Morning sunlight streamed through the shoji-style windows of the Kamisato Estate, casting warm golden rays across the polished floors. Servants moved quietly, and powerful Pokémon patrolled the gardens.
In the nursery room, Ayato sat in a soft crib, tiny hands holding a rattling toy shaped like a Poké Ball. He looked peaceful…
Which made the scene at the door completely ridiculous.
"I'M BABYSITTING HIM TODAY!"
A six-year-old Cynthia stood with hands on her hips, golden eyes blazing with rare determination.Her silvery hair bounced as she leaned forward across the doorway.
"No way!" Juniper stood opposite her, holding a clipboard and pen. "You had him yesterday! It's my turn today. I even wrote down a schedule!"
She waved the clipboard proudly, which only irritated Cynthia further.
"I don't care about your stupid schedule!""You take that back!""No!"
The two geniuses, future icons of the Pokémon world, were currently engaged in a childish standoff over who got to babysit a one-month-old baby.
Inside the crib, Ayato blinked.
They're… really fighting over me. This is both adorable and chaotic.
Hana sighed from the hallway and pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Girls, please—Ayato just woke up. Don't scare him."
But Ayato wasn't scared. If anything, he found it extremely entertaining.
Negotiations Begin
Cynthia pouted."Hana-auntie, Juniper hogged him last time! She wouldn't even let me hold him while he was sleeping!"
Juniper stomped her foot."That's because babies need stimulation! I was reading a research article that says toddlers exposed to intellectual activities become smarter. I was helping!"
"You were making him listen to Pokémon encyclopedia entries!""It's educational!""He just gurgled! That wasn't interest, he was confused!"
Ayato, meanwhile, gurgled again.
Both girls instantly froze and turned toward him.
"There! He likes me more!" Cynthia declared."No, he smiled because of me!" Juniper countered.
Ayato tilted his head.
He was enjoying this way too much.
Gardevoir & Ninetales: The Judges
Suddenly, the temperature in the room dropped several degrees.
A shimmering light filled the doorway.
"Voooiiir…"
Shiny Gardevoir floated in, elegant and serene. Behind her, Alolan Ninetales entered with a graceful sweep of frost, icy mist trailing from its fur.
Both Pokémon gave one look at the quarreling girls.
Instant silence.
Cynthia straightened up like a soldier.Juniper hid her clipboard behind her back.
Gardevoir gently approached Ayato's crib, brushing his cheek with a psychic touch.Ninetales curled around the crib protectively, cold aura warning anyone who tried to pull the baby too roughly.
The message was clear:
"Play with him gently… or else."
Both girls swallowed hard.
A Peace Treaty Is Formed
Hana crossed her arms and smiled."Well, since neither of you can behave, how about you babysit Ayato together today?"
Cynthia and Juniper blinked.
"Together?!""At the same time?!"
Cynthia frowned.Juniper scowled.
Ayato clapped his tiny hands.Both girls melted instantly.
"…Fine," Cynthia muttered."…I guess that's okay," Juniper mumbled.
Hana nodded."Good. Now keep him entertained—and no arguing."
She stepped out, Gardevoir following like a stern supervisor.
Ninetales stayed behind, watching over them with calm authority.
The Babysitting Begins
Juniper grabbed a stack of picture books."Reading time! Let's improve his early cognitive development."
Cynthia snatched a plush Gible toy."No! Playtime! Babies need fun more than reading!"
Both girls glared—then caught Ninetales narrowing its icy-blue eyes.
They froze.
Then slowly…
Juniper offered the book.Cynthia offered the toy.
"Here, Ayato-chan… pick whichever you like," Juniper said sweetly.
"Choose me—uh, I mean this toy!" Cynthia added quickly.
Ayato looked at them…
Then reached out both hands.
One for the Gible plush.One for the picture book.
The girls gasped.
"He chose BOTH of us!""He really is a genius!"
Ayato giggled.
I just don't want them to cry…
But the two future icons saw it as a divine sign.
From that day on—
Cynthia declared herself "Ayato's big sister." Juniper declared herself "Ayato's future primary researcher."
And the two began visiting every single day.
A newborn Ayato had somehow gained two loyal attendants…
…and two future world legends wrapped around his tiny finger.