novelraw Chapter 86: I Treat You Like a Brother, and You’re Guarding Against Me?
Chapter 86: I Treat You Like a Brother, and You’re Guarding Against Me?
“What nonsense,” Abigail rolled her eyes at Leon, but still reached out to take the straight sword he handed her.
When Abigail’s fingers closed around the hilt, Leon couldn’t help but glance sideways at her. Under the flickering firelight and the glow of the moon, she looked, for a moment, like a Valkyrie from the north—radiant and commanding.
“It’s a gift for you, but try not to wave it around recklessly. At the very least, don’t take it out in town unless necessary.”
Leon, his voice calm again, poked at the campfire while reminding her to be careful.
“I’m not a kid. Of course I know how to behave.” Abigail made a face at him, then held the sword across her palms. “By the way, this isn’t some family heirloom of yours, is it?”
“How could a family heirloom look so new? I got it from Clint when I visited him last time.” Leon waved his hand. “So you don’t need to thank me. If anyone deserves thanks, it’s Clint—he’s the one who forged it.”
“Clint, huh… I don’t talk to him much.” Abigail tilted her head, thinking for a moment before muttering awkwardly.
“Forget it. I’ll tell him next time I see him.” Leon didn’t expect Abigail to track Clint down herself. Knowing Clint’s homebody ways, he’d probably bolt if Abigail showed up.
“Thanks, Leon.” Abigail grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. “I knew you were the most reliable—my best friend.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Leon nodded half-heartedly, then noticed white foam beginning to bubble in the pot over the fire. He quickly pulled it away.“Want some?”
Lifting the lid, he revealed the plain white porridge, water and rice blended into one. He held it toward Abigail.
“Are you living that rough? Can you even fill your stomach with this at night?”
Abigail shook her head, then glanced at him with a hint of worry.
If Leon admitted he was struggling, she was ready to crack open her piggy bank and hand over some private savings under the guise of a loan. She wouldn’t even think about when he might repay it.
“No, I’m just too lazy to cook.” Leon waited for the porridge to cool, answering casually.
“I see.” Abigail let out a sigh of relief and sat down beside him. “For a moment, I thought you’d gone broke and couldn’t afford food.”
“Not that bad.”
Leon thought about the money he had left. Even after today’s expenses, he still had over 1,800 on hand—enough to get by until his crops matured. And the money from selling green onions and other spring forage should be coming in soon.
When the porridge had cooled enough, Leon fetched a spoon and began his simple dinner. Abigail sat beside him, chatting idly. Since Leon was eating, it was mostly her talking and him listening.
As a listener, Leon heard a lot—family quarrels, strict parents, uncertainty about her future.
He didn’t offer advice. Household matters were tricky even for a wise judge, and as for her future… he had no good answers.
Still, just having someone listen made Abigail’s expression brighter. She didn’t mind that he spoke little—in fact, she was grateful he’d lent an ear.
“It’s getting late. You should head home before your parents start nagging you.” Leon glanced at his watch—it was past nine. As he rinsed the pot, he reminded her again.
“Mm.” Abigail knew she’d been out too long. Any later and her father might come looking for her. She stood without protest.
“Need me to give you a lift? I’ve got a bike now. Not a sports car, but still a ride.” Leon recalled their earlier conversation about her driving him.
“No thanks. I’ve seen your bike—it doesn’t even have a seat. If you tried to take me, I’d have to lean on the frame. You’d get to take advantage, and I’d be the one losing out.” Abigail shot him a look, full of mock disgust.
“Heh. I treat you like a brother, and you’re guarding against me? Fine—walk yourself out.” Leon gave her a speechless glance.
“Hehe, bye!” Abigail laughed, waved, and strode off, sword in hand.
Watching her back disappear, Leon sighed. He wondered if Penny was the only one in Stardew Valley who knew you weren’t supposed to set foot on someone’s farm without permission.
People wandered in like it was a public park—no heads-up, no gifts, not even a shred of respect for the owner.
If firearms were sold here, he’d put a machine gun turret on the farm gate. Let’s see trespassers ignore a welcome like that.
After dousing the embers in the firepit, Leon went inside and fell asleep without changing.
The next morning, his internal clock worked perfectly as usual. Not long after sunrise, he woke naturally.
After washing up, the first thing he did was step outside to relieve himself. Then, hands washed, he dug through the fridge for breakfast.
Just like Abigail said, porridge alone couldn’t keep him full. Last night’s watery dinner had been fine, but after a night’s digestion, the only result was a longer-than-usual bathroom break. Now, he was truly hungry.
Once full, he finally had the energy to water his crops. To his delight, the bean seedlings that had been drooping yesterday had perked up after he set up trellises for them. Overnight, they’d wound themselves tightly around the supports.
“Nothing else to do. Looks like today’s a good day to try fishing.”
By the time the watering was done, it was only seven-thirty. With the farm chores finished, Leon grabbed his bamboo fishing rod and set out to finish the fishing trip he hadn’t managed last time.
“Departing! Destination—the beach pier!”
With an overly dramatic cry, Leon pedaled east toward Pelican Town, one hand gripping the handlebars, the other carrying his rod, riding straight into the morning sun