Evening gradually descended.
Peter had already finished setting up the bait beneath a massive tree deep within the forest.
From here on out, all he could do was wait.
If there were ever a perfect depiction of waiting for rabbits by the tree, this was it.
As dusk deepened, faint rustling sounds echoed throughout the forest.
Wild Pokémon began emerging one after another to forage for food.
Peter released Miltank, letting it sit calmly beside him.
Only then did he feel truly at ease.
The wilderness was unpredictable.
At any moment, something like a Gyarados or Tangrowth could suddenly appear.
Caution was never optional.
Before long, the first wave of visitors arrived.
A small group of Wurmple timidly crawled out of the shadows.
Being weak by nature, they could only forage after sunset, nibbling on leaves to survive.
When they passed by Peter's bait, they helped themselves to a portion of the Pokéblocks.
Fortunately, Wurmple didn't eat much.
The loss was manageable.
Peter sighed and added a few more cubes, then resumed waiting.
After that, one Pokémon after another appeared—
Nincada,
Noctowl,
Murkrow…
The Pokéblocks were practically raided.
The worst offender was Murkrow—
not only did it eat, it even tried to carry off the entire container.
Peter immediately ordered Miltank to fire off an Ice Beam, ending that nonsense on the spot.
The night breeze brushed past.
The crescent moon shifted slowly across the sky.
Before Peter realized it, midnight had arrived.
"Yawn…"
Peter rubbed his eyes.
Looks like tonight was going to be a bust.
Just as he was about to pack up and sleep, movement caught his attention.
A group of small rabbit Pokémon hopped into view.
Brown fur.
Cream-colored fluff.
Long ears—one curled, the other stretched straight, both tipped with soft down.
They looked unbelievably soft and adorable.
"Bunee~ Bunee~"
A group of Buneary advanced in an orderly formation, hopping lightly as they went.
They worked together to gather whatever food they found, each taking a share to bring back to their burrows.
That naturally included Peter's Pokéblocks.
Hidden in the shadows, Peter examined them one by one.
After a long comparison, his gaze settled on the one leading the group—
the strongest among them:
Buneary ♂ – Level 21 (Intermediate)
Ability: Run Away
(Highly experienced in surviving the wild; capable of evading pursuit and gaining a speed advantage.)
Aptitude: 301 (Species maximum: 350)
Moves:
Splash (Proficient)Quick Attack (Mastered)Double Kick (Mastered)Headbutt (Learned)
Description:
A gifted Buneary with exceptional evasive instincts. Frequently leads its companions on nighttime foraging expeditions.
…
Just as Peter was preparing to step out and intercept them—
A clumsy figure stumbled into view.
It was also a Buneary.
But unlike the others, it wasn't moving with the group.
Its motions were noticeably awkward, lacking the nimbleness of its kin.
It followed the scent straight to Peter's bait.
By sheer luck, there was still one Pokéblock left in the box.
"Bunee~!"
The little rabbit chirped happily, carefully lifting the cube before hopping away.
Because of its sudden appearance, Peter missed his chance—
the earlier group of Buneary vanished completely into the darkness.
Shaking his head, Peter stepped forward to collect the container and prepare for tomorrow.
But—
That same Buneary came back.
It trotted over in tiny hops, gazing up at the box in Peter's hands.
"Bunee~"
Its short arms lifted high, clearly hoping there was still something tasty inside.
"…I really can't say no to that face."
Peter sighed, added a few more Pokéblocks into the box, and placed it down in front of the little one.
"Bunee~"
The Buneary bowed politely, picked up the box—and turned to leave.
"Hey—at least leave me the box!"
Peter called out helplessly.
"Bune?"
The Buneary turned back, confused.
Not understanding his words, it bowed again and continued on—
Only to trip over a branch.
It tumbled forward, landing on the ground with a soft thump.
Thanks to its fluffy body, it wasn't hurt, but one Pokéblock rolled onto the dirt.
"Bune…"
Tears welled up instantly.
But after a moment, the little rabbit sniffed, licked the dusty cube clean, and carefully placed it back into the box.
Clumsy.
But strangely endearing.
Peter frowned.
Normally, wild Pokémon would eat food immediately to prevent it from being stolen.
But this Buneary…
It felt like it was deliberately saving the food for someone else.
Peter didn't dwell on it.
He returned to his tent and went to sleep.
-----
Over the next few days, Peter repeated the same routine.
Based on experience, he added scents that other Pokémon disliked to prevent losses.
The only disappointment—
The talented Buneary leader from the first night never appeared again.
Thankfully, Buneary were common throughout Eterna Forest.
Peter saw dozens.
Too many, in fact.
He became so indecisive that he couldn't choose at all.
But every single midnight—
That clumsy Buneary returned to ask for food.
Little by little, Peter remembered it.
Tonight, as usual, Peter waited before sleeping.
Midnight came.
The rabbit didn't.
Peter frowned and looked toward its usual direction.
After a long pause, a familiar figure emerged—
But this time, its eyes were filled with tears.
"Bune…!"
The moment it saw Peter, the Buneary threw itself into his arms and burst into tears.
Big drops fell like rain.
"What happened?" Peter asked softly.
"Did something bad happen?"
"Bunee… Bunee…"
It shook its head, crying harder.
Peter gently rubbed its head, soothing it in silence.
After a long while, the sobbing stopped.
The Buneary fell asleep in his arms.
Tears still clung to its long lashes.
Peter stared quietly.
He had never considered this Buneary as a starting partner—it was too clumsy.
But without realizing it…
They had formed a bond.
"…Alright," Peter smiled faintly.
"You can sleep in my deluxe tent tonight."
He activated the system.
Buneary ♀ – Level 12 (Novice)
Ability: Klutz
(Naturally uncoordinated; held items lose their effects.)
Aptitude: 281 (Species maximum: 350)
Affinity: 120
Moves:
Power-Up Punch (Learned)Teeter Dance (Learned)Copycat (Learned)Circle Throw (Learned)Baby-Doll Eyes (Learned)Pound (Mastered)Splash (Mastered)
Description:
An exceptionally gifted Buneary with multiple inherited moves from previous generations.
However, due to its unique clumsiness, other Pokémon avoid playing with it.
It always carried its food back to its elderly Lopunny grandmother, causing malnutrition and stunted growth.
Today…
Its grandmother passed away.
…
Peter's hand tightened slightly.
"…I see."
The night was quiet.
And in the darkness of Eterna Forest—
A new journey quietly took root.