After leaving Mayor Lewis’s house, Leon made his way to the front of the Stardrop Saloon. The “Out” sign still hung on the door, aning Gus hadn’t returned yet. Seeing this, Leon decided not to linger in Pelican Town and headed straight to the beach to fish.
To his surprise, he found Penny there with Vincent and Jas.
Under Penny’s guidance, Vincent and Jas each carried a small bucket, collecting empty seashells along the shore.
“Hi, Leon.” Penny smiled and waved when she saw him.
“Hello, Mr. Leon,” Vincent and Jas greeted politely.
“Hello to you both. Gathering shells, huh? Planning to make so crafts with them, or just doing it for fun?” Leon replied with a smile, his question casual.
“I’m teaching them how to make a seashell wind chi, so we’re here to gather materials,” Penny explained.
“Then I’ll let you carry on. Don’t let interrupt.” Leon nodded and headed toward the pier to fish.
But as she watched Leon walk away, Vincent suddenly said to Penny, “Teacher Penny, we can find them ourselves. You can go look around if you want.”
“But I don’t know how to fish,” Penny replied without thinking. Then she noticed Vincent and Jas exchanging a knowing smile, and her face turned red. She feigned annoyance. “What are you two imagining? Go find shells!”
“Oh, okay!”
The two children quickly held hands and wandered off. Penny watched them for a mont, unsure what to do next.
There wasn’t much she could help with—both kids were capable despite their age. Vincent, in particular, often ca to the beach to build sandcastles, and might even know the shore better than she did.
But going to Leon felt awkward, especially with Vincent and Jas nearby. If they saw her, it would feel… embarrassing.
As Penny stood there, unsure, Leon suddenly ca back from the pier.
“What’s wrong? Weren’t you going to fish?” she asked curiously.
“There’s a seaweed bloom. Willy told not to fish here today—it’s too easy to get tangled,” Leon explained.
“I see. So do you have other plans? Maybe fishing sowhere else?” Penny asked again.
“Forget it. I was only fishing to pass the ti, and now I’ve lost the mood. Might as well do sothing else. Actually, making a seashell wind chi sounds pretty nice. Mind if I join you and learn how to make one?” Leon looked at the shells piled near Penny and made the suggestion.
“Ah! Of course not,” Penny replied, startled but quick to agree.
She then led Leon in searching for shells, pointing out which ones would produce the clearest, most pleasant sounds in a wind chi.
Jas and Vincent worked together as one team, while Leon and Penny ford the other. Together they searched the shoreline for shells washed up by the tide and buried under the sand.
…
From Penny, Leon picked up a lot of interesting tidbits. Penny, in turn, warmly helped him pick shells that were whole, beautiful, and of the right shape. When they had gathered plenty, the two groups t up and began drilling holes and stringing the shells together.
With Penny’s help, Leon ended up with a simple seashell wind chi—not fancy, but when he shook it, the clinking sound was quite delightful.
By the ti the sunset painted the horizon red, Leon and Penny had walked Vincent and Jas back ho. They stopped in front of Marnie’s Ranch to say goodbye.
“Thanks for helping make this wind chi,” Leon said first, holding it in his hand.
“No problem. I should thank you too—you really got those two excited. You’re great with kids.” Penny smiled, recalling how Leon had teased Vincent and Jas all afternoon, turning their shell-picking into a fun competition.
His lighthearted challenges had fired up the kids’ enthusiasm, leaving Penny with a relaxing, trouble-free outdoor lesson.
“Haha, maybe. But they are cute kids—and smart too. Looks like they’re growing up well under your care,” Leon complinted.
“I’m just doing what a teacher should,” Penny said modestly, lowering her head.
“It’s getting late, so I won’t walk you ho. Pelican Town’s safe enough. This afternoon was aningful and fun—I hope I can join in on such outdoor activities again, Teacher Penny.” Leon glanced at the sky and bid farewell.
Hearing this, Penny looked up, a little shy. “Just call Penny. ‘Teacher’ sounds… odd.”
“Well, you did teach how to make a seashell wind chi. Calling you ‘Teacher’ is from the heart,” Leon explained with a smile.
“All right, but only this once. Next ti, just use my na.” Penny agreed, but made sure to remind him not to call her that again.
Noticing the smile on her face and her much better complexion, Leon couldn’t help asking, “Pam’s been going to the saloon less, hasn’t she?”
“She still goes, but rarely gets drunk anymore. She values her job now and doesn’t want alcohol to cause trouble for her. Compared to before, her temper’s much gentler too. I really have you to thank for that, Leon.” Penny’s eyes lit up as she spoke.
Clearly, her mother’s change had eased a lot of her burden, sparing her the worry and ss of dealing with Pam’s drunkenness.
“That’s good. That’s really good,” Leon nodded. He held her gaze for a mont, long enough to make her blush, before looking away.
“I should go. See you.”
“Mm.”
Leon turned toward his farm, but Penny stayed in place, watching him leave. As if sensing her gaze, Leon raised a hand and waved. Only then did Penny look away, embarrassed, and head back to Pelican Town.
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