Just as Marzillo was sighing in amazement, a rustling suddenly came from the bushes not far from the farmland.
"Chululu~"
A Pokémon resembling a rabbit from his previous life hopped out of the underbrush.
Her plush, cream-colored fur wrapped snugly around a graceful figure, glowing with a warm sheen beneath the sunlight. Her large, round amber eyes shimmered softly—three parts curiosity, seven parts innocent sweetness.
But what drew Marzillo's gaze most were those ears—each nearly as long as her body, fluttering like maple leaves in a gentle breeze. The tips curled into a playful arc, their inner sides blushing with a shy pink.
"Lopunny?!"
Marzillo blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected that his own farm would already have such a cute Lopunny living here.
In the next moment, her data panel materialized before his eyes.
[Name: Lopunny]
[Type: Normal]
[Gender: Female]
[Level: Lv.23]
[Ability: Limber (The Pokémon's supple body prevents paralysis.)]
[Moves: Return, Healing Wish, Bounce, Plow Field, Dig, Quick Attack, Jump Kick, Substitute, Agility]
[Egg Moves: Copycat, Power-Up Punch]
[Equipped Traits: None]
The Lopunny blinked, glancing from the farmland before her to the handsome young man and the pale-blue figure standing beside him.
"Chululu~"
Her voice was soft and sticky-sweet, like a freshly steamed rice dumpling, carrying a timid lilt at the end.
"Master," came Gardevoir's cool telepathic whisper, "she's asking why we suddenly intruded upon her territory."
Marzillo nodded slightly.
It seemed this Lopunny had been here for quite some time already.
After his grandfather passed away, the farm had been left untended. Several wild Pokémon must have wandered in from the surrounding forest.
"In fact, this farmland technically belongs to us," Marzillo explained gently. "If you came from the forest side, you should have seen a line of wooden fences on the perimeter. Those were set up to mark this land as ours."
In the world of Pokémon, the relationship between Pokémon and humans was a delicate one.
Many Trainers formed strong bonds with their partners through travel, battles, and shared growth. But in the wild, numerous Pokémon still harbored hostility toward humans. According to recent reports from the League, attacks by wild Pokémon on humans and even cities were far from rare.
That was why Marzillo preferred talking things out—better to avoid unnecessary fights if communication was possible.
"Chululu…"
So that's how it is…
Despite her sultry, bunny-girl-like figure, Lopunny's expression was adorably dazed as she nodded in understanding.
Now that Marzillo mentioned it, she vaguely recalled seeing a line of fences on the forest's edge—though they'd all fallen over long ago.
Her ears drooped as her head bowed low, a hint of guilt softening her charming figure even more in Marzillo's eyes.
She wasn't a violent wild Pokémon. Realizing that she was the intruder, she flushed with embarrassment, her cheeks glowing a faint pink beneath her fur.
"Chululu… so I'll have to move again, huh…"
Just as she was about to turn away in dejection, Marzillo suddenly raised a hand to stop her.
"Wait—how about joining our farm instead?"
"Chululu?"
Her amber eyes widened, shimmering with watery light, and her fluffy long ears perked up all at once.
Is he… offering to take me in?
"Of course," Marzillo said with a warm smile. "Room and board included."
The little Lopunny's expression softened, clearly tempted.
Truth be told, Marzillo was already impressed by her stats alone. Her level wasn't high, but her skill set was excellent—she knew both powerful Fighting moves like Jump Kick and utility moves like Plow Field that could till the soil.
From any perspective, she was a perfect addition to the farm.
Of course, in Gardevoir's eyes, the scene looked entirely different.
"Sha~"
Hmph. 'Room and board,' huh? Master, you're just drooling over that bunny girl's figure!
Gardevoir puffed her cheeks in jealousy, though a moment later, her expression softened into thought.
Still… having another Lopunny around might not be such a bad thing.
Because lately, she had noticed something strange—her Trainer's body seemed to be growing stronger and stronger.
Even with all her experience, she could hardly keep up with his training sessions, always ending up utterly spent, face flushed and trembling.
"Sha…"
But… I really do love that feeling of being filled to the brim…
Just the memory made her jade-green eyes glaze over, her cheeks burning scarlet. Her whole body tensed like a drawn bow, toes sinking into the soft soil beneath her.
No, not again—ah, I'm about to…!
Meanwhile, Marzillo and Lopunny were still facing each other, oblivious.
"Chululu."
After a brief moment of thought, the bashful Lopunny finally nodded, agreeing to join them.
But before she could, her expression grew serious, and she murmured something softly under her breath.
"You're saying… we have to battle first?"
"Chululu." Lopunny nodded again, resolute.
"Of course," Marzillo said without hesitation.
In the Pokémon world, it wasn't always Trainers who chose Pokémon—sometimes, Pokémon tested their would-be Trainers to see if they were worthy.
For instance, Professor Juniper of the Unova region had once complained in the League Times that the number of Snivy abandoning their Trainers had been rising in recent years. Many novice Trainers couldn't even make it past Route 1.
"Gardevoir, prepare for battle!"
At Marzillo's command, a flash of blue light flared as Gardevoir stepped forward.
"Sha."
She raised her hands before her chest, her cool face composed—though faint traces of pink still lingered on her cheeks.
"Chululu."
Across from her, the once-gentle Lopunny grew solemn, padding gracefully into position.
"You may take the first move," Marzillo said calmly.
When the wind stilled and the leaves fell, Lopunny suddenly shot forward—a blur of brown light tearing across the field.
[Quick Attack: The user lunges at the foe with blinding speed. Always strikes first.]
"Impressive speed," Marzillo murmured, eyebrows lifting in appreciation.
If this were any average Trainer, their Pokémon wouldn't even have time to react before being struck.
But unfortunately for Lopunny, her opponent was Gardevoir.
"Chululu?"
The charging Lopunny skidded to a halt, blinking in confusion.
Her target had—vanished!