Under the effect of the new trait, Lopunny felt her body trembling slightly. A strange warmth surged through her—an unfamiliar sensation that made her blush uncontrollably.
It took her a while to steady herself and calm the racing of her heart.
Just then, Marzillo's voice came from outside the cabin.
"Come on, you two! There's a meteor shower!"
Outside, under the vast night sky of Hiyori Town, countless shooting stars streaked across the heavens, slicing through the darkness like brilliant blades of light.
Every thousand years, the world would celebrate the Festival of Wishing Stars. It was said that the mythical Pokémon Jirachi, the Wish Maker, would appear during that sacred time. Unfortunately, this year's festival was still half a year away.
Even so, as the stars fell, the surrounding forest came alive—hundreds of Illumise and Volbeat emerged, their gentle glow dancing in the night air, joining nature's grand spectacle.
Both Gardevoir and Lopunny stood beside Marzillo, their eyes sparkling with wonder.
"How about we each make a wish?" Marzillo suggested with a smile.
Lopunny tilted her head adorably, nodding in agreement.
"Master, I want to go first~" Gardevoir purred, quickly claiming the first turn.
"Then it's your turn, Lopunny," Marzillo said.
"Mmm…"
The bunny girl closed her eyes and clasped her hands together, silently mouthing her wish. It was said that if one spoke their wish aloud during a meteor shower, it wouldn't come true—so she whispered quietly, her voice too soft for even Marzillo to hear.
When she finally opened her eyes, she glanced sideways at her Trainer, who was gazing quietly at the night sky.
"And now it's my turn," Marzillo said, dragging his words teasingly long—so much so that both Gardevoir and Lopunny glared at him, their faces red with embarrassment.
He chuckled, then finally closed his eyes and made his own silent wish.
The next morning.
Marzillo woke to the faint sound of a Kricketune playing its melodic tune outside. Sunlight streamed through the window, and the sky was a perfect blue.
"Wake up, Gardevoir," he said, running a hand through his messy hair.
The white-haired Pokémon murmured drowsily and reached out to hug him tightly, refusing to let go.
"Still half-asleep, huh…" Marzillo sighed helplessly, gently prying her off.
After their morning chaos, he got out of bed and opened the window. The warm breeze of another peaceful day at the farm greeted him.
Just as he was about to prepare breakfast, he released Lopunny from her Poké Ball.
"Good morning, Lopunny."
The bunny Pokémon blinked sleepily, rubbing her eyes.
"Didn't sleep well last night?" Marzillo asked, patting her head.
She shook her head quickly, her long ears swaying. In truth, she had woken several times during the night—startled by faint noises from the living room. But she didn't dare say that aloud.
"Alright then, I'll get breakfast ready. If you're still tired, go rest a bit longer. We'll start planting the Wishing Grain after we eat."
Lopunny nodded obediently. As Marzillo turned toward the kitchen, she caught herself blushing again for no apparent reason.
"Fresh air… maybe that'll help," she whispered, stepping outside.
The cool morning wind brushed her face as she walked toward the edge of the farm. But before long, a voice shouted from a distance—
"Hey! I think this is the place!"
Lopunny's ears twitched. An intruder?
She immediately took a defensive stance, ready for anything.
A moment later, a cheerful girl came into view. She had short pink hair, a white blouse, and a blue skirt, her energy practically radiating from her smile.
"I knew it! Grandpa's map said to head this way!" she announced proudly.
"Piiiii…"
Her Clefable, walking beside her, gave a doubtful sigh. They'd been wandering around Hiyori Town for half a day already.
"Seriously, Whitney, you said the same thing an hour ago," the fairy Pokémon muttered, unimpressed.
"Hey! Don't look at me like that!" Whitney puffed her cheeks, then suddenly gasped as she spotted the brown-furred figure standing at the edge of the field.
"Whoa! A wild Lopunny! So cute!"
Before Lopunny could react, Whitney dashed forward with full enthusiasm, clearly intending to scoop her up into a hug.
"Lopun!"
With a startled cry, Lopunny jumped back gracefully, and the pink-haired girl tripped—face-first into the dirt.
"Ow…"
Her Clefable covered its face in embarrassment and quietly shuffled a few steps away.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to scare you!" Whitney said quickly, scrambling to her feet and waving her hands in apology.
But Lopunny still looked wary, her sharp eyes fixed on the girl.
Clefable let out a few insistent "Pii! Pii!" noises, gesturing between them.
Whitney blinked. "Wait—you're saying she wants to battle us? And if we lose, we have to leave the area?"
"Pii!"
Clefable nodded firmly.
"I see…" Whitney brushed herself off, her cheerful demeanor fading as she became serious.
After all, she wasn't just any wandering Trainer—she was Whitney, the Gym Leader of Goldenrod City.
"Alright then," she said, stepping forward and pointing her Poké Ball. "Clefable, get ready for battle!"
Lopunny's ears flicked as she tightened her stance, determination flashing in her eyes.
The peaceful morning at Hiyori Farm… was about to get a little more exciting.
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