Gifts

In the afternoon, after lunch, Naoki rode his Cyclizar into town.

When he arrived at his destination, Kelly was washing dishes. Seeing him approach, she smiled and said, "Are you ready?"

"Yes!" Naoki replied, full of emotion. After six months of hard work, he finally had his own house. "The rooms are cleaned up, and once the furniture is moved in, we'll be all set to live there."

"That's great," Kelly nodded. She finished washing her hands in the sink, then led Naoki to the workshop and handed him a furniture catalog. "The furniture is currently at the factory. Take a look at the styles here, and if you like any, I'll have them delivered later."

Naoki flipped through the catalog, scanning the wide array of furniture options.

Kelly offered advice as he browsed, "The overall design of your house has a natural, log-style feel. A wooden fabric sofa and a rustic coffee table would fit nicely."

"The dining room and living room are open and spacious. Adding a few pots of greenery will give it that close-to-nature vibe, which I'm sure your Pokémon will love."

Naoki's attention was caught by a light-colored handmade fabric sofa. He could already imagine it in his new home. After thinking it over, he nodded. "This one."

"You've got good taste," Kelly complimented with a smile.

Feeling proud, Naoki continued selecting other furniture in the same style—a coffee table, tatami bed, desk, TV cabinet, curtains, floor lamp, dining table, wardrobe, and a large, leafy-patterned rug.

"I'll put that rug in the living room," Naoki thought to himself.

He also picked out a wooden display stand.

He planned to display the little trinkets Baby Bear had sent back from its travels. Even though Teddiursa wasn't physically there, it was still an important part of the family.

Kelly jotted down his selections and then asked, "Do you still need those oak barrels for winemaking?"

"Absolutely." Naoki nodded.

Over the past couple of months, he'd saved up a lot of money from selling Miltank milk, rock salt, and crops. He figured he might as well buy everything in one trip and avoid the hassle of multiple visits.

"Let's see..." Kelly mused for a moment. "Your cellar should be able to hold about thirty oak barrels. Since you're buying a lot, how about I give you a 20% discount?"

"That sounds amazing!" Naoki grinned.

Though he wasn't short on money, who wouldn't appreciate a good deal?

Seeing his delighted expression, Kelly chuckled. "Alright, if you don't have anything else, head back to the ranch. I'll swing by the furniture factory and have your things delivered."

Naoki was about to agree when something crossed his mind. "Oh, I also need a bar counter, along with some tables and chairs. Could you deliver those too?"

Once he moved everything into the new house, the old one would be empty—perfect for renovating into a tavern.

"Sure, I'll add a bar counter, tables, and chairs to the list." Kelly paused, clearly curious. "Are you really planning to open a tavern out there? Your ranch is pretty remote. I'm not sure you'll get many customers."

"You don't need to worry about that," Naoki said with a mysterious smile. "I have a plan. The tavern will have plenty of customers."

But he was thinking about Pokémon, not people.

Seeing his confident grin, Kelly didn't press further. "Alright, then! Let's get started!"

Naoki's ranch was still there, and one day, Kelly would understand the answer.

After paying for the furniture, Naoki left the woodworking shop. However, instead of heading straight back to the ranch, he decided to stop by the department store in town with his trusty Cyclizar.

Ever since arriving in this world, Naoki realized that his Pokémon had always worked hard for him, yet he hadn't given them any gifts in return. Now that he was moving into a new home, he thought it was the perfect time to buy something special for each of his Pokémon.

With that thought in mind, Naoki and Cyclizar entered the large department store.

Kosaji Town, located near the sea, had a booming trade business, connecting it with other regions. The mall had three floors: a clothing area, a trainer supplies area, and a daily necessities area. Each section was packed with items, from clothes to Poké Balls, berries, Fire Stones, and other essentials for trainers.

As Naoki wandered between the shelves, he thought about what gifts would suit each of his Pokémon.

"Koraidon has such a lively and playful personality. I think a ball toy would be perfect for him, especially to play with Dragonite and the others."

Naoki smiled, picturing the scene.

"Dragonite... although it used to focus so much on becoming stronger, it seems to have mellowed out. Maybe I should get it a Pokémon doll?"

He noticed a display of adorable plush Pokémon dolls, styled like they were using moves from the games. It seemed like the perfect gift.

Then Naoki turned to his Cyclizar, walking beside him.

Cyclizar noticed his gaze and chirped happily, "Gaao~!"

Naoki smiled and gently patted its head, then grabbed a red scarf from a nearby shelf and placed it in the cart.

Cyclizar had been Naoki's first partner in this world, and it held a special place in his heart. The red scarf was more than just an accessory—it symbolized how unique Cyclizar was to him.

As Naoki continued placing items into the cart, Cyclizar looked puzzled and tilted its head. "Gaaaa?"

Naoki chuckled. "I was planning to surprise you with this when we got home! It's your gift, but I'll give it to you once we get back."

Hearing that, Cyclizar's eyes lit up with excitement. "Gaao!"

"You can't wear it yet," Naoki said with a grin. "I haven't paid for it! I'll put it on you once we're outside."

Cyclizar nodded eagerly, and they continued shopping.

It took Naoki about twenty minutes to pick out gifts for all the Pokémon at the ranch.

For Koraidon, he chose a leather ball; for Dragonite, a plush doll; for Cyclizar, the red scarf. For Pawmo, he selected an electric ball; and for Glaceon, a box of delicious ice cream.

For Alcremie, Naoki found a cream processor. A flower bracelet for Dolliv, while Butterfree got a can of nectar specially made for Bug-type Pokémon.

For the three Combee, Naoki picked up a large bag of sweet gummy candies. For the Naclstack, he chose small stone sculptures, each one in a different pose. Finally, for the Miltanks, he bought three buckets of strawberry-flavored yogurt.

The gift for the Diglett was a large food package, while the Dratini and Dragonair each received fish-shaped toys.

Even the Psyducks living by the river weren't left out. They seemed to have made that area their permanent home. Believing that good neighbors are better than distant relatives, Naoki thoughtfully bought each one a straw hat.

As for the three Gogoat…

Naoki prepared three Miracle Seeds for them.

Miracle Seed: A seed that nurtures life. When carried by a Pokémon, it boosts the power of Grass-type moves.

With this item, the strength of the Gogoat trio was sure to improve significantly.

In addition to his Pokémon at the ranch, Naoki also thought of the traveling Teddiursa and the upcoming Pokemon siblings.

Although he didn't know when Teddiursa would return or when the Pokemon siblings would arrive, it was always good to prepare in advance.

For Teddiursa, he bought a bamboo hat with a charmingly adventurous spirit. For the Pokemon siblings, he chose a pair of elegant silk scarves.

With all the gifts ready, Naoki returned to the ranch.

He called all the Pokémon together and distributed the presents one by one.

Naoki watched each Pokémon closely as they received their gifts. When he saw their happy expressions, he felt a wave of relief.

"Great, it seems everyone likes their gifts," Naoki thought with satisfaction.

Across the river, the group of Psyducks mistook the straw hats for food and immediately tried biting into them.

Naoki sighed, then flew over the river on Dragonite, carefully picked up one of the Psyducks, and placed the straw hat properly on its head.

The other Psyducks stared at their newly accessorized friend with their usual blank, yet wise, expressions. After a moment of contemplation, they clumsily put their own hats on.

With the sun blocked by their new hats, the Psyducks appeared to enjoy their newfound shade.

Satisfied, Naoki returned to the ranch just in time for Kelly to arrive with the furniture truck.

Naoki quickly went over to help Kelly and the Machamp she had brought with her to move the furniture into the new house.

Meanwhile, the Pokémon who had received their gifts were enjoying themselves.

Well, almost all of them.

Koraidon seemed a bit down.

It glanced at the ball in its hand, then at the red scarf wrapped proudly around Cyclizar's neck.

"Ah, gah…" Koraidon sighed dramatically.

Dragonite, noticing the sigh, looked over in confusion: "Awoo?" (Aren't you happy with Naoki's gift?)

Koraidon was happy—really, it was. It glanced at the ball again, realizing it was something special from Naoki. After a moment, it carefully tucked the ball away with great care.

Dragonite tilted its head, even more confused. "Awoo…" (What is going on?) Dragonite couldn't understand the situation and, deciding it was too complicated, chose not to think about it anymore.

Dragonite went back to the lake, curious to see what Naoki had given the three Dratini and two Dragonair.

At first, Dragonite was a little anxious. It worried that Naoki might favor those playful little dragons over it and that their gifts might be better than its own.

However, when it saw the five fish-shaped toys lazily bobbing in the lake with their dead-eyed expressions, Dragonite's anxious heart suddenly felt at ease.

Noticing Dragonite's arrival, Dratini and Dragonair looked puzzled: "Woo?" (Why are you here?)

Dragonite waved its claws nonchalantly: "Awooo!" (Oh, nothing. Just checking in. Carry on!)

Under the confused gazes of Dratini and Dragonair, Dragonite left with its doll, feeling reassured.

Hugging the doll close, Dragonite strolled around the ranch to see what gifts Naoki had given to the other Pokémon.

Next to the flower field, the Combee trio were not out collecting nectar as usual. Instead, they were gathered with Butterfree, sharing the special nectar and sweet candies Naoki had gifted them.

Up on the roof of the coop, Pawmo was busy playing with the electric ball it had received. It transmitted electricity into the ball, and when it saw the glowing result, its eyes lit up with joy, just like a child who had gotten a new toy.

Meanwhile, the three Miltank sat contentedly in the grass, leisurely enjoying the strawberry-flavored yogurt from the buckets Naoki had given them.

In the sheep pen, Dolliv, adorned with its new flower bracelet, was happily basking in the sunlight. Behind it, the three Gogoat were carefully using their hooves to plant the Miracle Seeds they'd been given.

Seeing his Gogoat so industrious, Dragonite decided not to interrupt their farming, especially since it had little interest in agriculture itself. So, it turned and wandered off.

The Naclstack and Diglett were busy underground, but Dragonite didn't like being in cramped spaces, so it skipped checking in on them.

Alcremie was tinkering with some strange machine in the cabin, which didn't interest Dragonite either.

This left only Glaceon.

Dragonite had noticed earlier that Glaceon had sneakily returned to the igloo with something in its mouth.

Curious, Dragonite tiptoed over to the igloo, avoiding the door. Instead, it peeked through the window.

What Dragonite saw next was unexpected.

The usually calm and composed Glaceon was sitting with a tin bucket, laughing like a giddy Cyclizar! Every now and then, it would dip its head into the bucket, emerging with cream smeared all around its mouth!

After licking the cream clean like a contented, greedy little cat, Glaceon let out a happy sigh.

Dragonite's pupils trembled in disbelief.

At that very moment, Glaceon looked up, as if sensing something, and its eyes met Dragonite's through the window.

For a split second, they stared at each other, and Glaceon's face turned bright red.

The next moment, Naoki, who was busy decorating the new house, heard a high-pitched scream coming from the igloo.

"Bu—eyy!"

Kelly was guiding Machamp in moving a bed when she paused and said in surprise, "Was that… Glaceon?"

Naoki glanced out the window on the second floor and saw Dragonite bolting out from behind the cold storage in a panic, as though it had seen something terrifying.

"Did Dragonite upset Glaceon?" Kelly asked, noticing the commotion.

"I doubt it." Naoki was puzzled. "Those two aren't the type to start trouble with each other."

He kept watching for a while but saw no sign of Glaceon chasing after Dragonite. Eventually, Dragonite ran out of view, disappearing behind the house.

"I'll go check on things," Naoki said.

Kelly nodded, and Naoki headed out to find Dragonite, which he eventually spotted in the grassy field.

He approached and asked, "What happened? Did you have a disagreement with Glaceon?"

"Ouch..." Dragonite shook its head vigorously, feeling embarrassed at the memory of what it had just witnessed.

Just as Dragonite was about to explain, a familiar voice echoed from behind: "Buee!" (Don't you dare tell anyone!)

Dragonite quickly covered its mouth with its claws, wide-eyed.

Naoki turned to see Glaceon, now radiating a frosty aura that screamed "stay away," glaring at Dragonite with intense caution.

Naoki glanced between the two Pokémon—Dragonite looking guilty and Glaceon giving off serious "keep quiet" vibes.

With a knowing smile, Naoki thought to himself, "Looks like Pokémon have their little secrets too!"