League Calendar Year 198, Summer — May 1st.
On this day, the hops in the ranch fields had fully ripened. Clusters upon clusters of yellow-green blossoms bloomed in unison, dense and vibrant.
The entire ranch was steeped in a crisp botanical fragrance, tinged with a faint bitterness that lingered with a sweet aftertaste.
"Min~"
Minccino took a deep breath. A soft blush rose to her fluffy cheeks as she staggered slightly while walking, looking as though she were tipsy from the scent alone.
"You little thing." Silas scooped her up and gave her a gentle kiss. Minccino carried a pleasant milky fragrance of her own.
"There's yogurt in the fridge. Go grab some to drink."
"Min!"
Minccino wrapped her arms around Silas's neck and wiggled coquettishly in his embrace.
"Alright, alright. I'll take you with me."
Patting the little one's head, Silas told Meowth and the others to wait for a moment before heading toward the cabin with Minccino.
Just as they reached the entrance, a familiar voice drifted in from outside the ranch.
Turning around, he saw Korrina approaching from afar with a travel backpack slung over her shoulders, waving enthusiastically.
"Big Brother Silas! Big Brother Silas, over here!"
Seeing her walk closer, Silas raised an eyebrow. "Korrina? What brings you here?"
Korrina grinned and pulled a letter from her backpack.
"Grandpa asked me to deliver this to you!"
"A letter? Could it be about Indeedee?"
Silas thought it over. That was the only matter he had asked Korrina's grandfather, Gym Leader Gurkinn, to help with.
After settling Minccino on his shoulder, Silas accepted the letter and invited Korrina into the ranch.
She looked around in delight, marveling at the changes.
"Wow! Big Brother Silas, your ranch has changed so much! What's that building over there for?"
As they walked toward the ranch house, Silas turned back to explain, "That's the greenhouse. It's currently being used to grow various flowers for Flabébé and the others."
He brought Korrina a milkshake and didn't forget to prepare yogurt for Minccino. After letting the two of them sit down, he opened the letter.
The contents weren't long—just seven or eight lines.
It was indeed a handwritten letter from Gurkinn.
To Silas, my young friend:
Regarding the matter you previously entrusted to me about finding Indeedee, there has been progress. In Ambrette Town, an elderly duke who traveled in Paldea during his youth has recently passed away.
Among the Pokémon he kept at his estate are two young Indeedee currently without proper care. I have already contacted the duke's former butler. If you wish to adopt them, you may visit 123 Fossil Avenue, Ambrette Town.
…
"Indeedee!"
Silas hadn't expected news to come this quickly. He truly seemed to have luck on his side.
After thinking for a moment, he picked up pen and paper and wrote a reply to Gurkinn.
He didn't want to miss this hard-earned lead. Whether the Indeedee were suitable or not, he would at least meet them first.
"Korrina, I'll leave this reply to you. Make sure it reaches your grandfather personally."
Korrina puffed out her chest confidently and tucked the letter into her backpack.
"Leave it to me, Big Brother Silas! Mission guaranteed!"
"Mm-hmm."
Standing up, Silas ruffled her hair. He let the girl and Pokémon stay inside while he headed off to work—he couldn't keep the Meowth and the others waiting too long.
"Big Brother Silas, are you going to harvest in the fields? Can I come too?"
Korrina's eyes sparkled. She even flexed the small muscles on her arm eagerly.
"Of course you can. But be careful while harvesting." He retrieved a pair of lightweight gloves from the tool shed and handed them to her. "Wear these for safety. I'll teach you how to harvest hops in a moment. You and Minccino can work along the outer edges."
When Silas arrived at the hop fields, the three Meowth, Mudsdale, Kangaskhan, and the others all stood up to look at him. They clearly had been waiting impatiently.
Clapping his hands to gather everyone, Silas demonstrated the proper harvesting method.
Standing before the first row of hop vines, he pointed to two different kinds of cones.
"Since this is our first harvest, some of the hop cones are still unripe. When picking, choose these."
He indicated a specific cone and carefully explained how to distinguish mature ones.
"Big Brother Silas! Is it like this?"
Korrina eagerly plucked one from the vine and handed it to him.
"That's right." Silas nodded. "Mature cones change from green to yellow-brown. They're plump and elastic, and when gently squeezed, they release a sticky resin."
"Meow~"
(I remember.)
Alolan Meowth called out, signaling its understanding.
The other two Meowth and Pokémon chimed in with various cries to show they understood as well.
"Good. Now let me explain the picking technique. Be careful not to scratch yourselves on the thorns."
Silas demonstrated again.
Using his index finger and thumb to pinch the base of the cone, he gently snapped it upward at the connection point, taking care not to tug on the vine or accidentally pull off unripe cones.
"Meowth, you can use your sharp claws to make a light cut. Just don't damage the vines."
He had each Pokémon try once to confirm they'd grasped the method.
"Alright," Silas announced loudly, "let's get started!"
"Meow~"
Galarian Meowth cried out first and darted into the hop field.
Its claws flashed with streaks of white light as ripe cones were swiftly harvested and placed into the bamboo basket strapped to its chest.
Alolan Meowth and the regular Meowth were no less efficient. Choosing their spots, they began harvesting in earnest.
"Minccino, Korrina—you two and Kangaskhan handle the outermost circle."
Silas patted Cyclizar beside him while assigning tasks.
"Bring all harvested hops to Mudsdale. They'll transport them to the drying grounds."
Turning hops into beer required many steps.
Drying them was one of the key processes, and they couldn't be left under harsh sunlight for too long, lest their aroma dissipate.
"Let's get to work!"
Korrina shouted enthusiastically and began picking.
Minccino, wearing a small mask, followed right behind. Kangaskhan and Phione also joined in to help.
After observing for a while and confirming everything was proceeding smoothly, Silas and Cyclizar ventured deeper into the hop field.
This area was difficult for the Meowth to reach, so it required his effort.
The Meowth were the most diligent. Before long, they had filled an entire basket and poured the contents into the large cloth sacks hanging on either side of Mudsdale.
Alolan Meowth reached into one sack and stirred it. Feeling a faint warmth building from the piled cones, it immediately called out to Mudsdale.
"Meowwu~"
(The cones are heating up, take them to be spread out for drying!)
"Mud~"
(I know.)
Mudsdale No. 3 responded in a low voice and began trotting off, carrying the heavy sacks toward the open space in what everyone jokingly called Sheep Village.
The area had already been cleaned thoroughly. Mudsdale lowered its body and tipped the sack, sending yellow-brown hop cones cascading down in a rustling flow, forming a small mound.
The Mareep and Morpeko rushed forward to help, spreading the hops evenly for drying.
After one trip, Mudsdale flicked its tail in greeting and quickly returned for the next load.
Time passed swiftly through the Pokémon's collective effort.
And so, the hops welcomed a grand harvest.
(End of Chapter)