League Calendar Year 198, February 3 — Clear skies and gentle breeze.
After breakfast, Hayato Sora changed into a set of khaki work clothes. Beside him, Kangaskhan held several large baskets for carrying things.
Today was strawberry harvest day.
In front of the small house, Cinccino, Cyclizar, and Mudbray were already waiting, fully prepared.
Hayato Sora walked over and patted each of them in turn, a satisfied expression on his face.
Then he pointed forward with his left hand.
"Alright everyone—let's go!"
But just as Hayato Sora was about to step out of the ranch gate, a cheerful child's voice rang out from outside.
From a distance, he saw Korrina leaning against the fence, waving excitedly at him. At her feet, a small blue canine Pokémon cautiously scanned the surroundings, alert for any possible danger.
Korrina lowered her head and reassured it softly.
"Riolu, don't worry. Big Brother Hayato Sora's ranch won't be dangerous."
Ever since their encounter with poachers last time, Riolu had remained like this—constantly vigilant.
"Riolu!"
It responded with a cry, but its gaze had already shifted toward the ranch.
Several powerful Pokémon were approaching from inside, their intimidating auras making Riolu's small body stiffen instinctively.
So strong… not weaker than Master.
Riolu's master was Gym Leader Gurkinn's Lucario, a Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution.
"Big Brother Hayato Sora, we came to visit you!"
Seeing Hayato Sora approach, Korrina waved happily and immediately tried to climb over the fence.
Hayato Sora quickly stepped forward to stop her.
"Hold on, hold on—be careful or you'll fall. Go around to the gate and I'll open it for you."
"Oh!"
Korrina obediently pulled her leg back and led Riolu to the ranch gate to wait.
Hayato Sora shook his head. This little girl seemed to have limitless energy. With her around today, he would definitely be busy.
The moment the gate opened just a crack, Korrina slipped through like a little loach.
She immediately scooped Cinccino into her arms.
With both hands she vigorously rubbed its fluffy fur, then rested her head on its soft belly.
"Cinccino, did you miss me? I missed you a lot!"
"Cinccino!"
Cinccino affectionately rubbed its cheek against hers to show its fondness.
The two of them were good friends.
Behind them, Hayato Sora gestured for Riolu to come inside and lightly closed the ranch gate.
When he returned to the entrance, Korrina noticed the farming tools prepared nearby. Her eyes immediately lit up.
"Big Brother Hayato Sora, are you going to do farm work? Can I help?"
She raised her small arm and flexed a tiny muscle.
"I'm really strong!"
"Farm work is tiring and hard," Hayato Sora reminded her, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm not afraid!"
Korrina bounced excitedly, full of energy.
"And Riolu will help too, so I won't get tired!"
Korrina had grown up in Santalune City and had never done farm work before. Combined with a child's excitement toward something new, she practically radiated energy.
Seeing this, Hayato Sora stopped trying to stop her. Instead, he went into the house and brought out a smaller basket and a pair of gloves for her.
Thus, today's strawberry-picking team grew even larger.
When they arrived at the strawberry field, Korrina exclaimed excitedly:
"Today we're picking strawberries!"
"That's right."
Hayato Sora pointed toward the field and began assigning tasks.
"Korrina, you and Cinccino start picking from over there. Only pick the strawberries that are bright red, full, and shiny on the surface."
Korrina suddenly became shy. She twisted her fingers together and spoke softly.
"Big Brother Hayato Sora… I don't know how."
Hayato Sora: "..."
"Look," he continued patiently.
"These ones that are half red and half green can't be picked yet. They need another two days."
He parted the leaves, revealing a strawberry hidden underneath.
"This one is perfect. When you pick them, make sure to lift the leaves and check underneath so you don't miss any."
After explaining the important points, Hayato Sora personally demonstrated the process.
"Do you understand now?"
Korrina immediately raised her hand high.
"I understand! I understand! Can we start now, Big Brother Hayato Sora?"
"Cinccino!"
"Gaaao~!"
"Kanga!"
"Mudbray~!"
"Noi~bat!"
"Fuf!"
Smoliv also ran over to join in the excitement.
Hayato Sora picked up the tiny Pokémon and placed it on his shoulder, gently tapping it with a finger.
"You're still too small."
"How about you help me find the strawberries hiding under the leaves instead?"
Smoliv was only the size of a palm and didn't even have proper hands yet. Picking strawberries would be difficult for it.
"Fuf…"
The little Pokémon looked disappointed for a moment, but when it heard Hayato Sora's arrangement, it nodded vigorously.
It would definitely not miss a single ripe strawberry.
"Alright everyone—let's get started!"
As soon as Hayato Sora spoke, Korrina rushed into the strawberry field with Riolu and Cinccino.
Every now and then she would shout in surprise, holding up a strawberry high in the air.
Her little face was flushed red with excitement.
Hayato Sora glanced up at the sky.
The sun wasn't too strong yet—this was the best time to harvest strawberries.
Lower temperatures made the fruit even crisper and sweeter.
Leading the group of Pokémon, Hayato Sora stepped into the strawberry field as well.
And so, today's harvest work began.
Since it was his first time growing strawberries, Hayato Sora had high expectations.
Before long, the baskets were filled with bright red strawberries.
Luckily, he had bought a refrigerator in advance. By freezing them right away, he could preserve their flavor as much as possible and prevent them from becoming soft or rotten.
Time passed quickly during the harvest.
When noon arrived, Hayato Sora called everyone to stop.
There was only a small portion left, and it could easily be picked in the evening. There was no need to work under the blazing sun.
He took out honey water from the refrigerator and distributed it to the Pokémon.
Then he walked over to Korrina and noticed strawberry seeds stuck at the corner of her mouth.
"Did you two eat your fill?"
"Hic—!"
Korrina quickly covered her mouth and shook her head.
"No! We didn't sneak any!"
Hayato Sora caught the Cinccino that was asking to be picked up and flicked its soft belly lightly.
These two hadn't done much work—but they had definitely eaten plenty in the field.
Freshly picked strawberries had been wiped on their clothes and popped straight into their mouths.
Seeing Hayato Sora's gaze, Korrina lowered her head guiltily and gestured with both hands.
"We only ate… just a little bit of yours."
Hayato Sora sighed with a helpless smile.
Well, eating was fine. The amount they ate didn't matter as long as it didn't go to waste.
Lunch was even simpler.
Hayato Sora specially made a pan-seared meat steak for Riolu.
After eating it, Riolu began swinging its tiny fists in the air.
The air burst with sharp cracking sounds.
"What's that?"
Korrina, who was holding a hamburger and had just swallowed the last bite, widened her eyes in surprise.
"Close Combat! Riolu, you finally learned it!"
"Riolu!"
Riolu clenched its small fists, its heart overflowing with excitement.
Now that it had mastered a new move, it could protect its Trainer even better.
When they returned, it could ask Master to teach it Aura.
It would grow stronger—
And no one would ever hurt Korrina again.
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