For 30+ advance chapter: patreon.com/Snowing_Melody
A new day began. Leo was in the fields, watering crops as usual.
The Watering Can is arguably the tool with the least presence in all of Stardew Valley. A basic can waters one tile at a time—it's tedious and a massive stamina drain. Meanwhile, precious metal bars are always prioritized for the Pickaxe and Axe. By the time it's finally the Watering Can's turn for an upgrade, the player usually has Quality Sprinklers.
And by late game? You have Iridium Sprinklers. The Watering Can becomes a paperweight.
While Leo toiled, Chen (Resident No. 001) sat on top of a blue cooler box. This box contained the fish Leo had caught, and she was guarding it with her life. Aside from Leo, Ran, and Yukari, she would hiss and bare her claws at anyone who came close—even Reimu.
(Of course, if Reimu actually tried to take a fish, Chen would be instantly suppressed and petted into submission. The cat's strength was zero; her job was just to be cute.)
"Good kitty, look! There's a giant rat over there!"
Marisa Kirisame (Resident No. 002) crouched in front of the box, pointing randomly at the bushes. She had just sprinted over from her newly claimed Apothecary near the Mines.
"I! WILL! NOT! LOOK!"
Chen flattened herself into a "cat pancake" on the lid of the cooler.
This Marisa was wicked. She was always plotting to steal fish. She was more of a cat than the actual cat—a total stray alley cat personality.
"Just take a peek," Marisa cajoled. "If you don't, I'll have no choice but to show you my big treasure."
She reached into her apron and pulled out her Mini-Hakkero, the magical reactor humming with destructive energy.
"If you dare bully Chen, Leo won't let you get away with it!" Chen shrieked, unintimidated. "I'm telling Lord Ran! And Lady Yukari! Blast me if you have the guts!"
Even with a magical nuke pointed at her face, Chen didn't panic. Was there anyone in Gensokyo with better political connections than her? Her ability to freeload across the multiverse wasn't just because she was cute; she had powerful backers.
"Tsk."
Marisa clicked her tongue and put the reactor away. Threats didn't work on the privileged class. She reached out to manually peel the cat off the box.
"If you want to eat fish, just pay up," Leo called out from the field. "Give the money to Chen. She's currently the CFO of our household."
Leo continued watering, glancing occasionally at the comedy routine. Now that Marisa and Yukari had been formally invited, the valley was finally feeling lively.
"Money?" Marisa scoffed. "Hey mister, go ask around in Gensokyo. When has Marisa Kirisame ever paid for things she 'borrows'?"
She declared proudly that she was a thief. Even if someone called the police (Reimu), Reimu would just make her return the item. Marisa had never faced real consequences in her life.
"Marisa is a thief! A bandit! A robber! A bad cat!" Chen chanted from her perch.
This was the one thing Chen admired about Marisa: The witch didn't discriminate. She stole from everyone. Patchouli's books, Sakuya's bread, Flandre's toys, Remilia's tea... she even stole from Meiling (though usually, she pitied Meiling enough to leave a coin).
In short, Marisa's reputation was on par with Aya Shameimaru. They were the Two Great Cancers of Gensokyo.
Gurgle~~
Marisa's stomach betrayed her.
"Fine. I'm done teasing you," Marisa sighed. "Here's your money. Give me a fish. I haven't eaten breakfast yet."
She tossed a 100g coin to the cat. It was unclear if this was payment for the food or a "cat-teasing fee."
"100 coins received!"
Chen leaped into the air, catching the coin with both paws like a pro goalkeeper. She stashed it in her fur, opened the cooler, and tossed a fish to Marisa.
"..."
Marisa stared at her hand.
It was a Sardine. A tiny, palm-sized Sardine. Even Chen could eat three of these as a snack.
"Isn't this a bit much? I gave you 100 gold, and you give me a minnow?"
"This cat played with you for thirty minutes," Chen said smugly, sitting back on the box. "The fish is 40 gold. The rest is the Companionship Fee. If you think the fish is too small, you can give it back to the cat."
Chen felt invincible. The cooler was locked to everyone except her and Leo anyway. But she was wary of Marisa's "bizarre logic"—the witch might just steal the entire cooler, lock and all.
"Heh. It seems you have some misunderstandings about my reputation," Marisa cracked her knuckles.
She rolled up her sleeves and grabbed Chen by the scruff of her neck—the Scruff of Destiny.
"Let's play a game called 'You Fly, I Catch'."
Zzzzzt.
A gap opened nearby. Yakumo Ran stepped out, followed by a girl wearing a large engineer's backpack.
"Marisa!"
Ran's voice was terrifyingly calm.
This was the tone Marisa feared most. If Ran was shouting, you could run. If Ran was calm, you were already dead.
Marisa instantly set the cat down and patted her head gently. "Good kitty. Nice fur."
"Hmph! Lord Ran!" Chen immediately leaped into Ran's arms, burying her face in the warm fur, then peeked out to stick her tongue at Marisa.
"So this is Stardew Valley?"
The girl with the backpack adjusted her straps and looked around. Seeing Leo, she immediately pulled a flyer from her pocket and sprinted over.
"Hello, Mister! Please take a moment to learn about Kappa Heavy Industries! We handle custom furniture, home renovations, plumbing, electrical, and facility construction! Fair prices, honest work!"
Name: Nitori Kawashiro Race: Kappa (Youkai) Ability: Manipulation of Water Residence: Genbu Ravine, Youkai Mountain Occupation: CEO / Engineer / Merchant / Carpenter / Blacksmith / Miner / Plumber / Electrician / Construction Worker / Mecha Pilot Unlock Condition: Reach Floor 5 of the Mines.
"Uh... hello," Leo blinked, taking the flyer. "You're... quite multi-talented."
He checked her profile. Everyone else had one or two jobs. Nitori had a paragraph.
"Haha! Having many skills is never a burden!" Nitori grinned, showing her sharp teeth. "If you have needs, contact me via phone anytime! I guarantee the best price! And if you provide your own materials, it's even cheaper!"
The gap remained open.
After Ran and Nitori stepped out, several more Kappa girls—all looking similar to Nitori, wearing backpacks and carrying tools—marched out in a single file line. Each one carried a massive log on her shoulder.
The construction crew had arrived.