Stardew Valley’s Farming Master

Today, Leon felt different—more approachable, more striking. His face hadn’t changed at all, still the same as before, yet Leah couldn’t help glancing at him twice.

Those two glances sparked an explosion of inspiration within her. She had been mulling over what shape to carve the piece of sunken wood Leon had given her. But now, looking at him, she knew exactly what her next creation should be.

The urge to create was so strong that she almost abandoned her easel and the half-finished landscape painting in front of her to rush back to her cottage. Yet, seeing Leon—the very source of her inspiration—she couldn’t bring herself to leave so quickly.

Leon, however, was completely puzzled when he saw Leah’s conflicted expression right after she greeted him.

He had imagined Leah might feel something different seeing him now. After all, he carried the enhanced natural affinity from Forest Magic. It could make someone joyful, happy, or simply calm. But he hadn’t expected her expression to be… conflicted.

That made him a little embarrassed. Maybe he was just overthinking it.

Perhaps the forest’s natural affinity was like a charm to animals, but to humans with their own minds, it only gave a faint first impression of “this guy seems friendly—probably a good person.”

“If you’re busy, I won’t disturb you. Go ahead.”

Not wanting Leah to remain stuck in that awkward expression, Leon sensibly stepped aside. But before he could move away, Leah stood up and spread her arms to block his path.

“Uh, you’re not disturbing me. I was just thinking about the statue I’m making for you.”

Realizing how abrupt her interception must have seemed, she hurried to explain.

“I see. That’s a relief.” Leon was glad her conflicted look was only about that. He’d half-worried she was wondering how to politely get rid of a chatty farmer.

Seeing that he no longer tried to walk away, Leah smiled, gave him another glance, and thought about her just-started oil painting. Then she asked, “Leon, are you busy right now?”

“Not exactly. Why?” he replied, meeting her hopeful eyes.

“Could you be my model? I’m working on a new painting. I was going to focus on the scenery, but after seeing you, I realized blending you into it would make it far better. I don’t know how to put it, but it feels like you’ve become one with the surrounding nature. I have to capture it.”

“Will it take long?” Leon didn’t mind posing. He was just waiting for Emily to arrive anyway. But if it took too long, he couldn’t have Emily standing around bored. And if he agreed now, only to suddenly leave with Emily later for dance lessons, that would feel rude to Leah. If it was going to take a long time, it might be better to decline.

“Not long at all—half an hour at most,” Leah said with confidence. As long as she got the main composition down, the fine details could be finished without him.

“Half an hour? That’s fine.” Leon agreed readily. It was only a little past noon—Emily wasn’t likely to arrive that early.

Since he had agreed, he decided to commit fully to the role. “Do you need me to pose a certain way?”

“No, just whatever feels most comfortable. But you’ll need to stay within a specific area,” Leah said, leading him to the spot she had chosen for the painting’s background.

There, a sturdy oak stood tall. Leon leaned casually against its trunk. “Like this?”

“Perfect.” Leah nodded from behind her easel.

“All right, start whenever you’re ready.” Leon held the pose, looking toward Leah as she painted.

The easel blocked most of her body, but now and then she peeked around to observe him and the scenery. Maybe it was the sunlight, maybe it was his imagination, but Leon thought her cheeks seemed redder each time she peeked—and she peeked more and more quickly.

Does she have a bad memory? Or does painting just require that many checks? Bored, Leon started analyzing why she seemed to glance up every ten seconds or so.

After a while, her peeks became less frequent—once every minute or two—and her face returned to its healthy, pale tone with a hint of color.

“All done. Thank you, Leon. When it’s finished, you’ll be the first to see it. I hope it won’t disappoint you.”

“Can’t I take a look now?” Leon stepped away from the oak and headed toward the easel, curious to see the work featuring himself.

“No, it’s still a rough draft. Not ready for display.”

Leah quickly moved the easel behind her, blocking his view.

“Fair enough. I guess that’s an artist’s pride. I’ll wait until it’s finished,” Leon said, offering a reasonable explanation for her secrecy.

Leah smiled. “I’m not really an artist, just an art enthusiast.”

“I think you’ll succeed sooner or later. You’ve got the talent, and you came all the way out here for the sake of art. That kind of commitment already puts you ahead of all those who just talk about their dreams but never act.”

He remembered how, in the game, Leah really did hold her own art exhibition one day. That thought made his encouragement all the more genuine.

“Then I’ll take your words as a blessing,” Leah said warmly. Come to think of it, Leon was probably the first person to truly support her dream.

They hadn’t known each other long, but she felt Leon understood her better than her ex-girlfriend ever had.

She lowered her head to hide her slightly misty eyes.

Sometimes, just one word of recognition can deeply move someone who has been mocked and doubted along the road toward their dream.