Forest Café[554]

Inside Hala's home

The Island Kahuna sipped calmly from a cup of steaming tea, studying the visitor across the table.

"So… you want to take on the Island Challenge of Alola, do you?"

"Yes," Naoki nodded. "And here's my official Challenge Certificate."

He placed a document on the polished wooden table between them.

Hala leaned forward, picking it up with a practiced hand. After examining the seal and signature, he gave a slow nod of approval. It was genuine.

These kinds of certificates were special, usually issued to foreign trainers under specific circumstances. In Alola, there were a few ways to receive one.

For example, a visiting trainer could be granted the right to participate if they were personally recognized by a Kahuna or Island Monarch. Alternatively, the certificate could be awarded to someone who had rendered exceptional service to the region.

Local trainers in Alola were different. Unlike visitors from other regions, they were considered eligible to take on the Island Challenge from birth.

"I see!" Hala let out a hearty laugh, his eyes gleaming with interest. "Looks like we've got another promising young challenger!"

He stood and formally introduced himself. "My name is Hala, Kahuna of Melemele Island. Since you've chosen to begin your Island Challenge here, I'll be the one to give you your trial."

"But it's already late today. So how about this—come back here tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock sharp. I'll explain your trial then."

"Understood," Naoki said politely, bowing slightly. He thanked Hala and left the Kahuna's home.

Instead of returning to Paldea that night, he stayed over at the ranch on Akala Island.

—The Next Morning—

As the golden sun rose above the sparkling ocean, Naoki arrived at Iki Town right on time.

Hala was already waiting for him in the village square, bright-eyed and full of energy after a good night's rest.

"You're right on time!" the Kahuna said cheerfully. "Actually, there's something that's come up on Melemele Island—near Hau'oli City, in the forest. There's a place called the Forest Café."

"From what local residents and Pokémon have reported, the café has run into some problems recently and had to shut down. It's caused quite a stir. So, I'd like you to go investigate and see if you can help solve the issue."

"This will be your Island Trial."

Naoki's expression shifted slightly.

Forest Café…

That sounded familiar.

Wasn't that the same café that appeared in the anime?

Despite being called a café, it was actually run by a particularly clever Oranguru known for its extraordinary intelligence.

Oranguru would brew and serve drinks to customers, listen to their worries, and even give surprisingly insightful advice. It had built a reputation as both a barista and a counselor.

In fact, the Pokémon taverns Naoki had built both on his ranch and at the World Tree were inspired by that very Forest Café.

Was it really closed now?

Did something happen to Oranguru?

After a moment of thought, Naoki nodded. "Alright. I'll go check it out."

Hala's eyes crinkled with approval. "Then I'm counting on you."

The journey from Iki Town to Hau'oli's nearby forest wasn't far.

Naoki climbed onto Koraidon and, using the navigation function on his Rotom Phone, flew across the tropical landscape.

Naoki thought he would have to spend a lot of effort searching for the Forest Café, but to his surprise, the place had an official landmark on the Rotom Map app!

All he had to do was tap "Go There," and his Rotom Phone automatically began navigating.

Naoki blinked in disbelief. He tapped on the landmark, and a short description popped up on the screen:

[Forest Café: A café run by Pokémon. Famous for its delicious Pear Juice. A great spot to relieve stress and sorrow!

Note: Most of the staff and customers are Pokémon.]

Naoki: "..."

Was this the power of the internet?

Out of curiosity, he quickly switched to the Paldea region and zoomed in on the Kosaji Town area. Sure enough, his own ranch was listed as a landmark too.

[Naoki Ranch: A ranch known for raising a wide variety of Pokémon. Famous for its rock salt and two types of fresh milk. Special Pokémon trials are held here. Be warned—the ranch owner is incredibly strong. Challengers, prepare for defeat!]

Naoki: "...."

He glanced again at the listing for Kosaji Town:

[Kosaji Town: The birthplace of prosperity culture. Originally a humble town, it flourished after the arrival of the King of Bountiful Harvests. The Shrine of Abundance in the nearby mountains is a must-see attraction.]

Naoki chuckled softly to himself. The Mayor would probably shed a tear if he saw this.

After a short pause, Naoki instructed Koraidon to continue onward, following the GPS navigation.

They passed through thick jungle terrain, descending a steep hillside, until a unique treehouse appeared ahead in the dense woods.

The structure was nestled atop a massive tree, with a winding wooden staircase connecting the ground to the house above.

This was clearly the heart of the forest. Towering trees surrounded the area, their branches heavy with hanging vines, creating a serene and secretive atmosphere.

The Forest Café—they had arrived!

Naoki dismounted from Koraidon and walked up the stairs to the treehouse. He reached out and knocked gently on the wooden door.

"Hello? Is anyone home?"

Knock knock!

To his surprise, the door creaked open by itself, revealing the interior.

In the soft glow of ambient lighting, Naoki saw a wooden bar, several small tables, and—behind the counter—a large Oranguru, calmly tending the bar.

Near one of the tables, a Shiinotic and two Morelull glowed faintly, casting gentle light throughout the café with their natural bioluminescence.

Inside the café, a Torkoal stood near the corner, quietly heating a pot of soup with the flames from its shell.

But aside from Oranguru, every Pokémon in the café wore troubled expressions.

When the door creaked open, all of them turned toward the entrance.

Oranguru spoke calmly, "Ooooh, oooh." (The café is currently closed.)

Naoki understood Oranguru's meaning instantly, thanks to his Viridian powers. He blinked in surprise, then gently shook his head and explained,

"No, I'm not here to order juice. I'm here on behalf of Kahuna Hala. He gave me a trial assignment, and that's to figure out why the Forest Café has temporarily closed—and to help resolve the issue."

At those words, all the Pokémon inside perked up.

Shiinotic's bioluminescent cap flickered in excitement. The two Morelull beside it glowed softly, their sleepy eyes brimming with hope. Even Torkoal peeked out from behind the bar, smoke puffing curiously from its nostrils.

Oranguru paused and regarded Naoki closely, the deep wisdom in its gaze unmistakable.

"Oraa?" (You can understand Pokémon speech?)

Naoki smiled warmly. "I can. And not just that—I can also heal Pokémon when they're injured."

Koraidon nodded with pride beside him. "Ah gah!"

Oranguru was a sharp Pokémon, and judging by what this human just said—and the determined look in his eyes—it quickly pieced things together. This was someone undertaking an island trial.

It wasn't the first time Oranguru had heard of the island challenge. Tapu Koko, the guardian deity of Melemele Island, often stopped by the café. It had seen this kind of thing before.

"Ooh ooh." (Very well. Come with me. I'll show you.)

Oranguru stepped out from behind the counter and led the way.

Naoki and Koraidon followed it outside, winding down a narrow path into the forest. The trail soon opened up into a clearing.

The clearing had clearly been cultivated—fruit trees grew in neat rows, forming a lush orchard. Or at least, it once was lush. Now, the branches were bare, the fruit stripped clean.

Naoki frowned, surveying the area.

"What happened here…?"

Before he could finish the thought, a loud snoring sound rumbled through the clearing.

He turned his head and spotted the culprit.

There, sprawled belly-up on the grass, was a massive Snorlax. It was fast asleep, limbs spread wide, both paws resting comfortably on its enormous stomach. The beast snored rhythmically, clearly deep in a food coma.

Naoki blinked. It didn't take a genius to connect the dots.

He glanced over at Oranguru. "Is that the one who ate all the fruit in your orchard?"

Oranguru sighed and nodded. "Mmm."

Naoki was a bit puzzled. From what he'd seen in the anime, Oranguru—especially this one—was no pushover. It had powerful psychic abilities and plenty of tricks up its sleeve. It could've easily driven Snorlax away.

But before he could ask, Oranguru read his expression and fanned itself lightly, as if answering his unspoken question.

"Ooh ooh…" (If I drove it away, it would just head deeper into the forest and eat everything else. The local Pokémon depend on those food sources. If they were gone, they'd starve.)

Naoki's eyes widened slightly.

That made sense. If Snorlax was going to eat somewhere, better here—where the damage was isolated—than in the wider ecosystem.

Oranguru added thoughtfully, "Ooh ooh." (I planted this orchard myself. It's the only area I can afford to let be eaten without harming the balance of the forest.)

Naoki nodded slowly, absorbing the situation. So the real issue wasn't the Snorlax's appetite—it was that the café couldn't operate without the fruit from this orchard.

No fruit, no juice. No juice, no business.

...

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