The Stardrop Saloon buzzed with energy as music blared and conversations melded into a lively symphony. Nigel stood amidst the commotion, his stoic expression unwavering, while Leah reveled in the vibrant atmosphere.

Leah's voice seamlessly blended with the surrounding clamor as she cheerfully greeted Gus. Nigel remained silent, his cold demeanor unchanged. Gus, however, noticed Nigel's reserved nature and extended his hand with a warm smile.

"Hey there, Gus!"

"Leah! And... Nigel! Welcome. Is it your first time here?" Gus asked, his smile still intact as he offered his hand to Nigel.

Nigel simply nodded in response, his face devoid of emotion. Accepting Gus's handshake with a polite smile, he maintained his characteristic coolness.

"Well, it's great to have you here. So, what can I get for you two?"

While Nigel perused the menu, Leah wasted no time in selecting her order.

"I'll have..."

"Let me guess. A glass of beer and some salad?" Gus interjected playfully.

"Yeah, Gus, you know me too well. What about you, Nigel?"

"...a cup of water," Nigel replied wearily, his voice betraying his exhaustion.

Leah shot him a perplexed glance, but Nigel paid it no mind. Drinking alcohol wasn't his preference, and he couldn't comprehend the allure of losing control over one's senses.

"Water? Are you serious?" Leah questioned, a hint of dissatisfaction coloring her voice.

Nigel maintained his cold and serious gaze, unmoved by Leah's disapproval. Undeterred, she muttered to herself with a slight pout.

"Hmph... Not much fun, really. Who drinks water in a saloon? Anyway, what about some food? I thought you were hungry..."

Glancing at the menu, Nigel swiftly assessed the prices. Everything seemed too costly for his taste. With the money he had, he could invest in more seeds for his farm. But...

grumble

"...Alright. Just bread."

"Just bread? Nigel, you don't have to choose something cheap just because I'm treating you. I can afford..."

"I simply like bread."

Nigel's serious gaze intensified as he met Leah's eyes. She couldn't quite understand his choice—why opt for bread as a meal, especially in a saloon? She knew he did it to avoid accumulating debt, but Nigel's unwavering expression made her believe that he genuinely preferred bread.

"...Fine. Gus, can we have one beer, one glass of water, one salad, and one bread?"

"Sure thing, coming right up!"

Leah and Nigel settled at a nearby table, conveniently located near the jukebox. As they took their seats, Nigel noticed familiar faces scattered throughout the saloon. Willy, enjoying his beer at a table near the entrance, tipped his hat as a greeting to Nigel. Nigel reciprocated the gesture with a nod, his attention then shifting to the other patrons.

A middle-aged blond woman appeared thoroughly intoxicated, while the dark-haired man Nigel had bumped into on his first day of work seemed flushed. Clint sat at a table with Willy, wearing his usual air of melancholy. Lastly, a brown-haired man with long hair and a red jacket—someone Nigel had recently refused to engage with—stood near the bar.

"So, Nigel... um, how's farm life?" Leah ventured, trying to spark a conversation.

"...It's going fine," Nigel curtly replied, his words falling flat.

An awkward silence settled between Leah and Nigel, making her realize that they hadn't really engaged in meaningful conversation before. Their interactions had been limited to small talk during Nigel's fishing trips. All she knew about him was that he sometimes fished and was a farmer.

"..."

Nigel's silent demeanor didn't help in breaking the ice. Just then, Elliot noticed Leah and Nigel and approached their table with a warm smile. Relieved to have someone she knew well join them, Leah waved at Elliot to join them.

"Hey, Elliot! Over here!"

"Leah! It's a surprise to see you here on Sundays... Oh, Nigel, good to see you too!" Elliot greeted.

"Hello," Nigel responded with his usual brevity.

Nigel was surprised that Elliot seemed unfazed by his own lack of conversation. From Nigel's perspective, Elliot's positivity was rather unexpected.

"So, Elliot, how's your work going?" Leah asked, attempting to engage in conversation.

"Oh, well... just the usual. I'm still searching for inspiration," Elliot replied with a hint of resignation.

"Hehe... So, does that mean you haven't accomplished much?" Leah teased playfully.

"...Sadly, that's true. Oh, Nigel, you might not know, but I'm a writer. I moved to this town just a year ago," Elliot shared, oblivious to Nigel's lack of interest.

Nigel's eyes revealed his disinterest, and Leah noticed it too. However, Elliot, having consumed a few glasses of beer, seemed unfazed by their lack of enthusiasm.

"You know, Nigel, writing can be such a fulfilling endeavor. It allows you to express yourself, to create whole worlds and characters... It's magical, really!" Elliot exclaimed, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.

Nigel remained impassive, offering no response. Leah chuckled softly, recognizing the futility of trying to engage Nigel in conversations he had no interest in.

"Hey, speaking of creativity, Nigel, did you know that Emily here is an amazing seamstress?" Leah interjected, redirecting the conversation.

Emily, the blue haired barmaid who had approached the table with a cup of icy water and a glass of beer, perked up at the mention of her talent.

"Thanks, Leah. I love sewing. It's a great way to express my personal style," Emily shared, her eyes sparkling with pride. "Ah, hello, Nigel! Nice to finally meet you. I'm Emily..And you're really going to love it here in Pelican town."

While nodding to her, Nigel's attention was piqued by her unique dress and the bruises on her fingers, evidence of her dedication to her craft.

"...That dress, did you make it yourself?"

Emily beamed at Nigel's observation, clearly delighted that he noticed her handiwork.

"Wow, you have a keen eye! Yes, I made this dress from scratch. I always make my own clothes. Are you into sewing too?"

Nigel nodded, a flicker of nostalgia in his eyes. Sewing had been a skill he honed during leaner times when he couldn't afford new clothes. It was a practical necessity, but now he realized it had left a lasting impact on him.

"Yeah, I've done some sewing in the past. It's...useful, for sure."

Emily's smile widened, and she leaned in closer.

"Well, if you ever need a sewing machine or any assistance, I'd be happy to lend a hand. It's always great to meet fellow sewing enthusiasts! come to my house anytime...it's the house with the little sun on it."

"...Thanks."

It was an unexpected suprise, but also quite useful. He needed to sew his clothes...some of them were damaged during the battle with the monsters in the cave.

Emily swiftly brought over a piece of bread and a plate of salad, which Nigel devoured in a few quick bites, his hunger finally satisfied. The pain that had lingered from the strange "forest magic" cast by the wizard was now alleviated, thanks to the painkillers he had taken earlier. As he glanced around the lively scene, he couldn't help but feel an increasing lack of purpose for remaining in this place any longer.

"Oh, right. I almost forgot to share my dream with you, didn't I?"

"Elliot..."

Nigel quietly settled into his seat as Elliot rose and began launching into a long-winded and tedious monologue about his aspirations. Despite his time sensitivity, Nigel maintained his composure, fully aware that this was not the appropriate moment to express his intent to leave.

"For as long as I can remember, I've harbored a deep desire to become a writer. Have I mentioned that to you before, Leah?"

"Yes... for the hundredth time..."

"Well, since Nigel is new here, he deserves to hear the story. Anyway, the reason I find myself in Pelican Town is precisely for that purpose. I believed that a solitary life by the sea would enable me to focus on my literary ambitions..."

Nigel nodded politely, letting Elliot's words drift through one ear and out the other. His mind, however, was already occupied with thoughts of his grand plan for the farm—the "Automation Protocol." Unfazed by Nigel's preoccupation, Elliot continued, while Leah stifled a yawn, completing her salad.

"Everyone back home thought I was crazy... They insisted I could never make it as a writer. Can you believe it? They spouted such pessimistic views, claiming that for every successful author, there are a thousand who fail miserably. It's sickening!"

"Yeah, yeah, I understand, Elliot, but perhaps you should ease up on the beer," Leah interjected, attempting to calm him down.

Undeterred, Elliot stubbornly refused to put his beer aside, opting instead to down another glass. Resigned to the futility of her efforts, Leah joined him, reaching for her own beer. Meanwhile, Nigel discreetly scrolled through blueprints on his phone, endeavoring to make this time at least somewhat productive.

"I can see it in your eyes... You believe in me, don't you, Nigel?"

"...What? Oh, yes. Why not."

Elliot wiped away his tears, moved by Nigel's response, unaware of the subtle groan that escaped Nigel internally. Nonetheless, his expression remained unchanged, his countenance cool and impassive.

"...May I ask, Nigel, what kind of books do you enjoy?"

"Non-fiction."

"Oh, I meant literary genres... What sort of fiction appeals to you?"

Nigel pondered for a brief moment, aware that both Elliot and Leah were eagerly awaiting his answer, their curiosity apparent in their gaze.

"...Mystery."

"Oh, I love mystery novels too!"

"Mystery, huh? That's certainly an intriguing genre... I'll keep that in mind. Well, enough about me... Hm... Wait, I propose a toast! To..."

Elliot and Leah turned their expectant gazes toward Nigel, who reluctantly sighed and raised his glass of water. He knew this would mark the beginning of a long and unproductive day.

"...to our friendship."

"Yeah! To our friendship!"

"For our friendship!"

The two clinked their beer glasses together, while Nigel simply took a sip of water. The cacophony around him felt overwhelming, yet he maintained his composed exterior.


"I... I think I can manage..."

"..Gaa..."

"Why is this happening to me..."

Nigel let out a weary groan as Elliot tumbled to the ground, with Leah leaning against him, both thoroughly inebriated. He glanced at Emily, silently imploring her for assistance, but she merely offered a sympathetic glance and walked away.

"Heh... Looks like luck isn't on your side, huh?"

"...Can I just leave them here?"

"Uh... I don't think that would be wise."

Gus chuckled lightly as Nigel attempted to lift both Elliot and Leah simultaneously, a tangible weariness settling upon him.

Struggling under the weight of an unconscious man on his back and a clinging, intoxicated woman in his arms, Nigel found himself in a precarious situation. It wasn't just the sheer heaviness of their bodies that presented a challenge; it was the delicate balance required to prevent both of them from tumbling to the ground with one wrong move.

Suddenly, Willy stood up from his seat and stepped forward, relieving Nigel of the burden.

"I'll take this fella. His shack is near my house, so it's easier for me to handle."

"...Thanks."

Nigel was genuinely touched, albeit only slightly. Willy waved off his gratitude as if it were nothing and effortlessly hoisted the drunk Elliot over his shoulder, as though he were carrying a large fish.

"Just a small help from one fisherman to another. Take care of yourself, kid."

Nigel nodded in acknowledgment, watching as Willy made his way out of the door with Elliot. Now, only Leah remained, who surprisingly proved to be lighter than Nigel had anticipated. He exchanged a nod with Gus and Emily, bidding them a silent farewell, before making his way toward Leah's cabin.

"...He..y..Nigel..?"

"..."

"Answer me..!"

Leah playfully yanked at Nigel's hair while still draped over his back. Feeling the sudden twinge of pain, Nigel shook his head in an attempt to free himself. However, Leah persisted, releasing a teasing laugh.

"Stop."

"You're... no fun, Nigel. You barely even talked to Elliot. I had to endure all those boring stories!"

Ah, now Nigel could somewhat understand why Leah had consumed twice as much beer as Elliot. Come to think of it, he seriously questioned how this woman managed to maintain her sanity given the amount she drank.

Upon reaching Leah's cabin, Nigel realized he didn't have the key. Letting out a small groan, he gently slipped his hand into Leah's pocket. Luckily, the key was there. He opened the door and entered the cabin.

Inside, the space was adorned with numerous drawings and sculptures. Nigel's gaze lingered on a peculiar wooden sculpture for a moment, but soon his eyes settled on a particularly striking drawing.

"...Quite impressive."

The drawing depicted a figure dressed entirely in black, fishing in the rain. Recognizing that the drawing was meant to portray him, Nigel found himself wearing a rare, faint smile as he carefully laid Leah down on her bed.

"...Fu..ck...You...Kel.."

"...Who is Kel?"

Leah muttered some curse words directed at a random guy Nigel had never heard of, furrowing her brow in her sleep. Yet, as Nigel gently pulled the blanket over her, a satisfied smile returned to her face.

Leaving the cabin, Nigel wore a clear expression of disgust. He had wasted far too much time on something utterly meaningless. While the experience itself had been somewhat entertaining, it hadn't changed the fundamental truth. He had squandered his time.

"...It's already midnight."

...In this time, he could have gone fishing, foraged for resources, or even ventured into the mines to collect more copper ore. He needed to become more desperate, as entertainment was a luxury he could ill afford.

Gazing up at the moon, Nigel made a solemn promise to himself to regain his unwavering drive for total success. Wasting time like this would no longer be tolerated.