บท 4: Preparations [Revised]

As Rune made his way over to meet his dad, he thought about how he would confront Stella. Mrs. Jean hadn't been wrong. He couldn't keep holding back. He always watched Stella but had never made any moves. Mrs. Jean's warning made Rune worried that he was running out of time, and it served as a wake-up call that he couldn't continue as he was. In just one week, He would be leaving for the capital, and if Stella really didn't intend on leaving their village, would she wait for him? It did not seem like a fair expectation to have. Just what exactly was holding him back?

'But what if things don't work out?' Rune thought to himself. 'No, I'm overthinking it. There is no point in psyching myself out. I'll ask her out after work.'

Today was the harvest, and tomorrow was the Summer harvest festival. It was the perfect opportunity to take Stella out and get closer to her. The Village of Kin had three harvests a year, two of which were used to hold a festival and earn some money. These were the spring and summer harvests. The crops and other goods produced in the fall were used to help them through the winter, so there was not much to spare there, but the others were a good source for enriching the village.

They did not need much income to survive in their small town. For the most part, selling what excess they had to passing travelers had been enough to get everyone by. However, over time, the festivals became increasingly popular. What had originally started out as an isolated village tradition became something to be shared with everyone. Travelers and merchants always came flooding in around the time of one of the village festivals, and the potential income they brought with them was much higher.

Because of the deal Rune made with his parents, as long as he did his best to pitch in, they said they would set aside a portion of what they made to help him get by after he leaves. Rune had been helping out for the last three years and now had quite a bit set for himself.

'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 himself out of his thoughts, he looked up to see that he had arrived at his family's field. His dad was already waiting and ready for them to start their work. Bo waved at Rune when he saw him approaching, his aged facial features crinkling into a big smile.

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

"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," Rune replied.

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

The two walked away from the storehouse, and over to the nearby field.

"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. They harvested everything they needed and worked the soil. Crops were always rotated during the fall and winter. For fall, they grew things that would last longer and not spoil too quickly, and in winter, they switched to crops suitable for growing in cold weather. It was back-breaking work, making sure there were no roots and whatnot leftover only to then immediately begin prepping the soil. But, oddly enough, Rune did not find it too exhausting. He passed it off as a sign of his body being in good shape.

"Phew! Finally finished," Rune said. He wiped the sweat from his brow and then sat down on a nearby bench while looking over his work in admiration. Bo sat down beside him and handed him a flask of water.

"Good work today, son. Here."

"Thanks"

The two of them just sat there for a bit, taking in the peaceful scenery, before Bo decided to break the silence.

"Fills you with pride, doesn't it?" he asked.

". . ."

"I know that what we do isn't the grandest thing in the world, and that 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."

Rune turned to look at his dad. He was sounding awfully sentimental. It was a departure from his usual rough and upbeat demeanor and it threw Rune for a loop.

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

'What's that look on his face?' Rune wondered. It was a happy, content look, but buried within was also a hint of sadness. 'Oh. He's worried about me. He must have realized that we probably won't be sharing too many moments like this from now on.'

It was a realization that had yet to hit Rune, as well. He nodded at his father's words before turning back to look out at the field.

"I understand, dad. I'll be sure to remember your words," Rune said. His dad gave a hearty laugh before slapping him on the back.

"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 can take care of the rest here"

There was still a bit of tidying up to do but Rune gratefully accepted his dad's proposal and turned to leave, He looked back to give one last look at the scenery.

'After tomorrow, I won't get to enjoy this too often.' He thought. This must have been how his dad was feeling when he gave him that advice a moment ago. Rune shook his head. 'There is no point in feeling down. My life is just starting.'

After shaking off those thoughts, Rune went home and went straight for the bath. Making sure to use the outside entrance so that he did not track any dirt through the house, he got cleaned up and soaked in the tub for a bit. After that was done, he looked his body over in the mirror and a smug grin crept over his face.

"It's important to show self-appreciation. Yep. Nothing weird about this at all." he said, fully knowing that it was just an excuse to justify his 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 to the changing room, Rune grabbed a more comfortable outfit from one of the cubbies he had left in advance that morning. It consisted of a pair of beige cargo shorts, a black T-shirt, and a pair of slip-on sneakers. He quickly put it on and left through the inner entrance that led to the dining room.

Entering inside, Rune saw his mother preparing dinner while Mrs. Jean was finishing up the last batch of bread.

"Sweetie, you're back; dinner isn't quite ready yet. Where is your father?" Norma asked, a hint of worry in her voice. She took her duties as a housewife and mother very seriously. It was unacceptable to leave her husband and children hungry and waiting after a hard day of work.

Knowing full well how uptight and prudent his mother could be, Rune quickly soothed her worries and sat down at the table. "That's fine. Dad let me off a little early today. He should be back around the usual time. You don't have to rush. I'm just going to relax here with my holopad for a bit," he said.

After that, his mom returned to preparing dinner and Rune focused on the screen on the small device in his hands. His holopad was relatively simple. It just worked as a form of identification and a savings account. Upon entering the academy, they would update it with many more features, so he was not too worried about it. But he frequently looked over his savings account, while trying to plan ahead for the future. Most of it was nonsense, as he did not really have a path in mind in the first place, but it was fun to dream.

As he was fantasizing about the extravagant life he most certainly would not be leading, there was a knock at the door. After a beat, a flash of blonde hair was spotted in his peripheral vision and Rune felt his heartbeat quicken.

"I'm coming in," A soft voice called.

She closed the door behind her, and smiled at Rune as she passed him by before taking a seat in one of the vacant chairs as if it were her own home. The sweet scent of her body's natural fragrance tickled his nose. It was frustrating how flustered he always got around her.

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 that reached down to her knees and was held up by two thin straps. The white color gave off a sense of purity while the exposure of the creamy skin around her shoulders and modest cleavage added just the right amount of sensuality.

Rune could only stare at her in a trance for a bit before averting his gaze. She wasn't looking his way but she had to have felt his eyes on her body. That thought only served to fluster Rune even more. Luckily, his mom spoke up, keeping her attention away from the blush of pink that was surely spread across his face right now.

"Little Stella, how are you?" Norma greeted her.

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

Hearing her daughter's words, Jean apologized and looked back at her. "Sorry, sweetie. I need to finish up this last batch of bread," Her eyes then caught sight of Rune right as he let out a deep breath. Jean witnessed the pink leave his face and smirked.

"What? What's so funny?" Stella asked.

"Hmm? Oh, nothing. Don't worry about it."

"Hey Rune, why don't you walk Stella back home? It's getting late." Norma said, catching on to what was happening and winking at her fellow mother beside her.

Rune sighed. 'They must have planned this together after me and Mrs. Jean had our talk earlier.'

"Alright. C'mon Stella. I'll walk you home," Rune said, trying to sound disinterested. He grabbed her hand and pulled her along with him, while the two mature ladies in the house just watched their departing backs with wry smiles on their faces.

Stella's house was only a five-minute walk away, and they spent the whole way in awkward silence. There was a million things he wanted to say, yet his mouth was shut tight. Instead, the two of them walked down the dirt path with their hands tightly clasped while fireflies flitted through the summer night air.

Stella, for her part, was initially shocked at Rune's abruptness but seemed to accept his actions rather easily. 'She hasn't said anything about it this whole time.'

Rune wondered if she actually liked holding hands with him. As the thought crossed his mind, Stella twisted her hand out of his grasp.

'Of course she would. There is no way she wouldn't. Mutual love? I must have been dreaming to think something like that was possible between us,' Rune's cynical side began to come out. He had a terrible habit of beating himself up over things and assuming the worst. It was one of his many flaws.

However, as if to completely blow that notion away, Stella grabbed his hand again. She intertwined her fingers with his much like a lover would. Then she looked over at him and smiled.

"Thank you for walking me home.." she said in a shy voice. Rune nervously scratched the back of his head and smiled back at her. "Sure, no problem…" he replied, a bit of tension laden in his voice.

Before he had even noticed, they had arrived outside Stella's house. He had wasted the entire walk overthinking instead of asking her out.

Stella lingered for a moment as if expecting something before finally letting go of his hand. Then she turned around to walk inside. For a moment, Rune thought he saw a hint of sadness in her expression and cursed inwardly while pepping himself up.

'Dammit. it's now or never!'

As Stella went to grab the doorknob to her house, Rune called out to her.

"Uhm!"

"Yes?" She asked. She turned around with an expectant look on her face.

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