**Chapter 3: Settling in Coumarine City**
Toot~
In the early morning, a ship sounded a long, deep whistle as it slowly sailed into the port of Coumarine City.
Coumarine City is a famous port city in the Kalos region, and also a well-known leisure and resort destination. Therefore, even in the early morning, the port was already bustling.
The waters near the port were filled with ships of various sizes and types, including giant cruise ships, medium-sized yachts, and small fishing boats...
As soon as a ship docked, large crowds would appear on the pier: workers unloading cargo, tourists entering the port, and vendors hawking their goods. Pedestrians came and went in an endless stream, a cacophony of shouts rising and falling, one louder than the last.
How long had Bai Feng not seen such a lively scene? It had been so long that he had almost forgotten what the Human World looked like. He stood excitedly on the deck, watching the pier getting closer and closer, his heart swelling with emotion.
More than ten days had passed since he was rescued by Captain Sanders and his crew. After more than ten days of sailing at sea, the ship had finally docked.
After a good deal of fumbling communication between them, Captain Sanders and the others had learned that Bai Feng couldn't understand their speech but could understand their meaning through Pokémon language.
Although they were surprised that Bai Feng could understand Pokémon language and found it strange that Bai Feng's intelligence and language system were fine but he couldn't speak, Sanders and the others were relieved that the child they rescued wasn't a little simpleton.
Through more than ten days of difficult communication, Bai Feng had roughly learned that Sanders and his crew were an official exploration team organized by the Pokémon League. This trip out to sea was to explore an unknown ruin, and they unexpectedly rescued Bai Feng on their way back.
In addition, during these ten-plus days, Bai Feng had actively learned the new language from everyone on the ship through Bai Ye.
Everyone was happy to teach him. Not only did they speak much slower than usual, but they also actively answered any questions Bai Feng had. For example, when Bai Feng pointed at a chair, they would tell him how to say "chair"; when he pointed at the sky, they would tell him how to say "sky"...
Bai Feng was incredibly grateful that he had met such a group of kind and lovely people.
Seeing Bai Feng staring intently at the crowd on shore, Sanders walked over and said to him, "Once we're ashore, I'll have Mogu take you to the police station and ask Officer Jenny to send you home."
Mogu was the young sailor who first discovered Bai Feng.
Bai Feng nodded.
In fact, he didn't really have a home! Wherever he and Bai Ye went, that was his home.
Because Captain Sanders couldn't understand Bai Feng and Bai Ye's words, and Bai Feng's newly learned language wasn't yet at a level where he could communicate, they still didn't know that Bai Feng was a wild child raised by a Pokémon on a deserted island. They thought he had merely been shipwrecked and temporarily separated from his family.
Since everyone couldn't understand Bai Feng's speech, he was too lazy to explain; he simply couldn't explain it clearly.
After going ashore, Captain Sanders had official business to attend to, so Bai Feng was entrusted to the sailor Mogu.
Mogu was an enthusiastic young man. On the way to the police station, he talked non-stop, introducing his hometown, Coumarine City, to Bai Feng.
Coumarine City was indeed a beautiful city. It perfectly combined the sea, trees, and modern light rail, making the entire city full of rich natural and cultural charm.
After considering the area, Bai Feng felt that this was a very suitable place to settle down, with both the prosperity of a big city and a strong natural atmosphere.
In pleasant conversation, the two arrived at the Coumarine City police station. After learning the purpose of their visit, Officer Jenny formally received them.
After Mogu told Officer Jenny about Bai Feng's inability to communicate normally, Officer Jenny said, "I see. Then we won't be able to effectively get information from this child..."
After thinking for a while, Officer Jenny suddenly had a thought and said, "Right, I have an idea! Wait for me for a moment." With that, she quickly ran off.
When Officer Jenny returned, she was accompanied by a beautiful young woman wearing a light green long dress.
"This is my good friend, Makiki," Officer Jenny introduced to Bai Feng and Mogu. "Her Alakazam can help us communicate with this young friend." Turning to Makiki, she said, "Makiki, please."
Makiki nodded gently, then took out a Poké Ball. With a flash of light, an Alakazam with golden fur appeared before everyone.
After coming out, Alakazam looked at its Trainer in confusion, but then, after Makiki whispered something in its ear, it skillfully took a pen and a blank notebook from its Trainer's hand.
Officer Jenny explained with a smile, "Makiki's Alakazam can read and write. Since this young friend can communicate with Pokémon, he just needs to tell Alakazam what he wants to say, and then Alakazam can write it down and tell us."
Mogu exclaimed in surprise, "How amazing! It's an educated Alakazam!"
Bai Feng also marveled at Alakazam's intelligence in his heart.
With Alakazam's help, Officer Jenny and the others quickly understood Bai Feng's true situation. Mogu said in shock, "You weren't shipwrecked? This Gardevoir raised you?" No wonder such a big child couldn't even speak.
After understanding Bai Feng's situation, Officer Jenny asked, "Young friend, do you have any plans? Do you want to stay in Coumarine City?"
Bai Feng shook his head, then nodded.
He knew nothing about this world right now, so he naturally had no plans. He knew about Pokémon in his previous life, but knowing about Pokémon and understanding the Pokémon World were two different things!
Staying in Coumarine City, however, was a good suggestion.
"I see... Since you're willing to stay in our Coumarine City, I'll first take you to get your identification processed, and then we'll consider how to settle you," Officer Jenny said after thinking for a moment.
Indeed, one needed an identity to survive in this world.
Bai Feng nodded obediently, looking like he would listen to everything she said.
Seeing that Bai Feng was going to stay in Coumarine City, Mogu gave him a look that said, "You have good taste," and ruffled his hair before saying, "Good kid. Trust me, you won't regret staying in Coumarine City."
Seeing that Officer Jenny had already made arrangements for Bai Feng, Mogu said, "Officer Jenny, I'll leave Bai Feng to you. I have things to do, so I'll be going now."
Officer Jenny nodded and replied, "Don't worry, I'll make sure this little guy is settled."
After saying goodbye to Bai Feng again, Mogu left the police station.
Bai Feng's identification process went very smoothly. He was young and his situation was special, so the household registration office gave him a green light.
However, deciding where to register Bai Feng's household was a problem that troubled everyone.
"How about sending this child to an orphanage?" a police officer suggested at this point.
"That might be the only way..." Officer Jenny said with a slight frown.
And so, Bai Feng's destination was decided.
Bai Feng spent the night at the police station. Dinner was bought for him and Bai Ye by the police officers.
Officer Jenny came to pick him up first thing the next morning, thoughtfully bringing breakfast for him and Bai Ye.
After Bai Feng finished breakfast, Officer Jenny took out a Poké Ball and handed it to him, saying, "I'll take you to the orphanage later. This Poké Ball is a gift from me. You can put Gardevoir inside."
Bai Feng gratefully accepted the Poké Ball and clumsily thanked Officer Jenny in the language of the Pokémon World.
Bai Ye was not unfamiliar with Poké Balls. After interacting with humans, it had seen this magical item multiple times, and Bai Feng had also privately explained the details about Poké Balls to it.
So, when Bai Feng asked if it wanted to go into the Poké Ball, it nodded decisively.
Bai Feng wasn't surprised by this. His "mom" had a very lazy personality. Normally, he had to metaphorically use a whip to constantly urge it during training. Now that it had a chance to sleep soundly inside a Poké Ball, it was naturally more than willing.
After Bai Feng finished breakfast, Officer Jenny stood up and said, "I'll take you to the orphanage now. I've already spoken with the director there, and she will arrange everything for you when you arrive."
Bai Feng nodded, full of anticipation for his future life.
Before going to the orphanage, Officer Jenny first took Bai Feng to bathe, helped him tidy his messy hair, and bought him a set of suitable clothes.
Bai Feng was very grateful for this, sighing that Officer Jenny was truly too thoughtful.
The clothes Bai Feng had worn before were given to him by one of Captain Sanders' crew members. Even though that crew member wasn't tall, his clothes were still too big for Bai Feng, an eight-year-old child, making it difficult for Bai Feng to walk.
After being cleaned up, Bai Feng's appearance changed greatly. Although his skin was still dark, he could already be called a handsome youth.
Bai Feng was very satisfied with his appearance.
Officer Jenny looked Bai Feng up and down, then teased, "Hmm... Very good. Director Meryl will definitely like you!"
...
Coumarine City's geographical environment is very special. It is bordered by the sea on one side and mountains on the other, and these two sides are divided in the middle by a light rail that spans the entire city.
The prosperous areas of the city, such as the commercial district, residential district, and tourist district, are located on the side facing the sea, while ranches, farmlands, orchards, etc., are on the side facing the mountains.
It is precisely because of this clear distinction that Coumarine City got its name.
The Bluebird Orphanage, where Bai Feng was about to be registered, was located on the side facing the mountains.
Taking the light rail train, the two quickly crossed a cliff. Not far above the cliff was where the Bluebird Orphanage was located.
Standing at the entrance of the orphanage, Bai Feng carefully looked at this place where he might stay for a long time in the future.
The orphanage didn't cover a large area, with only three buildings arranged in a square shape, surrounding a small courtyard in the middle.
When the two arrived, a woman in her forties was hanging clothes in the courtyard.
Seeing Officer Jenny and the little boy beside her, the woman immediately put down what she was doing and quickly came over, saying, "Officer Jenny, you're here! Is this the child who will be staying with us?"
Officer Jenny nodded and said, "That's right. This child's name is Bai Feng. I'll trouble you to take care of him from now on. His situation is special; he has some difficulties with language communication. Please pay extra attention to him."
Officer Jenny told the director everything about Bai Feng's situation in detail.
After finishing her explanation to the director, Officer Jenny had Bai Feng release Bai Ye, and then, using Bai Ye's voice, she said to him, "Listen to Director Meryl more from now on. If you encounter difficulties, you can also come to the police station to ask me for help."
Bai Feng nodded solemnly and thanked Officer Jenny again.
After Officer Jenny left, Director Meryl took Bai Feng's hand and led him into the courtyard while introducing the situation of the Bluebird Orphanage.
"My name is Meryl, and I'm the director of this orphanage. You can call me Director Meryl, or you can call me Grandma Meryl..."
The Bluebird Orphanage was not large in scale, with only Director Meryl as staff. The number of orphans taken in was also small; currently, there were only six children, plus the newly arrived Bai Feng, making a total of seven.
It was precisely because the Bluebird Orphanage had few people and a simple atmosphere and environment that Officer Jenny arranged for Bai Feng to stay here.
Bai Feng listened attentively as Director Meryl introduced the situation in the orphanage, when he suddenly noticed a few small heads peeking stealthily from a corner not far away.
Director Meryl also noticed them, so she reached out and called out loudly, "What are you doing? Come over quickly. Let me introduce you to our new member."
Just like that, four little ones walked out shyly from the corner, three boys and one girl, all looking younger than Bai Feng.
"This is our new older brother, Bai Feng. You should get along well with him from now on," Director Meryl first introduced Bai Feng and Bai Ye to the children. "And this is Bai Feng's family, Bai Ye. You should treat Bai Ye as kindly as you treat Older Brother Bai Feng."
"Okay, Director Meryl!" the four children shouted in unison, their eyes especially full of curiosity as they looked at Bai Ye.
Then the director introduced the four children to Bai Feng.
The tallest boy was named Yota, six years old this year, looking like a lively and active little guy; next was Nanako, the same age as Yota, likely with a quieter personality.
Below them were Ikki, five years old, and Yu, four years old.
Ikki seemed a bit shy; he hid behind Nanako the whole time, not daring to look at Bai Feng and Bai Ye directly. Yu, on the other hand, seemed a bit outgoing; if Ikki hadn't been holding him back, he probably would have already rushed over to Bai Feng and Bai Ye.
Besides the four present, there were two other children in the orphanage, one named Fuyu and one named Rima.
Rima was just a one-year-old baby, currently sleeping soundly in the house, so she wouldn't be mentioned for now.
The other was the oldest child currently at the Bluebird Orphanage, named Fuyu, nine years old. However, he wasn't home now; he had gone to school.
Don't let the small size of the Bluebird Orphanage fool you; it was actually established with official investment from Coumarine City. In other words, Director Meryl was a public employee.
Children taken in by this orphanage had a very good benefit: they could attend public school for free after the age of seven.
Of course, the government would only support you in completing the most basic education. If you wanted to continue your studies, you would have to bear all the expenses yourself.
(End of Chapter)