Flambéed Love (Story of Seasons / Harvest Moon Fanfiction)

Chapter 8: Confidence

It was a few minutes past midnight. Her room was now dark - not even the table lamp was turned on - but Minori was far from sleeping. She laid on her bed, constantly turning her body right, and left, and back again. She had just came back from Raeger's place - staying by his side all night, conversing with him until he was finally exhausted enough and closed his eyes as he spoke his last sentence that very night. 'He looks like a child when he's asleep.' Minori recalled chuckling at his facial expression. She stayed and observed him sleep for a moment, before she stroked his hair, whispered a good night and finally left.

To be honest, Minori was happy. She saw a side of him that perhaps..very few people did. She saw a side of Raeger, the ladies man, being somewhat vulnerable that night.. right in front of her. But Minori sighed. She couldn't stop thinking about the young chef - his eyes, his smile, his words, and everything he does. 'This is why it's troublesome being in love..another person just intrudes into your mind and selfishly hijacks it.' Minori pouted.

She had a number of thoughts that kept her awake for a while that winter night, and among those was one involving her recent incident. Minori knew she had promised herself not to dwell on Fritz's past confession any longer, but she couldn't help but think, 'I just turned down someone's feeling recently and yet I am already thinking about being with someone else.' She sighed for the countless times that night, and suddenly her mind was stimulated by an idea that perhaps..just perhaps, she unconsciously had already start liking him even before, but her mind deceived herself. 'But when? When exactly did I start liking him??' She tried to stop the chaos inside her head, and told herself it's pointless anyway. Besides, she thought she wouldn't stand a chance.. everyone knows Raeger is famous for being a handsome and talented young chef, surrounded by beautiful girls every day.

But Minori? She thought she was just a plain girl who gets dirty for her work - in the field, in the river.. you name it. She works with soil, with animals and their compost. She dives casually into the river no matter the season, catches critters, and runs around town all day in sweat. It's not that she dislikes her job..no, no. Minori LOVES her work. It's just that.. she thought it might not seem very impressive to Raeger. She smiled bitterly and soon rested her eyes, mind, and body. It has been a long day after all.

...

As expected, Minori overslept the next day. She knew she shouldn't stay out too late if she wants to wake up on time in the morning, but yesterday was an exception. For the next few hours, she set her mind to work. At least it was keeping her away from constantly thinking of Raeger.

But as soon as her set of work for the day was completed, she was reverted back to the state that troubled her since last night.

...

Raeger opened his eyes slowly and stared at the ceiling right above him. He noticed he was still in his usual outfit, not the blue pajamas he usually wears; and he noticed that Minori, too, was now gone - which was to be expected. He brought his right arm over to his forehead and was glad that his fever had gone down completely.. and as he recalled the events of last night, he blushed a little bit and let out a heavy sigh. He had remembered how he poured so much out of his past to Minori last night, and how he was somehow acting like a sick child - who needed to be accompanied by the bed side till he falls asleep. 'That was embarrassing', he thought. But with his eyes still half-lidded, Raeger soon smiled softly - it felt nice to be taken care of.

Raeger got out of his bed and his eyes soon widened in shock when he sees the time: it was almost ten in the morning. Luckily it was Wednesday, so he didn't have to open his restaurant today. Otherwise he would have no time to prepare at all!