.

"Your smile, for some reason, wheneer I see you smile. . . It makes me feel at ease more than anything." He gave me this kind smile and warm look. I returned it back with also a warm smile and I was a bit red across my nose. Rod can be unpredictable sometimes, but he's really a great friend you can count on.

"Uh. . . Alice?" Rod suddenly spoke.

"Yeah?"

"Um. . . A-are you free this Friday? I was wondering if we could go on a picnic or some sort, but if you're busy—"

"Sure." I answered without hesitation.

"Really?" He was surprised.

"Yeah, as a friend, you helped me a lot these past few weeks so I should accept the offer."

"Yeah. . . As a friend." He showed me this sad smile.

"Rod? You okay? Did I say something wrong?" I asked, concerned.

"Wha? Who? Me? No! In fact, I'm excited! I can't wait on Friday!" He suddenly became energetic.

"Then I'll see you on Friday, afternoon?"

"Definitely." We both laughed and we talked a lot and without realizing it, it gotten dark.

"I should walk you home since it's already dark." Rod offered.

"Okay." I gladly accept.

When we we're walking, A chilly breeze suddenly was blown and I shivered to its coldness. Out of nowhere, Rod grabbed both of my hands and started to exhale his warm breathe. Even his hands feel so warm. I blushed but it felt so warm that I wanted him to keep doing it on my cold, stiff hands.

"Hehe. You must be really cold huh? Good thing I had my hand inside my pocket. You still warm there?" He suddenly putted his forehead against mine. I felt my face becoming redder. "Yeah."

"Then let's go." When his hand left mine, it felt cold again. Without thinking, I grabbed Rod's hand, like a little bird seeking for warmth.

"Wh-?! A-Alice?" Rod blushed and he became stiff.

"U-until we get to my house. Just l-let me h-hold hands with you." I blushed.

"Alice. . ." I then felt his hand beginning to intertwine with mine. I felt warmth again. "Thank you Rod. . ." I said quietly.

We walked silently. I raised my head and realizing Rod was just looking ahead, not looking back. I lowered my head saw my hand intertwined with his. It was really warm and it was telling me as if he will protect me. Moments later, we arrived on my house.

"Well, I guess. . . see ya." I tried to let go of his hand, but his hand seem locked with mine. "Rod?"

"Oh? Ah! Yeah. . ." He let go of my hand. "Well, good night, Alice." He turned and walked.

"Rod, wait!" I grabbed something on my hanger near my door, ran up to him. "I know it's still spring but don't catch yourself a cold. Here." I putted on a scarf around his neck. "Since you have something that warmed me up, now it's my turn. You could return that anytime."

"Thanks. . . Alice. Again, good night." He gave me a warm smile; I also gave him a smile too. He walked ahead until I couldn't see his figure.

I went inside my house, prepared myself to bed, and finally fell asleep.

I was in the barn taking care of Milky. I suddenly heard the barn down creaking, I looked to who it was and it was Neil. I froze as he walked past by me and checked Milky. Ok Alice, this time talked to him while making eye contact.

"She's seems doing well. Keep it up maybe you could enter your cow in the cow festival." He stood up and looked at me directly with his cold eyes.

"Y-yeah, thank you. . ." I avoided looking at him, but I manage to look at him after 3 seconds of averting his eyes.

"Hmm?" Neil seems to be a bit astonished.

"Neil, t-thank you for checking on M-Milky these d-days." I manage to talk to him while making eye contact. He didn't respond at first but he seems surprised. As I kept my eye contact with him, I blushed.

"Yeah. Anytime." Neil smiled. . . wait he smiled?

"I'm gonna go now, I need to do my work." As he walked past by me, he suddenly stopped and petted me on my head and whispered in my ear;

"You're staring too much, but, good job." He then walked out of the barn.

I stood there as if my brain cells were dead and not responding. I thought about of what I did and finally process it into my brain, my face turned as red as a tomato soup. I fell down on my knees and covered my face.

"Wah! And I thought it was finally over."

Milky just mooed.

Neil's POV

As I came out of the barn, I finally gasped for air and wiped my sweat with my right arm on my face. I swear there was something red across my nose.

"Why is she just so cute?" I asked myself.

Wait? How did my hands manage to write this thing? Haha! Anyway I hope you guys enjoyed my new chapter! I know this is pretty short, but summer is starting guys! Who would want to become not lazy to this season? Comments, suggestions and other things that are in the same term with them are welcome! Oh yeah, about my problem. . . I never thought to whom I will pair Alice with. Should I make one ending or three endings for each guy?