"How irresponsible does someone have to be to work until they faint?"

"Don't say that, Leah! What if he's listening?"

"He better be listening, Leo! I can't stand that he can't take care of himself..."

The irritated female voice echoed into my sleep like a distant echo. Despite the anger in that voice, I didn't feel attacked in any way. It was different from normal anger. It was concern, and I knew it well.

Gradually, I awakened, and the brightness of the sun streaming through the windows made my eyes sting, causing me to cover them with my hand.

"Leah, he's awake!"

The blurry figure approached me and leaned carefully in front of me, and when my vision finally adjusted, I saw a woman around her thirties wearing a medical coat over her very urban and provocative outfit. I knew it wasn't anything extraordinary she was wearing, just tight jeans and a crop top that showed her midriff with a navel piercing. This was common for me in the other life. But somehow, the presence of that woman was more impressive than I could comprehend.

"You're the new farmer, aren't you? Owen Greenfield, it says here..." She glanced at the papers in her hand and realizing that I wasn't responding, she put her hand on my forehead to measure the temperature. "No fever. Did something more serious happen?"

That was Leah, the town doctor who had a clinic with her brother, who sold medicines in the front. I always saw her in pixels without much form, but now, up close and smelling the acidic perfume coming from her, I was somewhat shocked. She had a very alternative look, with a tattoo on her neck, short jet-black hair with a fringe in the front, and heavy eye shadow. It was a strong image of someone who was different.

"I... yes, my name is Owen Greenfield, and I am the new farmer..."

She looked into my eyes for a moment and gave a slight smile, stepping back a bit and picking up a small paper bag that was on the bedside table.

"You were lucky that Isabella found you passed out. If it weren't for her, you would be very sick now. Your body was very cold, and your fever was hard to bring down."

It was a mild scolding, but still a scolding. But unlike every other time I was reprimanded, this one was aimed at my well-being. Knowing that made me smile in a way I didn't think I could.

"Thank you, Dr. Leah!"

She looked at me for a moment and then lost herself, as if she had been turned off for a moment, but then quickly snapped back to reality with a slight head shake and said with a provocative smile as she handed me the small bag of medications.

Item Received

30x Vitamins

"That smile is dangerous, young man. Watch out for the weapons you use."

This made me feel embarrassed, but I wouldn't be the old shy guy anymore. I sat on the clinic bed and looked around. Just like in the game, it was small, finely polished oak with homemade white paint. The resting room was also the office, with Leah's desk and only one bed for the patient to rest. In the front, there was a counter where her twin brother, Leo, managed medication sales and appointment scheduling. It was a small, simple place without complex equipment, but it was also a space that exuded health and peace.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"This clinic is beautiful..."

My words caught the doctor by surprise. She raised a suspicious eyebrow and glanced around.

"Yeah, it's quite relaxing here, but as a clinic, it lacks a lot," she sighed tiredly. "I wish I could do much more..."

She turned to me and handed me a paper, almost pushing it against me.

Note Received

1x Hospital Bill

You have a debt of $100 with Leah and Leo Clinic.

"This is the bill! I made sure to charge a little extra because of your foolishness of working without resting! I also gave you some vitamins to take every night before dinner! Eat properly, stay hydrated, and stay away from my clinic, understood?"

She gestured for me to stand up, and I promptly complied. I was embarrassed. She was completely right to be angry. I think I would be too, in her place. She didn't look at me as she was busy fixing the bed I had been lying on, but I couldn't leave like this.

"Leah?"

She turned around confused, as if not used to hearing her name addressed directly. I extended my hand to her and made an effort to be as welcoming as possible.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Owen, and I'll be working on the farm to bring the best products for everyone. I hope we can get along!"

She didn't reciprocate the gesture right away. First, she looked at my extended hand, pondered for a moment, and then burst into a relaxed laugh, greeting me back.

"Owen, you're a character! Nice to meet you, I'm Leah, and I'm in charge of the Clear Skies clinic! I hope you never need me."

"And what if I need to grab a coffee or invite you to eat something and catch up?" I teased.

"Oh, in that case..." she gave a shy smile. "In that case, I refuse. I'm busy! Go away and let me work!"

She let go of my hand and gestured for me to leave, turning back to attend to her affairs. I chuckled to myself. Her demeanor was really interesting. Heading for the exit, I saw her brother, Leo, leaning over the entrance counter.

"So, new guy, is she really mad?"

He was a guy who looked younger than his age. Short hair, nose piercing, and anchor, helm, and sea tattoos on his arms, which were too strong for a pharmacist.

"I think she's mad at a normal level."

He nodded a bit relieved and then showed a welcoming smile.

"When I saw you were waking up, I quickly got away. I don't like seeing fights and people yelling. It gives me the creeps. I left and went to tell the town folks that you woke up."

I was just going to agree, but when I paid better attention to what he was saying, I couldn't help but ask.

"Telling the town folks? What do you mean?"

Leo looked at me confused, as if I had hit my head or something like that.

"Everyone was worried about you. Isabella had to be kicked out late at night because she didn't want to leave. And it makes sense for everyone to be concerned... how could they throw you a welcome party with you passed out or sleeping?"

"Welcome parties?" I asked incredulously.

"That's right! A simple welcome party! We do that for everyone who moves to..." realizing he had said too much, Leo covers his mouth and looks at me in shock. "I've said too much again... you weren't supposed to know!"

Hearing that made me laugh. Leo's concern was funny in a way that I couldn't help but find amusing.

"Seriously, Owen! I didn't say anything, got it?!"

"Okay, Leo! I didn't hear anything from you."

"Phew... Leah would kill me if she knew I spilled the beans..."

I looked at the door, the wind through the glass with the names of the siblings and the Sun Skies square on the other side. Indeed, there was movement outside, something I had only noticed now.

"So, on the other side of this door, people are waiting for me. Is that it?"

"That's exactly it. But don't forget, act surprised!"

I laughed and nodded, turning to the door and placing my hand on the knob.

"Hey, farmer!"

I turned to Leo and saw in him a calm and welcoming look.

"Welcome to our town! Here, we take care of our own!"

With the party on the other side and people who seemed to care about me, I felt a happiness that had long been unfamiliar. It was time to make new friends.

"And I promise to take good care of this town. I swear I'll make a difference here."