In the 198th year of the League calendar, on November 14th, the Paldea Region welcomed its first snowfall of the year.
The snow fell for a whole day and night, and when it finally stopped, the entire world was enveloped in a magnificent snowy landscape.
As soon as the snow stopped, the Pokémon, curious about the snow, asked Naoki to help them put on warm scarves.
With the door opened, a large group of various Pokémon swarmed outside.
Instantly, the once smooth snow was covered with all sorts of plum blossom-shaped footprints.
The Pawmo, running in the middle, was so excited that it accidentally tripped over a stone hidden in the snow, falling with a thud and leaving a "Pawmo" imprint in the snow.
The surrounding Pokémon stopped running when they saw this and gathered around to check on it.
Pawmo, with a face full of snow, got up from the ground, showing a silly smile: "Pawmot..."
Naoki and Arven followed behind, and upon seeing this scene, smiled helplessly and said, "Take it slow."
"Pawmot!"
Pawmo cheerfully responded and quickly got up from the snow.
Upon seeing this, the other Pokémon also smiled, laughing and playing in the snow like a group of children seeing snow for the first time.
Arven's Mabosstiff stood by his side, looking a bit envious at the lively scene.
Naoki noticed this and said, "Mabosstiff can also join in and play!"
"Woof?" Mabosstiff looked up.
Arven reached out and patted Mabosstiff's head, saying, "You can go play with everyone! I'm right here, it's fine."
"Woof!" Mabosstiff got excited.
Seeing this, Naoki called over Alcremie to play with Mabosstiff.
Alcremie, being cheerful and lively, happily agreed and took Mabosstiff to join the others.
Gazing at Mabosstiff's back, Naoki thought about Arven's situation and asked:
"Has Arven always lived alone?"
Arven answered honestly, "Not alone, I've always had Mabosstiff with me. It's a gift from my father and mother, and has been by my side since I was born."
Upon hearing this, Naoki nodded, thinking it was no wonder Arven traveled all over the Paldea Region in the game to find a way to heal Mabosstiff.
A kid like Arven must be very sentimental.
"Have you always lived over in Cabo Poco Town?" Naoki asked.
Arven truthfully replied, "Not always. My father and mother used to take me to the Area Zero Research Institute, and I occasionally stayed there for some time."
"I see!" Naoki thought for a moment, then remembered something: "Speaking of which, are you turning ten next year?"
Arven looked surprised: "How did you know?"
"You forgot? The professor mentioned it last time you came." Naoki said with a smile.
Arven thought carefully and finally remembered.
Naoki: "Do you have any plans for next year? Are you planning to become a Trainer and travel around, or attend Paldea Academy?"
"I... I'm not very good at Pokémon battles," Arven said hesitantly. "I don't know what I want to do in the future either."
Naoki: "..."
In the game, Arven, who isn't good at battles, can still take out six Pokémon over level 60 to battle with the player. If he were good, what would that be like?
However, Naoki remembered that Arven's dream wasn't to become a strong Trainer, but to be a chef who fills Pokémon with energy.
What is this called? A chef who isn't a Trainer isn't a good chef?
Naoki thought cynically but outwardly told Arven, "If you don't know what to do, you should visit Paldea Academy. Maybe you'll find the answer there."
"Okay!" Arven nodded seriously.
At this time, the Pokémon in the snow under Koraidon's lead had begun to build snowmen.
However, Koraidon's technique wasn't very good, resulting in snowmen with big heads and small bodies.
Seeing this, Naoki speechlessly took Arven and walked forward: "You should do it like this, the snowball on top shouldn't be too big..."
Saying this, Naoki suddenly pictured Calyrex in his mind.
Naoki: "..."
He quickly changed his words, "It can also be bigger, just model the snowman after specific Pokémon's appearances."
"Kjira!" Koraidon instantly understood.
Then, it started digging up the snow with its large claws.
The other Pokémon copied, and soon enough, a group of oddly shaped snowmen appeared on the snow.
Naoki: "..."
Forget it, after all, they're just Pokémon. Can't ask too much.
Naoki turned his head to look around and when he saw the Indeedee Sibling, he suddenly recalled the hedge maze he once saw in that manor.
At that time, he remembered a group of Pokémon playing hide-and-seek inside.
So the question is, could he create a small ice maze here for the Pokémon to play in?
Thinking of this, Naoki immediately found the smiling, quietly standing nearby Glaceon, watching everyone play in the snow.
Compared to other Pokémon, this snow wasn't new to Glaceon. It used to live in Glaseado Mountain, where the snow is the same everywhere.