Not Being a Trainer This Time

The car stereo played a melodious CD as Naoki drove, carrying Lono and the Pokemon along this quaint countryside road, evoking the feeling of a family outing in spring.

Greavard sat excitedly in the back seat, panting with its tongue out, making a "heh heh" sound.

Cyclizar and Koraidon sat in the back compartment, feeling bored as they watched the scenery pass by.

"Life here is really so relaxing!" Lono exclaimed, enjoying the breeze. At this moment, she probably understood why Naoki liked living in this place.

The quiet wilds, beautiful farm fields, enjoying the wind blowing across those fields with the Pokemon, running freely across the rhythmic grasslands...

Just thinking about it feels amazing!

"Right?" Naoki said with a smile, "Houses in big cities feel like Pidove cages to me, with so many people living in the same building, it feels too stifling."

"And the living space isn’t large enough for so many Pokemon to live together."

"Yeah!" Lono nodded, she immediately thought of the office workers in Levincia City.

Those people live such lives every day, walking hurriedly on the streets of Levincia City in full suits with briefcases, looking very busy.

As they chatted, the car arrived in Porto Marinada Town.

Naoki parked the car by the side of the road and headed to the Elo Seed Store.

The shopkeeper Elo was moving goods at the door, just then, a young girl with an Espeon ran out of the store.

"Dad, we’re heading out!"

Upon hearing the voice, Elo turned around, smiling and patting his daughter’s head, "Alright, go play with Espeon! Remember to come back early!"

"Got it!" The girl replied and ran off.

Elo watched as his daughter’s figure disappeared down the street. He was about to continue his work when he noticed Naoki approaching.

"Good morning, Naoki!" Elo greeted cheerfully, then noticed the girl beside Naoki, and his eyes widened.

"Good morning, Mr. Elo." Naoki replied politely, "Do you have bamboo seedlings in the store? I’d like to buy a batch to take back."

Elo snapped back to reality, nodding repeatedly, "Bamboo seedlings? Of course! How many would you like? I’ll get them for you!"

Naoki thought for a moment and replied, "Fifty will do."

"Please wait a moment!" Elo went back into the store, and soon, with the Helping Hand of assistant Pokemon, he brought out batch after batch of bamboo seedlings.

Naoki, Koraidon, and Cyclizar stepped forward to help, loading the bamboo seedlings into the back of the pickup truck with him.

"Was that Bell just now?" Naoki asked casually.

Bell, Elo’s daughter, was once filled with fear of Pokemon and the outside world due to an attack, and she stayed home without going out.

Two years ago, Naoki made a Courage Egg Fried Rice for her and suggested she raise a friendly Eevee.

Unexpectedly, the girl now has ventured out and become like a normal person.

"Yes!" Talking about his daughter, Elo’s face showed a smile, "Thanks to your help, that girl has become much more cheerful, now she can go out on her own completely, and her Eevee has evolved into Espeon. Bell takes it to the beach to bask in the sun every day!"

"That’s great." Naoki nodded.

Having loaded all the bamboo seedlings onto the truck, he asked, "How much is it?"

Elo replied, "Oh, it totals to twenty-five thousand League coins!"

Naoki paid the amount.

Elo said, "Bamboo is a very popular plant this year! Grown bamboo can be made into furniture, each piece selling for several thousand League coins. Bamboo shoots can be eaten or sold."

"No, I don’t plan to sell them, just want to plant a bamboo forest at the ranch for the Pokemon to play." Naoki shook his head with a smile.

He bid farewell to Elo, drove to the Porto Marinada Market to buy some groceries, and then returned to the ranch with Lono.

On the way back, Lono recalled how the townsfolk greeted Naoki and felt very curious.

"It seems like everyone knows you!"

"Of course," Naoki said proudly, "I’m quite popular in the town."

Currently, there’s no one in Porto Marinada Town who doesn’t know Naoki Ranch.

Lono said, "Hmm, I can see that already!"

"Everyone is very kind." Naoki recalled the time when he just arrived, "When I first came here, they all took good care of me."

For example, giving extra crop seeds or offering discounts when buying things.

Naoki glanced at Lono and asked, "So, have you thought it through yet?"

Lono was puzzled, "What?"

"Managing the ranch with me, living here," Naoki said.

Lono immediately understood.

She chuckled, "Once I’ve made a decision, I never give up. Don’t underestimate me!"

Half an hour later, the two returned to the ranch.

Lono picked up a hoe and swung it forcefully over the land.

"Now, I’ll show you how capable I, Lono, am!"

Watching the sod flying away, Naoki was silent.

"..."

Lono blushed instantly, trying to defend herself, "That was a mistake!"

Naoki couldn’t help but laugh, "Alright, I’ve seen your capabilities, now let’s leave the professional work to the professionals!"

With that, he blew a whistle.