Chapter 18: First Night

After having dinner at the inn and Claire's nightly bath at the hot spring, the two farmers returned home. Claire was laying down on the bed in her pajamas while Pete was taking a shower.

It's already the end of the first day on the farm. Claire thought, her hand supporting her cheek. Her eyes scanned over the first empty page. She spun a pen around her fingers. I think we've accomplished a lot!

Her mind rewound to yesterday when she first arrived on the farm. Discovering the farm in such a desolate state was a surprise. It really disappointed me. An even greater surprise was discovering the farm was handed down to none other than her housemate. Their first encounter. We've come to accept each other as housemates, haven't we? The idea of living with a housemate, especially a guy she just met, repulsed her at first. But it's not so bad. Pete was kind enough to let her be an owner and accept the circumstances as is. The least I can do is bear them.

Next, Claire recalled all the events that transpired today. From the moment she mistook Pete for a pervert and bashed his head with a hammer; to witnessing a beautiful deity; to meeting several residents of Mineral Town; to planting their first turnip seeds (probably her favorite moment of the day.) She began jotting down these interesting details on paper. It's been one eventful day.

"Whew…" Pete stepped out of the restroom, wearing a simple white shirt and blue pants. He rubbed a towel over his damp hair. Cold but refreshing.

"How was the cold bath?" Claire asked, still writing. "How do you even withstand cold showers?"

"You get used to it," he replied. "You should try it once in a while. It's refreshing."

"No thanks." She tapped her pen on the page. "I'll stick with my warm hot spring. In fact, you should try it once in a while!"

"For sure." He smiled as he put the towel over his shoulders. His eyes drifted to the plastic bag of clothes beside her suitcase. Oh, that slipped my mind…

"Say, Claire…" he folded his arms and hummed. "We haven't really thought about our laundry situation, have we?"

"… Ah." Her hand froze. She shot upwards and turned to her suitcase. That's right! It completely slipped her mind. As if the facilities weren't lacking already, they also didn't have a washing machine here. I was too caught up on everything else! Claire brought many changes of clothes so it wouldn't be an issue. Yet. I wouldn't want to have a stockpile of dirty clothes…

"Let me guess… you had a washing machine back at your old apartment?"

"I didn't have my own washing machine, but that's right." Claire nodded. "One was provided by the apartment."

"I see…" Pete stroked his chin. It was the same for him. He didn't have to worry about laundry that much as his mother helped with that. I didn't think about that when taking over the farm, though. That was another challenge to tackle.

"I doubt there is a… laundry service in the town we could use?" Claire asked, unsure.

"Not that I'm aware of." He briefly raised his shoulders. "We could always wash them by hand."

"… Oh." She bobbed her head. Very slowly.

He hung the towel over the chair. "Is that all right with you?"

"E-Er, well…" She averted her eyes, rubbing her neck awkwardly. "I, uh…"

"… Yeah?" He tilted his head. She looks very… uncomfortable.

"I've… never washed my clothes by myself," she said in a low voice. "B-By hand, I mean…"

"Ah, I see…" He nodded. "I don't mind doing the laundry."

"Y-You don't?" Her eyes widened. That wasn't the response she expected.

"And I could teach you how to." He turned the chair towards her and sat on it. "If… you're fine with that."

Claire stared at him. Not only did he not mind washing their laundry, but he was also offering to teach her…? She felt super embarrassed about not knowing how to do laundry chores. My apartment life was comfortable. Maybe he'd laugh at her expense but that wasn't the case. He isn't judging me for that. Her chest felt a little lighter.

"I… appreciate that a lot, Pete."

"Sure thing." His eyes naturally drifted to the book in her hands. "What 'cha writing there?"

"Oh, this?" She raised the book. "It's top secret. In other words, my diary."

"You have a diary, too?"

"… too?"

"Yeah!" Pete took out a book from his bag and waved it. "See? I brought mine!"

Her eyes stared at his diary. She noticed it had the exact same blue color and cover design as her own! That is quite a coincidence!

"I didn't peg you as someone who'd keep a diary."

"Ah, well…" His eyes fell on his diary, his hand rubbing his neck. "I was planning to write about my stay on the farm but…"

"Oh…" Claire bowed her head. Pete probably wanted to note down his moments with his grandfather. I can't imagine how devastated he feels about this. It wouldn't serve as a positive start to writing a diary.

"I'm not sure if there's a point to this now." He sighed, opening the book and flipping through the empty pages.

"Well, I wouldn't say that." She raised a finger. Sure, he wouldn't be able to write about his stay. And since that isn't possible… "Why don't you write about your life as a farmer?"

"… Huh?" He raised his head. "My… life as a farmer?"

"Yeah, that's what I'm writing about!" She nodded with a smile. "That would make for many interesting diary entries, don't you think?"

Pete bowed his head and stroked his chin in deep thought. My life as a farmer, huh…? He pondered her suggestion. The diary was meant to cherish his time together with his grandfather. But… that's out of the question, now. If he can't write about his time with him, he can at least write about taking up his grandfather's role as a farmer. His memory could live on through him. Through me and Claire…

Claire observed his face, the way his eyebrows furrowed. Ah, wait… did I offend him? She didn't want to disrespect his grandfather's memory at all. It sounded like I pushed his concern aside and shoved my idea right there.

"E-Er, Pete…" she scratched her cheek nervously. "You don't have to push yourself to—…"

"I think that's actually a great idea, Claire." He turned to the first page and clicked his pen. "I'm sure there'll be no short of things I can write about of the farm."

"… Ah!" Claire blinked, letting out a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear!"

Tapping his feet on the floor, Pete recalled the various moments leading up to now. There's… too many to count. Not a moment went by that it couldn't be described as uneventful. From the moment he discovered the farm's desolate state, to meeting some of the colorful residents of Mineral Town, to the mystical Harvest Goddess, to his first farming activity, among many more. But if he had to choose the highlight of his new farming life so far…

His crimson gaze flipped up to the blonde girl writing her diary on the bed. It was meeting her, for sure. Their first encounter left a strong impression on him. A city girl who left everything behind to start a new life on the farm. And now, she just so happens to be my partner.

With ideas flowing through his head, Pete got to writing on the first page of his diary. The sounds of pen scribbles filled the silence.

And I think that's it for today! Claire closed the book and set it on the table beside the bed. Her eyes drifted to Pete focused on his writing.

"Mind if I ask what you're writing in your diary?" She lay on her side, facing him.

"… I think you can make a good guess since it's only been a day."

"That doesn't narrow it down in the slightest."

"I know." He chuckled. It was nice they both could acknowledge how eventful a day here has been. "It's top secret, for your information."

She giggled. "Right."

After writing down the last word, Pete closed the diary and set it down on the table, right next to Claire's. Why do we have the exact same diaries? "I trust you won't peek into it."

"As long as you don't peek into mine." She winked.

With their first diary entries recorded, it was time for bed! Pete switched the lights off and Claire scooted over to the wall to give him space. Just like yesterday.

"Are you sure you don't mind me sleeping on the bed again?" He asked.

"… I wouldn't feel great keeping the bed all to myself." She replied. "We've already gone through it yesterday. I'll get used to it."

Claire would have preferred her own bed, but this was their living condition. Besides, it wasn't as bad as she expected, sharing the bed with him. Could be worse. The sooner I get used to this and accept it, the better I'll be off!

"I see… because I wasn't really asking for your sake." Pete crossed his arms. "I was asking for mine."

"… Oh." Claire blinked a few times, then realization hit her. "Oh, come on. I didn't mean to, really!"

"I'll believe you when I wake up peacefully." Pete got on the bed and turned his back towards her.

"… You're not letting that go, are you?"

"Ask me that tomorrow."

"Jeez." Claire sighed, then smiled. "Good night, Pete."

"Good night." Pete closed his eyes and breathed out softly. "And don't let your hammer smite."

"I knew it! You're still holding that against me!"

And so, their first day on the farm came to an end.