At the entrance to Sunset Forest, a small truck was parked. Summer jumped out from the passenger seat, landing on the ground.
"Thanks a lot, Grandpa Gideon, you were a big help," Summer said to the driver inside the truck.
"No problem. That old relic of yours needed replacing ages ago. I don't understand why a young guy like you was still using that kind of phone," Gideon replied from the driver's seat.
"By the way, are you sure you don't need my Pokémon's help? That thing looks pretty heavy."
"No worries, I'm confident in my own strength."
"Heh, youth really is great," Gideon remarked, "I'll wait here until you're done moving it."
Summer nodded and walked to the truck bed, opening the door. Besides food ingredients and spices, there was a black box-like device – a mobile power generator with solar power capabilities.
Connecting the forest's power grid was expensive, and with the forest's potential to expand, extending the power lines could be troublesome. Summer bought the mobile power generator because he had purchased a smartphone. As a ranger, he needed to stay informed about the outside world and maintain easier contact with Spikemuth residents.
Summer spent his entire month's salary, 50,000 League Points, on these two pieces of equipment. The mobile power generator was quite expensive, so he opted for a budget-friendly smartphone that could make calls and access the internet.
Of course, Summer didn't go to Hammerlocke with Grandpa Gideon empty-handed. He brought a whole box of mixed berries. After optimizing the varieties, the trees' yields had skyrocketed, producing more than the forest residents could consume. It would be a shame to let them go to waste, so Summer picked and sold them.
The berry store owner nodded repeatedly when he saw the box of berries, but his expression quickly turned calm. He eventually bought them for 12,000, although Summer noticed the owner sweating and looking anxious while paying. The actual price was likely higher than what he paid.
However, Summer didn't pursue the matter. Sunset Forest had an abundance of berries and would continue to produce more in the future.
He planned to check the berry sales in a day or two. If they sold well, Summer wanted to make this one of the ways to revitalize Spikemuth – premium berries exclusive to Sunset Forest, sold only in Spikemuth.
Summer easily hoisted the mobile power generator onto his shoulder and walked to the truck's front.
"Grandpa Gideon, the generator's unloaded."
"Oh, then I'll head back. Make sure to visit my shop often," Gideon said, closing the truck door. "And if you could bring more of that tea next time, that'd be great."
"Of course, your curry is the best I've ever had."
"Groo!" Grookey waved goodbye as well.
Gideon chuckled, then started the truck and drove away from the forest entrance.
Watching him leave, Summer turned back into the forest with the generator on his shoulder. Returning to his familiar cabin, he set the generator down on the floor and looked at the bored Team Yell trio.
"I'm back. Thanks for watching the place."
"Oh, welcome back. But your house is really dull, Summer. How do you stand it?" Aya commented from the bed.
"There's a bookshelf but no books. Isn't that odd? And there's nothing hidden elsewhere in the house either. Could it be hidden in the forest?" Tim speculated as usual, leaning against the wall.
"Let's not talk about that. Didn't you go to buy a smartphone, Summer? Show us, get on Chuchu, get on Chuchu." Nayo waved her phone excitedly from the chair.
Chuchu, a globally popular social app named after the beloved Pokémon Pikachu, had an icon featuring Pikachu's tail.
"Let's see."
Summer took out his phone and turned on the screen. Chuchu was pre-installed, along with League Assistant, Pokédex, and Map Guide apps.
"Okay, register. Oh, I can use my League account. Done. Set up an avatar?" Summer thought for a moment and took a picture of Grookey on his shoulder, using it as his Chuchu avatar.
Once Summer completed the registration, the trio shared their accounts with him.
"MarnieIsTheCutest, MarnieIsTheCoolest, MarnieIsTheBest… Your usernames are very Team Yell-like." Summer looked at his friend list, noticing that all three avatars were pictures of Marnie.
"Of course, we are Team Yell," Aye said proudly.
"We'll recommend people you might know. Let's see, Mr. Piers, Grandpa Gideon, and Marnie…" Tim scrolled through the screen and sent the three accounts to Summer.
Piers's avatar was a group photo with his band members, and his username was Melancholic Piers.
Grandpa Gideon's avatar was his restaurant sign, with the username Spikemuth Gideon Restaurant.
Marnie's avatar showed Morpeko eating, with the username Marnie~GymChallengeOn(^_^).
Summer wasn't too surprised by Marnie's username. Despite her cool exterior, she surprisingly liked emoticons.
Since they included their real names, the three friend requests were quickly accepted.
The first to send a message was Grandpa Gideon.
"Using it already? Those three told you, didn't they?"
"I don't use Chuchu often. Call me if you need anything."
Gideon then left his phone number. The trio crowded around Summer, reading the chat.
"Uh, that's Gideon's alternate account."
Aya didn't finish before Tim covered his mouth.
"Hey, Aya, do you want Gideon to shut you up for good? Don't you understand my good intentions?"
Next, Piers sent a message, a very formal greeting, quite unlike his chatty in-person demeanor.
"That's just how Piers is," Aya said knowingly.
Suddenly, the trio's eyes fixed on a red dot next to Marnie's avatar. Marnie had sent a message.
"Time to go. Let's head back," Nayo pushed the other two out of the cabin quickly. "Ask us for help anytime!"
"Team Yell has principles, huh? Not snooping on their idol's privacy." Watching them leave, Summer murmured.
Anyway, let's see what Marnie sent.
"\(@^0^@)/"
As expected, an emoticon. What should I reply? Summer thought for a moment and typed:
"How's the Gym Challenge going?"
"Heading through the mine now, going smoothly (ω)y"
Marnie quickly replied:
"You must know a lot about Grass-types, right? My first Gym Challenge is against Grass-types. Any tips? (^人^)"
Seeing Marnie's request, Summer shared his past experience and knowledge about Grass-types with her.
"You really have a deep understanding of Pokémon, Summer."
"Thanks for the tips. I'll win beautifully~"
Marnie then sent a picture. She stood in front of a mine entrance, making a peace sign with an expressionless face. Her indifferent gaze was a stark contrast to her lively online persona. That's part of her charm, I guess.
(End of the chapter)