Outside the window, it began to snow again.
The fire in the fireplace was burning brightly, and a group of Pokemon were comfortably snoozing in front of it.
Naoki was still trying to shake off the recent conversation, as he watched Lono playing with her phone from across the sofa.
Driven by curiosity, he asked Lono why she liked him.
Lono pondered over the question for a while and realized she didn't know the prepared answer.
Lono said, when she first arrived at the ranch, she felt curious about this mysterious Rancher.
Later, when she saw him enthusiastically helping Grusha heal and taking care of so many Pokemon at the ranch, her curiosity grew.
As she visited the ranch time and again, Lono said she gradually developed a fondness.
Upon hearing this, Naoki froze on the spot.
Is this what you call love at first sight?
That such a thing could happen to him was something Naoki found hard to believe.
At this moment, Lono's voice brought his thoughts back to reality.
"Geeta is taking her vacation in the Alola Region this winter!"
This was indeed a rare event, as Geeta had never left the Paldea Region for work or relaxation before.
Even when other regions invited her to the World Championship, Geeta would decline and send her Champion-level Trainers instead.
"Hmm?" Naoki was equally surprised.
Lono placed her phone before Naoki, and sure enough, he saw Geeta dressed lightly in casual clothes, enjoying sunbathing by the sea.
Considering Naoki's knowledge of Geeta, the workaholic taking a vacation was indeed an unusual event.
Although the Paldea League goes on break during winter, and Gym Leaders are not obligated to remain in their gyms to accept challengers,
Geeta would usually stay at the Paldea League to handle affairs.
But this year, Geeta was acting quite out of character!
What concerned Naoki more was that he had never been to the Alola Region.
Reflecting on his current financial situation, Naoki began considering whether to purchase a villa ranch in the Alola Region, and perhaps take the Pokemon there to spend the winter?
The Alola Region's tropical climate provides a warm and pleasant living environment all year round.
As for how to facilitate the travel of so many Pokemon between locations, it was simple enough: just buy two Pokeball Transmission Machines and place one at each location.
Suddenly, a knock on the door was heard.
This caught Naoki by surprise.
Who would visit the ranch in such snowy weather?
He got up to open the door, but found no one outside.
With the Pokemon retreating to their own little homes, the ranch was a snowy white expanse, devoid of any human presence.
Naoki felt puzzled, about to close the door, when he heard a squeaking sound from below.
Looking down, he saw a plump Greedent raising its head, looking at him pitifully.
Greedent's fur was covered in snow and wind, shivering from the cold.
"Greedent?" Naoki instantly recognized this Greedent.
It was one of the Pokemon he had rescued.
After the forest recovered, Greedent returned there to live.
"Squeak!" Greedent nodded repeatedly.
"Come on in!"
Naoki invited it into the living room and closed the door securely.
The cozy room made Greedent sigh in contentment.
Lono and the surrounding Pokemon cast curious gazes in their direction.
"Why did you come over suddenly? What about the others?" Naoki asked.
Greedent rubbed its paws and then replied: "Squeak squeak!"
With the Power of Viridian, Naoki quickly understood its intent.
Everyone is in the forest now; it came to seek help because there's a haunting in the forest!
"Haunting?" Naoki was quite shocked, "Is it a Ghost-type Pokemon? Take your time, tell me slowly."
Greedent nodded: "Squeak squeak!" (I don't know if it's a Ghost-type Pokemon, but all the forest inhabitants have been frightened by it recently! It secretly follows behind Pokemon, sometimes sneaking into nests when everyone is asleep. Upon opening your eyes, you'll see a ghost floating right in front, causing some Pokemon to faint from fear!)
A "ghost" playing tricks on other Pokemon?
Naoki guessed that it was likely the work of a Ghost-type Pokemon.
However, according to his knowledge, there were no Ghost-type Pokemon inhabiting the area behind the mountain… could it be an outsider Ghost-type Pokemon?
After some thought, Naoki decided to follow Greedent and check it out.
He turned to Lono and said, "Greedent is asking for help; I need to step out for a bit. Can you wait here?"
But Lono refused this suggestion; she stood up and said, "I'll go with you!"
"Alright, let's go then!" Naoki instructed the other Pokemon to stay home, taking only Flutter Mane, another Ghost-type Pokemon, with him.
While walking, Lono curiously asked, "Can you understand Pokemon talk?"
Naoki grinned mysteriously: "Would you like to try?"
Lono was slightly stunned: "Eh?"
Just then, she saw Naoki take out a pack of snacks from his pocket.
"After eating this, you can understand what Pokemon mean," Naoki said, handing her the Translation Nuts Cake.
Hearing this, Lono was quite surprised.
When she ate the snack and heard the Greedent in front muttering "How cold it is," she was so shocked she couldn't speak.
She could actually understand Pokemon talking!
"How is this possible?!" Lono widened her eyes in disbelief.
"My psychic ability." Naoki laughed.
Psychic ability... Lono immediately thought of those human beings who possess special abilities.
"I can't believe there's such a thing..." Lono murmured softly.
"It's not that exaggerated." Naoki laughed and said, "Even without psychic abilities, some Trainers can communicate with their Pokemon; the key is the bond between their hearts."
At this moment, the group formally entered the back mountain.
The back mountain in winter was also covered with white snow. Looking around, there were almost no signs of those Pokemon that were usually active.
Only some Ice Type Pokemon like Snom, who enjoy living in snowy environments, could be seen.
Greedent jumped down from Naoki's body and quickly led the way in front.
Soon, Naoki saw the Berry Forest he and Koraidon had planted by hand.
Greedent: "Zizi!" (It's around here!)
Naoki looked around but saw nothing.
He nodded towards Flutter Mane beside him.
However, primitive Flutter Mane didn't understand: "Dream?"
Naoki: "..."
"Flutter Mane, can you sense the presence of Ghost-type Pokemon around?" Naoki directly asked.
Flutter Mane finally understood Naoki's meaning.
It slipped into the shadows and began to search the surrounding area for those suspicious ghosts.
At this moment, other Pokemon living in this Berry Forest saw Naoki's figure.
The group of Pokemon once saved by Naoki began to gather around, joyfully jumping in the snow to greet him.
Naoki smiled and looked at these lovely Pokemon: "Tinkaton, long time no see! Grafaiai, how's life recently? Maushold, huh? How did you change from a family of four to Tandemaus?"
The two small white mice replied: "Zizi!" (The kids grew up and left us to explore on their own!)
"Is that so?" Naoki nodded, quite surprised that this kind of Pokemon could actually devolve!
Lono watched Naoki's interaction with this group of wild Pokemon from the side.
Naoki was indeed very popular with the Pokemon!
Meanwhile, a dog-like Pokemon with a candle on its head was enviously hiding in the corner, looking in that direction.
It wagged its tail continuously, spinning in place, and made excited growling sounds, wanting to rush over and play with those two humans.
But at this moment, the Pokemon suddenly sensed a terrifying presence behind it.
Turning its head, it saw a large-sized, wildly spirited Pokemon watching it quietly from behind, not knowing when it had come.
"Grrroooww!"
The Pokemon was startled and instinctively burrowed underground, leaving only a lit candle on the ground, and quickly fled towards the distance.
Flutter Mane did not pursue but returned to Naoki to report the incident.
"Dream."(There's a strange guy.)
There really is? Naoki promptly said, "Take me to see it."
"Dream."
Flutter Mane led the way in front.
Naoki and Lono walked side by side, chatting about these wild Pokemon along the way.
Tinkaton and Greedent, who were afraid of ghosts, hid behind Naoki, advancing carefully.
The group passed through the Berry Forest and soon arrived at a broad clearing.
Naoki immediately recognized this place.
This was the cemetery where he previously buried the Pokemon who perished in the forest fire!
Flutter Mane floated up, pointing to a candle burning with purple flames on the ground.
It reached out with its wing claws and poked it, and the next second, the Pokemon hiding underground jumped out in a panic, looking terrified at the two humans and the group of Pokemon.
"Is that Pokemon a Greavard?" Lono immediately recognized the Ghost-type Pokemon.
Naoki nodded: "It seems to be it now."
It is said that Greavard is the reincarnation of stray dog Pokemon that died without interacting with humans.
They usually sleep quietly underground, almost motionless, sticking their heads out and lighting the eerie flame atop them.
Once someone approaches, Greavard emits a strange growl and leaps to the ground, surprising many, but it does not seem to intend harm.
Because this kind of Pokemon has a gentle nature, loves to be close to people, and fears loneliness.
As long as someone plays with it for a while, it will be happy and always follow them.
Among the Pokemon living in the Paldea Region, Greavard is known for its friendly disposition toward humans, making it easy to be captured and become a Pokemon of Human Trainers.
What surprised Naoki was whether this Greavard was a Ghost-type Pokemon reincarnated from the Pokemon who perished here?
"Woowang..."
Feeling the hostility from these people and Pokemon, Greavard seemed a bit scared, its body almost pressing to the ground, even its tail drooping.
Initially afraid, Greedent and the others didn't know what to do when they saw the ghost that scared them was such a Pokemon.
Naoki pondered for a moment and said to them, "It's called Greavard. It's probably playing tricks because it feels too lonely and wants to play with you, not intending to scare you."