Chapter 16

Claire wakes to the soft morning light filtering through the windows, casting a gentle glow across the room. As she lies there, the emptiness of Jack's side of the room strikes her with a poignant reality. It is the first time in what seems like forever that she has woken up alone in their farmhouse.

With a sigh, Claire shakes off the melancholy and forces herself to put on a brave face. "Good riddance," she mutters to herself, though her heart feels heavy with conflicting emotions. She quickly makes her bed, straightening the sheets with meticulous care, trying to distract herself from the ache in her chest.

Leaving the bedroom behind, Claire ventures into the living room. The silence is deafening without Jack's presence. She pauses, her mind automatically registering that there will be no breakfast waiting for her on the table, no aroma of freshly cooked eggs or toast filling the air. For the first time, she realizes the practical implications of Jack's absence—she will have to fend for herself from now on.

Pushing aside her sadness, Claire resolves to start her day. She skips breakfast altogether, knowing there are tasks awaiting her outside. She heads towards the barn, feeling the weight of responsibility settling on her shoulders. As she opens the barn door, she steels herself for the tasks ahead, determined to find solace in the routine of farm work.

As Claire tends to the cows and sheep, the rhythmic brushing of their coats provides a semblance of normalcy amidst the turmoil in her heart. She finds herself seeking solace in the presence of the animals, their quiet understanding offering a comfort she desperately needs. With a heavy sigh, she mutters aloud, half to herself and half to the cow, "You won't leave me like Jack did, will you?"

The cow seems to gaze back at her with a knowing look, almost as if it understands her words. It responds with a gentle headbutt against Claire's side, a gesture that elicits a faint smile from her. It is a brief moment of reassurance, fleeting yet precious.

Moving on to the chicken coop, Claire busies herself with the morning feeding. The rhythmic clucking and fluttering of wings provide a soothing backdrop to her thoughts, momentarily distracting her from the ache in her heart.

Exiting the coop, Claire's gaze falls upon the barren field ahead. Jack's hoe still lies where he had left it, silently marking his absence. Without hesitation, Claire marches over and picks it up, her grip firm and resolute. She begins to till the soil, the physical exertion helping to channel her restless energy.

Sweat glistens on her forehead as she works tirelessly, the repetitive motion of the hoe digging into the earth a cathartic release. "This will take me all day," she remarks to herself, wiping her brow with the back of her hand. A pang of loneliness creeps into her thoughts as she surveys the vast expanse of the field. "But who's waiting for me at home anyway?" she mutters bitterly, her voice tinged with resignation.

Determined to distract herself, Claire focuses on the task at hand. She continues to work tirelessly until the field is fully tilled. As she finally straightens up and surveys her handiwork, a sense of accomplishment washes over her, briefly overshadowing the ache in her heart.

Suddenly, Claire's stomach grumbles loudly, reminding her that she has skipped breakfast. With a sigh, she returns to the quiet confines of the farmhouse. Instinctively, she pulls eggs from the fridge and cracks them into a bowl, whisking them briskly until they are frothy and ready for the pan. While the eggs sizzle and begin to form fluffy curds, Claire rinses fragrant rice in a pot, the familiar ritual soothing her troubled mind. She adds water, sets it to simmer, and soon the kitchen is filled with the comforting aroma of cooking rice.

After carefully plating the scrambled eggs and fluffy rice, Claire steps back to admire her creation. The aroma of freshly cooked food fills the kitchen, bringing back memories of Jack's patient teachings. She remembers how he had stood beside her, guiding her through the intricacies of cooking, his calm demeanor soothing her nerves and his encouraging words boosting her confidence.

As Claire stares at the meal before her, she can't help but feel a mix of emotions. There is pride in how far she has come since those uncertain days when she couldn't even crack an egg properly. Yet, there is also a deep ache in her heart, knowing that the person who had selflessly taught her these skills is no longer by her side.

She picks up the fork and takes a bite of the scrambled eggs. For a long time, she has practiced cooking, and it paid off. They are perfectly seasoned, the texture just right. A faint smile tugs at the corners of her lips as she savors the familiar taste. Each mouthful is evidence of Jack's patience and kindness, a reminder of the bond they had shared.

With each bite, Claire feels a sense of gratitude mingled with sadness. Jack has left her with more than just memories; he has equipped her with the ability to take care of herself, to sustain herself through these lonely days ahead. As she finishes her meal, she silently thanks him in her heart, hoping he somehow knows how much his teachings mean to her, even now.

Once her meal is over, Claire loses all motivation to return to the field and sow the Summer seeds. The weight of recent events pressed heavily on her heart, leaving her drained and introspective. With a heavy sigh, she retreats to the bedroom, collapsing onto the bed. As her head sank into the soft pillow, her fingers brushed against the photo she forgot that she had tucked there a few days earlier.

She takes the photograph from the pillow and looks at it again. As Claire gazes at the wedding photo, memories flood her mind. She chuckles softly, recalling the hazy details of that drunken wedding night neither of them truly remembered. Initially, they both resented the unexpected union, refusing to take it seriously. Yet, despite their reluctance, they gradually found a rhythm in their married life. Each day revealed more about their quirks, their likes, and their unspoken affections.

Claire once believed Jack harbored resentment toward her, assuming he regretted their marriage as much as she did. But yesterday's confession shattered those misconceptions. Jack had expressed his love, unveiling his true feelings, catching Claire off guard. As she holds the photo, a mix of emotions swirl within her — regret for their misunderstandings, longing for what could have been, and a newfound hope stirring in her heart. Jack loved her, and she loves him too.

Claire sits on her bed, her emotions heavy in the quiet house. With a trembling voice, she whispers into the stillness, "Come back." She knows she could survive without him, but that's not the point — she doesn't want to.

Leaving the photo behind, Claire dashes out of the house, driven by determination and fear that it might already be too late. She looks around, realizing that she has no idea where he is if he was even still in town. All she can do is look around on foot.

As she reaches the heart of the village, Claire's breath comes in ragged gasps as she approaches each person she encounters. "Have you seen Jack?" she implores, her voice raw with urgency. The responses are dishearteningly consistent — no one has seen him. With each negative reply, Claire's panic surges, propelling her to sprint through the streets, her eyes scanning every corner and alleyway.

Meanwhile, Jack emerges from the inn, his thoughts heavy with the weight of his decision. Popuri awaits him outside, her bright eyes offering some comfort. "You ready?" she asks. Jack nods silently, his rucksack slung over his shoulder, symbolizing his readiness to leave Mineral Town behind.

As they walk together towards the beach, Jack's steps falter momentarily. He glances back, a pang of guilt tugging at him as memories of Claire flash through his mind. Yet, his resolve remains firm — this is the path he has chosen.

As they walk across the sandy beach toward the dock where a boat awaits, Jack catches sight of Kai's seaside shack, its door now permanently closed according to a sign hanging on the front. Curiosity tugs at him, and he asks, "What happened to Kai?"

Popuri, sensing his concern, gently takes his hand and gives a reassuring tug. "Don't worry about him," she says softly. "It's not important right now. Let's go, the boat is waiting."

Jack lets out a resigned sigh and continues walking towards the dock with Popuri. Just as he's about to board the boat, Claire's voice suddenly calls out to him. Startled, he turns and sees her running towards them. With a quickened pace, Jack rushes to meet Claire, his heart pounding with a mix of surprise and concern.

In the sandy beach, Jack and Claire both catch their breath, the urgency of the moment palpable in the air. Jack's eyes search Claire's face, waiting for her to speak. Claire, finally finding her voice says, "I'm sorry, Jack. I know I've said that I didn't know about my feelings, but I've had time to think. I can't imagine running this farm without you. It took me a while, but before you leave, I want to give you my answer." With a deep breath, she confesses softly, "I love you too, Jack."

Silence settles between them, heavy with unspoken emotions and the weight of their shared history. Jack's heart races as he processes Claire's words. He reaches out, his hand trembling slightly as he brushes a strand of hair from her face. "Claire..." he begins, his voice thick with emotion.

Before he can say more, Claire reaches back out to him and says, "Please, Jack. Come back to our farm."

Jack's eyes soften, the turmoil within him gradually easing. He nods slowly, a small smile forming. Jack turns away from Claire, his heart finally liberated. He walks up to Popuri, whose eyes sparkle with anticipation as she waits for his final decision. After a moment of hesitation, he takes a deep breath and says firmly, "Good luck with your chicken ranch. But I'm going to stay here."

Popuri's expression shifts from anticipation to shock, but she manages a nod, her eyes glistening with understanding. With an emotional smile, she says softly, "Goodbye, Jack. I'll miss you."

Their farewell hangs in the air. Popuri turns away, blinking back tears. Jack watches her go, a sense of resolution settling within him.

Once the boat departs, Jack rushes to Claire and embraces her tenderly. His heart feels lighter than it has in a long time. "I choose you, Clarissa Aoi," he says with a smile.

Claire giggles softly, feeling a rush of warmth. "And I choose you, Jack. Please call me Clarissa Greenvalley from now on." she replies, her eyes shining with love.

They share their first kiss as husband and wife, a sweet and tender moment that feels like the beginning of a new chapter in their lives together.

Meanwhile, on the boat leaving Mineral Town, Popuri watches as the town fades into the horizon. She rests her hands on her hips, a bittersweet smile on her face. While things didn't turn out as she had hoped, she genuinely wishes Jack and Claire happiness. They were meant for each other, and she's glad she could be a part of their story.