After returning to Kosaji Town, there was still plenty for Naoki to do around the ranch.
Spring had arrived, and with it, a new season of Gym challenges officially began. Gym Leaders from all over Paldea returned to their respective Gyms to welcome fresh challengers.
So, not long after they returned to the region, Iono went back to work.
Naoki stayed behind to take care of the many things that had piled up during their time away.
He got in touch with Zack and let him know that the Tree Ranch had resumed operations and would start selling produce to the outside world again.
Zack was thrilled by the news.
As soon as he got the call, he drove straight to the ranch, clapped a big hand on Naoki's shoulder, and laughed heartily.
"Man, it's about time! While you were gone, we had customers lining up at the store demanding Life Goat Milk. Now that you're back, I can finally give them what they want!"
Naoki chuckled. "Was it really that serious?"
"Of course it was!" Zack said with a grin. "Life Goat Milk has become a local specialty of Kosaji Town. It's even trending online!"
"Then we'll have to work hard to keep up with demand," Naoki replied.
"Exactly! Anyway, glad you're back. I've got a ton of stuff to do at the Chamber of Commerce, but I'll swing by at five this afternoon to pick up the goods, same as always!"
"No problem," Naoki agreed with a nod.
After Zack left, Naoki officially reopened his store.
The Dragonite delivery crew, who had been idle and bored for months, couldn't wait to get back to work. As soon as they got the news, they flew in from the World Tree in full force.
Once the store reopened, orders started coming in non-stop.
The Dragonites strapped on their satchels, donned their adorable Q-version Dragonite caps, followed the instructions sent by Rotom on their phones, packed up the goods, and soared into the clear blue sky.
Naoki stood in the pasture, watching them disappear into the horizon, and let out a relieved sigh.
Finally… the ranch was back in full swing.
"Dad!"
A small, childish voice called out from behind.
Naoki turned around and saw his daughter, Elara, toddling toward him.
"Hey!"
He crouched down with a smile, arms wide open, waiting to catch her.
Elara beamed with joy when she saw her dad.
She ran toward him with tiny steps, and as she did, it felt as if she were running through time itself.
...
Through chilly January, warming February, blossoming March, and vibrant April, until finally, she dove into Naoki's arms with a bright, clear cry:
"Daddy!"
By July of the League Calendar year 204, Elara was now one year and seven months old.
Naoki had just returned home from Blueberry Academy when he scooped up the little girl who came running to greet him.
He smiled and asked, "Did you listen to Mommy this morning?"
"Yes!" Elara nodded earnestly.
"Good girl!"
As he carried her back toward the house, Naoki asked, "Then tell Daddy, what did you do this morning?"
Elara furrowed her little brow, thinking hard. Then she replied proudly, "I rode on Entei!"
Naoki blinked. "What?"
She said it so casually, like it was no big deal.
Other kids rode Cyclizar… but his daughter?
She rode the Legendary Beasts.
Before he could respond, Elara suddenly scrunched up her face and pouted.
"Raikou is mean!"
Elara raised a brow. "Why is Raikou mean?"
From what he had seen, the three Legendary Beasts, Entei, Raikou, and Suicune, absolutely adored Elara, probably even more than they liked him.
So why did she think Raikou was mean?
"Raikou won't let me pull his whiskers!" she huffed indignantly.
Naoki froze.
He barely kept from bursting into laughter as he gently explained, "Raikou's whiskers are very important. If you pull them, it hurts, just like when someone pulls your hair."
Elara blinked. She seemed to be trying to understand.
"Really?"
"Daddy, try it!"
Though her words were a little unclear, Naoki understood what she meant, she wanted him to tug her hair to see if it really hurt, just like how he explained Raikou's beard was sensitive.
Seeing her insistence, Naoki gently took a strand of her soft pink hair and gave it the lightest little pull.
Instantly, Elara's eyes welled up with tears, and she shrieked, "Daddy's mean! I'm never talking to you again!"
She broke free from his arms and stomped off, running across the grass and disappearing behind the Pokémon treehouse.
Naoki blinked in confusion. "I barely touched it..." he murmured.
Just as he was about to follow her, his Rotom Phone buzzed in his pocket. Glancing at the screen, he saw that the caller was Geeta.
He answered, stepping off to the side to talk in a quiet voice, "Hey, Geeta…"
Meanwhile, behind the breeding treehouse, Elara buried her face in the soft, warm fluff of her partner, the little Larvesta. She sniffled into its fur and sulked, "Daddy's the worst!"
Larvesta gave a slow, sympathetic sigh. It didn't really understand what had happened, but it knew its trainer was upset. So, it simply stayed close and let her cry it out.
After a few minutes, Elara peeked up, expecting to see her dad looking for her.
But when she climbed halfway up the treehouse trunk and peeked out…
He was still on the phone, his back turned to her.
The moment she realized he hadn't come to comfort her, her heart clenched. Her little lips trembled, and she burst into fresh tears.
Larvesta panicked, gently nudging her.
At that moment, a sudden gust of footsteps rustled the grass. Three majestic figures came bounding over, Entei, Suicune, and Raikou. They had been watching nearby and couldn't stand seeing her cry anymore.
The trio surrounded her in a gentle circle, trying to cheer her up.
Raikou, clearly flustered, furrowed his brow and thought back. Was she crying… because he didn't let her tug his beard earlier?
After a moment's hesitation, Raikou bowed his head and awkwardly lowered his long thunderbolt-shaped beard in front of Elara.
"Don't cry… you can tug it if you want."
But to his surprise, Elara shook her head stubbornly, tears still falling.
"No!" she said between sobs. "Daddy said it would hurt you…"
Raikou blinked, visibly stunned.
Entei, standing beside him, gave a proud little smile. He looked at Elara with warmth, then lowered his head and gently picked her up with his mouth, placing her on his broad back.
"Don't cry," he said in his deep voice. "I'll take you for a ride!"
With Elara now perched on his back, Entei broke into a smooth gallop across the field.
Suddenly, Elara turned around and called out through her sniffles, "Larvesta!"
Entei understood right away.
He slowed just enough to let Larvesta clamber up beside her. With her arms wrapped tightly around her fuzzy friend, and the wind rushing through her hair, Elara finally began to smile again.
Together, they rode off toward the World Tree.
Back on the ranch, Naoki turned to check on Elara, only to see Entei dashing off into the distance, his daughter and her bug-type partner riding happily on his back.
"I think I just heard Elara crying," Naoki said.
Geeta was slightly surprised. "What happened to Elara?"
"She's fine," Naoki replied with a smile. "Entei took her out to play."
He noticed the direction Entei had run toward, the World Tree.
There were plenty of friendly Pokémon playing there, so Elara wouldn't get bored.
Hearing that, Geeta raised an eyebrow thoughtfully, then asked, "Come to think of it, isn't Elara almost two years old now?"
Naoki shook his head. "Not that fast! Still five months to go."
"Still, time flies," Geeta said with a grin. "When do you plan to start teaching her about Pokémon?"
"It's way too early, isn't it?" Naoki chuckled. "Even if she's sharper than most kids her age, she's still not even two. Letting her command a Pokémon battle would be a bit much."
Geeta replied, "Children grow up faster than we expect. Blink once, and they're suddenly ready to take on the world."
Naoki paused, unable to argue.
After all, at the start of the year, Elara couldn't even walk. Now she was running around the ranch.
"Alright then, I'll stop bothering you for now," Geeta said. "I'll drop by the ranch later. It's been a while since I have seen Elara."
She figured it was about time Elara got to know her Aunt Geeta.
"Of course," Naoki said warmly. "You're welcome anytime."
And Geeta didn't waste a moment. That very afternoon, she arrived at the ranch.
Naoki and Iono were camped out on the lawn with Elara and a few Pokémon, enjoying the sunny day.
When Geeta showed up, both of them stood up in surprise.
"Champion, what brings you here?" Iono asked, startled.
"The League's on holiday today," Geeta explained with a grin. "So I thought I'd come see Elara."
She turned her eyes toward the little girl squatting in the grass, happily squishing colorful playdough between her fingers with the help of a few Pokémon.
"That's Elara? Wow, she's gotten so big already!"
Hearing her name, Elara looked up from her playdough and gave the unfamiliar woman a curious stare.
Naoki knelt beside her and said gently, "Elara, this is Aunt Geeta. Can you say 'Auntie'?"
Elara tilted her head, examining the newcomer with big round eyes.
Geeta crouched down and smiled brightly. "Hello, Elara! I'm Geeta, you can call me Aunt Geeta!"
Elara didn't respond right away. She stared at Geeta silently, clearly sensing something unfamiliar. Her childlike instincts made her cautious.
Meanwhile, Geeta turned her attention to the trio of Legendary Pokémon, Entei, Raikou, and Suicune, lounging protectively near Elara. Alongside them was Larvesta, watching over the little girl like a silent guardian.
Geeta couldn't help but feel a surge of pride and admiration.
With Pokémon like these surrounding her, Elara would one day make an exceptional Trainer.
She imagined a future where this same child, taught by both Naoki and Iono, would set out on her journey. Ten years was more than enough time for that Larvesta to evolve into a powerful Volcarona.
And with the trust of the Legendary Beasts?
Geeta smiled to herself.
If all went well, she might be able to retire early and pass her Champion title on to Elara when the time came.
Of course, that's assuming Elara can actually defeat her someday.
...
Bonus @500
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