“After all, we’re friends. I can’t just stand by and watch you get sidelined.”
Seeing Leon’s puzzled expression, Maru quickly added.
“All right then, I’ll thank you for your concern in advance.” Leon smiled as he thanked Maru.
He was only being polite. Leon didn’t really think he’d end up ignored.
At the very least, there was always Abigail to fall back on. They were close, and Abigail had a playful, novelty-seeking personality. When the ti ca, if he showed off so flashy hand-flower moves, she might even beg him to teach her.
Still, since Maru had gone out of her way to offer, Leon wasn’t about to refuse. As long as it wasn’t a slow, intimate waltz with any hugging involved, he could treat it as just hanging out at a dance party with a friend.
Thanks to the topic of the Flower Dance Festival, the two ended up chatting happily. Maru shared quite a few funny past stories, like how last year Vincent had loudly declared at the dance that he would one day marry Jas.
Or how Abigail had rejected Alex’s invitation, then grabbed a chocolate milkshake off the table and smashed it right in his face.
Leon found the gossip surprisingly entertaining, even making him eat with more enthusiasm. Sotis, juicy stories were the best side dish.
When they finished eating, Maru volunteered to handle the dishes. Leon, not about to just let her work alone, joined in. One washed, the other rinsed, and they quickly finished the small pile.
“I should get going. Thanks for having , Leon.”
At the eastern entrance of Red Star Farm, Maru looked at Leon, who had walked her there.
“Want
to walk you part of the way?” Leon offered politely.
“No need. I ate too much at lunch, so I should walk it off. I’ll drop by and see Penny on the way. Don’t trouble yourself.” Maru explained.
“All right, then. Safe travels.” Leon didn’t insist and waved her off before heading back inside.
While in the kitchen earlier, he had faintly heard the house phone ringing.
At the fixed-line phone, Leon saw a missed call from a number he recognized—if he rembered right, it was Gus’s. Without hesitation, he called back.
“Hello, is this Leon?” The call connected quickly, but it was Lewis’s voice that ca through.
“It’s , Lewis. Why did you call?” Leon asked, puzzled.
“The local Stardew Valley Forum reporters have arrived in Pelican Town. I’m letting you know so you can co over for an interview. I was going to invite you to join us for lunch, but you didn’t answer, so I figured you were busy and planned to head to your farm later.” Lewis explained.
“That fast?” Leon was surprised. He’d thought the interview would take a while to arrange. Yesterday, Lewis had only just ntioned it, and now the reporters were already here.
“This is already slow. If I hadn’t stopped them, they’d have co last night,” Lewis grumbled. “You’re underestimating your local news appeal.”
“All right, should I head over now?” Leon asked.
“If it’s inconvenient, I can co pick you up,” Lewis offered.
“No need. I’ve got my bike—it won’t take long. Where’s the interview?” Leon asked.
“At Gus’s Stardrop Saloon. The reporters have already spoken to several locals this morning about you and your farm. I’ve gathered everyone at the saloon.” Lewis said.
“Got it. I’ll be there soon.” Leon hung up, quickly changed into clean casual clothes—definitely not a suit. Sure, a suit would make him look serious about the interview, but the reporters were here to talk to him as a farr. He didn’t want them thinking he wore suits while tending crops.
He grabbed his bike and set off for Pelican Town. Along the way, he ran into Maru again. Since riding was faster than walking, he offered her a lift.
However, as soon as they reached Pelican Town, Maru asked to get off. Leon didn’t press her and rode on toward the saloon.
anwhile, Maru crouched by the roadside, clutching her chest, trying to calm her pounding heart and clear her dizzy head.
Leon parked outside the Stardrop Saloon and pushed open the door. Inside, he saw a man in work clothes holding a video cara and a petite woman in business attire and glasses with a recorder in hand, interviewing Gus. Lewis stood nearby, smiling as he watched.
“Oh, here’s our star!” Gus’s face shifted from tense to relieved the instant he saw Leon—because it ant he was free from the reporter’s questions.
“Hey, Leon, we’ve been waiting for you,” Lewis waved cheerfully.
The reporter and caraman turned to look. The caraman dutifully fild a close-up of Leon, while the reporter couldn’t help but smile. She hadn’t expected the new farr in Stardew Valley to be so young—and so handso. Now she was even more curious about the one-on-one interview.
“Gus, Lewis—good afternoon. And to our two guests from afar, welco. I’m Leon, the owner of Red Star Farm.” Leon strode forward without a hint of nervousness, introducing himself to the reporter and caraman.
“Hello, Mr. Leon. I’m a reporter for the Stardew Valley Forum and a field correspondent for the Stardew Valley Daily. It’s a pleasure to et you.”
She reached out to shake hands, but Leon imdiately noticed sothing off—her nails lightly traced across his palm. That was deliberate.
Leon’s brow lifted slightly, but he acted as if nothing happened. “When do we start the interview?”
“Whenever you’re ready,” she replied, then turned to Gus. “Do you have a more private room? I’d like to borrow it.”
“No need. Let’s just do it here in the main room—I’ll be less nervous that way.” Leon cut in quickly.
If she dared pull a stunt like that in public, who knew what she might try in a closed space?
Sure, the business attire was tempting, but she was clearly older, and Leon wasn’t about to take unnecessary risks. After all, boys should protect themselves too.
If you enjoyed this chapter, please consider subscribing to
on (/RomayStories)—it helps
bring you more chapters faster and supports the ti I spend making each one as polished and vivid as possible!
Reviews
All reviews (0)