The following morning, Naoki awoke to the sound of rain drumming against the roof. Peering out the window, he saw a gray world shrouded in a steady downpour.
"Well, at least I won't have to water the crops today," Naoki thought, a small smile playing on his lips.
The spring rain was a welcome sight, nourishing the newly planted seeds. With the weather being what it was, Naoki decided to stay indoors, opting to rearrange the furniture and give the old house a fresh look.
He moved the desk closer to the window, allowing for a wider view while reading, and positioned the bed against the corner for a sense of security.
As for the cupboard...
Naoki circled it, contemplating its placement. He finally decided to move it to the opposite side of the room, creating a division between the living area and the kitchen.
As he and Koraidon shifted the cupboard, Naoki was surprised to discover a dusty fireplace hidden behind it. It was dark and sooty but appeared to be in working order.
With time to spare, Naoki set about cleaning out the old ashes and debris. It wasn't long before the fireplace was spotless.
"What a nice surprise," Naoki thought, pleased with his discovery.
With a functioning fireplace, he wouldn't have to worry about freezing during the winter months. For a former office worker accustomed to modern conveniences, this was a novel and exciting find.
The fireplace reminded him of the fairy tales he had read as a child - heartwarming stories of mother bears knitting by the fire while their cubs played with balls of yarn. It was a cozy image, one that he now found himself longing for.
Of course, a few more Pokémon would make the picture complete. A cute Eevee, a warm-hearted Vulpix, a playful Pikachu, or a cuddly Skitty would be lovely additions to the ranch.
"This is real life."
Naoki sighed, reflecting on his previous life. If he hadn't transmigrated, he would likely be rushing through the rain to catch the subway for work. But the past was the past, and there was no use dwelling on it.
The present was what mattered.
Naoki shook his head, clearing away the lingering thoughts. The air in the house felt stuffy, so he opened the door, letting in a cool breeze.
He settled at the desk and began flipping through the "Ranch Encyclopedia," searching for information on spring crops, their fertilization needs, growth cycles, and expected yields.
Cyclizar and Koraidon didn't disturb him as he read, instead choosing to lounge by the door, listening to the rhythmic pattern of rain.
Suddenly, Koraidon perked up, its head tilting to the side.
"Gaa?"
Naoki looked up, following Koraidon's gaze. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"Gaa," Koraidon responded, pointing its head towards the open door.
Naoki stood up and walked towards the door, curious about what had caught Koraidon's attention. There, huddled under the eaves, was a familiar green Caterpie, its body soaked by the rain.
"Caterpie?" Naoki questioned, a sense of surprise washing over him.
As if hearing his voice, the Caterpie weakly opened its eyes and looked towards him.
Naoki's heart leaped. Could this be the same Caterpie he had given the glutinous rice dumplings yesterday? But why had it followed him?
Intrigued and concerned, Naoki gently picked up the Caterpie, bringing it inside. He carefully dried its tiny body with a soft cloth, then wrapped it in an old blanket.
"Hmm..." The Caterpie's eyes expressed gratitude as it nestled into the warmth.
"It followed me here yesterday," Naoki thought, observing the shivering Caterpie. "It must have been a tough journey, with its slow speed and potential predators. But after eating the magical fruit, it could finally fight back."
Naoki was impressed. While the Caterpie might not have been strong enough to defeat its attackers, its toughened silk had allowed it to restrain them.
The Caterpie, witnessing its own newfound strength, felt immense gratitude towards the human who had helped it. It craved further growth, yearning to prove its worth to the world. That desire had driven it to seek out Naoki.
However, afraid of being a burden, it had remained outside, braving the rain.
Naoki fetched a plate of warm Oran Berry juice, known for its revitalizing properties, and placed it before the Caterpie. As it drank, Naoki wondered if the Caterpie, like Ash's Heracross in the anime, had been won over by his kindness and sought to become his Pokémon.
After a moment's contemplation, Naoki asked tentatively, "Do you want me to be your Trainer?"
The Caterpie paused mid-sip, the warmth of the juice spreading through its body. It nodded vigorously. "Cater!"
Naoki spread his hands, "But I'm not a Trainer. As you can see, I'm just a simple rancher. I don't know the first thing about training Pokémon."
His knowledge of Pokémon training was purely theoretical, gleaned from watching the anime. He had no practical experience.
The Caterpie's eyes drooped with sadness. "Cater..."
Naoki scratched his head, marveling at the creature's intelligence. It had journeyed here alone, seeking his guidance in its quest for strength. He couldn't simply ignore its plea.
Naoki knew that while Caterpie were weak, their evolved form, Butterfree, was a valuable asset. They could help pollinate the ranch's crops, promoting growth and abundance.
After some deliberation, Naoki spoke, "I'm not a Trainer, so I can't train you in the traditional sense. But I can help you become stronger in other ways. Even so, do you still want to stay with me?"
He knew that with his cooking abilities, he might one day create a dish that could enhance a Butterfree's or Caterpie's abilities. But the possibility wasn't guaranteed, hence the cautious wording. If the Caterpie agreed, he would let it stay and help out on the ranch.
The Caterpie understood. It looked down at the blanket wrapped around it, then at the warm juice. This human had shown it nothing but kindness, rescuing it from the wild, and providing it with nourishment and shelter.
At that moment, the Caterpie's decision was no longer solely about becoming stronger. It simply liked Naoki.
With newfound resolve, the Caterpie nodded.
........
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