The afternoon sun bathed Pallet Town in a warm glow, the breeze carrying the faint smell of flowers and the faraway calls of wild Pidgey. Leyn nearly skipped down the familiar dirt path, his steps light, his grin wide enough to make any passerby smile back.
He could barely hold in his excitement.
Professor Oak said yes! Leaf could come visit the lab tomorrow!
He held a small paper bag filled with berries — a gift from Rhea, really, but he liked to think it was from him. The thought made his steps a little quicker, the paper bag swinging at his side.
When he reached the white gate to Leaf's house, he stopped just long enough to catch his breath. A big oak tree shaded the little home, and flowers bloomed in neat rows along the fence. It looked cozy — like something out of a storybook.
He pushed open the gate with a soft creak.
"Leyn?"
Leaf's voice called out from the porch. She was holding a watering can, her hair tied up, eyes wide in surprise before breaking into a smile.
"Oh! Hi, Leyn!"
"Hi!" he said, waving with one hand while holding the paper bag with the other. "Guess what! Professor Oak said you can come to the lab tomorrow!"
Her eyes widened. "Really? He said yes?"
"Uh-huh!" Leyn nodded quickly, practically bouncing in place. "He said it's okay if you visit! But we should ask your grandma first, right?"
Leaf blinked, then giggled. "Yeah, Grandma's inside. She's always inside when it's hot out."
"Then let's ask her!" he said immediately, his excitement bubbling over.
Leaf laughed again. "Okay, okay! Come on."
The house smelled faintly of tea and bread when they entered. The walls were lined with old photos — some faded, some framed neatly. In the living room sat Leaf's grandmother, knitting by the window. Her silver hair was tied back neatly, and she looked up the moment they entered.
"Grandma," Leaf said softly. "This is Leyn. He's the one who helps at Professor Oak's lab."
The old woman set down her knitting and smiled kindly. "Ah, so this is the polite little boy I've heard about."
Leyn stood straight and stepped forward, holding out the small paper bag. "Good afternoon, ma'am! I'm Leyn Caelum! I, uh, brought these berries for you! Professor Oak said Leaf can visit the lab tomorrow, so I came to ask if it's okay."
Leaf stifled a giggle beside him as her grandmother took the bag with a chuckle.
"Well, aren't you thoughtful," she said warmly. "And so polite too."
"Thank you!" Leyn said, his grin bright and genuine.
"So," the grandmother continued, "Professor Oak himself gave permission?"
"Yes, ma'am!" he said quickly. "He said he'll show us around too!"
"Hmm," she said thoughtfully, then smiled. "Well, if it's under Samuel's supervision, I suppose it's fine."
"Really?!" Leaf said, eyes lighting up.
"Really," her grandmother nodded. "Just behave, both of you. And be home before sunset."
"We will!" Leyn said eagerly. "Promise!"
Leaf's laughter joined her grandmother's soft chuckle, and the two of them exchanged a look that spoke of shared amusement at the boy's boundless energy.
When they stepped outside again, the sky had begun to turn a mix of gold and purple, the air cooler now.
Leaf clasped her hands behind her back, smiling. "So… we're going to the lab tomorrow?"
"Yup!" Leyn said proudly. "Professor Oak said he's got something cool to show us too!"
"Cool?"
Leyn just grinned. "You'll see!"
The sound of the evening breeze and their laughter mixed as they headed down the path together — two young children, one promise, and the excitement of a tomorrow that felt just a little more special.
---------------------------------------------------
The morning sun spilled through the curtains, washing Leyn's room in soft gold. The world outside was already stirring — Pidgey chirping from the rooftops, distant footsteps crunching on Pallet Town's dirt roads, and somewhere far off, the sound of a lawn mower humming faintly.
Leyn's eyes fluttered open slowly, still groggy from sleep. But the moment his mind caught up — "Today's the day!" — he shot upright, the blanket flying off like a cape.
"Mom!" he called out, voice cracking slightly from excitement. "Mom, I'm up!"
Rhea's voice floated from the kitchen below. "I can tell! You nearly gave me a heart attack with that shout!"
Leyn scrambled out of bed, his tiny feet pattering against the floor as he rushed to get ready. He pulled on his favorite shirt — a white one with a small red stripe across the chest — and his shorts, still slightly wrinkled from yesterday.
By the time he made it downstairs, Rhea was already setting the table with breakfast: warm toast, scrambled eggs, and a cup of Oran Berry juice that smelled sweet and tangy.
"Morning, sweetheart," she said with a fond smile. "Slow down before you trip."
"I can't, Mom!" Leyn said, hopping in place as he tried to pull his socks up. "Leaf and I are going to the lab today!"
"I know," she said, trying not to laugh. "You've only told me five times since last night."
Leyn puffed his cheeks but smiled anyway. "It's gonna be fun!"
"I'm sure it will be," Rhea said warmly. She leaned over and brushed his hair back, making it stick up less. "Eat first, then you can run off to Leaf's. And remember— no running inside the lab, alright?"
"Okay!" he said, already munching on his toast.
After breakfast, Rhea handed him a small cloth bag. "Here — some Pecha candies for you and Leaf. Don't eat them all at once."
Leyn's eyes sparkled. "Thanks, Mom!"
By the time he stepped outside, the air was fresh and cool, the morning sunlight glinting off the roofs of the houses. Pallet Town was peaceful, with the soft rustle of leaves and a few Pokémon playing near the fences.
He waved goodbye to Rhea before sprinting down the road, the small bag bouncing against his side. His short legs carried him as fast as they could toward Leaf's house.
When he arrived, Leaf was already waiting by the gate, dressed in a light blue sundress with a white ribbon in her hair. She waved the moment she spotted him.
"Morning, Leyn!"
"Morning!" he said, stopping in front of her and catching his breath with a wide grin. "Ready?"
Leaf nodded, holding a small basket. "Grandma packed sandwiches for lunch. She said to share with you."
"Really? Cool!" Leyn said, his eyes bright. "Oh! Mom gave us candy too!"
He proudly held up the cloth bag, and Leaf giggled. "Looks like we're ready for an adventure."
They started walking together, their small footsteps crunching softly on the path. The houses grew fewer as they neared the edge of town, replaced by grassy fields and the sight of Professor Oak's iconic lab sitting atop the hill.
The wind carried the scent of fresh earth and blooming flowers, and the faint hum of wild Pokémon filled the air.
Leyn looked up at the building ahead, eyes wide with wonder. "I never get tired of seeing it," he said quietly.
Leaf followed his gaze and smiled. "It looks even bigger up close."
"Wait till you see the inside," Leyn said proudly. "There's a lot of Pokémon there— and the Professor lets me help sometimes!"
Leaf blinked. "Really? You get to help him?"
"Uh-huh," Leyn said, puffing out his chest just a little. "He even gave me an allowance for it!"
"Whoa," Leaf said, eyes wide in amazement.
Their laughter echoed lightly as they continued walking, the morning light catching the edges of their smiles.
And as they climbed the last small slope leading up to the lab's entrance, neither of them noticed the faint rustle in the nearby bushes — a curious pair of round ears and a yellow tail tipped with lightning quietly peeking out, watching them approach.