Inside the Breeding House, Gary looked at Lucas, whose face was full of smiles.
He asked, "Manager, as far as I know, this money isn't enough to buy a Pokémon, is it?"
Lucas handed the money to Gengar, then slowly said, "This is an intermediary fee. After finding suitable trainers or ordinary people for the Pokémon, we will charge an intermediary fee. It's not the price for selling them."
Lucas patted Shauna's little head and continued, "Didn't I tell you? They don't belong to the Breeding House; they are free."
After Lucas finished speaking, he walked towards the backyard.
"But the intermediary fee—"
Before Gary could finish his sentence, he saw the smile on Lucas's face.
He suddenly understood.
The intermediary fee could be very expensive, or it could be very cheap.
Everything depended on the situation.
Gary couldn't help but laugh.
"Manager, you really are..." He shook his head, then followed behind Lucas.
Lucas left the front desk to Gothorita, Mime Jr., and Petilil.
He himself walked in the backyard with Gary and Shauna.
He was preparing to add some entertainment facilities to the backyard.
So that these Pokémon and Shauna could have more places to play.
For example, a small diving platform by the Lake, where Marill and Psyduck could climb up and then start diving.
And a seesaw could be set up under the swing tree.
Lucas took a rough look and had a general idea in his mind.
Construction would begin in a few days.
Then he turned to Gary.
"Curious about the forest, aren't you?"
Gary hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"Alright, let's have dinner at the Forest Lake tonight."
"Ah?!"
Gary was still confused, but Shauna and Gengar were already running towards the kitchen.
After everything was ready, with the help of the strong ones carrying the items, the group of people and Pokémon set off majestically towards the forest.
Walking in the forest, Gary noticed that the Pokémon in this forest were not like those in other forests, who would flee upon seeing people. Instead, they would stop and watch them.
Some Pokémon even ran over and joined the group, walking forward.
Arriving by the Forest Lake, Lucas laid down a mat, and many Pokémon gathered around on the surrounding trees and grass.
He took out the food, set it up, and Lucas was the first to start eating.
Immediately after, Shauna and Gengar also began to eat.
Lucas ate his dinner contentedly. Ever since he came here last time, he had fallen in love with this atmosphere.
Eating dinner in the forest with the people and Pokémon he cherished, surrounded by a group of adorable Pokémon, no one disturbing anyone, living in peace.
It was so comfortable.
Gary picked up a roujiamo, took a bite, and feeling the juices in his mouth, he couldn't help but squint his eyes.
Then he looked at the Pokémon in the forest playing and eating around them. They weren't afraid of their group. Although occasionally a few Aipom liked to play pranks, this feeling of peaceful coexistence was something he had never experienced before.
In other forests, Pokémon might also gather around, but never as many as now. Most of them would watch from a distance with caution, or simply ignore them, which was the norm.
But in this forest, it seemed that this way of interacting between humans and Pokémon was the normal one?
Gary couldn't understand.
Indeed, he still had a lot to learn.
About how to manage relationships with Pokémon.
Gary thought to himself.
"Do you know why this is? They aren't afraid of us."
At this moment, Lucas swallowed the food in his mouth and then asked.
Gary shook his head.
"Because I, along with them, saved this forest."
Lucas recounted what happened at the time, and Gary's eyes were filled with shock.
"So, Pokémon are creatures that rarely betray the kindness shown to them."
"Therefore, if you want to research Pokémon, why not first give them your love? They will reciprocate your love, which might be a good option for researching Pokémon."
Gary lowered his head and thought in silence for a while, then he looked up.
"I understand. Thank you, Manager."
Lucas smiled and didn't say anything more.
He concentrated on enjoying his dinner.
Shauna and the Pokémon from the Breeding House also seemed to enjoy this atmosphere, quietly having dinner with Lucas, no one speaking a word.
Occasionally, Shauna would share some of her food with the forest Pokémon. Vulpix, Petilil, and Roselia would go and play with the forest Pokémon, and pleasant laughter would occasionally be heard.
And Mime Jr., curious, picked up a pile of things, asking Lucas to teach him which ones were edible and which weren't, while Gothorita watched him with concern, letting him run around.
Just like an older sister caring for her younger brother.
Vespiquen had finished dinner early and flown back to her hive, and Staravia was preening his feathers as usual.
After finishing his meal, Lucas watched them playing, then reached out and hugged a Pachirisu from nearby.
Pachirisu: ?!
Then he gently stroked its soft fur.
He picked up Pachirisu, pressed his face close to it, and took a deep breath.
Pachirisu: Mom, there's a pervert!!!
He put Pachirisu down, and it quickly jumped onto a tree, still holding a tree fruit with only one bite left, watching Lucas sitting below the tree warily.
This was why Lucas loved this forest so much; it was full of fluffy creatures everywhere, and after dinner, he could just grab one and pet it.
Everyone packed up and walked towards the Breeding House under the moonlight, with Illumise and Volbeat lighting their way.
Pachirisu, Budew, Oddish, Aipom, Bidoof, and other Pokémon accompanied them out of the forest.
Standing at the entrance of the forest, they watched their retreating figures under the moonlight.
Only then did they turn and disperse, each heading in their own direction.
Shauna was on Lucas's back, now fast asleep.
Gary walked beside Lucas, not speaking.
In this way, they returned to the Breeding House in silence. Lucas placed Shauna on the bed and tucked her and Chingling into bed.
It was worth noting that Roselia seemed to have been playing with Shauna and was now sleeping in Shauna's room as well.
Mime Jr.'s small bed had also been moved over by him and Gothorita, placed next to Shauna's bed.
As Lucas left Shauna's room, he casually picked up Vulpix and turned off the lights for them.
"Goodnight, Shauna, and everyone."
"Goth—"
Gothorita's voice softly sounded, indicating to Lucas that he should rest assured, as she would take care of them.
Lucas went downstairs and found Gary sitting in the lounge, organizing something.
Then Lucas went to the kitchen and made two cups of honey water.
He walked to the lounge, sat down, handed a cup to Gary, and started discussing the arena challenge with him.
Afterward, Gary, from the perspective of a trainer, offered Lucas many suggestions.
Lucas nodded, then patted him on the shoulder.
"Get some rest early."
Then he went upstairs.
Gary glanced at the Umbreon lying beside him, looked at Lucas's retreating figure, and then at the honey water in his hand.
"Strange, why does it feel less sweet than the one Vespiquen gave me?"
"Huh? What did you say?"
"Nothing, nothing!"
Seeing Lucas suddenly turn around, Gary quickly shook his head.
"Oh."
Lucas turned back and continued upstairs.
"So scary, I almost got caught."
Gary watched Lucas's disappearing figure, patted his chest, and looked at the Umbreon at his feet, letting out a sigh of relief.
....
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