Roses and Sonatas [Harvest Moon: Tale of Two Towns]

Chapter 31

The next several days passed peacefully. Although I missed spending time with both Cam and Mikhail, I was relieved that they were leaving me alone for now. I said hello or waved to them when I saw them in passing, but I didn't seek them out. Mikhail didn't come to the spring crop festival, and I kept my purchases at Cam's shop to a minimum.

A week after my birthday was the last cooking festival of the season—the first time all three of us had been together since that day. Cam wasn't one of the participants for Bluebell, opting instead to cheer for his village's team—though admittedly he didn't look very enthusiastic this time. Mikhail appeared on Konohana's side, but like Cam, he remained fairly quiet throughout the competition. The theme was desserts, and I brought a rich custard made with milk and eggs from my own farm and garnished with some early strawberries. My teammates were Nori, who brought a delicate tofu-based dessert, and Hiro, who brought strawberry mochi. The judge, Pierre, raved about my custard when he tasted it, and Konohana won the competition.

Afterwards, when everyone split up into little groups to talk and sip tea, I found myself chatting with Dirk, Kana, and Georgia. I spotted Mikhail a ways off, looking daggers at Dirk, who seemed oblivious to Mikhail's hostile glares. Cam likewise stood some distance away, with Ash and Cheryl. I saw him look over in my direction once or twice but didn't acknowledge his glances as they didn't seem to be directed to me any more than Mikhail's were. When I decided to head for home, Dirk offered to walk with me, and as I'd been enjoying his company, I accepted.

As we walked, he looked at me curiously, and asked if I had any idea why both Mikhail and Cam had been glowering at him all afternoon yet hadn't come over to talk to me even once. I sighed and explained, saying, "Well, basically things were getting to be too much with those two fighting all the time. So I told them to leave me alone—for a while, anyway—and to stay away from each other. So that's what they're doing... for now. I guess they were just a little jealous that I was talking with you."

Dirk looked enlightened, and grinned at me, saying, "Wow, they must be really crazy about you, if they actually did what you asked in spite of wanting to strangle each other!" I laughed and agreed that it did seem that way. Then we reached the town gates, and he went into his house while I continued on to mine.

A couple of days later was the last day of spring—the day I needed to harvest the last of my spring crops as well as prepare to plant my summer seeds. I ate a quick but hearty breakfast of a mushroom and herbed cheese omelet, toast, juice, and tea, dressed in my work clothes, pulled on my boots, and was just about to head out the door when someone knocked. I frowned when I opened it and found Mikhail standing on my porch.

"Mikhail... " I started in a tired voice, but he held up a hand to hush me.

"I'm just stopping by to... to say goodbye," he said, looking at me and then quickly away.

"Goodbye?" I repeated, stunned.

He looked at me again and nodded. "I... I just can't stay away from you. So if I'm to give you the space you need, I have no choice but to leave. I don't do well in hot climates anyway, so that is the excuse I'm using—that I need to find a milder climate. I plan to return in the fall. Maybe by then...." he trailed off.

I looked away into the distance for a minute, then looked back at him, saying slowly, "You know I can't promise... "

"I know," he interrupted. "I'm not asking you to promise me anything. I'm not even asking you to wait until I return before making a decision. But I have to go, for a while at least. And if you choose... if you choose someone else in my absence, I will do my best to accept your decision gracefully." He looked down for a minute, then looked back up at me and took my hands in his. "Whatever happens, however it may seem that I feel, I do honestly wish you the greatest happiness. Even if I end up not being a part of that happiness." He leaned forward and gave me a gentle kiss, then quickly turned, saying, "So farewell for now, my beloved. I will see you in the fall, when both the weather and my temper have cooled." And with that, he walked swiftly away, not looking back to see me watching him leave.