Note: So I notice that Huang never participates in any of the festivals. Even when you marry him, he celebrates with you at home but never goes to the square or beach or mountain.
From a coding perspective I know it's because the developers didn't consider it; he's supposed to be a shopkeeper with expensive stuff and a secret bachelor, so they didn't feel the need for him to be there.
But the writing part of me had a different idea.
When Huang first moved into the beach shack and was setting up his makeshift shop, he'd commented on how quiet the village was. And that was when Zack said, "Oh! Yeah, it's Starlight Night."
"Starlight Night?" Huang blinked, looking up and moving some loose hair out of his face.
"Yep," Zack responded, blithely walking over and dragging the heavy orange crate into place. (Huang couldn't help the slight irritation; if you could do that, why didn't you do it earlier instead of letting me push at it so much?) "Everyone's gettin' the food ready, heading over to their friends' and families' places. Even Jeff - guy who runs the general store - was closed today; he had a half-day yesterday. I'll actually be headin' over to Lillia's after I help you out here."
The resulting silence seemed to finally clue Zack in to something, and he looked up at Huang. "Oh, hey, you wanna come? I don't think Lillia would mind too much–"
Huang shook his head. "No, no, I can't possibly. It'd be an intrusion."
"You sure? Might be a good ice-breaker."
"Xiàcì ba, next time."
Huang spent that night in the shack, finishing his set-up before unrolling a pallet and falling asleep with his sunglasses on.
Several days later, Zack extended another invitation. Or rather, he was about to.
The two men locked eyes as Zack was calling out "Hey, you wanna do New Year's Soba?" and Huang was half-in the fridge, while an incense burner sat waiting by his orange crate.
"Oh," Zack sounded. "Sorry, you're busy. Next time?"
"Maybe next time," Huang agreed.
It wasn't just the official holidays.
Mid-Spring, Zack invited him to the Spring Derby.
"Come on, you'll love it!" the big man laughed, pounding him on the back and making him stumble.
The noise and smells hit him like a train when he stepped into the square. Banners, streamers, and balloons were everywhere, catching the bright sunlight and swaying in the gentle breeze. The horses themselves stood tall among the villagers, tossing their heads proudly as they waited for their turns to race.
And the villagers…
"Who are you betting on?" asked an old man in green with a sour expression. It contrasted his words so much, Huang was certain his face just looked like that naturally.
It took Huang a moment to realize he was talking to him. "I am… not sure," he said slowly. "I don't know the… horses well enough."
The old man squinted harder than he already was. "Pick a strong-looking one then," he said. "Or bet on your friend or neighbor. That's what we all do."
Huang didn't have the energy to say he hadn't spoken to enough people beyond his sales pitch for anyone to qualify as a friend.
In the end, he didn't place any bets, thinking he'd be content enough to watch.
But the square was still crowded and lively, and full of unfamiliar faces.
He was pushed, jostled, had people shout in his ears, and as he looked around the crowd, he realized:
He couldn't place a name to any of the faces.
He slipped out of the crowds and back to the beach before mid-day.
Every holiday, every festival, it was the same.
He didn't participate in the town celebrations for official business holidays; he didn't celebrate them, or if he did he celebrated differently or on a different day, and it would just feel awkward.
He didn't join the local festivals either; he never knew who he was supposed to be cheering for. He was beginning to place a few names to the faces who greeted him when he did his rounds, but that was about it. Nobody was someone he'd actually call a friend, not really.
Nobody but Zack, and Zack didn't even enter the competitions.
So when the village crowded into the square or on the beach, he was essentially surrounded by a crowd of strangers.
Eventually, he stopped attending, and Zack stopped inviting him.
Nobody seemed to notice.
Apart from New Year's (which was normally spent at home) there was one other festival he liked to participate in: Moon Viewing Night,
Huang didn't have anyone to watch with, nor did he mind too much. Moon Viewing Night was a quieter affair, at least it was here.
Back home, he could look forward to the bright lanterns, the dance performances, he could choose between celebrating quietly on his apartment rooftop or he could join his neighbors in the park.
Mineral Town was much quieter about it. There weren't the familiar lanterns he was used to, or the shops selling the appropriate snacks. In fact, Huang noted that Mineral Town considered this to be more of a romantic occasion. And, well, he supposed it could be, from a certain perspective.
But it also meant that most of the villagers ate dinner together in their home, then went off separately to admire the moon, which meant there was much less crowding and noise for him to deal with.
Which meant Huang could still happily celebrate.
Despite the local news encouraging villagers to go to Mother's Hill, Huang didn't see anyone else on his walk up the path, gently lit by the autumn fireflies. He assumed everyone else was watching from their porches, or making a small picnic in the yard.
That suited him fine, of course. He usually watched the moon alone, anyway.
But then he reached the top of Mother's Hill, and someone was already there.
"Claire?" he called out before he could stop himself.
Claire shifted a bit, then turned to look over her shoulder. She blinked, clearly surprised to see him here of all places. "Huang?"
Claire was the only other villager he could actually name, the only one he felt like he knew. She'd taken over the abandoned farm only that year, and had been the first and so far only person who would actually buy from him.
Like him, she was a newcomer, still a novelty.
Unlike him… she had many friends and was well-liked.
So for her to be alone… it was highly unexpected.
"What are you doing here by yourself?" Huang asked, walking closer until he was standing next to her.
Claire stayed on the ground, a well-worn blanket spread below her. She'd brought a container of moon dumplings and a can of soda with her. Only enough for one; so she wasn't expecting someone to be along later.
"Oh… Is it weird to watch the moon alone?" she asked instead of answering.
"No, I do not think so." He did it himself, after all. "I'm just surprised." He paused. "Unless you wanted to be alone? I could leave, if you wish."
Claire shook her head. "No, it's fine! You can stay." As if worried he'd argue, Claure motioned to the spot next to her. "Plenty of room."
"Xie xie, much appreciated." Huang knelt down, unfolding the blanket he himself had folded under his arm. As he spread it out next to Claire's own, Claire spoke up again.
"I'm more surprised to find you here. I never see you at any other festivals."
"Is it strange to celebrate alone?" Huang returned, giving Claire a wry smile.
Claire blinked. Then she stifled a laugh into her fist. "Fair."
Huang laughed quietly himself, smoothing his blanket out and making sure it wasn't spread over any large or sharp rocks. As he set down the small basket he'd brought, he decided to explain himself anyway. Claire wasn't trying to be rude, after all.
And honestly, it was the first time anyone had really said anything to him about it. Zack had extended a few invitations, sure, but that was as far as it ever went.
"I haven't participated in the local festivals since I came here," he explained. "I never really knew anyone but Zack, and he gets his own invitations. I can't impose on him further than I already have."
"I'm sure you're not imposing."
"You're kind," he chuckled. "But even then, I can't just come with him to Lillia's farm. I hardly know that family."
Claire hummed. "And the other festivals?"
"I hardly know anyone." And he told her about the first Horse Derby he attended.
"You know me," Claire said when he was done. "You can come and cheer for me!"
"Oh, you were in last year's derby?"
"Well… well no, Artax isn't quite old enough," Claire admitted sheepishly. "But next year! Next year the two of us will leave everyone in the dust - I've got it all figured out, as soon as he's big and strong enough for me to ride, we'll start running around my field. And he'll be a speedy and strong horse in no time. Then when Spring Derby comes, everyone will underestimate us because we're the newcomers, but then boom! We leave the other horses behind and take home the trophy!" As she spoke, she held up her fists in determination, a bright shine in her eyes.
It was so self-assured and honestly so charming that Huang couldn't help laughing again.
"Well then, next year I'll have to come, won't I?"
"Of course, you have to bet on me."
"I'm not a wealthy man, Claire."
"You will be, after you bet on me and I win." Claire's bright smile faded a bit, replaced by a curious expression when she saw the bright red box Huang was opening. "What are those?"
Huang's own smile turned wistful. Nostalgic. "Mooncakes. They're what we'd eat back home for the Moon Festival - would you like one?" he offered, the idea suddenly seizing him.
"Sure. What are they made of?"
"The skin - ah, the cake - is golden syrup, flour, lye water, and peanut oil. I have two fillings; salted egg yolk and peach."
"Can I try one of each?"
Huang felt a light, happy sensation in his chest as he passed two mooncakes to Claire, accepting the Moon Dumplings she held out to him in exchange.
He hadn't been able to share something like this in years.
It was nice to be able to do it again.
"So… so you have a Moon Festival where you come from, too?"
"Ah, well yes, but we seem to have a different meaning behind it."
"Really? What is it for you?"
"To tell you that, I have to start with a different story - centuries ago, Chang'e and her husband Hou Yi were banished from the heavens to live on earth as mortals…"
Huang didn't often participate in Mineral Town's festivals. There were only two people he really felt he knew, so crowds were quite difficult and awkward.
And for the holidays themselves, he had never felt comfortable accepting Zack's invitations, nor did anyone else invite him.
But the little calendar he had in his sectioned-off living space had the Horse Derby circle in red, with 'Support Claire' written in the middle.
And, he reasoned, if he was to support Claire in her attempt at horse-racing, he might as well come to see her in the cooking contest, when that rolled around.
And for now…
Huang waited until Zack had left to visit Lillia, and pulled out a paper and pen.
Claire,
Since we enjoyed Moon Viewing and you liked the food and story so much, I wonder if I could persuade you to come for Spring Welcoming. It's similar to Starlight Night…