"Did everyone come to welcome us?"
Climbing down from Cyclizar's back, Silas smiled brightly and opened his arms wide toward the crowd of Pokémon gathered at the gate.
"Kang…"
"Min~"
"Meow-meow!"
"Maa~"
"Doll!"
"Creme~"
"..."
In an instant, Silas was completely surrounded by Pokémon.
Kangaskhan scooped Silas into her arms in one swift motion, wrapping him tightly in a firm embrace and rubbing her head affectionately against his.
"Easy, easy! My waist's about to snap in half!"
"Kang~"
Kangaskhan huffed in dissatisfaction, she clearly hadn't even used much strength but she still loosened her grip a little.
At that moment, Dolliv had already leapt up and hugged Silas's arm. Minccino and Phione jumped into his embrace one after the other, leaning against him and pawing at him nonstop with their little hands.
Alcremie floated over to his other shoulder, nestling close with visible relief and comfort.
The other Pokémon gathered around him as well. Even the Lazy Mareep tried to climb up for a hug, only to accidentally perform a backward flip, its round belly exposed in the air.
The Mudsdale brothers didn't express their joy as openly; they simply stomped their hooves repeatedly, their tails swishing happily from side to side.
Cyclizar suddenly felt like it was extra, squeezed all the way to the outermost edge. It widened its eyes in indignation.
It was going to stick all the little red flowers Silas had awarded it onto its body. Just wait—soon they'd be the ones feeling jealous.
Cyclizar ran deeper into the ranch, brushing past Morpeko along the way.
After quite a bit of soothing and reassurance, the Pokémon finally calmed down and loosened their hold on Silas.
He reached out to pat one of the little Noibat who had been pushed to the outside, as well as Rowlet and Popplio. Of course, he didn't forget the Mareep and the three Meowth either.
The Flabébé were there too, perched together with Alcremie atop his head.
Everyone was here.
Everyone had come to welcome him home. His heart felt warm and full.
Wait—wasn't someone missing?
Silas glanced around, scanning left and right, until he spotted a Pokémon panting heavily by the entrance.
Morpeko rolled over with a rumble to his feet, its body covered in dust, its little paws blackened as it reached up, asking to be picked up.
"Min~"
Minccino planted its hands on its hips in dissatisfaction, curling its tail around Morpeko.
With a forceful flick, Morpeko spun in place like a top.
By the time it staggered to a stop, its entire body had been thoroughly dusted clean.
Minccino-brand vacuum cleaner—you deserve one!
Silas picked Morpeko up, placing his hand on its soft, round belly.
He had just praised it, but his expression immediately changed.
"Morpeko, did you sneak food again?"
Morpeko widened its eyes. "Morpe~"
(How can you slander a mouse out of thin air, Silas!)
"Look at your bulging little belly. You definitely snuck some food, didn't you?"
Silas poked it with his finger; the belly bounced back with a soft duang.
Morpeko's face turned red. It twisted its little hands together and tried to defend itself.
"Mor-pe-ko~"
(Tasting doesn't count as stealing! It's the business of a big eater—how can that be called stealing?)
Then came a string of incomprehensible explanations—things like "I only ate a tiny bit" and "I was helping everyone taste it first."
The whole group of Pokémon burst into laughter, and the ranch was filled with cheerful air inside and out.
Silas pinched Morpeko's round cheeks in mock annoyance. After running around all day outside, he didn't feel like arguing with it.
He gave its little backside a light pat and, surrounded by the Pokémon, walked further into the ranch.
As he made a round through the ranch, the Pokémon stuck closely to his side.
Even when he tried to shoo them away a couple of times, they refused to leave, so he simply let them be.
He had just come back—they were still enjoying their closeness!
If he tried to send them off to bed now, they definitely wouldn't agree. It was better to let them stay nearby.
Even after being away for a whole day, the ranch had been well managed by the Pokémon. Everything was in good order, without any issues.
The crops in the fields had been carefully tended; everything was neat and organized.
Turning back to meet the Pokémon's expectant gazes, Silas smiled and nodded.
"Everyone did great!"
That simple praise made them incredibly happy.
The Pokémon played and chased each other around the ranch, and Silas's smile grew gentler.
"It's getting late. Everyone, time for bed."
He made a shooing gesture, urging the Pokémon back to their nests.
The Mudsdale nudged Silas gently, licking his palm before heading toward the stable.
The Mareep lay down one by one, waiting for Silas to pet them.
As he stroked their slightly electrified wool, Silas made a mental note—it would be time for a trim in a few more days.
Perfect timing, too. Summer had just begun.
Cutting it shorter ahead of time would help them stay cool.
"Alright, alright, off to bed now!"
He gave them a light pat. The Mareep herd walked away reluctantly, looking back every few steps.
"You all should sleep too," Silas said softly, tapping the Flabébé perched atop his head with his finger.
"Bébé~"
The Flabébé gently rubbed against his hair, as if acting spoiled.
Silas shook his head.
Good kids don't stay up late.
In the end, they floated back toward the greenhouse, returning to their little house.
The two Noibat flew close together, letting out faint "noi-noi" sounds as they circled Silas twice. Calling out to Rowlet, they then flew toward the cave.
They needed Noivern's help. Last night, they had discovered signs of Sableye activity near the former nest of the Carbink.
Rowlet first folded its wings and silently landed on Silas's shoulder, rubbing its cheek against him affectionately before following after the Noibat.
The other Pokémon escorted Silas back into the ranch house, scooping up the slow-moving Morpeko along the way.
As he pushed open the door, he saw Cyclizar standing tall and proud, with four little red flowers stuck prominently on its forehead.
If you counted the ones it had previously owed from reckless racing and the two it had given to Dolliv, that made six in total.
It was officially the Pokémon with the most little red flowers in the entire ranch.
Seeing this, the other Pokémon couldn't help but feel envious.
But after just one glance, they all turned their heads away in unison.
Alolan Meowth yawned and headed upstairs. Galarian Meowth rubbed its claws together eagerly, looking ready for action.
The ordinary Meowth didn't even spare Cyclizar a look. It hurriedly shoved a messy ball of tangled yarn into Silas's hands.
Alcremie and Dolliv bid each other goodnight, and Alcremie slipped into the cupboard first.
Dolliv and Minccino held hands like good sisters, bypassing Cyclizar and settling onto the sofa.
Morpeko sneakily tried to head toward the dining table, but before it could take more than a few steps, it was lifted into the air. Kangaskhan had grabbed it and carried it off to the bathroom together with Phione to give the two of them a bath.
"Cyc!"
Cyclizar blinked, then strutted proudly in front of the regular Meowth, deliberately showing off.
Smack! Silas lightly smacked it. "Stop showing off. Put those things away. If they get wet later when I bathe you, I'm not responsible."
"Cyc!"
(I don't want a bath!)
Cyclizar flopped weakly onto the floor, all its earlier smugness gone in an instant.
Ignoring it, Silas first re-rolled the yarn into a neat ball and handed it back to the regular Meowth.
"Play for a bit, then go to sleep, okay?"
"Meowwu~"
The regular Meowth accepted it happily, its eyes sparkling as it pawed at the yarn, loving it dearly.
"Alright, let's go. After your bath, it's bedtime."
Grabbing Cyclizar by the waist, Silas dragged it into the bathroom.
Before long, loud squeals erupted from inside like pork being scalded mixed with Silas's soothing voice.
"Stop fussing! This temperature isn't hot. Sit still."
"Alright, alright, I'll add a little cold water."
Moments later, Cyclizar emerged, its entire body a shade redder than before, walking weakly and collapsing into its little nest in the corner, not wanting to move at all.
Minccino and Dolliv covered their mouths, snickering at the sight.
"Yawn—" Stepping out of the bathroom, Silas couldn't help but yawn as well, calling out to the Pokémon.
"Time for bed, time for bed. Goodnight, everyone!"
(End of Chapter)