Because of the raincoat's design, Froakie chose to poke its head out from around Ron's neck.
Penny couldn't help but giggle. She reached out and gently stroked Froakie's head.
"You don't have your own raincoat yet, do you?" she asked, leaning close to Froakie's tiny eyes with a warm smile.
"Froakie?" Froakie tilted its head, glanced at Clefable beside Penny—dressed in a perfectly fitted raincoat—and nodded in realization.
"I'll make you one," Penny said softly. "Though my sewing isn't as good as Emily's."
"Froakie!" Froakie chirped happily.
Penny smiled—then suddenly found herself face-to-face with Ron. Realizing how close she'd gotten, she quickly stepped back.
"Should I take your measurements now? Or… whenever you're free?"
Ron had no objections. He turned to Froakie, waiting for its answer.
In an instant, the little blue head ducked back under the raincoat, resettling on Ron's shoulder.
"Next time," Ron said. "I think it wants to stay with me a bit longer."
Penny wasn't surprised. She looked at Ron and said gently, "Then it must've missed you."
From beneath the coat came a soft, muffled "Froakie"—too quiet to tell if it was agreement or denial, but sweet enough to make Penny smile.
"Come find me anytime you're free," she told the raincoat.
This time, the reply was loud and clear.
Penny reached under the fabric to pat Froakie's head—then remembered why she'd come out in the first place.
"These are cookies I baked this morning," she said, handing Ron a small paper bag. "Mom actually helped! She's been trying to cut back on drinking, so we got up early together."
"I saw you passing by—thought you might like to try some."
Ron took the bag, thanked her, pulled out a cookie—and passed the whole thing through the raincoat's collar to Froakie.
"This is really good. Thank you."
"No trouble at all!" Penny waved it off—then watched as the lump under the raincoat shifted.
The stiff nylon fabric hid Froakie's movements completely—but rustling sounds gave it away: tiny paws fumbling with the bag, pulling out a cookie.
Then came the crunch of teeth breaking crisp dough…
And finally, a satisfied "Froakie!"
The scene was unexpectedly heartwarming.
Penny chuckled, patted Clefable, bid Ron goodbye, and headed back to her RV.
Ron continued toward the library.
As he neared it, his eyes drifted past the blacksmith's shop—to the Mine Cart parked nearby.
After restoring the Community Center's Pokémon Center, the Junimo had also repaired the Mine Cart system.
But since the library didn't open until 9 AM, Ron hadn't used it earlier.
Now that he'd deliver the footage to Gunther, he could take the cart straight to the Mines—to gather ore for Sprinklers.
He pushed open the library door.
Inside, Gunther was busy at the front desk—and in the corner, a boy with a meticulously gelled bullet-shaped hairstyle was sweeping the floor.
Bored out of his mind, the boy snapped his head toward the door the moment Ron entered.
"Morning!" he called cheerfully. "I know you! Saw you yesterday—you're the new farmer, right? I'm Sam!"
"Ron," Ron replied flatly.
Compared to Sam's exuberance, his response was icy—but Sam didn't care. He dropped his broom and bounded over, eager to chat.
"Back to work, Sam," Gunther said without looking up. "No slacking."
"Aw, just a sec! I'm saying hi to our new friend!" Sam protested.
Gunther had banned him from wearing headphones while cleaning, and after only a few days on the job, Sam's patience was already gone.
"…Fine," Gunther sighed. "But once he leaves, you immediately get back to sweeping."
He finally turned to Ron. "You have footage?"
"I filmed this in Kalos," Ron said, handing over the camera.
At the word Kalos, Gunther straightened up and took the device, immediately playing the video.
"Kalos?!" Sam rushed over. "Where is this?"
"Santalune Forest," Ron answered.
At that, a blue head popped out from Ron's raincoat again.
Realizing, Ron removed the coat.
Froakie leapt—and landed squarely on Gunther's head.
"Ah—!" Gunther steadied himself, looking up into Froakie's expectant yellow eyes.
Froakie tapped his forehead, gesturing for him to keep playing.
"…Alright," Gunther grumbled. "You're heavier than you look."
The footage rolled: mostly wild Pokémon Ron and Joy encountered—Weedle, Caterpie, and other forest dwellers.
This was exactly the kind of adventure Froakie had dreamed of before leaving the Breeding Facility.
Tap tap.
It smacked Gunther's head in disappointment.
"…"
Gunther paused the video, lifted Froakie off his head, and handed it back to Ron.
The moment it landed in Ron's hands, Froakie patted his palm urgently—then pointed at the camera.
"…You want to go on an adventure too?" Ron guessed.
Froakie nodded vigorously.
Ron thought for a moment. "Once summer comes—after we plant all the crops and install the sprinklers…"
With automated watering, the farm would need less daily attention. Then, yes—they could visit Kalos… and maybe bring back more Pokémon.
Froakie patted his shoulder happily and hopped back onto it.
"You two keep watching," Ron said, pulling his raincoat back on. "I've got other things to do."
Sam, glued to the screen, waved vaguely—desperate to avoid Gunther noticing him and sending him back to sweep the already spotless floor.
Outside, Ron boarded the Mine Cart.
Remembering this was Froakie's first ride, he lifted the raincoat slightly to give it a view.
He found the button for the mines—
—and Froakie leaned forward curiously.
The cart jolted to life.
"FROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAKIIIIIIEEEE—!"
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