Chapter 25: The Yodel Ranch!

After the delightful visit to PoPoultry Farm and meeting Popuri's family, the two farmers continued with their exploration of Mineral Town. Since they've visited the blacksmith and the chicken farm coming this way, naturally they continued along the same path.

"Let's see… I think I recall there being another animal farm along this road." Pete said as he walked. When Pete and Claire first arrived in the town, this was the same path they used to find their farm.

"It's convenient having the animal farms so close to the entrance," Claire replied, her arms resting behind her back. They wouldn't have to walk that far ahead for all things animal-related. Although, I didn't really pay attention when arriving here…

DING DONG DING DONG!

Bell-like sounds echoed from their right side, increasing in volume as the pair walked closer to the next entrance.

"Hum…?" Pete and Claire stood in front of a ranch, seeing the logos of a cow's face and a horseshoe on top. In the distance, they saw a couple of cows and sheep following a little girl who was ringing a bell at the animals.

"Oh…!" Claire's eyes widened, curiosity adorning her gaze. That must be where the bell sound is coming from! I think those animals are following it…?

Pete, while having the same curiosity but not to the same extent as Claire, walked to the sign in front of the ranch that stated:

Yodel Ranch!

Closed Mondays.

We're open from 10:00 AM to 03:00 PM!

"The Yodel Ranch, huh?" Pete stroked his chin in deep thought. So this is right next to the chicken farm…

"Look at those cows and sheep, Pete." Claire patted his shoulder, drawing his attention. "They look so fluffy!"

"They certainly do." Pete folded his arms, sharing in her sight. The animals appeared very gentle as they approached the little girl. They must have a loving caretaker…

"… Hum?" Sensing a few eyes in her direction, the little girl turned around and noticed the two farmers. "Oh, visitors!" The little girl's eyes lit up as she skipped to them, the bell in her hands ringing as she did. "Hello there, mister and missis!"

"Hi!" Pete waved and dropped his hands to his knees.

"Hello!" Claire beamed. Awww, she looks adorable!

"Are you travelers?" The little girl looked up at them, full of innocence in her eyes. She wore a long-sleeved green dress with long white pants. White flowers were attached to her dress and her hair which was tied into a hair bun. "I don't think I've seen you two before."

"Haha, we're actually new here!" Pete grinned. "We recently moved into the old farm way over there."

"… Whaaat?!" The little girl's mouth went agape, surprised. "You moved onto that farm!?"

"Y-Yes!" Claire nearly flinched at the little girl's enthusiastic reply. "That's us."

"Neat!" The girl shook her bell, excitement filling the bell sounds. "I live on one too!"

"That's nice." Pete smiled, finding her excitement a little infectious. So she lives here, then? "My name is Pete."

"And I'm Claire!" Claire drew her hand to her chest. "It's nice to meet you."

"Mister Pete and Missis Claire!" The little girl repeated their names with a smile before placing a hand on her chest. "I'm Mei. Nice to meetcha too!"

"Hehe!" Claire smiled brightly. She's so adorable! She was definitely the most adorable resident of Mineral Town they've met yet.

"So!" Mei tilted her head innocently. "Are you two staying together at the farm?"

"That's right." Pete nodded. "Claire and I moved into the farm together." Due to limited circumstances. But he'd keep that to himself.

"Cool!" Mei bobbed her head. "You two must be a really close couple to live together!"

"C-Close?" Pete's eyes widened.

"C-Couple?!" Claire's cheeks immediately flushed; she frantically waved her hands around. "No, no, we aren't a couple. W-What makes you say that?"

"Uhm, but you two live together… right?" Mei put a little finger on her chin. "It's what married couples usually do!"

"M-MARRIED?!" both the farmers' faces blew up in crimson red. They locked eyes at each other for a moment, then snapped away.

"N-No, I think you may have gotten the wrong idea!" Pete adjusted his collar to cool down his neck, feeling the heat crawling up to his ears. "We aren't a couple."

"And we aren't married either!" Claire added quickly; steam was blowing out of her ears. She did not want this enthusiastic child getting the wrong idea planted in her little mind! "We're just two… friends who moved in together to raise the farm." She fiddled with her sleeves. "That's all there is to it!"

"Oh." Mei blinked at the blonde farmer, then blinked at Pete.

"Yes, we're just… friends." Pete cleared his throat, unable to maintain his eye contact. I can feel her little eyes drilling into me! "We're working together on the farm. That's about it."

"Oh! I think I get it!" Mei placed a fist on her little palm. "You must be really good friends then to live together!"

"… R-Right!" Claire chuckled and nudged her partner's elbow. "We're really good friends! Right, Pete?"

"Yep!" Pete hummed, crossing his arms. "Really good friends."

Although they didn't say it to each other directly, both the farmers knew they couldn't exactly bring up their unusual living circumstances to the innocent little girl. Telling her that one came to find that his late grandfather left the will in his name while the other bought the farm from a suspicious ad would be too complicated of a story. Not to mention that Mayor Thomas was partially responsible for their current living condition and tried to make the best of both their situations.

It was already strange enough that they had to live together. Being thought of as a married couple would bring in more misunderstandings than they already had to deal with.

Settling for good friends made for a convenient and straightforward story.

"What's all the commotion, Mei?" a pleasant old voice spoke out. "Do we have visitors?"

From the barn to their right came an old man who was leading a cow. A white robe with blue trims fitted his stature. He approached the little girl and the two farmers.

"Grandpa!" Mei waved at the two farmers. "These two people moved into that farm!"

"Oh ho, I think Mayor Thomas said something about that…" He nodded to himself and adjusted his glasses, placing his hands behind his back. "So you're Pete and Claire."

"Yes, that's us." Pete replied. I think he must be the owner of the ranch!

"My name's Mugi. Nice to meet you." He patted the little girl's head. "And I see you've already met my granddaughter."

"Yeah!" Mei giggled. "This is my grandpa!"

"Haha, it's nice to meet you both." Pete smiled. The contrast between Mei's enthusiasm and Mugi's calm demeanor was a sight to see.

"If you'd like to know anything about raising livestock, feel free to drop by." Mugi smiled. "We raise a variety of animals around—…"

"Moo…!"

A cow slowly walked up to the group, standing next to Mugi and nuzzling his arm.

"What is it, Molly?" Mugi turned to the cow. "Are you interested in meeting the new farmers?"

"Moo!"

"Woah…" Claire stared at the cow, wide-eyed. A pink collar was wrapped around its neck with the name Molly engraved in its name tag. Claire had only seen cows on television. To see a cow this close was quite the sight, being several inches taller than her. They look so much bigger up close!

"Why don't you come closer and pet Molly?" Mugi motioned to the two farmers. "It seems she wants to greet you!"

"… Hello, friend." Pete greeted the cow with a wide smile. He walked next to the cow and gently stroked its back. "Your name is Molly…? That's a pretty name."

The cow mooed gently in response as if it understood Pete's words.

"I think she's taken a liking to you, Pete." Mugi stroked his white beard.

"Haha, really…?" A slight blush colored his cheeks. "Molly seems like a nice cow."

Claire observed him silently. It looked like he fit in naturally, and it also looked like the cow did take a liking to him. Call me envious, huh. She wanted to do the same, to try and pet the cow. As she stretched out her hand, hesitance pooled through it, causing her to pull it back. Is it okay for me to just… pet it like that?

But then, a gentle warmth held her hand.

"Ah…?" Claire stared at her hand, then at the person who was gently holding it.

"… Here." He whispered, slowly drawing her hand to the cow's back. His hand nudged hers with a careful tenderness, letting her stroke the cow's soft skin.

"Wow…" her mouth formed an 'O'. I'm… petting the cow! Her smile grew wide as she petted the cow, almost unable to contain her joy. It was something so simple to her and yet it felt so magical to pet an animal. The cow mooed once more, turning its head to the blonde farmer, as if expressing approval.

"I think she's taken a liking to you too, Missis Claire!" Mei exclaimed.

"I don't know about that…" Claire laughed awkwardly, blushing. She wasn't used to this kind of attention.

It was Pete's turn to observe her silently. The smile spread across her lips, the joy shining in her eyes, and the light blush glowing on her cheeks. He couldn't quite describe it in any way other than it being captivating to him.

If they were going to raise animals on the farm, he felt he wouldn't have to worry too much with his partner here.

"You know…" Pete wrapped his hands behind his head. "You might be a natural at this, Claire."

She giggled sweetly. "I most certainly am not."

And just like that, Pete and Claire met with two new residents of Mineral Town. With more animals on the list, the coop and barn back at the farm would breathe life again soon enough. Just as it used to.