The moment Rotom reopened the Skill Shop's order channel, the Joys stationed at Pokémon Centers across Kanto immediately began transferring Poké Balls after receiving the notification.
This time, however, things were different from before.
The Poké Balls were no longer being sent directly to Ash's transfer machine.
Instead, every Poké Ball was routed to the transfer machine inside Melanie's cabin.
The new workflow had officially taken shape:
Skill Shop Order → Pokémon Day Care Reception →
① Melanie Handles Care → ② Ash Conducts Spot Checks →
Ash Teaches Skill → Order Complete
Now that Melanie had officially started working, the Skill Shop had finally formed a complete operational chain.
As a result, Ash's workload was dramatically reduced.
"Melanie, I'll leave the Pokémon Day Care in your hands from now on."
"If you run low on Pokémon food or run into any other problems, just contact me or Rotom."
Seeing that Melanie had successfully completed her training and was already familiar with the entire workflow, Ash decided not to stay any longer.
After giving a few final instructions, he climbed onto Pidgeot's back together with Bulbasaur—who had just finished visiting his old home—and Fearow, who had been serving as a temporary bodyguard.
Now that dozens of customer Pokémon were stationed at the Day Care, Melanie no longer needed to worry about her safety.
Even if the Beedrill swarm from yesterday returned, she had plenty of powerful Pokémon capable of defending the valley.
Because of that, Fearow no longer needed to remain behind.
"Yes! I'll do my best!"
Standing in the valley meadow, Melanie cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted toward the sky as Ash disappeared into the distance.
Meeting Ash truly felt like the greatest stroke of luck in her life.
Not only had he solved the safety problems she faced while living alone in Viridian Forest, he had also given her a stable source of income.
Deep in her heart, Melanie was endlessly grateful.
She silently swore that she would work hard and spend the rest of her life repaying the kindness Ash had shown her.
...
After finishing everything at the Pokémon Day Care, Ash departed.
For one thing, there was nothing else requiring his attention.
For another, Melanie was naturally shy and socially anxious. She preferred her quiet life hidden away in Viridian Forest and disliked excessive contact with strangers.
Even though she was now his employee, Ash still respected her personality and lifestyle.
As long as the Day Care could operate normally, there was no reason for him to linger and disturb her peace.
Riding on Pidgeot with Fearow and Bulbasaur, Ash first returned to Pallet Town.
"Pidgeot, Fearow, Bulbasaur, you guys keep training."
"I still need to make another trip to Viridian City later, so I won't be supervising everyone."
"Pidgeot~"
"Gahyaa~"
"Bulba~"
The three Pokémon nodded.
No supervision was needed.
The atmosphere within Ash's team, combined with each Pokémon's own desire to become stronger, was already enough motivation.
The moment they received their instructions, all three immediately threw themselves into training.
"Remember, train according to your own circumstances. Don't blindly compare yourselves to others or push too hard."
"There's salt water and Oran Berries over there. If you get tired, come drink and rest."
After reminding them, Ash returned to the road, mounted his bicycle, and headed toward Viridian City.
He planned to use the remainder of the morning to handle a few final matters for Melanie.
A salary account.
Automatic monthly salary transfers.
Social insurance registration.
Employment contracts.
There were still many things waiting for him in the future, and he didn't want to continue spending unnecessary time and energy on the Day Care project.
The sooner these administrative tasks were finished, the better.
...
Fortunately, government agencies and public institutions in the Pokémon world were remarkably efficient.
Unlike the endless bureaucracy Ash remembered from his previous life, everything moved quickly.
Within a single morning, he completed all the necessary procedures.
Afterward, he visited the official League Pokémon Supplies Store on Viridian City's Pokémon Merchandise Street—the same store where he regularly purchased Pokémon food.
He placed a large replenishment order and arranged for the supplies to be delivered directly to Melanie's Pokémon Day Care in Viridian Forest.
At the same time, he entrusted a Delibird courier with several important items:
Melanie's newly issued salary card
Her social insurance card
The employment contract, already signed by Ash himself
Melanie had now completed training and officially started work.
Her salary, insurance, employment contract, and all related paperwork had been finalized.
In less than a day and a half, the entire Pokémon Day Care project had been fully established.
From now on:
Rotom would handle order reception, customer service, and shop operations.
Melanie would take care of feeding Pokémon, taking photos, and general Day Care duties.
Ash would simply teach skills whenever Rotom reminded him.
That was it.
Previously, managing the Skill Shop consumed three to four hours every single day.
Now?
Across three days, he only needed to spend a total of three or four minutes.
Back then, he worked several hours each day to earn "a tiny little bit" of profit.
Now, with only a few minutes of effort, he earned even more than before.
"So this is industrial upgrading?"
"So this is the happiness of being a boss... a hands-off boss at that?"
"As expected, using your brain is far more profitable than burying yourself in hard labor."
Leaving Pokémon Merchandise Street, Ash couldn't help smiling to himself.
The successful launch of the Pokémon Day Care felt like removing a massive weight from his shoulders.
His entire body felt lighter.
As if a huge stone he'd been carrying for months had finally been set down.
Since he still had time before noon, Ash wandered through Viridian City at a leisurely pace.
He visited his mother's flower shop, picked out a fresh bouquet, and then continued on his way.
While passing the Viridian City Pokémon Center, he stopped by to see Clarissa Joy.
There weren't many words exchanged.
Just a fragrant bouquet.
And before leaving, a gentle kiss on her forehead.
That alone was enough to convince the girl that today was destined to be a lucky and wonderful day.
...
By the time Ash pedaled back to Pallet Town, it was nearly noon.
Before returning home, he stopped by both the Stone Bridge Clinic and Dashiwan Valley, providing treatment for the injured and sick wild Pokémon gathered there.
Only afterward did he call an end to his Pokémon's training session and lead everyone home for lunch.
"Everyone worked hard this morning."
"Make sure you eat plenty."
Back home, the first thing Ash did wasn't cook for himself.
It was preparing food for his Pokémon.
Including the newly recruited Bulbasaur, he now had seven Pokémon under his command.
That was already more than many rookie Trainers—and even some experienced Trainers—ever managed to raise.
Yet compared to the days when he had been feeding over a hundred customer Pokémon three times a day for the Skill Shop...
Taking care of only seven Pokémon felt effortless.
Almost relaxing.
For the first time in a long while, Ash found himself enjoying something precious:
A simple, peaceful afternoon.
A stretch of quiet time simmering gently, like clear water over a low flame.