Joy confirmed that Aoi had returned to the Power Plant when she saw no Magneton wandering around outside.
Using the entrance intercom, Joy and Luther explained why they had come to Aoi, who was in the control room.
After a short wait, the electronic doors opened with a click.
The Power Plant was due to be expanded soon, so a large pile of construction materials had been stacked beside one of its outer walls. To protect them from the rain, Aoi and her Crawdaunt came out dragging several oversized waterproof tarps.
As she covered the materials, Aoi said, "Yuzu brought you all the way here, so I assume you need my help with something. What is it?"
Luther froze for a moment before realizing that "Yuzu" was Joy's nickname.
"I'll get straight to the point. I'd like your help choosing some saplings or seeds. I may even need you to cultivate them for me."
Aoi glanced sideways at Joy and sighed helplessly. "Looks like Yuzu told you something about me. That explanation was certainly simple, but it didn't tell me nearly enough. What do you need the saplings and seeds for?"
Luther explained the idea he had come up with that afternoon, along with the problems he was struggling to solve.
"I want to give the Pokémon on the island a better place to live."
Aoi fell silent for a moment after hearing that.
"All right. I'll help you."
Her ready agreement surprised both Luther and Joy.
On the way there, they had both been worried that Aoi's difficulty communicating with people might become a problem. It also sounded as though she had painful memories she had never shared with Joy. Despite coming from a family of horticulturists, she had left that life behind and wandered from place to place, deliberately choosing quiet locations for her Pokémon League assignments.
The reason was probably connected to horticulture.
Luther had already prepared himself to ask the eight Inspectors to find another specialist for him. It might prove costly in the long run, but if it helped solve the island Pokémon's problems sooner, he believed it would be worth it.
"But…"
Aoi's next word immediately dampened his excitement.
"You need to understand that carrying out everything you've planned will cost a great deal of money." Her clear eyes remained fixed on Luther. "This can't be accomplished overnight. The island's environment will have to be changed little by little.
"Change takes time. That means you won't see any return on your investment for quite a while. It'll be like throwing money into the ocean without even hearing a splash, and the risk of failure will always be there.
"Even knowing that, are you willing to accept the cost and consequences for the sake of the Pokémon living on this island?"
Luther didn't hesitate.
"I'm prepared for that."
Aoi saw no uncertainty in his eyes. His gaze remained resolute from beginning to end.
She chuckled, then seemed to realize what she had done and shyly covered her mouth.
In all the time Joy had known her, this was the first time she had seen Aoi say so much to someone she barely knew. She had even laughed in front of Luther.
Did she simply become more talkative whenever the conversation turned to her specialty?
"I was only teasing you. It isn't quite as serious as I made it sound. All that talk about the consequences of failure was just to see whether you were truly committed.
"Ever since you bought the island, I've been considering requesting a transfer to somewhere quieter for my Pokémon League assignment. It looks like that won't be necessary anymore. I admire your kindness toward Pokémon. What you're planning takes a great deal of courage, and a willingness to deal with endless trouble."
Luther blinked at that assessment.
Wasn't he supposed to be the person who hated trouble more than anyone? What he was doing now really didn't suit his usual personality.
How strange.
After acknowledging Luther's determination, Aoi followed them back to their base.
Once everyone had gathered, she began answering Luther's questions and offering suggestions based on her experience.
"Lily of the Valley East Island is far too large to transform all at once. For our first shipment, we should choose saplings with relatively short growing periods and minimal climate requirements. That will greatly ease the food shortage faced by the island's Pokémon.
"Most trees in that category produce fruit with only average flavor and nutritional value, but their short growth cycle makes them worthwhile.
"Next, since the island lacks plant diversity, we need to choose saplings suited to its existing environment. We should buy several adaptable varieties and plant them throughout the island.
"We'll also need some cold-resistant fruit trees so the wild Pokémon can still find food during winter.
"And we should purchase plenty of saplings that produce delicious, energy-rich fruit. Those can be younger, since they're meant as a long-term investment.
"After that, we should…"
Had her entire personality just changed?
What part of this lively, endlessly talkative woman looked bad at communicating?
From the moment Aoi arrived at the base, Luther and the others had barely managed to get a word in. Whenever they asked a question, she immediately answered it and then launched into several related ideas.
Was this what happened when a professional entered her element?
"Wait, wait." Luther hurriedly interrupted Aoi before she could continue.
Her mouth had gone dry from talking, so she accepted a glass of water from a dumbfounded Joy and took a sip.
"We understand that you're the expert," Luther said. "Just make a list based on your own judgment. Give me what you consider the best possible selection."
Aoi quickly found a blank sheet of paper, picked up a pen, and began writing. She paused occasionally to think before adding even more items.
Mai knew a little about fruit trees. As she watched the list of names steadily grow, she suddenly realized that their wallets were about to suffer a devastating blow.
By the time the list reached Luther's hands, his head was spinning.
"White Bamboo Fruit: Light and sweet, with large, firm flesh and plenty of juice. Average yield, but highly adaptable to different environments.
"Sweet Cherry Fruit: Fragrant and sweet, with plump, translucent flesh. Low yield, but well suited to the island's climate. Provides enough energy for most Pokémon and is highly filling.
"Red Ink Pear: Extremely high yield and quick to mature, with almost no climate or soil requirements. Slightly astringent and provides relatively little energy.
"…"
The entire sheet was covered in writing, with barely any empty space left.
Judging by Aoi's numbering, the first shipment would contain fourteen different kinds of fruit trees and other plants.
Of those fourteen, Luther had only heard of Sweet Cherries, Pomelos, and Lum Berries. Every other name was completely unfamiliar to him.
Aoi had lived on the island for a long time and knew its terrain and environment well. In her professional opinion, the fruit trees on this list were the varieties best suited to Lily of the Valley East Island's climate, soil, and resident Pokémon.
(End of Chapter)
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