It was already dusk by the time Leyn made it back home. The lights in the house glowed warmly through the windows, and the smell of dinner lingered in the air. As he stepped inside, a familiar voice greeted him immediately.
"Well, look who finally decided to return from his great adventure," his father, Gerald, said from the couch with a teasing grin. He set down his newspaper, raising an eyebrow. "So, how was your 'assistant duty,' young professor?"
Leyn puffed his cheeks slightly. "It wasn't just assistant duty, Dad! We helped feed the Pokémon, cleaned up, and even played with them!"
"Oh? We, huh?" Gerald said, eyes twinkling. "Does we include a certain young lady I heard about?"
Leyn blinked, confused. "Huh? Oh, you mean Leaf?"
Gerald chuckled softly. "Ah, so that's her name. Sounds like someone had good company today."
"Dad…" Leyn groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's not like that! We were just helping out!"
From the kitchen, Rhea's laugh chimed in. "Gerald, stop teasing him. You'll make him turn red."
Gerald smiled and raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. I'll behave. For now."
Leyn mumbled something under his breath and sat at the table, where Rhea was already tidying up plates. "Mom, it was really fun today! Professor Oak showed us how different Pokémon react to food, and Pikachu was super funny. He got his tail stuck in a bucket again!"
Rhea chuckled as she wiped her hands. "That sounds like quite the day, sweetheart. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. Now, go wash up and get ready for bed. You've been out since morning."
"Okay!" Leyn said cheerfully, already dashing toward his room. He changed into his pajamas and flopped onto his bed, still buzzing with excitement.
I can't wait to see Pikachu again… and maybe show Leaf the different section of the lab tomorrow, he thought, his eyes starting to droop. Yeah… tomorrow's gonna be even better…
Before long, he was fast asleep, the faint chirping of Hoothoot outside lulling him deeper into dreams.
---
The morning came with sunlight spilling across his pillow and Rhea's gentle voice calling from downstairs.
"Leyn! Breakfast's ready!"
He rubbed his eyes and yawned. "Coming, Mom!"
Downstairs, a plate of warm pancakes and a glass of Moomoo milk waited for him. Gerald was already dressed for work, tying his belt.
"Morning, champ," he said. "Off to the lab again?"
"Yeah! Professor said we could come again today!" Leyn said between bites.
Rhea smiled fondly. "Then finish up and don't forget to brush your teeth this time."
"I did yesterday!" he protested, earning a chuckle from both parents.
After breakfast, Rhea packed a small container of snacks. "Here— some for you and Leaf. Share, alright?"
"I will!" he said happily, slipping his shoes on.
Gerald leaned over and ruffled his hair. "Have fun, little assistant. And don't let Professor Oak recruit you full-time yet, alright?"
Leyn grinned. "He can try!"
---
The walk to Leaf's house was peaceful, the morning air crisp and fresh. When they arrived, Leaf's grandmother Mrs. Maple was already out tending to her flower garden. She looked up as Rhea and Leyn approached.
Leyn shouted while waving his hands, "Good Morning Mrs.Maple "
"Ah, Rhea! And there's young Leyn again," she greeted warmly. "Out early, I see."
"Good morning!" Rhea said with a friendly smile. "We're heading to the lab again, if that's alright."
"Of course," the grandmother said, chuckling softly. "Leyn is such a Polite boy isn't he?"
Rhea smiled proudly. "That's my Leyn."
Leaf peeked out from the doorway, her blue sundress fluttering slightly in the breeze. "Aunt Rhea! Morning!"
"Good morning, sweetie," Rhea said warmly. "Ready for another day with Professor Oak?"
"Yup!" Leaf said brightly, slipping on her sandals before joining Leyn. "I told Grandma I'd be back before sunset!"
Her grandmother waved as they left. "Take care, you two!"
---
When they reached the lab, the windmill was already spinning lazily, and the gentle hum of machinery filled the air. Pikachu's voice echoed faintly from inside.
"Pika-pi! Pikachu!"
The door slid open to reveal Professor Oak himself, smiling as always. "Ah, if it isn't my favorite helpers. Come in, come in! Pikachu's been waiting all morning—kept tapping on the window, wondering where you were."
"Really?" Leyn said, laughing as Pikachu bounded toward him.
"Pika!" it chirped, jumping up to nuzzle his cheek before hopping onto the table.
Leaf giggled. "He's so energetic! Does he do that every day?"
"Pretty much," Oak said with a chuckle. "Though sometimes he zaps my computer when he gets too excited. Isn't that right, Pikachu?"
Pikachu puffed up proudly, as if that was a compliment.
Rhea laughed softly from the back. "I'll be in the research wing, Professor."
"Of course," Oak said, waving to her. "We'll stay out of trouble. Probably."
Rhea smiled knowingly. "That's what worries me," she said before heading off.
The kids laughed, and Oak turned back to them. "Alright, young assistants! Let's start with feeding time again. Leyn, you know the routine. Leaf, you can help me mix the food."
"Yes, Professor!" they chorused.
---
They moved to a long counter filled with trays of berries and seeds. Oak gestured toward them. "Now then, you see these different berries? Pokémon of the same species can have very different preferences. It's not all the same formula."
Leaf blinked. "Really?"
Oak nodded. "Indeed. For example—this Pikachu here prefers *spicy* berries. Most Pikachu lean toward sweet, but not this one."
Pikachu chirped proudly, shaking its tail.
Leyn chuckled. "Yeah, he won't even touch Pecha Berries unless I mix them with Tamato ones."
Leaf tilted her head curiously. "So they can be picky too?"
"Exactly," Oak said with a playful grin. "They're not so different from us humans. Some like their food hot, some like it mild— and some," he added, giving Pikachu a mock stern look, "just like to make a mess."
Pikachu squeaked in protest and stuck its tongue out. Both kids burst into laughter.
Oak chuckled as he watched them. This is how it starts, he thought quietly. Curiosity, kindness, patience… qualities of good trainers, even before they realize it.
After feeding time, Oak clapped his hands together. "Now then, let's see something a little more fun. I'll show you some basic moves Pikachu can use—nothing too strong, mind you."
He gestured to Pikachu, who perked up immediately.
"Let's start simple," Oak said. "Pikachu, use Thunder Shock—just a small one, please."
"Pika—chuuu!" A small spark crackled from its cheeks, lighting up a nearby bulb with a faint flicker.
"Whoa!" Leaf gasped, clapping. "That's amazing!"
Oak smiled. "That's one of Pikachu's first learned moves. Controlled discharge of electricity, primarily for stunning, not harming."
He looked to Leyn. "And you, my boy—remember what Pikachu used to do when startled?"
Leyn laughed. "He shocked the entire shelf last month."
"Exactly!" Oak chuckled. "Learning control is just as important as learning strength. A Pokémon that trusts you listens better."
Leaf nodded thoughtfully, eyes gleaming. "That's so cool… I want to learn more about that."
Oak's gaze softened. "And you will, young lady. You both will—if you keep that curiosity alive."
He turned back to Pikachu. "Alright, you can rest now, buddy."
Pikachu stretched and hopped onto a chair, curling up contentedly.