Chapter 52: Letter
In the evening, Zack arrived at the ranch to collect the goods. Naoki presented him with the goat milk, rock salt, and a few small mushrooms that had grown in the cave.
"Wow! What a bountiful harvest today!" Zack exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise. "It seems your ranch is finally back on track."
Naoki smiled, looking at Cyclizar and Koraidon in the distance. "Yes, it's all thanks to everyone's hard work!"
"That's how it should be!" Zack sighed. "Unfortunately, few young people these days are willing to stay in the countryside and run a ranch or become farmers."
Unlike before, being a Pokémon Trainer was the popular aspiration now. Almost every child dreamed of getting their own Pokémon, traveling the world with them, competing in battles, and becoming the strongest Pokémon Trainer.
"All the nearby farms and ranches are run by older folks. You're the only young person around," Zack remarked.
Naoki nodded thoughtfully. If he calculated based on the anime's timeline, this was just after Ash had left home. Although the Trainer profession hadn't yet reached the peak it would in "Pokémon Journeys," it was steadily gaining popularity worldwide.
"Okay, let's see, five kilograms of rock salt, six liters of goat milk, and six small mushrooms. Hmm, a total of thirty-two thousand three hundred Pokédollars."
Zack handed over the money, then returned to his truck and said goodbye to Naoki. "I'm off. I have to work overtime to deliver these goods to the Mesagoza market."
"See you tomorrow!" Naoki waved.
Zack drove away, and Naoki went back to the cabin, pulled out his ledger, and recorded the day's income and expenses.
January 31st, Spring, Year 198
Income: Rock Salt +16,800, Goat Milk +13,000, Small Mushrooms +2,500
Expenses: Berries -600, Food -5,000, Fertilizer -10,000
Remaining Funds: 33,680
"Thirty-three thousand." Looking at the numbers in his ledger, Naoki fell into deep thought.
He had asked Kora specifically about expanding his house and adding amenities like a kitchen, bathroom, living room, dining room, bedroom, and cellar. The cost would be around two million Pokédollars.
But Kora had also mentioned two other types of large villas: a beach villa by the seaside and a mountain villa nestled in the mountains. She had shown him the blueprints. They were luxurious villas with complete facilities, including various rooms, swimming pools, high-end furniture, and even an amusement park for Pokémon. Naoki was very excited at the prospect.
However, the price was exorbitant. Including the land fee, the total cost was a staggering 15 million Pokédollars, far beyond his current means.
Chicken coops and Pokémon shelters were minor expenses compared to this kind of villa.
Alas, there was still a long way to go!
Fortunately, Kora also offered the option of expanding his current house, which could serve as a temporary solution.
Naoki took a deep breath and set the beach villa and the mountain villa as his ultimate goals.
Tomorrow, time would officially enter February, and the crops in the fields would be ready for harvest one after another. Life was about to get busy again.
Naoki lay on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.
...
The next morning, after breakfast, Naoki gave the goat milk to Dragonite and asked it to deliver it to Mrs. Dantes.
Watching Dragonite fly off, Naoki began his daily work. At that moment, a young man riding a Cyclizar suddenly rushed into the ranch.
He was dressed in blue overalls and a blue baseball cap, with a brown waist bag slung across his body. The man and his Cyclizar stopped not far away, looked at Naoki, and greeted him politely: "Hello, may I ask, is this Naoki Ranch?"
"Yes," Naoki replied, a bit surprised. "And you are?"
The young man hopped off his Cyclizar. He had a sunny disposition and flashed two small fangs when he smiled.
"Hello, Mr. Naoki. My name is Alven. I'm the town's postman, responsible for mailing letters and delivering packages. I have a letter for you. Could you please sign for it?"
"A letter?" Naoki was taken aback. Who would send him a letter? He didn't know many people in this world, and the original Naoki had no close ties or friends.
With this in mind, Naoki reached out and took the letter. He opened the envelope, pulled out the letter, and read:
[To Naoki Ranch:
Hello, Naoki! Mayor Thomas Clavell told me a while ago that you have inherited this ranch. I'm very happy to hear this news!
Spring is here, and it's the season when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. We will be holding a Cherry Blossom Festival in the cherry orchard on February 7th.
At that time, people from the town, Trainers, and farmers from nearby ranches will gather here to enjoy the cherry wine brewed last year while admiring the flowers. We will also exchange specialties from our respective farms and set up stalls to sell to the attendees.
You're welcome to bring crops and specialties from your ranch, or any delicacies you make with them, and sell them at a stall.
Looking forward to seeing you there.
From the Cherry Blossom Orchard]
Naoki raised his eyebrows. A Cherry Blossom Festival, a local celebration? It sounded quite interesting.
He nodded and said to Alven, "Thank you very much. I understand."
The postman, Alven, nodded in return. "Okay, I'll be on my way then. See you later!"
With that, he rode off on his Cyclizar.
After a moment, he shook his head with a smile and continued his work on the ranch.
Meanwhile, in Mesagoza, on Lanhai Street.
Dragonite arrived at No. 308 as usual and gently knocked on the door with its large paws.
Soon, footsteps approached from inside, and Mrs. Dantes opened the door. Seeing Dragonite, a kind and gentle smile spread across her face.
"It's Dragonite!"
"Roar~" Dragonite handed over the goat milk.
Mrs. Dantes accepted it and, after paying, said to Dragonite, "Please wait a moment. I have something I'd like you to take to Naoki."
"Roar?" Dragonite tilted its head in confusion.
Mrs. Dantes turned around, retrieved a package and a letter from inside the house, and handed them to Dragonite with a smile. "These are some cookies I baked myself. Take them back for Naoki to try!"
"Roar!" Dragonite nodded obediently, took the letter and cookies, and flew back to the ranch.
Mrs. Dantes watched it depart, then returned to the house. Seeing her husband looking much better, she felt more relaxed than ever. "How are you feeling today?"
"I feel much better," he replied. "Some of my strength has returned."
Hearing this, Mrs. Dantes sighed in relief. "This is all thanks to Naoki's goat milk!"
...
"Mrs. Dantes gave these to me?" Back at the ranch, Naoki was surprised to see the cookies and a letter that Dragonite handed him.
"Roar!" Dragonite nodded happily.
Naoki reached out and took them, opening the letter from Mrs. Dantes. The letter expressed her gratitude for the goat milk, mentioning that her husband's health had improved significantly. She had also included some cookies and wished Naoki good health and success with the ranch.
....
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