Chapter 127:
September 16th.
It was raining heavily.
Hayashi Kaede had Rotom check the weather and discovered a typhoon was forming offshore, meaning the weather would remain quite chilly for the next few days.
Hayashi Kaede could clearly feel it. The temperature had suddenly dropped from the 20s (Celsius) to just over 10 degrees, prompting even the townsfolk out working to bundle up in thick sweaters.
Because of the downpour, foot traffic to the Breeding House had noticeably dwindled, often with only a customer every ten minutes or so. And these were mostly regulars who didn't need introductions to the products or Energy Cubes. But Hayashi Kaede didn't mind. It was a chance to have some free time after the recent busy period.
A welcome break.
Many wanted to order takeout, but with the rain, Hayashi Kaede didn't want to trouble the Pidgeotto, so he temporarily suspended delivery service. He'd only send Pidgeotto for special orders.
At the same time, this kind of weather was a bit dreary for the Alcremie manning the counter.
They slumped listlessly against the counter, watching the occasional passerby, worried about the cakes they'd made yesterday.
It's raining.
Fewer people are coming.
They won't be able to sell the cakes...
"Don't worry, don't worry. The cakes will keep just fine in this weather. If they don't sell, everyone can have cake tonight, Dragonite and Combusken can have extra!" Hayashi Kaede soothed with a gentle smile.
Hearing this, the Alcremie felt a little better.
Their main fear was that their creations would go to waste.
"Alcremie ..."
"Combusken ~!"
Combusken sneaking out from the plantation, poked its head out.
It had been raining the past few days, so Hayashi Kaede had canceled its morning training. Hearing its Trainer suggest it eat more, its eyes lit up.
"See... I call, and it comes right away," Hayashi Kaede teased.
"Combusken ...?" (So, can I eat?)
"Here you go, you little foodie!"
Hayashi Kaede unceremoniously walked to the counter and handed it a small cake.
A customer in the Breeding House, observing Hayashi Kaede's interaction with his Pokémon, couldn't help but envy him, "Brother, the atmosphere with your Pokémon here is truly wonderful..."
Then, as if remembering something, he gritted his teeth, "Unlike my unruly Pokémon, stubborn as a mule. I say go east, he goes west. I say use Bullet Seed, he insists on using Pound."
He grew increasingly frustrated, finally putting down the Energy Cube he'd chosen. "No, I'm so mad! I'm not buying it for him..."
Hayashi Kaede murmured, "...perhaps you could take it step by step, use things he enjoys, and slowly guide him."
Combusken eating cake nearby, seemed to sense something and turned to Hayashi Kaede in confusion.
This method sounded familiar.
The customer sighed, "Well, that's true, but sometimes, it's really infuriating!"
Then, he silently picked up the Energy Cube again, paid, opened his umbrella, and headed out, clearly having spoken in a moment of anger.
Hayashi Kaede, watching him leave, couldn't help but sigh, "It seems not every Trainer can get along smoothly with their Pokémon..."
This is quite common.
Haven't you seen?
Even Ash, who eventually became a Pokémon Master, was initially electrocuted by Pikachu and had to use rubber gloves to handle it.
Not long after the customer left, the rain intensified into a torrential downpour, like a waterfall. The bean-sized raindrops, driven by a strong wind, fell in nearly solid sheets.
After waiting over ten minutes with no one else coming, Hayashi Kaede looked up at the oppressive dark clouds and wondered, "Could this rain be caused by that giant Kyogre changing the weather?"
Above,
Rotom was checking the news feed for Aogiri Town.
"This year's Horizon Cup has been scheduled for January 12th. Interested Trainers can register now."
"Yesterday at noon, three Eevee went missing from the Eevee Breeding House. They were wearing collars. Any citizen who finds them, please return them promptly..."
Rotom's voice was muted, seemingly to avoid disturbing Hayashi Kaede.
Hayashi Kaede's attention wasn't on it, though.
Assuming no one else was coming, he closed the shop door and called up to Rotom. "Check the weather forecast, see the typhoon's path."
Rotom beeped and immediately tuned into the official League broadcast.
A news anchor and an elderly man in a white coat appeared on the screen.
"League Announcement: A Category 11 typhoon, 'Primordial,' has been threatening the waters of the regional alliance for the past few days. Residents in coastal areas are advised to stay indoors."
"League Announcement: The typhoon's impact has been largely contained. Traveling Trainers, please proceed to the nearest Pokémon Center, which offers free food, lodging, and hot water..."
"The impact of this typhoon is predicted to last three to four days."
"Let's invite Pokémon Meteorology expert, Dr. Moss, to analyze whether this typhoon is related to a powerful Pokémon..."
"Category 11 typhoon..."
Hayashi Kaede muttered, his eyes lighting up.
Wasn't this a three or four-day holiday?
Aogiri Town wasn't far from the sea.
He said to Rotom, "Please post a notice on the PokéNet, saying that due to the typhoon, the Breeding House and Pidgeotto delivery are closed for the next few days."
"Rotom~! Okay, Master."
Rotom nodded and immediately got to work.
Combusken continued eating the small cake made by the Alcremie.
Hayashi Kaede, meanwhile, headed to the plantation.
Inside the plantation, Dragonite was using its ability to moderate the weather, reducing the impact of the heavy rain on the plants.
It had integrated into the plantation quickly. Perhaps due to its gentle nature, all the Pokémon got along well with it.
Among them, its biggest fans were Vulpix and Bounsweet.
They were both small and could "dance" on Dragonite's belly~
and Dragonite seemed happy to let them play there.
But now, because of the heavy rain, Alolan Vulpix could only lie by the back door of the Breeding House, boredly watching the downpour outside.
Thinking to itself, *"When will the rain stop? When will it be afternoon?"*
After the rain stops, Dragonite will play with it, and in the afternoon, Hayashi Kaede can spend time with it...
Hearing footsteps behind it, it immediately stood up and looked at Hayashi Kaede, "Vulpix ~?"
Hayashi Kaede explained with a smile: "It's raining today, so the shop is closed."
"Vulpix ! Vulpix ! Vulpix !"
Upon hearing this, Vulpix's eyes suddenly lit up, staring at Hayashi Kaede with wide eyes, as if asking, "Really?"
"Really."
Hayashi Kaede picked it up and rubbed its belly until it kicked its feet and went "Vulpix , Vulpix , Vulpix ," before stopping the "harassment."
This kid was obviously very ticklish, but sometimes it wouldn't avoid his tickling at all.
He noticed Serperior peeking over from time to time, a smile unconsciously appearing on his lips. Just as he was about to call it over, Combusken came out from the Breeding House.
"Combusken ?" (Someone seems to be knocking on the door outside?)
Hayashi Kaede frowned, "Knocking? At this hour?"