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legacy-by-darkryuu · 2 years ago

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Remaster: Step Toward the Future, Chapter 5

Chapter 5: Fireworks

Also available on Archive of Our Own.

Rating: M/Adult

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“Ko-chan, Jill’s shoe!!”

It was one of those hazy memories Jill always had. She was no more than three or four at the time and they were all going to see the summer fireworks. It was considerably hot but it was tradition for everyone to wear yukata. She remembered she always felt like a princess wearing her pink yukata and her pretty sandals. However, the strap always seemed to break. Koji, age eight or nine, stopped a moment and knelt, fixing the strap as he always did.

She recalled she would look down at him, pondering. Koji had always been the mysterious type, hadn’t he? He was so quiet and reserved. And he’d always been some form of attractive, an oddity for a child. His mess of brown hair weighed heavily over his left eye for some reason at this point and he’d just about bypassed cute. He rose to his feet, fixing his yukata and patting her head absently. He walked forward and she quickly caught up, wriggling her tiny hand into his. He held it a little tighter. She was glad he was here with her. The mysteriousness…there was a reason.

That was what the Fireworks Festival was to her, time with her family…but…

Jill sat up in shock when her alarm clock buzzed wildly. Startled and more than a little confused, she looked around and everything came back in a slow haze. Oh yea, she was on a farm.

Sighing, she looked at the clock and saw it read 5:30 p.m. She must’ve been wearing that snooze button out. Deciding to take a nap might not have been the best idea but that bath was so soothing. Standing, she wandered over to her vanity and saw the parcel with the folded yukata inside. Popuri informed her wearing the yukata was a tradition here as well and Jill had realized, horrified, that she hadn’t even brought one with her. She’d called her mother, hoping the women could dig up one of her old ones. But for Yagada, the designer, an old one was just not good enough. The woman had made an ‘exclusive’ one just for Jill. It was crimson silk and elaborated with black cherry blossoms, the lining black as well. It was pretty but she had the idea her mother might have outdone herself again.

Pulling on all the proper garments despite the incredible heat, she carefully put on the robe. Tying the obi, she stared at herself in the mirror as she put her hair up. It bothered her a little that she wasn’t that little girl anymore, content in holding big brother’s hand…but time moved on and it was time for new things, right? She sighed and pulled on some sandals before rushing out the door.

Just as with the Goddess Festival which ended that buoyant Spring badly, the Fireworks Festival was wrapping up Summer. And, again, Cliff had asked her to watch with him.

She arrived at the beach and, much like she had assumed, her yukata was one of the most elaborate there. She rolled her eyes as the girls sneered at her. She looked around the beach, hoping to see Popuri or…Cliff. She spotted Popuri speaking with her mother happily and her brother off to the side, looking around absently. It made Jill feel a little homesick for her family but it was okay. Her brothers had called and told her to go and party. They weren’t going to do the fireworks thing until she returned to them. Why? It was a family thing and if Jill wasn’t there, it wasn’t right. Yea, she missed them.

Glancing at the beach house, she sighed. Kai left three days ago, saying he needed to set up for tourist season. He gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek and told her to get her man. Maybe. She missed him already.

Her smile widened a little and then she looked around for Cliff. She finally spotted him, sitting on the dock. His hair was down again and he was wearing a black yukata. She swallowed and her heart fluttered. She didn’t know why she loved it when his hair was down, she thought absently. Slowly wandering over to him, she carefully sank down beside him, startling him from his daydreams. He glanced at her and his eyes widened.

“…Jill?”

“Hi” she said sheepishly.

“…Wow, you look…great.”

“Thanks…”

Staring at her a moment longer, he turned and glanced out at the water. “So…um…”

Jill sighed deeply, “I can’t say I didn’t like Kai, Cliff. Like, I really liked him. And…I think I know some of the reasons he may have pushed me away and I don’t really care for them either.” Cliff nodded emphatically. “I agree.” “But” she sighed, “He’s in ‘free bird’ mode and I’m in ‘taking care of my late great-grandpa’s very stationary farm’ mode. And, yes, I would fret not knowing when I’d see my family again. I don’t want to say anything like he’s not worth it because that wouldn’t be true. Just…we weren’t there yet.” He looked to her, surprised, “I…I see.”

She blinked at him and he sheepishly rubbed his face. Yea, she figured there would still be barriers. With a sigh, she stretched, “It’s hard to believe half a year’s gone…”

“Yea…time never moves this fast” he murmured.

She jumped a little when suddenly a crackle went off overhead but remembered this was the Fireworks Festival. Staring up, she watched as thousands of colors exploded in various shapes and sparkles. Full of awe, she murmured gently, “It’s so pretty…”

“Yeah…” said Cliff absently, though his eyes weren’t entirely on the sky.

The show ended all too soon and she smiled, standing, “That was nice.”

“Yup…”

“I think I might head in early to get ready for harvesting and stuff. Autumn…I can’t believe it” she sighed.

Cliff quickly came to his feet, “Hey, wait! Um…let’s go for a walk. It’s way too early to just head home.”

“I guess…okay” she nodded.

He smiled and they walked from the festival into the forest near the mountains. They came to the crossroads that led to her house and he stared up the opposite way before asking, “Have you ever been to the peak?”

“No. I heard it was really high…” she replied.

“Not really. C’mon, it shouldn’t take that long.”

‘It shouldn’t take that long’ turned into two hours and she wheezed as the summit finally came into view.

“Cliff…I think we’re far enough from mankind for me to kill you and no one would find out” she glowered, panting.

He chuckled and wiped his brow, “It’s easier when we’re not wearing yukata and it’s not late at night…”

She snickered and strolled over to the edge cautiously before gasping. The scene before her was so surreal, so beautiful. The crescent moon almost looked as if she could touch it as it sat upon the peaks of the mountains. The stars surrounded the moon in all its majesty and glowed just as magnificently. Awed, she was startled when Cliff wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and whispered into her ear.

“It’s pretty, isn’t it?”

“Um…yeah…” she murmured, now a tad distracted by him.

She felt his light breathing against her neck and blushed. She closed her eyes and hugged his arms. It felt nice.

He lifted his head a little and murmured. “I know I’ve been a little wishy-washy, Jill. I…I know I’ve made it look like other people are more important and was an ass about what you do. Just…I’ve-If it’s okay, if you’ll have me, I…I would like to be your first choice.”

Her heart pulsated a little and she pouted, reddening. She swallowed, “Cliff…”

“If you say ‘no’, I’ve got an easy way down.”

She scoffed, “No, you don’t! Don’t play like that!”

He smiled, “You’re right. Sorry. Will you…consider it?”

This was…what she wanted. Turning to face him, she felt her cheeks warm. “…I want to.”

Cliff gaped softly before gently tugging her against him, leaning down and kissing her. Jill’s heart raced as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Summer had ended…and this time, everything was perfect.

____________________________________________

Jill sighed softly, gripping at the soft sheets of her bed. The alarm clock had been ringing for hours now but she was too tired to get up. After a moment, she opened her eyes slowly, a tad confused. She didn’t really remember how she got here at all…then she remembered Cliff.

Cliff and Jill managed to get down the mountain before they restarted the kiss. Cliff fervently, if not a little clumsily, traced his lips across hers. She returned it as best she could, running her fingers through his long blond hair. He backed her gently against a tree and pulled one of her legs up to straddle his waist. She moaned lightly…then she felt like they were being watched. She pulled away from his lips but that just made him move to her neck. She blushed but murmured.

“Cliff…I…I think we’re being watched.”

He stopped and pulled away from her, staring at her with confusion. He looked to the side and his eyes widened a little. She turned to glance as well and saw a curtain quickly fall in the nearby cabin. She flushed and he blushed a little himself.

“Yeah, maybe making out near a house isn’t a good idea…” he joked.

“You think?” she chuckled.

Taking her hand, he kissed it, gazing at her.

“Let’s go to your house…”

She sat up, utterly startled and glanced next to her to make sure Cliff wasn’t next to her in bed…nope, empty. She slowly got up and realized she was in her pajamas. She frowned and wandered around her house for any sign of the blond…no one. Standing in her kitchen, she sighed. Maybe she’d dreamed the whole thing. Suddenly, though, she noticed a scrap of paper sitting on her counter. She picked it up and slowly read it…

Morning, Sleepyhead. Someone was a little worn out last night. Changed into their pajamas on me and everything. That’s okay though, I’m excited we’re here finally. Come to the inn after you finish your chores and we can go do something. Cliff.

She chuckled softly and carefully folded the letter, sticking it in her pocket. Eating a small breakfast, she rushed outside to feed her animals and start planting new crops. So this was going to be the new chapter.

She couldn’t wait.

____________________________________________

Cliff grinned blissfully as he ate lunch at the bar and Doug eyeballed him lightly. “Something good happen?”

“I’m finally at peace, Doug.”

“Did you finally tell that girl how you feel? ‘Bout time!”

Cliff sighed, “I know…”

The inn’s phone rang over in the corner and Doug left the bar to answer it. He looked a little confused before glancing over at Cliff, holding it out to him.

“For you.”

Cliff wiped his fingers of the remainders of his sandwich and walked over casually. He didn’t know why he’d expected it to be Jill. Maybe he was on too much of a Jill-hype. He cheerfully answered, “Hello?”

“…Cliff.”

His eyes widened before narrowing, his mood killed. He turned toward a dark corner and muttered, “What do you want?”

“I can’t call my son?”

Cliff winced and glowered, “Leaving me alone never seemed to bother you before.”

“Cliff, that’s ridiculous and you know it. Where are you? You should just come home.”

“Why should I?” he snapped.

“Cliff…your mother called me and she’s not very happy with you.”

Putting a hand out, he clenched the wall and uttered, “Yea, because I didn’t jump into some go nowhere job I didn’t want.”

“She said you’re running low on money.”

Cliff glowered, “That’s none of your business.”

“Cliff--”

“Look, father. I don’t really want to be having this conversation with you right now...or ever. I’m making it so whatever illusion of concern you have, forget it.”

“…Are you this bitter with everyone?”

“Only with people who abandon me.”

“I never abandoned you, Cliff!”

Cliff laughed coolly, “You’re right…dumping mom for another woman and marrying her to improve your social standing, not even bothering with your other children….you didn’t abandon just me, you abandoned all of us.”

“Cliff--”

“Mother was too low for you…she wasn’t up to par for a diplomat of your prestige.”

“How dar--”

“I dare.”

“Cliff…I am only asking for your mother, for God’s sake, to come home.”

“…Screw you.”

He hung up heavily and turned, walking outside to cool off. He slammed down on the bench before slowly reaching into his pocket, pulling out his wallet. Only a few bills remained. He shook his head. It wasn’t his father’s business…but he was right.

“Cliff!”

He looked up, surprised, and saw Jill running toward him, dressed in a black jogging suit. When she came near, she panted a little but frowned. “What’s wrong…?”

“Huh?”

“You seem upset…”

He stared at her before smiling, “Nothing’s wrong…nothing at all.” No…he’d say his dad had been right about quite a few things lately. Now just…to not screw it up.

____________________________________________

Cliff and Jill sat on her couch, watching television…or more like Jill was looking at television. He stared at the television slightly, occasionally gazing at her. Jill was intently watching the movie. She was so adorable. He grinned mischievously and then nipped lightly at her ear. She edged away but giggled.

“Now what are you up to?”

He grinned more and pushed her down onto the remaining couch, crouching on top of her, and she squealed.

“Cliff…you’re so bad” she pouted, crossing her arms.

He chuckled huskily, kissing her cheek before sitting up, and scratching his head. Hmm…he reached out and stroked her hair, kissing her forehead.

“Let me take you on a date.”

“This is a date, silly” she murmured, closing her eyes.

“No, it’s not. We sat around and watched movies before we were a couple. I wanna take you out like Kai did.”

“It doesn’t matter to me either way, Cliff” she sighed, leaning into his chest, hugging him.

He wrapped his arms around her and grunted, “It matters to me. I want this to be different.”

She smiled, “If it matters that much to you, I’ll take you on a date.”

…What? He stared at her, baffled how she would even know about…“What’s that supposed to mean?”

She looked at him, confused, her brows furrowed, “I, uh, said I was going to take you out on a date?”

He glowered and she frowned, pushing away. “What’s the big deal, Cliff? I might want to treat you to a date sometimes too, y’know? Why are you getting so upset?”

Wincing, Cliff rubbed his arm, laughing nervously. Right, right, Jill would be the type for that. “My…bad…just a little on edge, that’s all. I’m sorry.”

He came to his feet and pulled her up with him, kissing her gingerly, “Okay, let’s not worry about this right now. I have to go run some errands. I’ll see you later?”

“All right…”

Kissing her cheek, he quickly walked out. Great, just great. Way to be come off as an asshole when she was just trying to be nice. Good going. Three weeks in and he was already wrecking this.

Popuri was out collecting eggs when he came by, already smirking when he approached with presumably a dark cloud all around him.

“Cliff, for a guy that finally got what he wanted, you don’t seem too happy.”

“It’s a dream, Po, an absolute dream. And, to think, I’m gonna lose it soon…”

She raised an eyebrow and he sighed heavily, pulling out his wallet and opening it. She stared in and blinked.

“…That’s all you have? Two hundred pieces?”

“Yes.” Two hundred pieces might buy…five loaves of bread. Six if you know what you’re doing.

“How are you paying for your hotel bills?” she demanded.

“A hope and a prayer.”

“Meaning you, uh…are skipping out?”

“I’ll pay him when I get the money, Po, that’s the least of my concerns.”

“What is your concern then?” she questioned, setting her basket aside.

“…Jill.”

“What about her?”

He sighed, “I…I dunno. I’m already turning into a really sucky boyfriend. I can’t even take her on a date.”

“Silly, Jill’s content just being with you.”

He muttered, “That’s not enough for me…”

She sighed and reached into her pocket, pulling out a wad of paper pieces, and handed it to him. He stared at her calmly before holding the money back out.

“Popuri, absolutely not.”

“Oh, please. Like I even go anywhere to spend money often. Mama pays for the groceries and I pretty much have no life. What do I need money for?”

“Life after you leave” he uttered.

She rolled her eyes, “I’m never leaving, Cliff, that should be obvious.”

“Why not? Po, you could be out there growing flowers and managing gardens. Here, you are going to be taking care of chickens forever. You should want to go.” Shrugging, Popuri looked toward the old house, “…Guess I’m waiting on someone.” Oh. “Um, and if…if he…doesn’t…?” While he expected that to depress her and instantly regretted framing the question, she winked, “Well, I’ll take a hubby then.”

He smirked but chuckled, “A hubby, eh? Well, I’m still not taking it.”

“Yes, you are. Consider it your birthday gift!”

“What are you, my uncle?”

“Just take it!”

He eyed her unwavering hand holding the bills out before groaning and taking it from her slowly. He felt like garbage, taking money from his friends. He guessed he really did need to get a job.

“Now take Jill dancing!”

“…Dancing? What?”

“To the mainland! It’d be so fun!”

“…I dunno.”

“Just go on. Kai took her and she told me it was a lot of fun.”

He pondered for a moment before agreeing. Okay, take Jill dancing then get a job...

Maybe.

____________________________________________

Cliff waited in Jill’s den, sighing, as she prepared. He had heard her about five times start to come out but gasp and rush back in, having forgotten some crucial part of her wardrobe. His chin resting in his palm, he rolled his eyes. Jill didn’t need too much to look gorgeous…and it would really suck if they missed the ferry.

“Okay, okay…I think I am finally ready!” she called.

He smirked and came to his feet, “Good…I think if we sprout wings and fly, we can make it to the ferry.”

“Shut up! What do you think?”

He turned around and inhaled sharply. She was dressed in a strapless black dress with a rather large oval at the bust, not even reaching her knees. A metallic belt rested at her hips and she had large hoop earrings and a lot of silver bracelets. On her feet were some really high black heels. He swallowed and his mind went to all the wrong places as in the lapse of a second, he thought of three dozen different ways to get her out of that dress…

“You look…wow.”

“You too” she giggled.

He had opted for a black silky button down shirt, gray jeans and a necklace with a dragon pendant, his hair down like she liked it. He took her hand and grinned.

“Well, let’s go.”

The ferry ride went quicker than he thought…maybe because Jill and his imagination combining kept him busy.

While he had wanted to go to Subami, the upper end side of town, Jill really wanted to return to where Kai and she had gone in Wasaba. He…well, he kind of was against it but conceded for her. It was hard getting through the busy streets but they found the nightclub, making it in only by a miracle since it was so packed. Cliff felt the strobe-lights make him dizzy and everyone clashed against each other made him feel kind of hot. Well, it was always an interesting feeling. Jill giggled and took his hand.

“C’mon, let’s dance!”

Suddenly very unsure of his dancing skills, he followed her to their own personal corner where the music thrashed the loudest. She crushed against him hard and he felt himself inhale sharply again. Oh man.

He grinded against her, feeling every inch of her touching him. He moaned lightly and leaned forward, kissing her heatedly. His hands inadvertently slid up her bare thighs and she shivered but didn’t pull away. Jill flushed, biting her lip, “Why don’t we get a drink?” “Huh? Oh yea, sure--”

Wait…did he…? He reached into his pocket to pull out his wallet and he gasped.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, frowning, her face flushed from his ‘perusal’.

“…Nothing.” He’d just forgotten the money Po gave him.

He winced and forced a smile for her sake, leaning forward and kissing her. “Be RIGHT back, okay? Don’t go anywhere.”

“What?? Where are yo--” Cliff quickly rushed out, pulling out his cell phone. It…was such a lowly thing to do but he called Nyoko to wire him some cash, promising he’d send her the money back immediately.

…He was such an idiot. This…this really was turning into not being a choice.

Yagami Jill crossed her arms, frowning. Cliff was acting entirely too strange lately. She sighed and decided to find a table to sit and wait. No need to stand there while everyone else danced. Wandering over to the lounge area of the club, she looked around for a seat when she heard a loud, familiar voice.

“Sweet mother of God!!”

Oh, damn it. Nelly. Turning around, she wasn’t slightly surprised to be met by her brother’s coat covering her up.

“Who the hell let you out in this getup?!” he demanded.

She shoved his coat off and scowled, “I let myself out in this ‘getup’, nimrod. I’m not sixteen anymore.”

“Koji, say something!” snapped Nelly, turning toward a table.

Oh, naturally, most of her brothers were sitting at this table. Koji raised an eyebrow at her and stared her over.

“…I’m not sure I’m kosher with that ensemble either, imoto.”

Nelly threw his hands up, “I meant say something like ‘wear a poncho!’”

“I am not wearing a poncho!”

Tony leered, standing with his arms crossed, “Who are you even here with? You never came to clubs like this.” “I guess I wanted to see what always interested you guys” she retorted dryly.

Oh no, onii-san senses tingling, she thought sarcastically, as Koji gave her a look. “Oh, by yourself, huh?”

“Something’s fishy” Shaun, the youngest, sang.

“Jill…?”

She rubbed her temple and glanced to find Shin standing there, very startled, his wife, Lyla, on his arm. Jill squealed, squeezing Lyla’s hands, “Lyla! I haven’t seen you in forever!”

“Hey, doll! I know! You look great!” greeted Lyla cheerfully.

Shin just stared at her and Jill pouted, “Nii-san, if I were anyone else, you all would be drooling.”

“Yea, well, you’re not anyone else, you’re our baby sister…poncho!” Nelly declared.

“I am not--”

“Jill!”

Sweet Jesus. She was here with a man. A man. An actual man. Jill pretty much felt her life snatched from her body as Cliff wandered over, looking relieved, and hugged her waist with one arm, resting his ear on top of her head.

“Jeez, Jill, there are way too many people here for you to walk off like that.”

Somehow ‘run’ wasn’t translating for her to coherently communicate it to him. She smiled, panicked, “Y-Yes, my bad.”

Only them, all five of her brother’s eyes were pinpointed exactly to where Cliff’s hand, rested innocently over her bellybutton, no matter where they were positioned. Tony finally muttered. “…How about you get your hand off my sister, whoever the fuck you are?”

Here we go. “Tony, step off!”

Cliff seemed startled, as he should, because this literally made no sense. The one time she went to the club and they were all there. “Cliff, these are my brothers Shaun, Tony, Nelly, Koji, and Shin. This is my sister-in-law, Lyla. Guys, I need you to be sensible, but this is my boyfriend, Cliff.”

Pure and absolute menacing silence. The club was pulsing with sound and noise but there was visible silence in this corner. She squeezed the bridge of her nose as they all just stared at Cliff like he was some mistake of a lab experiment, eyes narrowed pensively and considering how to get rid of this error. This. This was why she’d never dated. Koji finally found some words.

“…This the…same Cliff that gave you problems?”

Oh God, no. “U-Um--”

Cliff unwrapped his arm from around her and looked calm. “I did hurt Jill in the past, I’m sure.”

“That right…?”

Abort, Jill. Eject them from this burning plane. She laughed airily, pressing her hands against Cliff’s chest and starting to back him away, “Yes, exactly, in the past. Well, I loved seeing all of you. I’ll see you on Christmas!”

Koji, Nelly, Shin, and Tony all pointed to an empty seat at the table and she silently groaned. Damn it. Pouting lightly, she sat, Cliff sitting beside her. Her poor, poor naïve Cliff who was only sticking by because he had no idea what he was getting into no matter how much she told him about her crazy ass brothers. She stared hard as all of them eyeballed Cliff as if he were some criminal. Idiots. Lyla suddenly giggled.

“You guys are so bad. Leave Jill and her date alone. You said you’d let her have a beau.”

“I don’t recall that” Shin said dryly.

Jill sighed miserably, “Yes, whatever sentiment that may have occurred from, Lyla, I’m sure it has long disappeared.” “So Cliff, tell me, what plans did you have for my sister this evening?” Koji questioned, his dark eyes narrowing.

“Koji!”

“Plans?” Cliff questioned, sincerely confused.

“My girl comes out with me looking hot, things are probably going down.” “…You mean…sex.”

“Why, he’s got it” snorted Tony.

Why were they asking this of a perfect stranger?! “Uh, I wasn’t planning on that…”

“And what about in the near future, huh? See yourself taking Jilly’s virginity?” questioned Nelly seriously.

Jill picked up a coaster and threw it at him, her face on fire, “NERIMARU!”

“I-I-I, well—honestly? Maybe…” Cliff blustered, his face redder than hers.

Was he crazy?! She almost died though he was closer to death than she was. Tony looked ready to kill but, of all people, Koji held a hand up. “Now, now, at least he’s being honest.”

“Yea” Nelly drawled, his brows furrowed, “I do recall that being one of the criteria we discussed for dating Jill. Honesty…” “Yea, I don’t like it much” Shin droned, his eyes narrowed.

What now? Jill buried her face in her hands. Why? “Guys, this is our first date!”

“How cute” said Nelly dryly.

“Look, we don’t actually need specific details as long as you keep them far as hell away from us. At the end of the day, I just want Jill to be happy and I’m not happy that you were depressing her before” muttered Koji.

…Oh. Cliff slowly nodded, “I understand that. It was…it was a mistake I made. I had no intentions of hurting Jill.”

“Oh really?” grunted Tony, “You made her cry!”

Jill flinched as she watched Cliff recoil in surprise. He suddenly looked very miserable.

“…I…I would never want that either. U-um, I’m gonna…go outside for a sec, it’s a little hot in here.”

He quickly stood and escaped and she came to her feet, watching him flee. She shook with anger. These idiots. Koji rubbed his temple. “…I mean, for me, that wasn’t actually that bad though, right?”

“Shit, I thought you were possessed for a second myself” Nelly agreed.

Jill buried her face in her hands, wanting to scream.

…Okay, yea, fine, that was actually leagues better than she expected Koji to be. Just her stupid ass twin. “Yea, well, too bad Tony picked up the slack!”

“Good riddance!” snapped Tony.

“I hate you” she uttered.

Tony didn’t seem affected by this and just grunted, “Hate me all you want, I’ll protect my twin.”

“Mind your own business, Tony! I like Cliff!” she snapped before feeling herself crying, “Why is it me? I would never keep any of you from dating someone but me? I get shut the hell down why? Because I’m the only girl?”

Lyla cocked a brow in Shin’s direction as he looked away absently, “Yes, that does seem to be the vibe I’m picking up, Jill. Funny since I thought all of you were so equality focused.” Nelly groaned now and Koji gestured, sounding almost incredulous, “Men are slime, Lyla! Slime. Even me!” “I try to avoid slime-level, maybe just…sleazy?” Shaun droned. Shaking his head, Shin drawled, “That’s not what you want there either, Shaun.”

Jill was done. “Okay, good bye.”

“Imoto, wait. We don’t want to be the reason you cry either…” murmured Koji, standing. “Yea…” Nelly mumbled, pursing his lips, “…I guess he doesn’t seem like a bad guy.” Didn’t seem like Tony was on board as he glared at them in disbelief, “What? Are you guys crazy?”

Koji gave him a look, “Tony, chill. ‘Cliff’ has my…blessing so long as he doesn’t hurt you, Jill. I may be growing ‘lenient’ but my mantra still stands: one wrong move and I’ll kill him.”

Jill looked at him, startled before feeling a shimmer of hope, “Really…?”

“Like I said, I guess he’s okay…kind of looks like a pretty boy but then again, that probably is the only guy I could imagine you with” Nelly agreed.

“I’ll…reluctantly agree as well, Jill” Shin grumbled. “I guess I always expected Koji to be the one that ran this crazy train on stopping guys from being around you but I don’t have a leg to stand on if he’s giving out blessings.”

“Hey” Koji replied wryly. Lyla chuckled, patting Koji’s shoulder, “I’m proud of you.”

“As long as he makes you happy, Jill” Shaun smiled.

Jill glanced at Tony who was enraged before he launched to his feet. “Bring him next weekend to the Izumi Plateau. Mom and dad have been invited as guests to a party there and we’re all supposed to go. I want dad to meet him…only then will I give my… ‘blessing’.”

…Daddy would murder Cliff. She winced, glared at him, before nodding her head briefly and stalking off, waving half-heartedly at them before rushing to find poor Cliff. One thing was for sure: if she were in his shoes, she’d be running for the hills. Instead, she found him outside, sitting on a bench, and staring at his feet. She came and sat beside him, resting her head on his shoulder.

“…Y’know, I guess I’m a big brother and don’t like my baby sister dating either. Somehow though, I forgot with you there’d be five of me” Cliff groaned, clenching his hair.

“I’m sorry, they’re…protective.” Which seemed like a very redundant thing to say after that debacle.

“I…I made you cry?”

“…Well, it’s--”

“I don’t deserve to be with you” he mumbled sadly.

“It’s not that serious, Cliff. If I had concerns, I wouldn’t be interested in being with you. But…can I ask you to do one thing for me?”

He looked at her, his eyes brightening, and nodded. “Anything.”

“Well, my mom and dad were invited to some party and Tony wants me to go and take you so dad can…analyze you.”

“…Fine. I’ll do anything to fix my little blunder in there” he joked with a sigh.

She smiled, “You handled yourself well considering. Well, it’s at the Izumi Plateau a--”

“…The what?”

“The Izumi Plateau? It’s in Wensington--”

“…Jill, I…I really can’t do that.”

“What?? But-but you just said--”

“I know, but I…”

He paused and smiled. It was very forced though, “Never mind… I’ll go.”

“No, sweetie, tell me: what’s wrong?” “N-Nothing. Um, you ready to go back to Mineral Town?” “No way. Did you consider that a nice first date?”

“Not at all” he teased.

Jill smiled, pulling him to stand, “Why don’t we go to another club, get a drink, and dance some more?”

“Sounds good. I guess I was liking how your thighs felt.”

“CLIFF!” she shoved him, blushing.

He winked and she shook her head, smiling, before it struck her. Wait, right! She had been wondering for some time now, her dad’s best friend was named Izumi Craig and he had a son, supposedly, that she never met. Maybe? “Cliff, you’re an Izumi. The ones at this plateau, are you related?”

“…Nope.”

____________________________________________

End Notes:

I had to leave Jill’s club outfit the same because I have no idea what we were wearing in the 00s XD (Something terrible, much like this outfit described).

#story of seasons fanfiction #harvest moon fanfiction #darkryuu #writing #fanfiction #step toward the future #claire x cliff #story of seasons #harvest moon #bokumono

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