“Hello, it’s nice to et you. The way we t was a bit unexpected, but I’d say it’s still a pretty good start, don’t you think?”
Leon greeted the two won with a smile, then politely shook hands with each of them. Well, it wasn’t like he was taking advantage—after all, they were the ones who reached out first.
Haley puffed up her cheeks and glared at Leon—not because he had shown up at this ladies’ night dinner, but because of the polite smile and friendly manner he displayed when eting Maru and Leah for the first ti.
Haley still rembered the first ti she t Leon—how half-hearted and perfunctory he had been. Now look at him, warmly greeting others like an old friend. The difference was like night and day.
Of course, she had completely forgotten that their first eting had been when she’d mistaken him for a thief at the old Community Center. That misunderstanding might have been the main reason for his cold attitude back then.
Once the introductions were over, Jodi ca over, pressed Leon down into a seat on the emptier side, and sat beside him with a teasing smile.
“I didn’t expect you’d already t Haley and Abigail. Add Emily to that, and you’ve already t most of the outstanding young won in Stardew Valley. And here I thought you weren’t much of a social type, so I went to the trouble of setting up this dinner to help expand your circle.”
“So you really were trying to set
up.” Leon gave a wry smile. He’d thought Jodi was joking before, but it seed she was dead serious.
“Not exactly. I just thought you should get to know so people your age. If Sam and the boys weren’t busy with band practice tonight, I’d have invited them too. Guess it’ll have to wait till next ti.” Jodi chuckled.
“No need. Once is enough. These kinds of lively gatherings aren’t really my style. I prefer quiet places.” Leon shook his head. He’d agreed to co this ti only because he had promised Jodi before—and because he happened to be hungry. Otherwise, he’d have been lying on his farm bed until his stomach forced him to find food.
“You don’t like socializing? Well, alright.” Jodi sounded a little disappointed, but she didn’t press him. She was the kind of person who respected others’ boundaries.
“It’s not that I dislike it. I just have too much work to do. Honestly, I haven’t eaten since a small bite this morning. I’ve been working non-stop without even ti for a proper al. How much ti do you think I can spare for social events?”
He kept his voice low so only Jodi could hear, then added reassuringly, “I appreciate the thought. Once the farm’s running smoothly, I’ll make ti to et people on my own. You don’t need to worry about .”
“You’re such a hardworking young man. But you still have to eat properly. Wait here for a mont.”
Jodi gave him a fond look. A boy about the sa age as her eldest son, coming to Stardew Valley all alone to shoulder the burden of reviving an old farm—yet still managing to stay polite and cheerful under all that pressure. It tugged at her motherly instincts.
“No—”
Before Leon could finish, Jodi had already left the room. Her absence made the atmosphere in the room noticeably quieter.
The cheerful chatter among the won had faded when Leon arrived, and now it grew even softer.
Leon had no intention of disturbing them. He wasn’t here to socialize—he was here to eat.
But so of them clearly weren’t going to leave him alone. Abigail strolled over, sat down beside him, and asked openly, “Starving, huh?”
“What do you think?” Leon slumped in his chair like a salted fish, replying weakly.
“Heh. Not everyone’s here yet, so you might have to wait a bit longer. Hope you don’t starve to death before then.” Abigail grinned, teasing him.
Leon silently gave her the middle finger. Abigail only laughed harder. “Stay here and suffer then. I’m going to get so air.”
With that, she left too, leaving Leon alone once again, staring blankly at the ceiling.
A mont later, another figure sat down next to him. One glance at the big waves of golden hair told him it was Haley.
“You don’t look so good. Not that I care, of course. I just think it’s strange and wanted to ask,” she said in a deliberately tsundere tone.
“Hungry,” Leon replied flatly. Just one word was enough to explain.
“You’re hungry? Didn’t you eat lunch?” Haley asked, surprised.
“I should say I haven’t eaten since we t at the old Community Center earlier.” He waved her off. “Alright, I’ve answered your question. You can go now. I really don’t have the energy to talk.”
“Then why not go order sothing before dinner starts?” Haley gave him a disdainful look. “Don’t tell
you’re too stingy to buy food.”
“When soone’s hosting, and you start eating before they’ve even begun, have you thought about how that looks to your host?” Leon shot back.
Haley’s blood pressure spiked at that, but she couldn’t find a flaw in his reasoning. All she could do was glare at him angrily before storming off.
Now the three people who had talked to Leon had all left, leaving only him, Leah, and Maru in the room. The silence grew heavier and more awkward.
The two won had no idea what had just happened. Their enthusiasm for chatting had vanished, and they now sat quietly, eyes downcast, unsure whether to leave or stay.
Noticing their unease, Leon mustered the energy to explain. “Jodi probably went to get the others. Abigail’s just outside getting so air—she can’t sit still. As for Haley, she probably went to find her sister.”
“I see.”
Hearing that everyone had a reason for leaving, Maru and Leah both relaxed.
But now that they were paying closer attention, they noticed Leon didn’t look so good. They wanted to ask about it but, having just t him, didn’t know how to begin.
And so, once again, the room sank into silence.
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