Stone, Steven.
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As the heir to the Devon Corporation and the eldest son of the Stone family, Steven, like other children, chose to become a Pokémon Trainer when he turned ten.
Today marked the fifth month of Steven's journey.
In just four short months, he had already collected five Gym Badges and evolved his Beldum into a Metang.
After leaving Meteor Falls, Steven didn't linger on the road. Judging by the time, if they continued on foot, it would likely be dark by the time they reached Fallarbor Town.
It was a common occurrence during his travels, and after a brief consideration, Steven decided to keep moving forward.
Evening. Sure enough, by the time he was halfway through the route, it was already getting late.
Steven looked up at the sky and realized it was almost nightfall.
"In that case, let's rest around here for tonight!"
There was still some distance to Fallarbor Town, and traveling at night wasn't safe. Steven decided to wait until morning to continue.
Thanks to the advancement of League technology, spatial technology had been implemented into backpacks, greatly easing the burden of traveling Trainers.
Just as Steven was about to set up camp, Metang suddenly flew forward and looked in a certain direction.
Soon after, not far down the road, they saw a house with lights on.
"What is it, Metang?"
Steven was a bit puzzled and followed Metang's gaze.
He paused for a moment, then walked forward with Metang. Before long, they saw a sign hanging on the door of the house.
The sign read "Open for Business."
Next to the door, a small chalkboard displayed the services offered by the establishment.
[Daycare Services]
[1. Pokémon Daycare]
[2. Current Available Move Tutoring: Baby-Doll Eyes, Tackle, Sleep Powder, Swords Dance, Protect, Toxic, Odor Sleuth.]
[3. Egg Breeding: Leave two Pokémon of the same Egg Group but different genders to breed stronger offspring.]
[4. Rare Item Exchange: Common Stones, Big Roots.]
[5. High-Priced Item Purchase: Moon Stones!]
[6. Food and Lodging.]
"Daycare? Or is this a hotel?"
Steven didn't need daycare services, but it seemed this place also functioned as a hotel.
In any case, a soft, comfortable bed was always preferable to sleeping in the wild with dangerous Pokémon around.
Without hesitation, Steven pushed open the daycare's door.
What greeted him was a cozy lobby with a slightly cute design.
The lights were on inside, and a group of Clefairy were gathered on the guest sofas playing together, while a Bewear in an apron was sweeping the floor.
The front desk faced the entrance directly, and behind the counter sat a boy around Steven's age, leaning back in a chair and reading a book.
Beside the boy, on one side of the counter, lay a lively and energetic Growlithe.
Outside the window stretched a vast forest and wilderness shrouded in darkness, but inside the house was a completely different scene.
A boy living with a group of Pokémon...
Under the warm-toned lights, the entire daycare radiated a comforting atmosphere that felt like home.
A guest!
Hearing the door open, the boy, Kawaki, immediately looked up.
But when he saw who had entered, he was briefly stunned.
That unmistakable aura of nobility, the handsome and elegant face, and that flowing silver hair...
Even though the boy's face was still youthful, Kawaki recognized him immediately.
It was Steven Stone, the future Champion of the Hoenn region!
Just not yet.
Kawaki also noticed the Metang beside Steven.
So, this was Steven during the early days of his journey?
"Welcome! This is Kawaki's Daycare, also known as the Bewear Inn!" Though puzzled, Kawaki showed no sign of it on his face and greeted his guest calmly. "Are you here to leave a Pokémon or to stay for the night?"
"Sorry to bother you, I'd like to stay here for the night," Steven replied.
"Then that would be lodging." Kawaki pointed to a small blackboard on the counter. "The food and lodging prices are listed there. Let me know if you need anything."
Steven looked up and saw the basic information written there.
[Bewear Inn]
[5000 Pokédollars per night]
[Bewear Restaurant Menu: Ramen – 800/bowl]
[Rice Porridge – 300/bowl]
[Berry Juice – 100/cup]
[Sandwich – 500/serving]
[Pokémon Snacks – 500/serving]
[Moomoo Milk – 600/cup]
Fried Rice with Egg – 900/bowl]
Gurgle
Thinking about it, the noble, handsome, elegant Steven...
He had spent too much time at Meteor Falls, and with all the walking that afternoon, Steven was indeed hungry.
Just as he was looking at the menu, a few Clefairy that had been sitting on the sofa suddenly jumped down and came over to him, taking his travel backpack off his shoulders.
Steven was a bit surprised.
"Don't worry, that's one of our special services. These are our Clefairy staff. They'll deliver your bag to your room," Kawaki explained.
Steven understood. Pokémon were intelligent creatures, and he'd seen plenty helping out in shops before.
He let go of his backpack and handed it over to the two Clefairy, watching as they disappeared up the stairs.
"Your room is on the second floor, first door on the right," Kawaki added once Steven had paid.
Steven nodded and then placed his order. "I'll have a bowl of ramen, a cup of berry juice, three cups of Moomoo Milk, and three portions of Pokémon food."
"No problem. I'm Kawaki. May I ask your name?" Kawaki asked.
"Steven."
As soon as Steven spoke, two more Clefairy jumped down from the sofa.
"One bowl of ramen, one cup of berry juice, three cups of milk, and three Pokémon snack portions," Kawaki repeated to them.
Got it! The two chef Clefairy nodded happily. "Clefairy~!" They remembered it.
Seeing this, Steven froze slightly. He watched the two Clefairy head into the kitchen, and a strange idea popped into his mind.
The food he ordered—could it really be cooked by those two Clefairy?
Steven looked utterly dumbfounded.
He turned to the boy named Kawaki.
Kawaki smiled and said, "The Clefairy act as assistants here in my daycare. When I'm too busy or tired, they help with cooking."
"Are they your Pokémon?" Steven asked, surprised.
Not just because they helped out, but because Clefairy were incredibly rare Pokémon, almost never seen in the wild.
They lived in quiet, remote mountains and were extremely scarce. In some places, people who flaunted them would become targets for Pokémon thieves.
And now... this daycare had so many Clefairy!