Santalune City, Santalune Gym.
"So Korrina, you're Gym Leader Gurkinn's granddaughter!"
He should have realized it earlier. Appearing in Santalune City with a Riolu by her side—who else could it be?
Memories from his previous life slowly surfaced. If he remembered correctly, Korrina appeared quite frequently in the Kalos arc of the anime.
She was a passionate, energetic girl who was always bursting with enthusiasm.
Although the girl before him looked slightly different from the one in his memories, the resemblance was still unmistakable.
"Let's go. We should let the Gym Leader know. And next time, you absolutely can't sneak off to dangerous places again."
As he spoke, Hayato Sora raised his hand and rubbed Korrina's head vigorously.
"Hayato Sora ~"
Korrina puffed out her cheeks and quickly smoothed her messy hair.
"Seriously, why do you keep messing up my hair!"
"Hahaha! It's a habit."
Hayato Sora scratched his head awkwardly.
"Korrina actually reminds me a lot of my younger sister. If there's a chance, I'll introduce you two—you might become really good friends."
"Really?"
Korrina's big eyes sparkled. Having grown up with few playmates, she looked eager at the thought.
"Of course."
After entering the Gym, Korrina immediately began introducing everything to Hayato Sora, hopping around cheerfully as she spoke.
"Big brother, come quickly!"
Korrina waved from ahead.
"Grandpa is battling another Trainer!"
When Hayato Sora stepped forward to look, he realized the opposing Trainer was someone he knew.
It was Siebold—the one who had exchanged contact information with him not long ago.
Siebold was currently battling Gym Leader Gurkinn.
By the time Hayato Sora and Korrina arrived, the battle was already nearing its end.
Mega Lucario was forced back by Mega Blastoise, one foot stepping outside the battlefield.
According to Gym battle rules, that counted as a loss.
Unfortunately, Hayato Sora hadn't arrived in time to witness the full battle between two Trainers capable of Mega Evolution.
He shook his head with a hint of regret.
After the battle ended, Korrina shouted excitedly and dashed toward Gurkinn, jumping into his arms and acting spoiled.
She eagerly recounted everything that had happened over the past two days, fiercely complaining about the hateful poachers.
Gurkinn had already received the full report from Officer Jenny earlier, so he gently stroked Korrina's head with a loving expression.
"Korrina did the right thing this time. But if you run into danger again, you must tell the adults immediately."
After comforting her, Gurkinn walked toward Hayato Sora and bowed slightly in gratitude.
The two chatted for a while. Just as Hayato Sora was about to take his leave, Siebold stopped him.
"Hayato Sora, in three days Santalune City will be holding a Beach Festival. A lot of visitors from other places will come. You could prepare some dishes and sell them at the festival gathering."
"So it's finally starting?"
Hayato Sora muttered to himself. He had already heard about the Beach Festival. Two days ago he had even asked Gario about it, but the exact date hadn't been confirmed yet, so he hadn't decided whether to participate.
"Today, Gym Leader Gurkinn and I finalized the date."
"I see."
Hayato Sora nodded in understanding.
A Gym Leader held immense authority within a city—sometimes even the mayor would follow their advice in certain matters.
"Since you're inviting me, Siebold, I'll definitely participate."
"Hahaha!"
Siebold laughed.
"With your cooking skills, Hayato Sora, you'll definitely conquer the taste buds of tourists from all over. I'll reserve a good spot for you."
After saying goodbye to Siebold and Korrina, Hayato Sora didn't leave immediately.
He first went to the Pokémon Center. After confirming there was no mail for him, he headed to the seed shop.
The seeds remaining on his ranch were too limited. He planned to purchase more.
Especially crops with high added value—now was the perfect time to try planting them.
The store's enthusiastic Sunflora greeted him as usual. Hayato Sora reached out and gave it a friendly pat.
The shop owner turned around, recognized him, and greeted him warmly.
"Oh, it's you! Judging by the timing, the seeds I recommended last time should be ready for harvest."
"Thanks to your recommendation, they've already been harvested—and sold for quite a good price."
"Haha! Seems like you have real potential to be a ranch owner. So what seeds are you looking for this time?"
After discussing it for a while, Hayato Sora finally decided on coffee beans.
It was a crop that could be planted in both spring and summer. It grew quickly and could be harvested repeatedly.
The beans could be sold either to cafés or agricultural markets for a high price.
Of course, the seeds themselves were also expensive.
The small bag Hayato Sora bought cost him 3,000 PokéDollars.
Before returning to the ranch, he made sure to stop by the Miltank Ranch to inform Pani about Korrina's incident.
He also told them about the Beach Festival happening in three days.
By the time Hayato Sora returned to the ranch, it was already noon.
After having a simple lunch with his Pokémon, he lay down on the grass for a short nap.
When the sun was no longer so scorching, Hayato Sora picked up his hoe and walked to the newly reclaimed farmland.
The mung beans and tomatoes were still growing, so they didn't need attention for now.
The vegetable plot—about one plot in size—was planted very quickly thanks to the Pokémon's help.
Three Mudbray used Bulldoze, creating evenly spaced pits across the field so the crops wouldn't compete for nutrients.
Hayato Sora followed behind them, dropping processed seeds into the pits.
Then he used his hoe to cover them back up, preventing hungry bird Pokémon from stealing them.
Kangaskhan and Cinccino carried Squirtle watering cans, carefully watering the seeds to maintain soil moisture and help them sprout faster.
With everyone working together, efficiency more than doubled.
By the time all the coffee seeds had been planted, only about two hours had passed.
Looking over the farmland, Hayato Sora spoke to the Pokémon at his feet.
"Mudbray, could you use Bulldoze one more time?"
"Mud~!"
The Mudbray happily agreed.
The three Pokémon lined up and struck identical poses.
They gathered the Ground-type energy within their bodies and channeled it into the earth beneath their hooves.
Pale yellow ripples spread outward from the Mudbray, fanning across the field.
This step would help the seeds establish roots early.
With the Mudbray's help, by tomorrow morning—
There should already be a faint hint of green across the once-barren field.
"That's enough."
Hayato Sora stopped them and waved.
"Go play. Just remember to come back for dinner before it gets dark."
"Mud~!"
The Mudbray rubbed against his leg affectionately before the three of them ran off, chasing each other eagerly—clearly excited to go play in the mud.
Seeing the Pokémon so happy made a smile naturally appear on Hayato Sora's face.
He crouched down and picked up the Cinccino that ran toward him, giving it a vigorous cuddle and a deep sniff, looking completely satisfied.
Today, it smelled like pear blossoms.
Kangaskhan followed right behind and scooped Hayato Sora—along with Cinccino—into her arms, holding them just like a baby.
"You're already a grown lady, and you're still acting spoiled."
Hayato Sora helplessly patted Kangaskhan's head.
Kangaskhan rubbed against his palm like a contented cat, her eyes squinting in pleasure.
Pokémon were always this pure and adorable.
Tomorrow he planned to make a trip to Coumarine City.
What kind of Pokémon might join the ranch in the future?
He couldn't help but feel curious.
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