Shizen spent the next few days with me one-on-one, teaching me the ways of farming. It was grueling work—nothing like the farming simulators I’d played. Well, maybe it’s because I wasn’t the one swinging the tools around.

We started at the very beginning with a fresh plot of land. Shizen had me till the dirt, taught me the best methods and ingredients for fertilizer, and the importance of exact water levels for each spice.

“It’s not just how you utilize your tools, Matt. It’s your connection with the land. The strength of your spirit,” Shizen instructed.

Erm, did we just switch genres?

“Uh-huh,” I replied. This was the first time I’d heard anything about leveling my ‘spirit.’

“Nature has a different wavelength. It takes a special kind of soul to understand and cultivate. It takes time and… progression, if you will.”

Yeah. This is not the Nyarlea I know. “Uh-huh.”

“That’s a load of shit,” Ravyn laughed from the sidelines. “Spirit isn’t something you can increase.”

Shizen frowned. “Perhaps not tangibly, but you’ll see the difference in your harvest.”

“That’s thanks to practice, my dear friend. Not some invisible Stat.”

“No such thing! No such thing!” Ball echoed from Ravyn’s shoulder.

“Hmm.” It was obvious that Shizen disagreed, but she kept her thoughts on the matter to herself.

As confusing as it was, I listened to everything Shizen had to say, soaking it in like a sponge. Ignoring the advice of those around me had proved near-fatal. And the last thing I wanted was to travel back to San Island to relearn how to grow a few seeds. How am I going to remember all of this?

During our first night there, I loaded up my iPaw.

“Hey, Ai,” I called.

The familiar, straight-faced girl appeared on the screen. “Yes, [User Matthew]?” But her hair and clothing had changed. Instead of the Ni Island-type nautical wear, she donned a blue and white dress in a similar style to Ravyn’s. Her hair was tied away from her face, held back with golden, dangling ornaments.

“You changed your outfit.”

“My attire will adjust accordingly to each island’s traditions. It is a deliberate shift.”

“Oh. Alright.”

“What can I help you with?”

“Right. Is there like, I dunno, a notepad or word processor on this thing?”

Ai went through her idle animations for a moment. “What do you mean?”

“Somewhere that I can type in notes of the stuff I learn. Like just a blank document and a keyboard that saves to my iPaw.”

Ai blinked. “You wish to revisit what is taught to you?”

“Yeah. You could put it that way.”

To my surprise, Ai smiled. I didn’t know she could do that. “I will add a program for you to do so.”

“Thanks.”

Within minutes, I was staring at a blank white screen with a keyboard on the lower third of the iPaw. The letters were out of order from the typical WSAD keys I knew so well, but I could adjust.

I spent exhausting days clearing my plot of weeds or bugs, fertilizing as Shizen taught me, and watering exactly as I was told. At night, I made notes of everything I’d learned and Shizen had told me. It felt weird giving myself homework, but I couldn’t take Nyarlea for granted anymore.

I was, however, grateful that the growing time on the Energy spices was much faster than I expected. By day four, I had harvestable items that Cannoli or I could cook into Energy food. It was a lot of work, but I saved hundreds of Bells this way if the girls were to be believed.

Maybe I can make some Bells this way?

Shizen patiently guided me in harvesting the spices of my labor. Each one required a different tip or trick to ensure that I didn’t snap the damn thing in half or squish it to a pulp with clumsy hands.

“Very good, Matt.” Shizen nodded approvingly as she inspected my basket filled with fresh herbs. “Very good, indeed. Now we dry them before we prepare them.”

On the side of Shizen’s house was a smaller, storage unit-style building that had just enough space for the two of us. The different tools and machinery she used to prep her rice lined the back wall. Drying racks, extra fertilizer, and general Harvesting appliances hung on the wall to our left. She showed me how to place each plant for the most effective method of drying.

After a full day and a half of drying, we reached the spice preparation part. Some needed chopping, others grating. Two of them I picked tiny leaves from thin stalks, then ground one to a powder with a mortar and pestle. Each spice was carefully packed into an individual paper pouch, then placed into a wooden box.

Matt has acquired: Asafoetida x5!

Matt has acquired: Nigella x5!

Matt has acquired: Makrut x5!

Matt has acquired: Oaxaca x5!

Matt has acquired: Galangal x5!

New Notifications!

Matt has gained: 2 Levels of Harvesting!

Matt has gained: 1 Point of Energy!

New Quest!

[ The Spices Must Flow ]

Successfully Harvest 10 different spices via farming.

Rewards:

Rare Seed x2 2 Levels of Harvesting 150 XP

I’d never been so proud of anything in my whole damn life.

By day seven, I was ready to move on. As dangerous as the Encroachers and Defiled proved to be, the thought of continuing on and making our way to Nyarlothep was too appealing to keep my fingers constantly in the soil. Ravyn, Cannoli, Keke, and I were finally beginning to feel like a real team. They were people I could rely on, and I wanted to see what the rest of the world offered with them by my side.

“We should head to Shulan,” Ravyn said as if she’d read my mind.

We were all on the porch, enjoying a dish Shizen and Cannoli had teamed up to make with some of the rice and vegetables fresh from Shizen’s stores. It was fluffier and stickier than any rice I’d ever had in my life. Cannoli had whipped up something avian in taste—like chicken, but sweeter—to match. It was delicious.

“You think Matt’s learned all the intricacies of Harvesting in a week?” Shizen spat. “We need more time than that.”

“He doesn’t need to know all of the intricacies, Shizen. You’ve taught him plenty. What we need right now are Bells and more Experience,” Ravyn argued, spooning a chunk of rice between Ball’s beak.

“Shouldn’t we pick Portia up and go back to Ni Island, then?”

Ravyn waved a passive hand. “Portia’s fine. You saw that horde of Bells when we left her. She’s robbed Cailu blind by now.”

“Cailu the cunt!”

“Yes! Good, Bally!” Ravyn snuggled the parrot. “I need herbs and spices for teas and tinctures. What you just grew work specifically for food. Besides, we’ve come so far. You have to see Shulan.”

“Yeah. Alright.”

The sun was low on the horizon, painting the sky streaks of rich oranges, pinks, and purples. The air was warm, and the first glimmerings of fireflies sparked around the rice paddies. Again I realized we all had our own chairs. Why are there so many chairs?

I rested the bowl against my leg. “Shizen,” I called.

“Hmm?”

“Thank you for teaching me how to grow the spices.” I wanted to get in the habit of thanking people more. I couldn’t remember if I’d said it while we worked, but even if I did, it didn’t hurt to say it again. Cailu’s blasé attitude toward the lives of catgirls still twisted knots into my stomach.

Keke, Cannoli, and Ravyn all turned my direction with wide eyes.

Damn, girls, don’t look so surprised.

“O-oh. You’re welcome.” Shizen stuffed her chopsticks between her lips. Was that blush I was seeing or just the reflection of the sun?

“I think Ravyn is right, though. I don’t want to hold them back any longer. I know where to come if I need more training.” I toyed with a grain of rice between my chopsticks. “So, really, thanks.”

Shizen glanced around our party, then nodded. “You’re a good student, Matt. I was happy to teach you.”

The girls exchanged looks, and I tried to pretend I didn’t notice.

While I helped clean up the dishes, Shizen approached and tapped me on the shoulder. I turned to face her, and she held out her hand. A colorful pouch that looked handmade sat in her palm, a drawstring hanging from the woven hem.

“What’s this?” I lifted the bag to inspect it. It was no bigger than my hand. When I looked closer, I realized tiny cat paws were methodically stitched in one of the bands.

“It’s a [Spice Pouch]. I made it myself.” Shizen lightly tugged the drawstring. “It’s very important, so don’t lose it.”

Does this do what I think it does? Do I dare even think it? “What does it do?” I asked, trying to keep my expectations low.

“It will hold all of your spices, so they don’t take up space in your [Cat Pack].”

My heart soared. I embraced Shizen in a bear hug—I couldn’t help myself. She was very warm and soft beneath all her layers of clothing.

“Shizen! Those are worth a fortune. You sure you want to just give him one?” Ravyn called from the sink.

“I, erm, I just made myself a better one.” Shizen slowly patted me on the back. “This one can hold up to ten different spices. And then only a maximum of five each. Got it?”

I released Shizen and nodded. “So fifty total.”

“Yeah. And it won’t hold your seeds. Those bags have to go in your [Cat Pack]. You’ll have to come back with Bells in hand if you want a better [Spice Pouch].”

I felt like a kid on Christmas. At last, a piece of gear that held stackable items. I’d been glancing at the box filled with my Harvesting efforts throughout the day, wondering how the hell I’d get them home plus whatever else we found with only 20 slots in my [Cat Pack]. “Thank you so much!” I bowed and clutched the pouch to my chest.

Later that evening, I sat in the bedroom Shizen had designated mine, carefully sliding the paper packets inside of the [Spice Pouch]. It felt strange not hastily typing notes into my iPaw for the first time in a week. But as I stocked my spices, I felt so accomplished. I’d never grown anything with my own two hands. I was the kid that Chia pets died on no matter how hard I tried.

Just as I’d finished securing the pouch’s drawstring, there came a knock on the door.

“Come in,” I called.

The door creaked open, and Keke slid between the crack. “Um, is this a good time?”

My heart raced. Calm down, man. “Y-yeah. Of course.”

Keke nodded and closed the door behind her. She took short two steps forward before taking a seat across from me on the floor. She was in one of Shizen’s silk robes, and the fabric perfectly hugged her curves.

“What’re you doing?”

“Oh. I’m just putting all the spices away in the pouch Shizen gave me. I want to be ready to travel tomorrow and don’t want to forget anything.” I set the pouch to the side near my [Cat Pack] and turned my focus on Keke. “What’s up? You okay?”

“I-I… well.” Keke’s cheeks pinked, and she stroked her tail with one hand. She giggled, and her ears flicked forward. “I’m not very good at this, it seems.”

“Good at what? Is something wrong?”

She released her tail and leaned forward so that she was on all fours. As she crept toward me, my whole body froze. Her golden eyes held my gaze and were suddenly only inches from my face. She smelled so good. I could hardly breathe.

“Keke,” I whispered.

She tilted her chin upward, and her lips claimed mine.

Am I dreaming? I must be dreaming.

Heat raced through my veins. I slowly shifted my hands from the floor to her shoulders. The tip of her tongue swept across my bottom lip, and I gasped. She took the initiative and slid her tongue inside my mouth, shifting position so her hands were against my chest.

I tenderly cradled her chin in my palms and did my best to mirror the movements of her kiss. I’d never been kissed so deeply before—I honestly had no idea what I was doing. But any fears of inadequacy were quashed by Keke’s soft skin, her sweet breath, and her quiet moan against my lips.

I wanted more.

I traced the curve of her throat with my fingertips, pausing at her collarbone near the opening of her robe. She pushed her body closer to mine, and I slid my fingertips beneath the fabric. Her skin was searing hot, and I could feel her heart hammering against her chest.

“Keke? I made some tea!” Cannoli’s gentle voice rang from the hallway.

Keke jerked away, her eyes wide. Her sharp breaths were just as desperate and haggard as mine.

“Keke?”

Keke tightened the robe around her chest and leapt to her feet. “Thank you! I’ll be right there!”

I didn’t know what to say. Apparently, Keke didn’t either because she raced out of the room without another word. It took a long time to slow my heart, but my nerves refused to calm down.

Well. So much for sleeping tonight.