Chapter 97:
August 26th
After buying mint seeds from Aogiri City and planting them in the garden, Hayashi Kede squeeze fresh milk from Miltank before returning to his room.
But when he looked toward the still-quiet treehouse, he couldn't help but feel puzzled.
"Huh? Still not up yet?"
He checked the time.
9:25 a.m.
Normally, Servine would be up around seven in the morning on a regular day.
"Could it be… a hangover?"
Kaede didn't think much of it and decided to check if Combusken was back yet.
Yesterday's barbecue feast seemed to have had a bit of a influence for his sleep— according to Combusken, it had gone to bed very late, then rushed out for a run first thing in the morning.
When Kaede arrived at the plantation, he saw Combusken was indeed back. Although it was slightly out of breath, it was bursting with energy, so there was nothing to worry about.
Since Servine was still sleeping, Kaede decided to use his Veridian Power to nourish the plantation's plants.
But…
When the sun was hanging high at noon, nearing twelve o'clock, Kaede began to find the situation strange.
By this point, if Servine still hadn't come out, it was clear — she was awake, but refusing to show herself.
He walked to the front of the treehouse and knocked on the roof. There was no movement from inside.
"Servine?" he called.
A faint rustle came from within, but Servine still didn't step outside.
Kaede chuckled. "It's already midday. If you still won't come out, are you planning to hide in there for the rest of your life?"
Silence.
"If you won't come out, I'll come in."
He carefully peeked his head into the treehouse — it was dim inside. Even though the structure backed against the wall and had a fairly large window, the curtains were tightly drawn.
Below lay a soft bedding.
A small, blurry silhouette was tucked beneath the curtain.
"Servine?"
"…Ser…vine…"
Through the curtain, Servine could see her Trainer's shadow — but right now, she simply didn't dare to face him.
The moment she woke up, memories of yesterday's drunken antics came flooding back.
Her mind instantly went blank… then came waves of embarrassment, heat, and restlessness all tangled together.
She had no idea how to face her Trainer or all the Pokémon in the plantation.
"Not even hunger will bring you out?"
Kaede bent slightly, reached for the curtain, and felt a small resistance. It wasn't strong — with a little tug, the curtain came open.
Behind it, Servine sat there, fidgeting, staring up at Kaede.
"Servine…"
Seeing her like this, Kaede smiled. "Come on, let's go. Alolan Vulpix has been worried about you."
"Servine…" Servine shook her head, unsure how to face her Trainer. She hesitated, murmuring, "Servine… (Yesterday… yesterday…)"
"Yesterday? Did something happen yesterday?" Kaede raised an eyebrow. "Didn't you just get drunk and fall asleep? I even carried you to the treehouse myself."
"Servine?"
Servine froze.
Kaede teased, "What? Should I carry you out now too?"
"Servine! (No, I'll go on my own!)"
She instinctively shook her head, but the next thing she knew, she was being lifted up. She struggled for a moment — two Vine Whips flicked out — but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to use any real force, letting them retract.
She could never bear to be rough with her Trainer.
And besides… here in the treehouse, no one else could see.
Leaning on him like this… wasn't so bad.
"Servine…"
She rested her head on Kaede's shoulder and closed her eyes.
Unfortunately for her, once Kaede carried her out of the treehouse, he set her gently down on the ground.
"All right. Remember to eat something — this is an important time, so don't go hungry." Kaede gave a quick reminder and headed back to the plantation.
He knew that with Servine awake, too much attention would only make her feel more self-conscious.
It was unrealistic to expect her to suddenly become clingy like Alolan Vulpix.
"Servine… (Got it…)"
Her eyes sparkled as she nodded.
She began to think about how she'd face the other Pokémon later.
Smart as she was, Servine of course realized her Trainer was "lying" — last night's events had been far too vivid to be a dream.
The sneaky Trainer had only said that to coax her out…
---
Afternoon
The Servine who had worried Milotic and the others finally emerged from her room.
Her expression was as calm as usual — tending to the plantation's crops, using Grassy Terrain to boost their growth, calling on Milotic to water them at the right times.
Milotic never questioned it — Servine was the plantation's only Grass-type Pokémon, the best at sensing plant health.
And with Milotic's gentle temperament, Servine's help ensured the orchard trees grew even better.
Of course… besides Kaede himself.
Alolan Vulpix finally sighed in relief, then bounded over to Servine. In her eyes, Servine was always that cool, capable figure who could help her Trainer with so much — someone to look up to.
But for some reason…
The scene from yesterday kept replaying in her mind.
Perhaps when she grew up, she'd understand that no Pokémon was always "cool" — it was just a face they showed to the world.
---
Evening
Kaede picked up his phone, set the Alcremie into individual bowls, and placed them on the bed.
The little ones looked at him expectantly. "Alcremie~"
Their Trainer had promised that tonight, they'd have a call with Koli.
Though they liked it here, they still missed her.
Once everything was ready, Kaede looked up at Rotom flying in the air.
"Rotom, help me connect with Koli — Kanto region number."
He had gotten her contact from a video. Under one of Alcremie's clips, she had commented: 'Alcremie… looks like you all really like it there.'
Kaede had stumbled upon the comment by chance, and instantly recognized her identity.
After all, these Alcremie's pet name was "Baby Frost" — the "baby" added because they were the youngest batch in the old dessert shop, needing special care.
During their chat, Koli had admitted with a wry smile:
"I was originally just going to watch the videos… but after seeing them so happy in just one day, I felt a bit… off, and couldn't help leaving that comment."
Kaede had replied, "Hahaha, don't tell me you're jealous?"
He'd even added a "dog head" emoji to show he was joking.
She later said, "Maybe… But seeing them happy is what matters. I wasn't wrong — you're a good shop owner. Sorry, I shouldn't have interfered, but I couldn't help it when you found me…"
---
"Roto~ Got it, Master."
Rotom quickly connected the call.
On the projected virtual screen, Koli appeared — and when she saw the expectant faces of the Alcremie, she smiled.
"Alcremie~ (Koli! Koli!)"
"Alcremie… (The new shop owner is nice, we all like him…)"
The Alcremie waved at her from the screen.
"It is good to see you little guys doing well. You have to listen to your shop owner, okay? Don't be too naughty…"