Chereads / Pokemon: The Chosen Ranger / Chapter 96 - Chapter 96: Flowers and a Girl, New Mentor Summer

Chapter 96 - Chapter 96: Flowers and a Girl, New Mentor Summer

Downstairs, Summer, in conversation with Aya and Tim, roughly grasped Nayo's family situation.

Her father worked as a sailor and was rarely home throughout the year. However, each time he returned, he brought some uncommon items from Galar for the children.

Nayo's Mr. Mime was a gift her father brought from another region. With its help, Nayo could better take care of her two younger brothers and a sister, allowing her more free time to do what she enjoyed.

Her mother worked at a flower shop. Because the shop was in Motostoke, she was also seldom home, leaving most household responsibilities to Nayo.

No wonder Summer thought the flower shop employee looked familiar when buying seeds in Motostoke—it turned out to be Nayo's mother.

Her brother Puer, influenced by his sister and her friends Aya and Tim, chose Galarian Zigzagoon as his partner. As expected, the members of Spikemuth had to choose Dark-type Pokémon!

Marl, on the other hand, was influenced by their father and chose Wingull as his partner. His dream was to become a captain with his own ship, and a captain certainly couldn't be without a Pelipper.

At this moment, Nayo led a very quiet little girl downstairs. This was her sister, Nako.

As soon as she saw Summer, she said, "I like Grass-types, especially ones with flowers, um, Brother Summer."

So that's it, influenced by her mother. Summer nodded and then said, "I know a perfect place with the Pokémon you love."

"Really?" The girl's eyes sparkled.

"Of course, but make sure to bring your Poké Ball."

"Okay!" The girl nodded seriously.

"We want to go too!" the two boys shouted. "Brother Summer~"

"You two boys changed your tone so quickly. Can they go, Summer?" Nayo sighed and asked.

Summer smiled and didn't refuse the children's request. "No problem, but remember not to run around."

"Yay!"

Gracidea Prairie was the place Summer brought Nako to. Many Grass-type Pokémon lived here, matching her preferences and having low aggressiveness.

"Wow~" The two boys, perched on Rillaboom's shoulders, exclaimed. They had no idea such a place existed in the Sunset Forest.

Neither did the Team Yell trio, despite living next to the Sunset Forest for so long. They had no idea about this warm, inviting prairie.

"Lilligant, so beautiful," Nako gazed dreamily at the Lilligant in the prairie center.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, shining on the Lilligant like a noble princess enjoying a moment of tranquility. The vibrant red flower crown on its head was dazzling. It's said that the better cared-for a Lilligant is, the more beautiful its flower crown becomes.

Nearby, a Hisuian Lilligant danced, its energetic steps even more pronounced on this warm prairie, inspiring everyone around.

Seeing the Lilligant, Nako immediately had a dream: to cultivate a flower Pokémon as beautiful as Lilligant.

The Lilligant noticed Summer's arrival and joyfully ran over, gathering around him. A unique floral scent filled the air.

It was a mixture of fragrances from their flower crowns, healing and uplifting at the same time.

"Summer, you have such a great relationship with the Pokémon in the forest," Aya said.

Tim pushed his imaginary glasses and said, "No, these two Pokémon must be Summer's Pokémon!"

"Really, Summer?!" the four siblings exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, they are," Summer responded casually.

This made Nako suddenly respect this somewhat unfamiliar big brother. Being able to raise such beautiful flower Pokémon meant he was definitely someone to be respected!

"Nako, do you like flowers?" Summer suddenly asked.

"Yes, I love them!"

"Then did you notice these seedlings hidden in the grass?"

"Let me see." Nako carefully looked through the grass, suddenly finding a familiar seedling her mother had taught her about.

"Orchid!"

"Camellia!"

"This is a Hydrangea!"

"This one, I don't recognize, but it's definitely a flower!" Nako said.

Summer patted Nako's head and then said, "That's good enough, Nako. Before flowers bloom, they hide among the weeds. Do you know what Pokémon Lilligant was before it evolved?"

"Um, I don't know."

"Remember this, it was a Petilil."

"Petilil," Nako repeated after Summer. Suddenly, a Pokémon with three green leaves on its head emerged from the grass.

"Look, that's a Petilil."

"No flowers?"

"Yes, grass and flowers, that's the most common evolution trait for Grass-type Pokémon. The unremarkable grass eventually turns into a blooming flower. The beauty is not only in its blooming moment but also in the process it goes through to become a flower," Summer said.

"Yes, that's what Pokémon taught me. This is just my suggestion, Nako. Why not find a little grass Pokémon and raise it into a flower? I think that's what you're best at."

"Of course! Um, Brother Summer, how do I find a little grass Pokémon willing to let me raise it?" Nako asked.

"Everyone living here is quite shy, but I think if you show your goodwill and share your intentions, it will definitely succeed," Summer said with an encouraging smile.

"Okay, I'll try!" Nako said energetically.

Summer nodded, turned, and left. His task was complete; now it was up to Nako.

Following Summer's guidance, the girl tried various ways to show her goodwill. She even took out some special soil she carried, made following her mother's instructions. It could cultivate beautiful flowers and should be liked by Grass-type Pokémon.

After waiting patiently for a while, just as she was about to give up, a Budew wobbled up to her. Nako's eyes sparkled, and she eagerly brought the soil to Budew.

Budew sniffed it lightly, then showed a happy expression. It could feel the nutrients within.

"Ah! Budew, um, would you like to be my partner? I promise to take good care of you, absolutely!" 

Feeling the girl's earnest emotion, Budew touched Nako's small hand with its unbloomed bud. It could feel her sincerity and was willing to respond to it.

Nako was overjoyed. She carefully took out a Poké Ball and placed it in front of Budew. Budew quietly stayed in place. Soon, it was enveloped in light and entered the ball.

The girl's heart raced with the blinking red light. When the capture confirmation beep sounded, she jumped up in delight.

"I caught Budew!" Nako exclaimed excitedly.

Nayo looked lovingly at her sister. When she caught her first Pokémon, didn't she feel the same way? Her friends seemed to think the same.

"Summer... Summer?" Just as Nayo wanted to thank him, she noticed Summer wasn't beside her. In the blink of an eye, he was next to Nako.

Crouching down, Summer earnestly explained how to care for Budew, its evolution requirements, daily habits, and how to handle the toxic pollen.

Nako listened just as seriously, determined to remember every word her respected big brother said, especially since it was about her Budew!

"Summer... could be a good teacher?" Nayo murmured.

Aya and Tim nodded in agreement. Indeed, they both felt like saying, "Teacher Summer, please guide us too!"