Ever since Butterfree had evolved, it no longer devoured food with the same endless hunger it had as a Caterpie. Maybe that was because it no longer needed to store up energy so frantically. Instead, its interests had shifted these days, it was much more fascinated by the flowers blooming across the garden.
The trainer had even given it a new task: helping pollinate the blossoms of the fruit trees.
"Buuu~"
Butterfree fluttered down beside him, its delicate wings shimmering like glass in the light.
"You're looking prettier every day," he said, running his fingers gently over its wings. The surface felt like fine sandpaper, smooth yet textured, carrying a soft shimmer that left him quietly impressed.
"Buuu?" Butterfree tilted its head, confused.
He chuckled. "That was a compliment. Now go have some fun."
He gave it a light nudge, and the butterfly Pokémon twirled upward, wings glittering as it vanished into the sky.
Just as he turned toward the cowshed, Rotom zipped over, sparks flickering along its orange body.
"Rotom~ You've got a private call~"
"A private call?"
Because of his breeding center, he used two phones one connected to his business account for clients, and another strictly personal one that only a handful of people knew about.
Among them were Uncle Mu from the Moomoo Ranch, a corporate contact from the Vileplume Company, and his former assistant Shu.
Seeing her name on the screen, his eyebrows rose.
It had been a while since he'd last heard from her. Ever since Indeedee joined the team, he hadn't really thought much about his "cousin-in-name-only," as he sometimes jokingly called her.
"Answer," he said, gesturing for Rotom to put the call through.
The moment the line connected, a bright, girlish voice rang out, "Hey!"
"Whoa okay, no need to shout. I can hear you just fine." He instinctively pulled Rotom a little closer, then quickly waved it away again as the sound nearly burst his eardrums.
On the screen, Shu was bustling around her dorm room. Clothes, Poké Balls, energy cubes, medicine she was clearly packing.
"Hehe~"
"You're… going on a journey?" he asked, amused. "Didn't the semester just start? You already passed all your general studies?"
"Yup!" Shu grinned, tucking a jacket into her backpack. "Today's my last day at school. Tomorrow, I'm officially starting my Pokémon journey! My first stop is the Youth Cup in Changsha City!"
Her voice was full of excitement, practically bubbling over with anticipation.
It was clear this would be her first time traveling as a real Pokémon Trainer.
After double-checking her travel gear, she looked back at the camera. "So, will you come cheer me on?"
He thought for a moment before nodding. "Changsha City, huh? Sure. If you can make it to the semifinals, I'll be there."
The Youth Cup was a serious competition a provincial-level tournament, the same event where a Bug-type Elite had first gained fame with his Beedrill, taking second place.
It was restricted to new trainers who had received their license within the past year, and whose Pokémon were under a year old.
If Shu could make it that far, it would already be an incredible achievement.
And as for him… Changsha City was also the place where his parents had disappeared years ago, near the wild zones outside town. It wouldn't hurt to check the area again with help from Mewtwo and Mew, maybe he could uncover something new.
Besides, he vaguely remembered that the local PokéMart there still owed him one "Mystery Egg Guessing" chance. It didn't mean much to him now, but if he was going anyway, he might as well take a look maybe he'd find a Pokémon that caught his eye.
"Deal!" Shu cheered, her grin widening. "I'll definitely make it to the semifinals!"
He smiled. "Let's see the team you're taking with you. Bring out Wartortle I want to check on him."
He hadn't seen his former "employee" in a while, and he was genuinely curious.
"Okay!"
Shu unclipped a Poké Ball from her belt and released her Wartortle.
With a flash of light, the once-goofy turtle Pokémon appeared, looking much stronger and more mature. Its expression brightened when it saw him, though it quickly stiffened and shrank back a little.
He followed its gaze and chuckled. Serperior had slithered over to his side, peeking curiously at the video call.
"Still afraid of her, huh?" he teased, then looked back at the screen, his voice softening. "You've been taking good care of him. He looks healthy and calmer too."
Truthfully, he had been a bit worried that Shu might neglect Wartortle's training after starting school. But seeing it now, with clear eyes and steady posture, he felt relieved.
It seemed working as a cashier for a while had tempered her energy. She wasn't the impulsive girl he remembered her liveliness had mellowed into focus.
Otherwise, she'd never have passed the theory exams this quickly.
"Warr~"
Wartortle gave him a goofy grin, clearly remembering all the times it used to sneak into his breeding house for snacks.
After showing off Wartortle, Shu wasn't done yet. She picked up another Poké Ball, her eyes sparkling with pride. "Oh, right! I caught a second Pokémon!"
"Oh?" His interest piqued. "What is it?"
"It's a cat a Sprigatito!"
She laughed happily and released the Pokémon.
Out popped a small green kitten, its fur soft and leafy, with a large head and big round eyes. Around its neck was a ruffled collar shaped like petals, and its gaze shimmered with gentle curiosity.
Compared to Eevee, its fur was shorter and finer, its frame more delicate.
But when the little Sprigatito meowed for the first time, his eyes lit up.
"Mew~"
The kitten instantly leapt into Shu's arms, nuzzling her chin affectionately.
Its voice was light and tender, like a soft breeze through leaves enough to melt anyone's heart.
"Wait," he said, blinking in disbelief. "Sprigatito? Where did you even get that? There aren't any breeders for Paldean Pokémon around here."
Sprigatito was a starter Pokémon from the distant Paldea region a continent far to the west.
"Eh, easy," Shu said casually, scratching the kitten behind the ears. "It was a school gift! They said I'd done really well in my Pokémon aptitude exams, so they rewarded me with this little one. Apparently, it's the only Paldean starter on campus. They told me to use it in the Youth Cup to represent the academy!"
"A school gift?"
He paused, his brow lifting slightly.
So that was it.
The Youth Cup semifinals were a two-on-two match. Clearly, the school wanted Shu to go far enough to bring them some recognition.
He couldn't help but chuckle. "They gave you a Sprigatito, huh? Now I'm jealous."
Shu laughed, holding up the little Grass-type. "Hehe! Don't worry! Once I win the Youth Cup, I'll let you babysit her for a bit!"
He smiled helplessly, watching the screen as Sprigatito purred and rubbed its leaf collar against Shu's cheek.
The girl who had once been clumsy and scatterbrained was now ready to step into the world with determination and a new partner by her side.
And for a brief moment, as Butterfree's shadow passed over the greenhouse glass above him, he felt a quiet warmth bloom in his chest.
Time never stopped moving, but seeing the next generation take flight that, too, was a kind of happiness.
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