Naoki nodded, glanced at the girl, and said nothing more, simply indicating that he would visit the shop in a while to buy some saplings.
Then, Elo left with the girl.
Alcremie watched their backs: "Maa... maa..."
Naoki said to Alcremie, "This is what's called severe social anxiety."
Alcremie looked over, puzzled.
Naoki explained, "It's when certain reasons make a person become very afraid of external things, afraid of talking to strangers, and only willing to stay in places they think are safe, like home, their own room."
Commonly known as being a shut-in.
"Maa... maa..." Alcremie tried hard to understand the meaning of this passage, yet couldn't comprehend it at all.
It thought of when it just patted the girl and her scared expression, and couldn't help but ask: "Maa... maa?"
Naoki asked, "Are you asking if that condition can be cured? Is that right?"
"Maa... maa!" Alcremie nodded.
"I don't know either, because I'm not a psychologist." Naoki shook his head, smiling as he patted Alcremie's little head, saying, "Alright, go play! I have to get to work!"
He went to the storage room, returned to the plot with a hoe and a sickle, and used the sickle to cut down all the weeds, then used the hoe to till the soil, making it soft and loose.
Only after digging twenty holes did Naoki stop.
He leaned on the hoe, rested on the side, and looked at the plot, with visions of the not too distant future appearing in his mind.
By then, this place would have become a fruitful Berry Garden, with branches heavy with plump, ripe berries that would burst with sweet and delicious juice with just a bite.
Some cute little wild Pokemon like Greedent and Skwovet would be attracted to it.
He stood under the trees, feeding these Pokemon with berries, then gathered them in his arms to cuddle.
How wonderful!
A smile appeared on Naoki's face, and he turned back, placing the farm tools back in the storage room. After washing his hands, he heard a vibrant voice.
"Mr. Naoki!"
Naoki turned around, seeing a familiar figure running from outside the ranch.
It was a young boy, with curly golden hair and fair skin, looking like he came from the city.
Seeing him, Naoki appeared surprised.
The boy said happily, "Mr. Naoki, do you remember me?"
"Of course I remember, Carter, right?" Naoki asked.
Carter, who a few months ago passed by the ranch and mistook a Caterpie for a wild Pokemon, sent out Delibird to battle it, but unexpectedly was defeated by Caterpie's surprise Electroweb.
Seeing Naoki still remembered him, Carter nodded happily, "Yes!"
"How do you have time to come back? Aren't you busy with school?" Naoki asked.
"The academy's courses are really easy, most of the time students are out on treasure hunts in the Paldea Region. I came today to challenge Caterpie!"
Carter's eyes were full of determination.
"Delibird and I have been through three months of grueling training, and we're not the same as before. This time we'll definitely win!" he said.
Naoki: "..."
He looked at the Butterfree not far away and said, "You could, but Caterpie has now evolved into Butterfree, and I don't know if it wants to battle you. You know, Pokemon's personalities can change after evolution."
"Ah?" Carter was dumbfounded: "Then what should I do?"
Heh heh, took the bait.
Naoki showed a "sincere" smile and said to Carter, "But there are other Pokemon on the ranch willing to battle, oh right, you came at the right time."
"My ranch is hosting an event called the [Grass Trial], which helps Pokemon train through battles. Do you want to give it a try?"