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Yuri was never one for the humidity of the summer. She could handle a dry heat, but humidity was never particularly something she could really tolerate, much less enjoy. Her tolerance for such things was a far cry from that of her girlfriends’. Natsuki was never one to fear a little sweat, Sayori was out and about no matter the weather, and Monika was just good at perseverance. And unlucky for Yuri, their new locale seemed to be rather humid during the summertime.
However, all that meant was that, during these summer months, Yuri was gifted with the genuine privilege of remaining cooped up inside. She got to read her novels, clean the house, and prep meals for her lovely partners. Seemed like quite the little mutual victory to her.
It was when she was cleaning up after dinner that day that the frantic, excited knocking sounded upon their front door. Yuri sighed, slotting a few plates into the drying rack in the sink before wiping her hands upon her apron and heading over to the door to see what Sayori wanted. She was the only person who knocked like that. Monika’s knocks were quiet, and Natsuki just entered.
The sun was almost completely below the horizon when Yuri opened the door. What little sunlight remained framed Sayori’s hair beautifully, wisps of sun nestling beneath those coral pink locks and lighting them up so immaculately. Yuri still, to this day, had no idea how she’d gotten so lucky to have a girlfriend so bright that the very sun itself clung to her.
“Hi, Yuri-bird!” Sayori said, reaching out with muddied hands for Yuri’s own. Yuri snapped her hand back, holding it up and out of Sayori’s reach, much to Sayori’s evident chagrin.
“I appreciate your dedication to farm work even today, love,” Yuri began, “But you’ll need to wash your hands before I hold them.” Still, she put on a pleasant smile, letting Sayori know she wasn’t actually mad. Sayori pouted and huffed playfully, clomping her boots against their wooden front porch to shake off some extra mess. She then scurried off to the bathroom nearby, while Yuri took the opportunity to remove her apron and tie her hair up.
Sayori was upon her soon after, and Yuri let her snag both of her hands. Sayori’s were still damp from the sink, but it was far better than tracking mud.
“Are you ready to go to the beach?” Sayori asked, eyes sparkling.
Yuri sighed to herself and glanced over her shoulder. Upon the kitchen table was a letter from the local biologist, one Demetrius. It detailed the fact that today, the last day of summer, was the day of a most rare and exciting ecological event, involving… jellyfish. ‘Moonlight Jellies’, as they were referred to.
In all honesty, Yuri was skeptical. Naturally, it wasn’t like she disliked interesting natural phenomena (a date Monika had taken her on one time, to witness a meteor shower, was gorgeous), but… well, Yuri was unsure just how exciting these ‘jellies’ truly were. She’d enjoyed the time spent at Stardew Valley’s spring holidays, and even withstanded through the blistering summer heat of the Valley’s annual luau.
But… jellyfish?
Still, Yuri was, if nothing else, a hospitable and amicable neighbor. Even if she thought the celebration of a roving pack of jellyfish (or something…) was bewildering at best, it would behoove her to be a respectable member of the community and at least show up alongside her girlfriends. So she let out another sigh, bounced Sayori’s hands a bit, and marveled at the way those blue eyes of hers lit up so graciously.
“Very well,” Yuri said, smoothing out her shirt, “Let us head out then, I suppose. Should I dress up?” She glanced down at herself. Long and wispy purple shirt, sheer sleeves to help mask her forearms, and a pair of high water jeans. A bit too casual for her taste, but she’d noted that the people of Stardew were rather informal for the most part. Besides… Sayori was still in her mud flecked overalls and that cute striped orange and white shirt, and seemed to have no desire to change before they headed out.
“Yeah, let’s go!” Sayori giggled, giving Yuri a gentle tug. She led the two out of the house, and Yuri locked the door behind them.
By the time they’d made it down the dusty road and into Pelican Town proper, the sun had formally set, leaving the valley shrouded in darkness, save for the scattered streetlights peppering the cobbled road. And even those seemed dim, setting an almost mystical atmosphere over the area.
“I take it that Monika and Natsuki are already there?” Yuri asked, glancing over at her partner.
“Yup!” Sayori replied, swinging their joined hands. She glanced up at Yuri and offered a cheeky, mischievous grin, “They looked like they were gonna start making out, so I gave them a bit of time to themselves.”
Yuri chuckled, “I see. And what was everybody else in town doing? Or were you so enamored with our girlfriends’ beauty that you blocked everything else out?”
“It was hard to look away,” Sayori replied, giggling, “But it was really fun seeing everybody in town there! There aren’t that many lights on the beach anyways, but since it’s normally dark they lit it all up with these cy-uuuute little lanterns! I think they’re made of paper but I couldn’t see up close, cuz Mayor Lewis made me not get too close!” She leaned her head against Yuri’s arm and pouted.
“How rude of him, love…” Yuri hummed, reaching over to pat Sayori on the head. As much as she wanted to comfort Sayori, Yuri knew that she could get a bit clumsy at the worst possible times. And after the incident at the Egg Festival… perhaps it was for the best. Still, she tousled Sayori’s hair lightly and said, “I’m sure we can look at them a bit closer once we get there.”
Sayori just let out a pleased hum, nuzzling Yuri’s arm with her cheek. The rest of the walk was peaceful, and soon enough they were at the entrance to the beach. Beneath their feet, cobblestone turned to sand, making each footstep sound with a quiet ‘crunch. The sound of conversation grew in the air, and as they walked out into the beach, Yuri could see the residents of Pelican Town milling around, chatting and relaxing.
Yuri let Sayori tug her forward, greeting the occasional townsperson as she was yanked by. The town’s children (Vincent and Jas, if she remembered correctly) giggled as they ran past, weaving around Yuri and tossing up footfuls of sand with each step. Yuri could see a trio of the town’s younger residents hanging out at the end of one of the piers, feet hanging over the edge, and just generally felt… well, pleasant.
And, true to Sayori’s word—not that Yuri ever doubted her, of course— there were tiny little floating lanterns, dropped into and bobbing in the salty ocean water. They casted a soft orange glow over the piers, barely clearing the nighttime gloom away. As they walked towards the pier, Yuri took in a deep breath, smelling the salt-tinged air. Ah, the ocean. Despite the fact that autumn was right on the horizon, a touch of summer warmth still lingered in the air.
The docks creaked under their feet as Sayori pulled her along, dragging Yuri all the way to the end. There, next to that fishing shop that Natsuki liked to frequent, stood the rest of Yuri’s entourage, alongside a few friendly stragglers.
Natsuki and Monika stood near the shop itself, though Natsuki was leaning up against the side of the building, while Monika stood with her hands clasped before her. Natsuki was talking with the man who ran the fishing shop, while Monika chatted with Mayor Lewis. Nearby stood… ah. Just who Yuri was looking for.
Sayori slipped out of Yuri’s grip, bounding over and throwing her arms around Monika’s waist, delivering a flurry of smooches to her now thoroughly surprised girlfriend’s face. Natsuki snickered, and Willy— that was his name, Yuri believed— chuckled. Yuri couldn’t suppress her smile either, though she did shuffle around the group to the pair standing nearby, watching with amusement.
“Ah, Yuri. I’m happy to see you managed to make it,” Demetrius said, offering her a pleasant smile. Robin, at his side, offered Yuri a soft nod of the head before turning back out to look at the ocean.
“Yes, I think it would be rather rude of me to miss one of Stardew’s yearly traditions, no?” Yuri replied, clasping her hands behind her back, “Besides, Sayori was very excited this morning, when she heard about the… jellyfish.”
The skepticism in her tone was far from well hidden, as Demetrius offered her a simple chuckle, “Ah, I see. Sounds like you’re not much a fan of marine life, I take it?”
Yuri… sighed. Her brow furrowed, and she directed her stare down at the creaky wooden planks underfoot, “Not so much that. I’m merely… unsure as to how interesting a group of jellyfish can be. I received a nasty sting at the beach as a child, and I’m afraid I can no longer see the majesty in those creatures much anymore.”
Demetrius hummed, a good natured smile on his face, “Well, can’t blame you for that. The Moonlight Jellies are a bit different from your standard, run of the mill jellyfish, though, so I hope you’ll at least stick around to see them tonight.”
“I was planning on it,” Yuri said, nodding, “I would not hear the end of it from my partners, should I abandon my ‘once a year’ chance to see this event.”
“Glad to hear,” Demetrius replied.
“Agreed. And we’re all glad you’re here, too,” Robin chimed in, “The valley has been much livelier since you girls moved in. It’s been a blessing.”
That made Yuri puff out her chest a bit, straightening her back. It was… always pleasant, to hear that she and the girls were having a positive effect on the town. It… was some nice positive reinforcement that all four of them needed, Yuri figured.
She took a step away, reconvening with her girlfriends. Willy and Lewis had walked away, leaving the four of them alone. Sayori reached out and tugged Yuri closer, and Natsuki wrapped an arm around Yuri’s waist as Monika leaned a head on her shoulder.
“Glad ya made it outta the house, ya stinker,” Natsuki quipped.
“I simply could not miss the opportunity to see some roving jellyfish, live in the flesh,” Yuri bit back, raising her brow.
Natsuki snorted and stuck out her tongue, while Monika laughed quietly and murmured, “I think it’d be more ‘goop’ than flesh, wouldn’t it?”
“Who fuckin’ cares?” Natsuki asked, “The little bastards are a menace no matter what they’re made outta.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Yuri said, nodding.
“Don’t be mean!” Sayori gasped, squeezing Yuri’s hand.
Monika laughed again, a bit louder this time, “To the jellyfish? I think they’ll live, Sayori.”
As they chattered, Yuri noticed Mayor Lewis shuffle up to the edge of the dock. He knelt down and nudged something that was just out of sight, which revealed itself to be a little boat with a candle on it as it slid out into the ocean. It bumped over gentle waves, slowly sailing outwards. Yuri turned back and continued to talking to her girlfriends for a little bit, before–
“Look!” Sayori gasped, pointing out to the ocean. Yuri glanced up.
To her surprise… there was a glow. Like moonlight, shining up from beneath the smooth ocean current. Yuri’s eyes widened as the waters lit up, revealing a swarm of… of jellyfish. They bobbed upwards through the water, like bloated comets filled with gentle starlight. The currents lifted them up, and Yuri realized that as far as the eye could see, everywhere in the water she looked, everywhere her eyes landed…
The ocean was filled with stars.
Sayori gasped, tugging the three of them forward. Around them, the cooing and awed muttering of Stardew Valley’s townspeople chimed out. At the edge of the pier, Sayori dropped to her knees, pointing at the sloshing waters. The wonder in her voice warmed Yuri’s heart. Natsuki stood to one side of Yuri, mouth agape. She had her eyes set on the horizon and her arm around Yuri’s hip, staring at the swirling constellations of jellyfish beneath her. Monika stood at Yuri’s other side, and had both hands on Yuri’s bicep. She squeezed lightly, and Yuri leaned into it.
Yuri realized that it was like the constellations were reflected from the night sky above, swirling patterns tinted blue and green and rolling in real time.
She glanced to the side, just as Demetrius glanced over as well. He offered a small smile before looking back out over the ocean.
Yuri glanced back out, at the worldly milky way, painted across the ocean’s surface for just a night. Her girlfriends surrounded her, awe in their eyes and love in their touches. Yuri found herself enamored in the way they were close, together, in this most fleeting moment as the night sky touched the earth, leaving an imprint against salted water.
…she might not like jellyfish. But just for one night, for a little celebration such as this… she’d make an exception.