Two days passed in gentle rhythm.
The mornings were always the same — the soft warmth of sunlight pouring into the kitchen, Rhea's humming as she prepared breakfast, and the faint rustle of Pokémon calls echoing from afar. Yet, for Leyn, there was something new he quietly looked forward to each day.
Every time he and his mother walked toward the lab, Leaf would already be there — standing by the fence, pretending to adjust her hat or fuss over the flowers, but always glancing his way the moment he came into view.
And, without fail, Leyn would wave.
She'd wave back.
The first day after they met, their exchange was short — a simple "good morning" and shy smiles before he went on his way. The second day, though, their conversation lasted a little longer.
"Morning, Leaf," he greeted, slowing to a stop by the fence.
"Morning, Leyn," she replied with a small grin. "Off to the lab again?"
"Mm-hmm," he nodded, holding a small basket of berries. "Professor Oak's letting me help feed the Pokémon today."
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. "That sounds nice. Do you feed all of them?"
"Not all," he admitted. "Some eat special food, and I'm not allowed to feed the bigger ones yet."
Leaf giggled. "So you're like their helper?"
"I guess so," he said proudly. "They even listen to me sometimes."
"Wow," she said, leaning her elbows on the fence. "You must be really good with Pokémon then."
Leyn scratched his cheek, a little bashful. "They're just… fun to be around. It's like they understand what I mean, even when I don't say anything."
Leaf tilted her head slightly, smiling. "That's kind of sweet."
Rhea, standing a few steps ahead, pretended not to hear — though the faint smile tugging at her lips said otherwise.
---
By the third morning, their conversation came easily, as though they'd known each other for much longer.
"Hey, Leyn!" Leaf called out the moment she spotted him on the path.
"Hey!" he waved back, jogging the few steps to the fence. "You're early today."
She nodded proudly. "I finished my chores before breakfast."
"Wow," he said. "I can barely wake up without Mom dragging me out of bed."
Leaf laughed, covering her mouth. "You? But you always look so serious walking to the lab."
"That's because I'm half asleep," Leyn said with a half jester smile.
She giggled again, shaking her head. The sound was light — carefree — and it made something in his chest feel warm.
They chatted for a few more minutes, about nothing in particular — how the weather was nice, how her flowers were finally blooming, how the Pidgey near her house kept trying to steal her snacks. It was simple, easy, and comforting.
Then, as the conversation lulled, Leyn looked toward the direction of the lab and suddenly had an idea.
"Hey… Leaf?"
"Yeah?" she asked, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Do you…" He hesitated a little, unsure how to phrase it. "Do you want to visit the lab with me tomorrow? I can ask Professor Oak if it's okay."
Her eyes widened slightly. "Really?"
"Yeah," he said, smiling. "There's a lot of Pokémon there — Bulbasaur, Poliwag, even a few Butterfree. I think you'll like them."
Leaf's face lit up like a morning sun. "I'd love to! But are you sure it's okay?"
"I'll make sure it is," Leyn said confidently. "Professor Oak's nice. He'll say yes."
She clasped her hands together, grinning. "Then it's a promise!"
"A promise," he echoed, smiling back.
Rhea called from down the path again, "Leyn, let's go!"
"Coming!"
He turned back to Leaf, waving. "See you tomorrow!"
"Tomorrow!" she replied brightly.
As he ran to catch up with his mother, Rhea glanced down at him with a teasing smile. "You've been smiling like that a lot lately, Leyn."
He blinked innocently. "Like what?"
"Like someone who's looking forward to something," she said playfully.
He turned away, pretending to focus on the road ahead — but his ears turned a faint shade of pink.
Behind them, Leaf was still by the fence, watching as they walked toward the lab, a quiet smile on her face and a spark of excitement in her chest.
Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.
--------------------------------------------------
The sun was already high when Leyn arrived at the lab that morning, basket of berries in hand and a spring in his step.
He had done this walk a hundred times before — the same dirt path, the same breeze carrying the faint scent of the trees — but today felt different. Lighter. Brighter. Almost as if the world itself knew he had something he was looking forward to.
As he reached the white gates of the laboratory, a few Pokémon turned their heads at the sound of his footsteps. A Growlithe wagged its tail lazily near the steps, while a Nidoran pair hopped across the yard.
"Morning!" Leyn greeted them with a grin, crouching down to give the Growlithe a small scratch behind the ear before heading in.
Inside, the familiar hum of machines and the faint chirping of various Pokémon echoed through the wide lab hall.
"Ah, Leyn," came Professor Oak's voice from behind a stack of papers. "Right on time, as always."
The professor was standing by one of the tables, carefully examining a Poké Ball that pulsed faintly with light. His white coat was slightly wrinkled, as usual, and his face carried that gentle expression — equal parts wisdom and amusement.
"Morning, Professor," Leyn said, setting the basket down. "I brought some fresh berries for the Pokémon."
"Excellent," Oak nodded approvingly. "The Eevee family will be pleased. They've been quite picky lately."
Leyn chuckled. "Yeah, I noticed. The last time I gave them Oran berries, they just… sniffed and walked away."
Oak chuckled softly. "They're developing preferences — a good sign. Shows they're comfortable around you."
Leyn smiled at the praise, then hesitated. The thought that had been sitting in his chest since yesterday started bubbling up again.
"Um, Professor?"
Oak raised an eyebrow, already sensing that tone. "Yes, my boy?"
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course. Though depending on what it is," Oak said, leaning on his table with a teasing smile, "I might reserve the right to say 'no' immediately."
Leyn scratched the back of his head, a sheepish grin forming. "I, uh… wanted to ask if it's okay to bring a friend here tomorrow."
"A friend?" Oak repeated, adjusting his glasses. "Well, that's new. You don't usually invite anyone here."
"She's from around the area," Leyn said quickly. "We talked the past few days, and I told her I help out here sometimes. She seemed really curious about the Pokémon, so… I thought maybe she could see them."
Oak's smile widened. "Ah, I see."
Leyn blinked. "See what?"
"Oh, nothing," the professor said, clearly holding back a chuckle. "It's simply refreshing to see you making friends your age who aren't named 'Charmander' or 'Pikachu.'"
Leyn's face turned red. "P-Professor!"
Oak laughed heartily, holding up a hand. "I'm only teasing. It's perfectly fine, Leyn. I think it's wonderful that you want to share your love for Pokémon with someone else."
"Really?" Leyn's eyes brightened.
"Of course," Oak nodded warmly. "Just make sure you keep an eye on her while she's here. Some of the Pokémon are quite friendly, but others can be… a bit too energetic for a first-time visitor."
"I will," Leyn said seriously. "I'll take full responsibility."
"Good," Oak said, then after a small pause added, "Though you'll have to tell me this friend's name. Purely for record purposes, of course."
"Leaf," Leyn said. "Her name's Leaf."
"Leaf," Oak repeated, his tone turning thoughtful. "Charming name. Very fitting for Pallet Town."
Leyn smiled. "Yeah. It really is."
Oak hummed approvingly before turning back to his notes. "Then it's settled. You can bring her tomorrow. I'll even clear some time to show her around myself."
"Thank you, Professor!"
As Leyn bowed gratefully and turned to
leave, Oak voice sounded out, "Oh Leyn I forgot to mention my grandsons Blue and Gary is coming back a week later Show them around the lab."
Leyn was Confused and asked with curiosity , "Huh I thought they were you're grandsons why would I need to show them around."
"Leyn not all kids are like you who loves pokemon that much and they also are coming back from the summer camp the one that you're supposed to attend but you got sick."
Now Leyn remembered what he was doing before having that fever, for this past 2 weeks he was having a hard time to remember them and didn't put much into it due to his exciting daily life.
The Summer Camp was supposed to be camp where kids are shown Pokémon and play with them to go out in the woods and he is one of the kids that should have gone there instead he stayed at home due to the fact that he was sick.
Leyn was a little bit lost, "Oh yeah I was supposed to go that camp and because we just arrive back then I was worn out and got sick"
Professor Oak seeing that he didn't remember the camp was worried about him, "Leyn you're still young you shouldn't forget such important things and should still have great memory"
Leyn replied with a smile, "Don't worry Professor Oak this is probably due to the high fever that I got it made my memory jumbled and messy."
Making sure to reassure The Professor Leyn said, "Just ask me some questions about pokemon I am sure I can answer it. "
Seeing this Professor Oak, "since you're okay then It should be fine and since you want to I shall quiz you on th-. "
Leyn stopped him before he could continue and add to his works, "Oops look at the time it's almost past noon I should go look for Mom or else she'll be worried. "
And as Leyn was hurriedly leaving, Oak called out one last time — voice carrying that teasing undertone again.
"Oh, and Leyn?"
"Yes?"
"Try not to get too distracted showing her the Pokémon," he said with a chuckle. "Some of them might get jealous."
Leyn blinked, confused at first — until a small rustling sound came from the corner of the lab.
There, peeking out from behind a stack of equipment, was that same Pikachu from before — tail flicking lazily, eyes curiously fixed on him.
Leyn smiled faintly. "Guess I'm already being watched, huh?"
The Pikachu tilted its head, letting out a soft "Pika."
Oak chuckled knowingly. "Seems someone's taken an interest in you, my boy."
Leyn grinned. "I'll take that as a good sign."
As he stepped out into the sunlight again, basket now empty and heart a little lighter, he couldn't help but think about tomorrow — the promise he'd made by the fence, and the spark of excitement waiting behind Leaf's bright green eyes