"———Thank you," Sebastian paused.
"Alright, no slacking off," Maru stepped forward and patted Sebastian's shoulder: "I've already carried two loads, come on."
"Coming."
Meanwhile, at the farm.
After distributing today's Stardrop, there was nothing else to do.
Ron thought about it and decided to wait until Sailor returned in the afternoon, give him the reserved Stardrop, and take everyone to the Spa for a bath.
Time passed to the afternoon. Ron picked up Sailor returning from the Desert at the bus stop.
As for Nacli, not having the heart to let him suffer at the farm, he would stay at Sandy's house in the dry desert for the entire winter.
"Rattata?" Sailor looked at Ron standing by the platform, excitedly jumped down from the bus, and leaped into Ron's arms.
After Ron handed a small piece of Stardrop to his mouth, waved at Pam, and turned toward the farm.
Besides those afraid of water, today even Miltank came along to the Spa. The farm's group marched in grand formation along the small path behind the farm toward the mountains.
Just as they emerged from the small path, Ron saw the carpenter's shop with its lights on, the ladder raised high, and Robin blowing on her hands to warm them.
"Have to hurry, it's going to snow again soon!" she shouted below, then reached out to take wood, and turned back to hammering and clanging.
Ron paused, shifted his footsteps, and walked toward the carpenter's shop.
"What are you busy with? Need help?"
Ron approached and asked.
Wearing the Glow Ring, as soon as he approached, several people's gazes turned over.
"Ah, Ron, what brings you to the mountains?" Robin on the ladder asked.
"Rare farm spare time," Ron said: "Taking everyone from the farm to the Spa."
Hearing about the spa, Robin's frozen-red hands curled up: "I'll go too when I'm done—so cold."
"We're busy building a room for Sebastian," Maru interjected from the side: "It would be great if you're willing to help, we really need the manpower. I just got off work at the clinic and came to help!"
Maru's tone couldn't be determined as complaining or not. She looked up at the progress and said: "We need to get the framework up today, preferably get the roof and walls up or covered tonight."
Otherwise, with tomorrow's snowfall, there would be several more steps added.
"Sure, the farm folks are all here anyway," Ron said, stepping forward to help.
Seeing this, Indeedee also directed with "Indeedee, indeedee," so the crowd of Pokémon helped Robin carry wood to the best of their abilities, plus helped deliver some handy tools.
Ditto thought for a moment, then transformed into Robin's appearance and climbed onto the roof.
Robin looked at the "Robin" that appeared before her, paused, and asked Ron below: "What is this?"
"Ditto, a type of Pokémon that can transform into people or Pokémon it sees," Ron introduced.
"Di—tto," "Robin" pointed at himself and introduced.
Having transformed into Robin's appearance, along with inheriting Robin's carpentry skills, the efficiency of the addition improved considerably.
"There's actually this kind of Pokémon," Maru looked up, looking at the two Robins in disbelief, then turned back to continue working.
With the farm's help, the carpenter's family, who had thought they would be busy until midnight, finished work before nine o'clock.
After eating a little something to replenish their energy, their family also joined the group going to the Spa.
The crowd marched in grand formation toward the Spa.
Robin and Maru carried their swimsuits, waved at the few people, and went into the changing room.
The Spa here was mixed bathing, so swimsuits needed to be worn to enter.
Froakie and Croagunk waited nearby.
"Froakie?"
Froakie's gaze fell on Croagunk's dejected face, couldn't help but raise his paw, trying to pat Croagunk's shoulder.
"Croak—" Croagunk nearby puffed out his cheeks.
"Interesting," Sebastian finished changing into swim trunks, reached out and poked Froakie.
"Froak!"
Froakie immediately jumped onto Ron's shoulder.
Sebastian couldn't help but look at Froakie.
Although both were frogs, the two's personalities were vastly different. Of course, in Sebastian's eyes there was no better or worse—he liked all frogs.
But if he had a choice, he certainly hoped Croagunk could be as clingy as Froakie.
So he turned his head and looked at his own Croagunk.
Croagunk's height was almost double Froakie's, so having him squat on his shoulder was almost hopeless.
So he asked: "How about I carry you in?"
"Croak—"
Croagunk puffed out his cheeks again.
Couldn't tell if willing or not.
After some thought, Sebastian picked up Croagunk and caught up with Ron's pace.
"Croak—"
Croagunk's expression still didn't change, but he looked somewhat happy. Sebastian lowered his head, staring at Croagunk's head in his arms, vaguely realizing that Croagunk was probably like himself—seemingly somewhat distant, but actually if someone was willing to care for him and approach him, would also secretly rejoice.
Just, never good at showing it.
"Froak," Froakie on Ron's shoulder was rubbing his paws not very obviously.
He suddenly turned his head staring at Croagunk, realizing that besides Nacli, many Pokémon couldn't be directly patted!
This thing definitely had poison!
Thinking this, he rubbed his paws again.
"Croak—"
Croagunk being held by Sebastian puffed out his cheeks again, facial expression unchanged, but Froakie instantly detected a hint of schadenfreude.
He couldn't help but pat Ron's shoulder indignantly.
Upon entering the Spa, steam surged over. Hands and feet that had been frozen stiff from the heavy snow just now slowly warmed up at this moment.
Robin and Maru were already soaking inside. Besides them, in the corner squatted a Linus trying to make himself invisible.
This was the good place Linus found to avoid the cold.
He just hadn't expected anyone to come to the Spa at this hour. At this moment, he was somewhat awkwardly crouching in the corner, eating the food he brought over.
"Linus," Ron raised his hand in greeting.
"Ah, Ron, you're here too," Linus turned his head, his gaze falling on the crowd of Rattatas, and reacted.
"Not soaking together?" Ron asked.
Linus waved his hand: "I've soaked enough today, I'll just sit here for a while."
Ron didn't insist upon seeing this, and went straight into the Spa.
Having worked in heavy snow all day, soaking in the pool, Robin couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
"Let's come tomorrow too," Robin said to Maru nearby.
Maru quickly nodded: "Tomorrow too!"
The Rattatas floating on the water similarly chimed in.
"Rattata rattata!"
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