Chapter 309:
For Serperior, it had actually sensed Hayashi Kaede's return the moment he arrived home.
It was just that it had been teaching Steenee how to use Grassy Terrain to stimulate plant growth.
That's why it hadn't left immediately.
"Steenee!"
Following Serperior's gaze, Steenee soon spotted Hayashi Kaede too.
It excitedly hopped over.
"Steenee..." (Look, Hayashi Kaede, I can make them grow too!)
"You did really well."
Looking at the slight effect Steenee had on the Berries, although it was very minimal, Hayashi Kaede couldn't help but cup its face and praise it.
Even after seeing so many Bounsweet and Steenee outside, his own still seemed the cutest in retrospect.
"Steenee~"
Hearing the praise, Steenee beamed with joy.
Over there, Serperior also slithered over leisurely.
"Serperior?" (Back so soon?)
"Mainly because things went smoothly." Hayashi Kaede smiled.
"YNinetales, Ninetales!" (What did you do? What did you do!?)
The next moment, Alolan Ninetales couldn't help but ask.
He hadn't been gone long, but he hadn't told them the reason.
Nor had he given a specific time, leaving them waiting anxiously.
"Well, of course..." Hayashi Kaede picked up Steenee, and amidst its confused cheers, set it down again before taking out Tsareena's Poké Ball.
"Of course, I went to find Steenee's mother!"
As he spoke, before the surrounding Pokémon could fully process it, he released Tsareena.
"Tsareena?"
This time, as soon as Tsareena emerged, it sensed the difference in the climate.
The rustling cold wind was one thing, the second was the rich natural energy surrounding it.
And finally...
It looked at the Steenee frozen in place beside it, and itself also froze on the spot.
Mother and daughter gazed at each other for a long time.
The surrounding Pokémon were utterly baffled. Hayashi Kaede releasing Tsareena now meant that Tsareena was the goal of his trip.
But... why?
The next moment.
"Tsareena?"
Tsareena took the first step. It walked over to Steenee and reached out its hand.
Steenee also reached out and placed its hand on Tsareena's.
"Steenee?!"
"Steenee!"
Steenee's evolution made identification slightly challenging for Tsareena, but the moment Steenee spoke, it quickly realized this was the daughter it had been searching for!
As for Steenee, it recognized its mother at first glance but was somewhat unwilling to believe it.
After all, home was separated from here by a vast ocean; how could its mother possibly be found?
Sobs, disbelief, gratitude—various emotions surged within Steenee all at once.
It didn't know what to say, only knowing to hug its mother tightly.
Tsareena did the same.
The two Pokémon held each other, and the scene was filled only with their sobs of joyful reunion.
The other Pokémon looked at each other, unsure what had happened.
Only after Hayashi Kaede explained, "This is Steenee's mother. Steenee was separated from its mother abnormally when it was very young," did everyone understand.
Their eyes towards the two Pokémon also filled with happiness.
After a while, Tsareena and Steenee finally released each other.
Tsareena looked its child over from head to toe. Seeing its child bright and clean, without a hint of having suffered, its heart swelled with relief.
Ever since being found by this human, it had been anxious.
Although it had seen the photos, the mental anguish of waiting was indescribable.
Tsareena was even more worried that it might be another false hope...
Luckily, it wasn't. It had truly found its child.
"Steenee..."
Steenee swayed the leaves on its head, asking how its mother had come here.
"Tsareena..."
Tsareena explained everything that happened after Hayashi Kaede found it.
::＞_＜:::"Steenee..."
Steenee looked at Hayashi Kaede, its eyes instantly welling up with tears.
Holding Tsareena's hand, it walked step by step to him, looking at him with tearful eyes.
Who would have thought that while it was peacefully at home, its Trainer would suddenly bring its mother back.
This meant...
At this moment, Steenee simply had no words to describe its surprise and joy.
It could only look at Hayashi Kaede like this.
This left Hayashi Kaede at a loss for how to react.
[Congratulations, Host. Steenee's friendship has increased to 100. Obtained SSS-Grade Leaf Stone (A pure stone condensed from extremely refined Grass-type energy. Has the effect of sublimating genes and alter aptitude for certain Pokémon.)]
Hearing the system notification, Hayashi Kaede was momentarily stunned, then quickly crouched down to wipe the tears from Steenee's eyes.
He was about to comfort it, "There, there..."
But before he could finish, Steenee threw itself into his arms.
"Steenee, Steenee," it poured out its tears.
Hayashi Kaede could grasp the meaning but not fully understand the words.
Probably something like, "Trainer... *sobs* You... I... *sobs*..."
Helpless, Hayashi Kaede could only gently stroke the leaves on its head.
Several minutes later, it finally stopped its emotional outpouring.
Its red eyes stared at Hayashi Kaede.
Hayashi Kaede, caught between laughter and tears, said, "Alright, sweetie. If you cry any more, my clothes will be washed by your juice."
Having just returned from the Alola region, Hayashi Kaede was still wearing a white long-sleeve shirt. Now, after Steenee's crying, half his chest was soaked.
Come to think of it, he had subconsciously dipped his finger in and tasted it a moment ago.
Hmm...
The tears Steenee cried were of a sweet and sour juice variety.
Quite tasty, actually. Too bad he couldn't collect it.
"Steenee.."
After releasing its emotions, Steenee thought about properly thanking its Trainer.
But just as it let go, it heard Hayashi Kaede's words and saw his damp clothes. Its pale, fruit-like face immediately flushed red.
Waving its hands, it explained, "Steenee.." (I... I didn't mean to... You need to change clothes...)
It knew the weather was cold.
Beside it, Tsareena, seeing that Steenee seemed to have done something wrong, immediately became somewhat flustered.
Hayashi Kaede certainly wouldn't blame it.
He picked up Steenee and placed it next to Tsareena. "There, there. Seeing your mother should be a happy occasion. It's your mother's first day here. You need to properly introduce everyone here to your mother, understand?"
"Steenee!" (Mhm mhm!)
Steenee immediately nodded seriously.