With that, Gunther flipped through the computer beside him, and after a moment continued: "Just looking at these materials isn't very interesting."
Seeing Sam looking at him, Gunther paused and added: "I really should do some actual field research."
"That'll cost extra."
At these words, Gunther laughed: "No problem. As long as you come work at the library every day, I'll raise your wages."
Hearing this, Sam picked up his broom and continued sweeping.
Meanwhile, at the Community Center, Joy and Ron carried the dishes she had prepared to the dining table. After calling Linus and Trevenant over, the three of them sat down.
"By the way, where are Froakie and the others?" Joy asked, pouring water into cups and placing them beside the two.
It wasn't very warm inside, so they still needed to drink something hot to keep warm.
Though Robin had come to patch up the drafty spots once more, and they were mostly sealed now, the Community Center was simply too old. The original wooden materials had aged, and the insulation wasn't ideal.
"At the farm," Ron thought for a moment and said.
---
Because Bellossom had leveled up enough in the Skull Cavern, Ron had given Froakie and Bellossom a few days off.
Also, due to the cold weather, fewer and fewer Pokémon were willing to go outside these days. In contrast, Sailor, who still needed to go to the beach every day to collect seafood was practically a model worker.
However, perhaps because he got to play with Sandy in the desert, Sailor was quite enthusiastic about heading out early every morning. In fact, Ron hadn't even seen Sailor's mouse shadow these past two mornings. As soon as he went out, he could see the seafood Sailor had collected, along with the Geodude carrying the box.
As for the other Rattata, a few had made arrangements with Leah. Around ten in the morning these past few days, they would go to the forest with her to search for Snow Yams and Crystal Fruit, then stay at Leah's house for lunch, conveniently helping Ron collect various resin, syrup and such.
Besides raising animals, there was only brewing wine in winter. Ron planned to build more sheds for brewing after returning from Kalos. The money earned would be just enough to expand the farm again.
"I see." Joy cupped her hands around her cup and took a sip of hot tea, then continued: "The farm's much quieter in winter, isn't it?"
"Not much to do lately," Ron thought for a moment and said. "I've been researching recipes at the farm lately. If you have time, you can come visit."
The group chatted idly. From the fireplace nearby, the occasional crackle of bursting wood could be heard. Linus drank his tea, his cloudy eyes hidden beneath his messy hair narrowing slightly after a while as he leaned back in his chair with some contentment.
It seemed Linus had once had someone celebrate his birthday when he was young.
But thinking carefully, it was different. In any case, those flashy days were long gone. Linus was grateful to this town that had taken him in, tolerant of his ideal lifestyle in the wilderness. During festivals and holidays, they always reserved a place for him, and every year at the Winter Star Feast, Lewis would specifically invite him to his table.
Thinking this, Linus smiled at the Trevenant beside him.
"Trevenant~"
Time skipped ahead to the seventh day of Winter.
Because Ron was planning to leave for Kalos after the Festival of Ice on Winter 8th, both the General Store and 2 Willow Lane were up early that day.
Caroline wanted to ask Ron to bring some things Abigail liked, while Emily was at home preparing a travel bag for Haley.
"Clothes—mm, toiletries—" Emily stood before the backpack, stuffing items into it one by one. Minccino was beside her, sweeping its large tail over the backpack again and again.
"I'm counting on you to take care of Haley and Sunkern," Emily said, continuing to put things in the bag while watching the Minccino dusting with its tail.
"Minccino!"
Haley sat to the side, holding Sunkern in her arms, watching the Minccino pat its chest confidently.
Originally, she and Emily had taken turns cleaning the living room every week. But after Minccino arrived, the two of them hardly had any chance to dirty the living room. The moment trash hit the floor, this Minccino would go clean it up.
This put Emily's mind considerably at ease.
Haley didn't say anything. She waved at Minccino, then pinned a small daisy hair clip onto its head.
This was something she had bought from Hat Mouse at the old broken-down house a few days ago when she went to play at Leah's house, following one of the farm's Rattata.
"Minccino minc~" Minccino touched the hair clip on its head and called out to Haley quite satisfactorily.
She and Minccino got along quite well in this regard. Although Haley also had plans to dress up Sunkern, since Sunkern only had two leaves on its head and really had nowhere to hang decorations, she had to give up.
But Minccino was different. When Haley was dressing herself up, it was even willing to offer its tail full of beautiful fluffy fur to Haley, letting her weave ribbons and such into it.
"Sun," Sunkern called out to Minccino, then had its head pressed down by Minccino's paw.
"Mincci minc."
"Sunkern."
"What are they doing?"
"Not sure." Haley shook her head, glanced at the two Pokémon who seemed to have reached some kind of agreement, placed Sunkern to the side, and went forward to help Emily pack the backpack.
The previous sentimentality had been swept away on this day of imminent departure. Now Haley only felt excitement for the new journey she was about to embark on.
"Ron said we're leaving after the Festival of Ice, so it'll probably be in the afternoon," Emily pondered. "Then I'll ask Gus for leave in the afternoon and find time to see you off at the beach. Remember to contact me promptly if anything happens—"
Emily chattered on with instructions: "I've coordinated with Joy. If anything happens, she'll call me immediately, and I'll rush to the Community Center—oh right, the Community Center."
Emily suddenly remembered that because she was now in the clothing business, Lewis had cleaned up a room at the Community Center for Emily to work in.
This was a great help to Emily. Although she could work at home, space was truly limited. With mannequins, fabric, and such things piled up, when there were orders she could barely move her feet.
But because the Community Center wasn't fully repaired yet, it would have to wait until spring next year to be put into use.
Otherwise, it would still be a bit cold. Making clothes required finger dexterity, and if her fingers froze, mistakes could happen.
"Wait until next spring—" Emily said. "Call me more often in the mornings, okay?"
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