Evening.
The diligent Meowth helped carry the bagged coffee beans onto the backs of the Mudsdale.
They then hopped up themselves to act as makeshift supports, making sure the cargo wouldn't be shaken loose when traveling down the mountain road.
With the Meowth around, Hayato Sora had a lot less to worry about.
Hiring them to join the ranch was proving to be an extremely wise decision.
"Kangaskhan, don't forget to replace the Nutrient Solution in the Pokémon Egg later."
Before leaving, Hayato Sora swung onto Cyclizar and reminded her.
"Roooon~"
Kangaskhan snorted in mild dissatisfaction. She cared deeply about the Pokémon Egg.
Cyclizar took the lead, walking at the front while the three Mudsdale followed closely behind.
After passing through the rugged mountain path, they soon spotted the small truck waiting by the roadside.
When the vehicle's occupants saw them appear at the end of the road, Gario and Diggersby jumped down from the truck to greet them.
The Mudsdale obediently stopped by the side of the road. They weren't allowed onto the paved highway.
"Hayato Sora, looks like you had another great harvest!"
Gario looked at the piles of coffee beans stacked on Mudsdale's backs. While praising the haul, he also instructed Diggersby to help unload the cargo.
"Yep! We have the Meowth to thank for that."
Hayato Sora smiled while patting Cyclizar, not forgetting to praise them aloud.
The Meowth's ears twitched, and they began working even faster.
Even Cyclizar—who had been enjoying Hayato Sora's attention—immediately ran over to help carry the beans when it heard the compliment.
"So these are the Meowth that caused all that commotion a few days ago? They don't look like bad Pokémon."
Hayato Sora explained the whole situation to Gario before adding:
"They've already turned over a new leaf. Now they're hired helpers at my ranch."
"I see."
While the two chatted, the Pokémon had already finished loading all the coffee beans onto the truck.
These beans would be sent to a coffee-processing factory, eventually ending up in major cities like Lumiose City.
Coffee consumption was enormous, so the price naturally wasn't low.
This batch harvested from the ranch brought in 40,000 Poké Dollars—another bumper harvest that finally plumped up Hayato Sora's once-empty wallet.
After completing the transaction, the two watched the small truck drive away.
Just as Hayato Sora was about to turn back, an urgent horn suddenly sounded.
The truck had turned around and came speeding back. After a drifting stop, Gario leaned his head out from the passenger seat.
"Almost forgot something important."
Gario caught his breath before continuing, "Ranch owner Hain asked me to tell you—the baby Mareep has been born."
After confirming that Hayato Sora heard the message, Gario hurried off again.
The truck made another drifting turn and quickly disappeared at the end of the road.
"I didn't expect Diggersby to drive that wildly."
Hayato Sora shook his head before staring at Cyclizar.
"You absolutely must not learn from it."
"Gaooo~!"
Cyclizar stood upright and puffed out its chest, declaring that it looked even cooler than Diggersby!
"Reckless driving brings tears to your loved ones."
"Cyclizar, you wouldn't want everyone crying at your grave while Morpeko sneaks over to eat your offerings, right?"
"Gah?"
Cyclizar froze.
Just imagining it was terrifying.
It shook its head vigorously. It still needed to investigate why Hayato Sora and everyone else disappeared in the future—it couldn't die young.
So Cyclizar solemnly promised it would drive properly and obey traffic rules.
On the way back, Cyclizar moved so slowly that the Mudsdale ended up overtaking it, clearly disdainful of its snail-like pace.
Only after repeated urging from Hayato Sora did Cyclizar reluctantly speed up, finally returning to the ranch before night completely fell.
The night passed quietly.
The next morning, sunlight filled the sky.
After climbing out of bed, Hayato Sora began a brand-new day.
He poked a finger into the blankets, waking the sleepy Cinccino and Morpeko.
Because the two little troublemakers tossed around in their sleep, their fur had been crackling with static electricity and sticking out wildly.
Hayato Sora smoothed down the messy fur and used a small brush to untangle the clumped strands.
Afterward, he hugged them one by one and gave them a good cuddle, even pressing his face against their soft bellies before finally letting them go.
Watching the two happily scamper downstairs, Hayato Sora finished getting dressed.
He then gently picked up Smoliv from the flowerpot on the windowsill and held it in his palms.
When they first met, Smoliv was barely the size of half a palm—small and adorable.
But now?
Hayato Sora needed both hands to hold it.
The olive fruit on top of its head—used for storing olive oil—had grown plump and round.
Its small body had also developed a slightly darker tone from long hours under the sun.
Smoliv had accumulated a large amount of energy and would soon evolve.
Once it evolved into Dolliv, it would be able to produce an especially fragrant olive oil. Hayato Sora was very much looking forward to the delicious dishes he could make with it.
"Fu-fu!"
Still a little sleepy, Smoliv rubbed against his palm affectionately.
After gently comforting it and adding some growth fertilizer to the pot, Hayato Sora placed Smoliv back inside.
He picked up a Squirtle-shaped watering can nearby and watered the plant.
Enjoying Hayato Sora's attentive care, Smoliv adjusted its posture to better soak up the sunlight.
It wanted to grow up as quickly as possible.
Next, Hayato Sora walked toward the nursery beside the master bedroom.
Together with Kangaskhan, he replaced the Nutrient Solution in the incubator while also checking the egg's condition.
Kangaskhan excitedly shared a story about something that happened last night.
"Rooon~!"
Patting her, Hayato Sora laughed.
"You must've imagined it. Phione inside the egg hasn't even fully formed yet."
"Roo~!"
Kangaskhan picked up the incubator and placed it inside her pouch, then turned away from Hayato Sora.
She really had felt it last night.
In fact, she had been so excited that she barely slept.
Hayato Sora leaned his head around from behind her.
"Boss, you can try talking to it more. Maybe Phione will hatch earlier."
"Rooon!"
Kangaskhan immediately protected the pouch with both hands and stood up excitedly, looking at Hayato Sora with hopeful eyes.
"Really."
Hayato Sora nodded.
It was similar to prenatal education for babies—talking to them before birth could sometimes help.
After receiving confirmation, Kangaskhan sat in a corner and began chatting quietly to the Pokémon Egg in her pouch.
She told it about everything happening at the ranch.
Neither of them noticed the egg tremble ever so slightly, as if responding to her voice.
After reminding Kangaskhan to come downstairs later for breakfast, Hayato Sora walked down the stairs while brushing his teeth.
Halfway down, he encountered the Meowth playing around on the staircase.
A ball of yarn rolled to his feet.
"Good morning, Meowth!"
"Meow! (～￣▽￣)～"
"Meow~ ヽ(・̀ω・́)ゝ"
"Meowww— "
The lazy greeting came from the Kantonian Meowth.
The one greeting coolly with its hands in its pockets was the Alolan Meowth.
And the energetic, spirited greeting belonged to the Galarian Meowth.
Though they were all the same species, their personalities were completely different.
Hayato Sora pushed open the ranch house door.
The Flabébé and Mudsdale gathered around him to greet him, welcoming the start of a new day.
Oh right—
The three little Noibat were there too.
Yawning sleepily, they looked pleased.
After several days of training, they had learned a new move.
They had grown stronger again.
And they were very happy about it.
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