Chapter 420:
"That's Pupitar? It's already evolved?"
Seeing Meowscarada, who was getting quite happy from the praise, Kaede turned his attention to the Pupitar.
[Pokémon: Pupitar]
[Gender: Male]
[Aptitude: Red]
[IVs: ...]
[Level: 30-31]
[Moves: Tackle, Sandstorm, Bite, Leer, Stomping Tantrum, Rock Slide, Crunch, Earthquake...]
This Pupitar had clearly just evolved. Its shell layers were still glossy and fresh-looking.
Generally, only a newly evolved or recently molted Pupitar would look like this. Otherwise, the longer after evolution, the darker the color of its shell layers becomes.
"Yes, yes! It just evolved today~"
Talking about her Pupitar, Rosalie was visibly happy. "It's all thanks to your Moomoo Milk, Kaede. Otherwise, I really don't know if I could have raised it to evolution."
"It's such a coincidence! Kaede just arrived, and I was planning to wait for it to evolve and then go traveling after you chose your Happiny. I never thought both things would happen on the same day!"
Kaede smiled. "That's great."
Hearing this, the girl couldn't help but wear a playful grin.
"Hehe, come on. You're a busy person, so I won't keep you chatting. I'll take you to see this year's Happiny eggs~"
Kaede nodded.
He followed her into the house, then through the house to the backyard.
The back was a patch of lush green grass. In the middle of the lawn was a pond. Then there were fruit trees, vegetable plots—everything you'd expect.
At the far end of the yard stood a large shed, looking about the same size as his barn but more formal.
In the pond, a Starmie lay on a rock, and a Lapras poked its head above the water.
On the green lawn, a Lilligant stood with its eyes gently closed in the morning sun. The sunlight fell on it, making the flower on its head gleam softly.
It only blinked when it saw Kaede and Rosalie enter.
Of course, its main attention was on Kaede, the stranger.
You could tell the homeowner was also someone passionate about life.
And also a skilled Trainer!
Because of these three Pokémon.
A quick scan by Kaede revealed they were all around levels 40 to 50, which was pretty impressive.
Though she said she wouldn't keep Kaede chatting, as they walked, Rosalie's mouth still didn't stop. She introduced the origins of these Pokémon to Kaede.
"These are all managed by my mom normally. She used to be really amazing—a top-four finalist in the Pokémon League Conference. These are all her Pokémon."
"Is that so? That's really impressive!"
Kaede was also surprised.
Father: a big boss of a food company. Mother: a former Trainer who could reach the Pokémon League Conference and make top four.
Being born into such a family, Rosalie probably had few major worries growing up.
Maybe her biggest recent worry was Larvitar's evolution?
"Yes, yes! Since I was little, my goal was to follow my mom's footsteps and reach the Pokémon League Conference!" she said, full of anticipation. But then, her tone shifted as she looked at Kaede. "No, wait! My goal has changed now!"
"Huh? Changed to what?" Kaede asked curiously.
Meowscarada, walking beside them, also looked over.
Rosalie stopped, one hand on her hip, the other pointing at Kaede. "Hahaha, it's to match you, win the Pokémon League Conference Championship, and then... I'll challenge you!"
"..."
Kaede was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled.
Finally, he managed to say, "Well then, you'll need to work hard..."
While mentally adding:
*'Though hard work alone might not be enough...'*
After all, he was a man with cheats.
"Hehe, Kaede, do you think I have a chance?"
Hearing Kaede's encouragement, Rosalie asked with wide eyes.
"A very good chance. I'll be waiting for your challenge."
Challenging the Pokémon League and winning the championship? Of course, there's hope.
With a starting point of Pupitar and Delphox, and a family with some resources, her future achievements would only be higher.
At the Pokémon League Conference, as long as her luck wasn't too bad, there was definitely hope.
As for challenging him...
That challenge is simple too—just a matter of him agreeing.
As for winning or losing... well, that's another story~
"Ehehe..."
A few words had Rosalie grinning from ear to ear.
"Rosalie? Who are you talking to?"
As they walked, they neared the shed. Just then, a woman in a white dress walked out from inside.
She wore a white dress with a white apron over it, her hair tied in a braid. Calling her a "woman" made her sound older, but she actually looked quite young and pretty.
Her voice arrived before she did.
"Mom!"
Once she appeared, Rosalie's call confirmed her identity.
"Auntie, hello." Kaede greeted her politely.
"Mom, this is Hayashi Kaede. You know, the one who won the Pokémon League Conference Championship this year. He's also the owner of the Neighbor's Breeding House... right?"
"It was his Moomoo Milk that fed Larvitar. Oh, and Larvitar evolved today! It became a Pupitar."
The moment the woman came out, Rosalie ran over cheerfully, immediately introducing Kaede to her mom.
Though the way she phrased it made Kaede feel it was a bit... abstract.
His Moomoo Milk?
He couldn't produce Moomoo Milk!
That was from the Miltank!
"Larvitar evolved?"
Rosalie's mom first looked with surprise at the Pupitar behind her daughter.
Then she immediately turned her attention to Kaede.
Actually, Kaede's reputation was quite high these days. Even among some elders in Happiness Town, you could hear talk about this year's Pokémon League Conference.
*"Ah, this year's Conference was so interesting! The champion ended up being a kid."*
*"Yeah, youngsters these days... are really something!"*
*"Sigh, if only my grandson could be that promising in the future."*
In short, such comments were quite common.
As a former Pokémon League Conference participant, she naturally kept up with the Conference.
She also knew how strong a Trainer must be to win first place in their very first Conference at this age.
"What an impressive young man," she couldn't help but praise. "Both an excellent Breeder and a powerful Trainer."
"What should I call you, Auntie?"
"Um, Auntie can just call me Kaede."
Kaede initially wanted to modestly smile, but the next sentence made him freeze all over.
"Well then, Auntie will presumptuously call you Kaede. So, Kaede, do you have a girlfriend?"