Pokémon World, Year 798 of the League Calendar, December 5th, Winter.
After his recent vacation in Alola, Lucas's daily life had once again settled back to its usual rhythm.
With no need to tend the fields during winter, his days were filled with keeping his Pokémon company, joking and playing with them.
He also set aside three afternoons each week to visit Naranja Academy, creating teaching plans based on how Arven and the others were doing. Occasionally, he'd receive messages from students traveling in the Hoenn region and help them with questions.
Usually, during afternoons, Lucas would become a student himself, attending the strict tutelage of Miss Joy from Los Platos, a scion of a family of medics.
Even though the farm already had Oranguru, who was well-versed in herbs; Spectrier, a legendary Pokémon capable of easily healing grave injuries with a mere motion; Comfey, the farm's resident support medic; and the newly arrived Audino, already integrating quickly into the farm life—
With such a "medical dream team" around, Lucas could easily have skipped further study.
Yet, Lucas always believed that having knowledge in his mind was the only way to be able to deliver a stroke of genius at the critical moment.
Even if he might not need it for now, it'd still count as a skill for himself.
Simply put, as a farmer, Lucas felt it was always right to learn more.
Except for occasionally bringing some local farm goods to her, it was essentially getting elite medical knowledge for free—who wouldn't take advantage of that?!
He'd heard that, a couple of days earlier, Larry had already returned from Alola and jumped right back into the busy, endless work.
Lucas figured the Larry he saw those few days was like a limited, high-rate-up character in a rare summon. Once he left, it'd be hard to see him again.
"I'm heading out," he called, greeting Oranguru and Spectrier, then faced the snowy outdoors, exhaled a cloud of hot breath, and headed for the snow.
Although carrying Larvesta on his back was warm enough, Lucas still didn't want the cold wind blowing on his neck, so he wrapped his scarf tight.
Behind him, Falinks' leader led five minions in a line, each holding or balancing various things on their hands or heads. These were local specialties Lucas had prepared, plus souvenirs brought from Alola—today, he planned to visit two people.
Falinks, numerous and disciplined, made for perfect helpers.
A white pickup truck was parked outside the new house—borrowed from the neighboring Jones Farm.
After all, walking all the way to today's destination wasn't practical.
Although flying on Dragonite would be best, Lucas didn't want to force Dragonite out in this cold, which it disliked. Moltres wouldn't mind, but neither could carry heavy loads long distances.
So instead, after thinking it over, Lucas borrowed a truck from the Joneses.
With limited cargo capacity, but since he wasn't hauling wholesale, loaded up, stomped the accelerator, and sped out.
Sometimes, having a car really was convenient. He was even thinking of getting his own soon—money wasn't an issue.
Following the Jones' advice, Lucas called over Falinks, and they put snow chains on the tires, in case icy roads made braking unreliable. New Year's was a month away—no accidents allowed.
Once everything was set, and the gifts covered with a snow tarp, Lucas prepared to leave.
Before he could start up, a pointed white cap poked out from behind the window.
"Ka-bu!"
Wanting to surprise (or scare) him, Snover was super fast. Barely had Lucas gotten in than it had zipped over.
He'd already seen Snover's movements in the rearview mirror, though, so he wasn't scared but played along acting surprised. Larvesta, on the other hand, froze up, clearly startled.
Noticing that Snover wanted to come along, Lucas smiled at the longing in its eyes and asked, "I'm heading out—want to join me?"
"Ka-bu?!"
Snover's eyes lit up and it scrambled into the passenger seat.
It had been curious about this big white thing for a while—even though its parents warned it not to get too close, seeing Lucas just get in made Snover muster up its courage.
"Buckle up." Lucas reminded him, then turned the key.
With a beastly roar and Snover's excited face, Lucas hit the gas. The snow-chained tires clattered and the engine powered the pickup out through the farm gate.
Snover stared ecstatically at the passing scenery, instantly amped up.
Larvesta, with its bright blue eyes, also curiously observed the world outside, a hint of longing in its gaze.
Lucas had promised—that after evolving, it would get to soar freely in the sky, enjoying the breeze.
Lucas's destination was Porto Marinada, the place with the largest market in all of Paldea.
But he wasn't headed to shop—he was visiting a family that had just moved to Paldea.
It was only after meeting Larry in Alola that he learned Mr. Yukito and Mrs. Hideko would be moving to Porto Marinada soon, arranged by Geeta.
Last night, Lucas called Geeta herself to confirm the exact time.
If his calculations were correct, the old couple would be finished unpacking by now, getting familiar with their new neighborhood.
After all, it had been his suggestion, and he'd had Kieran and Carmine convince the old couple to move here. Even if it was partly because of the bullying villagers up north, as the matchmaker, he owed them a visit.
Driving along the League-mapped mountain path, Lucas didn't go into the city, but straight for Porto Marinada.
A side reason, besides not wanting to take a detour, was not wanting Officer Jenny to invite him for tea—
Why would Jenny want to do that?
Well, because at that very moment, Lucas was driving without a license.
Of course, he wasn't gambling with his life—he didn't have a local license, but it didn't mean he couldn't drive.
To be precise, he had a license—in his previous world.
Back when he was a wage slave doing "9-9-6" (9am–9pm, 6 days a week), driving the boss to appointments was basic.
There were structural differences between vehicles in this world and his old one, but Lucas quickly got the hang of it. He drove fast and steady.
Around two or three in the afternoon, Lucas spotted the outlines of Porto Marinada.
He parked the pickup in a lot prepared for merchants visiting the market, then carried his big bags toward a group of buildings.
They were neat two-story minivillas, each with a small plot of land, perfect for growing flowers in your spare time or a home garden.
These were built by the Paldea League to house technical talents and as perks for staff.
Geeta had once offered one to Lucas, but he'd refused.
After all, a gift that seemed free wasn't necessarily so.
He didn't want to end up like Brother Larry—deeper and deeper in debt to favors.
"083083."
Following Geeta's directions, Lucas soon found the house.
It was in a great location, far from the shore so it would be safe from even a rare tsunami, close to the market, lots of facilities nearby—if only these units were for sale, Lucas would buy one right away and move in as Mr. Yukito's neighbor for retirement.
"Ka-bu!"
Hearing movement from the little yard, Snover climbed up the fence and called out.
Looking over, Lucas saw that it was Mrs. Hideko, whom he hadn't seen in a long time, watering the garden with a Psyduck-shaped watering can.
Upon noticing Lucas, her eyes lit up.
"Isn't this Lucas? What brings you here?"
She set the watering can aside, moving as if to greet him.
Lucas hurriedly waved her off, lifting his bags and smiling, "Geeta said you'd moved in, so I thought I'd drop by."
"You really shouldn't have! We ought to be visiting you…"
Hideko looked embarrassed—had it not been for setting up the new home and the heavy snow in Los Platos, they would've visited first to thank him for his help.
Kieran and Carmine didn't fully understand, but she and Yukito certainly knew who had made all this happen. According to that stern, tired child with dark circles, the League President herself had handled the paperwork!
For such ordinary mask-makers to get this level of attention…it had to be thanks to Lucas.
Hearing the commotion, Mr. Yukito poked his head out, pausing in his furniture assembly. When he saw Lucas, he greeted him warmly—they'd grown close back when Lucas stayed as a guest at their inn, so things didn't stay polite for long.
"Snover is like a little tree," said Yukito, cradling a handmade clay teacup, smiling at Snover. "Will fertile land full of fertilizer help it grow faster?"
"I think it's best not to overdo it," Lucas replied, wiping nonexistent sweat from his brow.
"Larvesta—Ah, Kieran used to say it was the champion's ace in its baby form, and wanted Larvesta as his starter…"
"…And in recent calls, he keeps mentioning you, saying he wants to catch a Shinx next," Hideko said, happily feeding mochi from Kitakami to the curled-up Larvesta.
Even as an older couple, there was something sweet about feeding such babyish Pokémon as Larvesta and Snover—they couldn't help but feel fond.
The group chatted for hours over tea, and the elders tried to persuade Lucas to stay for dinner.
But Lucas politely declined, saying it'd be dark if he didn't get going.
Before he left, though, Hideko brought out a bouquet of beautiful flowers, insisting he take them.
Porto Marinada, being in southern Paldea, was warmer and had little snow compared to Los Platos. Lucas was curious where the fresh flowers had come from.
"These are Gracidea flowers, originally from the Sinnoh region across the sea from Kitakami," she explained with a smile. "Thanks to cross-sea trade, they were introduced here, too.
Their floral language means gratitude, appreciation, blessing, and thankfulness.
I heard that in Sinnoh, people give bouquets like this on important days—birthdays or anniversaries—to convey thanks."
Lucas was surprised—so the flowers in his hands were the famous Gracidea!
He'd never seen them before.
"Just now, were you—?"
Hideko nodded, glancing out at the garden. "I was tending to Gracidea seeds—come next spring, they'll sprout, grow, and bloom."
"It's said, if they bloom well, they can also attract Pokémon that bring good luck!"
Lucas listened and nodded—Hideko was probably talking about Shaymin.
Fields of blooming Gracidea would attract migrating Shaymin, and they'd even trigger Shaymin's form change, granting it flight.
"This bouquet is brought from Beishang; Gracidea are cold-resistant, so as long as you tend them, they won't wither quickly."
Seeing the question in Lucas's eyes, she smiled and called to her husband: "Yukito, bring out the rest of the Gracidea seeds! Let Lucas take some home and plant them!"
…