"Boss, do you have any Wurmple eggs for sale?"
"Boss, I'll be turning ten next year—please save a Pokémon for me!"
"Boss, I don't have space at home. Can I leave the Pokémon I catch during my journey here with you?"
The young kids all spoke at once. Their questions were a mixed bag, but their eyes were filled with dreams of becoming trainers and their love for Pokémon.
Kawaki answered them one by one with a warm smile.
"We don't have Beautifly eggs, but we do have Wurmple eggs. If you like that Pokémon, I can keep an eye out for you."
Fast forward to a Dustox instead...
"Of course! Come back when you're ten—I'll make sure to have a big batch of Pokémon eggs ready for you to choose from."
"Boarding your Pokémon? Absolutely. I look forward to seeing what rare Pokémon you'll catch out there!"
Fallarbor Town was a small farming town, and most of the kids came from ordinary rural families.
They couldn't receive starter Pokémon from a professor like some kids, and they definitely didn't have a big lab like Professor Oak's to send their Pokémon to.
In this situation, a day care became their best option.
Without it, they'd have to brave the wilds alone just to catch a Pokémon.
Kawaki looked at the innocent, bright-eyed kids before him and couldn't help but think: Maybe those Bug Catchers and Youngsters we meet in the games... are really just these kids.
"Wow! Awesome!"
When they heard Kawaki's promise, the children erupted in cheers.
They stayed at the day care for quite a while, only leaving around noon.
Once they were gone, the place quieted down again.
With no new customers yet, Kawaki began preparing lunch for himself and the Pokémon.
"Woof! Woof!"
The tiny Growlithe bounced around Kawaki's legs excitedly, circling him as if inviting him to play.
Kawaki scooped him up and set him aside. "Sit still for a bit."
When Growlithe realized Kawaki wasn't going to play, he looked terribly dejected. His ears drooped, and a little dark cloud appeared over his head.
Kawaki:
What do I do if my Pokémon is too clingy?
He sighed and said, "It's not that I don't want to play—I'm making food for everyone. You're hungry too, aren't you? After lunch, I'll play with you, okay?"
"Woof!"
The little dark cloud vanished, replaced by a tiny sun shining over Growlithe's head.
Only then did Growlithe remember—he was hungry!
The little pup stopped fussing and sat obediently off to the side, waiting for the meal.
[Growlithe's mood improved. Joy +10. You received Growlithe's gift: Puppy Paw Print.]
[Puppy Paw Print: A paw print left by a young Growlithe, representing its fondness and affection. Highly commemorative.]
Kawaki stared at the mold in his inventory with a paw-shaped imprint and didn't know what to say.
Still, one thing was certain—this item definitely carried sentimental value.
He carefully stored the Puppy Paw Print away, planning to show it to Growlithe once he was grown.
Lunch was served at their usual small table.
One human and three Pokémon sat around it, like a real family.
After finishing his Moomoo Milk, Growlithe let out a big yawn.
He had run around all morning—no wonder he was tired.
That was how baby Pokémon were—always a little sleepy. It was a sign that they were growing.
Seeing this, Kawaki asked Bewear to take Growlithe back to the room for a nap.
He, on the other hand, took advantage of the quiet time with no visitors to head over to the herb garden with Oddish.
He pulled out a Psyduck watering can and began the daily task of watering the herbs and vegetables.
"Oddish," Kawaki called.
"Na-dsh?" Oddish looked over curiously.
"Can you help me out?" Kawaki looked at the still-empty field and said, "If you're willing, could you use your Grass-type energy to care for the seeds in this plot?"
Oddish blinked, then nodded without hesitation.
"Na-dsh~" Of course I can!
Kawaki was its Trainer now. He fed it tasty snacks every day and even made this garden just for it.
Oddish absolutely loved the herb garden, and it was grateful to Kawaki. It felt lucky to have met him.
Helping out in return? Even better!
Pokémon were simple—treat them well, and they'd treat you the same.
Seeing Oddish so willing, Kawaki felt relieved.
Then I'll leave it to you!
"Na-dsh!"
Kawaki wasn't a professional trainer—he couldn't make his Pokémon stronger through rigorous training.
But a breeder had their own methods.
By incorporating "training" into everyday tasks—like asking Oddish to tend the garden—it may have seemed like basic help, but it was actually helping Oddish refine its control over Grass-type energy.
Without wasting time, Oddish got to work. After napping all morning, it wasn't tired at all and had nothing else to do.
Oddish focused, activating its Grass energy. It used Ingrain to root itself in the soil, sensing the seeds hidden beneath the dirt.
Under Oddish's control, waves of vibrant green energy flowed out from its body.
That energy turned into nutrients, nourishing the buried seeds.
To the naked eye, it didn't look like anything had changed in the soil.
But Kawaki knew that was because Oddish's power was still too weak.
Once it evolved into Bellossom someday, maybe it could make seeds sprout, blossom, and bear fruit with just a thought.
There was no rush—especially with Kawaki's golden finger around. That day would come sooner or later.
Just then, a sharp chirp rang out from above.
Kawaki looked up and spotted that same cheeky Taillow perched on the roof again.
Second time's the charm.
Taillow squinted down at Kawaki—the human who had fed it earlier that morning.
Now it was hungry again. So here it was.
Well, well!
This little Taillow came back for more food and drinks?
Thinking of the intel it had given him earlier—about the legendary Pokémon Latias and Latios—Kawaki didn't hesitate.
A few Pokémon snacks in exchange for legendary Pokémon intel?
Totally worth it.