Chapter 324:
After the Breeding House closed for the season, Hayashi Kaede's life became much more tranquil.
He would wake up in the morning to make breakfast, train moves with Floragato during the morning and afternoon, and also bring out Blaziken, Serperior, and Alolan Ninetales for some training sessions to prepare for the Pokémon League Conference.
Occasionally, he would sit on the sofa with the Eevees and watch TV.
In this peaceful daily life, the days quickly passed until the end of December.
The year was almost over.
…
December 29th.
Looking at the increasingly mature Floragato, Hayashi Kaede's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
He had originally thought the team for the Pokémon League Conference was already set.
But judging by the current situation, it seemed Floragato could probably be added I to the team too.
[Pokémon: Floragato]
[Gender: Female]
[Ability: Overgrow]
[Potential: Red]
[IVs: HP (26) Attack (28) Sp. Atk (24) Defense (29) Sp. Def (25) Speed (31)]
[Level: 34 — 36]
[Moves: Ally Switch, Leech Seed, Leafage, Tail Whip, Hone Claws, Quick Attack, Seed Bomb, Grassy Glide...]
[Friendship: 97]
[Happiness: 60]
It was clear that it was on the verge of evolution.
And the Pokémon League Conference was scheduled for January 12th.
There were still over ten days left.
After these ten-plus days, Floragato would definitely be a Meowscarada.
"Floragato~"
Floragato licked the fur on its paw, letting out a content sound.
These days, it had seen its own progress and could already faintly sense the signs of evolution.
"Swanna..."
Near the training area, close to the river by the forest, the clear, azure water surface now had a Swanna that had swum in from somewhere.
Behind it followed a group of Ducklett.
This was a Pokémon with clear eyes; its feathers were light blue on the upper body and dark blue on the lower body.
At the border between the dark and light feathers, there was a heart-shaped gradient feather.
They followed behind Swanna, curiously pecking at the moss on the riverbank.
This Swanna and its Ducklett had wandered here a few days ago.
Thirteen Ducklett and one Swanna in total.
Perhaps they had taken a liking to this body of water and decided to spend the winter here.
While training with Floragato, Hayashi Kaede often saw Uncle Ryo feeding them.
After a few encounters, Hayashi Kaede sometimes greeted them too.
But today was different.
"Hmm?"
Hayashi Kaede counted the Ducklett and showed a thoughtful expression.
Yesterday there were thirteen Ducklett, but today there were fourteen?
Having experienced this many times before, Hayashi Kaede understood perfectly.
Mew was back.
But what about Latias?
Did it bring Latias back?
Hayashi Kaede tentatively scanned the surroundings.
Because Latias had the ability to turn invisible.
If it wanted to hide, his Aura power might not actually find it.
This was when the Eye of Exploration came in handy.
But after checking around, he still didn't find Latias.
Hayashi Kaede thought for a moment, then took some of the usual Energy Cubes he fed Milotic and walked to the riverside.
He greeted them, "Swanna, Ducklett!"
"Swanna?"
"Ducklett, Ducklett..."
"Ducklett..."
As the first Swanna swam over, all the Ducklett behind it followed. They "quacked" noisily around Hayashi Kaede's ears, and for a moment, the entire riverbank was filled with their calls.
"Here, have something to eat."
Hayashi Kaede took out the Energy Cubes and placed them on the bank.
φ(*￣0￣): "Ducklett..."
The Ducklett weren't meeting Hayashi Kaede for the first time, so seeing him bring food again, their "quacks" became even more cheerful.
Watching every single Ducklett start eating, Hayashi Kaede couldn't help but laugh.
*Oh, you Mew.*
*Still pretending.*
He waited for the moment Mew (disguised as a Ducklett) lowered its head, then grabbed it by the neck.
Σ(っ °Д °;): "Ducklett !"
The grabbed "Ducklett" immediately let out a panicked cry. The other Ducklett, seeing Hayashi Kaede act so rudely, were also startled.
They scattered and hid behind Swanna.
Swanna also looked at Hayashi Kaede with confusion.
"Ah..."
Hayashi Kaede realized his action must have seemed too abrupt to the Swanna and Ducklett.
So, while using his Veridian Power to calm the Swanna, he said to this "Ducklett," "Change back now!"
"Ducklett!"
The Ducklett cried out indignantly but soon transformed back. "Mew..." (You found me out again...)
"Ducklett!?"
The other Ducklett, witnessing this, widened their eyes in shock.
That was one of them just a moment ago, how did it turn into something they didn't recognize in the blink of an eye?
"Swanna."
Swanna also came to its senses. No wonder it felt like something was off with its children today—there was one extra?!
"Alright, alright. Didn't Latias come with you?" Hayashi Kaede didn't bother with Mew's Ducklett disguise and focused on the main point: Latias.
"Mew~" (Its brother said it's too dangerous to come out in winter and wasn't comfortable with it. He said to wait until the weather gets warmer before letting it come here to play.)
Mew pouted.
"I see."
Hearing this explanation, Hayashi Kaede nodded thoughtfully.
That sounded very much like the older brother, Latios.
"Alright then. Looks like it'll be a while before I can pet Latias."
Hayashi Kaede didn't feel discouraged.
For him, having something to look forward to was never a bad thing.
After feeding the Ducklett and Swanna, Hayashi Kaede didn't stay long. He called out to Floragato to head home. "Alright, Floragato, let's go home~"
"Floragato~"
Floragato obediently followed by Hayashi Kaede's side.
Since it started training hard, Hayashi Kaede would spend time alone with it every day.
When it failed, he would comfort and encourage it. When it succeeded, he would reward and praise it. When it got injured, he would patiently use that soothing power over and over to heal its wounds.
This made it reluctant to stop this kind of training.
But, didn't Hayashi Kaede say he was helping it evolve?
Then, after it evolved, would he still spend time training outside with it like this every day?
Floragato didn't quite understand, but it felt that if it evolved slower, he would probably keep it company like this for a longer time?
"Floragato..."
Thinking of this, Floragato had a sudden realization.
It probably shouldn't have eaten those candies; that way, it could evolve slower.
But...
it could already feel the approach of evolution now?
'Floragato...' (sigh)
What should it do?
Floragato walked beside Hayashi Kaede, lost in thought.
Left behind, Mew watched Hayashi Kaede walking further and further away and shouted loudly,
"Mew!!!" (You didn't even call me to come home, you mean Hayashi Kaede!)