Flambéed Love (Story of Seasons / Harvest Moon Fanfiction)

Chapter 10: Thoughts

Raeger stood behind his kitchen counter, feeling overwhelmed. 'It had to happen every year!' Piles of decorated boxes were already stacked up in front of him just minutes after he started business, and he knew that he should be expecting even more to come. His restaurant was filled with giggles all day long, and barely anyone who visited actually came to order his dishes; with the exception of the local residents. Ah.. yes. It was Valentine's Days.

Raeger tried to contain his exhaustion from speaking to the girls all day long. He'd much prefer some quietness today, but he thought that it would be rude to just shoo the girls away. He didn't have enough sleep last night after all, not after coming back from Minori's place at dawn... not that he minds.

...

"Raeger~" a mature-looking woman who is a regular 'customer' of Raeger walked into his restaurant and greeted him loudly. She strut towards the bar and sighed heavily as she sat on one of the stools that, fortunately for her, had just recently became unoccupied. "Geez.. this town is SO boring! But I came here today just for you..." she smiled seductively, and touched Raeger's arm while continuously blinking her eyes; obviously flirting with him. "Here, I got this limited edition chocolate gateau for you." she claimed proudly.

'A boring town?! She could've at least be nicer to me about it!' Raeger was obviously disturbed by her statement. He spent most of his life growing up in Oak Tree Town, after all.

The young chef took a deep breath and held it in for awhile before he made his reply, "Thank you, Yolanda, I appreciate the thought. Though, I must disagree. I think Oak Tree Town is an amazing, lively town if you pay attention more carefully."

Yolanda, immediately realising his frustration, quickly made up an excuse, "Ahaha..!" She laughed awkwardly. "Oh Raeger, you silly, I was obviously jokiiing~! You know I'd never say that right?" She squeezed Raeger's arm this time and orchestrated her puppy eyes.

Too exhausted to argue further anyway, Raeger shook it off and faked a smile. 'Can it please be over soon?'

Suddenly, the entrance door swung open once again and yet another woman's voice echoed through the facility, "Hey, Rae!"

'OH GOD. Another one?!' Raeger cursed silently and took another deep breath while closing his eyes to prepare him for what could perhaps be something troubling again.

"Raeger.. RAEGER!!" The same voice was heard again, but this time, followed by a smack on his left arm.

"Ouch!" Raeger reacted predictably. 'Who in the world?? No woman I knew would ever do such a non-ladylike act in front of me.'

Raeger tilted his head to see who the perpetrator was, only to find out that a pair of big crystal blue eyes was already staring into him. "Lillie!! It's just you."