Chapter 67:
How much can you afford to eat?
Those words kept echoing in Torchic's mind, as if they had pierced its most sensitive heart, making its heartbeat quicken.
When it had first followed its previous trainer, it could feel the joy and excitement in the way it was treated. At the beginning, there had been smiles, gentle pats, and warm encouragement. But that joy quickly shifted to surprise—and perhaps even alarm—after the trainer saw it devour half a bag of Pokéblocks in a single sitting.
Later, Torchic began to notice little things. It overheard the trainer's parents talking in hushed voices about expenses. It saw the way the family sometimes skipped meals themselves. Understanding that the family wasn't well off, Torchic tried to restrain its appetite. It told itself not to eat too much at once, to take only a few Pokéblocks at a time.
But how could a young Pokémon truly have such discipline?
If it couldn't eat much in one go, it simply ate more often. A nibble here, a peck there, stealing snacks when no one was watching.
As it grew past its juvenile stage, its appetite swelled. Eventually, one day, the trainer smiled and said they were going to buy more Pokéblocks. He told Torchic to wait on the roadside and that he'd be right back.
That wait lasted all through the day… and the night.
The trainer never returned.
At first, Torchic blamed itself, thinking it had been a burden. But over time, bitterness seeped in. Was it really fair to abandon it for eating a little more? Surely the bond they'd shared was worth more than that.
Later still, Torchic came to a colder understanding. This wasn't just about blame. It was a problem some trainers simply couldn't solve—a gap between love and responsibility. Even so, a faint ember of resentment remained.
If only it could stop lying to itself…
…
"Why? You don't believe me?" Hayashi Kaede said, gesturing to the orchard around him. "Then believe your eyes. Look—these are all my fruit trees. Are you still afraid I can't feed you?"
Torchic hesitated, its eyes flicking from the rows of trees to Kaede's face.
"But you can't eat for free," Kaede added with a grin. "Once you're full, you'll have to help me guard the Plantation with Pidgeot… uh, like that pokemon up in the tree. Can you do that?"
"Torchic!?" (Really?)
Torchic's posture softened, losing the defiant tilt it had worn earlier.
"Of course…" Kaede replied warmly, then leaned in close to whisper in its ear. "Also, we have to find a way to keep Gardevoir."
"Torchic?!"
Torchic's eyes lit up with sudden clarity. It glanced at Kaede, then at Gardevoir out of the corner of its eye, a thought crystallizing in its mind.
If Gardevoir left, would it also be abandoned again? No—Torchic wouldn't allow that.
It ran to Gardevoir's side, chirping anxiously, "Torchic?! Torchic…"
"Gardevoir…"
A hint of helplessness crossed Gardevoir's face. Even though Kaede and Torchic had whispered quietly, her Psychic powers caught every word. Were they seriously plotting her future in front of her?
Still, she couldn't deny a faint admiration. This human had a knack for finding a Pokémon's deepest hopes and fears, and then anchoring himself there—making them feel seen, understood, and unwilling to let go.
She knew it well. That was exactly how he'd won her over.
...
After Torchic was persuaded, the other two newcomers stepped forward timidly—Brionne and Bounsweet.
Looking at the pair, Kaede crouched and smiled. "Can I pet you?"
"Bounsweet…"
"Popplio…"
They glanced at each other, then nodded hesitantly.
Kaede's hands settled gently—one on Popplio's sleek, cool body, the other on Bounsweet's fragrant, leafy head. Popplio smooth fur was like polished stone, catching the light with a gentle sheen, though not quite as lustrous as a Milotic's scales or a Serperior's body.
Bounsweet, on the other hand, exuded a sweet, fruity aroma. Stroking the leaves atop its head revealed pale white flesh beneath. Kaede had the odd thought—could he taste it? He chuckled to himself almost immediately. What kind of person would that make him?
Pushing the thought aside, he channeled a soft green energy through his hands, easing their nervousness. Compared to Torchic, these two were timid, unsure of him even after Gardevoir's reassurance.
Trust would take time.
So why not start with something small? Maybe a little Bounsweet juice could be part of the welcome.
"We've got three new friends in the Plantation today," Kaede announced. "Let's have a barbecue tonight to celebrate!"
It was partly an excuse to experiment with new recipes, buy a few fruit blenders, and deliver some grass seeds to Kusano Genmu, but he didn't say that aloud.
Leaving Gardevoir to watch over the newcomers, Kaede spent two hours running errands before returning. By then, the sky was brushed with gold.
Brionne and Bounsweet were still close to Gardevoir, clearly having stayed near her the entire time. Torchic, however, was circling an Oran Berry tree, staring intently at the clusters of berries.
"Come with me," Kaede called, waving Torchic over. It darted to his side immediately.
Brionne and Bounsweet exchanged a look, then glanced at Gardevoir. Once she nodded, they began walking toward Kaede—tiny steps in the mud.
"Forget it, I'll just carry you."
Seeing Bounsweet struggling, Kaede bent down, scooped it up, and smiled. Bounsweet was stiff at first but didn't resist, unsure of their destination.
They reached the Reservoir, where a towering, winding tree stood. Its branches drooped like fine catkins, and its leaves were thin like willows—yet they were a vivid autumn red, glowing like maple leaves in fall.
Of the fruit trees planted over ten days ago, only the Petaya Berry tree remained bare; the others had already begun to bear fruit. Another ten days, and the harvest would be ready.
"Bounsweet, when the time comes, I'll build you a wooden house right here. Torchic's nest will be under the tree, and Brionne will live in the Reservoir. Sound good? You three are good friends, right?"