I Thought It Was a Healing Farming Game - Chapter 15

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I thought this was supposed to be a relaxing farming game.
Chapter 15

1. Do not venture outside after midnight. The roads are dark and dangerous.
If you must go out, bring a Self-Defense Weapon to prepare for emergencies.
We recommend completing your business quickly and returning home as soon as possible.
2. For personal letters, gifts, and other mail, please use the Community Center mailbox.
Even when the Community Center is closed, you can drop off packages at the mailbox outside for 1 gold coin.
All mail in the mailbox is delivered in bulk every morning at 9 AM.
3. Unauthorized entry into another person’s private space is prohibited. You must obtain permission before visiting.
Violators will receive a warning and be subject to fines, and may face further penalties depending on the circumstances.
4. If you perform work without going through the Community Center, you must obtain a contract and submit it later so that your income and reputation information can be updated.

It was a guide filled with careful notes about everyday conveniences and regulations.
“Garbage collection on Tuesdays…… bags provided free by the Community Center. Community Regular Meeting every Sunday…… the regular meeting!”
My eyes snapped open. This was the most important part.
I grabbed a pen and dashed to the calendar, marking every Sunday with a star.
Most of the villagers attended the Community Regular Meeting.
The five residents classified as Romance/Target Characters never missed a single one.
‘I can meet everyone on that day, so I can’t miss it.’
With the determination to attend without fail, I traced over the stars several times before returning to the rulebook.

6. The Community Regular Meeting is held every Sunday.
You are encouraged to check that week’s agenda and attend voluntarily, but Visitors are required to attend as mandatory for village adjustment.

“Wait? Visitors have to attend?”
Well, that was certainly better than worrying I’d be barred from the meeting.
‘So the villagers attend voluntarily but Visitors are required? It feels like everything’s backwards.’

7. Node receives a Trade Ship visit every third Wednesday of the month.
You can purchase special items from the Trade Ship merchants or sell items you’ve personally crafted at good prices.
On the day the Trade Ship arrives, visit the Harbor early.
8. Traveling Merchants appear throughout the village. They don’t engage in hard selling, so feel free to browse.
If anyone behaves suspiciously or makes threats, report them to the Community Center immediately.

It was a kindlier guidebook than I’d expected.
‘It reads like obvious advice being emphasized…… like they’re making a point.’
Especially the final ninth item was underlined heavily as a warning.

9. If any dispute or crime occurs within Node, we will proceed with punishment according to procedure.
We hope you familiarize yourself with the above rules and enjoy a beautiful and pleasant time in Node.

* * *

“All organized!”
I dusted off my hands and stretched languidly.
I’d already figured out roughly how to use all these items.
First, I’d farm using the Garden Plot Deed and Seeds I got from the Community Center.
Then with the money I earned from working part-time jobs, I’d buy Fertilizer and Growth Accelerant!
‘Everything should grow in about a week, and I’ll make a decent amount.’
If I did large-scale farming with that money, I’d have enough for a deposit.
The advantage of Node was that one season lasted about a month, so crops grew quickly.
“I’ve got to secure my own place before spring ends!”
Just as I rose with that ambitious declaration.
Crack-crack-crack.
“Ugh. Ow.”
The sound of bone cracking echoed through the room.
“I guess I got too focused.”
I checked my Stamina bar just to be sure.

Stamina: 44/100

Watching the Stamina bar fill up so slowly, I couldn’t help but sigh.
My whole body ached from sitting too long, and my Stamina had bottomed out from pulling that cart around until I’d collapsed. It was ridiculous.
‘The pain will fade, but my Stamina stays weak. If my Strength were even a little higher, I’d recover so much faster.’
This wouldn’t do.
‘I should get some exercise in before bed.’
I dropped to the floor and assumed a Plank position.
Then I began counting silently.
One, two, three.
“Ngh—”
Before ten seconds had passed, I collapsed flat onto the ground with a dull thud.
Still, I knew exercise got easier with repetition, so I didn’t give up and tried two more sets.
‘I need to keep this up whenever I have a chance.’
I rubbed my abdomen and opened the door to my room.
As I stepped out into the living space, I could see the empty living room and kitchen. Siad must have gone back to his room.
A fruit basket that Friam had given me caught my eye.
I went over and peered inside. From among the fruits, I picked up a stem of ripe cherries clustered with small red berries.
“…He gave me this many fruits and all.”
The thought of how badly I’d botched that first meeting weighed on me, and sadness crept in.
‘How should I apologize?’
Turning the problem over in my mind, I carried the cherry stem to the kitchen and rinsed it lightly under water.
Then I plucked off the stem and popped the ruby-red berries one by one into my mouth to taste them.
The ripe cherries burst the moment my teeth touched their skin, their delicate flesh crumbling away.
It tasted like the cherries Grandmother had once given me on a walk when I was small.
‘I made such a face when I was little, complaining they were sour.’
Grandmother would laugh at my dramatic sulking and pinch my cheek, then comfort me by offering candy.
‘Since I received such lovely fruit from Friam, maybe I should give him a gift in return?’
If I gave him an apology letter along with a gift, perhaps it might win back his heart.
Pop, pop.
As I stood gazing out the window at the fading sunset, bursting one cherry after another between my teeth—
“Miss Miel.”
“Oh!”
Siad’s eyes moved once to my face, then once to the cherries soaking in water.
“Siad. When did you come out?”
I quickly fished the cherries out of the water.
“Would you like some cherries? I was only planning to try one stem, but they’re so delicious I’ve kept eating them.”
“…So it seems.”
I pulled out a bowl, dried off the cherries carefully, and arranged them nicely before setting it down in front of Siad.
“Oh, you don’t dislike cherries, do you?”
“I’m rather fond of them. Fruit, in general.”
Siad placed a single cherry in his mouth.
As I watched to see if he enjoyed it, the moment his teeth touched the cherry it burst, and the juice stained his lips crimson in an instant.
Blinking at the sight, I instinctively wiped the back of my hand across my own mouth in alarm.
The back of my hand came away smeared with red juice.
“Oh no.”

“Would you like some cherries? I was only planning to try one stem, but they’re so delicious I’ve kept eating them.”
“…So it seems.”

That’s what he meant?
I quickly turned on the tap and washed my mouth.
‘Why didn’t you just tell me…!’
I scrubbed my mouth roughly with a towel.
Then, as I watched Siad pick up a cherry to eat, I ventured a question.
“Siad, what is it that you dislike?”
“When you say you dislike something, what exactly do you mean? Food? Objects?”
“Not necessarily material things. I mean people with certain personalities, or behaviors I find off-putting, that sort of thing.”
“That’s rather vague. Do you have a concrete example?”
I fidgeted with my fingers, fumbling for words, then started speaking whatever came to mind.
“People who ask invasive personal questions right away, or who push to get closer even when it feels suffocating. Those kinds of…… behaviors, I suppose?”
At that, Siad gave a small nod as if he understood what I meant.
“If this is on account of Friam, please don’t worry yourself. I’m satisfied with things as they are now.”
I tried to be indirect about it, but Siad saw through me immediately.
I mumbled awkwardly, shuffling my feet.
“I just…… don’t want to do anything Siad dislikes.”
“If I dislike something, I’ll tell you directly.”
Siad answered matter-of-factly.
“Really?”
“Yes. So don’t worry yourself needlessly.”
That firm reassurance put my mind at ease.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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