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Post by Pickle on Feb 28, 2009 3:24:53 GMT -5
Last chapter. I am going to miss the story. On the plus side, I will be able to work on some other different stories, including new stories. Can’t really say anything else except, you know, this story was never meant to be anything but a cute story contrary to what I thought I could write. There really isn’t anything in this story I would consider a full-blown romance. I hope I did not disappoint Cocoa’s expectations.
Now let’s get this party started!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, nor Harvest Moon where they are all from.
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Summer went by too fast. Way too fast for most people’s liking. At least for a certain pink-haired girl’s liking. And her opinion matted most right now, anyways.
It was the 29th, meaning it was also Zack’s birthday, and everyone was at the Snack Shack to celebrate. Well, maybe not everyone, but a good many people.
Lillia made a big cake for everyone to enjoy, with Popuri helping with the icing. Kai’s special today was a tomato, cucumber, and cheese sandwich for the birthday man and anyone else who wished to try the compilation.
Most people either bought him a present or made one or made him food (Zack was not a glutton, but he was a big guy who worked out; he needed to eat). All the presents brought were on the counter; all opened and would be brought to his small shack when the evening was done. He got a few new tops, a pair of pants, a new set of towels with some nice bath salts (all from Popuri, Lilia, and Rick), a whole set of meats and sausages (From Carter and Cliff), some oranges (curtsy of Won, who only gave them away because he wanted to use the box they came in for something else), some new scissors and a set of various cutely (from Gray and all made in his smelt and all the raw materials paid for by Saibara), some rather exotic cooking books from India (from Mary and her family), and some cute little drawings from the kids (and Popuri, of course!). Lumina, since she could not think of a good gift, did all of Zack’s work for the day.
It worked out pretty good for the both of them; Zack got to properly celebrate his birthday and this qualified as a test for Lumina. If she could successfully pull off all her duties today, then Zack informed her she could be considered a graduated trainee. Oh sure, she had no certifications or business education, but with the experience she had, she could have a nice resume and quite a many references. Zack already gave her all the numbers of the people he shipped to as well as the phone at Doug’s Inn, just in case anyone wanted to speak to Zack himself. She had pride now, and confidence. She could do something like this for the rest of her life. This was her career. This was who she could be.
Lumina let out a sigh.
This was not what her grandmother wanted from her.
No, she was not going to think about it. Not just yet.
She carried her basket of crops to Zack’s little shack. Okay, so she wasn’t like Zack. She needed help moving the large amount of crops that the farmer could put out, especial at the end of the season. But in her defense, not everyone could lift three times his or her weight in corn on a daily basis. Moreover, Lumina herself only weight about a third of whatever Zack had on him.
In a related noticed, the farmer watched several times as the small girl went back and forth in bringer the loads of farm goods. They wanted to help, but she was quite adamant about doing everything herself.
It was now 6:47 p.m. and Lumina unloaded the last of the crops for the evening into the small shack owned by Zack. She had already been around for the early festivities of Zack party, including the party games and the gift giving and the cake, so she did not feel bad about missing the ‘after party.’ And it was not like a typical ‘after party.’ Nobody was drunk, getting into trouble, or trying to steal anything. All the adults were talking to one another over some nice cups of water or maybe a nice bit of wine someone brought for the good occasion, while the younger people were looking at the presents or playing with some more party games.
“Hey Lumina!” The girl turned and looked over to see Kai standing out on his deck.
She grinned and waved back. “Hello.” She wiped her forehead, feeling the slight dampness, especially with the sea breeze blowing. “Ohhh, how’s the party?”
The young man laughed. “It’s calmed down, but nobody wants to leave.” He walked over from his place of business, chuckling a little under her breath. “It’s my last couple days, so everyone’s mooching off me as much as they can before I go.” He soon stood next to her, gazing over the ocean with a deep breath.
“You make it sound like they have nothing better to do!” Lumina said with her only bit of tittering
Kai laughed aloud, “Well, can you keep a secret?” Lumina nodded. He leaned closer to her ear and whispered, “I think some of them don’t.”
She whacked him a little on his shoulder, “That’s not nice to say about your friends.”
He waved his hands a bit. “I’m just kiddin’! Besides, if they wanna stay at my place all day long, then they can. I like the folks of Mineral Town. A lot better then some of the people I know in the city”
“What is the city like?” Lumina asked.
“It’s busier, louder, and more crowded.” Kai quickly replied, as if he answered this question before. “And you don’t make as many friends. I mean here, everyone here knows everyone else. And maybe they aren’t great friends, but everyone treat everyone at least like a first cousin.” Kai then blinked, and grinned at Lumina, “Oh yah, you’re not from Mineral Town, either. Is it different in the Valley?”
Lumina thought about it. “It is a lot a like; there’s a tavern, an inn, shops, and a large farm, and everyone is sort of like a family. But it is a little different.” She smiled at the thought of home fondly. “Everyone is a little more laid back, and everything is much quieter and almost…gentler. But yes, this is probably more like home then a city would be.”
“Yah.” Then he smirked, “Hey, you get to explore the world, now don’t you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Lillia told me you are going to a university for arts or something, right?” Kai did not notice, but Lumina looked down sadly. “I went to night school for business for a couple of years, but that was it. I did do well in high school and I did enjoy choir, but I wasn’t interesting in becoming talented. Guess I’m not the type.” Kai was lost in thought for a moment, perhaps in his own memories.
“Hey Kai…” Lumina looked down, embarrassed.
“Yah?”
“I…need a favor…” Kai blinked and looked at Lumina. He did not notice how quiet and nervous she had become over the last couple of moments, but now he did. Also, he noticed how sad she looked.
“This isn’t one of those ‘I need 400 GP to buy this cool present for my friend and I’ll pay you back next week,’ is it?” Kai already knew this was going to be big.
Even though she still looked very sad, she did let out a little chuckle. “I’m sorry. I probably should not ask this of this, but Popuri said-”
“Popuri?”
The little girl nodded. “Yes, she said you could help, but I didn’t want her to ask, because this is my problem and if I’m going to beg for help…I will do it.”
“This is serious, huh?” Kai said, gripping his chin. “I am willing to help, though. Can’t leave such a lovely lady like you in distress.” He said with a smooth voice and a cocky smile.
“Yes, I figured you might help with it.” Lumina replied without a beat.
Kai mentally snapped his fingers. The girl was impervious to flirtation of any time. He just complimented her, and it rolled off her like nothing. Though…it was a little funny. And amusing. He was not expecting any different, anyways. He tossed a few compliments, but she always acted like as if it was a compliment for anything. Very funny. It did not make him upset or anything. Just something different. But, he was not quite serious about it anyways. None of his flirtation was. It was nice to see the reaction. It worked out nicely; they got a compliment they may not get so much and have a story to tell and sometimes Kai would get something free out of it. He was not particular about his drink or his food. “Alright, I’m listening.”
She took a deep breath, and then looked down at the surf just grazing her feet. “When you leave on the first of Fall, can I come with you to the city?”
Well, that was not…something he expected. “Um…I’m sorry, can you…what?”
“I know, it’s very forward of me. But, you know the city and I don’t and I need to go there.”
“But, you know…you’re just…you go plans in your life! You got school!” This was a bit strange. Of course he had people (re: girls) wanted to travel everywhere with him. None quite as sensible as this girl before him. No, not this type of girl.
“No, I’m not.”
“What?”
“I’m not going to school.” She sighed, then sat down near the edge of the coast.
The only sounds for a few moments were the waves crashing under the evening sun. Finally, Kai knelt down next to her. “Hey, you wanna talk about it?”
She nodded, almost looked ready to cry. “There’s this school…it’s a very prestige. My grandmother wanted me to apply. I did to, of course. So I sent in my applications…” Her face dropped more, if it was even possible for such a young girl. “I did not get accept, but I didn‘t want to hurt grandmother. She would be disappointed. She has been very under the weather, so she did not look at the letter and trusted my words. I was ashamed, not only because I lied but I failed.’
‘I decided to…I needed to think about this. I did not know what I was going to do, but I decided to venture out of Forgot-Me-Not Valley. I was going to have to leave once I went into school anyways. So, I thought about it and…I would at least say good-bye to everyone I needed to.” Her smiled brightened. “I wanted to meet Popuri. She was very fun to write to, and her town was close. I asked my grandmother, and she thought it would be a fantastic idea. She said it would help prepare me for being off into the world.’
‘I still feel bad that I did not send a letter to the Poultry farm, explaining I was coming. I really did not even think about it. I just needed to leave. I stopped by the farm earlier in the Spring and I was welcomed rather warmly. Especially Popuri…I told her my problem, and she right away started brainstorming ideas. She figured that if I did not succeed in education, I should look for another way to succeed in life. First, what I needed was experience in a job I could succeed in that could be put to use anywhere, so she convinced Zack to take me on as an apprentice for the season. And…she suggested…how to…” She looked at Kai a little shyly as soon as she ended her speech.
Kai simply smirked. “And she suggested you come with me back home, huh?”
“I do not mean to be forward, but-”
“It doesn’t sound like a bad idea.” Lumina blinked, then looked at Kai with something like shock.
‘I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“No, it’s not a bad idea.” Kai was grinning. “Well, I’ve been thinking about expanding my business back at home, but it’s a little tricky to do it all by myself. I’m good a customer service and cooking, but the book work can be a little too much.”
Lumina looked shocked; she did not believe what she was hearing. “I’m sorry…what do you mean?”
“Lumina, I’m offering you a job.” The man shrugged. “The job isn’t permanent, but if you want it, I’m offering. Besides, if you really want to try and get into that school, you can always try next year, right?”
“Yah…I guess.” Lumina was not certain she could get in a second time, but…how did she know? Maybe she could. She was still young, and maybe next year it would be different. Maybe next year she could make Romana proud of her.
“And, maybe you’ll like business instead of music. You never know.” Kai supplied helpfully.
For the first time in a long while, Lumina smiled. It was a big, bright thing, too. Full of joy and warmth and hope. It stretched over her face and spread through her body. It was a very nice site to see. “So, what would that make me, then?”
Kai laughed, “Financial advisor?”
“Sounds good to me!” Maybe her life would change from right here. And if it did, Lumina would be excited for it. Lumina grabbed his hand. “Let’s get started!”
“What? Right now!?” Kai asked with confusion.
“Yes! I mean, this sounds like a lot to do! If I’m going to be any good, I have to start right away, and I need these couple of days before we have to leave to learn everything I need to.” Lumina said a serious look on her face.
Kai, on the other hand, still looked shocked. “Well, sure Lumina, but you can learn that in the city. It’ll be…” What is the word? “A hands on experience.”
“Well, of course it will be.” She mumbled. “I mean, when I get there, I’m going to have to start right away. But I have time right now, when I won‘t have to start, right?”
“Yah, but…I mean-”
“You must go over all of this stuff before we leave! We have two days, so you have to show me what I need to prepare myself for.”
“But there’s a party going on!” Kai called out shakily.
“Oh right.” Lumina paused. Then she brightened up. “We’ll go to the inn and talk about this for a little. Whatever you can, tell me without needing any paper in front of you. And if we need papers, we can go back to the shack.” And without any other indication, excited Lumina pulled a rather surprised Kai away.
Unknown to the two, Popuri had skipped out of the party when the grown-ups were getting boring. She had been watching her friends since Lumina uttered the words ‘I’m not going to school.’ Of course, she knew that. Popuri may not be the brightest bulb in the box (actually, she probably was more like one of those flickering lights in the basement), but she knew that in order for Lumina to succeed in life without some fancy education, she would need some real job experience. This was where Zack came in: He could give Lumina a job for a whole long season. That part was successful; Lumina was smart, organized, and willing to work hard, even if heavy lifting was not one of her skills. Besides, they had machines to lift all the heavy stuff and Lumina could learn how to drive one of those. In addition, if she wanted a job, she would need to go to a place that had many jobs. Kai always told Popuri that there were many jobs in the city, especially for a started, so it perfect for Lumina! Especial with a season under her belt. Not that he expected Kai to throw a job at her, but that was for the better: Popuri trusted Kai with her pen pal.
And if some of Popuri’s out goingness brushed off on Lumina, well by golly that was good, too.
“Hey guys!” Popuri waved.
Both Kai and Lumina turn their heads over to her. The handholding man Popuri flinched, but it was somewhat funny seeing the weird look on Kai’s face.
“Popuri,” Lumina let go of Kai’s hand and walked up to her friend. “Kai gave me a job! Isn’t that perfect?”
“Oh, of course he would!” Popuri cheered equally. She then gave Kai a little glare with a smile. “Because if he didn’t, I would stop talking to him.”
Kai held up his hands, laughing. “Hey, it just so happened I need an assistant and having a clever one who’s honest and honor-bound is better then some stranger.” Then he made for a fake pout. “Besides, you’d really stop talking to me if I didn’t take Lumina away with me to hide from her grandmother?”
“Well…” Popuri touched a finger to her chin, “Maybe only for a little bit. Just until Lumina forgave you.”
Lumina covered her mouth with her hand. “I don’t tend to dislike people. Everyone deserves a fair evaluation.”
“Except Rick.” Popuri mumbled. Kai chuckled at the comment.
“Even Rick.” Lumina said, thought she laughed a little, too. “Hey, we’ll be heading to the Inn. You want to come to us?”
“You guys are gonna be disgusting a bunch of business stuff, huh?” Popuri asked.
“Yes.”
“Then nope. I think I’ll go back to the party. Maybe I can finally convince everyone to play pin the tail on the donkey!” She said with an evil cackle.
“But…I don’t have a donkey…” Kai mumbled, wondering what in his restaurant even looked like the animal. He was somewhat worried.
“Kai, we should…discuss things.” Lumina replied, then gave Popuri a wink, as if saying, ‘Put as many holes in his place until you are truly happy.’
And there they went, away, into town.
Popuri was glad, because maybe Lumina could find some happiness. But she was also sad, because there was yet another part of Kai’s life she could never totally understand. She had no idea what the next year would hold, but when they came back, they may mean something more intimate with each other and where would that leave Popuri?
Suddenly, a big shadow appeared behind her. Popuri was not scared; she would recognize the birthday-boy any day. “Hey Popuri!”
“Hi!” She cheerfully replied, though her eyes were looking up to the stairs leading away from the beach.
Zack looked in her direction. “What’s up?”
“I think Lumina got her happy ending.” She replied, slightly shifting back and forth on her feet.
“Oh?”
“Mmhmm, she’ll be working for Kai. He’s gonna open another restaurant.” Popuri looked up at Zack. “Is that hard?”
“I’d imagine so. You need a lot of permits and you have to follow certain restrictions.” Zack said, knowing some of the details, but not all of them. “Doug would probably know a lot.”
“Oh, that’s probably why Lumina wanted to go to the Inn. She not only had Kai, she would also have Doug for some knowledge.” Popuri nodded.
“You still okay with this, Popuri?”
“Yah…a little.” Popuri said, digging her toes in the sand. “But…I’m still happy. Lumina can succeed in life! Even if she is with Kai instead of Kai with me. They‘ll still both be my friends.” Popuri then smiled. “Besides, if they get married, I could always marry you instead!”
The man had been nodding for a bit, but not any more. “Wha-wha-what?!”
At this time, most people had decided that the party was over. After all, the birthday-boy left. The leavers included Rick and Lillia. For the other guest, when they saw a jaw-dropped Zack and an over-happy Popuri at the beach, it was just life as usual. The only ones who stuck around were Lillia and Rick, but that was more of a family obligations. Therefore, there were no other observers to see what would happen next.
“Oh, what’s the matter, Zack?” Lillia asked with concern.
“Um…umm…” He was not quite sure. He just did not know what to say, “Um…um…”
“I decided that when I grow up and if Lumina marries Kai, I can just marry Uncle Zack!” Popuri replied almost excitedly, then grabbed onto to a big, meaty hand.
For a few moments, Rick and Lillia just stared at the two with various emotions, the top being confusion and shock. Then…
Rick crossed his arms over his chest and thought deeply. Finally, he came up with this statement, “Eh…as long as it’s not Kai…Or any ‘ladies man.’ And Zack…you certainly not.”
If Zack’s jaw unhinged wide before, it hit the sandy ground now. Metaphorically, of course. “WHAT?!” His voice, on the other hand, did rise up a volume or two or seven.
“You gonna have to wait a few years, Popuri. Zack is still a little old for you. But I’m sure he would treat you alright.” He then looked down the beach, “but you need to buy a bigger house. And Won certainly will not be living with you in the near future.” With his two-cents now out there, he nodded with satisfaction.
Zack looked around for help, any help. Surely, Lillia could give some clear direction. The kids must be under the weather. Hopefully. But their mother was a smart lady; she should say something.
Lilia seemed to be deep in thought, the she let out a little breath, looking neither pleased nor displeased, “Well, I better send a letter to Rod. I think he might want to know that you might be his son-in-law in the next couple of years.” Then her face actually brightened. “Oh, maybe he’ll come home early to discuss the wedding!”
Rick then looked at the setting sun. “Alright, it’s getting a little late. We better head home.”
Both girls nodded, then mother and daughter gave a wave to a still stunned Zack. Popuri also stood on her tippy-toes and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “Night Uncle Zack. Thanks for everything.”
And so the Poultry Farm family left, leaving a very distraught Zack on the beach. His only thought?
‘Why Harvest Goddess, why?!”
The Harvest Goddess simply chuckled in her little pond, quite happy and content with how this love story played out, even if not all the participators were pleased yet. But all in due time. Yes, all in due time.
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All right, I know there are some openings at the end. I apologies. I apologies also for Kai only being featured near the end of the story. It is just…how it came out. I am not too happy with it, except for the last parts with the Poultry Family and Zack. That is all pure win. I hope I captured Lumina well. I at least hope people enjoyed the story, especially the ending. I hope also that people did not mind that the romance never went on past a budding one. I know, I can write crack romances, but for this story, I hope the cute stuff was enough. Either way…I was glad I started this. It was fun!
Thanks for reading it!
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