Chapter 284:
"Alright then..." Seeing that Kaede was so insistent, Rosalie could only nod in agreement.
With his first objective here accomplished, Kaede quickly remembered his second goal.
A Happiny!
He had just heard that Happy Food Co., Ltd. was run by Rosalie's father.
Kaede didn't hesitate further. "There's one more thing..."
"Ah? What is it?"
"You just said your family runs Happy Food Co., Ltd., right? Well, the thing is, I'd also like to raise a Happiny..." As he said this, Kaede couldn't help but smile sheepishly.
Not only had he asked for Blissey eggs, but now he wanted a Happiny too. It seemed like a lot to ask?
Rosalie exclaimed in surprise, "Mr. Hayashi wants to raise a Happiny?"
Kaede: "Yes... If you've seen the videos on my channel, you probably know I really like raising Pokémon that can produce ingredients."
"Mhmm! Mhmm!" Rosalie nodded vigorously, her eyes lighting up as if remembering something. "Yes, yes! Alcremie is so adorable, and the Indeedee sister is very cute too! The brother always has a stern face, but it looks so small, giving it a kinda moe feeling..."
"Gardevoir is so elegant! And it's really powerful! It actually remained completely unharmed in that storm of Pidgeot... I can't even imagine what grade of Trainer you are, Mr. Hayashi, and you even participated in the Junior Cup..." She seemed like a long-time fan of his channel, or perhaps a new fan who had binge-watched all his videos.
The girl chattered on enthusiastically.
Her excitement grew as she spoke, her gaze even holding a hint of grievance midway.
Such a powerful Trainer actually participated in the Junior Cup? It was really tough for Trainers like them who hadn't been on their journey for long.
But she suddenly realized this was only her second time meeting Kaede. Complaining like this was a bit much.
Remembering Kaede's earlier question, her expression turned a bit awkward. "Usually, Blissey give birth new Happiny around the transition between winter and spring."
"Because they need to hold a plant called a Lucky Incense to give birth to Happiny."
"But that plant only appears during that time, and the window is extremely short."
"And also... Happiny are important Pokémon for the company... I don't have the authority to make decisions for my dad. I can only talk to him about it..."
Hearing this, Kaede wasn't surprised.
He simply said, "Is that so? It's fine. Just please talk to your father about it."
"Also, I'll have Pidgeot deliver another batch of Moomoo Milk later. Or should I wait until this batch is finished before sending the next?"
"Mhmm! Let's wait until it's finished. Thank you, Mr. Hayashi." Perhaps because Kaede seemed more approachable than she imagined, Rosalie spoke with a bit more confidence. "Can we exchange numbers, Mr. Hayashi? After I ask my dad, if he agrees about the Happiny, I'll let you know."
"Sure!" Kaede didn't hesitate to take out his phone.
After exchanging contact info, he didn't have much reason to stay longer.
After saying goodbye, he mounted the Pidgeot and flew into the sky under the girl's gaze.
...
"I didn't expect to succeed in one go. How amazing..." High in the sky on the return journey, looking at the storage capsule in his hand, Kaede felt quite relieved.
He had thought finding high-quality Blissey eggs would be more troublesome.
Unexpectedly, just by making one delivery, he not only got A-grade Chansey eggs but also had a lead on a Happiny.
"I hope her father agrees." Carrying this hopeful thought, the Pidgeot gradually descended with Kaede towards the breeding house entrance.
But the moment he landed, he froze.
"Woof! Woof!"
A crisp, puppy-like bark made him pause.
When he saw the Growlithe next to the Indeedee sister at the door, barking "woof woof" at him, his brain short-circuited for a moment.
Its bright, expressive eyes, thick fur, upright and wagging tail, and distinctive coat patterns.
It barked at him, sounding both curious and a bit excited.
"Indeedee~" (This is the Growlithe Mayor Grandpa promised to bring you before...) The Indeedee sister explained the Growlithe's origin.
Then, to the Growlithe, "Indeedee~~!" (This is Hayashi Kaede! He's our Trainer, and he'll be your Trainer from now on too! You can't bark at him!)
"Woof? Woof?" Hearing the Indeedee sister's voice, the Growlithe's previously raised tail lowered, tucked between its legs. It cautiously approached Kaede and sniffed his pant leg.
After sniffing for a while, as if accepting Kaede, its initially excited barks turned into soft, whimpering sounds.
Its tail started wagging again, even more happily now.
Though it still held Kaede's pant leg in its mouth, gently tugging.
"Woof~ Woof~"
Kaede finally snapped out of it. Looking down at the Growlithe, he scooped it up into his arms.
While asking the Indeedee sister without turning his head, "Mayor Grandpa came by earlier?"
He looked at the lively Growlithe in his arms, which was sticking out its tongue trying to lick him, and couldn't resist playfully tweaking its nose.
"Indeedee~" (Yes, he came to drop off the Growlithe and then left.)
"Ok~" Kaede nodded, lightly pinching the Growlithe's nose. The little fellow didn't resist at all, though it soon let out a sneeze.
"Good, good! It's been so long, I thought Mayor Grandpa was just joking with me! I didn't expect him to really bring you to me, little guy!"
"Woof~ Woof~" The Growlithe reached out a paw, trying to lick its nose but ended up licking Kaede's hand instead.
Kaede finally released its nose.
As a canine Pokémon, Growlithe evolves into Arcanine, which is not only calm but also majestic and impressive—absolutely perfect for guarding the home.
Although Alolan Ninetales and the Eevee squad could too.
But expecting the lively Alolan Ninetails to guard the home is asking too much of it.
As for the Eevee squad, the hope isn't great either.
So, Kaede looked at the Growlithe in his hands, growing fonder the more he looked. "You'll be our little winter warmer, little guy~"