A Good Mistake
Kozumi makes a bit of a mistake in her haste to get a change of scenery, but it might turn out to be exactly what she needed.
For Valentine's Day. Late, but oh well.
I decided to genderbend my kirin character. Originally it was going to be an M/M story, but I wasn't quite feeling the rhythm for it. I also wanted to see if I could avoid destabilizing an existing relationship between two other characters.
Additionally, I really like Tom Nook in Animal Crossing: Wild World. He really is quite unique. I'd even go as far as saying he's the first video game character that really grew on me. As far as I know, there aren't many stories showing him in a good light, so I wanted to give that a try too.
As the vehicle drove through the heavy rainfall, she wondered how her life was going to work from here on out. The departure of her caretaker had left a void in her heart, one she was sure could not be filled. The tattered remains of her former home were etched into her mind, and she could still recall the scent of burning wood and flesh as vividly as the day she encountered it. Police believed it was caused by someone with a vendetta against her caretaker, but she knew the truth-- he was morbidly depressed, and she was unable to snap him out of it."Ya listenin' back there?" She snapped out of her memories at the sound of the voice."Sorry. Just lost in thought," she replied. "You need something?""I been watchin' ye. Seems like ya need a distraction from whatever be ailin' ya.""I guess so, mister... I'm sorry, I don't even know your name.""I ain't surprised. I don't know yours myself." She looked at the driver in mild awe, admiring his ability to do something so delicate yet be completely casual about it. She wondered if she could be so skilled someday. "Anyways, the name's Kapp'n.""Kozumi." The rainfall seemed to lighten up after the cab crossed a bridge."Kozumi, eh? I'll remember that, 'specially 'cause I ain't never seen somethin' like yerself before." It was understandable; her kind wasn't exactly common. She was only able to learn what she was through her caretaker, and even then a book was needed. "So, uh, what are ya? Be ye lad or lass?""A kirin, and I'm pretty sure I'm female, sir," she answered. The cab entered a tunnel, prompting the driver to brighten the headlights."Sorry 'bout that. These eyes o' mine, they ain't always sharp. So, what'cha all the way out here for?""Needed a change of--" Suddenly the cab screeched to a halt. "What the?""We're here! I almost forgot to stop, so sorry for the rough spot."Kozumi's visit to the town hall was brief. The person on duty was a rather curt pelican by the name of Phyllis, though a quick flick of the powder on her tail made the encounter a little less unpleasant. She gave her a town map and sent her on her way. She discovered her new home by the beach and sighed, anxious about how things would turn out."This place is surprisingly spacious," she commented, dropping her luggage by the door. "I'll do something about the lack of furniture later." Kozumi stretched and lied down on the only bed, already feeling relaxed. So far, being on her own was beginning to pay off. Over the past few months she had raised enough money to move out from the shelter and pay for her very own home. All she had to do was give it to the builder. Before she
could settle into a peaceful sleep, there was a knock at her door."How do you like your new home?" Kozumi recognized the voice on the other side as the same person she spoke to over the phone."It's great," she replied amiably. She stood up and opened the door, revealing a raccoon-like person standing on the other side. Dressed in only a blue apron and bearing a nametag saying "Tom Nook", he had brown fur and blue eyes that seemed confined to a half-lidded expression. The kirin's heart skipped a beat upon seeing him, feeling something other than anxiety for the first time. The moment she saw him, nearly all of her thoughts came to a halt, the sole remaining ones concentrating on the warm feeling coursing through her and why she simply could not look away from him."Very good, very good. I am glad you feel welcome in your new home. Now then... Hello? Are you still there?" Kozumi shook her head and blinked, snapping out of her inaction. "Sorry, sorry Mr. Nook. I was just... I got lost in memory," she lied. "I know what comes next." Confident and re-focused, she pulled out a small bag from her suitcase, directing her gaze elsewhere. I think this should cover the cost." The tanuki's eyes widened as he grabbed the bag."Well, this is surprising indeed. I've grown used to new residents coming to me with not a single Bell to their name, you see." Kozumi patiently watched him dig a paw into the bag and count the contents."I trust you'll find everything you asked for in there," she said. Nook tied up the Bell bag once he was done."As impressive as this is, I'm afraid you are 100,000 Bells short," he responded, to the kirin's surprise, prompting her to look at him again. He gave back the bag. "This has only covered half of the fee.""Huh? We agreed that 100,000 was the actual cost.""I believe you misheard me at the time, Kozumi. I did in fact say 200,000. I even repeated myself when you asked, and requested information to confirm. Building a house is hard, costly work."Kozumi frowned. Curse her distracted mind on that day! She had been so desperate to get away that she neglected to be more careful with what she was doing. "I-I don't have that kind of money, sir," she lamented."Not an issue. I suppose we could work something out." Immediately the kirin shut her eyes and braced herself, ready to endure whatever was coming her way. Moments later, to her surprise she found nothing but a confused tanuki staring at her."Huh?""What has gotten into you, Kozumi? Are you all right? Is there something wrong?" The concern in his voice caused the warm feeling to surge again."Well... I
thought..." The confusion on his face cleared up at that moment, only to be quickly replaced by horror."Oh no! I am not the type to do such things to any of my customers. I dislike violence, and it's bad for business. I will, however, propose something I'm sure will be of benefit to both of us.""...And that is?""Simple, really. You work for me in my store. In return you get to keep your new home and eventually eliminate your debt. Whenever you are able, you can pay it off with your own Bells, should you find a way to acquire some. How does that sound?" Kozumi smiled in excitement and hugged him. "That sounds great! When do I start?" The moment she realized what she was doing, she let go and put her hands behind her back, tail coiling around her legs. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Nook. That was rude.""No harm, no foul," he replied, smiling. "It was quite pleasant, actually. Arrive at my shop at half-past seven in the morning tomorrow and we'll get started." The kirin watched the tanuki's retreating figure, hand on her chest."What is this feeling? Why does he make me feel so warm?"All Kozumi found herself doing for the next two months during her tenure was managing stock and keeping the store clean. Sometimes Tom allowed her to manage the store while he was away on an errand. Work was, to her surprise, very simple... or at least, it should have been.The kirin found herself sneaking glances at Tom whenever possible. It didn't help that the tanuki did not wear much beside the blue apron most of the time, unknowingly making himself a sight she couldn't ignore easily. Her dreams often featured him and her spending time together in ways she never imagined. It wasn't until he told her about his past that she realized she had actually fallen for her boss. Kozumi remained silent about her feelings for as long as she could, fearing that they would compromise things. Eventually, however, she couldn't take it, and with her debt nearly resolved, she became determined to voice how she felt about him. She took a deep breath as she walked into Tom's shop one day, doing her best to steel herself for a possible rejection."Good morning, sir," she said as she walked in, only to spot Nook staring out the window again at the shop next door. He had been doing this for several days now. Seeing him in such a state bothered the kirin, especially since she knew why he was like this. She tapped the floor with her hooves, startling her boss."Ah, sorry Kozumi. I was just lost in thought.""I don't mean to prod, but is there something on your mind?" she asked him."Perhaps it's time I told you what is on my mind, hm? You have
been a very loyal employee, and such diligence should be rewarded.""I am all ears." He stepped away from the counter and walked to the back. Taking the hint, Kozumi changed the sign to closed, locked the doors, and followed him into the store's basement. As soon as they stopped, she spoke again. "So, what's on your mind?""It's just... I have been thinking about my past. You already know the full story, yes?" She nodded. "Today marks the anniversary of the time I left to chase my dream, and the time Sable and I grew... disconnected. From time to time I get reminders about the folly of my youth.""Mr. Nook, we all make mistakes. You still remember the time I and that human knocked down a beehive by accident, right? My butt still aches a little from the memory." Kozumi smiled when she saw his somber expression briefly disappear."Ah, but you see, I hear the rumors that have been spread about me. The others say all sorts of nasty things. Many think of me as a con artist or worse.""Eh, rumors don't have any ground. I think people just like to make up stories about you, and I know for a fact they greatly exaggerate the details." He sat down in a nearby chair as he continued. "If you ask me, you're a dream come true.""Huh? What do you mean?" Realizing what she said, she shrugged and decided to confess."I'll be honest. I like you... very much. You're not at all demanding, you feel bad about what you did and want to fix it, and on top of that you're the most normal guy I know. I say you give things between you and Sable another chance."Nook stared back at Kozumi in stunned surprise. "Wow... that's--" Before he could finish, the kirin quickly stood up and hugged him tightly, running a hand through his exposed fur."You're not a bad guy. You know that. I know that. Heck, everyone here knows you're practically a saint." She let go of him and stepped away when she realized what she was doing. "...I'm so sorry, sir. I got a bit carried away there, but my point still stands." She was about to leave when she felt a tug on her arm, and to her astonishment she felt arms wrap around her torso."Thank you. That means so much to me." Though surprised, she turned around and returned the embrace earnestly. They separated a few moments later. "You feel surprisingly comfortable.""Don't let those pesky rumors get to you, sir. They're not true... and I am sure Sable wants to be a good friend to you, for old times' sake. I can feel it in my antlers.""Hm?" Feeling bashful, she looked away."I mean to say that I'm confident about it. I know you two were something of an item, so I think you should at the very least try
again. As much as I like you, I'll support you two getting together again.""Kozumi, how much do you like me?" The kirin's response was to lean in and kiss him. She felt no resistance, even as she pinned him to a wall, and she took the opportunity to vent all her affection at that moment."I know we don't really have a good chance together. I just wanted to let it all out. You really are a great guy, quite unlike any others I've seen before. Are you ready to fix things?""Tomorrow," he replied tiredly. "You sure are an affectionate sort.""Only to nice people."