Chapter 5: Apology

In the morning, Vale rushes to the farm, and waters the crops one more time before heading home. He knows that he is in the dog house for missing Nori's birthday, but what's done is done. At least he knows for next time to leave the harvest for another day. Or at least harvest a portion, and save some work for the next day. Now that the farm has been worked on, he won't need to come back till tomorrow.

Before heading home, Vale picks up a gift for his wife. He then rides through the tunnel, and into his farm. After taking his horse to the barn, he slowly walks to his house and braces himself for the worst. He has never done anything to anger his wife, so he doesn't know what to expect.

"Hello?" he asks as he creeps into the house. His home is eerily quiet, and the only sounds he hears is the knife hitting the chopping board in the kitchen. Nori is preparing breakfast, but she left the food she poured her sweat blood and tears the night before on the table. Vale notices the cold stale food he failed to enjoy, and feels even worse about his mistake.

He creeps up to his wife who is busy in the kitchen. She knows he is there, but she doesn't have the heart to talk to him. At a safe distance, Vale says, "Um. . . Nori? I'm home! I brought you a birthday present! I know it's a day late, but I didn't forget. I was just real busy, you know how the harvest can take me all day. I-"

At this point, Nori drops her kitchen utensils and starts to cry uncontrollably. Every whimper and sob makes him feel more and more guilty about the day before. He rushes to her, and hugs her tightly. She is pounding her fist against his chest, but he won't let go. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I made a mistake! I know it was your birthday, and I know how much it means to you. I swear it won't happen again!"

"I missed you so much!" whimpered Nori. She sniffled, then looked up straight into her husband's eyes and continues, "I made so much food thinking about you. But when you didn't come home, I just didn't know what to think. Did you get hurt? Did you forget about me? Am I less important than the farm?"

Vale embraced his wife tightly and says, "Of course not! You are the most important thing in my life. I love you too much to ever put the farm before you. I'm sorry if I made you feel that way. I'm just not used to living here, and working in two farms. I promise I'll manage my time better. I'll be home twice a day! Once at noon, and once at night. This will never happen again."

"Okay. . ." said Nori. But even so, she is still upset. Even though she is not exactly happy living in Bluebell, she believes in her husband. She believes in his promise to put her first. To make her the happiest woman alive. Everyone makes mistakes, but the important thing is to learn from them.

Chapter 6: Getting along

A few days later, Summer arrives. On the first day of Summer, Vale had Eileen remodel the house to add some extra convenient rooms. Both Vale and Nori were rather impressed at how fast she is able to finish the project. But they are both happy at the outcome; Nori has an extra room to work on her tailoring skills, and Vale has the bathroom to relax after a hard day's work in the farms.

But even though Nori is happy with her big home, she still feels lonely as her husband is away in Konohana to work. But at least he is making more of an effort to spend time with her. In the morning he spends time with his animals in Bluebell. He comes home, and goes on a date with his wife around noon. Then he runs off to Konohana to water the crops and do some Harvesting before coming home for the day.

As Vale works, Nori wants to get to know the people of Bluebell. So one day after Vale runs off to Konohana, Nori takes a walk around town. She is amazed at how little farming the town does. Bluebell has lots of animals like horses and cows. Near the stables, she finds two women around her age talking; Laney and Georgia. They remind her of the days when she used to talk like that with Reina from Konohana. Now that she is living in bluebell, she wants to make friends with them.

Even though she wants to try, she has one small problem. Bluebell is a ranching community. Laney and Georgia does allow Nori to join them, but she doesn't know a thing about animals. As Georgia goes on and on about horses, and Laney goes on and on about how cows and chickens make ingredients for her father's store, Nori feels a bit intimidated. Like a hen in a den of foxes.

She excuses herself, and goes back home where she is more comfortable. Even though she is now living with a new community, she feels more alone than ever. The town is more active than her tranquil home back in Konohana. There is a strong smell of animals and straw instead of the clean air and fresh smell of vegetation growing. She wonders can she get along with the people who live here?

Chapter 7: Advice

The next day, Nori decides to pay her husband a visit as he is working in the barn in bluebell. After what happened yesterday, Nori wants to know more about animals, and what better source than her husband. She creeps inside the barn to find his collection of cattle, sheep, and alpacas. Vale is tending to a sheep ready about to be sheered for wool.

Nori approaches her husband and asks, "umm, Vale? Can I ask for a favor?"

"Of course honey! What's on your mind?"

"Can you teach me a few things about animals? Maybe I can help you do some chores every now and then."

Vale raises an eyebrow and answers, "yeah, I don't mind. But why do you want to know about animals all of the sudden?"

Nori takes a deep sigh, and explains what happened the day before. How she tried to make friends with the villagers of Bluebell, but she didn't feel comfortable talking with them. The culture between Bluebell and Konohana is too different, and she wants to learn more about what they are interested.

Vale smiles knowing that his wife is willing to try to fit in. He kisses his wife on the forehead and says, "I'm glad that you are giving the village a chance, but I think you know more about animals than you think."


Nori tilts her head in confusion. Vale giggles and says, "remember, you love tailoring right? And where else does the material for your hobby comes from?"

Nori gasps in excitement. Just like Laney talks about the animals that give her milk and eggs for her cafe, and Georgia talks about the animals that her family works with, Nori can talk about her hobby and how sheep and alpacas contribute to that. 

Nori returns Vale's kiss and says, "Thank you sweet heart! I knew that I married the right person. I love you!"

Later that day, Vale rushes off to Konohana to do his work in the farm. Meanwhile, Nori decides to give socializing another chance. At least this time, she goes over with a hefty boost of confidence. And with the advice from her husband, she will surely make some great friends to keep her busy while her husband is away.

Chapter 8: New addition

One early summer morning, Vale wakes up at 6:00 am sharp. He then tries to wake up his wife, but all he gets is, "five more minutes." Since Nori works hard every day, he allows her to rest.

He goes off to work on the animals. His barn is now full at this point, so it takes him all morning to groom, feed, milk, sheer, collect, and treat the animals. He carries his goods over to his horse cart, and travels to the nearby shipping crate to sell his milk eggs and wool. 

It is about noon as soon as he is done working in his barn. Since it is Monday, Vale knows that Nori likes to spend about an hour with him. So he parks his cart next to his house, and walks into his home. But strangely, he still finds Nori in bed. 

Nori would normally have lunch ready for him, so it was very odd that she was still in bed. Worrying over his wife, he walks on over, and shakes her a little asking, "Nori, are you feeling okay?"

Nori wakes up and says, "I'm sorry sweety, but I don't feel good today. I've been feeling a bit dizzy, and I even threw up today."

"I see. Why don't you get dressed, I'm taking you to Konohana to see the doctor."

"Konohana? There's no doctor here in Bluebell?"

Vale laughs and says, "I don't get it either."

After Nori changes her kimono, Vale helps her get on his horse, and takes a quick ride over to Konohana to see the doctor. As soon as they get there, Nori begins to feel much more comfortable to be back in her hometown, even if it is for a visit. The clean summer air helps her with her nausea, and she might even spend an hour or two with her grandfather.

Doctor Ayame and Hiro run a few tests on Nori to determine what may be causing her illness. Nori and Vale waits patiently for the results. They hold hands, hoping that it's nothing serious. But they are comforted as soon as Ayame and Hiro come back wearing their best smiles.

"Well, the good news is that Nori is not sick," said Doctor Ayame. Nori and Vale sigh in relief. "Actually, allow me to extend my congratulations! Nori is pregnant!"

Nori and Vale gasp in excitement. They embrace one another stuttering in excitement. After a couple years of marriage, Nori and Vale are being blessed with a child to call their own. Ayame then tells them that Nori needs a special diet and care. But their excitement gets to them, and they barely listen. Ayame should insist they listen, but she figures that she'll let them celebrate. She'll mail them instructions later.

Nori then visits everyone in Konohana to share the news. She is so overcome with joy, that she no longer feels ill. Having a child of her own is something she has dreamed of ever since she said her vows with Vale. Nori's grandfather cries tears of joy, and prays to his deceased wife to tell her the news in heaven. Reina gets a bit jealous of Nori; being married and pregnant and all. Mayor Ina congratulates them on their pregnancy. Everyone else is very excited for them.

Sadly, Nori has to go home later that day to Bluebell. She was hoping that she would have her baby in Konohana, but she'll settle for the village of Bluebell. But as long as she is with her husband and her unborn child, she will be happy.