Akari thought she knew Chase fairly well by now, but the guy was full of surprises. Who would have thought that he'd be the patient one while she stood outside the mayor's house ready to rip her hair out?
"Are you always this high-strung?" He asked.
She ignored him and rang the bell for the fifth time. What could Gill and Mayor Hamilton possibly be doing in there?
"Who says they're even home? We should have gone to Town Hall first."
It was late in the afternoon. Town Hall was closed. And where else would Hamilton and Gill go on a Friday evening? Besides, she was eager to have something else to occupy her mind other than Kathy and Owen. She refused to let herself sit down and process everything that happened.
"Ehem."
Chase and Akari whirled around and found Gill standing behind them holding a brown bag of groceries.
"What on earth are you doing here?" He demanded.
Akari frowned. "We've been standing here for like ten minutes."
Gill rolled his eyes. "Clearly no one was home. Now, if you will excuse me."
He squeezed past the two and began to unlock the door, holding the bag in the crook of his forearm. A bundle of bananas and a loaf of bread fell to the ground as the bag tipped over. He sighed. Akari stooped down and picked them up.
"Can we come in?" She asked.
"And why would you want to do that?"
Chase smirked. "She obviously wants the pleasure of your company."
Akari looked back and forth between the two men, noticing their similarities for the first time. Both were arrogant and reclusive. They both appeared to be workaholics. However, Chase did have a sense of humor, no matter how sarcastic it was. Gill seemed to have been born without one. He was as dry as sandpaper.
Gill narrowed his eyes at Chase and opened the door, leaving just enough space for him to slide through. He extended his hand toward Akari for the bread and bananas.
"Wait, Gill," Akari said. "I just wanted to know...if you learned anything else about what happened to me."
He pinched the bridge of his nose and threw a wary glance at Chase. "Come in."
Gill left the door open as he stepped further into his house. Chase and Akari followed. Akari had only been to Gill's home once when Mayor Hamilton gave her a tour of the island when she first moved there. It was as immaculate now as it was then. Nary a dust bunny nor a speck of dirt could be found. It made sense. Gill was the god of cleanliness. His clothes were always ironed, his shoes polished, and his hair arranged in place, except for that strange cowlick. The mayor's son set his groceries on the kitchen table and began to sort them out. Akari glanced at her surroundings. The setting sun cast shadows in the room as sunlight seeped in from the parted curtains. Dying flames crackled in the fireplace in front of her. She couldn't help but notice a photo of a cow on the mantel.
"Why do you have a picture of a cow?" Akari said.
Gill placed a half gallon of milk in the refrigerator. "Are you here to discuss your case or make comments about how I decorate my home?"
"It is kind of weird that you have a picture of a cow," Chase said.
Akari smiled. She didn't know what was going on with Chase, but he seemed more relaxed these days. The raging storm cloud that hung over his head was gone. It wasn't all clear skies, but she was starting to enjoy his company. The days where she could just barely tolerate him became fewer and his scathing sarcasm turned to playful teasing. But she didn't know if she could fully trust him. If she couldn't count on the two people she trusted the most, how could she rely on Chase, someone who had no qualms about hurting her in the past?
Gill gestured toward the door. "If you're done insulting me, you can leave now."
Akari giggled. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. We're listening. What did you find out?" She couldn't bring herself to mention Owen. Just saying his name left a bitter taste in her mouth. She couldn't believe he could stoop so low as to kiss her best friend and then flaunt it in her face. He was a pro at manipulating her emotions. But why was she surprised? At this point, he was capable of doing anything. They were probably making out on the beach at that very moment. Nasty little creeps.
Gill filled a chipped white tea kettle with water and placed it on the stove. He sat down at the table and Chase and Akari followed suit. "I spoke to Ramsey today. Didn't learn anything. He said he talked to you a few days ago," Chase said.
Gill nodded. "Yes. He was not happy about it."
"You're telling me."
"I needed to confirm why Owen needed to go to the forest that day. He claimed he didn't know. In any case, Ramsey is not the one I'm concerned about."
"He's not?"
"He talked to me earlier," Akari said. "About…" She averted her eyes. "He seemed sympathetic, if anything. I don't know. Could be a front."
Ramsey's comments about Owen made her realize that she didn't know her ex at all. She had fallen for hisfacade much like everyone else. Unbeknownst to her and the other villagers, he was fighting something dark inside. But she was the only one to witness it. But what was it? And why did he unleash it on her? She snapped out of her spiral of thoughts as Chase and Gill continued their conversation.
"So, who are you concerned about?"
The tea kettle whistled, and Gill stood up to remove it from the stove. He placed three bags of black tea into China cups and poured the boiling water over each one. "Other than Owen? The witch," he said.
Chase and Akari gaped. "The witch?"
Gill nodded. Apparently, he didn't find anything outrageous about his own claim. Rumor had it that an evil witch lived in the deepest part of the Fugue Forest. That rumor was the reason that Akari never ventured further than she had to for lumber. She didn't want the old bat to turn her into a frog or something. Luke managed to spook her every time he was in the forest, lurking behind the cluster of trees and cackling like a maniac. Still, she had no idea how Gill jumped to such an illogical conclusion. As far as she knew, no one on Castanet could prove the witch even existed. How could she have anything to do with Owen?
"The witch?" Chase said again."Are you twelve? You seriously believe that crap?" Akari wasn't surprised by Chase's disbelief in the island's old folk tales. She wasn't so sure she agreed. The moment she stepped foot on Castanet, she knew there was something magical about it. She just couldn't place what it was.
After Gill finished steeping the tea, he placed the cups on the table. Akari reached for a bowl of sugar and sprinkled some into her tea. Chase cautiously brought his cup to his lips and took a sip. "My anonymous source told me they saw Akari and Owen go into the Fugue Forest just before the storm," Gill said. "And you found her unconscious on the bridge. Something doesn't add up. Unless someone comes forward with more information, I absolutely believe she was involved. That's where she lives, deep inside the forest."
Akari smiled. She didn't take Gill for the type to believe in the supernatural. He seemed incapable of imagination. However, she did remember his father telling her that he claimed to see the Harvest Sprites when he was younger. Either the man was crazy, or he knew more about the island than anyone thought. She was leaning more on the crazy side, however.
"That's ridiculous," Chase said. "I can tell you right now what probably happened. I…"
He looked at Akari. His expression was apologetic. "Never mind."
"No, what?" She pressed.
Chase's body tensed as he stared past Gill's shoulder to look out the window behind him. It was getting dark. Lights from the streetlamps streamed into the room and moths fluttered against the windowpane. "It's not important," he said. "But I know for a fact that it had nothing to do with a witch."
Akari sighed. She wanted to know if the same dark thought crossed his mind.
"Then it's a good thing you're not in charge of this case," Gill said, looking at Chase as he took a sip of his tea.
Chase glared at him. "Maybe I should be."
Akari held up her hand. "Okay, alpha males. Look, this happened to me, right? I think we should explore every possibility. No matter how crazy. So, Gill. If you think the witch had something to do with it, what's your plan?"
He shrugged. "Obviously, I would need to find her."
"You'd do that alone?"
"If I must."
Akari considered. The trip would be the perfect opportunity to keep her mind off Owen and Kathy. It would be a long journey, a couple of days at least. She'd have to leave her farm unattended. Chase could take care of it. But then again, she wanted him to go with her. She didn't know why. He'd just complain the entire time or make jabs at her as usual. Maybe she was desperate for familiarity at this point. Or perhaps the thought of traveling alone with Gill made her nervous. Whatever the reason, she knew that Chase was going with them, whether he agreed to it or not.
"I'll go with you," Akari said.
Chase shot her an incredulous look. Gill shook his head. "No, that won't be necessary."
"Gill, do you know anything about the forest? You need an axe to get through it. And I'm the only one in this room who knows how to use one."
Akari sat back in her chair and folded her hands in her lap. Chase and Gill sat in stunned silence. She wondered how it felt to be emasculated by a little farmer. Not that either of them were big tough guys.
"So, you believe him?" Chase said. "You really think a witch had something to do with it?"
"I don't know. But I trust Gill. I know he wouldn't go through with anything if he didn't believe it."
Gill blushed and took the empty china cups to the kitchen sink to wash. Chase looked unconvinced. "What about your head? Dr. Jin hasn't cleared you to go back to work. You probably shouldn't go around chopping trees, Superwoman. Or meeting witches."
Busted. So busted. She never told him that Jin said she was free to work again. She racked her brain for a response, but she took too long to reply. Chase folded his arms across his chest. "He did, didn't he?"
She sighed. "Yes. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, but…"
He stood up from his chair and pushed it back in place. "You know, this sounds familiar. Maybe Owen was right about you keeping important details from people."
An unfamiliar surge of rage rushed through her body. Her hands began to tremble as she balled them into fists. "How dare you! That's not the same and you know it!"
Her breathing was labored, her heart was pounding. What was happening? Why did she feel so angry?
Chase thanked Gill for the tea and left. Akari stared at the door as it shut behind him. Uncomfortable silence engulfed the room. And then she finally cried. She cried and cried and cried. All the events of the day washed over her like a crashing wave. She sobbed until her chest ached. Gill walked over and squeezed her shoulder. She buried her face in her hands. Out of everyone on the island, she just had to break down in front of Gill.
A pair of keys jingled as the front door opened. "Gill, are you home?"
Akari raised her head. Mayor Hamilton's keys clattered to the floor as he gaped at the young woman. "My heavens! Akari? What's wrong, my dear?"
She sniffed. "I'm sorry, Mayor Hamilton. I was just leaving."
"No, no, no," he said. "You stay right here while I make dinner. Then we can all talk."
People could say whatever they wanted about the mayor and his son, but they were hospitable and generous. Gill lit the fireplace, and Hamilton found a blanket to drape over her shoulders as she sat in front of the roaring flames. The two men discussed town business as Akari sipped on her second cup of tea. She felt the cares of the day melt away as her body relaxed.
The savory aroma of Italian herbs filled the room as Mayor Hamilton removed a pan of spaghetti from the oven. "I hope you like spaghetti, Akari," he said, a melodic lilt to his voice.
She smiled. "I love spaghetti."
"Must you sing, father?" Gill said while peering over his book at the older man.
The mayor hummed to himself as he set three plates of spaghetti on the table. "If that's what puts a smile on Akari's face, then yes, I must sing."
Akari laughed as she madeher way to the table. "You guys didn't have to do all this." Her stomach gurgled.
Gill took a seat next to her. "Clearly, we had to. You should eat more. How do you expect to run a farm without any energy?"
He had an unusualway of expressing concern, but she appreciated it, nonetheless.
"So, what's going on, Akari?" Mayor Hamilton said.
Akari twirled her spaghetti around her fork. What wasn't going on? She didn't think it was fair to dump her problems on people who were so generous to her. Instead, she redirected the conversation to the main issue. "It's just been a really bad day, honestly, but Gill and I were just talking about my, uh, case."
Hamilton's eyes widened. "Yes, Gill told me he was trying to help you figure out what happened to you last month. Do you feel unsafe? You're always welcome to stay here!"
"No, no. I'm fine. Just eager to put this all behind me." Akari couldn't think of anything worse than living with Gill and his father. Gill probably spent an hour in the bathroom exfoliating his skin and putting on tomato face masks while Hamilton snored like a bear.
The mayor rubbed his chin. In doing so, he spread spaghetti sauce along his jaw. "I hate to think any of our islanders would be capable of such a thing."
Gill handed his father a napkin. "Yes, we know. But I think I may have a lead. It's going to take a few days to get any answers." He cast a subtle look at Akari. She frowned. When the mayor leaned down to take another bite of spaghetti, he put a finger to his lips.
"A few days?" He asked. "Why days?"
"Don't worry. We still have to officiate Candace and Julius' wedding, so I will be here for that."
Mayor Hamilton didn't ask any more questions. Akari had a feeling he was used to his son being secretive. After dinner, Akari thanked the mayor and Gill agreed to walk her home. It was a gorgeous night. A cloudless sky loomed above. The moon hung full and bright beneath the blazing stars. Blades of grass moved in steady waves with the cool breeze. Gill and Akari walked in admiration of the scenery before the former interrupted the silence with a question, "Did you mean what you said earlier?"
Akari pretended not to be annoyed by the intrusion. "About what?"
"About trusting me to make good decisions."
"Of course. I told you before. You'd make a good mayor. You're more thorough than your dad, that's for sure. No offense."
Gill smirked. "No, my father is a good man. Better than me. But his heart is too big. You can't be so trusting of everyone."
That was the doggone truth.
When they reached Akari's farmland, she observed the fields of blossoming fruits and vegetables. They looked even more majestic at night. She wondered if Chase would even come back to harvest them. Even if he didn't, she still owed him his share. She'd probably just go to the post office to mail the check. She couldn't face him.
"On one hand, you do need to trust someone," Gill continued. "I think you should make upwith Chase."
She started. "Why?"
"I don't speak with him often, but it's my job to know about the people who live here. He doesn't appear to spend much time with anyone. So, I was quite surprised to see him with you. He seemed concerned. That speaks of something."
"I appreciate it, Gill. But honestly, I'm tired of running after him. It's the same thing. He hurts my feelings, we don't talk for a while, I try to be the bigger person. I'm over it."
He nodded. "I understand. Anyway, after the wedding, we can discuss our plan in detail. Have a good night, Akari."
"Yeah, you too."
She lingered at the door before going inside. Her body was so tired. She fell back on her bed, not bothering to change out of her clothes. As she stared at the ceiling, she tried to fight off Gill's words about Chase.
You should make upwith Chase.
He seemed concerned.
Something in her wanted to fight for their friendship, even if it meant she had to be the bigger person again and again. She couldn't allow another person to walk out of her life. She headed to the barn and gently wokeScarlett from her sleep. The horse whinnied in protest.
"I'm sorry, girl," Akari said. "I promise I'll let you sleep in tomorrow if you help me with this."
She led Scarlett out of the barn, saddled up, and led her to Flute Fields.
Akari waved at Reene, who was fishing on the Flute Field's bridge. A wave of nausea hit her as she spotted Chase's home in the distance. A light was on by the front of his house. Scarlett trotted along the dirt path as Akari rehearsed what she was going to say. She wasn't going to apologize this time. There was no reason to. She was going to lay it all on the table, and if he didn't accept, she would just move on.
Akari slid off the saddle when Scarlett reached his house. She raised her hand to knock on the door and let it hover in the air instead. This was a stupid idea. They weren't friends. He almost walked away before she fell into the pond. Pity was the only thing he felt toward her, which was doubly pathetic since Chase wasn't the type to extend pity to anyone. She let her arm fall to her side and turned to walk away. "Akari?"
She whirled around. He was leaning against the doorframe. All that rehearsal flew out the window. "Oh! Yeah. Hey, Chase. Um, what's up?"
He raised an eyebrow and took a hesitant step forward. "Look, I'm sorry about earlier. I-"
She cut him off as she regained her confidence. "That's not enough. I need to know, Chase. Do you even want to be my friend? Because I'm not going to tolerate you treating me like crap. Owen did it. Kathy, well, I don't know. Look, I really like you. There, I said it! You give me a lot of reasons not to, but I can't help it. You can be crabby and bitter and alone all you want, but you can't take it out on me anymore. So, decide now. Because this will be the last time I chase after you."
She took a deep breath. She was okay with the outcome; she was just happy to have one less thing off her chest. Chase froze. His entire demeanor seemed rampant with conflicting emotions. He stepped forward again, moving as if trying not to scare off a frightened kitten. He then wrapped his arms around her body and pulled her close to him. She reciprocated slowly, dumbfounded by his gesture. He pressed his cheek against her hair. She inhaled the scent of oranges as her head rested on his chest.
"Are you done?" He said with a tease in his voice.
"Yeah," she said.
"Then yes, farm girl. I want to be friends."
A/N: I wanted to add some of the supernatural elements of Harvest Moon into the story. I know you're all like, "The witch!? What!?" Trust me, it will make total sense in the end.
This chapter was hard to write! It was so emotional. I think Chase and Akari have finally come to terms with how much they care about each other. But it's still an unrequited love for Chase. :( Let's see if that changes! Thanks for reading.
I definitely plan to address Owen's back story in the near future. His role isn't over by a long shot. Thank you for bringing that up, Atomitrox.