She will love it here

As the front door clicked open, Ayan stepped into the warm lighting of the apartment, cradling Oddish in his arms like a prized plush toy. The scent of dinner wafted from the kitchen—something rich, herbaceous, and unmistakably familiar. Before he could even slip off his shoes—

"Ayan!" his mother's voice rang out.

She peeked around the corner and immediately froze, eyes widening at the sight of the round, leafy Pokémon nestled against her son's chest.

"Is that—?!" she gasped, practically skipping toward him. "Oh my goodness, is that an Oddish?!"

"Yep. Picked up a new companion." Ayan grinned, stepping further in and holding Oddish up a little.

"She's adorable! Look at those chubby cheeks—and her leaves are so healthy! I haven't seen such a well-formed Oddish in years!" His mom's hands fluttered like she didn't know whether to squeal or faint. Oddish blinked up at her with mild curiosity.

"Oddish?"

"Can I hold her? Please?"

"Of course," Ayan said, gently transferring the Pokémon to his mother's waiting arms.

The moment Oddish settled into her grasp, she let out a low, contented hum. It didn't take long for her to snuggle in, recognizing maternal warmth when she felt it.

"She followed me, actually," Ayan added casually, brushing off his shoulder as Pidgey fluttered past to perch on the backrest of the sofa. "Just like Pidgey did."

"She followed you? Another one?" His mom looked up sharply. 

"I don't know. Maybe I've got a smell?" He shrugged, playing it cool. 

"You do shower," she muttered, still focused entirely on the tiny Grass-type in her arms. "Right?"

"I do," he replied dryly. "But if Pokémon want to follow me home, I won't say no."

"She's got perfect leaf symmetry. Her growth rings are so balanced. This isn't just any wild Oddish—she's going to evolve beautifully." His mother sat down on the couch, still cradling Oddish like a baby. 

"That's what I was thinking. Which is why… I think she'd be better off staying with you." Ayan smiled.

"Wait, what?" His mother blinked. 

"I'll take her out for practice occasionally, make sure she evolves into a Bellossom eventually—but day to day? I think she'd love it here. Being pampered. Being spoiled. Having Leavanny teach her how to dance in leaf skirts."

"Are you sure?" she asked, though her grip on Oddish had definitely tightened with affection. "You might need a Bellossom someday."

"I'll use her when it is required," Ayan said, stretching his arms overhead. "Besides, this one clearly already likes you. And let's be honest, I wouldn't be able to keep her off your lap anyway."

She hesitated, but then looked down at Oddish—who had already nestled into her elbow and was letting out the softest, happiest "Oood~dish" hums.

"…Alright," she said, voice thick with joy. "But only if you're sure."

"I am."

Just then, from the hallway, Leavanny peeked in—her leaf arms folded curiously. At the sight of the Oddish, her eyes lit up, and she glided gracefully into the room.

"Leaaa?"

"Oddish!" (You look like someone in charge!)

They met for the first time like two forest nobles. Leavanny leaned down and inspected Oddish with eye of a seamstress. Within seconds, she had gently touched the tips of Oddish's head leaves and let out a delighted sound.

"Lea~" (Yes, yes, your style is outdated. That simply won't do.)

To everyone's surprise—including Oddish's—Leavanny immediately darted to the corner of the room, where a neatly organized box of crafting supplies lay open. She pulled out threads of silk and leaf-fiber, worked at lightning speed, and within minutes returned with a tiny, finely-stitched cloak woven from fresh green leaves.

She gently slipped it over Oddish's back like a tailor fitting royalty.

Oddish blinked. Then swayed from side to side in a slow little dance.

"Odd~ish!" (This is the best thing I've ever worn!)

"Okay, now I'm sure she belongs here." Ayan let out a small laugh. 

"I think so too. Leavanny's always been waiting for someone she could dote on like this." His mom beamed. 

Just as Leavanny finished adjusting Oddish's new cloak for the fifth time—this time adding a tiny clover embroidery to the hem—the front door clicked again.

Ayan turned his head as his father stepped in, briefcase in one hand, tie half-loosened, the scent of the evening rain clinging to his jacket. He froze mid-step when he spotted the scene: his wife cradling an Oddish like a newborn, Leavanny hovering nearby in full stylist mode, and Ayan lounging on the floor beside them with Pidgey on his shoulder.

"…Did I walk into a plant nursery?" his father asked with a slow smile.

"Look who followed your son home," Ayan's mother said, beaming.

"Wait… is that an Oddish?! No way! You brought her a new Grass-type?" His dad squinted—and then lit up. 

"She followed me," Ayan said, with just enough seriousness to sell the lie. "Just like Pidgey. I didn't have the heart to send her off."

"So she just followed you?" He shot a playful look at his wife. "And this one can't argue because she was free, right?" His father raised both eyebrows. 

"Don't start," Ayan's mother said, but she was already trying to hide a smile.

"Come on! I offered to buy you a Roselia three times, and you said we didn't need another plant shedding petals on the sofa."

"Because they do," she shot back.

"But this one," he gestured at Oddish, who was now wobbling toward him with innocent eyes and leaves swaying, "is perfect?"

"I'm not debating this with you in front of the kids," she said, stifling a laugh.

"Thanks, son. She's gonna love it here."

"I know," Ayan said. "Oddish already does."

They all shared a quiet moment before Ayan straightened and cleared his throat.

"Dad, actually—can I ask something a little… technical?"

"Sure." 

"I was thinking about… you know, longer-term. If I wanted to… I don't know, earn with Pokémon someday. Maybe while I'm still figuring out what I want to do in the future. What kind of Pokémon should I look for? To work in a job like yours."