"Chururu~"
Lopunny kicked off with her hind legs, her entire body diving into the farmland like a bolt of lightning.
Accompanied by the continuous spray of soil, she tunneled through the earth like a swimming dragon, churning up the ground that was previously as hard as iron.
"Gardevoir~"
Gardevoir watched from the side, her face full of curiosity.
At that moment, Lopunny began to rotate at high speed beneath the surface.
The resulting vortex whipped up loose dirt into a brown tornado; everywhere it passed, clean furrows appeared, and the freshly turned soil glistened under the sunlight.
Before long, she poked her head out of the field and shook off the dust from her fur, as the whirlwind she had stirred up abruptly dissipated.
[Quest 1 Completed: As the farm owner, clear three acres of farmland.]
**[Quest Reward: Premium Wang-Wang Grain Seeds *500, Premium Roll-Roll Bean Seeds 200, Rare Candy 3]
"Great job."
Hakuya walked forward, smiling as he rubbed Lopunny's head.
"Chururu~"
Feeling her Trainer's fingertips graze her cheek as if by accident, Lopunny's face flushed red involuntarily.
"Here, Lopunny, have one of these first."
After praising her, Hakuya pulled out a candy wrapped in blue paper like a magic trick.
"Chururu?"
Though curious about what it was, Lopunny didn't ask; she simply opened her mouth and swallowed the Rare Candy.
Her intuition told her it would taste pretty good.
[Lopunny consumed a Rare Candy; her level has increased to 25.]
"The effect is actually quite good."
Even though it only provided a moderate amount of experience, Hakuya found the result surprisingly effective.
Immediately after, he naturally fed the remaining two candies to Lopunny as well.
[Lopunny consumed a Rare Candy; her level has increased to 27.]
[Lopunny consumed a Rare Candy; her level has increased to 28.]
Following a series of crisp "ding-ding" sounds, Lopunny's level soared like a rocket, jumping from 23 to 28 in the blink of an eye.
"How do you feel?"
Hakuya looked expectantly at the little one, who had her eyes closed, seemingly feeling the energy surging through her body.
"Chururu!"
After a moment, Lopunny let out an excited chirp.
She felt herself getting a bit stronger again!
[Notice: Your Lopunny has learned Headbutt.]
"Gardevoir~"
Right then, Gardevoir's green-and-white silhouette leaned in close.
A faint, enchanting fragrance drifted into the Trainer's nose along with her.
Master, what about mine?
Gardevoir blinked her eyes, her beautiful emerald pupils faintly revealing a hint of longing.
"Oh, Gardevoir, yours is in..."
Hakuya instinctively reached into his pocket, but his face suddenly froze.
Damn it—he had absentmindedly fed all three Rare Candies from the reward to Lopunny!
Hakuya looked at the satisfied Lopunny beside him, then met the gaze of Gardevoir, who was practically crushing her snowy mounds against his face, and he couldn't help but feel guilty.
"Gardevoir..."
Smart as she was, how could Gardevoir not see what happened? She gave a small huff and shot a teary-eyed look at her Trainer.
Master, how can you be so biased!
Whether it's being your Pokémon or having our "first time," I clearly came first!
Gardevoir lowered her eyes, weeping like a resentful wife who had waited at home for years for a husband who never returned.
"How about I owe you this time? Next time I get a reward, I'll give it to you first?"
Seeing Gardevoir about to burst into a river of tears, Hakuya's heart skipped a beat.
Finally, he didn't forget to make amends.
"Wait, don't cry yet. Whatever reward you want this time, I'll satisfy you."
"Gardevoir~"
Hearing this, the green-and-white figure instantly wiped the tear stains from the corners of her eyes.
I heard that! Master, you aren't allowed to take it back!
Gardevoir rolled her beautiful eyes craftily, revealing a triumphant smile.
Seeing this, Hakuya realized he had been played, but he could only sigh helplessly.
Live and learn—he had fallen into her trap once again today.
This little girl used all her tricks exclusively on her own Trainer.
"Yes, if I lie to you, I'm a Poochyena."
"Tell me, what reward do you want?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Gardevoir leaned even closer with a lewd smile, a wave of snowy white flesh surging before Hakuya's eyes.
If they weren't outdoors, Hakuya felt this little nympho wouldn't have been able to resist devouring him right then and there.
"Gardevoir~"
Gardevoir thirstily licked her finger, first signaling a "six" with her hand, then a "ten."
"You don't plan on eating dinner at all, do you—"
Hakuya irritably flicked her forehead.
"Gardevoir!"
Covering her forehead, Gardevoir acted like she was about to throw a tantrum!
"No, this is the maximum number."
Ignoring the teary-eyed Gardevoir, Hakuya thought for a moment; he first signaled a "nine," then held up "three" fingers.
Why?! That's way too few!
Seeing the Trainer's hand gesture, Gardevoir was shocked, her head shaking like a rattle.
How can it only be three times? I haven't even had my fill yet!
But in the end, under Hakuya's silent pressure, she reluctantly nodded.
After all, the Trainer eventually signaled a "zero" at her!
Fine... three times it is.
Between not being full and having nothing to eat at all, Gardevoir felt she could tell which was better.
"Gardevoir~"
Hmph!
Then I'm going back first!
Failing to achieve her full goal, Gardevoir puffed out her cheeks in anger, lifted her chin, and used Teleport to vanish.
"Chururu?"
Lopunny, who had witnessed the entire process from the side, tilted her head in utter confusion.
She didn't understand any of that.
Also, what kind of "deal" was Master Hakuya making with Sister Gardevoir?
"If you don't understand, don't ask. Children should just stay quietly to the side."
Hakuya reached out to rub Lopunny's head, his fingers habitually playing with her large, furry ears.
It wasn't until he had toyed with the cute Lopunny until her face was crimson that Hakuya reluctantly withdrew his hand.
Finally, he didn't forget to warn her earnestly.
"Remember, whatever you do, don't learn bad habits from your Sister Gardevoir."
"Chururu..."
Lopunny lowered her head, her face "cooked" to a deep red.
"Alright, let's head back for dinner."
By now, the sun's afterglow was almost exhausted, and the prelude to the night was about to play over this vast land.
Although the System had thoughtfully gifted him many crop seeds, it was getting late; the sowing work was best left for tomorrow.
Mmm, he could also install a row of streetlights along the path.
Looking at the farm that was about to turn grey and dark, Hakuya thought to himself while walking back to the cabin.
Once the lights were installed, inspecting the farm at night would be much more convenient.
And who knows, maybe he could even go night camping with Gardevoir and the others.
Lying on the grass, counting the stars twinkling in the sky, and falling asleep to the soft glow of the lights—that was probably the beauty of the Pokémon world!
"Chururu~"
Following behind, Lopunny walked carefully after her Trainer, her mind completely filled with the memory of Hakuya stroking her ears.
It felt so tingly, as if an electric current was passing through her whole body.
How had she never noticed before that her body was actually this sensitive?
But after walking for a bit, the calmed Lopunny seemed to remember something, and she pouted her lips high.
What do you mean!
She stared at her Trainer's back, feeling indignant in her heart.
How am I a child?!
I'm clearly... I'm clearly very "big," okay!!!