Chapter 176:
Speaking of which, since evolving into Butterfree, it hadn't been as gluttonous as it was during its Caterpie days. Perhaps it no longer needed to desperately accumulate energy like before.
Instead, it had become more interested in the flowers in the garden.
The task Hayashi Kaede had given it was to pollinate the fruit tree flowers during ordinary times.
"Butterfree~"
"You've grown more and more beautiful," Hayashi Kaede said, stroking Butterfree's wings and feeling the slight gritty texture, he couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
"Butterfree?"
Butterfree looked puzzled.
"Alright, alright, I'm praising you. Go play now."
Hayashi Kaede patted its head and gently sent it soaring into the sky.
Just as he was about to continue toward the barn, Rotom flew over.
"Rotom~ Master, you have a personal call~"
"Personal call?" Hayashi Kaede was taken aback.
Because of the Breeding House, he had two phones: one for the Breeding House connected to his video channel, and the other for personal use, known to only a handful of people.
For example, Uncle Genmu from the Miltank Ranch, Makoto Akiyama from Grand Bloom Foods, Inc and... the previous Breeding House employee, Takagi Megumi.
Looking at his phone, It was Takagi Megumi.
Hayashi Kaede's interest was immediately piqued.
Speaking of which, since Indeedee arrived, he hadn't thought much about his "cheap cousin."
"Answer it."
As soon as the call connected, a young girl's clear voice came through. "Big Brother Kaede!"
"...Uh, no need to be so loud. I can hear you." Hayashi Kaede instinctively gestured for Rotom to fly closer, then waved it away again.
Now he could see clearly: the girl seemed to be packing in her dorm room—all sorts of things like jackets, Poké Balls, and essential field items like Potions and Energy Cubes.
"Hehe~"
"You look like you're about to go on a journey?" Hayashi Kaede asked curiously.
Hadn't school just started not long ago? Had she already passed the theoretical exams?
"Mhm, Big Brother Kaede~ Today's my last day at school. Tomorrow, I'll set off on my journey! My first stop is the Junior Cup being held in Nagisuna City this month!"
Takagi Megumi's voice was full of excitement and anticipation.
Clearly, she was thrilled about her first journey.
After double-checking all the necessary items for the trip, she looked at the phone. "Will you come cheer for me then, Big Brother Kaede?"
Hayashi Kaede thought for a moment, then nodded. "Nagisuna City? If you make it to the semifinals, I'll come cheer you on."
The Junior Cup was the same Pokémon battle competition where Bug-type Elite Four member Ryō Fū had made a name for himself with his Beedrill, taking second place.
It was a official provincial-level competition with restrictions: Trainers must have been certified for less than a year, and their Pokémon must be under one year old.
If it was in Nagisuna City, riding Dragonite there and back would be very quick. Plus, he wanted to visit the wilderness area on the outskirts of Nagisuna City where his parents had disappeared.
He could ask Mewtwo and Mew for help to see if they could discover anything.
And, if he remembered correctly,
At the HappyMart in Nagisuna City, he still had one "Egg Mystery" chance left.
Although it wasn't crucial for him now, since he was going anyway, he might as well see if there were any Pokémon that caught his eye~
"Okay~"
Seeing Hayashi Kaede nod, Takagi Megumi's expression brightened even more. She insisted she would definitely make it to the semifinals.
Seeing this, Hayashi Kaede said, "Call out Wartortle for me to see."
It had been a while since he'd seen his second "employee" under the contract system, and he missed it a little.
"Mhm, mhm."
Takagi Megumi agreed and took Wartortle's Poké Ball from her waist.
With a flash of light,
Wartortle, no longer as goofy as it once was, appeared. It was happy to see Hayashi Kaede at first, but then it couldn't help shrinking back a little—some sealed memories resurfaced.
Hayashi Kaede turned and saw that Serperior had slithered over and was watching to see who he was talking to.
Seeing Wartortle healthy and clear-eyed, Hayashi Kaede felt relieved.
To be honest, he had been a bit worried that after starting school, Takagi Megumi might neglect Wartortle's training.
After all, he had partly raised this Pokémon himself.
It seemed that working as a cashier for a while had made the girl more steady and worn away some of her former flightiness.
Otherwise, based on his understanding of the old Takagi Megumi, she probably wouldn't have passed the theoretical exams so quickly.
"Wartortle~"
Wartortle grinned goofily at Hayashi Kaede, remembering the days it secretly went to the Breeding House to beg him for treats.
After taking out Wartortle's Poké Ball, Takagi Megumi didn't stop. She took out another Poké Ball, showing off to her elder like a child. "Oh, right, Big Brother Kaede, I've caught my second Pokémon now!"
Hayashi Kaede was genuinely curious. "Second one? What is it?"
"It's a kitty, a Sprigatito!"
Takagi Megumi chuckled and released her second Pokémon. A small, light-green cat with large eyes and a head larger than its body appeared beside her.
Around its neck was a leaf-like collar, and its eyes had slightly reddish whites.
Compared to an Eevee, its fur was finer, shorter, and sparser.
But the moment Sprigatito let out its first cry, Hayashi Kaede's eyes lit up.
"Sprigatito~"
As soon as Sprigatito appeared and saw its Trainer, it immediately leaped into her arms, snuggling and acting spoiled.
Its soft, delicate voice instantly captivated Hayashi Kaede.
He was a bit incredulous. "Sprigatito? Where did you catch this? There shouldn't be a Breeding House in Aogiri City that has this Pokémon, right?"
This was a starter Pokémon from the Paldea region, a distant land far from the Eastova region.
"Ah, good girl..." Takagi Megumi held Sprigatito, stroking its fur, and said without looking up, "The school gave it to me. They said my recent Pokémon test scores were all very good, so they rewarded me with this Sprigatito. They said it's the only starter from the Paldea region and told me to travel and compete in the Nagisuna City tournament~"
The school gave it to her?
Hayashi Kaede's expression froze.
The Junior Cup becomes 2v2 by the semifinals.
Clearly, the school was hoping Takagi Megumi could make it to the semifinals and win some glory for them.
But giving away a Sprigatito... he wanted one too.