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A flurry of light footsteps quickly came from inside the house, and it sounded like it wasn't just one person.
"How many times have I told you, don't come back shouting every time. What if you scare the children…? Oh my, what a handsome young man and a lovely young lady. Welcome to the Day Care~ I'm this old fellow's wife, you can just call me Daycare Grandma."
The voice belonged to a kindly, short old woman. Behind this self-proclaimed Daycare Grandma were several adorable little ones—a tiny Sentret, a tiny Teddiursa, as well as a tiny Natu and a Wooper. Clearly, they were still very young. The pattering footsteps from earlier must have come from them.
"Ahem, I was just happy, that's all~ Hehe. Old lady, you get to know these two young friends. I'll go fetch some milk from the backyard to serve our guests."
Breeder Elder, having been scolded, looked rather embarrassed but didn't dare to argue. Instead, he hurried off toward the backyard.
"Wow~ So cute! They're so tiny~ Grandma! Are these your Pokémon?"
The moment she saw the Pokémon behind Grandma, Delia's eyes lit up like hearts. She rushed over, squatted beside the old woman, and curiously studied the little ones tugging at her skirt, her face full of excitement.
"Hahaha~ I can tell you really love Pokémon, young lady. What's your name?"
Though Delia's movements were a bit forward, Grandma wasn't annoyed in the slightest. Instead, she gazed at her kindly and asked.
"My name is Delia."
Delia looked up with a smile.
"Oh-ho, such a sunny name. But Delia, what you said just now isn't quite right. These little ones aren't my Pokémon. They were left here by others for us to raise. They all belong to other trainers."
Grandma chuckled softly, crouched down, and gently stroked the little Pokémon at her side, smiling warmly at Delia.
"Eh? So they belong to other people? But why would they leave their Pokémon here?"
Delia tilted her head, clearly not yet understanding the purpose of the Day Care.
"That's exactly the work of the Day Care, Delia."
At this moment, Liam walked over, nodded politely to Grandma, and explained.
"The Day Care is where Pokémon are left for care and training. Many trainers entrust their Pokémon here, then return later to pick them up after they've grown stronger. And judging by these little ones, they must've just hatched from eggs someone left here."
Liam briefly explained what he knew about the Day Care, then glanced at the four little Pokémon now playing with Delia. After a pause, he added.
"Mm, not bad. You know your stuff, young man. What's your name?"
Satisfied with Liam's explanation, Grandma smiled kindly at him.
"Hello Grandma, my name is Liam. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Liam bowed his head slightly and answered politely.
"Hehe~ Grandma, Liam knows so much! Scarily much, even!"
Delia laughed, waving her hand dramatically as if bragging about him.
"Haha, he really does. That's exactly what we do here at the Day Care. These little ones hatched from eggs just a few days ago. We'll raise them for a few weeks, then return them to their owners."
Grandma scooped Teddiursa into her arms, her face brimming with joy.
"Delia, don't you want to become a Breeder? What we do here is mostly the same as what Breeders do. In fact, Grandma here is surely an excellent Breeder herself."
Liam, seeing how excited Delia was, smiled and reminded her.
"Ah! Really? Grandma, you're a Breeder too?"
Delia's eyes went wide with surprise, and she quickly stood up.
Grandma only smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.
"Wow! So you're that amazing, Grandma! I want to be a Breeder too, but I don't know much yet… But I'll work hard! Oh, right! Please take a look at this—this little one is my Riolu~ It hatched under my care! Could you check how I did raising it?"
Her eyes filled with admiration, Delia hurriedly took out a PokeBall and released Riolu.
"Rio?"
The little Riolu let out a questioning cry as it appeared. Delia immediately scooped it into her arms and held it out in front of Grandma.
"Riolu?"
Riolu tilted its head curiously at the kindly old woman before it.
"Oh! A little one I haven't seen before? Let me take a look."
The moment Riolu appeared, Grandma's gaze never left it. She carefully examined the Pokémon, and gradually, her eyes filled with surprise.
"This little one… you raised it? Incredible…"
Grandma patted Riolu's head, clearly astonished, and looked at Delia.
"Eh? Yes, it hatched just a few days ago and I've been caring for it ever since. What's wrong, Grandma? Is something the matter with it?"
Delia panicked, her face full of worry, thinking something might be wrong.
"Haha, no, not at all. I'm only surprised at how excellent this little one is… Truly remarkable. In every way I can see, it's been raised wonderfully. Delia, you really have the makings of a great Breeder!"
Grandma chuckled softly. Her gaze at Delia was now filled with fondness.
"Whew~ That's a relief. I thought something was wrong with Riolu. You scared me for a second there."
Realizing Riolu was fine, Delia exhaled in relief, hugging it tightly and rubbing her cheek affectionately against its face, smiling happily.
"Hey~ Freshly boiled Moomoo Milk! Liam, Delia, come have a taste. Old lady, stop chattering and bring out dinner too—let's give our little guests a proper welcome~"
At that moment, Breeder Elder returned with a tray. On it was a glass pot full of steaming Moomoo Milk. After setting the tray on the living room table, he quickly urged Liam and Delia to sit while loudly calling to Grandma.
"Hmph, fine, since we have guests today, I'll let you off this time. But if you try that again, just wait and see how I deal with you."
Perhaps because she was in a good mood, Grandma decided to forgive Breeder Elder this once. With only a light snort, she turned and headed into the kitchen.