"Alright, Melanie."
"Since you've agreed, I'll have Rotom record a short self-introduction video for you."
"We'll post it in the customer fan group and pin it to the announcement board on the front page of the skill shop."
"As for the equipment you'll need—a phone, laptop, Poké Ball Transfer Machine, and a Rotom—I'll deliver everything within the next day or two."
Ash paused before smiling.
"Now let's discuss your salary and benefits."
"Eh?!"
Melanie froze.
"Salary?"
She looked genuinely surprised.
"All I'd be doing is feeding Pokémon in the morning, afternoon, and evening."
"The total work time each day wouldn't even exceed four hours."
"As for salary... honestly, whatever you think is appropriate is fine."
"That's not how this works."
Ash shook his head.
"Let's do it this way."
"Approximately how much do you spend per month living in Viridian Forest?"
Melanie thought for a moment.
"Hmm..."
"On average, around 3,300 Pokédollars."
Since she didn't have a stable source of income, she had developed the habit of keeping detailed accounts and budgeting carefully.
As a result, she knew her monthly expenses quite accurately.
"3,300, huh?"
Ash nodded.
"Then I'll pay you 6,600 Pokédollars per month."
"I'll also cover your social insurance."
"The only requirement is that there are no holidays."
"Three hundred sixty-five days a year."
"As long as you continue working for me."
Melanie blinked.
Before she could react, Ash continued.
"Your salary will increase by 100 Pokédollars every month."
"If you continue working until retirement at sixty years old, your average monthly salary will eventually reach around 55,000 Pokédollars."
"Combined with your insurance and retirement benefits, you won't have to worry about supporting yourself in old age."
Melanie's eyes widened further and further.
Meanwhile, Ash continued calmly.
"Of course, while there are technically no holidays, the actual workload is exactly what you described."
"You only need to feed the Pokémon in the morning, afternoon, and evening."
"The total daily workload won't exceed four hours."
"So as long as the work gets done, the rest of the day is yours."
"You can spend it however you like."
"From my perspective, that's basically a vacation already."
Ash smiled.
"So?"
"Are you satisfied with those terms?"
"Satisfied?"
Melanie looked as though she had just been struck by Thunderbolt.
"Of course I'm satisfied!"
"These benefits are incredible!"
"They're so good that I'm actually wondering whether my work is even worth that kind of salary!"
Her face was filled with disbelief.
"Haha."
Ash laughed.
"Just think of it as employee benefits for a fan."
Then his expression became slightly more serious.
"Although I should warn you."
"When it comes to work, I'm actually very strict."
"If your mistakes cause serious damage to the shop's reputation..."
"Or if there are issues that leave me dissatisfied..."
"I won't hesitate to dock your pay."
"Or even fire you."
Melanie immediately straightened her posture.
"Yes, Boss!"
"I'll definitely work hard and take my responsibilities seriously!"
She answered with a bright smile.
After chatting a bit longer, Ash had Melanie record a short self-introduction video.
Rotom then uploaded it to the customer fan group and posted it on the front-page announcement board of Ash's Move Mastery Room.
The reaction turned out exactly as Ash had expected.
Not only were customers not resistant to the idea—
Most of them actually liked Melanie immediately.
After all, she was a gentle and warm-looking young woman who naturally inspired trust.
Compared to the introduction of a Pokémon Day Care caretaker, however, customers were even more excited about another piece of news.
After a full week of downtime in Cerulean City—
The skill shop was finally returning to normal operations.
And because the dedicated Pokémon Day Care was being established, Ash would have much more free time available.
Which meant—
The number of orders the shop could accept would increase.
The nightmare scenario of having money but still being unable to book a slot—
Or being forced to wait until next year due to reservation backlogs—
Would gradually become a thing of the past.
Overall, this was excellent news for both Ash and his customers.
"Fearow."
Ash turned toward one of his Pokémon.
"For the time being, you'll stay here and protect Melanie."
"Once everything is fully arranged, you can return to the team."
"Skreee!"
Fearow immediately nodded.
After successfully capturing Bulbasaur and Gloom and finalizing all the work arrangements, Ash didn't stay any longer.
Leaving Fearow behind as Melanie's bodyguard, he departed with Clarissa aboard Pidgeot.
The setting sun painted the sky orange as they flew away from the valley.
...
After returning to Viridian City and escorting Clarissa back to the Pokémon Center, Ash immediately contacted Professor Oak.
He requested that Oak help him apply to the League for a portable Poké Ball Transfer Machine and a Rotom.
After receiving a positive response, Ash mounted his bicycle and headed straight for Viridian City's electronics district.
There, he purchased:
A laptop computer.
A smartphone.
A multifunction charging station.
Everything Melanie would need to perform her new job.
Only after finishing those errands did he ride Pidgeot back to Pallet Town.
"Pikachu, Greninja, Pidgeot, Gyarados, Milotic—everyone come out!"
Upon arriving home, Ash released all of his Pokémon.
Pikachu.
Greninja.
Pidgeot.
Milotic.
And even Fearow—currently absent while serving as Melanie's guard—already knew about Bulbasaur joining the team.
However, Gyarados hadn't been present.
So Ash took the opportunity to formally introduce the newest member.
"Bulbasaur is a new companion."
"Everyone, make sure to get along."
"Bulba~"
Bulbasaur nodded politely.
Fortunately, Bulbasaur possessed an excellent personality.
There was a steady, reliable aura about it.
Almost like a natural mediator.
Before long, it was already getting along wonderfully with Ash's other Pokémon.
Watching the scene, Ash couldn't help smiling.
"Alright."
"You can all play in the yard for now."
"I'll start preparing dinner."
"Pika~!"
"Gwaah!"
"Pidgeee!"
The Pokémon responded enthusiastically.
...
After dinner.
After feeding his Pokémon.
After taking a shower and tidying up.
Night had completely fallen.
Ash recalled Gyarados—the largest member of his team—back into its Poké Ball.
The smaller Pokémon accompanied him upstairs to his room.
The Pokémon entertained themselves while Ash dragged a chair over to the desk beside the window.
Opening his notebook computer, he began revising and refining the training plans for his team.
"Pikachu's combat framework is already mature."
"The skill set is nearly complete."
"Since there's no need to obsessively chase levels anymore, the next stage should focus on continuously improving its six core attributes."
"HP."
"Attack."
"Defense."
"Special Attack."
"Special Defense."
"Speed."
"And beyond that..."
Ash's gaze fell upon Pikachu's profile image in his training notes.
"The goal is to further improve move mastery."
"Every move in Pikachu's skill pool should eventually reach Grandmaster proficiency."
As he reviewed the document, Ash didn't make many adjustments.
Most of Pikachu's future training plan had already been finalized back at the hotel in Cerulean City.
Very little needed changing.
But Pikachu wasn't the only member of the team anymore.
Ash's eyes slowly shifted toward another newly added profile.
Bulbasaur.
The newest companion.
And the newest variable in his carefully constructed training plans.
A faint smile appeared on Ash's face.
Tonight's work was only just beginning.
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T/N:
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