Chapter 119:
September 11th.
It is a clear day.
Hayashi Kaede's mood brightened.
Looking at the empty shop, he remembered that he'd been thinking about repairing the road last month, but now realized he hadn't had time to contact anyone.
All this back and forth had delayed him.
Just as Hayashi Kaede was about to close the door, a man with a slightly scruffy beard and a hat approached from the town's entrance. Judging from his destination, this was probably the place.
Hayashi Kaede hesitated for a moment, then decided to wait for him to approach.
When the man reached him, he removed his hat, revealing his hair—a messy tangle like weeds. It was so long it almost covered his eyes, and his appearance was somewhat unkempt.
With the professional attitude of a caretaker, Hayashi Kaede politely asked, "Hello, how can I help you?"
The man's eyes were a little hazy, but upon seeing Hayashi Kaede, a smile of relief appeared. "Brother Kaede, I heard you need some help here, right? I have some Combee."
His words immediately brightened Hayashi Kaede's eyes.
"Brother Kaede" was the nickname for his online account. Was this man a fan?
And Combee... that was the Pokémon he'd been dreaming about.
He said excitedly, "Yes, yes, I really need it!"
The man nodded. "Well, a few years ago, for some reason, I captured two Indeedee. Now, they've given birth to two little ones. If you need them, I can give them to you."
Hayashi Kaede's eyes widened. "Really?"
He felt a little dreamy. Could posting online actually attract fans? And, the man had just mentioned giving them away! This was incredible.
The man nodded. "Of course, but they're still young, so they need some time to train. During that period, their parents will teach them basic chores and Pokémon care. It will take about two weeks."
"Okay, okay, thank you so much..."
*And they'll train them themselves?* Hayashi Kaede suddenly felt himself swaying in a sea of happiness.
But the man suddenly changed the subject. "But... Brother Kaede, I do have a small request."
He brushed his hair out of his eyes, revealing a somewhat dejected face.
Hayashi Kaede was stunned. It felt familiar, but for a moment, he couldn't place where he had seen it before. The man's words brought him back from his joy. Indeed, how could he just be given two such useful Pokémon for no reason?
"Please, tell me," Hayashi Kaede said.
The man pleaded earnestly. "For the birthday cake on September 15th, I hope you can make my Beedrill happy, just like your Berry Juice made me happy."
"Happy?"
Hayashi Kaede paused, remembering the order form Alcremie had given him when he returned that day. Was this the one who had ordered the birthday cake?
Pokémon are simple creatures, and it's generally easy to make them happy. But the man's tone suggested something was amiss.
So, he asked cautiously, "May I see your Beedrill?"
"Of course, I brought it here specially." The man nodded, and a Poké Ball appeared in his hand. With a flick, a large Beedrill materialized before them in a flash of red light.
The moment he saw the Beedrill, Hayashi Kaede's memory clicked. He turned to the man and exclaimed in shock, "That Beedrill... are you the Bug-type King, Ryō Fū?"
"That was in the past."
It was no wonder Hayashi Kaede hadn't recognized him immediately; nearly a decade had passed.
Back then, the man before him, with that very Beedrill, had been unstoppable in league competitions, consistently taking first or second place. He even won third in the region's largest event.
Many new and amateur Trainers were inspired by him, believing Bug-type Pokémon could reach the top, and flocked to wilderness areas to capture them. Even a young Hayashi Kaede had been amazed that someone could raise a Beedrill to such a high level.
Later, as his fame grew, he was invited by the regional alliance to become its only officially recognized Bug-type King in history.
However, after achieving this title, Ryō Fū vanished like a shooting star.
Some said it was due to excessive battling in his early years, leaving his Pokémon with severe internal injuries that required long-term care. Others said he fell in love, got married, had children, and retired from training. Others whispered that Bug-type Pokémon have short lifespans, and that his Beedrill had died, leaving the King without the strength to make a comeback.
Where there's smoke, there's fire. His retreat was likely because his Beedrill needed to recuperate.
The Beedrill before him now had a worn, decaying look. Compared to the younger Beedrill Hayashi Kaede had seen in Aogiri Forest, its stingers were covered in scars, blackened by time, the cracks looking as if they could shatter at a touch. Its exoskeleton seemed tight and brittle, like soaked parchment. Its right eye, which should have been sharp, was completely clouded over and white.
It was obvious... its right eye was blind.
*"Sigh..."* Hayashi Kaede's heart sank, especially after focusing on the Pokémon's details.
[Pokémon: Beedrill]
[Gender: Male]
[Ability: Swarm]
[Aptitude: Purple]
[Individual Values: HP (25) Attack (28) Defense (8) Sp. Atk (11) Sp. Def (25) Speed (31)]
[Strength: Lv. 45-69 (74)]
[Moves: String Shot, Fury Attack, Swords Dance, Focus Energy, Twineedle, Pursuit, Rage...]
[Assessment: Having experienced countless battles in its youth, its injuries were not treated in time and became chronic. It has a significant hidden injury on its right abdomen that causes severe pain at night. Its lifespan is also nearing its end, estimated at approximately one month...]
[Friendship: 0 (It does not acknowledge you)]
[Pleasure Value: -40 (Alas... it should just die. If it dies, it won't be a burden to Ryō Fū anymore...)]
A Beedrill with only a Purple Aptitude had reached King-tier strength. It was hard to imagine how many battles it had endured in its youth. The hidden injuries, its age...
And most importantly... the profound depression in its heart... it no longer wanted to live.