Disclaimer: I do not own Harvest Moon, nor am I associated with any of its affiliates. This is fan-made, not for profit fan fiction.

Why, hello, there! I know my author's notes at the start of a new story are usually rather long, but there's really not much to say about this one. I was inspired by the theme song for Josie and the Pussy Cats. Because I guess I work like that. Also, this story is kind of an AU. Barely. Because there's a city involved.

Thanks for reading, and I hope everyone enjoys the ride! It'll be a decently long one, but I hope you stick with me and help see it through. Enjoy! :D

Chapter One

The ice cream dripped dangerously close to the edge of the cone. The vanilla rolled in the heat, falling on the cobblestones and splattering her leg. The stray white cat licked the cream with a rough tongue.

Molly giggled, rubbing the cat's ears and tilting her ice cream a bit so it could have more. Though a stray, the fur was soft and smooth as she stroked its back. The cat hummed a happy purr as it lapped up the stones baking in the summer heat.

"I bet they have cable."

The brunette looked up above her, humor written in her expression. The peachy muss of sloppy hair had his elbows propped up on the railing above Molly's head. Though it wasn't time for his shift yet, he was still wearing his navy apron.

"Over there," Chase repeated, indicating the sea. "I bet they have cable with all kinds of channels for everything. You can just turn on your TV set, and you'd instantly have thousands of channels to browse through."

"Thousands?" Molly asked the important questions, licking her melting ice cream faster. Her toes dangled in the warm salt water that surrounded the peninsula. If she dipped her feet any further, the ocean would've been chillier than her vanilla ice cream.

"Thousands," Chase repeated with a sigh, shaking his head. He rested his chin in his palm. "At least… a hundred of them would be cooking shows. I bet I could get a spot on one of 'em. Someday…"

"A hundred?" Molly asked again.

Chase's face deadpanned as he looked down at his friend. "You're not even listening, are you?"

"No…" Molly shook her head slowly, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. She watched the wispy white clouds on the horizon. Where the city smog started. "I wouldn't say that. Half-listening, maybe."

"Don't you want to know what's over there?" Chase demanded, standing up straighter. "Go and see for yourself?"

"Buy a ferry ticket, you ninny," Molly shrugged, dripping drops for the cat to attempt to catch. It pawed at her hands in annoyance, wanting her to hold the cone down to its level.

Chase grumbled, but he wasn't deterred. His eyes brightened. "You know, maybe I will. Save up my money, pack my stuff, and just… leave."

"No one's stopping you," she egged on with another shrug.

"You'd miss me."

Molly laughed, finally letting the cat have her cone. She laid the whole sticky mess on the pavement for the very happy feline, propping herself up on her palms and craning her neck backwards. "You look funny from this angle. Your whole face is upside down."

"You're such an idiot," Chase said in all seriousness.

Though Molly wouldn't admit it, she could appreciate Chase's enthusiasm for his ambitions. It was something she lacked half the time running her little farm on the hill. But when she'd spend a few minutes with Chase, she was reminded of the greater things in life. The adventures, and the opportunities, and the 'whole wide world is your oyster' speeches. It gave her the drive she needed to keep dreaming of something bigger on the horizon. She was sure Chase could see it. Maybe one day she'd see it, too.

Molly smiled at the bottom of his chin high above her. "You still look funny."

Chase's unamused purple eyes connected with hers before quick hands grabbed her from around the middle, pressuring a squeak of surprise out of her.

"Surprise!" Kathy smiled, sitting down beside Molly. She noted the cat. "Wasting your ice cream?"

"I was done with it anyways," Molly said, giving the cat another good scratch. "What's up, Kathy?"

"Phew!" The blonde girl ignored the question, pulling at her blue button-up shirt and fanning herself. "It's so hot today! I wish you saved that ice cream for me instead."

"Oh, boo," Molly frowned. "I'll get another, and we can share it."

"Why don't you two just move in together?" Chase suggested wryly.

Kathy put her hands on her hips, her long ponytail swinging as she glared up at the cocky chef. "You'd like to see that, wouldn't you?"

There wasn't much for Chase to say to that. But his light blush betrayed him, giving the wit winner award to Kathy.

"So, what's up, Kathy? You don't like Chase, so you don't normally bother me when I'm around him," Molly commented.

Chase's jaw dropped in faux shock. His slack body language said anything but. "Kathy! And I thought we were friends."

"It's not true!" Kathy defended to Molly. "I just have to work with him all the time. You'd get it if you were in my boots."

Molly rolled her eyes, giving her friend a playful shove.

"Oh!" This action seemed to remind Kathy why she was there. "Luna sent me for you. Says we've got to meet her at the bar tonight for some plans."

"Plans?" Molly's eyebrows rose. "Well, if it's Luna, it's gonna be good."

"And Papa says to get your sorry ass in the kitchen, Chase," Kathy said, helping Molly to her feet as she stood as well. "We're ready to open in an hour."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm on my way…" Chase grumbled. He sighed and dusted off his hands from the salt-stained rail.

"It's hard to keep track of the time in summer," Molly said, staring at the bright sky. The sun wouldn't set for another few hours, but it would be time for dinner soon. "I think it's my favorite season."

"Come on, let's go see what Luna wants!" Kathy prodded Molly to make her giggle. "I'm hungrier than a race horse."

"You are a race horse," Chase said under his breath as the trio began to walk towards the bridge back into town together.

"I'll take it as a compliment, cheeky," Kathy glowered, taking Molly around the shoulders with an arm hug. She squeezed her closer. "Mm~ This is a good day for me. Despite Chase."

Molly laughed, giving Chase a sympathetic look. He gave her a small smile in return. "It is a nice day," Molly turned to take one last look at the bright ocean behind them. She bet the people over there did have cable. More cable than they knew what to do with.