Chapter 286: You Came at Just the Right Time

"Alright, Mom, Dad, you can head back first."

Kiko pushed her parents gently. "Victreebel wants to go find its friends."

"After I accompany it up the mountain, I'll come back on my own."

Victreebel looked at Kiko with a puzzled expression.

"Victreebel? (I didn't say that?)"

Kiko's mother patted her shoulder meaningfully. "Fine."

"Just don't stay out too late, okay?"

"Got it, got it~"

Kiko watched them leave and let out a small sigh of relief.

She turned to Victreebel with a cheerful smile. "Let's go, Victreebel, up the mountain we go~"

Victreebel flapped its leaves, deciding not to overthink things.

"Victreebel~"

Victreebel followed Kiko as they made their way up the mountain.

Although there were no streetlights on the path from the foot of the mountain to the top, the moonlight, the stars, and the Morelull wandering around provided enough light for Kiko to see her way.

Under the moonlight, Oddish could be seen wandering by, and Pikachu played Playfulness in the grass.

The evening breeze lifted Kiko's long, dark hair.

She took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, turning to Victreebel beside her. "It really feels the best to be back here, doesn't it?"

"Victreebel~"

Although the distance between the foot of the mountain and the top of the farm sounded far, it only took about twenty minutes to walk at a leisurely pace.

Just as Kiko reached the farm cabin, Aiko and Misuzu were stepping out of the hot spring in the bamboo grove.

"Aiko, isn't this place amazing?"

Aiko, drying her hair, grinned at Misuzu, who was wrapped in a towel that only reached her knees.

Misuzu nodded slightly, her gaze falling on the Sewaddle sleeping by the window. "It's just like the rumors say, but also not quite."

"Just like but not quite?"

Aiko blinked, curious. "What do you mean by that?"

"Rumors say this is a land of gods, where anyone and any Pokémon can find peace."

"Gym Leader Natsume is incredibly strong, but also quite dangerous, like the Serperior often seen sunbathing on the farm."

Aiko laughed. "Everyone who comes here is a little scared of Serperior, huh?"

"And the part that's not like the rumors is that Gym Leader Natsume isn't as dangerous as they say, right?"

Misuzu nodded. "Gym Leader Natsume is much more easygoing than the rumors suggest. He feels like a perfect person."

As Misuzu spoke, she noticed Kiko approaching with Victreebel.

"Lopunny~"

Lopunny waved at Kiko and ran over to her.

"Long time no see, Lopunny."

Kiko crouched down and happily hugged Lopunny. "Is Natsume upstairs?"

"Lopunny~"

Lopunny nodded, then pointed at Aiko and Misuzu behind her and gestured toward the hot spring.

"Were you keeping Natsume's friends company in the bath?"

"Lopunny~"

"Can you join me for a soak later too~"

Lopunny nodded again.

Kiko smiled. "Great, then I'll head upstairs to see Natsume first."

"Lopunny~"

Lopunny followed Kiko as they headed upstairs.

Misuzu watched this scene hesitantly, then turned to Aiko. "Gym Leader Natsume is probably upstairs with his..."

Aiko shrugged. "It should be fine."

"Indeedee~"

Indeedee appeared, signaling to the two not to worry.

Indeedee made a welcoming gesture, then headed inside.

Misuzu gave a strange look toward the stairs and murmured, "Maybe not so perfect after all."

Second Floor, Main Bedroom

The bright moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating Misaki's bare skin.

"Are you okay?"

Natsume's hand gently caressed Misaki's body.

"I have no strength left."

Misaki's flushed face looked as if it could drip with moisture.

"Is that so? Then rest well. You must be exhausted after today."

As Natsume and Misaki chatted, the door was suddenly pulled open by Kiko, who was beaming with excitement.

"Natsume, I wanted to tell you..."

Kiko's words trailed off as she froze at the sight of the two on the bed.

Biting her lip, Kiko's voice trembled slightly. "Did I come at a bad time?"

Natsume glanced at Misaki, then turned to Kiko at the door. "Not at all. You came at just the right time."

"Ah?... Oh... Ah~"

"Lopunny~"

Lopunny, who had followed Kiko, looked delighted and tried to rush into the room, but Gardevoir stopped her.

"Lopunny?"

Gardevoir smiled at Lopunny, then led her downstairs.

Downstairs, Living Room

Indeedee had prepared some late-night snacks for Aiko and Misuzu.

"Eevee~"

The Eevee in the room hopped around Aiko and Misuzu.

Aiko giggled as she scratched one Eevee under its chin. "Little guy, why don't you come with me~"

"I'll take care of you~"

The Eevee glanced sideways at Aiko and immediately jumped off her.

"Hey, hey, that's so mean! Am I some kind of bad person?"

Aiko pouted, hands on her hips.

Misuzu fed a Cutiefly perched on an Eevee's head. "I think it's because Gym Leader Natsume takes such good care of everyone here."

"Lopunny~"

At the staircase, Gardevoir carried Lopunny and the others down.

"Here—"

Aiko looked at Gardevoir, then at the slightly chaotic scene.

Kiko hadn't come down.

Aiko muttered, "She didn't come down."

Gardevoir gave them an apologetic look.

It seemed Natsume wouldn't have time to entertain them tonight.

"It's fine."

Misuzu stood up, addressing Gardevoir. "I'm sorry for the sudden intrusion."

Gardevoir shook her head gently.

"You're always welcome here."

The Cutiefly beside Misuzu lifted its head and smiled, then fluttered its wings and flew toward the flower field outside.

Under the moonlight, the flower field swayed gently, mysterious and serene.

Celebi perched on a blue flower, then happily flew toward the nearby fruit grove.

Celebi was beginning its patrol of the territory it was meant to protect.

Misuzu gazed at the scenery outside and whispered, "This place is truly beautiful and magical."

Aiko grinned. "Right? But it wasn't always like this."

Aiko enthusiastically began recounting her first visit to the farm, and as she spoke, the moon in the night sky was gradually covered by clouds.

The night slowly passed...