BONUS CHAPTER!!! 50 Powerstones hit :)
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The next day…
Pelican Town was blessed with long-overdue rain.
Ron pushed open the door, took one look at the downpour—and inhaled deeply.
Behind him, a row of Rattata mimicked his posture, sucking in air with exaggerated effort.
The cabin filled with loud whooshing sounds.
Froakie, perched on Ron's shoulder, stared at the Rattata in utter confusion—then let out an incredulous "Fro-froakie?"
In unison, the Rattata exhaled just like Ron.
"…"
Ron paused—then declared it a rest day.
First, he'd borrowed tools from Robin yesterday and planned to finish patching the Community Center today.
Second, everyone had worked nonstop lately. His conscience demanded a break—even for Fletchling in the Nursery.
Foraging in this deluge would be cruel.
He pulled on his raincoat, made a simple breakfast for his Pokémon, tidied the Nursery, and headed for the Community Center.
Before he even reached it, he spotted a tall ladder slowly inching toward him through the rain.
His eyes followed it downward—to a yellow raincoat, beneath which was a dark-skinned face. Rainwater streamed down her glasses, dripping into her collar, making her look disheveled—yet she wore a bright smile.
"I knew you'd come today," Maru said, wiping rain from her face.
Ron hurried over and took the ladder. Maru shook off the water and added, "Mom guessed you wouldn't leave the house in this weather."
After all, roof repairs meant working in the open rain.
Robin had even warned Maru about catching a cold.
But trusting her gut about Ron, Maru had grabbed the ladder right after breakfast.
"You were right," Ron said.
Maru grinned triumphantly. "We bet on it. She owes me ten iron ingots."
Iron ingots were essential for her inventions—but mining was beyond her skill, so she usually bought them from Clint.
Nursing didn't pay well; even Dr. Harvey worried the clinic might collapse from lack of funds.
Maru was perpetually strapped for cash.
"Now I've won," she said, stepping forward. "As thanks for helping me win, I'll repair the Community Center with you."
With, not for.
The Center belonged to Pelican Town—and Joy, not Ron, would live there.
As a socially aware young woman, Maru chose her words carefully.
She dashed to the Center's door.
Ron rushed ahead with the ladder and held it steady as she opened the door.
The building reeked of dampness—poor ventilation plus rain leaking through roof holes had left the air thick and musty.
Maru coughed twice. "I'll clean properly after we fix it," she said, wrinkling her nose as she surveyed the room. "How can anyone live here? Should we offer her my place?"
She'd heard Joy was also a nurse.
Different patients, but maybe they'd have things in common.
If so, sharing Maru's room would be no trouble.
"There's a furnished rest room inside," Ron pointed to a nearby door.
The Junimo had already prepared it—complete with bed, furniture, cabinets, and even a winter fireplace.
"That's good," Maru said, noticing the stones weighing down loose floorboards.
Clearly, Ron had laid planks but hadn't nailed them yet.
Impressed by his thoroughness, she examined the cleanly cut wood. "You've got a carpenter's knack. Maybe you'll apprentice under Mom someday."
She meant it as a joke. Pushing up her rain-speckled glasses, she tilted her head toward the ceiling. "Shall we start with the roof?"
Otherwise, leaks would ruin the new floorboards—and cleaning would be impossible.
"Go ahead," Ron said, adjusting the ladder. "You hold it steady—I'll do the repairs."
Maru raised an eyebrow.
Before she could protest, Ron added, "Your glasses'll fog up in this rain."
He wasn't doubting her strength—she'd carried the ladder here without breaking a sweat, clearly inheriting Robin's power.
Satisfied, Maru nodded and braced the ladder.
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Meanwhile, at Mayor Lewis's House…
Rain or shine, patrols never stopped—that was Lewis's rule after years as mayor.
Umbrella in hand, he stepped outside and began his rounds.
The Community Center was Pelican Town's landmark—its clock tower visible from anywhere.
As usual, he glanced toward it—and froze.
Through the rain, a faint figure seemed to be moving on the roof.
Heart sinking, Lewis sprinted toward the building.
Only when he saw the full view of the weathered clock tower did he stop.
A ladder stood by the door.
On the roof, Ron hammered away, rain soaking his clothes.
The thud of hammer on nail was muffled by the downpour—each strike a dull echo in the storm.
Lewis stood there, umbrella raised, watching Ron's silhouette.
For a moment, he was back to the day the Center first opened.
Himself, Marnie, Evelyn, George—and the farmer.
No wrinkles yet on their faces, all hopeful for Pelican Town's future, as he wound the clock's gears.
Now, that memory's sound merged with Ron's rhythmic hammering.
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