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While lost in thought, Ron finished watering.
Farm chores done—for now—it was time for endless mining again.
He grabbed some wooden planks and, unusually, chose to detour through Pelican Town on his way to the mountains.
He'd patch the Community Center's floor holes while he was at it.
With Froakie on his shoulder and a trail of Rattata behind him, Ron headed toward the old building.
Today was Spring 17—Wednesday, Penny's usual tutoring day at the library.
But because last Saturday was Egg Festival and Sunday rained, she'd moved the kids' playground visit to today.
Watching Jas swing on the swings, Penny rested her chin in her hand. Hearing movement behind her, she called without turning:
"Vincent! Don't go into the Community Center—it's falling apart! What if you get hurt?"
From the climbing frame, Vincent popped his head up. "I'm not going!"
Penny blinked, then turned—and froze.
Ron stood at the Community Center's door.
"…Sorry, I thought you were Vincent," she said, flustered as she stood to apologize.
"No problem," Ron waved it off, unlocking the door with Lewis's key.
"Vincent keeps sneaking in there—I worry he'll get hurt," Penny explained, eyeing Ron's Rattata procession. "What are you doing here?"
Ron showed her the planks and briefly explained.
"Oh! Yeah, it really needs fixing," Penny agreed. "There's this huge hole in the floor—you could fall right through."
That's exactly why she kept Vincent out.
"Need help?" she offered.
Ron shook his head and stepped inside.
As he knelt by the hole, he heard Penny scolding Vincent outside:
"No, Vincent! It's too dangerous for you!"
"But the farm guy's in there! What if he needs help?"
"That's for adults to handle!"
Footsteps faded—Penny had dragged Vincent back to the playground.
Ron smiled, pulled out stones, and got to work.
The hole was overgrown with weeds. He'd need to rip out roots and replace rotten floorboards.
At his command, Rattata dove under the floor, gnawing plant roots systematically.
Ron smashed stones with his pickaxe, preparing gravel to fill the gap.
After much labor, he gathered the uprooted vines and carried them to the door—
—where Penny waited.
"I sent the kids home," she said, peering inside. "Need help?"
"Actually—could you take these vines to town for disposal?" Ron asked.
"Sure thing." She took the bundle.
The vines blocked her view as she walked. Only when someone yelped ahead did she stop.
"Where to?" Lewis asked, taking half the load.
"Ron's repairing the Community Center—Joy from Kalos arrives soon," Penny explained. "Just dumping these cleared vines."
Lewis stared at the distant building, warmth blooming in his chest.
"He's just like his grandfather," he murmured. Kind-hearted.
Maybe he'd even fund the bus repair…
But charity shouldn't be demanded—that became coercion.
"I'll walk with you," Lewis said, heading to the nearest bin. "By the way—your mom visited me today."
"Mom?" Penny tensed. "Did she… do something?"
"No," Lewis shook his head. "She took a part-time job cleaning the library. Only one day a week—350G."
To others, that sum meant nothing—couldn't buy a house, or even a beer at the saloon.
But Penny's eyes welled up. She sniffled, blinking back tears, and smiled.
"Thank you."
"It's Gunther's doing," Lewis said, tossing vines into the bin. "If we save enough, maybe next year Pelican Town can afford bus repairs. Then Pam could drive it."
Next year.
Not so far off. To Penny, it felt like hope.
"I'll work hard too," she vowed.
If they both earned wages, their dream—a real house—might finally come true!
"Life gets better," Lewis said gently.
Back at the RV, Penny found Pam sitting stiffly on the couch.
Surprised to see her daughter home early, Pam scrambled up.
"I looked for work! I didn't slack off!" she blurted, desperate to erase disappointment from Penny's eyes.
In the next second, Penny hugged her tightly.
"I know. I believe you. Even if there's no job yet… our future will get brighter."
Just wanting to change was enough.
Penny buried her face in Pam's neck.
Clefable popped from its Poké Ball, wrapping its arms around them both.
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