Morning came.
Ryo stepped outside.
Paused.
"…No."
The field… expanded.
Not outward.
But denser.
More packed.
More alive.
"…That wasn't there before."
A section of crops stood taller than him.
Moving slightly.
Like breathing.
"…No."
System Notification
New Trait Unlocked: Farm Presence
Effect:
Crops react to owner Increased output Increased unpredictability
"…Unpredictability?"
A fruit dropped.
Landed in his hand.
boop
"…Stop doing that."
Another followed.
boop
"…Stop aiming."
He looked at the field.
Then at his hands.
Then back at the field.
"…I'm not farming."
"…This isn't farming."
A carrot popped out of the ground.
Spun once.
Landed perfectly in a crate.
plop
"…This is something else."
He sighed.
"…As long as it sells…"
thump
He paused.
"…That's the problem, isn't it?"
In the distance—
Very faintly—
Something moved differently.
Not like crops.
Not like before.
Ryo narrowed his eyes.
"…I'm ignoring that."
He turned around.
Walked back inside.
Closed the door.
"…Future problem."
Outside—
thump…