Meanwhile, at the Animal Shop…
Shane waited anxiously—until Lewis finally handed him a package.
"For Jas, right?" Lewis grinned. "I guessed as much—that's why I rushed it over today."
Otherwise, it wouldn't have arrived until tomorrow.
"How's farm work treating you?" Lewis asked, glancing through the window at Marnie bustling in the kitchen.
"Good," Shane said simply.
He couldn't articulate it fully, but he was deeply grateful to Ron. Ron paid fairly without acting like a master, never demanding Shane shoulder all the farm's burdens alone. The workload stayed reasonable—even during busy seasons, Shane bore no resentment.
"That's good to hear," Lewis said, studying Shane's face. "Marnie must be happy seeing you like this."
He waved and left.
Shane carried the box inside.
For Jas's birthday, Marnie had ordered a Melon from Pierre's —a costly off-season treat—to bake Jas's favorite pink cake. She spared no expense for annual events like birthdays.
As Marnie placed the cake on the table, Jas gasped, clutching her doll and staring at the heart-shaped candle.
"Ready, sweetheart?" Marnie smiled, hovering by the light switch. At Jas's nod—and spotting Shane enter—she flipped the lights off.
Shane lit the candle with his lighter. Jas watched the flame, eyes wide, until Marnie whispered, "Make a wish!"
"I wish—"
"Don't say it out loud, or it won't come true," Marnie gently chided.
"Oh! Right!" Jas clamped her mouth shut, wishing so intently it took ages before she blew out the candle.
"Perfect!" Marnie turned the lights back on.
Jas blinked in the sudden brightness—then spotted a box on the table.
"What's this?!"
"You'll have to ask Shane," Marnie said. "It's his gift."
Jas hugged the box, looking up at him. "You got this for me?!"
"Yeah. Happy birthday."
"Thank you!"
She cradled it tightly. Shane had always been kind, but this was his first proper birthday gift. (Mostly because he'd spent every spare coin on alcohol.)
It wasn't that she mattered less than drink—it was his escape from anxiety too deep for games or chats to fix.
So she hesitated to unwrap the beautiful packaging, though curiosity burned.
"Aren't you going to open it, dear?" Marnie asked.
Jas shook her head solemnly. "I'll keep it forever!"
Shane chuckled, took the box, and untied the bow. "Can't do that," he murmured. "You'll outgrow it soon."
Before Jas could protest, he opened it—revealing red leather shoes.
"Wow!" Jas covered her mouth, then threw her arms around him.
Marnie watched quietly, heart softening. She clearly saw the farm's positive impact on Shane. Though she didn't know why, she felt genuine joy—and newfound warmth toward Ron.
---
Back at the farm…
True to his word, Ron cooked two giant pots of Fish Casserole.
Now, Rattata lay sprawled across the bed—just like Froakie yesterday.
Zubat got portions too, but dieting meant they only tasted it.
Even Gengar sampled a bite. Ron had assumed Ghost-types didn't eat—but they could, though they preferred scaring people for psychic energy.
"Alright, rest up," Ron said, scanning the room. He spotted Sailor and lifted it. "But not you yet."
(T/N: Quick remind - Sailor is the Rattata in charge of Crab Pots)
"Ratta?" Sailor yawned.
"Before bed," Ron pointed to the chest of neatly stacked ores, "explain how you got these from Crab Pots."
Sailor looked away guiltily.
Combee's past disapproval made it fear humans hated dumpster diving. And Ron never did it—so Sailor wasn't sure of his stance.
Still… those treasures belonged in its chest, not trash bins!
"You didn't break into houses, did you?" Ron asked, half-joking. Surely even a Mouse Pokémon had limits.
Then it hit him. Crab pots yield random items… like treasure chests!
"You've been raiding trash cans, haven't you?"
Sailor squirmed in Ron's arms—but too full to struggle. Defeated, it drooped its paws. "Ratta…"
"Ah! That explains the diamond. Lucky find!" Ron sighed in relief. "Thought you'd stolen something."
He started to return Sailor to bed—then paused, eyeing its paws. "Did you… wash your hands and face?"
Ever-diligent about hygiene, Sailor immediately held up spotless paws for inspection.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)