For some odd and random reason, my freaking alarm didn't go off this morning, so here I am, quickly rushing to eat some breakfast (scrambled eggs and burnt toast), and I'm about to finally get started on my farm chores. My poor precious cow Love and my other animals must be starving. I usually wake up around 6am, but today I woke up at 8am... Ugh.

Knock. Knock. Knock. Knock.

I almost choked on my burnt toast. Who could that be? Takakura? Is he gonna lecture me about not shipping enough stuff again in the shipping bin...? Because I am making a lot of money, but I noticed I make a lot more when I sell my stuff to Van or open up my own shop in the plaza, so I haven't really been putting much in that freaking shipping bin considering that.

Inwardly groaning while preparing for the worst, I stood up from my kitchen table and made my way to the door, finally turning the doorknob to see none other than...

Lou and her husband Tei.

Shocked, I felt my heart stop for a second and tensed up.

What are they doing here? Why do I have such a bad feeling...?

"Hey there, Kayla! Gosh, I'm so sorry to bother you so early in the morning..." Tei started somewhat quietly.

Then Lou anxiously chimed in with a question that I wasn't expecting at all, "Have ya seen Nami anywhere? We've been looking for her..."

It felt like time stopped for a moment when she said that and all I could do was stand there. I felt paralyzed from the immense shock and fear I was feeling from her words as I felt my heart begin to sink into my stomach.

Nami's missing? ...It must be pretty serious if they're coming to me. I... I have to stay calm.

I couldn't manage to let any words leave my mouth, but after a few seconds of silence I finally managed to shake my head no, indicating that: no... I haven't seen her.

My heart is pounding now and I put my left clenched hand right onto my heart to try to calm myself down; concern was written all over my face. I feel so scared. I just hope she's okay...

Oh gosh, what if Molly's stalker got her!? I'm definitely overthinking now, ugh I got to stay positive!

"Y'see, Nami left some money in her room and vanished! We thought she might've headed over your way, but I don't see her around..." Tei gloomily explained.

I felt myself blushing a bit at the thought of them first assuming that she'd be at my place out of all places, they must think Nami and I are really close... Despite this blushing though, sadness and worry still is greatly penetrating my heart right now like mad.

She left money in her room? Did Nami really leave the valley for good...?

...Without saying goodbye to me?

I then inwardly gasped at a realization. Is that why Nami bought that flower from me yesterday? Because... it was like a way to remember me by, since she was planning to leave Forgotten Valley today?

I felt my green eyes begin to water at the thought, but I was doing my best to hold back any tears so those two wouldn't see.

Tei continued on, "I'm really sorry to ask this of you, but if you do happen to see Nami, would you please tell her that we were looking for her?"

"Of course! But, I'll look for her too!" I hastily insisted, my voice cracking a bit however; my heart just won't stop hurting.

"You will? Oh, that would be wonderful! Thank you so much!" Tei exclaimed, pure relief in his voice. He turned toward his wife smiling, and the two turned back to look directly at me as grins both adorned their mouths.

Tei continued on with speaking. "Mind checking the spots Nami usually frequents? Lou and I will split up and check everywhere else."

I nodded, determination to find Nami just oozing in my jade eyes.

Lou flashed me a sweet smile, but it was also a smile that was filled with worry. "Thank you kindly Kayla, we'd greatly appreciate it."

Tei and Lou then quickly exited my farm.

Immediately I banged on Takakura's door and alerted him about what was going on with Nami. I basically begged him to please feed my animals and water my crops for the day, which he kindly agreed to. My plan B was to literally bribe him by giving him some food or money if he refused, but thankfully that wasn't necessary.

Once that was over with, I sprinted out of my farm and began my search for Nami. I was running the whole time, desperate to find her. I first started my search by going to the Forest Path, then the Harvest Goddess Spring, but no dice. Next I searched the ocean, Turtle Pond, the digsite, Vesta's farm, the café, the villa, the inn, and just about everywhere else I could think of...

With each location I visited, I felt absolute hopelessness consume me more and more. My eyes were watery the majority of the time as I felt tears trail down my cheeks here and there, but I quickly wiped them away so no one could see me cry. I even went to visit the forest path again, running around quite frantically, and I ended up tripping, scraping my knee a bit. I fell onto the ground and winced from the physical pain, but that pain couldn't be compared to the emotional pain I was feeling. I began to cry from feeling defeated and overwhelmed with the the thought of losing her. I had no idea that seeing Nami at my shop yesterday might have been the last time that I ever saw her.

I just couldn't stop sobbing, it really felt like I just lost Nami forever...

Even though I've been here for almost only one month and still don't really know Nami all that well yet, she's still really... important... to me.

I don't want to say goodbye yet.

After about three hours of looking, I started to make my way back to the inn again to find both Lou and Tei standing outside in front of it.

"Oh, it's you, Kayla! Any sign of Nami?" Tei inquired.

I frowned, sadly shaking my head.

Tei sighed. "Nothing yet, huh? Oh, dear... Maybe she really has left us for good..."

"I was hopin' she'd stay with us for longer..." Lou sadly mumbled.

My watery eyes trembled in fear at hearing both of their words and I felt my heart breaking.

No... Nami can't really be gone for good... She-

I suddenly heard Nami's voice from behind me.

"Whoa, Kayla? The heck are you doing here?"

Stunned, I paused as she walked up to me, our eyes met for a quick second before she walked up to both Lou and Tei.

"Man, I'm starving... What's on the menu today, Lou?" Nami asked her in a casual tone.

I was completely flabbergasted by how casually she walked up to them and acted as if nothing is wrong. I'm flabbergasted, yes, but I also feel a little angry at her... We were all so worried.

Lou and Tei had shocked looks on their faces, and this made Nami rather puzzled. She quickly looked back at me and then back at them.

"Huh? You all look like you've seen a ghost," Nami remarked confused and she then asked, "What's going on?"

"N-Nami?" Tei stuttered and he went on to answer her question, "You left some money in your room. It was exactly how much we charge you for staying here..."

Nami seemed taken aback by what he said, as if he was almost calling her out, and she swiftly turned around to avoid both of their gazes, her rubbing the back of her head as if she felt a bit mortified along with feeling some shame.

Lou seemed a bit angry at her, but there was immense hurt in her voice. "We were beginnin' to wonder if ya'd up and left us forever!"

"Yes, you gave us quite a fright! But we're so glad to have you back!" Tei exclaimed rather cheerily and he then turned to his wife saying, "Come on, Lou. Let's get cooking, shall we?"

Lou let out a meek laugh. "R-Right! Sorry 'bout that. Was still a little bit outta sorts there..."

With that, the two of them went inside the inn, just leaving me and Nami all alone outside...

Nami wouldn't look my way, she was totally averting my gaze on purpose. "Crap... I meant to leave this place for good but I totally forgot and came back without thinking. I got hungry and was craving Lou's home cooking..." she admitted in a mumble somewhat absentmindedly and she then shrugged. "Well, whatever. If I'm here, I might as well enjoy the meal."

She started to walk toward the inn's door and then paused, finally turning to look at me.

"I should apologize, Kayla. You were probably just as worried as Tei and Lou, so, uh... I'm sorry."

Her voice was low and quiet, her apology seemed sincere as she scratched the back of her head again once she finished with speaking, probably her feeling a little embarrassed. There was some guilt lurking in her expression as well.

I didn't say anything, I was at a loss for words. I'm not really sure how I feel right now, to be honest.

Nami seemed nervous. "A-Anyway, I'll catch you later."

With that, she walked into the inn.

I stood there and took a deep breath. I don't know how she can act so nonchalant about all of this... She was acting all happy with us, but obviously there was something wrong and it seems she felt torn about leaving to the point she actually left the valley, but then decided to come back. Well, I can see right through her little act, and I'm not going to tolerate this!

With a huff, I made way into the inn, up the stairs, and basically knocked on her door repeatedly. I crossed my arms as I waited

She finally opened the door and her sapphire eyes widened, looking completely taken aback to see me.

"Uh... Come in?" Nami awkwardly said.

"So you were just going to leave without saying anything?! That's messed up!" I proclaimed upset while doing like a million hand gestures (not really) as I walked in her room and I then squeakily proclaimed, "I already have abandonment issues as it is, geez!"

Nami was quiet for a moment before she spoke. She sighed.

"Like I said before, sorry... I don't know. Along with Lou's cooking, I guess I kept remembering that flower I bought from you yesterday and maybe something about it made me want to stay in this place for a little longer..." Nami admitted while looking downwards, I could see her cheeks heating up a bit.

I blushed and was frozen for a few seconds as I just stared at her; I was completely taken aback by that confession about that flower.

From the corner of my eye, I then noticed the Toy Flower she bought from me yesterday was in a vase on her desk, along with the two weird-looking clay figures I found at the digsite right next to it that I gave her a few days ago.

My eyes sparkled a bit in excitement as I walked up to the desk and blushed. "Ah, oh my gosh, you put all the stuff I got you out! I-"

My mouth came to a halt when I also saw that same diary on her desk next to everything I got her and it was wide open, and on the one page it said...

'She is... Three hearts...'

I felt my heart immediately flutter and I whipped back around to face Nami before she noticed that I just read her diary.

"A-Ah, so..." I breathed all flustered and then composed myself by taking a deep breath. "So... S-So... You plan to leave the valley one day?" I asked in a sad tone.

"...I don't know," Nami reluctantly answered as she looked down and put her hands in her pockets. "I rather not talk about it..."

"Okay... Well... If you ever plan to leave, you have to respect me enough to let me know!" I passionately insisted, clenching my fists, and I continued on, "It really hurt at the thought of you leaving without saying goodbye! I... I..."

I bit my lip, hesitating to say more as I felt pain linger in my heart.

"..."

Nami remained silent, refusing to look at me, and I felt my heart sink. She then finally spoke up after a few seconds of silence.

"I'm fine with talking and stuff here and there with you, but maybe just don't get too close to me..." she suggested with a shrug and added, "I can't make any promises right now."

I raised an eyebrow. What the heck does that all mean? Sounds beyond problematic...

Nami saw my look of confusion and she looked up at me, flashing me one stern look.

"I don't want to hurt you," she firmly clarified.

Blushing, my eyes widened. "You... You won't. I mean, as long as we communicate properly, so..."

Nami sighed and rubbed the back of her head again; I couldn't help but watch how smoothly her fingers rushed through her gorgeous red hair as she did it. "Well, yeah.. I'm not so good at that kind of stuff, so..."

"Oh, come on! You've got to have a little more faith in your communication skills by now! What are you, twenty four, right?" I asked somewhat playfully, a giggle escaping my lips.

"I'm twenty eight..." Nami muttered.

My eyes widened and I let out a gasp. "What?! I thought you were way younger!"

"I've been around a lot longer than you think... My whole life I've traveled all over..." Nami said under her breath.

I felt totally taken aback by her saying that, I have so many questions about her travels, but...

Before I could even say anything, Nami then asked me, "How old are you?"

"O-Oh... I'm twenty eight years old, too! I turn twenty nine the first day of summer!" I cheerily exclaimed.

Nami's eyes widened slightly. "No way. You're older than me? My birthday is in the fall... I thought you were way younger than me."

I giggled and formed a peace sign with left hand. "That's right! I'm trying to bask in the fountain of youth as long as I can. Tee-hee."

I then twirled one of my pigtails with my finger. "I guess my pigtails help me look younger too! Hehe."

Nami rolled her eyes and she was trying to fight the playful smirk that was trying to form on her lips. "Uh-huh... Still can't believe you're older than me though, even if it's just by a little bit."

I playfully stuck my tongue out at her and giggled. "Someone sounds butt-hurt."

Nami shrugged. "Not really."

Next, resulted in an awkward silence for about a minute and I felt myself blushing, not knowing what to say. I want to ask Nami more about her travels, but at the same time I don't want to pry so soon.

To my surprise, Nami actually spoke up again; her quiet voice just oozing of awkwardness.

She blushed and averted her gaze from mine. "Well, I'm gonna crash for the evening. You should...go home, or something."

"Yeah, yeah. You're kicking me out, I get it..." I playfully teased as I went toward the door.

As soon as I put my hand on the doorknob, I heard Nami's voice again and felt my heart grow warm. Her words just touched my heart.

"Again... I'm sorry about before."

Author Note: This felt like such a short chapter but took me forever to write! I have so many chapters planned! Thanks so much guys for reading and reviewing! I really appreciate it and I'll update when I can. :3