novelraw Chapter 45: Three People Leave the Table
Chapter 45: Three People Leave the Table
“Hello, it’s nice to meet you. The way we met was a bit unexpected, but I’d say it’s still a pretty good start, don’t you think?”
Leon greeted the two women with a smile, then politely shook hands with each of them. Well, it wasn’t like he was taking advantage—after all, they were the ones who reached out first.
Haley puffed up her cheeks and glared at Leon—not because he had shown up at this ladies’ night dinner, but because of the polite smile and friendly manner he displayed when meeting Maru and Leah for the first time.
Haley still remembered the first time she met Leon—how half-hearted and perfunctory he had been. Now look at him, warmly greeting others like an old friend. The difference was like night and day.
Of course, she had completely forgotten that their first meeting had been when she’d mistaken him for a thief at the old Community Center. That misunderstanding might have been the main reason for his cold attitude back then.
Once the introductions were over, Jodi came over, pressed Leon down into a seat on the emptier side, and sat beside him with a teasing smile.
“I didn’t expect you’d already met Haley and Abigail. Add Emily to that, and you’ve already met most of the outstanding young women in Stardew Valley. And here I thought you weren’t much of a social type, so I went to the trouble of setting up this dinner to help expand your circle.”
“So you really were trying to set me up.” Leon gave a wry smile. He’d thought Jodi was joking before, but it seemed she was dead serious.
“Not exactly. I just thought you should get to know some people your age. If Sam and the boys weren’t busy with band practice tonight, I’d have invited them too. Guess it’ll have to wait till next time.” Jodi chuckled.
“No need. Once is enough. These kinds of lively gatherings aren’t really my style. I prefer quiet places.” Leon shook his head. He’d agreed to come this time only because he had promised Jodi before—and because he happened to be hungry. Otherwise, he’d have been lying on his farm bed until his stomach forced him to find food.“You don’t like socializing? Well, alright.” Jodi sounded a little disappointed, but she didn’t press him. She was the kind of person who respected others’ boundaries.
“It’s not that I dislike it. I just have too much work to do. Honestly, I haven’t eaten since a small bite this morning. I’ve been working non-stop without even time for a proper meal. How much time do you think I can spare for social events?”
He kept his voice low so only Jodi could hear, then added reassuringly, “I appreciate the thought. Once the farm’s running smoothly, I’ll make time to meet people on my own. You don’t need to worry about me.”
“You’re such a hardworking young man. But you still have to eat properly. Wait here for a moment.”
Jodi gave him a fond look. A boy about the same age as her eldest son, coming to Stardew Valley all alone to shoulder the burden of reviving an old farm—yet still managing to stay polite and cheerful under all that pressure. It tugged at her motherly instincts.
“No—”
Before Leon could finish, Jodi had already left the room. Her absence made the atmosphere in the room noticeably quieter.
The cheerful chatter among the women had faded when Leon arrived, and now it grew even softer.
Leon had no intention of disturbing them. He wasn’t here to socialize—he was here to eat.
But some of them clearly weren’t going to leave him alone. Abigail strolled over, sat down beside him, and asked openly, “Starving, huh?”
“What do you think?” Leon slumped in his chair like a salted fish, replying weakly.
“Heh. Not everyone’s here yet, so you might have to wait a bit longer. Hope you don’t starve to death before then.” Abigail grinned, teasing him.
Leon silently gave her the middle finger. Abigail only laughed harder. “Stay here and suffer then. I’m going to get some air.”
With that, she left too, leaving Leon alone once again, staring blankly at the ceiling.
A moment later, another figure sat down next to him. One glance at the big waves of golden hair told him it was Haley.
“You don’t look so good. Not that I care, of course. I just think it’s strange and wanted to ask,” she said in a deliberately tsundere tone.
“Hungry,” Leon replied flatly. Just one word was enough to explain.
“You’re hungry? Didn’t you eat lunch?” Haley asked, surprised.
“I should say I haven’t eaten since we met at the old Community Center earlier.” He waved her off. “Alright, I’ve answered your question. You can go now. I really don’t have the energy to talk.”
“Then why not go order something before dinner starts?” Haley gave him a disdainful look. “Don’t tell me you’re too stingy to buy food.”
“When someone’s hosting, and you start eating before they’ve even begun, have you thought about how that looks to your host?” Leon shot back.
Haley’s blood pressure spiked at that, but she couldn’t find a flaw in his reasoning. All she could do was glare at him angrily before storming off.
Now the three people who had talked to Leon had all left, leaving only him, Leah, and Maru in the room. The silence grew heavier and more awkward.
The two women had no idea what had just happened. Their enthusiasm for chatting had vanished, and they now sat quietly, eyes downcast, unsure whether to leave or stay.
Noticing their unease, Leon mustered the energy to explain. “Jodi probably went to get the others. Abigail’s just outside getting some air—she can’t sit still. As for Haley, she probably went to find her sister.”
“I see.”
Hearing that everyone had a reason for leaving, Maru and Leah both relaxed.
But now that they were paying closer attention, they noticed Leon didn’t look so good. They wanted to ask about it but, having just met him, didn’t know how to begin.
And so, once again, the room sank into silence.