As we got closer to the center, more and more people filled the area. Long rows of tables had been set up along one side, with all sorts of food laid out. None of it seemed to have been touched yet, as the people around us were too busy enjoying the atmosphere. Some were gossiping in groups, others were running around, while a few simply strolled along at their leisure.
We didn't linger to gawk. Instead, we continued strolling through the area.
Some people turned to look at us, but few gazes lingered. Those that did seemed to carry traces of admiration. At the very least, none of them appeared to recognize us.
Or so I thought.
Among the crowd, a few gazes didn't seem quite as welcoming. They belonged to a group of middle-aged women. I didn't recognize all of them, but one stood out in particular.
With her light brown hair braided into what I could only describe as a "death flag" hairstyle, along with her pink blouse, she was unmistakably Jodi, a resident of the town and a doting mother of two boys.
Yet the warmth I associated with her character was nowhere to be seen.
Another woman looked familiar. She had a curly indigo bob, a pearl necklace, and a red dress. If Jodi gave off the impression of a neighborhood mother, this woman felt more like a wealthy family's matriarch.
'But who is she again?'
Curious, I activated Appraisal Eyes. Sure enough, names appeared above everyone's heads. Most belonged to people I didn't remember, but when I spotted the name of the woman who had caught my attention, it finally clicked.
Olivia.
She was a wealthy woman who lived with her son, Victor. If I remembered correctly, she was a marriage candidate in Stardew Valley Expanded. I didn't mind the idea of romancing an older woman, but having a son practically the same age as my player character felt a little strange, especially since he was also romanceable.
As I observed their group, another woman joined them.
Her bright green hair was tied back, braided into a long ponytail. Paired with her bluish blouse, there was no mistaking her identity.
Caroline, Pierre's wife.
The looks their group directed at us were unpleasant, to say the least. I wasn't interested in confronting them right now, though.
Still, if I could recognize their hostility, so could Mel.
I turned to look at her. Not surprisingly, her expression was nearly as hostile as theirs.
I sighed.
'It's gonna be a long day.'
We eventually found ourselves standing in a corner of the central square, a little distance away from the group of women.
At exactly nine, the event began. A crowd of children gathered near the center, with some older kids, likely teenagers, joining them.
I recognized many of the participants, but the number of people taking part in the Egg Hunt seemed far greater than I remembered from the game.
Before I could properly examine the participants, however, another group approached us.
It was the same group of women from earlier, now accompanied by Mayor Lewis. There were a few others with them, but I paid little attention to those I couldn't identify. Read this novel at novelping(.)com for the best experience.
Even though I'd wanted to avoid a confrontation, it seemed one was inevitable.
As they approached, the people around us began turning their attention toward them, then eventually toward us.
The group stopped just a few steps away, deliberately positioning themselves to corner us.
"What brings you here?" Lewis asked first.
His words sounded curious, but his tone betrayed him. I might have commended his ability to maintain a neutral expression, if not for the unfriendly looks on the faces of those accompanying him.
Hearing their mayor's question, I couldn't help but laugh.
"What's so funny?" Lewis asked, his brows furrowing.
"Nothing, really. I heard there was a festival happening nearby, so I decided to drop by."
I chose to answer plainly.
"I don't recall inviting you," Lewis replied just as directly.
"Oh, considering we only arrived yesterday, it's understandable that you forgot. I forgive you."
I smiled, genuinely enjoying the expressions on their faces.
'Acting all evil feels fun.'
"...It wasn't a mistake," Jodi interjected.
"Oh? Are you speaking on behalf of everyone?"
I deliberately lowered my tone.
Jodi took a step back. The others in the group immediately checked on her, while some positioned themselves between us, seemingly intent on preventing any further exchange.
Mel, meanwhile, stepped in front of me.
Lewis broke the tension.
"Please leave."
"I don't see why I should. This is a festival, isn't it? If it were exclusive to the town's residents, I'd understand. But from where I'm standing, there are plenty of visitors here as well."
"You're not a guest," Lewis countered.
"Really?"
I drew out the word, feigning surprise.
"Very well. Perhaps someone else would be more than happy to welcome me." This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
I turned away from them and began walking.
"I heard Joja is interested in this place. Perhaps they'd be far more open-minded."
With that, I continued on my way.
No one stopped us. In fact, the people around us deliberately made room as we headed home.
Before leaving, I took one last look at the crowd. A few people, mostly older folks, still wore unfriendly expressions. The rest, however, seemed more curious than hostile.
I also spotted several of the romanceable characters from the game, most of them gathered in their own little circles. There were a few others I couldn't recognize, or perhaps simply couldn't remember.
One caught my attention in particular.
Sam, Jodi's older son, stood among the crowd, chatting happily with a girl I didn't recall seeing in the game.
I continued looking around, and two more faces stood out.
The first had purple hair tied up in an elaborate style. Her pale skin and black blouse gave her a somewhat gothic appearance, but it was her eyes that caught my attention. Among everyone in the crowd, hers held the most obvious hostility.
Abigail.
Meanwhile, another girl with wavy blonde hair, streaked with hints of pink, stood nearby. Her blue off-shoulder dress was decorated with frills.
Haley.
The first character I'd ever romanced in the game. I'd always loved her design.
She was currently pestering her sister, a girl with short, choppy blue hair and a red blouse.
Emily.
While Emily watched us leave with a curious expression, Haley was far less subtle about it. I could even hear snippets of their conversation.
"Hey, hey, who are they?"
"They look nice."
"What's happening?"
I couldn't help but smile.
She was quite charming in real life, too.