As we loaded the last of our haul onto the truck, Mel finally spoke.
"Master, shall we go home?"
Her tone was as calm as ever, but I knew better. She was concerned about me.
Of course, she wouldn't say it outright.
"No need. I want to try the Saloon in town. It might be a while before we visit again, after all."
I tried to make it sound casual, joking to ease her worry.
Mel, however, didn't immediately agree.
"Let me cook for you, Master."
I turned to look at her.
Her gaze was unwavering, her expression composed. If I hadn't known her for as long as I had, I might have mistaken her insistence for nothing more than jealousy over eating somewhere else.
But this wasn't really about cooking.
"I know your food is amazing, but let's try the food here for once. We've been walking around for hours, and it's best if you rest, too."
"I'm not tired."
"Then you can rest after we eat."
"Master—"
"Nope. Not listening. And I'm already hungry, so let's go."
I turned before she could come up with another argument, giving the truck a final glance to make sure everything was secured.
Honestly, I wasn't particularly interested in getting into another discussion.
The day had been long enough.
I questioned whether any of this was worth it. Why had the system dragged me here?
...No, I chose to be here. The system only offered me that option. There's no point pointing fingers. I've cast the die, and I intend to see it through.
Behind me, I heard the familiar sound of Mel's footsteps following along.
Thank you, Mel.
I knew she would eventually give in.
I'm sorry your master's too stubborn.
But this isn't just a new life for me. You came along with me, too, and it's only right that we do things a little differently than usual.
At least, that was what I told myself.
A short distance away, someone was still hiding behind a tree near the corner of the street.
Haley had originally followed the pair out of curiosity, but she hadn't expected to witness an argument between a stranger and Mayor Lewis.
She'd heard that the two had fought yesterday, but this confrontation was even more tense.
"That man's sharp gaze was so cool~"
She pressed a hand against her cheek, replaying the scene in her mind.
The way he had looked at the mayor without flinching. The way he had answered each accusation with another question. Even the way he had turned to leave, seemingly satisfied that he had said everything he needed to say.
It had all looked so effortless. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
Well, perhaps not entirely effortless.
She hadn't understood half of what they were talking about.
"Although, it was all jargon. What was that even about?"
Haley frowned, trying to recall the details.
Something about the farm. The mayor raising the price. Some disagreement over property and legal matters.
She hadn't been close enough to catch every word, and even if she had, she wasn't sure she would have understood the more complicated parts.
The only things she understood were the names Willow and Greenwood. She remembered that the previous farmer had recently died, but she hadn't been particularly close to the woman. She'd only attended the funeral.
'Was her death not an accident?'
Still, one thing was clear.
The stranger certainly wasn't someone who could be pushed around easily.
"Who is he, exactly?"
She tilted her head, looking in the direction the pair had gone.
Then she blinked.
"Eh? They're gone!"
Haley hurriedly stepped out from behind the tree, scanning the street until she spotted them farther ahead, heading back toward the town square.
"Oh, there they are!"
Without giving the matter much more thought, she followed.
It wasn't as though she had anything particularly important to do at the moment.
And besides, she was curious.
That was all.
She simply wanted to know who that man was.
At least, that was what she told herself as she quickened her pace.
By the time Mel and I reached the town square, the tension I'd been carrying since the confrontation had finally begun to settle.
And yet, they kept replaying.
I was still irritated whenever I remembered Lewis's accusations, but there was little point in replaying the entire conversation in my head. I'd said what I needed to say. If the mayor had a problem with that, he could take it up through the proper channels.
For now, I had more pressing concerns.
Food.
Preferably something warm, filling, and served in a generous portion.
I get hungry when I'm angry.
My stomach had been reminding me of that for a while now.
I'd originally intended to spend the day getting familiar with the town, purchasing supplies, and perhaps enjoying a little sightseeing. Instead, I'd managed to acquire an unwanted audience and a headache without even trying.
What a productive day.
I glanced toward the Stardrop Saloon. Get faster updates on g.com.
There it was.
Finally, something worth looking forward to.
As we approached, I caught sight of a familiar figure from the corner of my eye.
Blonde hair. A white floral top. That distinctive belt and pink skirt.
Haley.
She was walking a short distance behind us.
I glanced back for a moment, wondering whether we happened to be heading in the same direction or whether she'd been following us since the confrontation outside the mayor's office.
Then our eyes briefly met.
I turned away.
'What's she up to?'
It was a reasonable question, but not one I particularly cared to investigate.
Maybe she was going to the Saloon, too. But I don't recall her visiting this place much in the game. Usually, she was by the forest taking pictures or up by the fountain in the park.
Did she hear the commotion, perhaps?
Whatever it was, it wasn't my problem.
I wasn't in the mood to socialize anymore.
I just wanted to eat and go home.
So I picked up my pace.
"Master?"
Mel's voice came from beside me.
"Hm?"
"You're walking faster."
"Am I?"
"Yes."
I looked ahead, then back at her.
"Must be the smell of food. It's motivating."
Mel stared at me for a moment.
I could practically hear the thoughts she wasn't voicing.
Then she sighed softly and continued walking beside me.
"Of course, Master."
I pretended not to notice the faint disbelief in her voice.
Behind us, Haley continued to follow.
And I remained disinterested.