After hearing Haley's description, Ron was puzzled for a moment—then a suspicion dawned.
Could it be…
Sailor got caught raiding trash bins by Haley… and just handed her the loot as a gift?
"Don't mention it—glad you like it," Ron said after a pause.
Haley smiled, then remembered something. "By the way—does your farm grow Sunflowers?"
When Ron shook his head, she asked, "Could you plant one for me?"
"Sure thing," Ron agreed immediately.
Haley had worried he'd refuse. Relieved, she said, "Great! Thanks!"
Sunflowers were her favorite—she couldn't explain why, maybe because they radiated warmth. She'd considered growing one herself, but hated the feel of mud on her hands and didn't know how to start.
Ron waved off her thanks. "Once it blooms, I'll have Sailor deliver it."
"Sailor?"
"The Rattata that brought you the gems."
---
After parting ways with Haley, Ron detoured to Pierre's General Store.
Inside, Pierre slumped at the counter, sighing deeply.
He barely lifted his eyes when Ron entered, skipping even his usual merchant's smile. "What do you need?" he mumbled, drained.
His store had never suffered like this. Even during Pelican Town's worst economic times, his monopoly kept sales steady.
But now? Joy's Pokémon Center sold cheap instant meals, luring away customers who once bought produce here.
And Gus mentioned Ron was selling Kalos-grown crops at 30G each.
Has he lost his mind?
Even if seeds were cheap, labor cost money! If it were him, he'd price them at 100G minimum to protect other sales. At 30G? He wouldn't even sell parsnips that low!
"I need one Sunflower seed," Ron said, ignoring Pierre's sour mood.
Clearly, without Joja Mart's competition, Pierre's greed had inflated—selling Poké Balls for 5,000G when they cost 300G! He deserved this reckoning.
"Here." Pierre tossed him a seed, then slumped back against the counter, muttering, "At this rate, the store'll close…"
"Do you rent this place?" Ron asked.
"No—it's mine," Pierre grumbled.
As Ron turned to leave, Pierre snapped, "Even without rent, I support three people! Do you know Abigail's tuition costs?!"
After the door shut, Pierre sighed in frustration.
Caroline emerged from the greenhouse, wiping soil from her hands. "What's wrong, dear?"
"Nothing," Pierre said, swallowing his complaints.
Caroline hesitated. "Abigail says she wants to visit Kalos this summer."
She didn't mind—Abigail's adventurous spirit mirrored her own youth. Though now quiet and domestic, Caroline had once roamed freely. Marriage tamed her, though she still slipped into the forest occasionally.
Pierre slammed his hand on the counter. "Absolutely not! She stays home all summer—no exceptions!"
"She's grown, dear," Caroline said gently. "We can't cage her here forever."
Since meeting Joy at weekly fitness sessions, Caroline had grown curious about Kalos. It might suit Abigail perfectly.
"This town is fine!" Pierre shot back. "Stable, safe—marry, settle down. What's wrong with that?"
Caroline sighed, glancing at Abigail's room—where the door had just slammed shut.
"She's angry now?" Pierre thumped the table again.
He should be furious! With bankruptcy looming, his daughter dared dream of "life as a vast wilderness"?
"She'll leave eventually," Caroline said, massaging his shoulders. "Even if she marries, eligible bachelors here are scarce."
Just Sam, Sebastian… and Ron.
Ron showed promise—his farm's spring transformation hinted at limitless potential. Maybe he could give Abigail the life Pierre wanted.
But Sam and Sebastian? Neither seemed stable enough.
Pierre snorted. "So Kalos guarantees a better future? That place isn't like ours!" He stood abruptly, shaking off Caroline's hands. "She'll inherit this store if she won't marry. And Kalos? Forget it."
BANG! Another crash came from Abigail's room.
"Protest all you want—break things, and it comes out of your allowance!" Pierre yelled.
"I'll go anyway!" Abigail flung the door open, glaring at him. "Lock me up if you dare—but I'll escape sooner or later!"
"Enough! Both of you, calm down!" Caroline pleaded, torn between them.
SLAM! Abigail's door shut again.
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