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Life as a farmer was hard.
Although Mushroom Village was definitely an improvement from Tsuki's days in the city, that didn't mean everything was perfect.
Since the fall season was coming to an end, he had to work overtime to prepare for winter. And that meant waking up in the early hours of 4 AM.
Dragging himself out of bed, Tsuki slowly went through his morning routine. After scrubbing his teeth and slapping on his scarf, he was set. Deliberately locking the door, (he really didn't need to, but it was good to make a habit of) and setting off to his farm.
The grass was especially tall. Since none of the villagers had the time or need to trim the grass, (and also because of the lack of pavement) getting around was especially difficult.
Trudging through the grass, Tsuki finally made it to his farm.
Picking up his tools and crouching down on his knees, he didn't realize he wasn't the only one in the area.
That was until his ears picked up the sound of a crunching leaf.
Perking up, Tsuki started:
"Chi, you know it's unhealthy to stay up reading this late-"
Before realizing that the person, was in fact, not Chi, Tsuki stood up in surprise.
"Huh? Elfie? What are you doing here?" he asked. No one was up this early, save for maybe Rosemary.
Elfie looked up, surprised. "Oh, uh. I just wanted to look around. That's all."
Tsuki dusted off his knees and slowly walked over to Elfie. What could she be up to at this hour?
"It's pretty early, and you just got off your shift. Aren't you supposed to be asleep now?"
Elfie shrugged. "Couldn't sleep. If you think I'm stealing your carrots or whatever, that's not true."
"That wasn't what I meant, but okay."
The both of them stood in silence, staring at each other. Elfie shuffled her feet. Not because she was nervous, but really how awkward this meeting was.
"So... you do this often?" Tsuki said in a attempt to carry on the conversation.
"No, not really. Bad day."
Tsuki noticed the difference in Elfie's tone. Although she wasn't the most expressive person in the village, he could notice she sounded a bit... sad?
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Elfie sighed. "I don't know."
Tsuki motioned for the both of them to sit down. Although his farm wasn't as decorated as his house was, there were some benches lying about. Farming was a taxing job.
Elfie smiled sadly. "Is it really that obvious?"
"Pretty much," Tsuki replied.
Elfie sighed, looking up. "Mushroom Village is great. But every now and then... I miss home."
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
"No, uh, it's fine. I want to." Elfie said quickly. She hesitated slightly, but continued: "...Back home, there was this huge bottomless lake, I used to go with... my brother. We had this little dinghy, so we'd take it out and see the stars at night. I miss that the most."
"Go on."
Elfie's eyes widened. "Huh?"
"Go on," Tsuki repeated. "You have that look in your eyes. I can tell you want to continue."
"Oh. Well, my mother, she'd bake when she wasn't working. Cakes, cookies and cupcakes, she made them all... My siblings and I would fight over the pastries. And mom would be there to wipe the powdered sugar off our faces. That all stopped, when... well, she just didn't have in it her after that..."
Tsuki looked down, deliberately not meeting her eyes. "Oh. I don't know what happened, but I'm sorry."
Elfie laughed sadly. "It's fine. It's not your fault anyways."
Tsuki sat there, thinking for a second. Damn, what was he supposed say in a situation like this? Thinking back to the talks with Rosemary, he decided what to do.
"I guess I could get some things off my chest too. You promise you won't tell, right? I mean, it's nowhere as bad as your, uh, thing, but that doesn't mean you're bad or anything no-"
Elfie laughs cut Tsuki off. "Goodness, you're awkward when you're nervous. Yes Tsuki, I promise I won't tell."
"Thanks. I appreciate it," Tsuki started. "What I'm about to tell you is pretty complicated. But uh, I think I like someone."
"Oh. You don't have to tell me who if you don't want to," Elfie replied. "Feelings are intricate things."
Tsuki smiled. "I know." Oh, how true that was.
"So, what seems to be the problem?" She asked, meeting his eyes.
"It's stupid really, I just don't know if she likes me back."
She was confusing sometimes (all the time). No matter how hard Tsuki tried, he never could get a good read on her. Maybe the isolation from the night shift got to her?
"Do you trust her?"
Tsuki looked up in surprise. "Pardon?" Why would she ask this question so abruptly?
"Do you trust her?" Elfie repeated.
"Well, yes-"
"-Then I don't see why she wouldn't."
Tsuki smiled again. "Thanks for the advice, Elfie."
"You're welcome," she said, awkwardly patting the rabbit on the back. "Anytime."
Elfie sighed, content. But after a few moments, she realized Tsuki was still a bit gloomy.
"Tsuki. What's wrong?"
"Elfie."
"Yes?"
"The person. It's you."
Elfie's eyes widened in surprise.
Tsuki scratched his neck. "So do you?" Do you like me back? Was left unsaid.
Elfie stared at him. So after a few embarrassingly long moments, she kissed him.
"Yes, rabbit. I like you back."
And so they both sat there, on the bench, content with sitting there in each other's embrace.