After clearing out all his stock—three different qualities of parsnips included—Leon went back into his cabin, took a shower, and changed into a clean set of clothes. He then picked up the copper and iron bars Maru needed, hopped on his bike, and left the farm.
He’d tid his departure perfectly. Just as he arrived in Pelican Town and stopped in front of Harvey’s Clinic, he saw Maru in her usual outfit, standing at the clinic’s door.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Leon parked his bike in front of her and greeted her. “I thought you might need a bit longer to get off work.”
“Since I knew we’d be having dinner together today, Harvey let
leave early,” Maru explained with a cheerful smile.
Leon couldn’t help teasing her. “I thought Doctor Harvey might deliberately keep you late.”
“Why?” Maru asked, puzzled.
“Oh, nothing.” Leon waved it off without explaining.
But Maru studied him for a mont, then suddenly grinned. “Oh, I get it. You don’t think Harvey has a crush on , do you? Haha, you’ve got it wrong. Harvey already has a girlfriend.”
“He has a girlfriend?” Leon was montarily stunned. It wasn’t that he looked down on Harvey, but knowing the man’s personality and habits, he was surprised. Aside from working at the clinic, Harvey’s greatest hobby was fiddling with radios in his room.
Like Clint, he was sothing of a hobody—though a slightly better one, since he at least went for occasional walks in the park.
“Yeah. He t her while working the radio. She’s a female pilot. They’ve never actually t in person, but they chat over the radio all the ti. Harvey spends nearly every evening after closing up the clinic talking to her,” Maru shared.
“They’re calling each other boyfriend and girlfriend without even eting? Harvey’s got guts.”
Leon sighed. He understood online relationships, but until you t in person, anything could happen. You could be sweet as sugar online, then total strangers offline.
That infamous “Guess I’ll be going” mont was not sothing everyone could handle.
“Maybe it’s because they have so much in common,” Maru reasoned. “Anyway, Harvey really enjoys talking to her.”
“Alright, enough gossiping about your boss. Let’s head to the Stardrop Saloon. Best chef in town works there. Unless you have sowhere else in mind—there are still plenty of places in Pelican Town I haven’t explored yet.”
Leon waved off the topic, then asked about dinner plans.
“Stardrop Saloon sounds good. I’ve already told my dad, as long as I’m ho by nine, I can spend the rest of the ti however I want.” Maru agreed, and they set off toward the saloon together.
On the way, Leon pushed his bike while Maru walked beside him. Both were tall, and they drew plenty of glances. Most people smiled warmly at the sight of the young pair, and so familiar faces even called out greetings to Maru—the town’s only nurse.
“Maru, is that handso guy your boyfriend?”
To such questions, Maru quickly clarified, “No, he’s my friend. A good friend.”
Leon didn’t mind. Gossip was human nature, and the two of them strolling together did look like a date to an outsider.
“Sorry for the trouble,” Maru said apologetically when they reached the Stardrop Saloon. “Most of them have been treated or had check-ups at the clinic, so they all know .”
“It’s no trouble. Besides, you explained it clearly.” Leon smiled and held the door open for her. “Ladies first.”
Maru nodded with a smile and stepped inside. It was still early, so there were only a few patrons in the saloon.
Their arrival imdiately caught the attention of Gus and Emily behind the counter. Gus looked surprised to see Maru with Leon, then sneaked a glance at Emily—only to find her smiling when she saw them together.
“Welco to the Stardrop Saloon. Can I get you two sothing to drink?” Emily spoke up before Gus could.
“What do you want? Order whatever you like—it’s on
tonight.” Leon addressed Maru, then turned to Gus. “Got any recomndations for a dinner for two? I’m treating my new friend and partner, and I don’t want to disappoint her.”
“Of course. How about this combination?” Gus quickly wrote out a nu and handed it to him.
Leon glanced at it. Four dishes—appetizer, main course, dessert, and staple. Nothing wrong with it, but recalling Maru’s preferences, he said, “Change Maru’s main course to Cheesy Cauliflower, and her dessert to Rhubarb Pie.”
“No problem.” Gus made the changes, confird the order, and went to the kitchen.
Maru had been listening. When she realized Leon had swapped in her favorite dishes, she asked in surprise, “Leon, how did you know those were my favorites?”
“Oh, you like them? I didn’t know. I just thought they were healthy and a little sweet—figured you might enjoy them.” Leon feigned innocence.
“Haha, what a coincidence. But I’m glad. Looks like we’re a good match.” Maru grinned.
“Right? So, have you decided on a drink?” Leon asked.
“No. I usually only drink coffee—it helps
keep working—but coffee doesn’t seem right with dinner,” Maru admitted awkwardly.
“How about fruit juice?” Leon suggested.
“Fruit? I do like fruit. Sure,” Maru agreed at once.
“Two glasses of peach juice then, Emily. Thanks.” Leon decided, turning to Emily, who had been eyeing them curiously.
“Alright, just a mont.” Emily kept smiling, but Leon noticed her smile was stiff—a polite, work kind of smile.
What concerned him wasn’t Emily’s mood, but whether the peach juice would still taste like actual peaches by the ti it reached him.
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