Meanwhile, Ron finished patching the floor. He placed stones on the new planks to keep them from shifting underfoot while he figured out when to borrow nails from the carpenter's shop.
He wandered through the Community Center.
Since the front desk had been restored, a new collection bundle now sat in the adjacent room:
[Crafts Room]
[Offering Required: 40,000G]
[Reward: Item Maker, Crafting Recipes, Bus]
No further explanation—but clearly, this "Item Maker" had nothing to do with Pelican Town's usual tools.
After all, most local items could be crafted with Clint's tool kit.
This must relate to Pokémon-specific items.
But 40,000G was steep.
With house renovations, coop/barn construction, and summer seeds ahead, Ron wouldn't have that kind of cash until after the summer harvest.
He gathered his Pokémon—who'd been playing hide-and-seek in the building—and headed for the mountains.
Passing the still-open carpenter's shop, Ron decided to stop by—not just to book his renovation, but to borrow tools.
"Afternoon!" Robin brightened at his entrance.
"Afternoon," Ron said, confirming prices before stating his request.
"Oh! So the day after tomorrow—I'll come to your farm to renovate your house?" Robin agreed instantly. "No problem! I'll arrive early. You can pay me after it's done."
She added, "But don't skimp on materials! If you're short, you can buy from me—I'll give you a discount."
Ron glanced at the price list—10G per wood, 20G per stone—and politely declined.
"Fair enough," Robin shrugged. "It's already a special rate—thanks to you being new in Stardew Valley. Prices jump to 50G/wood and 100G/stone next year."
For now, it was too pricey—but once farm profits surpassed gathering costs, buying materials would save time worth far more than the expense.
That's what she'd learned from Gabriel.
Watching Ron's relentless work ethic, she knew that day was coming soon.
"By the way," Ron said, eyeing her tool stash, "Joy from Kalos is arriving soon—she'll stay at the Community Center. I'm repairing it, but I need nails and a hammer."
"Ahh," Robin followed his gaze and grinned. "Want to borrow mine?"
"Yes."
"It'll cost you," she teased, grabbing the tools.
"How much?"
Robin winked. "Just kidding—free! And if you need help, I've got ladders in the warehouse too."
Ron thanked her and stowed the tools.
"Return them at the farm the day after tomorrow," Robin called as he left. "See you then!"
Once he was gone, a door creaked open—Maru stepped out.
"Done tinkering with your little inventions, dear?" Robin asked.
Maru shifted uncomfortably. "Wasn't tinkering—just zoning out."
"Hmm… eavesdropping?" Robin leaned against the counter, rolling down her sleeves.
"Heard a bit."
After insulting Ron's farm earlier (even if she'd helped later), Maru felt guilty. Hearing about his house renovation relieved her—though he didn't seem the type to crumble over others' opinions. Still, knowing he was improving his life made her happy.
That feeling peaked when she heard he was fixing the Community Center too. She couldn't explain it—just a quiet shame.
Robin raised an eyebrow, reading her daughter's expression.
"I thought—"
"What?"
"Nothing." Robin smiled. "How about helping me repair the Community Center when you're free? You've got the skills."
Maru nodded. "I will."
---
Elsewhere…
As dusk fell, Ron and his team ate a quick meal in the mines before gathering as much ore as possible.
Froakie, leveled up by battling monsters, now stood at Level 15.
Exhausted from nonstop work, two Rattata were already asleep on the Mine Cart by the time they reached the farm.
Ron scooped them up, making space on his shoulder for Froakie, who curled into his arm and snuggled against the Rattata.
He walked slowly into the cabin.
The remaining Rattata collapsed the moment they crossed the threshold.
"…"
Ron gently placed each on the bed.
"Gengar!"
Gengar shot up from the shadows.
Usually, Abigail would laugh at its antics—but not now.
Disappointed, it retreated—then watched Ron's careful movements.
Slowly, it floated down and lifted a Rattata.
As a Ghost-type, it carried the rodent so smoothly the Rattata never stirred.
Ron paused, surprised. "Thank you, Gengar," he whispered. "Good job."
"Gengar~" it murmured softly, vanishing back into the shadows.
Ron carefully lay down, avoiding the neatly arranged Rattata.
Their steady breathing filled the room. Froakie rolled over on the pillow.
"Goodnight," Ron murmured to the pair of red eyes gleaming from the darkness.
Then he closed his own.
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