Kanto. A Kangaskhan. A Pichu.
This little Pichu that had been adopted by a Kangaskhan… could it really be Ash's Pikachu?!
"Pii—"
A flash of dazzling electricity burst out, and the mushroom-shaped night-light's power meter shot up. In just a moment, it hit full.
"Pichu~!"
All done!
Pichu crossed its arms, chest puffed out in pride.
Fuyuki finally snapped out of it. Very politely, he thanked Pichu in Pokemon language. "Thank you, Pichu!"
The moment the words left his mouth, Pichu and the Kangaskhan mother and child behind it froze, shock written all over their faces.
[Shock Points from Kangaskhan +50!]
[Shock Points from Baby Kangaskhan +15!]
[Shock Points from Pichu +15!]
The three Pokemon stared at the human infant in disbelief.
They hadn't misheard, right? That human had just spoken in Pokemon language?
"Pi… chu?" Pichu asked uncertainly.
Huh. That counted for Shock Points too?
Seeing the unexpected gain, Fuyuki couldn't help grinning. "That's right. Entei taught me!"
If it were any other child, learning so quickly might have been impossible. But with the soul of an adult and long exposure to this world, picking up Pokemon language wasn't hard at all.
"Kanga…"
Kangaskhan was even more stunned. She stared blankly at the human child, completely at a loss for what to do.
Entei, on the other hand, clearly looked used to scenes like this. Once it confirmed the mushroom lamp was fully charged, it quietly walked over, picked up the basket of Berries, and set it in front of the Pokemon.
A thank-you gift.
"Kanga~!"
The baby Kangaskhan's eyes lit up instantly at the sight of so many Berries.
It dashed over, grabbed one, and started eating with gusto.
"Kanga!"
Kangaskhan jumped in alarm. That was way too rude.
Pichu didn't eat right away. It looked to Entei and then to Fuyuki.
"Go ahead," Entei said calmly. "These Berries are a gift, in thanks."
Fuyuki nodded along with a cheerful smile.
"Pi~chu~!"
Only then did Pichu run over, cradle a Berry in both hands, and nibble at it in small bites.
"Kanga…"
Kangaskhan let out a helpless sigh and looked at Entei, asking softly, "Kanga?"
Is this really okay?
She knew her child's appetite well and worried that if they ate everything, the human infant would go hungry.
"No need to worry." Entei shook its head.
Fuyuki chimed in. "We planted a Berry orchard outside. Once autumn comes, we'll have tons of Berries!"
Only then did Kangaskhan finally relax.
She watched Pichu and her child with a tender expression.
Fuyuki hugged his Clefairy Doll and climbed onto Entei's back. He parted its mane down the middle, poked his head out, rested his chin on top of Entei's head, and watched the two Pokemon eat with great interest.
"Is this Pichu your adopted child too?" Fuyuki asked.
"Kanga~"
Kangaskhan nodded gently.
That day, they'd been resting at the base of a cliff when something suddenly fell from above. She reached out instinctively, and the little Pichu landed right in her arms.
From that day on, they'd lived together.
Hearing this, Fuyuki became even more certain. This Pichu was absolutely the Pikachu that would one day stand by Ash's side.
Kangaskhan wandered constantly, roaming forests and mountains.
Today, they had probably just happened to pass by Mount Tensei.
Before long, the baby Kangaskhan and Pichu were full.
Their gazes drifted toward Fuyuki and the Clefairy Doll in his arms.
"So even Pokemon can't resist a Clefairy Doll…" Fuyuki thought. No wonder throwing one in battle guaranteed an escape.
To him, both Pichu and the baby Kangaskhan were just babies.
Seeing their interest, he generously shared the Clefairy Doll with them.
"Pichu!"
Pichu and the baby Kangaskhan circled the doll excitedly.
After playing for a while, they started looking at Fuyuki again, at this infant just like them.
"Pichu?"
Fuyuki blinked. Were they inviting him to play too?
That… might not be appropriate, right?
But the baby Kangaskhan was extremely enthusiastic. She ran over, grabbed Fuyuki's hand with her claws, and tugged him closer.
"Kanga!"
Let's play together!
Fuyuki: "..."
Still, baby Pikachu was really adorable.
He couldn't help reaching out and petting Pichu.
Fluffy fur. Soft ears. Big eyes. Tiny paws.
To Pichu, the human was clearly just playing along.
It grew happier and happier, sometimes holding Fuyuki's hands and spinning in circles, sometimes rubbing cheeks with him.
Entei and Kangaskhan stood off to the side, watching the children play together, faint smiles appearing on both their faces.
But goodbyes came quickly.
By evening, a wandering Kangaskhan group prepared to move on.
Kangaskhan gathered the two children, ready to reunite with the rest of the group.
At parting, the baby Kangaskhan and Pichu looked utterly reluctant. With tear-filled eyes, they peeked out from the pouch, staring at the companion who had played with them and shared candy.
"Kanga—!"
"Pi—chu!"
Fuyuki exchanged a large handful of candy and handed it to them.
"Don't be sad. We'll definitely meet again," he said, looking at Pichu.
The two Pokemon accepted the candy, tears welling even more.
"Chu…"
"Go on, Pichu, Kangaskhan." Fuyuki took a deep breath. "Next time we meet, don't forget me, okay?"
"Chu!"
We won't!
The baby Kangaskhan and Pichu nodded seriously. They would remember their friend named Fuyuki.
Under the setting sun, Kangaskhan led the two children farther and farther away.
Fuyuki and Entei stood on the mountain path, watching them go. Only after they vanished from sight did Fuyuki climb back onto Entei's back, looking a little forlorn.
"What's wrong, Little One?" Entei asked softly. "Going to miss them?"
"…Yeah." Fuyuki answered quietly, marveling at how strange fate could be.
He was absolutely certain that before long, he would meet that little Pichu again.
And maybe by then, there would be a boy named Ash by its side.
Thinking Fuyuki just wanted more playmates, Entei fell silent for a moment before speaking again.
"Earlier today, I ran into Cubone in the forest. It asked where you were. Tomorrow, I'll take you to play with it."
Cubone?
The image of the little dinosaur popped into Fuyuki's mind, and he nodded eagerly.
Entei turned and carried him back toward the cave, a trace of apology softening its normally imposing face.
"I'm sorry, Little One. I searched the forest all day, but I couldn't find a Water-type Pokemon that knows Rain Dance."
"None at all?"
Fuyuki was worn out from playing. Lying on Entei's back, he yawned when he heard that.
He opened the shop interface. The Kangaskhan family had been utterly shocked by his ability to speak Pokemon language, earning him a large number of Shock Points.
Adding that to what he already had, and subtracting the candy, he still had 110 Shock Points left.
Hmm… tools like automatic sprinklers were way too expensive.
His gaze drifted downward until it stopped on a Squirtle-shaped item.
[Squirtle Watering Can: A watering tool that helps Berries planted in soil grow faster. Cost: 100 Shock Points.]
"With this, we can water them!"
Fuyuki held the newly exchanged Squirtle Watering Can in his hands.
There was a water source nearby. From now on, they just needed to fill the can each day and use it to water the Berry orchard.
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100 powerstones for extra chapter!
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You can read up to chapter 52 and more soon on patreon.com/NiaXD.