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The farm's weeds had all been cleared—and even the scattered boulders that once littered the grounds were gone.
In their place, one corner had been neatly organized into a drying area for hay, clearly prepped for future livestock.
Facing the dilapidated farmhouse stood several furnaces, smelting metal ingots under the watchful eye of Geodude.
Beside them, a newly cut path led to a sprawling potato field. In its midst, a tiny blue frog—barely taller than the potato leaves—was diligently spitting water onto the crops.
Robin knew, of course, it was using a Water-type move… but she couldn't help but chuckle.
"Where do you want the Nursery built?" she asked, quickly composing herself.
"There—I've already cleared the spot," Ron replied.
Since Orthworm had little else to do besides tilling, Ron had assigned it all the farm's landscaping and weeding.
Thanks to that, the entire place looked remarkably tidy.
He pointed toward a patch of land marked by a pebble-paved path. "Right there."
"Got it." Robin released Machoke, handed it the building materials, rolled up her sleeves, and headed for the site.
Watching her get to work, Ron walked over to the furnaces and checked the smelted iron ingots.
He pulled one out and crouched to study the furnace.
From now until Egg Festival, he had nothing urgent to plant—three days was too short for any crop to mature.
So every coin in his pocket had to stay put.
He could fish to earn extra cash… but he'd decided to spend the next two days improving his quality of life instead.
Like building a shelf to properly store the cookware Clint had forged for him—though cooking would still rely on his campfire for now.
But soon, he'd have a real kitchen.
On his way back, he'd asked Robin about renovating the farmhouse.
She'd said it would cost 10,000G and 450 wood—not too steep.
Fishing alone could cover it in five or six days; waiting for strawberries would take eight.
He could wait—but what else was there to do?
Counting Egg Festival, strawberry planting, harvest, and renovation, it'd be about half a month anyway.
So Ron pulled the iron ingot from the furnace and called Orthworm up from underground.
Orthworm stared at the gleaming metal, swallowing hard.
"You can't eat this," Ron said, holding it just out of reach. He gestured the size of iron sheet he needed. "Flatten it for me—scrap pieces are yours."
Instantly, Orthworm pressed the ingot beneath the silver metallic ridge on its neck.
Squeak-grind!
A perfect iron sheet dropped to the ground.
In the next second, Orthworm crunched it into the exact shape Ron wanted.
"Well done." Ron tossed it an iron ore chunk, then borrowed a hammer and nails from Robin. After having Geodude split wood planks to size, he got to work.
Soon, a sturdy iron-frame shelf stood complete.
Inside the house, he arranged his cookware and bowls neatly on it.
For days, he'd barely noticed the interior—waking at dawn, leaving immediately, collapsing into bed at night.
Now, with time to look around, he finally spotted the old TV tucked in the corner.
He walked over and turned it on.
Alongside the usual weather forecast, fortune-telling segment, and today's Wednesday Queen of Sauce episode, Ron was surprised to see a Kalos regional news broadcast.
It announced that Kalos Food Industries had launched a new line of sardine-based instant meals—the first meat-like product since the Pokémon Consumption Restriction Act. The items sold out instantly.
Ron paused, recalling Lewis's recent bulk order of sardines for Willy.
Even if he wanted to follow the meat-product sales guide he'd seen in the library, he'd first need a barn and coop.
Just as he was about to switch back to Queen of Sauce—hoping to learn a simple new recipe—another news alert flashed on screen:
[Kalos League Championship to be held in Snowbelle City.]
[Gym and registration details have been distributed to all Pokémon Centers.]
[This year's rookie Trainer registrations have surpassed 2,000 applicants.]
[Several Centers report shortages in starter Pokémon.]
[All regional breeding facilities are urged to coordinate with Centers immediately.]
Ron froze.
He thought of the Kalos Breeding License, the Ditto egg, and the Trade Computer he'd soon receive upon completing the Nursery.
While pondering, he switched back to Queen of Sauce—only to find today's recipes called for ingredients he couldn't get.
So he snapped photos of the recipes with his Pokédex and turned off the TV.
With Ditto, breeding wouldn't be hard…
But right now, he only had one Froakie.
Normally, a Pokémon Center offered three starters: Water, Grass, and Fire—the same trio Lewis had shown him: Froakie, Chespin, and Fennekin.
Another concern: would breeding take up Froakie's time? He still had acres of crops that needed watering.
Lost in thought, Ron quickly prepared a grilled fish dish, sliced some bread, and stepped outside.
Robin was on her break, eating a sandwich with Machoke beside her.
Spotting Froakie for the first time, she didn't recognize it—but pulled out another sandwich and waved it gently.
"Hey little one, want a bite?"
Before she finished speaking, a blue blur appeared before her—Froakie gazing at the sandwich with desperate, hopeful eyes.
"Haha—here you go." Robin handed it over and patted Froakie's head. "You're adorable."
Froakie plopped down beside her and devoured the sandwich with tearful joy.
"…" Ron stood silently, holding his plate, watching Froakie practically weep with happiness.
He understood—it'd been days of nothing but grilled fish. He was sick of it too.
"You want some?" Robin looked up at Ron. "I made extra."
"I've got grilled fish," Ron said, waving his plate. "Want to try some?"
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