That evening, the Kamisato Estate radiated a warm, festive atmosphere. Lanterns glowed softly along the walkways, servants arranged futons in the guest rooms, and Pokémon roamed calmly under the moonlight.
Ayato sat in Hana's lap, his tiny fingers gripping a wooden teether shaped like a Togepi.
Cynthia and Juniper sat across from Hana, fidgeting excitedly.
Hana smiled gently."So you two really want to sleep over today?"
Both girls straightened instantly.
"Yes, Auntie Hana!" Cynthia declared with confidence."We must," Juniper added seriously, as if presenting a research thesis.
Hana raised a brow."And the reason?"
Cynthia answered immediately."Ayato-chan needs proper night care!"Juniper nodded vigorously."I've prepared a nighttime development plan for him!"
Hana suppressed a laugh."You two… He's not even two months old."
Ayato blinked, looking between the girls.
These two are absolutely unstoppable.
Just then, Shiro walked into the room, holding a kettle of tea."Oh? You girls are still here."
Cynthia stood proudly."We're staying the night!"Juniper added, "For… developmental monitoring!"
Shiro smiled warmly."Well, as long as Hana agrees."
Hana gave a helpless sigh."They'll just sneak in anyway. Better to handle them properly."
Both girls cheered.
Ninetales entered the room with elegant steps, followed by Gardevoir. Both Pokémon immediately understood what this meant.
More babysitting supervision.
Ayato's Bedtime Chaos Begins
As night settled, Ayato was placed gently into his crib, which had a mobile of tiny Pokémon figures spinning above him. Soft lullabies played through the room speakers—Hana insisted on classical Sinnoh region tunes.
Cynthia stood to the left of the crib.Juniper stood to the right.
Both stared at him like security guards protecting a rare treasure.
Hana pinched her forehead."Girls… He needs to sleep, not be guarded."
Cynthia whispered loudly,"We're making sure he sleeps peacefully!"
Juniper whispered even louder,"And ensuring no sudden environmental disturbances interrupt his rest cycle!"
Hana: "…"
Ayato: "…"
Juniper then pulled out a notebook."I made a sleep log. We'll record every detail."
Cynthia nodded importantly."We're taking turns! I'll watch first. You take the second shift."
Ayato blinked.
They're running night shifts for a baby…
Ninetales gave a pointed, icy glare, urging both girls to lower their voices.
Gardevoir used a gentle psychic pulse—the room dimmed, and a soothing calm filled the air.
Finally, Ayato's eyelids drooped…
But Cynthia gasped."Look, look, look! He's holding my finger!"
Juniper leaned over."He held mine yesterday! This means he likes me today!"
"No, he likes ME today!""No, ME!"
Their bickering began to escalate—
Until Ninetales' fur bristled slightly and a cold breeze swept through the room.
Both froze instantly.
"Sorry…""Sorry, Ninetales-sama…"
Gardevoir floated over and gently placed a psychic barrier around Ayato's crib to block noise. The baby slept peacefully.
Midnight Drama
Hours passed.
Ayato woke up quietly in the middle of the night, blinking curiously at the moonlight.
Cynthia was sitting beside him, hugging a Togepi plush. She leaned forward.
"You awake, Ayato-chan?"
Ayato cooed.
Juniper immediately sprang up from her futon."Is it feeding time?! Does he need stimulation exercises?!"
Cynthia gently rocked the crib."No, he's just awake."
Juniper took notes again."Entry #14: Midnight cognitive curiosity."
Ayato simply stared.
This girl is taking scientific logs on me… I'm a research subject now.
Cynthia reached down and offered him the plush Gible he liked earlier.
Ayato grabbed it happily.
Cynthia's eyes sparkled with victory."See? He chose my toy again!"
Juniper glared."Its statistical significance cannot be proven with just two samples."
They started bickering again—
Ninetales' tail swished. A chilling wind blew.
Both instantly sat down obediently.
The Unexpected Sleeping Arrangement
Hours later, the girls finally lay down on their futons.
But Ayato shifted slightly, making a small fuss.
Cynthia shot up."He needs cuddles!"
Juniper also shot up."No—he needs proper warmth distribution!"
Both girls approached the crib simultaneously.
Shiro, passing by the door, sighed."Girls… If he's fussing, you can just hold him."
Cynthia lit up."You mean it?!"
Juniper brightened."Me too?!"
Ayato was lifted out of the crib and placed between the two girls on the futon. They formed a protective sandwich around him—Cynthia on his left, Juniper on his right.
Cynthia hugged him gently."I'll keep him warm."
Juniper covered him with a soft blanket."And I'll ensure temperature stability."
Ayato, surrounded by warmth and soft fabrics, yawned and instantly fell asleep.
Cynthia whispered,"He's so cute when he sleeps…"
Juniper whispered,"He looks like a tiny researcher…"
Ninetales and Gardevoir stood guard at the room entrance, proud and satisfied.
The night passed peacefully.
Morning Surprise
Hana entered the room at dawn and froze.
Ayato slept peacefully between Cynthia and Juniper, both clinging to him like protective sisters.
Shiro walked in behind her and chuckled softly.
"Well… looks like we've gained two permanent residents."
Hana sighed but smiled.
Ayato opened his eyes, stretched his tiny hands…
Both Cynthia and Juniper instantly woke up.
"Good morning, Ayato-chan!""Good morning, little genius!"
Ayato gurgled happily.
Being a baby in this world isn't bad at all.