novelraw Chapter 197: The Hat Mouse
Chapter 197: The Hat Mouse
Once lunch was over, Leon immediately remarked on how delicious the food was, thanked Robin for the invitation and Mr. Demetrius for hosting, then claimed he had matters to attend to and made a quick exit.
After all, if he didn’t leave now, Leon worried that the overprotective father might come charging over to settle things with him.
His hasty retreat also made Maru, who had just been about to invite him to her room to check out the half-finished water pump, wisely hold her tongue. Instead, she simply waved goodbye.
Leon had barely stepped out of Robin’s house when Sebastian—who had been completely invisible during the meal—followed him. Just as Leon was pulling out his bike to leave, Sebastian blocked his way.
“I remember your name’s Leon, right?”
Leon glanced at the handsome young man with the non-mainstream hairstyle and asked, puzzled, “Yeah. What’s up?”
“Just wanted to give you a heads-up.” Sebastian casually pulled out a pack of cigarettes and offered one. “Want one?”
“Quit.” Leon waved him off. “Just spit it out.”
“Demetrius might not let Maru see you again after today. Better be prepared,” Sebastian said after lighting up and taking a drag.
“So what?” Leon looked at him in exasperation. “You don’t think there’s something going on between me and Maru, do you?”“Isn’t there?” Sebastian asked, genuinely surprised.
“Of course not. Maru’s a friend. We were talking over lunch about a mechanical project I commissioned her to build.” Leon’s tone was firm.
He truly had no improper thoughts about Maru. As for the future, well, that would depend on what the audience wanted.
“My bad, then. I just rarely see Maru so open with a guy, so I assumed you two had something special,” Sebastian admitted with a trace of regret.
“You seem awfully interested in your… unrelated sister,” Leon teased.
It was obvious they weren’t blood siblings—one was pale-skinned, the other dark-skinned. Not to mention Leon knew Robin and Demetrius had a blended family.
“No, I just think if my misunderstanding were true, Demetrius’s face would be priceless,” Sebastian replied calmly.
“Sounds like you don’t like your stepfather,” Leon said.
“Not exactly dislike. But I don’t like him either. I respect my mother’s choice, but that doesn’t mean I have to cozy up to him,” Sebastian said, stubbing out his cigarette.
“But if I get the chance to make his life difficult, I won’t pass it up.”
“I get it. But if you’re counting on me for that, you’re betting on the wrong horse,” Leon said dryly. “And if you really wanted to mess with him, you could do it yourself. After all, you and Maru aren’t related. Why not add fuel to the fire?”
“Are you insane? What kind of twisted suggestion is that?” Sebastian shot him a look. “Besides, I’m not into women.”
“…Right. Goodbye.” Leon gave a quick bow and made to leave. A man had just come out to him, and standing around as an attractive guy in front of him didn’t feel safe at all.
“No need to worry. I’m not interested in you,” Sebastian said with open disdain. “My boyfriend’s much better-looking than you.”
“Sure, sure.” Leon nodded perfunctorily, swung onto his bike, and pedaled away.
Sebastian didn’t try to stop him, just shook his head and went back inside.
By the time Leon reached Pelican Town, he slowed down his creaky chain and sighed. The folk here were certainly unique. In his short time in Stardew Valley, he had already met two men who were openly out.
No wonder Jodi had organized that matchmaking party. It wasn’t that the girls in Stardew Valley had high standards—it was that half the men were bending the other way.
No wonder even in the game, male characters could romance male NPCs. It was just local culture.
As a traditional man from the East, Leon was shocked. He didn’t understand it, but he respected it.
Without lingering in town, Leon rode straight through Pelican Town into the Coal Forest. Finding a dense patch of trees, he got to work chopping wood.
Since he was going to build a chicken coop, it never hurt to stock up on more lumber, even though his reserves were decent.
Following the wild area below the Wizard’s Tower, he hacked away, cutting grass for fiber and hay as well. With his strong stamina, Leon cleared the forest like a one-man hurricane.
“Hey there, want to see some hats?”
Just as he reached a cliff edge, a soft, milky voice called out. Looking toward it, Leon spotted a slightly run-down cabin. In the window stood a plump, oversized mouse.
It was actually rather cute—gray fur, fluffy, a face more round than sharp, topped with a little round hat. Its big, bright eyes sparkled as its paws rested on the windowsill.
Most people’s first reaction to a talking mouse would be to run, but Leon had seen plenty in Stardew Valley. Talking mice were practically normal.
“You talking to me?”
Leon walked over, eyeing the big mouse with interest.
“Of course. Want to see some hats? I’ve got all kinds,” the mouse said, pointing to its own little hat. “All beautiful. Wear one, and you’ll stand out.”
“Oh? What kinds do you sell?”
With nothing better to do, Leon decided to chat.
“See for yourself.” The Hat Mouse pulled out a catalog and handed it over. “All styles, all effects—you name it. Miss out, and you’ll regret it.”
Leon took the catalog. The cover read “Magic Hats of the Hat Mouse,” which made him frown instinctively. Still, he opened it.