Who. Is. She.

by Nightnon

Summary:

News spread of the representative having a guest over for the week. Everyone feels curious about their new resident, especially since her presence is enough to crack the stoic facade of their unsociable representative.

Notes:

Been wanting to do a more comfy story with just shenanigans involved
Hope you enjoy

Chapter 1

It was a bright sunny day in the island of Thimmel. It’s exotic spots like the hot spring in the center of a jungle forest, the stargazing park on the cliffs, and the pearly white beaches that contrasts the bright blue sea. If one were to wait for the sun to go down, the island center becomes a light show with the hundreds of fireflies appearing in the night sky.

Such beauty eventually became a popular choice when it comes to animals. Folks who wish to go out and settle to the lively island, away from the bustling city life or nosy villagers.

But some things are too good to be true, as to be a resident of the island, means living with the representative of the island. The mysterious, off-putting villager known as Roark

One could consider him being the cool stoic brother archetype yet could also be blunt and cruel to his words. He would take orders and favors with no complaints and avoid any small talk aside from annoyance from questions sent his way. Often his attitude would be put at odds with recent arrivals, yet they had to pick a choice of dealing with him or leaving the chance of a lifetime offer to reside in the island. Leaving them with a wary mindset around him.

Fashioned in dark trench coat or jackets with a necktie and white shirt underneath. Topped with pristine leather shoes and black slacks and one could mistake him to be a rich snob.

Though nothing could be farther from the truth as he is the sole person meticulously maintaining the island’s beauty. He would not be afraid to get his hands dirty if it means digging and caring rows of trees day and night if it means to preserve the look of the land.

To the other villagers, they would gossip around that he is the island’s guardian ghost or nature spirit that Tom Nook angered. Or he is a retired hitman, running away from the mafia and wanting a quiet life. Either way, he is often the target of rumors or gossip whenever something happens relating to the young human.

“I once saw him going to the forest and hearing grunting sounds. Kid must be a werewolf!”

“I heard him speaking to pictures inside his house. Maybe he misses his family me-Wow?”

“I swear dude I saw him smile once during New Year’s Eve honk!”

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Gaston, the grumpy rabbit, was walking near the beaches with a hot cup of coffee. The bitter taste put him in a good mood this early morning. He took a sip as he scanned the area, looking for seashells for his not-so-secret collection.

But what caught his eye today was the sight of Roark standing on the Dodo Airline Docks. His trench coat swaying in the wind with his arms behind his back. Such image surprised the rabbit as he would usually see Roark tending to the trees or landscaping at this time. He and the other villagers almost never see him lounging about or enjoying the paradise he maintained.

“Mon chou? I’d didn’t think to see our representative enjoying the morning breeze?”

The human merely turned his head to the rabbit’s direction and nodded before continuing to stare towards the open sea.

“May I ask how long you’ve have been here in the docks?”

“Since the sun’s first rays.” The human suddenly answered.

Gaston was surprised at his answer, let alone even humoring his question at all. All morning? That would mean one thing.

“Expecting someone monsieur?”

“An old friend. She’s staying here for the week.”

Old friend? She? Staying for the whole week?

So many questions rattled around his head before one was answered by Roark.

“If you’re asking about accommodations, I already have Tom Nook settled for an agreement and have her stay at my place.”

“But didn’t you say that your house is off limits Mon chou?”

Roark took a deep breath and looked down.

“She is… an exception in this case.” A small smile crept upon the human’s features.

The rabbit’s eyes widened at the implications of what he was saying. Now Gaston wouldn’t call himself the number one gossiper of the island, but such bombshell was making him even more curious about this new person.

“Oh. Is she perhaps someone-“

“Don’t you have some seashells to collect Gaston?” The human suddenly cuts him off.

Ah there it is. The ever so familiar representative snark (patent pending). With a huff, Gaston says his farewell to the human and walked away, leaving the human to stare off into the sea alone.

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“Honk. I don’t believe you.” Antonio the anteater commented.

Gaston and the rest of the villagers are hanging around in an exterior café. One that Roark painstakingly built and designed after it being the first suggested by Isabelle. Tables and chairs set outside with umbrellas protecting the occupants from the hot sun.

Gaston was red in the face after how many times he explained to the rest of the gang of what just happened.

“But it is true mon chou! I heard from the man himself that he is waiting for a special someone!”

“That is if anyone else here would believe you to break the two-sentence record me-Wow.” Tabby the cat chuckles at the rabbit’s growing temper.

“Tabby’s right bucko. We tried countless of times to get Roark to open up before being shushed away.” Filbert chimed in the conversation.

“And we all know what happened when someone tried to force it out of dear Roark.” Amelia the eagle eyed a certain horse.

“Shaddup! I didn’t know he would suplex me to the ground!” Buck was too red with embarrassment after that fiasco.

“You’re lucky he didn’t kick you out of the island kid.” Nan sipped from her blue mountain coffee. The goat getting a buzz from the high-quality drink Brewster made.

“Indeed, but going back on topic. If I were in Gaston’s position, I would’ve at least used a recorder before talking to the representative just in case.” Graham adjusted his glasses while ushering a smug grin.

“Me-Wow. And how would you know that Roark was going to spill some juicy info about himself ahead of time genius?” Tabby rolled her eyes from the know-it-all hamster.

“I think you are all missing the point here me meow.”

Everyone’s attention is turned to the sole occupier of a table far away from them. The umbrella hiding the features of the cat who sat cross legged on one seat. The figure swirling her cool iced tea before speaking in a calm voice.

“We have an opportunity to finally knock down our boorish representative a peg or two. This so-called guest, real or not, could be the key to finally having some answers we wanted.”

Ankha flipped her hair up before taking another sip from her drink.

“And how we would do that pardner?” Buck raised a brow.

“Simple really. Get to the source of our human’s aberration this morning. See if we can find some dirt about our human by speaking to our soon to be new arrival.”

A familiar airplane flies across the sky. Everyone, except Ankha, looked up and followed the airplane’s direction until it finally landed on the docks down below.

“Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be greeting our new arrival today.”

The cat daintily gets up and walks towards the direction of the airplane’s landing site. Everyone looked at each other before scrambling to follow the cat.

“Kid wait! I haven’t finished my coffee yet!”

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“And how would you know if this is going to work? Cuz I don’t know if our new arrival is even going to co-operate?”

“Yeah, if she somehow manages to get along with Roark. Imagine her being somehow ten times worse.”

Everyone shuddered at the image of having two intimidating Roark’s staring them down.”

“If that comes to fruition then we’ll just simply have to observe them bucko. Maybe we’ll learn something new about Roark and finally get along-“

Filbert suddenly bumped against Tabby which in turn bumped against an unmoving Ankha.

“Hey princess me-Wow! What’s the hold up?” Tabby was annoyed when the cat stopped in front of her.

She peeked around her and gasped at the sight.

There on the floor of the Dodo Airline Building, lies an orange-colored chameleon, straddling Roark and staring him down with a sickeningly sweet smile. Roark merely sighed at his assailant before addressing the reptile on top of him.

“Hello Summer.”

Chapter 2

All the villagers stood there slack-jawed at the scene in front of them. Thousands of assumptions, gossip, and ideas were running inside their head just to make sense of what was happening.

"C'mon Roark, a few years apart and all I get is a hello?" the chameleon grabbed Roark's nose and wiggled it playfully.

"Yeah well, having to prepare your lodging and taking care of the island early morning can get tiresome," Roark rolled his eyes, and shooed away her invasive hand.

"Oh yeah! I kinda forgot you have a new job here. So what it's it like?" her eyes widened in excitement as her face got too close to the human's.

"Well it's kind of-"

"AHEM!"

Their eyes wandered over to the numerous witnesses of their reunion. Some of them still dumbfounded at what was happening while others waved their hands a bit as a hello to the visitor.

But their sole attention was brought to egyptian-themed cat shooting the two with huge amount of disapproval.

"Oh right, new job meant new neighbors," Roark deadpanned.

The reptile gasped at the sight of Ankha and immediately ran over to her. She zipped around the cat, admiring her makeup and clothing. Whispering little comments like "So cool" and "Where'd you find that necklace?" Ankha looked at her unamused.

Roark dusted off his clothes and cleared his throat,"May I have your attention please?"

Everyone shifted their heads towards their island representative. The chameleon realized what was happening then ran next to Roark and turned around towards the villagers.

"Everyone, this is my guest, Summer. She'll be staying here for the week. I'd like you all to make her feel safe and welcome, and yada yada yada... You get the picture."

"Hiya!" Summer, leaned forward and posed with a V-sign with a wink.

'HNGGGH!'

Graham, Filbert, and Buck reflexively clutched their chest from the cuteness factor. The girls rolled their eyes and continued to listen.

"Summer, these are the residents of the island. Try not to make them uncomfortable," Roark said, with a hint of pleading.

"I know 'Dad'," Summer emphasized with air quotes with her hands, "It's not like I don't know to act in front of strangers."

She leers heavily on Gaston, making him nervous. She walks towards the rabbit with a hand on her chin. Her face nearly inches from his own.

"How'd you make it so bushy?"

Roark's hand clasps on her shoulder which made her jump and faced towards its owner. He cleared his throat and motioned towards to what she was doing.

"Sorry," Summer said, leaning back as she rubbed the back of her neck.

Roark sighed at her shenanigans waved his hands between the two.

"Summer, this is Gaston, the island's resident rabbit."

"Pleasure to meet you madmemoiselle," Gaston greeted with a small bow.

"Antonio, the anteater."

"Yo!" The anteater, did a salute to the chameleon, which she too reciprocated.

"That's Tabby right there," Roark pointing at the short orange cat.

"Hello mewow!" Tabby jumped up and down.

"Nan, the coffee enthusiast."

The goat huffed, "Coffee is a necessity to a happy life!"

Summer giggled at the response and agreed with the goat.

"Filbert, the squirrel."

The nervous squirrel looked up to the chameleon before blurting out a few words:

"M-meetchu nice to see!"

Roark raised a brow at the choice of words and Summer ruffled the tuft of hair on the squirrel.

"Meetchu nice to see too!"

His hands covered his face to hide the red contrast on his fur as the two moved towards the next resident.

"Graham, the hamster and self-proclaimed tech wizard."

The short rodent confidently strut towards the new guest and held her hand with a bow.

"M'lady," Graham pulled his glasses a bit lower to give himself a debonair look.

"Cool! So do you like cast magic at electronics or something?"

"Summer..."

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding Roark! I know what you mean. It's not like the first time I've seen a geek before."

'G-Geek?!' Graham's metaphysical state crumbled from such a comment. His body, a frozen statue as the two continued on with the introduction.

"Amelia, the eagle."

"Nice to meet you eaglet," Amelia shook Summer's hand.

"Likewise! Though I've never seen an eagle before, Y'think we could chat later if we had the time?" Summer's smile couldn't get any wider.

Amelia giggled, "I suppose we could."

"Buck, the supposed 'number one runner' of the island," Roark's tone didn't hide his doubt or contempt this time.

Buck snorted before shaking Summer's hand, "Heh at least you're cuter than this jerkwad."

Summer gasped in shock on what he just said. Buck slightly panicked and thought he must've said something wrong.

"How dare you!" Summer, immediately put her hand on Roark's face and squished his cheeks.

"I'll have you know that this guy. This guy. Cutest man on Earth I tell ya," each word accompanied with her pinching his cheeks together.

"Knwck wt wff..." Roark huffed in irritation and dragged Summer away, with the horse, and everyone else, left starstruck on what just happened.

"And finally we have-"

"Ankha, regular and highly sought-after model of the Graced With Beauty Magazine, Official curator for Egyptian-themed interior design, and the first resident. Of. This. Island," Ankha proudly proclaimed, stressing out that last fact.

The rest could've sworn this was the first time they've seen Roark's brow at it's lowest. The cat nonetheless matched the representative's piercing glare that she didn't bat an eye when the chameleon shook her hand.

"Wow! You must be like, get around in the fashion world. Ooh! Maybe you could teach me how to dress up like an egyptian," Summer's eyes glowed with inspiration.

"I'll think about it," Ankha, still matching Roark's glare, retracted her hand and crossed her arms.

"Oh! I almost forgot, we have to register me on the island too right Roark?" Summer turned towards Roark. The man turned away from the staring contest and let out a exasperated sigh.

"You are correct about that Summer. Just hand me your luggage and follow me. I'll get you to Tom Nook so you can handle the paperwork," Roark, walked towards the conveyer belt and lifted her luggage with one hand effortlessly.

"Bye everyone!" Summer joined up with Roark and playfully bumped against his side. Roark rolled his eyes and continued on towards the exit alongside the chameleon.

"So what's he like anyway? I heard he is a tanuki so does that mean-"

"No, no, no. It's not like that Summer. You see..."

Their conversation eventually gets softer as the two walked out of the building and headed towards the Residents Services building.

All the other villagers continued to looked towards where the two left, in awe of what just happened or still ruminating on the new guest's behavior. Tabby decided to cut the tense silence with a question.

"So...? Summer huh. What do you guys think about-"

"DAMN YOU ROARK! DAMN YOU FOR HAVING A HOTTIE LIKE THAT WAITING IN YOUR STUPID ARMS!"

Buck dropped to his knees and pounded on the floor in anguish. Graham and Filbert joined in, wailing about their failed first impression.

Amelia watched as Anton and Gaston tried to help and sighed. She turned towards Ankha, about to ask the same question, still unmoving as the latter continued to glare towards the entrance as if Roark was still there.

But then she noticed something. The eyes of the cat were unlike she had ever seen before. Instead of the normally bored, uninterested look they were so used to, there was something else instead.

The words already left her mouth before she even realized it.

"Are you jealous?"

Chapter 3

“Are you jealous?” Amelia landed a wing on Ankha’s shoulder.

The cat’s fur bristled at the bird’s touch and swatted her away. The former took a deep breath and resumed her stoic visage.

“As if. Seeing how our new guest acts, I could see her as a form attack on Roark in the near future,” Ankha arrogantly struts away, leaving the building.

Amelia scratched her head, “Attack?”

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A yellow shih-tzu was hard at work fixing up her and Nook’s office. As she’s getting ready for her morning announcement, she heard the front door open. She sees the Island Representative Roark walking in.

“Good morning, Roark!” She chimed.

“Isabelle,” Roark responded with a nod.

A fat tanuki wearing a flowered shirt revealed himself from the stacks of office shelves, “Ah if it isn’t our Island Representative!”

“Mr. Nook, can I ask something of you?” Roark said.

“Of course! Unless it’s something I can’t physically do,” Tom laughed at his small joke, but it didn’t seem to get a giggle from the human.

Roark put the heavy luggage down which caught the attention of the two.

Isabelle gasped, “Roark, you’re resigning?”

Even she can’t believe that their representative is leaving, after all the hard work he put through for this island. Sure, he was standoffish at first but deep down she knew he had a soft spot for the folk living here.

Not to toot her own horn or anything but she likes to think they are close- as co-workers!

Yes, that’s it.

Roark looked up with a raised brow and shook his head.

“No, I’m having a friend stay here for the week.”

She was confused. A villager? Staying here? But the campsite hasn’t been cleared out yet from the last occupant.

Tom Nook slammed his fist on his palm in realization, “Oh is it today? I didn’t realize Ms. Summer’s plane has already landed!”

Miss? Her name is Summer?

“Yeah. Oh, I almost forgot,” Roark materialized a bag of Bells on Tom Nook’s desk. The tanuki’s nose twitched is satisfaction.

“My payment for her stay here.”

Tom grabbed the bag and stuffed it in his pocket with a pleased look on his face.

“Yes yes, thanks much! Oh, don’t forget her ID for the island. Though temporary, it allows her to use the island’s facilities,” he pulled out a sling ID.

Roark grabbed the sling with a thankful bow before turning around and looking something that isn’t there.

“Oh? Is Ms. Summer not with you?” Tom Nook pondered.

“Nope no she isn’t,” Roark says with an exasperated tone.

He grabbed her luggage and nodded at the two, “Isabelle. Mr Nook.”

With that, he exited the building, albeit in a hurry.

As Tom Nook waved goodbye, Isabelle was silent. The former noticed and asked his fellow employee what was wrong.

“Isabelle? What’s wrong?”

“N-Nothing sir! It’s just, I realized we haven’t prepared the campsite for our visitor, and I’m worried she’ll be staying at that dingy tent the whole week,” Isabelle mused.

“Oh ho ho! Not to worry Isabelle! Roark already arranged for Ms. Summer to stay at his house,” Tom Nook responded.

The shih-tzu slammed her desk, not noticing the mic was on.

“WHAT?!”

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“WHAT?!”

Roark stopped from where he was and looked around. Did he just hear-?

Nah.

He continued his search on where the mischievous chameleon is and found her gawking at the many landmarks he created.

“DUUDE! Did you make that?!” Summer pointed at the statue of Gojira, a famous Japanese monster, surrounded by flowers and was partitioned as a small island right next to a waterfall.

Roark sighed, “Yes, Yes I did what of it?”

Summer was jumping in place excited, “Ya gotta take a picture of me here. O-Or here! Wait this angle looks good.”

The chameleon bounced around like lighting before she felt an arm on her shoulder stopping her in place.

“Your luggage?” Roark emphasized with him putting it on the ground with a thud.

She rolled her eyes at his killjoy attitude and swatted his hand off her bag and grabbed it with her own.

“C’mon! The day’s still young. We can crash my stuff at your place later. Right now, I got sights to see!” Summer grinned.

Roark was pulled along for the ride as the chameleon dragged him off to whatever her eyes take her.

Unknown to the two of them, a pair of yellow eyes followed where they were going. Only of them to lock its gaze on to the luggage left behind.

 

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“Is this good?”

“Yes.”

“Okay but what about this pose?”

“It’s fine.”

“What about this one?”

“Just stay still and let me take the damn picture already.”

*CLICK*

Summer spent the next hour touring Roark’s island. She saw all kinds of sights from the park, the outdoor gym, the café, the coastal beach, all the landmass has to offer.

While she did try to listen Roark’s explanations of how he made each landmark, it was starting to bore her.

“Aren’t you supposed to be enthusiastic when showing off the cool stuff here,” she chuckled.

“Not really impressed if you’re the one who made them,” the human didn’t bother looking up from his phone containing the photos he took.

Summer just shook her head pointed at one of the landmarks, the sky mural he made depicting a drawing of Tom Nook and him, albeit with a frown, welcoming the people flying over Thimmel.

“This is supposed to be a vacation! Ya gotta admire the now in front of you instead of the all the complicated stuff from behind,” Summer jumped and leaned on Roark’s shoulders.

The human sighed and turned off the device before letting out a small smile, “Fine, have it your way.”

That seemed to perk up the chameleon and picked a flower from a fenced area and put it on his head. Despite having a ‘Do not Pick’ sign, Roark didn’t seem to mind it.

“Hey is there a clothing shop nearby?” Summer asked.

“There is Ables Sister’s tailor shop, they usually have new stock each day,” Roark stood up and stretched his arms.

“Ooh let’s go there! I wanna see the new designs Sable’s making!” With a newfound energy, she grabs Roark’s hand and heads off. The human trying not to trip from the chameleon’s speed.

Chapter 4

Tabby was currently fishing in the river alongside Nan while contemplating about the island’s newest guest. Summer made quite an impression on all the guests, especially the boys. Even Roark spent more time talking to her than he ever did with the cat since she got here. Those thoughts distracted her from her catch, and it gets away.

“Ngraow!”, she cursed.

“Maybe you shouldn’t think too much of her kid,” Nan chimed right next to her.

“I don’t! It’s just- How come the boys here don’t look at me the same way as her?” Tabby huffed.

Nan looked down and up at the cat and pursed her lips. Being honest might not be the right call.

“I think it’ll pass. Hey, maybe when all of us get to know her, then you might be able to take in on how she acts and the guys might notice you,” the goat playfully answered.

That brought the tabby cat’s spirits up. Her eyes sparkled with inspiration.

“Me-Wow! That’s it! Maybe when I replicate her attitude, then all of them will notice me! No one will resist my charms, not even Roark!”

Tabby laughed much to the chagrin of Nan.

‘Let her daydream I guess’ she thought.

Still, it is kind of jarring to see the mayor being friendly, well friendlier, than usual. If that’s the case, then is Summer obviously knows him much longer than the rest of them. Wait, could it be that they are-?

That was when she noticed Ankha huffing and wheezing while carrying a huge luggage. The Egyptian cat was dragging it towards Graham’s mouse. This piqued the goat’s curiosity.

“Oi check that out,” Nan shook Tabby from her daydream and pointed at the yellow and blue cat.

“Hey what is she doing? And why does she have Summer’s luggage?” The tabby cat commented.

The two looked at each other and nodded. They silently followed Ankha to her destination.

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Mabel’s nose twitched as she felt like something bad is about to happen. She shook off the weird feeling she has and continues with preparing the store for opening.

The blue hedgehog was just done bringing up all the new clothing in display. Wiping the sweat off her brow, she turned to her older sister, Sable.

“Hey Sable? Are you done making those templates yet?” Mabel asked.

The chestnut freckled hedgehog took up the time look up from her work.

“I’m almost done with the flag design so it shouldn’t take too long,” her sister responded.

Last week the Island Representative gave an unusual request. He asked them to clear out some of his designs for blank templates. Which is a shame since Sable could tell Roark put his heart and soul into them.

She could remember the time he designed the flag for Thimmel, consisting of a beautifully drawn native flower that was replicated through thread and fabric thanks to her and Mabel’s help. He made sure to work with them all day so that the flag came out beautifully.

‘You two did incredible work. I’m glad that I have great tailors to work with from now on,’ his words echoed.

She always feels butterflies in her stomach whenever someone compliments her work, but when it came from the Island Representative did it felt different somehow.

But now that same design is being turned into white canvas.

“It’s a shame we don’t exactly have enough blank cloth,” Sable spoke under her breath.

As she was finished with her current work, the shop’s bell chimed indicating a customer. Mabel turned to whoever was at the door, only to be met face to face with a smiling orange chameleon.

“Hello!”

“Gah!” Mabel jumped with surprise.

The stranger grabbed the hedgehog’s hand and shook it.

“Hiya! Name’s Summer and I’ve heard a lot about your shop and wanted to see it for myself!” said the chameleon.

Behind her, Roark showed himself, now sporting a flower on his hair, and put a hand on her shoulder exasperated, “Summer, you know what I just said this morning.”

Summer zipped right next to the human in an instant.

 “Sorry,” the chameleon scratched the back of her head.

He turned to Mabel and greeted her with a nod, “Ms. Mabel. I’d like to introduce you to my friend.”

“A-Ah, hello Summer. I didn’t know we have a new villager staying on the island,” the hedgehog said.

“She’s only going to stay for the week. I’m currently giving her a tour,” Roark interjected.

“Yep! I’ve heard so much about you and your sister!” Summer gave her a big smile.

Mabel scratched her quills in embarrassment, “Aw shucks, I’m not that great compared to my big sister.”

“Nonsense!” Summer exclaimed, “I heard you do great work according to Roark.”

“Really?” Mabel was surprised that Roark, of all people, talked about her.

She turned to where the human was, only to find him walking towards Sable. Suddenly, her hand was grabbed by the chameleon.

“C’mon! I wanna see your collection today!” Summer dragged the poor hedgehog around the store.

The orange blur zipped around the store looking around for dresses and accessories while being followed by its wavering blue companion.

Sable was finally finished with the work asked of her. Her ears twitched to the sound of familiar footsteps and faced Roark with a tired smile.

“Hello Roark. Good to see you. Ah!” the hedgehog took notice of the flower, making note of how adorable he looked.

Roark ignored her reaction, “Ms. Sable. I take it you’re finished with that request?”

Sable realized at her gawking and blushed. She grabbed the box of canvas and put it in front of the villager.

“Here it is, do let me know if there are any adjustments needed,” Sable looked away, trying not to stare again.

Roark nodded and went back to check in on Summer. He finds her trying out a dress that’s way too loose on her.

The chameleon admired herself on the mirror before quickly stashing the dress on top of the others. The stack of clothing being precariously held by Mabel.

Summer noticed that Roark was holding up a box and approached him.

“Ooh is that it?” she asked.

“Yea, don’t waste it all since I did have to remove some of my designs-“ Roark was cut off by a big hug from the chameleon.

“Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Aw you won’t be disappointed!” Summer jumped in place and putting the human off balance.

He paused from the gesture before genuinely smiling and hugging her back. However, the moment ended when he noticed Mabel looking at them with a shocked look.

Roark lets go of Summer and coughed in his hand. “Right, Ms. Mabel how much are the dresses on your hands?”

Mabel shook her head to focus, “A-Ah. The total amount for these clothes here would be 16,000 bells.”

Roark responded by pulling out several huge bag of bells.

The blue hedgehog was surprised that the human was going to pay for all this. But nonetheless carried all the clothes to the counter and punched in the amount.

Meanwhile, Summer approached Sable greeted her. Not even noticing the chestnut hedgehog is sitting motionless with a blank, thousand yard stare.

“Hiya, names Summer!”

“Mmmhm.”

“I heard SO much about your work.”

“Mm.”

“Hey I was wondering if you could teach some tips about sewing and-”

Sable just tuned out the chameleon as her mind replayed on what just happened right now.

“-maybe I can go to your store early and maybe get some lessons from you?”

“Mmmhmrff…”

“Great! See you later.”

“Summer we’re wasting daylight out here, I’m supposed to unpack your stuff in my house,” Roark yelled from the entrance while carrying all the shopping bags.

“Coming!” Summer followed the human out of the store.

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Mabel bid farewell to the two as Roark carried all the stuff they bought from the store. Summer remained attached to his side while talking his ear off. She sighed at how much of a handful the chameleon was.

Still, hedgehog couldn’t help but see the mayor in a different light. Seeing him hug her was shocking to say the least. What is she to Roark? And how come he’s blasé about paying for all her stuff. Wait a minute.

“Hey Sable, do you think Roark’s a sugar daddy?” Mabel pondered.

She turned around to see her sister currently already on the sewing machine. The former felt a cold chill as she saw Sable continued with her work, head down, not even caring that she accidentally sewn her apron to the design.