Pam blinked, surprised. "I wish I'd met you sooner."
Her birthday—Spring 18—had already passed.
Gifts were reciprocal; Ron couldn't give a 750G diamond only to receive a humble trinket in return. So Pam didn't envy him.
She returned to shoveling ore into the furnace.
Though the Farm had only one diamond now, more would come. With no museum mineral donations needed yet, Ron didn't mind parting with it—especially since Sailor had fished it from a trash bin.
Ron headed to the Mines with Gengar.
---
Meanwhile, at the Stardrop Saloon…
Gus woke early. Birthdays meant less as he aged—just proof he'd grown another year older.
So he pulled out cleaning supplies and decided to deep-clean the saloon for the first time in ages.
Snorlax snored on the floor. Sensing Gus's movement, it slowly rolled over, clearing space for mopping.
Gus chuckled, patting its belly before resuming work.
By noon, the saloon gleamed—the previous grease-streaked corners scrubbed spotless.
Emily burst in, eyes wide. She checked the sky, then her horoscope. "Is today special or something?"
Gus emerged from under the counter, rag in hand. "Just felt like cleaning."
"Not like you," Emily said, running a finger over the pristine counter. Gus was terrible at tidying—often overwhelmed when she took days off.
Before he could retort, she pulled a brightly wrapped gift from her bag. "Happy birthday! I knew you'd clean just for this!"
Gus accepted it, touched. Few in Pelican Town exchanged birthday gifts.
Inside: fresh Oranges.
"Bought from Caroline," Emily explained. Aside from Ron's orchard, Caroline's greenhouse supplied seasonal fruit—though purchases were hush-hush to avoid Pierre's markup.
Gus exhaled in relief. If bought from Pierre, this would've cost Emily a week's wages.
"Thanks."
"No trouble!" Emily washed glasses as usual.
---
That evening…
The town calendar noted birthdays, so regulars wished Gus well—no gifts, but their warmth delighted him. He treated everyone to drinks.
Then—an unexpected guest arrived.
Gus looked up to see Ron entering, Froakie perched on his shoulder.
"Evening! Long time no see," Gus greeted. Farmwork kept Ron away; they hadn't met since Summer 1.
"Same," Ron said, approaching the counter. "Just got back from the Mines. Happy birthday—I found this mineral. Hope you like it."
"No need to—" Gus took the stone, then froze at its icy weight. "Goodness—a Diamond? Too generous!"
He tried returning it. "Your cheap produce already saves me heaps!"
"Found it by chance," Ron insisted. "Maybe Yoba knew it was your birthday and guided me."
Gus relented, touched. "Thank you."
After dinner, Ron left the saloon—and heard his name called.
Turning, he saw Abigail running toward him, eyes red-rimmed.
"Earlier… you said you'd take me to Kalos soon," she panted. "Is it still true?"
"Of course," Ron nodded.
"But… what if Dad won't let me go?" she whispered.
Ron frowned. "Pierre? He's refusing?"
Abigail's tears spilled over. Usually fearless, she now felt trapped. Since Pierre threatened to cut her allowance, she realized her life hung on his whims.
"Sorry—I should've known. Even you wouldn't risk my parents' anger."
"How old are you?" Ron asked.
"Uh… twenty?"
"You're an adult. In Kalos, kids leave home at ten to adventure."
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