Chapter 185: Villagers, I Plan to Stay and Build Up Pallet Town!
Back in Pallet Town, everyone headed straight toward Professor Oak's Laboratory.
"Strange. Why isn't anyone out on the street?"
Misty glanced around, curious. She remembered that when she and Ash had come home before, they would see plenty of townsfolk from time to time. Every so often, people would even wave hello to them.
"Uh… maybe it's because of Ren Ichimonji?" Ash scratched his head. He remembered clearly that, growing up, whenever Ren Ichimonji stood behind him, the neighbors would suddenly remember all sorts of urgent business.
"Professor Oak didn't even video call to congratulate us. Is there a chance…" Brock trailed off, suddenly mysterious.
"Don't tell me nobody cares about us!" Ash clutched his head like the sky had fallen.
"Idiot! They're obviously at Professor Oak's place getting a surprise ready for us!" Misty's fist came down. A big bump popped up on Ash's head.
Back at the lab, sure enough, the backyard was packed with banquet tables. There was one familiar face after another at the banquet.
"Mr. Sugimoto, long time no see. How's your Oddish? Want me to put together a Pokémon food recipe?"
"Oh! Ms. Shinden, your Geodude isn't afraid of the sun anymore!"
Ren Ichimonji greeted the neighbors. He was surprised to find that everyone looked healthier than before. It must be thanks to the civic projects he set up for Pallet Town. Ren Ichimonji nodded to himself, satisfied.
"The expressions on the villagers' faces are kind of weird," Misty whispered to Brock.
"Mm. The way they're looking at us… it's like they're staring at accomplices in a crime," Brock said, uncertain.
"Perfect timing. I'm starving after the trip!" Ash, clearly not overthinking it, cheerfully plopped into a few empty seats that had been reserved for them.
"Whatever. I'm hungry too." Seeing this, Brock and Misty sat down as well.
"Ren Ichimonji, Ash—congratulations! A Champion and a runner-up!" Professor Oak stepped out holding a handheld party popper.
Pop!
The popper burst open, glittering under the sunlight.
"Oh, right!" Professor Oak suddenly remembered something and called toward an elderly man at one of the tables: "Mayor, Ren Ichimonji is here!"
Hearing this, an old man in a wool sweater stood up. Leaning on his cane, he slowly walked toward Ren Ichimonji. In an instant, Ren Ichimonji felt every gaze in the place turn his way.
"W-what's going on?" Misty, mid-bite of grilled fish, froze, thinking maybe her table manners were the problem. She turned her head and saw everyone staring at Ren Ichimonji.
"Ren Ichimonji, the Conference just ended. Are you heading back to Sinnoh already?" The mayor dabbed his eyes and squeezed out two tears.
"Mayor, I can't bear to part with you!" Ren Ichimonji hugged the mayor and burst into loud sobs. Only when the mayor's face started turning purple did Ren Ichimonji let go.
"Cough, cough!" The mayor took the cup of water handed to him, drank, and looked back at Ren Ichimonji.
"Ren Ichimonji, you winning the championship—this is wonderful. For Pallet Town, it's a tremendous blessing!" As he spoke, the mayor's eyes brimmed with tears. He grasped Ren Ichimonji's wrist, his hand trembling as he looked to the side.
The man next to him understood and immediately handed over a stack of documents. Hands shaking, the mayor opened them. Inside was a letter of recommendation to the League.
"This recommendation was initiated in my capacity as mayor of Pallet Town, written together with everyone!" He looked out at the crowd. Nearly everyone's eyes were glistening, full of reluctant affection as they looked at Ren Ichimonji.
"Mm—what's a recommendation letter for?" Mouth full, Ash mumbled from his seat.
"It's a policy the League put out a few years ago," Brock whispered. "As long as you're the champion of a Pokémon League Conference and most residents of your hometown recommend you as having good character, you can obtain permanent residence at the Indigo Plateau. The League will also grant you a position and cultivate you into a remarkable Trainer!"
"Wow. Ren Ichimonji receiving that kind of respect…" Misty instantly felt bad about her earlier guess.
"Amazing!" Ash looked at Ren Ichimonji with envy.
Over there, the mayor was already crying in earnest. "You're an outstanding young man. We've secured permanent residence at the Indigo Plateau for you. Pallet Town is too small, the stage is too small. From now on, develop your career over there!"
The mayor handed the thick bundle of recommendation letters to Ren Ichimonji. "Every single letter carries the villagers' handprints!"
Seeing Ren Ichimonji take the letters, moved to the core, the mayor trembled all over with excitement. At last—at last! They didn't know he hadn't slept for days since last month, when he heard Ren Ichimonji was back.
Down below, the neighbors all covered their faces.
"That's right, Ren Ichimonji. Go and do great things there. We're proud of you!"
"Young people should work hard. If you miss the food here, you don't have to come back—we'll cook and send it to you!"
"…Whatever you do, don't give up on your dreams because of a few little difficulties, Ren Ichimonji!"
"That's right, Ren Ichimonji. I hear you're about to become a Pokémon Professor. The Indigo Plateau is the League's center—an incredibly safe, wonderful place!"
Amid the chorus of care and encouragement, Ren Ichimonji's eyes filled with tears. Overcome with emotion, he took the microphone from Professor Oak.
"Everyone, please let me say a few words."
The moment Ren Ichimonji took the mic, the crowd fell silent. Every face was tear-streaked, every look full of encouragement.
"In the past, I thought everyone didn't like me very much. When choosing where to base my lab, I even considered moving out of Pallet Town. But now I see—I misunderstood you all."
As Ren Ichimonji spoke, he began wiping away tears as well.
"Don't cry, don't cry. You're a good kid!" The mayor hurriedly handed him tissues.
"I understand, too—this is the age to go out and forge ahead." The supportive gazes below grew suddenly more intense.
"But!" Ren Ichimonji's tone shifted. "Since all of you hold me, Ren Ichimonji, in your hearts, then I, Ren Ichimonji, can't just do nothing! Everyone—I'm staying. I'm going to build up Pallet Town! My laboratory will be set opposite the snow-covered mountain!"
At those words, the whole place fell dead silent. Before their eyes, the nearly sixty-year-old mayor shuddered from head to toe. The old mayor smiled. The wrinkles at the corners of his mouth twisted into ravines with that smile, and great big tears rolled down uncontrollably.
He lost his footing and toppled backward. Ren Ichimonji hurriedly caught the mayor before he could faint.
"Mayor, why are you crying!"
"N-nothing. I'm just… too moved!" Tears streamed down the mayor's face.
Below, the neighbors all ducked their heads to hide their faces. Brock, Misty, and the others could even hear quiet sobbing.
"Wow. I didn't expect Ren Ichimonji to be so beloved!" Misty was astonished, as if she were meeting Ren Ichimonji for the first time.
"Hmph. Of course. Ren Ichimonji has real prestige here in Pallet Town." Ash finally understood why the neighbors hadn't dared face Ren Ichimonji. It had to be because Ren Ichimonji was too great.
"Uh…" Brock looked around the courtyard and kept his thoughts to himself. To be honest, something about the atmosphere felt a little off.
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