Sinnoh Region — Lake Verity
Early morning.
As usual, Chatot led its flock flying across the sky before landing atop the crown of an ancient tree.
Chatot quietly gazed toward a distant direction.
That was where home was.
It scratched its claws and flew down to the shore of Lake Verity.
Then it let out its sharp cry, calling out to the Lake Pokémon.
Soon, a sleepy Pokémon resembling a large mushroom floated up from the lake surface, pouting as it glared at Chatot.
"Caw—caw~"
Mesprit tapped Chatot twice with its two tails before saying,
"You could write a letter to let them know you're safe."
"Caw~!"
(Oh right!)
Chatot suddenly understood.
It flew back to the ancient tree's canopy and plucked a large green leaf.
It thought for quite a while.
But it had no idea what to write!
After pondering for a moment, Chatot looked toward the yawning Pokémon in the lake.
Got it!
Hayato Sora is so smart—he'll definitely understand what I mean.
…
Morning — Ranch Coast
Hayato Sora watched as the Lapras herd departed.
The injured Lapras he treated yesterday had already used a Super Potion, and the bandages had been removed. It was basically fine now—as long as it didn't engage in battle.
The gentle, melodious singing gradually faded.
Eventually, the Lapras herd disappeared beyond the golden shoreline.
Hayato Sora scooped up Cinccino, who was still waving enthusiastically, and held it in his arms.
He scratched under its chin and pinched its ears.
"Don't be sad. Little Lapras will come back to visit you next time."
"Cin~!"
Cinccino snuggled deeper into Hayato Sora's arms and chirped brightly.
It meant that next time, it wanted to prepare a gift for Little Lapras.
"Sounds good," Hayato Sora replied gently, stroking it as he walked back.
"Have you thought about what gift to give?"
"Cin—"
Cinccino shyly shook its head.
"No rush. You still have time."
Holding Cinccino, Hayato Sora returned to the ranch.
When they passed the flower fields, Cinccino struggled to jump down and play with the Flabébé.
Hayato Sora let it go.
Then he called Cyclizar and headed out for a bit to collect yesterday's earnings and record them in the account book.
[February 14, 198]
Expenses: 500
Income: 6000 (Pottery Clay + Flower Nectar)
Remaining Funds: 110,000
Eleven hundred thousand… not bad.
The ranch didn't lack other materials either.
Hayato Sora stopped hesitating.
He decided to upgrade the ranch house and expand it again.
First, he picked up Smoliv from the windowsill and let the little one go play with Cinccino.
Then he stood in front of the ranch house.
In his mind, he silently said:
"Upgrade."
Flash.
It seemed as if a glow of light swept over the ranch house.
Under Hayato Sora's gaze, the house began to grow larger and taller. Its design also changed slightly.
The entire process only lasted a moment.
By the time the Pokémon noticed something unusual, the ranch house had already finished upgrading.
The first to rush over was Cinccino.
It quickly climbed onto Hayato Sora's shoulder and looked around before asking curiously:
"Cin?"
Hayato Sora pinched its soft ears and suddenly hugged it, giving it a big kiss.
A fluffy little Pokémon like this was born to be "eaten" by its Trainer!
Once all the ranch Pokémon had gathered, Hayato Sora said:
"I just completed the second expansion of the ranch house. Do you want to take a look?"
"Cin!"
Cinccino immediately volunteered, raising its tiny paw.
Flabébé and Smoliv followed eagerly.
Kangaskhan and Cyclizar nodded as well.
The three Noibat had already climbed onto the window, pressing their faces against the glass as they curiously peered inside.
The only ones who didn't seem particularly interested were Mudsdale and the others.
Their expressions remained calm as they continued chewing and spitting out saliva-mixed pottery clay.
"Come on in together," Hayato Sora said.
"This house will stay with us for a long, long time."
Earlier, Hayato Sora had glanced at the requirements for the Level 3 Ranch House.
Leaving aside the other materials, the League money alone cost over a million.
That wouldn't even be worth considering for another year or two.
First Floor
Compared to before, several new rooms had been added.
The kitchen and living room were now much larger—easily spacious enough for all the Pokémon.
The kitchen had become semi-open, with a small dining area added beside it.
Next to that was the bathroom, large enough to fit a big bathtub.
After finishing farm work, he could soak comfortably in the tub.
He could even bring Pokémon along to bathe together.
On both sides of the living room were guest rooms, meant for visiting guests.
Second Floor
Leading the group of curious Pokémon upstairs, Hayato Sora introduced the area.
The second floor was essentially his private space.
There were several more rooms now.
The largest was still the master bedroom.
Just like before, it was almost empty except for a single bed.
Separated by a door was a small room—
The nursery.
Right then, Kangaskhan and the others curiously pointed at it, asking what the tiny room was for.
"That's the nursery," Hayato Sora explained.
"It's a room for babies."
"Cinccino!!"
Cinccino looked shocked.
Was Hayato Sora going to have a baby?!
Hayato Sora: "..."
He flicked Cinccino on the forehead.
"I don't even have a girlfriend yet. What baby are you talking about?"
Then he turned and patted Kangaskhan.
"That room can be used by your baby Kangaskhan."
"Ghan~"
Kangaskhan hugged Hayato Sora tightly.
Hayato Sora was the best—he had even thought about this.
Across from the master bedroom was the study.
Inside were only a bookshelf and a desk.
There were also four additional empty rooms.
Hayato Sora glanced at the Pokémon.
They probably wanted their own personal rooms too.
"Kangaskhan, Cyclizar, Cinccino—you can each choose one of these rooms."
"They'll be your personal rooms from now on."
"Cin?"
"Of course. You can decorate them however you like."
Hayato Sora smiled and then gently patted Smoliv.
"Smoliv, you're still little. Once you evolve, the last room will be yours."
"For now, you'll sleep with me."
"Olive~"
Smoliv chirped and nodded.
After confirming they really had their own rooms, Cyclizar, Kangaskhan, and Cinccino excitedly walked through the rooms again and again, deciding which one they liked best.
They were already imagining how to decorate their personal spaces.
Hayato Sora didn't interrupt their excited discussion.
Instead, he quietly walked downstairs.
He pushed open a hidden door on the right wall.
This was the extra cellar he had added.
The entrance was located beside the staircase on the first floor.
Pushing the door open, he flipped on the light switch.
Rows of vintage bulbs lit up, their warm glow dispelling the darkness of the cellar.
He walked down the stairs.
At the bottom was a large open space, still completely empty.
After walking around once, Hayato Sora nodded with satisfaction.
The space was big.
The temperature was perfect.
As long as he bought some wooden barrels, he could start brewing alcohol here during the summer.
As for the barrels—
He could ask Gario to help purchase a batch.
But then Hayato Sora thought about all the empty rooms upstairs.
He pressed his hand against his forehead.
To fully furnish everything, he would need to spend a lot more money.
A television, sofas, bookshelves, carpets, and many other things were essential.
Fortunately, the ranch now had several stable income sources.
If he saved money for a few days, he could buy one item at a time.
"Alright. Decision made."
"The first thing I'll buy is a TV."
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