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The next morning was bright and sunny.
Liam and Delia got up early, changed into light clothes, and headed out after breakfast.
Today was a special day—perhaps even a busy one.
They walked along winding paths and over a small hill. Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the familiar little forest.
Just before reaching it, Liam mysteriously took out a silk scarf and covered Delia's eyes, saying he had a surprise for her. So she didn't see that a white fence had been erected around the outer perimeter of the forest at some unknown time.
The white fence stood about waist-high. Starting from the forest entrance, it extended outward—crossing the river, climbing over the small hills—enclosing almost the entire area behind Pallet Town.
Liam led Delia to a wooden gate in the fence. Taking out the key Professor Oak had given him the day before, he gently unlocked it. Then he guided her along a neatly paved white stone path toward a house faintly visible within the forest.
"Delia~ You can open your eyes now! I'll count to three and you can take off the scarf. One—"
"Wow! Where are we? Why is there such a beautiful house here? Isn't anyone home? Liam~ Isn't it bad for us to just walk into someone else's property like this?"
"…"
Before Liam could even finish counting, Delia impatiently pulled off the scarf.
The first thing she saw was a simple yet peaceful wooden house nestled in the forest, radiating a natural, serene atmosphere.
She clearly loved the feeling of it. She closed her eyes slightly, savoring the moment—then suddenly realized something.
"Doesn't this place look familiar to you?" Liam asked with a smile, pulling her toward the nearby grass and pointing at the small river beside them.
"Wait… this is that clearing and the river! This is the little forest! Since when did a house get built here? How could someone just do that?!"
Recognizing the location, Delia became even more confused—and a little upset, as if someone had occupied a place she loved.
Liam couldn't help laughing.
"Delia, haven't you figured it out? Didn't you ask yesterday where the key Professor Oak gave me was for? It's here!"
He took out the key and held it before her.
"This is my surprise for you. During the Ho-Oh incident, I helped out quite a bit, so the Johto League awarded me 500 million PokeDollars. And since you love raising Pokemon so much, I spoke with Professor Oak. I used the prize money to purchase this land and build this daycare. From now on, we can raise and care for Pokemon here together. I believe that before long, you'll become the most outstanding Breeder."
He gently placed the key into her palm, smiling sincerely.
Delia stared at the key in a daze. After Liam finished speaking, she suddenly reacted—then launched herself at him!
"Don't think I don't know what you're planning!"
She tackled him onto the freshly sprouted grass, wrapping her arms around his neck and burying her head in his shoulder.
"I'll succeed! I'll become the best Breeder! I'll become your strongest support! That way, when you travel, I can take even better care of your Pokemon…"
"…Delia. Thank you."
Liam held her tightly, resting his forehead against her hair. All the words he wanted to say condensed into just two: thank you.
...…
Time passed quickly. Over a month flew by.
During this time, Delia's daycare gradually became lively.
Liam stayed to help manage it, and both of them released their Pokemon to rest. After such long travels and countless intense battles, it was time for them to relax.
Liam's team:
Garchomp
Arbok
Steelix
Aerodactyl
Tyranitar
Scizor
Elekid
Arcanine (brought back from Professor Oak's lab)
….
Delia's team:
Blastoise
Typhlosion
Dragonair
Ambipom
Shuckle
Lucario
Lapras
Once all the Pokemon were released, the daycare instantly filled with life.
Garchomp often lounged in the grass sunbathing with several others.
Aerodactyl either soared in the sky or hung upside down sleeping in the hills—still quite fond of long naps, true to its ancient nature.
Among Delia's Pokemon, Blastoise and Lapras loved playing in the river. Dragonair curled up among the aquatic plants to sleep. Ambipom dashed through the forest and occasionally brought back berries.
Shuckle burrowed beneath rocks for peaceful naps. Typhlosion enjoyed racing with Arcanine along the slopes, the two training their Fire-type moves together.
As for Lucario—having evolved—its sense of responsibility grew stronger. It took on management duties at the daycare, meticulously overseeing the Pokemon each day, which greatly eased Liam and Delia's workload.
Some of Liam's other Pokemon remained elsewhere:
One was assisting at Professor Oak's lab.
Weavile was still with Team Rocket.
Cleffa was staying with Aunt Fumiko at Professor Oak's home.
Other Pokemon Liam had caught during his travels, including those from the Safari Zone—as well as the perpetually sleeping snail Pokemon—remained at Professor Oak's lab rather than being transferred to the daycare.
After all, Delia was just starting out. Too many Pokemon would be overwhelming.
...…
As a Breeder, one of the most important duties is caring for and hatching Pokemon Eggs, ensuring the healthy birth and growth of young Pokemon.
Liam still had two Pokemon exchange vouchers. Wanting to help Delia gain experience in this area, he decisively used both.
They were random exchanges.
Afterward, he obtained two Pokemon Eggs:
One blue-and-white, with harmonious stripes spiraling around the shell.
The other purple-black, with faint reddish circular markings scattered across it.
Delia was delighted when she saw the two Eggs. Carefully, she placed them into the prepared incubator basket and began tending to them attentively, eagerly awaiting the birth of new life.
But peaceful days are always interrupted.
A little over a month after returning to Pallet Town, Liam received a communication from the Johto League.