Lillian's POV

I yawn as I swing my legs off the side of the bed and push myself to my feet. It had been a few days since I'd gotten sick although I'd lost track. Ash had basically forced me into staying in bed all day for days. Of course he'd had Doctor Ayame come by and that's what she said would be best. He took her words and cradled them like a baby bird, ensuring that I did exactly that. I was only allowed the smallest of movements and always with his assistance.

But today is Ash free! Not that I don't like him, he's a great friend. But it seems like he's been around 24-7. I woke in the middle of the night the one time and decided I had to pee. When I opened my bedroom door I found him sleeping at the kitchen table. The idiot hadn't even borrowed a blanket, he just sat there slumped, a thin jacket tugged over him. I tossed a spare over him before returning to my room. The next day he of course yelled at me for not waking him to help me walk the four feet from my bedroom to the bathroom.

Anyways, although I appreciate his kindness, I'm kinda glad I have the day to myself. I walk into my kitchen for the first time in what feels like forever and busy myself with making a quick breakfast. I'm surprised to find Ash had even restocked my fridge. I find a small smile on my lips, I know of no one else who would go through so much trouble for me. Technically, I should be taking care of myself.

I settle down at the table to start my meal but am interrupted when I hear a knock. Frowning, I rise and walk to the door, swinging it pen.

"Good morning Lillian! Ready to play?" A way to happy for this early in the morning voice says I squint into the sun and take a step back as I regionize the forms standing on my stoop.

I grimaced, "Erm, hey Cheryl, it's nice to see you but I can't play right now. I'm eating breakfast." I shot a look at Ash, he was smirking.

Cheryl's pig tails drooped, "But but you promised......"

I looked down at her shocked. "I did?"

Ash stepped forward, gin spreading, "Don't you remember? That was part of the horse riding lesson deal. If I stayed with you in the evenings we would both play with Cheryl on two Wednesdays, you missed one due to your illness but it's good you got well in time for the second right Lillian?"

I looked up at him shocked, "You didn't't." I whispered, under my breath.

He looked at me innocently, "What Lillian? I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. "
I smiled at Cheryl, ignoring him and panicking a little bit, "I'm sorry sweetie but I have to do my chores today, and I'm sure the fields need tended, and....stuff."

She laughed, "Don't be silly! We'll help you out of course, that way we can play as soon as possible! Oh, and can we enter the cooking contest? Today's dessert!"

My shoulders dropped, defeated. I caught Ash smirking again. Then I thought about what she'd said, "Cooking contest?"

Ash frowned, "Wait, no one told you?"

I shook my head, then changed my mind, "Uh, Laney may have mentioned something about it but no one really said a date."

"Oh, well it's really just each town gathers on the mountain peak and the towns people enter dishes based on a theme. As Cheryl said, today, as the last Cooking Contest of Spring, is the dessert round."

Both towns? The Harvest Goddess had said she needed me to solve the disagreement between them. Maybe this is my chance. Plus, attending a festival will burn play time. "Okay Cheryl, sounds fun. Why don't you think of what you'd like to make? My cook book is on the counter, theres plenty of recipes to choose from. As long as I've got the ingredients we can make it."
"Yay!" She skipped past me to the book and began flipping through it. I glanced at my watch, almost 7: 30. I gave my breakfast a sad look before stepping outside with Ash, closing the door behind me.

"You." I said poking his chest, "You are my servant now. Go get the animals outside."

"Of course mam," Ash said, chuckling, "Anything for a lady as fine as yourself." I sent a glare at his back as he turned with a bow. I snatched my watering can and made my way over to my fields. I was shocked to find the crops bursting with life, most almost ready for harvest. I was impressed. Ash had done a fine job when I couldn't, especially for someone who lived in Bluebell. I swiftly wrapped up my field work to help Ash but when I got to the pasture I found him already done with not only getting the animals out but he was finishing loading up my cart with today's produce. He swiped a hand across his fore head as he turned. Finding me standing behind him he broke into a goofy grin,

"Guess who got done early and has time to play with Cheryl?" I groan as he laughs at me, grabbing my wrist and tugging me up to my house.

I love Cheryl, but everyone knows that playing with her is like signing your life away. What she says goes.

Ash pulled me into my house and Cheryl spun excitedly immediately. "Look, look! I found three deserts we can make!"

I smiled weakly, "That's great Cheryl, let me see." I looked over her shoulder at the page she was pointing at.

"We can make pudding, sponge cake, and ice cream!"

I nodded thinking, they were all basic dishes, I should have the stuff we needed. "Sure Cheryl, would you begin heating a pot with some cream in it? Ash help her please, I'm going to get the rest of the ingredients ready."

Cheryl skipped over to my kitchen, Ash was a little less eager but made it over with a smile. I had no doubt that he really was enjoying himself.

I hummed quietly to myself as I bustled about, gathering the stuff we needed.
***
The festival was a mess.

Rutger and Ina were practically strangling each other, there was a clear divided line between the two towns with plenty of glares exchanging sides.

I had not seen the coming.

I shifted nervously on the edge of the Bluebell group as I watched Pierry taste our dishes.

He'd seemed unsure of the pudding Cheryl had made, she had overcooked it but I managed to save it before it was too bad. Ash's ice cream was a little under churned as we'd been in a huge rush but the gourmet still seemed to be enjoy it. When he came to mine he'd paused, eye's widening as he chewed a bite of sponge cake. I stood, shifting my wait nervously. He turned and threw his arms around me.

"You, young lady simply must cook more for me! Simply elegant!" Shocked I patted his back, unsure what to do. Finally he released me, giving me one last beaming smile before continuing to the Konohana contestants who all seemed discouraged. I felt a little guilty. But honestly, wasn't he a professional? Should he really be doing that. I glanced to my left, Cheryl looked giddy but Ash looked....upset? I brushed his arm, giving him a worried look. His eyes softened as they met mine, he shook his head and I nodded.

I guess he was fine.

Ash's POV

I continued to watch Lillian as she turned her attention back to the competition. I felt sick. Watching that fool hug Lillian like that. Ugh, I shouldn't care, but still. He doesn't even know her. He shouldn't act like that.

"Bluebell!" Pierre yelled, cutting through my thoughts. My attention snapped up as our town cheered, I saw Cam smiling as Georgia and Laney jumped up and down beside him. Mom looked fondly at Cheryl and I as she clapped, eyes full of pride.
Cheryl was bouncing beside me, "We won, we won!" She cheered.

I ruffle her hair, "All thanks to you!" She laughed, wrapping her arms around me.

"Hey, where'd Lillian go?" She asked into my stomach.

"What?!" I spin, breaking Cheryls grip without meaning too and scan the crowd.

A joyous Bluebell bursting with talk and praise, Rutger and Ina arguing, a Konohana whispering accusations. But where was Lillian?

My eyes finally found her. She'd slipped nearer to middle as if she was going to talk to someone over there but a certain purple someone had caught her and was now pumping her hand up and down enthusiastically.

I pushed through the crowd and made my way over to them.
"-really, it was simply fantastic. If you'd like a change of pace your more than welcome to join the gorment team! We could-"

"I'm sorry, but she's not interested." I interrupt, pointedly stepping slightly in front of Lillian, forcing his attention to me. Lillian sent me a strange look.

He frowned at me. "Excuse me. I was talking to this fine lady not you. By the way, your ice cream was far under churned and the technique was all wrong. Next time to execute a better product try stirring slower, first counter clockwise, then switching directions every four minutes and 37 seconds until the cream has set."

I stiffened, I was about to make a retort Lillian stepped forward, pressing a hand onto my chest.

"Sir, I'm flattered by your offer but I'd like to stay where I'm at right now."

He sighed but seemed to enjoy being addressed so formally, "That's just to bad. Well, my proposal still stands should you ever change your mind." He tipped his hat and turned away.

I was practically fuming, which is unlike me. I don't know why I'm so on edge today.

Lillian turned toward me with a soft smile, "Thank you Ash, but don't worry I can manage myself."

She patted my shoulder and went past me and I blinked, not sure what had just happened. I turned to try and catch her again but she had already slipped into the crowd- the Konohana crowd.

I stood there shocked, no one switched sides. It was just, well wrong. You stayed with your town. Win or lose you stayed rooted on your side, town pride running through your veins. But here this girl was, chatting with the Konohanas. They greeted her warmly, some a little but more distant from the loss. I watched as she laughed with them, even going as far as to try some of the food they brought. She just seemed so genuine. A little boy wearing a strange hat and a small girl with a stuffed panda offered her some cookies, which she exchanged for hugs. They all giggled together and got chocolate on their face.

I turned away. I couldn't go over there, it felt wrong. There was no point in watching. As she had said, she can manage herself.

But a part of me still wanted to be right by her side.

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I'm so sorry, I haven't updated in an eternity!

I'm such a horrible person, first I don't update, then I give you a crappy chapter.

):

I'll try to update again real soon, okay guys?

Did I mention I'm turning the season? That doesn't seem to adrupt does it?

Oh, one last thing. Lillian's Cookbook, I'm actually making a guide for it, it will have all the recipes and will specify peoples favorite foods. I just felt it would be fitting.