"This is so refreshing! A glass of lemonade in the middle of summer is absolutely the best."
The lemonade in the glass shimmered with tiny reflections of light, and the ice cubes clinked softly against the bottom.
Jack left the remaining half-pitcher to chill in the well water, planning to drink it after finishing the evening's work.
"Bulba, Bulbasaur~" Bulbasaur tiptoed over cautiously, its nose sniffing the air first. The sour scent made it blink several times in quick succession.
The Seed Pokémon rested its front paws on the rim of the cup and carefully extended its small tongue to taste the drink.
The cool juice slid smoothly down its tongue, like a string of tiny snowflakes drilling refreshingly into its throat.
Its body, heated by the cooking stove's fire just moments ago, immediately relaxed in relief.
Bulbasaur couldn't help but lean in closer, eagerly gulping down two large mouthfuls. Its whole body trembled slightly with the cold sensation.
"Bulbasaur, you're getting it all over your face."
Jack gently wiped the lemonade droplets off Bulbasaur, and a fresh, citrus scent wafted through the air.
Bulbasaur looked down after drinking, discovering its chin was stained with a ring of moisture. It tried rubbing the area with a Vine Whip, but only produced more sparkling water droplets in the process.
"Bulbasaur~"
Bulbasaur eventually retracted its Vine Whip, quietly waiting for Jack to wipe it clean properly. Otherwise, it would just make the mess worse.
"Melo—" (Let me try some too!)
Meltan, standing on the other side, leaned eagerly against the rim of the cup. Its shiny metal ball-shaped eye blinked with anticipation, and its yellow hexagonal nut head spun excitedly.
If its body wasn't so compact, it might have even tried drilling directly into the cup itself.
"Meltan, there's plenty more. Drink slowly."
As the setting sun painted the clouds a pale orange hue, the evening wind finally brought a touch of coolness, carrying the refreshing scent of mint from the corner of the yard through the open window.
The bamboo curtain swayed gently in the breeze. Its shadow on the ground resembled flowing water ripples, perfectly covering the front paws of Bulbasaur, who was sprawled contentedly on the sleeping mat.
"We need to get to work!" Jack announced, taking out the purchased seeds and farming tools with renewed energy.
The weather this evening wasn't too oppressive—only five or six o'clock in the afternoon, making it perfect for farming work!
"Bulbasaur~"
"Melo—"
Both Bulbasaur and Meltan were filled with vigor, ready for a productive battle with the land ahead.
"I'll clear away all the weeds first. Bulbasaur, you dig suitable holes for planting. Meltan, you'll sow the seeds, cover them with soil, and sprinkle some water. Let's plant a small section of land tonight."
Jack handed a small hoe and a watering can to Bulbasaur, and gave the seed packets for blueberries, chili peppers, and tomatoes to Meltan.
These three crops didn't require much space, so they could reasonably be planted this evening. After planting everything tomorrow, they could finally start renovating the rest of the ranch properly.
"Let's get to work!"
Jack gripped the hoe firmly and began tilling the soil across the ranch grounds.
The iron blade cut decisively through the compacted earth, releasing a damp, rich scent that mingled pleasantly with the cool evening breeze on his face.
Jack hunched his back and moved steadily forward. The furrows forming behind him resembled a crooked, winding snake pattern across the ground.
Before long, perspiration from his forehead began dripping into the freshly turned soil along his chin.
Bulbasaur squatted diligently at the edge of the newly tilled land.
The Grass-type used its front paws to dig holes with a small shovel, while its broad leaves curled skillfully around a bucket to pour water into each hole. The droplets created expanding dark circles on the dry soil.
Bulbasaur occasionally looked up to check Jack's progress. Seeing him move forward another two paces, it quickly accelerated its own planting efforts.
Meltan bounced energetically between the furrows, clutching a small cloth bag of seeds.
The Steel-type first grabbed a handful of tomato seeds and scattered them liberally. The round seeds tumbled into the prepared soil along its bouncing path.
After planting the tomatoes, Meltan then opened the blueberry seed bag with care.
Small purplish-black particles immediately clung all over its liquid metal body.
As it ran past Bulbasaur, a few dropped seeds fell precisely into freshly watered holes—perfect placement by accident.
"Melo—"
Meltan stretched up on its small legs to scatter seeds along the furthest furrow, but it wasn't paying sufficient attention and tripped over a protruding rock. Seeds went flying everywhere in a shower, with a few even landing on Jack's straw hat.
"Bulbasaur~" Bulbasaur immediately used its Vine Whip to help Meltan back up. Looking at the blueberry seeds now scattered across the ground, both Pokémon froze in dismay.
"Bulbasaur~" (What should we do? All the seeds spilled!)
"Melo—" (The seeds are completely wasted! No, the ranch has just been established—we can't waste these seeds like this. I'll pick them all up!)
"Bulbasaur~" (I'll help you!)
The two small Pokémon and Jack gradually grew further apart as they silently began picking up the scattered seeds with determination.
Jack leaned heavily on his hoe, barely able to straighten his aching back. His clothes were thoroughly drenched with sweat.
He turned his head to look for his partners.
The two small Pokémon were bent over intently near a furrow, now quite a distance from Jack's position.
"What are you two doing?"
Jack set down his hoe and walked over curiously.
He immediately saw seeds scattered extensively across the ground.
"Melo—" (I accidentally spilled all the seeds. They fell everywhere on the ground.)
Meltan held up the bag apologetically. The remaining seeds inside were now more or less mixed with dirt and soil.
These two dedicated partners must have painstakingly picked them up from the ground, one by one.
"Bulbasaur~" Bulbasaur's Vine Whip was still wrapped carefully around several soil-covered seeds.
"It's perfectly okay. Just be more careful next time."
Jack gently took the watering can and small shovel from Bulbasaur's Vine Whip, covered the scattered blueberry seeds with soil where they lay, and then watered them thoroughly.
"Look—maybe an entire cluster of blueberries will grow right here!"
Seeing Jack smiling warmly and not angry in the slightest, Meltan's overwhelming guilt was finally relieved.
"Melo—" (Yes! Even more blueberries will definitely grow here!)
"Bulbasaur~"
"There's still a considerable distance to go. We can't linger here too long."
They couldn't afford to stay in one spot—they hadn't finished planting the allocated land yet!
Meltan and Bulbasaur resumed planting blueberries with renewed determination, carrying their small shovels and seed bags forward.
The moon had long since climbed over the distant mountain, and only a small portion of the ranch had been successfully tilled and planted.
Bulbasaur lay exhausted on a dirt mound, its broad leaves drooping limply.
The water bucket was overturned beside it, the remaining water slowly seeping into the thirsty soil from the bucket's bottom.
Meltan lay sprawled on its back in the haystack, its small metallic belly rising and falling rhythmically with each breath.
The cloth seed bag was pressed beneath its body, revealing a half-empty opening.
The mint-scented evening wind blew gently past. No one moved anymore—only the distant fireflies continued their tireless flickering dance.
"The hot water is ready! Who wants to take a bath first?"
Jack called out twice with no response. Only when he drew closer did he see the situation clearly.
The moonlight lay like a thin silver veil covering the ranch grounds. Bulbasaur was still lying peacefully on the dirt mound, its previously drooping leaves now gently rising and falling with steady breathing. Its mouth seemed still slightly stained with bits of soil.
The Seed Pokémon was probably so exhausted that it continued interacting with the land even in its dreams.
Meltan's metallic shell glowed softly in the gentle moonlight, its small hands curled protectively into a ball.
It appeared to be holding imaginary unscattered seeds, and its even breathing echoed softly in the quiet night air.
Jack deliberately lightened his footsteps, afraid of disturbing these two exhausted little partners.
He squatted down carefully, examining their peaceful sleeping forms in the silvery moonlight.
The corners of his mouth couldn't help but curve upward into a gentle smile. They really had worked themselves to complete exhaustion tonight.
Jack gently lifted Meltan and Bulbasaur, carrying them carefully to the bathroom area.
Although they didn't necessarily need a very thorough bath, the accumulated dirt on their bodies definitely needed to be cleaned off properly.
It would be far more comfortable for them to sleep after getting cleaned up.
"Meltan, you go first for your bath."
Jack cleaned the drowsy, half-asleep Meltan with warm water, then carried the Steel-type carefully to bed.
Then, after changing to a basin of fresh hot water, he bathed Bulbasaur with equal care.
After settling both Bulbasaur and Meltan comfortably into their sleeping spots, Jack finally took his own much-needed bath. He then turned off the light and prepared to sleep himself.
"Goodnight, Meltan. Goodnight, Bulbasaur."
The evening wind blew in gently through the open window, rustling the pages of Jack's personal diary.
Jack's diary entry read:
Summer of League Year 198, May 11th, Sunny
Today is a truly good day.
Meltan, Bulbasaur, and I met in Viridian Forest!