He could only say Geeta truly lives up to her reputation!
Speaking of Geeta, in the evening while Naoki was chatting with Lono, Lono brought up something.
It was that the Champion Challenge system in the Paldea Region seems to be undergoing reform.
"The Chairwoman is envious of the festive atmosphere in other regions during the League Competition; she believes that it not only attracts more Trainers to our Paldea, but also showcases Paldea's formidable strength to other regions."
"So, starting next year, the Chairwoman has decided to emulate other places and hold a League Competition in Paldea," Lono said.
"Indeed, it needs some modification," for this, Naoki quite agrees with Geeta's approach.
Because it will surely attract more Trainers to travel to Paldea, collecting Gym Badges and challenging the League Competition.
This process will bring great development to the economy of the Paldea Region, not to mention promoting tourism and prosperity in various other industries.
"Fortunately, I stuck to my beliefs and politely declined the Chairwoman's invitation; otherwise, I might also have become a worker for the Paldea League, just like Larry," Naoki couldn't help but remark.
Lono chuckled: "Larry is truly quite unfortunate, not only does he have to accept Gym challenges, but he also has to help other departments with tasks, and the Chairwoman frequently sends him on business trips."
With this, Naoki was quite puzzled.
Given Larry's status and Elite Level strength, he wouldn't be lacking money, so why is he living like a corporate slave?
Perhaps it's "enjoyment of the role"?
However, Naoki believes it might be more about responsibility! Bearing the responsibilities of one's position, Larry is a person with a heavy sense of duty.
All he could say is that everyone has their own way of living!
To him, the most cherished lifestyle is running the ranch with everyone.
*
As autumn turns to winter, the season of leaves yellowing and falling silently leaves, and soon enough the sky is blanketed in swirling white snow.
Snowflakes fall on rooftops, fall on the ground, fall in the fields, and fall in the Wooloo's ranch.
In December of the League year 201, the Paldea Region has greeted this year's first snow of winter right on schedule.
Following this is the New Year of 201.
During the cold winter, fields become unsuitable for cultivating crops, and farmers who normally leave early and return late have the rare opportunity to stay home, sitting cozily in front of the fireplace with family and Pokemon, sharing hometown tales amid the falling snow.
In their cellar, there's plentiful storage of winter food, sausages, cheese, salted fish, barley bread, wine, smoked meat, dried wild mushrooms...
Naoki Ranch is among them.
To prevent snow from blocking the roads, he stored abundant food in the cellar early on.
The essentials for eating and drinking are all available, and even Flutter Mane, who constantly worries about a food shortage and hunger, couldn't help but show a smile of reassurance upon seeing this scene.
This morning, Lono came to the ranch.
Since today is New Year's Eve, Naoki had started busying himself since early in the morning.
Preparing New Year gifts for the Pokemon, gathering ingredients needed for tonight's New Year's dinner, and getting ready the fireworks to set off tonight.
When Lono arrived, Naoki was engrossed in writing a couplet; he hadn't felt the urge for several years, but this year he suddenly got inspired to write a couplet to paste on the house entrance.
"In the twelfth month, ample fish and shrimp, abundant chickens and ducks in a prosperous year..." Lono muttered, reciting the words aloud, looking amazed and asking, "What does this mean?"
"It means the fish and shrimp are abundant in the twelfth month, and the chickens and ducks are plump for the New Year, people living on the land prepare endless abundant food to celebrate a bountiful harvest," Naoki explained as he pasted the couplet beside the door using the prepared starch paste.
Even though she hadn't heard this phrase before, Lono still managed to grasp the essence of Naoki's words.
"It truly sounds like it brings a sense of happiness!" she said.
Naoki smiled and turned back, saying, "There are still some goods at home that haven't been sorted out, care to lend a hand?"
"Sure, sure!" Lono chuckled, then released her Pokemon from the Poke Ball: "Everyone, come on out!"
With streaks of white light flashing, Bellibolt, Mismagius, and others appeared one after another in the living room.
Lono's Pokemon, along with Koraidon, Cyclizar, and Pawmot, gathered around the fireplace, chatting while watching the blazing Larvesta inside.
Meanwhile, Naoki and Lono began unpacking the goods in the living room, most of which were items Naoki bought using an online shopping app.
Like fireworks and specialties from other regions.
While the two were busy unpacking parcels and sorting goods, the Pokemon sat around the fireplace warming themselves.
Naoki and Lono gazed at that scene, and suddenly a peculiar feeling arose within them.
They are the parents preparing New Year's goods during the holidays, while the Pokemons are like a group of children playing and celebrating the arrival of the New Year.
"Just like family." Lono propped her chin with her hand, her gaze touched as she watched the scene.
Naoki turned his head to look at her.
"Phew... I never thought, I'm about to get married!" Lono said softly, "Creating a new family with someone else... Something I never considered before, but in three months, I'll have my very own family!"
"I never thought about it either, before I met you." Naoki said with a smile.
Lono looked at him, "Hm?"
"Back then, I often thought, it would be nice to just live with the Pokemons, run this ranch together, and lead a simple, happy life."
"But later, seeing other ranchers taking care of Pokemons with their families and running the ranch, I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to have a family like that myself." Naoki said.
"What about now?" Lono asked.
"Now?" Naoki laughed, "I am really looking forward to life three months from now."
It's truly amazing, two completely different people like him and Lono, are actually about to get married.
One is a rural rancher, the other lives alone in a big city and is a Gym Leader, one is on the furthest west of the Paldea, the other on the furthest east.
Actually, at first, Naoki was a bit worried that being with Lono would mean suddenly neglecting the Pokemons at home.
But later he found that his worry was completely unnecessary.
Because whatever they did, it was always natural to take the Pokemons along with them.
Lono always said, "I can't possibly ignore the Pokemons, and neither can you, so let's take them along with us!"
And then it evolved into a situation where the two of them would care for the Pokemons together...
The Indeedee Sibling watched from afar as the two of them tidied up things.
The sister Indeedee couldn't help but say, "Indeedee~" (They look really happy~)
The brother Indeedee calmly nodded, "Indeedee."
Both the sister and brother Indeedee were genuinely happy for Naoki at this moment.
Especially the sister Indeedee, because she could now showcase her skill in baby care which she's spent a long time learning!
Thinking of this, the sister Indeedee looked at her brother and said, "Indeedee." (When the time comes, I'll care for the baby, and you have to help wash the diapers.)
"Indeedee?!" The brother Indeedee was surprised, he thought for a moment and then calmly said, "Indeedee." (There aren't diapers anymore.)
Their parents once trained them, including the use of diapers and paper diapers.
Because not all families in this world use baby paper diapers, some still use traditional cloth diapers.
According to his understanding of Naoki, it's 99% likely he would choose those convenient disposable paper diapers.
Hearing this, the sister Indeedee also realized it.
She was just about to say something more, but at that moment, a knocking sound suddenly came from outside.
In the living room, Naoki and Lono both raised their heads.
The brother Indeedee didn't want to hear his sister talk more about helping the baby with waste stuff, so he quickly walked over to open the door for the guests.
However, as the door opened, what appeared wasn't humans but two small Pokemons!
"Teddiursa!"
"Miu!"
"Indeedee?!" The brother Indeedee was slightly stunned, then a happy smile appeared on his face.
Because Mew and Teddiursa, who were out traveling, have returned, the Naoki Ranch members are now all present!
Not one missing, not one extra, everyone together celebrating the New Year, eating the New Year's Eve meal made by Naoki, gathering around the fireplace for New Year's Eve, and watching fireworks.
After greeting the brother Indeedee, Teddiursa immediately ran to Naoki.
"Teddiursa!!"
"Miu~" Mew covered its mouth and laughed, then raised its long pink tail and floated over to Naoki.