Naoki's mind conjured images of his old age, sitting in a rocking chair reminiscing with Alcremie.
Almost... It's time.
Naoki opened his eyes, and with emotions surging, began making the second batch of pumpkin cookies.
Thirty minutes later, accompanied by a ding, the oven stopped working.
Naoki pulled out the baking tray and lowered his head to check the information on this batch of pumpkin cookies.
[Pumpkin Cookies (A): Made with pumpkins grown on the farm, these cookies are infused with the feelings of the maker, a snack full of rustic charm.
Cooking Effect: Lucky Lv3, when used by Pokemon, greatly enhances the hit rate of moves like Stun Spore, Hypnosis, Sleep Powder, Ice Beam; greatly increases the chance of using powerful moves when Metronome is used; effectiveness lasts for 1 hour.
Evaluation: Delicious cookies born to celebrate the harvest, said to bring good fortune to Pokemon.]
"Is it no good after all?"
Perhaps since he had anticipated it in his heart, Naoki wasn't too disappointed with the effect of this batch of pumpkin cookies.
Because he could feel that the emotions he tried to summon seemed too deliberate and weren't enough.
Unlike the natural emotions when bidding farewell to Teddiursa.
Perhaps, it would only be possible to make it when something major happens, like Alcremie leaving for a journey, or some special situation.
Nevertheless, this enhanced version of the effect is already quite good.
The cooking level of Lucky was raised from Lv2 to Lv3, the abnormal status hit rate increased from moderate to substantial, and the duration was extended to one hour.
It can be used barely.
If worse comes to worst, he can tie a little bag on Alcremie's body and put more pumpkin cookies inside; it can eat one when using Metronome.
*
Early the next morning, after breakfast, Mrs. Dantes called.
Naoki answered, and Mrs. Dantes' gentle voice came from the other end.
"Naoki, I still don't know Cyclizar's size. Do you have a tape measure? Could you help me measure Cyclizar's height, waist, and then tell me?"
Naoki then remembered this matter: "It's my oversight. I'll measure it later and bring it back to you."
Mrs. Dantes: "Okay, I'll wait for you at home."
Naoki hung up and found the tape measure he had bought earlier from the storeroom upstairs, then found Cyclizar, measuring its height, waist, and the size of the tire-like airbag on its chest, while it looked on with a perplexed expression.
"Ga-ow?" Cyclizar watched his actions with a face full of confusion.
Naoki: "Just measuring your height to see if you've grown taller."
Upon hearing this, Pawmot ran over to have Naoki measure it too.
"Alright, line up, one at a time!" Naoki smiled.
Pawmot immediately stood behind Cyclizar.
Koraidon gurgled and promptly stood behind Pawmot.
Seeing this, the sister Indeedee happily came over.
She looked at her brother.
Her brother Indeedee's eyes were filled with hesitation, appearing moved but trying to maintain a composed butler image.
"Indeedee..."
The sister sighed and forcefully dragged her old brother over.
Naoki noticed this scene and couldn't help but laugh.
The brother Indeedee immediately pulled a face, trying to maintain his mature image.
Naoki, while measuring Cyclizar's waist, merrily said, "Sister, your brother's been like this since he was little. The first time I met you guys, he had the same expression."
It hasn't been long since then, so they both remember the scene.
When Naoki came to see them, he also left them some tasty snacks.
The sister Indeedee nodded in agreement.
The brother Indeedee, recalling the scene of himself eating snacks with crumbs all over after Naoki left, couldn't help blushing.
Naoki found this personality quite amusing: "Actually, your brother is very cute. Despite being a baby Pokemon, he always tries to act mature."
The brother Indeedee's face turned even redder.
The sister Indeedee couldn't help but laugh.
"However," having teased them, Naoki continued, "your brother is still very reliable. Thanks to him, I can be as relaxed as I am now. Before you came, I was overwhelmed every day!"
Upon hearing this, the siblings' eyes flickered.
They sensed a very apparent emotion of gratitude from Naoki...
Both Indeedees instinctively used the horns on their heads to receive this emotion, which was immediately converted into a warm energy within their bodies.
Having received gratitude from their master, the sister Indeedee was very happy: "Indeedee!"
The brother Indeedee nodded slightly: "Indeedee."
"Alright!" Having collected Cyclizar's data, Naoki petted its head and then said to the following Pawmot, "Your turn!"
"Pawmot!"
Pawmot eagerly ran forward, head held high, standing upright.
Naoki measured its height: "Well, 1.1 meters, it's a very robust Pawmot."
Normally, Pawmot stands between 0.7 meters and 0.9 meters; his Pawmot is already considered a large Pawmot.
If placed in Monster Hunter World, it would be a large gold Pawmot.
"Pawmot!"
Pawmot joyfully cheered and then moved aside.
Third up was Koraidon.
This big fellow required Naoki to look up.
Naoki stood on the sofa to measure the height of the battle-form Koraidon: "Um, 2.6 meters... Impressive! You're the tallest Pokemon on the ranch!"
Koraidon looked proud: "Gyro!" It was also the strongest Pokemon!
Naoki understood its meaning and said helplessly: "Yes, yes, such an incredible Koraidon, can you please move to the side?"
"Gyro!"
Koraidon excitedly gave Naoki, his favorite, a lick with its tongue and then moved aside.
Naoki: "..."
Naoki grimaced: "You taste like fried cutlet, go drink some red tea to rinse your mouth!"
Seeing Naoki expressing disdain, Koraidon drooped its head and sadly went to the refrigerator to find iced red tea to rinse its mouth.
The fourth Pokemon to have its height measured was the sister Indeedee.
Naoki first petted her fluffy head before starting to measure her height.
"Well, 0.8 meters, your body is very healthy within the normal range," Naoki said, "But you haven't turned one year old yet, you might grow taller in the future."
The sister Indeedee displayed a joyful smile: "Indeedee～"
The last one was the brother Indeedee who had a serious face.
"Relax, don't be so tense," Naoki said with a smile, "0.9 meters, 0.1 meters taller than your sister, you're also a healthy Indeedee. All done, go play now!"
Seeing Naoki refraining from teasing him, the brother Indeedee relaxed inside.
He hurriedly escaped the scene, grabbed a broom from somewhere, and started doing chores.
Naoki hesitated: "..."
Forget it, he decided not to tease him.
Leaving the household management to the two Indeedees, Naoki went outside to find Dragonite, preparing to visit Mrs. Dantes.
Before setting off, Naoki noticed something.
Not far away on the grass, Alcremie was using her magical cream to decorate a Naclstack.
Nearby, four Naclstacks were already coated with cream like flower cats.
Naoki watched on with interest.
That move is likely Alcremie's signature move, Decorate?
Decorate, a Fairy-type move, he remembered in the game its effect was to raise the Attack and Special Attack of allies by 2 stages, a very powerful supporting move.
It seems Alcremie took in what he said last night.
After watching a while, Naoki turned to Dragonite and said, "Let's go to Mrs. Dantes' house!"
"Gwoooo!"
Dragonite responded, then flapped its wings, flying towards Porto Marinada Town in the distance.