At this moment, the prize machine made a soft sound, and a cup of Stardrop Tea was dispensed from it.
Ron picked up the bottle of Stardrop Tea and turned to Lewis, saying: "I haven't done anything. If we're to truly break it down, it should be the result of everyone's combined efforts."
Lewis smiled upon hearing this and didn't argue with Ron about whose credit it was. He stared at the cup of Stardrop Tea in Ron's hand, as if remembering something, and suddenly said: "That Stardrop Tea in your hand counts as our Pelican Town's specialty. Try it, see how it tastes?"
Ron sniffed the tea. The color of the tea liquid looked somewhat similar to a Stardrop, with a faint tea fragrance and an indescribable aroma wafting from it.
"If this could be marketed in Kalos, it might sell quite well," Lewis paused, then continued: "Unfortunately, the ingredients are rather rare, and we can't produce more than a few cups a year."
Seeing Ron look at him, Lewis didn't hide anything. He pulled out a recipe from his drawer and handed it to Ron: "Here's the recipe. If you're interested, you can try growing it on your farm. If it could be mass-produced, you might make quite a bit of money."
He was quite familiar with the farm's income. However, after lending that huge sum of money to Penny's family, the farm wasn't very well-off at the moment. Although there was still a batch of Pale Ale sold every few days bringing in stable revenue, because Ron was expanding the farm and building Barns, half of it actually went toward land rent and buying cows from Marnie's ranch.
Ron took it and looked. At the top of the ingredient list was the Stardrop, though it didn't require a whole one—just a small amount for flavoring, mixed with tea leaves and dried together.
After a quick glance, Ron put away the recipe and thanked Lewis.
"Don't mention it," Lewis said. "Speaking of which, this thing has a legend in Pelican Town."
"What?"
"It's said that as long as you give Stardrop Tea to anyone, even if they were once sworn enemies, they will develop some fondness for the giver after receiving this cup of Stardrop Tea," Lewis said. "But this thing is quite rare even in Pelican Town. Few people would specifically collect it to give to others, so I don't know if it's true."
Ron nodded thoughtfully, holding the cup of Stardrop Tea. After saying goodbye to Lewis, he left Lewis's house directly.
Before Lewis could refocus on the accounts in his hands, his door was knocked on again.
"Come in."
The door opened in response, and Gunther walked straight in. He currently had a camera hanging around his neck.
Yesterday afternoon, Ron had specially come to the library to talk with him about Pokémon photography. This happened to coincide perfectly with Gunther's own ideas, and he immediately agreed.
Seeing Gunther enter, Lewis stopped what he was doing somewhat surprised. "What brings you here? Is something the matter?"
"Is there anyone else in Pelican Town suitable for working at the library?" Gunther got straight to the point.
"Working?" Lewis was first stunned, then thought for a moment. "Working—hmm, let's see, how about Penny?"
Although she tutored children three days a week, since the location was the library, it wouldn't really affect things. The only issue was that on Saturdays she would also take the children to play at the playground. Aside from those times, she was free.
Especially since Penny also liked staying in the library to read.
"Otherwise—mm." Lewis pondered: "Elliott? He might be willing."
Gunther thought for a moment and explained the situation to Lewis.
The gist was that he was planning to take Natu to observe Pokémon in the back mountains and do some related Pokémon ecology documentation. Although Sam was willing to work at the library a few more days, since his heart wasn't in it, there was no way to have him work at the library seven days a week.
To be honest, there wasn't much work to do at the library right now anyway—at most organizing books, cleaning up, and dusting the shelves, that was all.
If he found another person to rotate shifts with Sam, Gunther himself could be freed up to do the things he wanted to do.
He had also made arrangements with Demetrius about this, though their research directions were slightly different.
Demetrius was researching whether Pokémon ecology was affecting Pelican Town's original flora and fauna, while Gunther wanted to conduct further research on Pokémon habits and such.
Afterward, he could ask Joy to transmit the data he collected to the League. If there were any particularly special discoveries, he could even get his name credited in the Pokédex.
"I see," Lewis paused. "Tomorrow is the Festival of Ice. After the festival passes, I'll help you ask them. If anyone is willing to work at the library, I'll notify you immediately."
After seeing Gunther out, Lewis buried himself in his accounts again.
Time skipped to the next day.
This was the day of the Festival of Ice. The festival venue was set on an open area near the Cindersap Forest.
Everyone would gather there to build snowmen, make ice sculptures, and chisel holes in the ice layer on the lake to hold a fishing competition.
The fishing competition would be a bit later. Early in the morning, Cindersap Forest was preparing for the day's festival.
As usual, after finishing the remaining work on the farm and helping Shane with the animal care, Ron went to Cindersap Forest with his Pokémon.
Sandy had also specially taken the bus over today. From afar, she waved at the Sailor who was trotting toward her.
"Sailor, come here! Guess what I brought?" Sandy held her hands behind her back, putting on an air of mystery. The Sailor couldn't help but twitch his nose while circling around her.
"Ratta?"
The Sailor suddenly stood up on his hind legs, propping his chin with one paw, trying to guess.
The Indeedee walked over to the side, listened to Sandy's thoughts, and automatically became Sandy's translator.
"Indeedee!"
Indeedee shook his head, indicating it wasn't something tasty.
The Sailor wrinkled his nose again, circling in front of Sandy.
The two of them seemed to be performing a play in front of Sandy, making her laugh continuously. She hid what was in her hands again and again, until Indeedee shook his head at the Sailor once more, and then she took out what she had hidden.
"Ta-da—a set, a captain's uniform—"
Saying this, Sandy took out the small hat. Looking at the Sailor gazing at her with surprise, she reached out and removed the sailor hat from the Sailor's head.
"Alright, I hereby announce that from today forward, Rattata Sailor! Is promoted to—" Sandy thought for a moment and said: "Captain of the Pelican Town Brigade!"
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