Chapter 308:
"Ninetales.."
Alolan Ninetales lay listlessly at the entrance of the Breeding House.
Beside it, Little Nine was similarly slumped.
Sprigatito was still sunbathing on the roof, while Growlithe, full of energy, guarded the door, greeting everyone it saw.
People coming and going couldn't help but pet the little dog when they saw it.
But honestly, what they really wanted to pet was the Alolan Ninetales next to it.
They just knew that Alolan Ninetales usually didn't like being petted by others.
Especially now, when it seemed so disinterested.
It was already good enough that it wasn't spitting ice at people.
"Eevee? Eevee..." (Hayashi Kaede isn't back yet...)
Little Nine lay gloomily beside Alolan Ninetales' tail, then climbed up onto its body.
"Ninetales..." (They said they will be back within seven days...)
Alolan Ninetales mumbled.
Gardevoir said within seven days.
Seven days, how long is seven days?
Alolan Ninetales counted the time. From yesterday until now, only one day had passed.
After calculating, its face looked even more dejected.
Oh my, why is time passing so slowly?
If only it were the sixth day today?
"Indeedee~"
Indeedee came out at that moment, looked at the Pokémon guarding the entrance, and shook her head.
Alolan Ninetales had been somewhat down ever since Hayashi Kaede went on his trip; this wasn't a good mood.
And she didn't know how to comfort this mood either.
It would probably only improve once Hayashi Kaede returned.
Thinking this, Indeedee couldn't help but look up at the sky.
It was a sunny day, and the sunlight was quite strong, so looking directly at the sun was a bit dazzling.
But as she looked, she felt something was wrong. In the glaring sunlight, a small black dot appeared on the horizon.
Indeedee blinked, thinking her eyes were playing tricks on her.
But the black dot in the sky seemed extremely fast. In no time, it revealed its true form.
A sandy-yellow body, a chubby belly—that was Dragonite!
Which meant...
She hurriedly looked towards Dragonite's back and, sure enough, soon spotted Hayashi Kaede's figure, along with Mewtwo beside him.
Seeing this, Indeedee's originally smiling face brightened even more. "Indeedee~" (Kaede is back~)
"Ninetales..." (How can that be? Gardevoir said seven days.)
Alolan Ninetales still lay on the ground, replying listlessly.
"Indeedee!" (It's true! Look for yourself!)
Seeing that Alolan Ninetales didn't believe her, Indeedee pouted and directly used her psychic power to forcibly lift Alolan Ninetales' head.
And in that short time, Hayashi Kaede, who had been far on the horizon moments before, was now approaching.
For the final landing, Dragonite gradually slowed its speed and lowered its altitude.
"Ninetales... Ninetales!" (How can... Hayashi Kaede!)
Alolan Ninetales didn't believe it at first, but upon hearing the whistling wind and sensing Dragonite's approaching aura, it immediately stood up.
"I'm back!"
Seeing Alolan Ninetales, Growlithe, and Little Nine guarding the entrance, Hayashi Kaede couldn't help but shout out while still on Dragonite's back.
Mewtwo, meanwhile, scanned the surroundings and soon flew above the Breeding House.
Hayashi Kaede wouldn't tell it now, so it decided to find that very strong Pokémon itself!
It wanted to see which Pokémon Hayashi Kaede thought it couldn't beat yet?!
"Ninetales!"
"Woof woof...!"
"Eevee..."
"Indeedee...~"
Looking at the group of Pokémon suddenly standing up, a smile spread across Hayashi Kaede's face.
He couldn't help but ask, "Did you miss me?"
But the next second, his expression changed.
Because the Alolan Ninetales that had been lying at the entrance, the moment it saw him jump off Dragonite, leaped from the Breeding House and sprinted towards him.
"Don't—"
Before Hayashi Kaede could finish saying "don't," it had already pounced.
"Ninetales~!"
"Ninetales..."
This tackle sent him tumbling onto Dragonite's back.
Close behind were Little Nine, Growlithe, and Little Three and Little Five, who heard the commotion and poked their heads out from inside the Breeding House.
Sprigatito also stood up on the eaves, licking its paw.
"Alright, alright..."
Feeling Alolan Ninetales burrowing into his embrace, Hayashi Kaede quickly held its front legs in his hands.
"Ninetales!"
"I know, I missed you all too." Hayashi Kaede stood up and set Alolan Ninetales down properly.
"Ninetales?"
"Back so early? I finished my business and came back."
"Ninetales?"
"I went to a place called Alola. You know, that's actually where you were born."
"Ninetales?"
"Alright, alright, I'll tell everyone together later. Dragonite and Mewtwo haven't eaten yet!"
Although Alolan Ninetales had many, many questions, Hayashi Kaede wouldn't answer them all here. Otherwise, he'd have to repeat himself later—how troublesome!
Soon.
The news that Hayashi Kaede had returned spread throughout the entire Breeding House and plantation.
The brother Indeedee's usually serious face also showed a hint of a smile, though he soon returned to his work.
The Alcremie at the front counter each wanted a hug.
After hugging each one, Gardevoir peeked out from the kitchen.
It glanced at Hayashi Kaede, saw the smile on his face, and quickly understood that the purpose of this trip had probably been accomplished.
So, it soon returned to its kitchen.
Walking from the Breeding House to the plantation, Milotic and Primarina emerged from the reservoir.
"Milotic~"
"Primarina...."
Salamence wasn't sleeping here now either. Probably he went to the new house.
Passing through the plantation, the following Pokémon closely trailed behind him.
They then pass the barn next, greeting Miltank and Combee, Hayashi Kaede then arrived at the back of the villa, the berry orchard.
Soon, he spotted Serperior and Steenee here.
Green energy fluctuations spread throughout the berry orchard.
Serperior stood in front of Steenee, its tail swaying gently. Then, the greenery of the entire plantation became even more vibrant.
Seeing this, Steenee beside it tensed its little face with utmost seriousness, the leaves on its head whirring as they spun.
Then, similarly green fluctuations radiated outwards along with the spinning leaves.
But this green aura, compared to Serperior's, was like stars beside the full moon.
Even so, Steenee looked happily at Serperior.
"Steenee?" (Like this?)
"Serperior..." (Yes, very good...)
Serperior gently stroked it with its tail, the corners of its mouth slightly upturned, then turned its gaze towards the barn's exit.
Hayashi Kaede and the group of Pokémon were all there.