Chapter 25: The Ranch Become Lively
Inside the coop, Naoki filled the trough with feed. The three hens and rooster, drawn by the smell, eagerly gathered around and began to eat.
"They seem to be settling in nicely!" the girl remarked, a smile on her face. "Well, Mr. Naoki, I'll be going now. If you have any questions, you can call the shop. Our number is 9573868."
Naoki blinked. "I haven't had a chance to get a phone yet."
The girl looked surprised. "Oh?"
Naoki smiled. "Can I just stop by the shop if I need anything?"
The girl nodded enthusiastically. "Of course!"
After explaining a few more details about caring for the chickens, the girl donned a straw hat and rode her tricycle away from the ranch.
Naoki stood in the chicken coop, observing the hens. While hens could lay eggs without a rooster, those eggs would be unfertilized and couldn't hatch. Only eggs laid after mating with a rooster could produce chicks. This was why Naoki had specifically purchased a rooster.
The three hens were healthy adults, capable of laying eggs. This meant that, starting tomorrow, he could expect at least three eggs daily.
"One egg doesn't sell for much," Naoki thought, "so the best course of action is to use all three for hatching."
This way, by the time the crops were ready for harvest, there would be three new additions to the ranch.
The newly built coop was a bit messy. Naoki grabbed a pitchfork and began moving the hay that had been piled by the door into the corner.
Finished with the task, he glanced down at his attire. Dressed in brown overalls and wielding a pitchfork, he truly looked the part of a farmer.
He set the pitchfork aside and exited the coop, carefully closing the door behind him to prevent the hens from escaping.
As he walked back to the cabin, he recalled the girl's words. "I need to focus on the ranch's infrastructure as well," he realized.
Things like a telephone, television, record player, and computer.
A phone would allow him to connect with people in town. A television would keep him informed about news and events. A record player could provide entertainment, perhaps playing a soothing melody on rainy days when he couldn't work outside.
And a computer.
It would enable him to quickly search for information and even communicate with people in far-off regions like Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Alola.
But based on the original owner's memories, these items were not cheap. For now, he needed to prioritize food and shelter for himself and his Pokémon.
Still, he was determined to build a better future for himself and his ranch.
As he approached the cabin, he saw Koraidon and Cyclizar had returned. Opposite them stood Alcremie and Smoliv, trembling with fear.
Upon seeing Naoki, the two smaller Pokémon scurried behind him, clinging to his legs and peering out from behind him with wide eyes.
Naoki was puzzled. "Koraidon?" he questioned.
Koraidon tilted its head, confused. "Gashi?"
It didn't understand why the two were so afraid.
Koraidon looked down at itself, then at the docile Cyclizar beside it. Aren't we just a little different in appearance?
Naoki crouched down, gently patting Alcremie and Smoliv on the head. "Relax," he soothed, "it won't hurt you."
"Kora!" Koraidon nodded emphatically, reinforcing Naoki's words.
Alcremie and Smoliv cautiously eyed Koraidon.
Koraidon stood patiently, allowing them to assess its demeanor.
After a moment, Alcremie and Smoliv exchanged glances.
"Alcre..."
"Smo..."
Perhaps it really wouldn't eat them?
Seeing their hesitation, Koraidon patted its chest with a large paw in a surprisingly human-like gesture.
"Kora, kora, kora!" it chirped reassuringly.
The fear in Alcremie and Smoliv's eyes faded, replaced by simple, innocent smiles.
"Alcremie~"
"Smoliv~"
Naoki didn't understand their words, but seeing that they were no longer terrified of Koraidon, he scooped them up, one in each arm, and carried them into the house.
"This is our home from now on," Naoki announced, looking around. "Where would you like to live?" He wanted them to choose their own spots.
Alcremie and Smoliv understood. They scanned the room, assessing their options.
Smoliv quickly made its decision, choosing the windowsill above Naoki's desk. It was a sunny spot with a gentle breeze, ideal for a Grass-type Pokémon that relied on photosynthesis.
Naoki nodded, placing Smoliv on the windowsill, then turned to Alcremie.
"How about you?"
Alcremie's eyes darted towards the cupboards in the kitchen area, a spark of excitement igniting within them. "Alcre!" it exclaimed, pointing with one of its sweet-tipped appendages.
"The cupboard?" Naoki asked, raising an eyebrow. He walked over with Alcremie in his arms and opened the cupboard door, revealing the fruits and various seasonings stored inside.
Alcremie hopped in on its own accord, quickly finding a small nook in the corner to hide.
"Alcre!" This was perfect!
"Uh... okay," Naoki replied, a little surprised. He had initially thought the space might be too cramped for Alcremie, but then he considered the Fairy-type's nature. Perhaps it preferred small, enclosed spaces for a sense of security, especially since its sweet scent often attracted attention from other Pokémon.
"Not bad," Naoki mused, inhaling the faint, sweet caramel aroma that wafted from Alcremie. His mouth began to water; he hadn't had a sweet treat in a long time. A sudden urge to lick Alcremie washed over him, but he quickly pushed the thought aside.
After settling Alcremie in its new home, Naoki turned his attention to Smoliv. He looked at the slightly bare windowsill, a thought forming in his mind.
Something was missing.
Grass-type Pokémon needed soil and water, in addition to sunlight.
A flower pot!
Naoki remembered an empty pot in the shed behind the house. He quickly retrieved it, rinsed away the dust, and filled it with soft soil from the farmland.
He placed the pot in front of Smoliv, who immediately brightened up. It hopped into the pot, burying its little feet in the soil, and then basked lazily in the sunlight.
"You'll like it here," Naoki said with a gentle smile, placing the pot on the windowsill and opening the window to allow a breeze to flow through.
.....
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