Pokemon that like to eat honey...
Images of several Pokemon flashed through Naoki's mind: Mothim, Heracross, Munchlax, Teddiursa, and its evolution, Ursaring.
Thinking of this, Naoki became instantly interested: "Are there Teddiursa in the back mountain too?"
Keri blinked, a question mark appeared over her head, wondering if his focus was a bit off, but she responded:
"That's right, the range of this mountain forest is very vast. Its end connects to Casseroya Lake. The unique geographical environment has created a very rich Pokemon ecosystem, with countless wild Pokemon inhabiting this place. Locals call it the 'Treasury of Nature.'
"I see." Naoki nodded.
He didn't choose to harvest the honey immediately but left it outside so its fragrance could spread farther.
As for whether the wild Pokemon would harm the Pokemon in the ranch...
There was even less to worry about.
Not to mention Koraidon and Dragonite, even the three Skiddo alone had the power to fight.
Soon, the ruins of the Pokemon House were completely demolished.
Keri said a word to Naoki and then went to work with the construction team.
The chores on the ranch were all done, and with nothing else to do, Naoki decided to take the opportunity to go to the dessert shop in town and learn how to make Poffin.
Before leaving, he specifically went to the Chicken House to check on Pawmi.
On sunny days, Naoki would let the hens out to roam around outside.
When he arrived there, the hens were leading a group of little yellow chicks across the grass, sometimes tilting their heads to look around, and sometimes lowering their heads to peck at the ground.
Meanwhile, Pawmi lay not far away, basking in the sun while watching the chicken flock.
Pawmi's work ethic was beyond reproach.
Naoki initially asked it to manage the chicken flock casually, but Pawmi took it to heart and worked diligently.
In the past, letting the chicken flock out to graze always made people uneasy, worrying that they might be taken away by wild Pokemon without supervision or that the chickens might fly over the fence while he wasn't paying attention.
Now with Pawmi around, Naoki felt much more at ease.
Seeing him approach, Pawmi's eyes lit up.
"Bamo!"
Naoki, smiling, said to Pawmi across the fence, "I'm going out for a bit, so I'll leave things here to you!"
"Bamo!"
Pawmi nodded obediently, fully determined to take good care of the chicken flock!
Watching this, a smile appeared on Naoki's face.
Who wouldn't like such an adorable and well-behaved Pokemon?
Sighing with emotion, Naoki left the ranch.
To avoid causing a commotion at the dessert shop, this time, he chose to ride Cyclizar instead.
"We're off now! Help me keep an eye on everyone at the ranch." Naoki patted Koraidon's head, then rode off on Cyclizar, disappearing into the distance.
Leaving behind the poor Koraidon standing at the ranch entrance, wistfully watching the figures of Naoki and Cyclizar.
————
Porto Marinada Town, Fresh Milk Dessert Shop.
Standing on the red stone-paved street, Naoki looked at the glass display case filled with various sweets and murmured, "This should be the place, right?"
At that moment, the shop door opened from the inside, and a girl wearing a red plaid apron came out, hanging a sign with "Open for Business" in front of the door.
Then, she saw Naoki and Cyclizar standing outside the door.
"Is it you?" The girl recognized Naoki.
"Hello, I'm Naoki." Naoki formally introduced himself, "I'm here this time to ask about the method of making Poffin."
"I understand, come on in!" the girl welcomed with a smile.
Naoki stepped inside, greeted by a rich, sweet aroma.
The dessert shop wasn't that large, with many glass display cases filled with various sweets inside, including Poffin, toast, fruit cakes, chocolate pies, and more.
At the counter, Naoki also saw an Alcremie dozing, seemingly not quite awake yet.
"I'm Lily, a Sweet Dessert Master," the girl introduced herself.
Following Naoki's gaze, she saw the Alcremie and smiled, saying, "That Alcremie is my assistant. Thanks to it, this dessert shop can operate."
Naoki looked at the Alcremie, judging by its colors and scent that it must be a milk vanilla-flavored Alcremie.
"Please follow me!"
Under Lily's guidance, Naoki entered the working area of the dessert shop.
There were various molds and facilities placed here, and Lily asked, "Have you ever had experience making Poffin before?"
Naoki shook his head honestly, "No."
Lily nodded thoughtfully, "In that case, let me introduce everything to you from the beginning!"
Naoki immediately adopted an attentive listening posture.
Lily: "Poffin is a dessert greatly loved by Pokemon. As various Berries are used as raw materials, the final Poffin brings about some magical changes to Pokemon."
"For example, it can make them healthier, their fur more oily and slippery, less prone to shedding, and also help them grow stronger."
"There are many Berries growing in this world, each with different tastes. By combining different-flavored Berries, you can create Poffin with richer flavors."
"Every kind of Pokemon has its own preferred taste. I once met a Pokemon Breeder whose Poffin was rejected by Munchlax but was loved by a Swinub. That Swinub even wanted to follow him because it liked his Poffin so much."
Naoki blinked, growing more curious about the magical effects of Poffin made by his own hands.
He began to imagine feeding Poffin to a group of wild, fluffy Pokemon, and then all those Pokemon following him back to the ranch.
All the evolutions of Eevee, Teddiursa, Vulpix and Alolan Vulpix, Munchlax, Espurr, Mew...
Just then, Lily smiled apologetically, "Ah! I ended up talking so much. Next, let me show you how to make Poffin!"
Naoki snapped back to reality, watching as Lily took Berries, flour, eggs, and milk out of the fridge.
She first mixed flour with milk, then placed two different-flavored Berries into cold water, and finally began to heat them.
When the clear water was tinted with the color of Berries, Lily poured the mixed flour, eggs, and milk into the pot and introduced:
"Watch closely! During this process, you need to keep stirring to bring flavor to the Poffin. But be mindful of the temperature to ensure it doesn't burn or spill out!"
Naoki memorized the entire process and steps in his heart.
About ten minutes later, Lily turned off the heat, poured the evenly mixed batter into a mold, and finally placed it in the oven. Soon, with a "ding," a Poffin was made.
A rich and mellow fragrance spread throughout the room. Upon smelling it, Cyclizar next to Naoki couldn't help but gulp.
Seeing this scene, Lily offered the Poffin to Cyclizar with a smile: "It seems your Cyclizar really likes it! Here you go, Cyclizar!"
Cyclizar didn't reach out to take it immediately but looked to Naoki for confirmation.
"Grrp?"
"Go ahead and eat if you want!" Naoki thanked Lily on behalf of Cyclizar.
Lily chuckled lightly, "Alright, you should try it too!"