Preparations

As I made my way over to meet my dad, I thought about how I would confront Stella. Mrs. Jean wasn't wrong. I can't keep holding back. I've always watched Stella but never made a move, and I'm running out of time. In just one week, I'll be leaving for the capital, and if Stella really doesn't intend on leaving this village and will wait for me, then what's holding me back?

'But what if things don't work out?'

No, I'm overthinking it. There is no point in psyching myself out.

'I'll ask her out after work.'

Today is the harvest, and tomorrow is the Summer harvest festival. It's the perfect opportunity to take Stella and get closer to her. We have three harvests a year, two of which we use to hold a festival and earn some money. These include the spring and summer harvests, and we use what we get from the fall harvest to help us through the winter. We don't need much income to survive in our small town, and we usually rely on selling what we can to whoever happens to be passing through. Over time, our festivals have become quite popular, so we get much more visitors than we normally would. Because of the deal, I made with my parents, as long as I helped, they said they would set aside a portion of what we make to help me along when I leave. I've been helping out for the last three years and now have quite a bit set for myself.

'Alright! It's decided, I'll ask Stella out, and then I'll see if mom will let me go around the festival with her after running our stand for a bit.'

Pulling myself out of my thoughts, I looked up to see that I had already arrived and saw my dad waiting.

"Well, well, look who's finally up."

"C'mon, give it a rest, will you, dad? I've worked hard these past three years; you can forgive me for getting a little complacent at the end."

"Alright, just come over here and give me a hand."

"You know the drill by now. We harvest the wheat and the vegetables, then work the soil to make room for new crops."

"Right"

And so the day passed like that. We harvested everything we needed and worked the soil. We always rotate our crops during fall and winter. For fall, we grow things that will last longer and not spoil too quickly, and in winter, we switch to crops suitable for growing in cold weather. It's back-breaking work making sure there are no roots and what is not leftover and then immediately preparing the soil, but oddly enough, it's not too exhausting. I pass it off as being in good shape.

"phew, finally finished."

"Good work today, son, here."

"Thanks"

My father was sitting on a bench and handed me a flask of water. I sat beside him, and we watched the scenery in silence for a bit.

"Fills you with pride, doesn't it?"

". . ."

"I know what we do isn't the grandest thing in the world, and you have bigger ambitions, but it's important to recognize that you can find fulfillment in a variety of things."

". . ."

"Sometimes it's important to let go and just take a moment to enjoy what's around you, kinda like we're doing right now."

I turned towards him with a puzzled look on my face

"Haha, don't worry, just think of it as a bit of advice from your old man."

'What's that look on his face.'

It was a happy, content look, but buried within was also. . . sadness? Oh, He's worried about me. It's understandable when you realize we probably won't be sharing too many moments like this from now on.

"I understand, dad. I'll be sure to remember your words."

"AHAHAHA. good, good"

"Alright, now off with you; I'm sure Norma'll have dinner ready soon. Why don't you go get cleaned up."

I nodded and turned to leave. Looking back to give one last look at the scenery.

'After tomorrow, I won't get to enjoy this too often.'

I shook my head.

'There is no point in feeling down. My life is just starting.'

After shaking off those thoughts, I reached the house and went straight for the bath, making sure to use the outside entrance. I got cleaned up, soaked in the tub for a bit, and did my usual routine of admiring my reflection.

"It's important to show self-appreciation. Yep, nothing weird about this at all." I said, knowing damn well that it was just an excuse to justify my own vanity.

'Hey, we've all admired ourselves in front of a mirror. I just so happen to do it much more frequently than others. It's no big deal, right? RIGHT?'

*cough*

"I might have a problem. . ."

After exiting the changing room, I grabbed a more comfortable outfit from one of the cubbies I left in advance this morning. It consisted of a pair of beige cargo shorts, a black T-shirt, and a pair of slip-on sneakers. I quickly put it on and left the inner entrance that leads to the dining room.

Entering inside, I saw Norma preparing dinner while Mrs. Jean was finishing up the last batch of bread.

"Sweetie, you're back; dinner isn't quite ready yet."

"That's fine. I'm just going to relax at the table with my holo-pad."

My holopad is relatively simple. It just works as a form of identification and a savings account. Upon entering the academy, they will update it with many more features, so I'm not too worried about it.

*knock* *knock*

"I'm coming in."

While I was looking at my savings, there was a knock at the door, and a young girl my age entered. It was Stella Sidra.

Like her mother, Stella is a beauty with blue eyes and blonde hair. Her hair reached down to the middle of her back with a small braid tucked over the rest of it. She was on the petite side and looked fragile, making you feel like you wanted to protect her. She was currently wearing a white, sleeveless summer dress, held up by two thin straps, and reached down to her knees. It gave her a striking appearance, giving a glimpse of her modest cleavage while exposing her shoulders and showing off her creamy skin. All I could do was stare a bit before averting my gaze.

"Little Stella, how are you?" my mom greeted her.

"I'm good. I just came to pick up my mom and see if she's done."

"Sorry, sweety, I need to finish up this last batch of bread."

"K, I'll head back first then and let dad know."

"Ok. Hey Rune, why don't you walk her home? It's getting late."

My Mom said after winking at Mrs. Jean, who responded with a satisfied nod.

*sigh*

'they must have planned this together after me and Mrs. jean had our talk earlier.'

"Alright, c'mon Stella, I'll walk you home."

I said as I grabbed her hand and pulled her along with me, while the two mature ladies in the house just watched our backs departing with wry smiles on their faces. Stella's house was only a five-minute walk away, and we spent the whole way in awkward silence, likely due to the fact that I never let go of her hand. At first, she was shocked at my abruptness but then seemed to accept it, not once protesting about me holding her hand the whole way.

I glanced over at her as we got closer to her house

'She hasn't said anything about our hands this whole time..'

As I was thinking this, she turned her hand and interlocked her fingers with mine. We stayed like this until we reached her porch, where she let go and turned to face me.

"Thank you for walking me home.." she said in a shy voice; I nervously scratched the back of my head and smiled back at her.

"Sure, no problem.."

'Dammit, I never made my move; it's now or never!'

As she turned around to head inside, I called out to her

"Uhm"

"Yes?" She said after turning around with an expectant look on her face

"Stella, there is something I wanted to ask you. . ."