A Perfect Change in Schedule

The wind was clear, and as Toby had left home an hour ago, he found himself at Akari's door, staring at the brown wood of the door. His hand was raised, but he hadn't knocked in all the ten minutes he awkwardly stood there, with an eel in the other hand, holding the handle of the bucket. The eel was an extra from On the Hook, so he took his time walking there after he found it in the lake by his home. However, the fisherman felt lonely this morning, though it was a Monday, when he went fishing at Caramel Falls. Then the door opened.

Toby all but dropped the fish, but he blinked, smiling shyly. "A-Akari, goodmornin-g," He studdered, and held the bucket with the eel in it up. "I, um... I caught an extra eel. I thought you might..." He trailed off, looking to her face.

"Oh, hello, Toby. I'd love to eat breakfast with you! Come on in!" Akari pulled him into the house, as the fish all but fell out. However, Toby made sure he didn't fall out, and looked around Akari's house. "It's a bit big, and empty... But Hamilton said I couldn't have too much, so I made due." She smiled brightly. "You must be lucky. I can't eels for my life, try as I might." She chuckled.

"Oh, yes." Toby's face was bright red, but Akari didn't notice. She gingerly took the bucket the eel swam in, trying to get out. He wouldn't shock her, Toby hoped. Sending her to Jin to help her be uninjured sooner didn't appeal to Toby's monday routine, yet, neither did eating breakfast with her. "I needed a supliment of 16 eels and 18 carp, but I ended up with 17 eels and 18 carps."

"What about the other fish? Did Ozzy or Pascal get them?" Akari looked to him, concerned for On The Hook's business. "I mean... I can help haul them over with you."

"Oh, no, Uncle Ozzy picked them up for me thirty minutes ago. Pascal went with him." Toby watched her cut up the eel, after washing it off. "Do you cook fish often?" Then he stood opposite her at her white, marble kitchen counter.

"Oh, yeah! Salmon, depending on the season. I made two or three Wood Fish before..." Akari hummed softly, as she fried the fish with oil and butter. "Do you like any herbs on your fish, Toby?" She smiled up to his face, cheerily.

"Yes, actually... Blue herb is spectacular." Toby rubbed the back of his head, embarrast. She was so kind, and helpful, and he was so useless compared to her.

"There's some in the first row of herbs in the garden. The blue one's are ready, and if you want some green herb, it's right beside it." Akari kept cooking the fish, but put the lid on top. "Come on, I'll show you." She turned the heat off the pan and set it off the heat, taking him to her magnificent garden. "Isn't it a beautiful garden? I worked so hard!" She grinned.

"Ah- yes, I think so, too. It's really beautiful." Toby said, as he looked to her quietly. "May I pick the herbs?"

"Sure!" Akari giggled, with a nod, her strand of hair bouncing with it. "I'm gonna take care of my animals quickly, but be right back~" She skipped into her barn, and after five minutes, into her coop. Once she came out, straw was in her hair. "Okay, ready for breakfast? Got some great milk, too. And eggs, if you want some." Saving two eggs and a jar of milk, she filled her shipping box carefully.

"Oh, okay, Akari. I think that sounds... Beautiful." Toby mused, as he joined her into the house.

The only one who saw them was Renee, and as jealous as she was, if he felt content, she was alright. No one exited the house again, so she left her spying spot to Caramel Falls, looking back at the house. Akari sure was lucky to get his attention like that, giving her fish. Before she came, Toby always gave her fish. She sighed, knowing Akari changed everything.

** Again, third time with Harvest Moon: Tree of Tranquility, and Toby/Akari is my favorite couple. I don't own Harvest Moon. **