stardew valley diary 🪶

Kat: “Hello, can I help you?” Lady: “Hello dear, you must be his grandchild! I would like to visit your grandfather.”  Kat: “My grandfather? You want to visit my grandfather?” Lady: “Yes.”

Her smile is so sincere, and her eyes shine with such sincerity. My body understood before my mind did. My chest tightened, my hands felt cold, but my thoughts just… lagged behind. My silence drives the conversation forward.

Lady: “He hasn’t answered the phone in a long time, and traveling is so difficult at our age, so I took my time coming to visit, but I wanted to see how he was doing.”

That’s exactly what I feared. Didn’t my father informed all of his friends?  He must forgotten about her. Her expectant eyes didn’t leave my face for a second. Waiting.

Kat: “Miss....” Lady: “Operman.” Kat: “Miss Operman....my grandfather, unfortunately, passed away last year...”

Her face didn’t change at first. But her eyes did. That light in them… it didn’t disappear. It just… faded. Like something slowly dimming, not breaking. Just… going quiet.

Kat: “I’m sorry, we could only notify the people my grandpa had in his phone book...Would you like to come in and sit down?” 

It happened!

His hopefull heart found love.

So… quick update from the farm.

My almost middle-aged worker — seriously, I still don’t know his age. Maybe I should start asking for résumés before hiring people?? — has apparently found himself a young, chaotic spirit.

Abigail. Yes. That Abigail. And somehow… she’s into him??

I walked by the beach earlier and there they were, just casually hanging out like it’s the most normal thing in the world. Talking, laughing, vibing.

I mean — nicely done!

She’s definitely younger though. Like… around twenty, I’d guess. A little edgy, a little rebellious. The kind of person who would go for something unexpected just because she can. It kind of suits her. And him. I did NOT see this coming. At all. I thought Caroline was more his vibe.

But hey… if love can grow in soil, apparently it can also grow between a mysterious farm worker with no résumé and a purple-haired free spirit.

The whole year I was jealous of Leah.

Of course I was. She’s always around Elliott. So natural. So easy. There’s even a painting of hers on his wall. On his wall. Like she belongs there.

So yeah… I befriended her. Not for her. Not really. I told myself it was just to find out if there was something going on between them. If she liked him. If he liked her.

Because honestly? Who wouldn’t fall for her?

She’s beautiful, but not in an obvious way. It’s quieter than that. Natural. And she creates. Sculptures, paintings… things that actually mean something. The kind of person who doesn’t just exist, but leaves something behind.

Unlike me. I thought I’d just ask a few questions and leave. But then we started talking. And I didn’t leave.

We talked about everything. Art, the town, the stupid little things people say, the way the light hits the trees near her cabin in the evening. The way she describes things… it’s like she sees more than everyone else and can work between spaces to create. Or maybe she just feels more.

And when I complimented her work, she didn’t brush it off. She leaned into it. Smiled. Softer at first, then brighter. Like she’s not used to being seen like that, but she likes it. And I kept going. I couldn’t stop. Because it was true. She’s incredible! And somewhere in between all of that… I forgot why I came.

We opened a bottle of wine. Then another. It got warm. Easy. Too easy. At some point, we were sitting closer than before. I don’t even remember when that happened. One moment there was space between us… the next, there wasn’t. Our shoulders brushed. Then stayed. And neither of us moved. Her warmth seeped into me, slow and steady, like it had always been there, just waiting for me to notice. I could feel every small shift of her body, every breath she took — and suddenly I was too aware of everything. She looked at me differently. Not surprised. Not hesitant. — Focused. Certain. Like she had already crossed that invisible line I was still standing in front of. And I...I hadn’t. Or maybe I had… without realizing.

Because something was building. Low. Quiet. My chest felt tight. My thoughts slow. Like my body understood before I did. Her hand brushed against mine — barely. But it lingered. And that was it. That was the moment everything shifted. When she leaned in, it wasn’t sudden. It was slow. Intentional.

Giving me time to stop her. To pull away. To say something!

I didn’t. I couldn’t. And then her lips met mine. Gently. Carefully. But still demanding as she cupped my face in her hands and held me right there. It wasn’t fireworks and not chaos. I even had a split second to think about it. But for this moment I forgot how to breathe. Forgot where I was. Forgot why I had even come here.

And just like that. We both pulled back. I think I laughed. Or maybe I didn’t. I don’t even remember. Leah didn’t look shocked. Instead, thoughtful. Like she was watching me try to understand something I didn’t have words for yet.

And I think she noticed. The hesitation. The confusion. Me. We didn’t talk about it. We just… parted ways and haven't talked since. And now I don’t know what this was. Or what it means. I only know one thing—

I didn’t come there for her. But I didn’t leave because of Elliott either.

Elliott and I talked a lot this summer.

At first, it was just… talking.

Or maybe me trying to prove something.

I had this stupid feeling that he sees me as rough. Too sharp around the edges. Not exactly… feminine. I mean, compared to Leah... I lift rocks, she makes pretty sculptures out of it.

But whatever.

He invited me over to his little cabin by the beach.

It’s beautiful there.

Quiet.

Just the sound of the ocean and his voice — always so calm, so carefully chosen. He told me about his novel. Of course he’s writing one. It fits him too well.

I suggested a crime story.

Because that’s what I like right now. Something with tension. Something that keeps you guessing.

He smiled at that.

He’s… different up close.

Charming.

Eloquently distant.

Like he’s always half somewhere else.

And now that I’ve actually looked at him properly… he’s older than I thought. Not a boy. Not even close. Maybe late twenties. Maybe more.

And then—

there was a rose.

I don’t really remember how the conversation ended.

Or when exactly I left.

Just fragments.

The sound of the waves.

His voice, lower than before.

The feeling of being… very aware. And then suddenly not at all.

It’s probably nothing.

Just the heat. The long days. The exhaustion catching up with me.

Still…

something about it doesn’t sit right.

Remember Alex? Ever since I ditched him at the Flower Dance, the “nice guy” act is officially over. Completely gone. Like it never existed in the first place.

He’s kinda a jock.

Arrogant. Full of himself. Always talking about sports, his “glory days,” and how he’s going to make it big someday. Like this town is just some temporary stop on his way to greatness. If I remeber correctly, he won a few Highschool Football events? I was never that much interessted in football, so I faced out, while he was talking about it.

It’s weird though. Because when I visited his house… everything felt different.

He lives with his grandparents — Evelyn and George.

She’s the sweetest person I’ve met in this town so far. Soft voice, kind eyes, the kind of person who makes you feel welcome without even trying. Like stepping into a warm kitchen on a cold day. And somehow, she always has a tray of cookies on the counter 😃 It's awesome.

George is… well. George. Grumpy. Direct. Probably not my biggest fan either.

But then there’s Alex. In that house, he’s quieter.

Not the loud, cocky guy from outside. Just… someone sitting at the table, not really knowing what to say. Like all that confidence (and abs) doesn’t quite fit between those walls.

(I mean, those abs that draw your eyes down towards his crotch – my goodness. They’re shaped like a perfect triangle, an inverted triangle, a visual path to bliss. I think I counted 11 muscles. Ten are visible, and as for the eleventh, we know exactly where it is.)

And for a second — just a second — I wondered if there’s actually more to him.

Maybe a softer side. Maybe something real.

But then he opened his mouth again and ruined it.

So yeah.

I just know that something about him doesn’t fully add up.

The weather forcast said it would be rainy the whole day. So we made a plan — go to the bathhouse, relax a little, maybe cheer me up after… everything that happened at the Flower Dance.

I actually thought it was a good idea.

I waited. In the rain. For five hours. Five. Hours.

Just standing there, getting soaked, watching the path, thinking any second now they’ll show up. Like an idiot. Juwie? Ran straight to Abigail, because his dick saw an oppurtunity to get closer to her and Darek worked the mines. "Is it's rainy outside, I can work underground."

WTF with this work ethic.

They showed up later, like nothing happened. We still went to the bathhouse. It was… nice, I guess. Warm. Quiet.

I laughed a little. Talked a little. But underneath? Still sad. Still standing in the rain.

"The crisp air of the wilderness is all I care to know. I live out here by choice."

Summer 4 🌻

On one evening I've met the "HOBO by Choice" Linus. He was looking for food in George's trashcan.

George: Who's there? Is someone messing with my trash cans again?! Kat: No. I didn't see anyone, just the raccoons. I think we need to secure the cans better. George: mumbles angrily …. after George goes back inside. Linus: I'm sorry. Kat: Don't worry about it. But you still shouldn’t be rummaging through other people’s trash cans. Especially not for old folks. You could scare them to death. Linus: But all that good food. Those people have no idea what they’re doing! (more meekly than firmly) Kat: …. Linus: I’m not embarrassed to look for food like this. Kat: You don’t have to be. Linus: …. Kat: Good night.

As I was leaving, I saw out of the corner of my eye that Linus was about to go to the restaurant’s trash cans when suddenly Gus, the owner, came running over. Without a word, he placed a plate of freshly cooked food in front of Linus. At that moment, something tightened in my chest. I think I’ll go visit Linus in the mountains sometime. I think everybody loves him. He's no trouble or something like that.

Dear Diary

There is a Joja in this town?

In this tiny, peaceful, “everyone knows everyone” kind of town? Why. No, seriously — why??

Hell nah. You will NOT see a single foot of mine stepping into that place. Not even accidentally. Not even if it rains. Not even if they start giving out free snacks or skin care products. (but they are expensive though)

I’m buying everything locally now. Yes, even if it’s overpriced. Pierre might be a bit… intense, but at least he has a soul. I think. Honestly, if everyone just shopped there, the whole thing could become some kind of self-sustaining little town paradise. Look at me. Already talking like I belong here.

Mayor Lewis showed me something else today. The old Community Center. And wow… it’s… bad. Like, “something is definitely living in here and it’s not paying rent” kind of bad.

He thinks I can restore it, and would love my help.

A few days ago I almost passed out from watering plants.

But sure, why not. Everything to stop Joja Firstly, get rid of the rats. Guess I’m fighting capitalism and ghost rats now.

HEARTBROKEN 🥺😭

It's the annual flowerdance. I am not fighting to win the crown for "flower queen", but to dance with someone Would have been nice!

FIRST Alex asked me out, but I turned him down.

Obviously.

Because in my head I had this whole romantic moment planned with Elliott. I imagined asking him, our eyes meeting again, standing close during the dance… and maybe he would finally notice me too.

So I asked him.

And he just said:

"Maybe next year."

Just like that.

So… I went back to Alex. Maybe it wasn’t too late? Maybe he’d still say yes? But he went like: "No thanks. I'm not interesstet in dancing with you!" (you could have said it a bit less loud??!!)

Darek pittied me and said, he would dance with me, but then he danced with Hayley instead.

Honestly? Bitches.

Juwie and Darek are supposed to be my friends. Or at least… they should be, after literally working on my farm. But nope. Left me standing there like an idiot.

And guess who won Flower Queen?

Of course.

Hayley.

After the Event I dragged my depressed ass to the salon and got drunk.

Really drunk.

Apparently I passed out on the beach. The weird part? Someone carried me home.

Because when I woke up in my bed this morning, my change was gone… and instead I had a picture of myself in my pocket.

I can't seem to outrun Joja. They have a "Late night, I'll bring you home, fee?

GOODBYE SPRING.

YOU'VE LEFT ME HANGING.

THIS WAS A HARSH AND TURBULENT START.

SO MANY QUESTIONS.

I need a dress for the upcoming Flower Dance!

It will be my first annual gathering in this town.

I heard you can even win a crown.

Wouldn’t that be nice? Me — the new girl — already loved by everyone. It would make making friends here a lot easier.

But what should I wear?

Sadly, there’s no boutique in this town, so I would have to rely on online shopping. But would it even arrive on time? I wish I had checked the information board in the town square sooner! 😭

Now it might be too late.

But a girl can dream 🦋

I guess I’ll have to wear one of my old dresses, because there’s no way I’m ordering from Joja and their “next-day delivery guarantee.”

No money from me, mister!

Besides… I don’t really need to win.

Guestworker 5 finally told me his name. It’s Juwie. Or Uwe, for short.

And I have to say — the man works like an absolute machine. Strong, structured, disciplined. His part of the farm already looks incredible. The crops are healthy, the fields neat, everything organized in a way that almost makes my work look chaotic.

Still… we’re one man short. The work is piling up faster than we can handle it.

And then, out of nowhere, Darek showed up.

Just appeared, like he had always been meant to work here. Judging by his accent, he’s from Poland. We don’t really know anything about him. No story, no explanation. Just a shovel in his hand and a quiet nod.