Miss Kitty DeMarco: Thanks for the compliment! Actually, there is one female doctor in HM series, Ayame in ToTT (Hiro is her apprentice, so technically, she is the doctor). As for Chapter Five, I'd say it's set between 13 Spring (Raelyn's birthday) and 24 Spring (you-know-whose birthday). Although I wrote it as if Raelyn is jealous, actually I think she's not technically jealous. More like she's feeling bad to 'interrupt the couple' (?) Something like that, I guess, yeah. But, of course the readers are free to interpret whatever from what I've written hahahahaha

Raelyn grinned widely when she noticed that there was a letter in her mailbox. She did all of her morning chores—feeding Hanako and watering the turnips—quickly and rushed over to read the letter. As expected, it was a letter from her family back in Echo Town. Her father's penmanship was unmistakable. She tore the envelope and opened the letter.

Dear Lynn,

We're glad to hear that you're doing alright there and that you like the present. I guess not wearing a mask must be comfortable, huh? But I think it's better it you wear it… just in case. I mean, none of your brothers or me are there, you see? Ah, well, but you're twenty now.

In any case, Lynn, just tell me when you want to go home, 'kay? Your bed and everything else is still in their places, you know?

Your mom has been gushing about whether you have a crush there. Do you?

Your brothers are doing fine here too. They're doing a very good job with the farm and the animal store that your mom and I can relax a bit. They don't say it much, but they miss you a lot as well.

As for me, do you even need to ask? I'm actually thinking of going over there but your mom wouldn't let me saying things like settling down and bothering you and stuff. And as always, she makes sense. So, for now I'll hold back and wait patiently until you really, really settle down there (NOT with a guy, okay?) before I visit.

Take care over there.

Love,

Dad

Lynn chuckled. She folded the letter and put it back into the envelope before storing it in the shelf. She was planning to reply later, after she was done with everything she had to do today.

She looked at her to-do list. Asche was in town today; the new merchant… Marielle, if she had remembered it correctly, was in too. Thus, Trade Depot was a must-go.

Hmm, I should ask Grandma Eda… maybe she needs something from the town.

Raelyn made her way to her next-door neighbor and knocked. "Grandma Eda~"

"Oh, Raelyn, dearie, please come in," she heard her answering from inside.

The young pinkette pushed the door slightly as saw a redhead standing on the other side, his back facing her. "Oh, hi, Fritz,"

He turned around, "Hi, Raelyn!" he greeted back. "I was thinking of eating at Raeger's! Wanna come?"

"Ah… well…"

"I think you should, dear," the elderly woman urged. "Remember what I said about more socializing?"

"Do you need me to pick up anything from the town?" she asked, remembering her initial purpose of visiting Eda.

"No, no, you just enjoy your time in the town," she replied cheerily. "Take a good care of her, Fritz."

"Sure I will!"

Left with no other option Raelyn nodded. "But, I have to stop by the Trade Depot first," she told him. "Shipping…"

"Sure! I'm heading there as well so it's pretty neat!"

Raelyn nodded and they left together for the town. Along the way, Fritz told her many things; among them, how he was acquainted with Raeger.

"We're on the same batch in the cooking school! He graduated third of the class while me… oh, well~"

"So how did you decide to be a farmer?" Raelyn asked carefully. "I mean… chef and farmer…?"

"I know what you mean, don't worry!" Fritz, ever carefree, grinned. "So I landed on some jobs here and there, but things happened and I just… I dunno, it's doesn't feel like that's the right thing! I still kept in touch with Raeger and when he mentioned that this town was recruiting new farmers, I asked him whether I could be one, too… then here I am!"

They unknowingly reached their destination as they conversed (more precisely, Raelyn listening to Fritz's life story). Raelyn greeted Asche, did her shipping and then walked towards the new stall.

"Welcome!" Marielle greeted. "Come! Look at my items!"

Raelyn did as she was asked. She noticed the various colored discs, similar to what her father sold at his own stall. However, if she remembered correctly, her father only sold four kinds of these.

"These are…"

"Animal treats!" Marielle replied excitedly. "You give enough of them to your animals and they'll yield more products!"

"Why there are so many colors?" she asked.

Marielle then explained the other colors—the foreign color, white, was for rabbits apparently—with Raelyn listened attentively. In the end, she bought some Moo-Moo Treats and thanked the enthusiastic merchant.

Fritz was already waiting for her in front of Jonas' table. "Sorry, I took quite long."

"No sweat!" Fritz replied. "Cabin Country sells a lot of animal stuff, isn't it!"

"Mmhm," she nodded.

The restaurant was not far away. One full season in this town, Raelyn had actually never eaten in the restaurant. She only visited once and it was only to greet the owner, a nice-looking guy with auburn hair.

While Fritz burst with his seemingly never-ending energy towards the door, Raelyn walked towards the board in front of the establishment.

Restaurant

Open: 11.00-21.30

Closed on Wednesdays

"Fritz?" Raelyn called, just before the redhead touched the doorknob. "Today is… Wednesday, right?"

"Yep! Why?"

Raelyn looked at Fritz and was about to tell him what she had seen when the guy realized it himself. "Dang it! Not again?"

Again? she asked inwardly.

"In the day I decided to come!" Fritz continued. "That can't be!"

Fritz slumped at the stairs. "Whyyy? WHYYY?!"

"The restaurant is closed today," a calm voice commented, adding more to Fritz's metaphorical wounded state.

Raelyn turned around and found the guy she remembered to be the restaurant's owner:… Raeger.

"I'm sorry, Raelyn," he added. "I'm closed at the day you finally come."

"Er… that's alright," she said, blushing slightly. He's quite good-looking.

It was then Raeger finally noticed Fritz. "You again?" he asked, still friendly but slightly harsher. He sighed heavily. "Do you ever learn, Fritz? I'm always closed on Wednesdays. It's not like I close at random to torment you, you know?"

"Ughh… can't argue with that," Fritz groaned. "And I thought I'm gonna show Raelyn your cooking."

"So you were the one who brought her here from the mountain?" Raeger sighed. "Move out from my stairs."

Fritz let out another groan, but did as he was asked, as Raeger fished a key from his pocket. "Come on in, you two," he said, looking at them. "I suppose I can make an exception, since this is Raelyn's first time and I don't want to disappoint her because of someone's else foolishness."

"Aw, thanks, I love you, man!"

"Eww don't say that," Raeger rolled his eyes. "It's gross."

Raelyn bowed slightly. "Thanks…" she muttered.

"No worries," he replied kindly, completing the nice-guy package with his smile. "Like I said, I don't want to disappoint you because of Fritz."

Raeger walked into his kitchen, stationed just behind his counter. "So… what's your order?"

Raelyn looked at the menu. "Everything looks nice…" she commented. After some moments, she chose to order some blueberry ice cream.

She sat on the long table near the counter, Fritz next to her, and Raeger waiting for them after he served their orders. The young woman took a small spoonful of her ice cream and felt it melt against her tongue. "This is nice!" she exclaimed.

"Thanks," Raeger replied.

"I wish I could cook half as well…" she sighed. Well, she could cook well enough to survive, but there were times she felt like eating nice things made by her own hand.

"I can give you some pointers, if you'd like," he offered, much to everyone's surprise.

"Really?" she almost sprung to her feet. "You'd really do that?"

"Yeah," he said. "I have nothing much to do when the restaurant is empty, anyway. Just don't come during the lunch rush hour?"

She beamed into a smile. "Thanks, Raeger."

They finished quickly so that Raeger could have his free time back. Fritz and Raeger had plans to go out, though, so that left Raelyn alone. "Soooo, what're you going to do now, Raelyn?"

"I guess I'll go back…"

"Raelyn?"

Raelyn turned at her caller. It was Iris, carrying two bags of what seemed to be groceries. "Miss Iris!"

She jogged towards the novelist and was about to offer her help when the latter put the bags down on one of the outdoor table in front of the restaurant.

"Fancy seeing you here," she smiled. "But I thought Raeger's closed today?"

"Things happened…" Raelyn replied, unwilling to recount what had happened. "So, um… your groceries?"

"Ah, yes!" she replied. "Klaus has been feeling unwell these past few days so I was thinking to cook his favorite food."

"Aw~ that's very sweet of you," Raelyn smiled. "He's so lucky to have you as his girlfriend."

"Me? His girlfriend?" Iris laughed, leaving Raelyn confused. Thankfully, Iris quickly gathered her composure back and smiled at the pinkette. "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to laugh. It's just that thought sounds so ridiculous I couldn't help it!"

"R-ridiculous?"

"Uh-huh," Iris nodded. "We've known each other for a long time. Since childhood, in fact, but I'm not his girlfriend. He's single and free for the taking, FYI," she winked playfully, but Raelyn was too dazed to notice that.

Raelyn blinked once, twice, and then thrice before it finally sunk into her head. "Oh, gosh, I'm sorry…"

Iris tapped her shoulder gently. "It's okay, it's not the first time people thought we're dating."

"Well…" Raelyn hesitated.

"In fact, why don't you come along and help me cook?" Iris offered.

"Huh?"

"Mistel has a shop to run, so obviously I can't ask him."

"B-but, I…" Raelyn stuttered. "I'm not very good…"

"It should be a good practice," Raelyn jerked and turned around; apparently Raeger had finished cleaning up. "Bouillabaisse, right?"

Iris smiled and nodded. "Yep."

Raeger turned to face Raelyn. "It's not a very hard dish, I think you should try it."

Raelyn pondered over her choices.

Dad, I think I'll have to reply the letter later. Much later.

Stay tuned for the next chapter!

Thanks for reading! Please rate and review ^^