Ange's residence was on the second floor, with two bathrooms: one for Ange, and the other for Diancie.
Ange's bathroom was ordinary, just a common type, while Diancie's bathroom was quite special.
"Diancie, I'll help you take a bath first." Ange led Diancie to its bathroom.
"Sure, sure." Diancie happily lay in the bathtub, waiting for Ange to serve it.
Ange placed the Komala in his arms onto a nearby chair. "Komala, wait here. After I finish washing Diancie, we'll both take a bath."
The Komala seemed unsure whether it understood Ange, hugging its own pillow while rocking gently on the chair, relaxed and carefree as if it had no worries.
Ange walked to the nearby cabinet, opened it, took out a bag, and dragged it over to the bathtub.
He opened the bag, and the pink sand poured into the tub, gradually filling it and covering Diancie's body.
Diancie was a Rock-type Pokémon and did not like bathing in water; this pink sand was specially made for its bathing.
Each grain of sand was crystal-clear. As it flowed over Diancie, it carried away all dirt and made the diamonds on its body shine more brilliantly, and its rocks became harder.
This sand could be reused until it completely lost its luster, at which point it needed to be replaced.
This was a beginner's benefit provided by the system. Once the beginner period ended, if Ange wanted to continue obtaining it, he would have to work for it himself.
How to obtain it afterward had not yet been revealed by the system.
"So comfortable~~~" Diancie squinted its eyes and scooped a handful of sand over itself, the grains clattering and producing a crisp sound.
Ange grabbed a handful of sand and rubbed it over Diancie, carefully washing every part of its body.
"Hee hee hee~~~" Diancie giggled as Ange worked. "Ange, be gentle, it's so ticklish!"
"Alright, alright!" Ange promised, his hands moving more softly.
"This feels amazing!"
Diancie lay fully in the bathtub, enjoying the special sand flowing over it. After the bath, the pink diamonds on its body sparkled, reflecting Ange's image clearly.
When the bath was nearly done, Ange said, "Okay, put the bath sand back into the bag yourself. Komala and I will take a bath next."
Diancie turned in the tub, squinting lazily at the edge, and said drowsily, "I know, I'll clean it later. I want to bathe a little more now, you servant master!"
Ange poked its forehead. "You dare call me a servant master! You're the little housekeeper!"
Diancie turned away and buried itself deeply into the sand.
Ange shook his head, picked up the still-rocking Komala from the chair, and left Diancie's bathroom, closing the door behind him.
In his own bathroom, Ange filled the tub with hot water, carried the Komala inside, and sighed with satisfaction.
"Phew~~~" Ange tilted his head back and exhaled. "So comfortable."
The Komala floated on the water, hugging its pillow, its little tail swaying as it paddled. Though its eyes were closed, Ange could sense it was having fun.
After resting a while, feeling his fatigue fade, Ange sat up slowly and pulled the Komala over to the other end of the tub. "Come on, I'll wash you now."
He squeezed out shampoo and rubbed it over Komala's body, kneading it like dough. Soon, a large amount of bubbles covered the small Pokémon.
Though small, less than half a meter tall, the Komala's fur was soft and dense. Without careful scrubbing, it was hard to clean completely.
Ange also washed its pillow thoroughly.
The Komala shivered and suddenly sneezed, sending bubbles flying everywhere.
Ange's face was covered in foam.
"You little rascal!"
Ange wiped his face and tickled the Komala's sides with two fingers.
"Gigglegiggle~~~"
Even the usually slow Komala couldn't resist laughing out loud.
"Glugluglu~~~"
Its little arms and legs flailed, splashing water everywhere, and its pillow rocked on the waves.
After the tickling, the Komala floated on the water with its belly exposed, resigned, while Ange hummed a little tune and continued washing.
Playing with Komala helped Ange shake off the day's frustrations caused by being disliked by Pokémon.
After washing, Ange carried Komala out of the tub and rinsed the bubbles off with the shower.
He changed into pajamas, wrapped the Komala in a towel, and gently dried its wet fur.
The Komala closed its eyes, looking asleep, but its expression was one of absolute satisfaction.
Ange took it to the second-floor living room and used a hairdryer to dry its fur completely.
The system had provided all the necessary household items, so Ange didn't need to worry about anything.
"Is the temperature okay? Not too hot?" Ange asked, stroking Komala's fur.
"Purr~~"
Komala lay quietly on his lap, tail trembling slightly, looking very comfortable.
Ange smiled. "Looks like the temperature is fine!"
Soon, Komala's fur was fully dry and fluffy, looking just like a plush toy.
"Wow~~~"
Ange buried his face in Komala's fluffy belly and gently pressed, "This is so comfortable!"
The shampoo scent lingered, mixed with Komala's natural forest aroma. Ange nuzzled its belly, feeling drowsy.
Komala tried to push him away with its hands and feet, but Ange didn't mind, continuing to rub his face gently.
After a while, Ange pulled back, smiling. "Ah, thank you for the big reward, Komala!"
Komala patted his face lightly, but it didn't hurt at all.
Ange placed the pillow back into Komala's arms and carried it downstairs.
Outside Ange's home was a small hanging mini house where Komala usually stayed.
It wasn't that Ange didn't want it inside, but Komala preferred the outdoors, closer to nature, for a better rest.
Gently placing Komala inside and tucking it in, Ange said softly, "Good night, Komala."
Komala turned over, showing its back to Ange, and soon soft purring followed.
Ange closed the door gently and went upstairs. Diancie had just finished bathing and left the bathroom.
"Good night, Ange."
"Good night, Diancie."
Ange gave Diancie a good night hug. Then, each returned to their rooms to sleep.
After the lights went out, the small house grew quiet.
"Squeak squeak squeak~~~"
"Coo coo coo~~~"
Night Pokémon on the Nebel Plateau became active.
In the middle of the night, a small figure staggered and fell at Ange's door.
"Kurin~~~"
The figure weakly called out, then lost consciousness.
Ange had been sleeping deeply after a long day when a loud bell rang. Startled, he sat up, panicked. "What's happening? What's happening?"
Diancie woke up at the same time.
Both opened their doors and looked at each other. "What's going on?"
Diancie thought for a moment. "It seems to be the bell at the door."
Ange had a bronze bell hanging near Komala's daytime sleeping platform.
Previously, he had wondered what the bell was for, and now he finally knew.
He and Diancie hurried downstairs. At the door, they saw Komala tapping the bell with its pillow.
"Komala, it's the middle of the night! What are you doing?" Ange rubbed his slightly sore head.
Seeing Ange and Diancie, Komala stopped, hugged its pillow, and jumped back into its mini house, continuing to sleep as if it hadn't rung the bell.
Ange: ...
Diancie noticed something and pointed to a shadow below the steps. "Ange, look, what's that?"
Using the light, Ange saw a round figure lying there.
A Pokémon?
Ange rushed over quickly, finally seeing the little figure clearly.
It was a Gulpin.
Observation Eye activated.
Gulpin
Type: Poison
Ability: Gluttony
Gender: Female
Level: 10
Moves: Pound, Yawn, Poison Gas, Sludge, Acid, Haze
IVs:
HP: 15
Attack: 5
Defense: 17
Sp. Attack: 18
Sp. Defense: 19
Speed: 25
Diancie exclaimed, "It's injured!"
The Gulpin was covered in wounds and had fainted, its ordeal unknown.
"Let's bring it inside first," Ange said.
"Okay." Diancie carefully picked up the Gulpin and carried it inside.
"I'll get some medicine to treat its wounds," Ange said, running upstairs.
Soon, he returned with a small medicine kit the system had provided, containing common medical supplies.
Diancie carefully placed the Gulpin on the table. Ange opened the kit and cleaned, disinfected, applied medicine, and bandaged the wounds.
After treatment, the Gulpin slowly woke up. Seeing Ange, it panicked and leaped off the table.
Kurin~~ Kurin~~~
It trembled in a corner, its newly treated wound bleeding slightly again.
"Gulpin, don't be afraid. We just want to help, not hurt you."
Ange approached gently, but the Gulpin shook violently and spat a purple acid at him.
Quickly, Diancie jumped in front, creating a light wall that blocked the attack.
Realizing what it did, the Gulpin showed regret. It hadn't wanted to attack, only fear had driven it.
Ange didn't blame it.
"Good, don't be afraid. I won't come close. Calm down."
Ange slowly retreated, giving it space.
Finally, the Gulpin calmed slightly. Ange spoke gently, "Shall Diancie help with your wounds?"
The Gulpin looked at Diancie cautiously, lowered its gaze, and stayed in the corner, still trembling.
Ange and Diancie exchanged a glance. Diancie slowly approached with the kit. The Gulpin flinched but didn't react violently.
It seemed it was afraid of Ange as a human.
After Diancie finished treating the wounds, Ange asked, "Gulpin, are you hungry? I can make something to eat."
The Gulpin didn't respond, but its stomach rumbled.
Ange smiled gently. "Wait a moment, it'll be ready soon."
He ran into the kitchen and began steaming buns, using leftover dough from earlier.
The system-provided fridge kept ingredients perfectly fresh. Soon, the smell of steamed buns filled the kitchen.
"Food is ready."
Ange carried a tray of buns. Gulpin was a hungry Pokémon, so he steamed extra.
He gave a signal to Diancie, who brought the buns to the Gulpin.
"Good, eat up. It's delicious."