Apparently there's a rumor that Daryl keeps a mermaid captive in his basement.
That's what I heard people whispering to each other when it spread around town that he got arrested and is currently residing in the Mineral Town jail. He didn't keep me in his basement, but I hope with all my heart that there isn't an actual mermaid down there and that they actually investigate. Wait, mermaids are real?!?!! ... Anyway.
This morning I woke up to having a nightmare about Daryl. I suppose I'm going to have some trauma from now on from that incident with him. I do admit that I do feel comfort knowing he is in jail and behind bars where he can't do anything to hurt me or my cow.
I'm just happy Rock revealed to me how Nami gave so much money to Skye, because if I hadn't known...
She probably would have left the valley by now.
I'm so thankful I had a lot of money saved up to allow her to stay here.
My mind keeps flashing to that suitcase she had packed yesterday. I wonder if she unpacked all that stuff already...?
Earlier, I woke up around four in the morning, so I got all my farming chores done at a faster pace than usual. I had a lot on my mind, so I decided to go to the beach to clear my mind around six in the morning. There, I did see Nami.
I felt relief when I saw her there. I guess, maybe...
I do have some trauma at the thought of her leaving, too. I don't know.
- Flashback -
Nami was staring out at the ocean, her expression as stoic as ever. I walked up to her smiling. She then noticed me and let out a sigh, looking back out towards the ocean while averting my gaze.
"Not the best time for a chat, but... do what you want. I guess."
I giggled. "Hello to you too," I sarcastically said in a playful tone and added, "I wasn't expecting you to be out here so early."
"Hn. ...How are you holding up since yesterday?" she asked me quietly, as she aloofly placed a hand on her side.
I frowned and look downwards at the sand. "Well... I had a nightmare about him capturing me." I then forced my lips to form into a weak smile and let out a laugh. "I guess I have some trauma to work through, but... I'll be okay. I decided to come here though to clear my head for awhile this morning."
Nami still wouldn't look at me, she seemed to be thinking very intently about something. "Hn..."
"Thanks again, for...everything yesterday. I'm sorry I didn't mean to worry you," I softly say as I look down while placing a hand onto my heart, sadness lingering in my voice.
Nami was quiet for about one minute until she finally responded. "I'm just glad you're okay."
I blushed a bit and hugged myself while sadly smiling. "Yeah. Me too. Thanks..."
There was silence as we both watched the ocean together. I put my arms behind my back and swayed a little, I then thought of what to say next to break the silence.
"Hey, isn't this where we first met too? Right here, at this very spot in front of the ocean?" I asked her grinning.
"Hm. I guess so..." Nami muttered and I could see the reflection of the ocean in her eyes as I looked at her side profile; I was mesmerized.
I let out a quiet laugh while looking down. "I still can't believe you told me to not eat flowers that day... It's so funny thinking back to it. I sure made a fool of myself on that day."
"Oh yeah. I guess I should pay you back for that flower crown you gave me awhile ago. Weren't you selling them?" Nami nonchalantly asked and she put her hands in her pockets. "I still have it in my closet somewhere. I can give it back to you if you want to still sell it to someone-"
"N-No! Please keep it!" I insisted while waving my hands frantically back and fourth, and I grew more flustered by the second by just remembering how much I was blushing on that very day. "D-Don't worry about it... I want you to keep it. Plus, it looks great on you."
Nami smirked a bit. "Uh-huh. What's that supposed to mean?"
My jaw almost dropped. Is she flirting with me?? Teasing me??!
I decided to change the subject. "U-Uh... Hey Nami, do you like the ocean?"
Nami seemed a bit perplexed about my sudden question and she calmly shrugged with her hands in her pockets. "Uh, well yeah I guess. I actually was gonna ask you that. ...Do you?"
I blushed. "Yeah. It reminds me of your eyes..." I admitted sheepishly while twirling one of my pigtails, but I also let out a little giggle.
That's PAYBACK for being flirty and teasing me earlier out of nowhere! HAHA.
Nami was immediately flustered and blushed. "It's like six in the morning... Don't say ridiculous stuff like that to me right now."
With that, Nami quickly walked away while looking annoyed as she blushed and I giggled.
- End of Flashback -
I couldn't help but giggle when recalling this morning. Right now I'm walking to the town square to open up my shop and-
My footsteps came to a halt when I saw a girl looking around my age walk into the inn with long flowing wavy pink hair, fair skin, and pink eyes. I was beyond puzzled, since I've never seen her before. She even was wearing this fancy dress with white puffy sleeves, a black sweetheart neckline, and then the rest of the bottom of her long dress was red. Who the heck is she? She's very pretty.
Curious, I decided to follow her into the inn and in the lobby, I saw her cheerily talking to... Nami.
Instantly, jealousy and insecurity started to bubble up within me, and I feel like I was even more triggered since this girl's hair was my favorite color: pink.
Don't tell me this is Nami's ex-girlfriend...
I haven't felt this much jealousy since Gustafa.
I felt sadness started to stir in me, but I tried to fight it. Gosh, I'm being ridiculous and jumping to conclusions right now. There's no reason for me to be insecure about anything...
When Nami noticed me at the door, she abruptly rushed up to me and grabbed my arm, dragging me out the door with her.
Shocked, I blushed outrageously. "W-What, what are you doing??"
"That girl... she has a thing for me. I can't stand her, help me get away from her," Nami whispered into my ear, causing butterflies to swarm my stomach.
"W-What the heck do you want me to do?!" I asked stammering, my face growing hotter.
"Pretend to be my girlfriend or something." Nami casually suggested in a hurried tone while whispering. "Hold onto my arm."
My eyes almost jumped out my sockets and I stood there frozen. "W-WHAT?!?"
My face was flushed bright pink as the girl then walked outside to greet us.
"Namiiiii!" she whined. "You're always leaving me!"
The pinkette then noticed me and looked puzzled, she then flashed me one giddy smile. "Ooh, you must be the new farmer girl I've been hearing about. You're all pretty and pink too! Hi! I'm Popuri from Mineral Town! I came here today because I was worried after hearing about the scientist's arrest and how he was brought to my town's jail - I wanted to make sure Nami was okay!"
I inwardly smiled at hearing her compliment me and suddenly, I didn't feel so jealous anymore - HAH!
From the corner of my eye, I then noticed Nami was slyly gesturing for me to cling onto her arm and I froze for a couple seconds, my eyes widening.
Why do Nami's eyes look so serious right now?!
Does she know what's she's even ASKING OF ME?!
Then in a turn of events, without thinking, I literally GAY-PANICKED and sprinted away from the two of them while blushing furiously!!!
I panted wildly as I returned to my farm and stood outside my house.
How embarrassing.
I entered my house and began to overthink about Popuri and Nami. Sadness and insecurity started to bubble within me again.
Nami says Popuri has a thing for her... How does she know that? Did Popuri confess to her awhile ago? Did they use to date in the past? I CAN'T BELIEVE NAMI ASKED ME TO PRETEND TO BE HER GIRLFRIEND!
I put my face in my hands and blushed as I sat on my bed, my cheeks scorching hot.
I guess that might be a clue that Nami really is into women, since she asked me to do that... because she could have told Popuri she was straight or only into men or something, not have me pretend to be her girlfriend!! Sigh.
An idea then popped into my mind and I glanced at my closet. Pink hair... Her hair was so pretty...
I've never dyed my hair before because I love being a brunette so much. There has been a curious part of me that has always wanted to dye my hair pink, but I've always been too chicken. So that's why...
I have a pink wig in my closet.
- Five Minutes Later -
There I was, standing in front of the mirror, now wearing that same pink wig, with my hair style still remaining as pigtails.
Why... Why do I feel compelled to show Nami with me like this? Am I losing my mind?! Why do I feel threatened by Popuri's pink hair?? Gahhhh! No, no! ...I genuinely want to try it out and see how I feel walking around town with it. Yeah... I think I'll do that.
Taking in a deep breath, I walked out of my house and began to walk out of my farm. Instantly - I saw Nami - she saw me and paused, beyond perplexed. Embarrassment began to engulf me and to my utter despair, it looked like Nami was trying to HOLD IN A LAUGH!
Immediately, I ran back into my farm and took off the pink wig, undeniably mortified now!
Just as I was about to enter my house, I suddenly heard Rock's voice near the entrance of my farm, and I swiftly hid behind a tree near my house, fixing my brown hair back into pigtails as I held the pink wig between my knees.
"Hm. I wonder how much Babe's farm would sell for?"
My jaw dropped. WHAT?!
And the blond moron kept on talking.
"She'll be surprised. Babe won't be expecting the guy of her dreams to come visit her like this out of the blue. It's been awhile since I've been on her farm, I'm sure she'll cook me dinner now since I came all this way!"
My jaw dropped to the ground at this point. THE AUDACITY!
THE ONLY ONE I WILL EVER COOK FOR IS NAMI!
Rock chuckled. "I'm sure Babe will finally get with me now, leaving Nami in the dust! She never stood a chance anyway with my Babe!"
Speaking of Nami, I then heard her voice too.
"Uh, yeah. I'm sure I have a way better chance at being with her than you any day... Kayla actually has standards."
I bersekely blushed up a storm. D-Did Nami really just say that?! That she has a better chance at being with me... than him?!!?! Oh my...
I felt like I was about to faint from blushing so much.
"What did you say?!" Rock roared dramatically at her. "Now you're going to ruin my surprise date plan for Babe too!! Quit being so jealous of my irresistible good looks! I know that Babe obviously likes me more than you!! Stay out of my way BUD!"
I could literally feel Nami glaring at him. "I'm warning you. Don't ever call me 'Bud' again. Or you'll regret it."
"Humph!! Whatever!!"
I heard my dog Pointy suddenly barking towards Rock's direction and then of course, I heard Rock's obnoxious voice once more.
"Awe, I love dogs! Do you think Babe will let me steal this one? I have no money, so I'm sure she'll feel sorry for me and will let me have this one."
STEAL MY DOG?!?!?!!
"You can't be serious..." I heard Nami mutter, I peeked my head from behind the tree to see Nami crossing her arms.
Suddenly, Pointy started barking out of control and jumped on Rock. "Argh!!!" he screamed and his expression then grew fierce as he held the dog back. "So you're going to be like this, huh?! Ok - CRUSHER! ...Let's settle this!"
- Ten Minutes Later -
Rock kept referring to my dog as "Crusher" and he challenged my dog to multiple races around my pasture, with Nami being the referee. Every time they went at it, my dog won EVERY SINGLE TIME, but Rock always denied it!
I watched the whole race hiding behind the tree in disbelief. Eventually, both Rock and Nami left my farm, well - Nami practically dragged him away from visiting me. Thank goodness...
Sighing, I began to walk towards the town square again, hoping to finally open my shop today for once, when Lou suddenly stopped me in my tracks.
"Um, excuse me Kayla... Tei and I need to talk to you inside the inn," she confessed, concern filling her voice.
Confused, I followed her inside, and was basically praying that it didn't have anything bad to do with Nami.
Tei was standing behind the counter and the two stood next to each other, looking at me in concern.
"You see Kayla. Rock told us something that basically implied that the two of you are...engaged," Lou started frowning and I almost fell over completely bewildered.
WHAT?! ENGAGED?!! WHAT IS ROCK TELLING PEOPLE?!
"We were just wondering why him out of all people... He's not really everyone's cup of tea," Tei muttered.
"We especially don't know why since we thought something was going on with you and Nami," Lou explained frowning, dissapointment just leaking out of her voice.
I blushed about the Nami comment and before I could even say anything, Lou spoke once more, "This might be Rock's only chance at love, to be honest. So I hope for his sake, that he doesn't scare you away..."
Nami abruptly came down the stairs. "What's going on?" she calmly questioned, raising an eyebrow slightly.
"Rock and Kayla are well... engaged," Tei answered awkwardly.
Nami's face scrunched up in total disbelief, she didn't believe it for a second. "That's impossible."
I almost laughed out loud at how Nami responded, she seemed really disturbed by the thought.
I know she probably doesn't believe it, since I literally told her I'm a lesbian, and she knows I'd never date that dude in a million years.
Without warning, Rock waltz in the inn with a smug smirk on his face.
"Whoa, you guys here for a meet-or-greet or something? Man, it sure is tough being so popular."
Nami and I twitched in pure annoyance. I wanted to slap that smug smirk off of his face.
The room fell silent as we all stared at him.
"What, no applause? Ah, I get it. You're all too stunned into silence by 'The Rock's' magnetic energy. I'll go back outside so all of you could all process your emotions toward me. Don't worry, I'm very understanding."
Rock abruptly left the inn and I chased after him outside, about to explode from anger.
"ROCK! Why are you telling people-"
"I heard it all!" Rock suddenly confessed, in a dramatic tone as always, and he turned around to face me; his hazel eyes beyond serious. "It's about Matthew, isn't it? He's got it rough, no one seems to want him."
I blinked, absolutely confused and taken aback by him bringing up Matthew. I almost laughed out loud from the immense amount of disbelief I was feeling.
Rock continued to blabber on and on in a passionate rant as he was clenching his fists and staring up at the sky.
"I'm shocked my parents are trying to set you up with MATTHEW - out of all people??! Sheesh, how hopeless is the dude that he asked my precious parents for help?! My condolences to you, Babe. This is an OUTRAGE! My own parents, even trying to help out my archnemis! He's obviously still in love with Cecelia, but he can't have her so he's settling for YOU! That's just WRONG! Don't worry Babe, The Rock will AVENGE YOU!!!"
Before Rock could even spat more nonsense, Nami walked outside.
Immediately, I blurt out to Nami, "I'M NOT ENGAGED!!"
Can you tell that I hate misunderstandings...
She was taken aback by my sudden outburst. "Uh... I figured..." Nami awkwardly muttered and I blushed, feeling embarrassed.
Rock turned to Nami, his eyes still full of anger. "Can you believe it Nami?? My own parents, my own flesh and blood, are trying to set up MY BABE with MATTHEW! I AM FLABBERGASTED!"
"I'm surprised you know that big word..." Nami mumbled but Rock didn't hear her. I inwardly giggled.
Matthew was then walking toward our direction and I gulped, preparing for the worst to come from Rock.
Rock pointed a finger at him. "YOU - YOU STAY AWAY FROM MY BABE! GO HUG A TREE OR SOMETHING INSTEAD! AND LEAVE MY INNOCENT PARENTS ALONE!"
With his hands in his pockets, Matthew stopped in his tracks and glared right at the blond buffoon. "Excuse me?"
The two of them began to bicker endlessly back and fourth.
I sighed, feeling second-hand embarrassment for the both of them, when suddenly I felt Nami's arm wrap around my shoulder. Startled, I looked over at her blushing.
Nami was looking straight ahead nonchalantly and said, "Let's get back inside and ditch those two."
Nami quickly rushed me inside the inn, her arm still around me, and I blinked repeatedly in confusion, not sure how there was exactly any straight-explanation for why she has her arm around me like this... I guess she wants to be alone with me right now.
Tei and Lou were nowhere near to be found in the lobby anymore; however, Popuri was there.
The pinkette smiled at first at seeing us, but her smile soon fell once she noticed Nami had her arm around me.
Popuri's eyes grew wide. "Are you two... friends?"
I blushed and in a flash, Nami then let go of me and she crossed her arms, looking to the side away from us. Okay, definitely don't want Popuri to think that Nami and I are JUST friends! Because we are obviously more, so...
Without thinking, I waved my hands signaling 'no', and said frantically with a weak smile, "Oh, Nami and I aren't really friends... You see-"
"Hn." Nami huffed under her breath, interrupting me, and with her hands in her pockets, she began to quickly make her way up the stairs. I froze, confused as to why she was suddenly leaving. Before she fully was out of sight, I managed to see the expression of her side-profile. Her face was still rather stoic; however, Nami now looked rather...bothered.
Is Nami... mad at me?
Author Note: This chapter was inspired by how in the game I always had this constant delimma if I wanted my character to have my brown hair or pink hair, but I did decide on the brown hair. XD Let me know if anyone else had that issue hahaha. I actually wrote chapter 25 before I wrote this chapter lolllll. I can't wait to write all the other chapters. But I hope you guys liked this chapter (: Hope you enjoyed the foreshadowing I've been sprinkling in like here and there, I did with Daryl for sure I forgot to mention, haha. I appreciate all your nice comments and reviews lately, thank you so much! We're about to get into a favorite part I have planned out for this story VERY soon haha. ALSO the Popuri part was about a Nami event that took place is DS Cute that I had no idea about!! Apparently Nami does say Popuri has a thing for her xD haha.
