----
Poliwag stared at the mark on Kai's arm, curiosity flashing across its round eyes.
"Poli?" (Did Charcadet do that?)
Kai couldn't understand its words, but based on experience, he could guess. He chuckled. "Yeah, this is from back when I was trying to earn Charcadet's trust. A… scar that serves as a reminder of our story together. Back then, I didn't have the money for high-end Burn Heals, so the mark stayed."
He patted Poliwag's head and reassured it, "But don't worry about the burn you got from Growlithe's Ember. I can take care of you all much better now."
"Poli!"
Poliwag wanted to say that wasn't what it was worried about, but Kai simply shook the small bottle of Burn Heal in his hand and smiled.
"Pop quiz! Do you know how much this bottle costs?"
"Poli?"
Poliwag tilted its head, 'How would I know that? I'm a Poliwag'
"This one costs 600 Pokédollars. Twice the price of a regular Burn Heal, but the effect is much better." Kai stretched out his hands in a relaxed shrug. "Meanwhile, feeding you and your three little brothers doesn't even cost me 100 Pokédollars a day. Even if you did nothing but eat and laze around, I could still afford it easily."
Of course, that was just the basic cost of food for maintenance.
If Poliwag wanted serious training, it would need better meals with proper nutrition, which meant higher expenses.
Poliwag's eyes glazed over slightly.
It realized its thoughts, its worries… Kai had already seen right through them.
Kai softened his tone. "Look, I brought you all here because I saw potential in you. Even if your role on the farm seems small now, I'm looking at the bigger picture."
He saw Poliwag's ears twitch, its expression shifting slightly. That confirmed it his guess was right.
Lowering his voice, Kai continued, "I told you Ceruledge's story for a reason. I wanted you to understand something, I don't abandon my Pokémon over something as trivial as 'usefulness.'"
He pointed toward a familiar sight Moltres, sleeping on its back, completely exposed and carefree.
"And look over there. Even that freeloading, food-devouring Moltres hasn't been kicked out."
Poliwag followed his gaze and saw Growlithe, snuggled up on Moltres' stomach, peacefully napping.
"Poli…"
That was a fair point.
A strange light flickered in Poliwag's eyes as a weight seemed to lift off its shoulders.
Yes… this farm really was home.
---
Nightfall
Though technically delayed, tonight was a celebration of the farm's first big earnings.
Kai had taken Dragonite to the market earlier in the day and returned with an abundance of fresh ingredients meats, vegetables, and everything needed for a proper feast.
Now, under Ceruledge's careful supervision, the Pokémon were busy skewering food onto sticks, preparing for the barbecue.
Poliwag, its worries now eased, had eagerly volunteered to help.
However, with no hands, it quickly realized skewering wasn't exactly an option.
In the end, it settled for joining Luxray and the others in gathering firewood.
Meanwhile, Ceruledge expertly organized the growing pile of skewers and silently pulled out its trusted, well-maintained grill.
With practised precision, its twin flaming blades ignited the coals, adjusting the heat to the perfect temperature for grilling.
Watching from a distance, Kai finally allowed himself to flop onto the ground, arms sprawled out.
For the first time today, he could actually relax.
A few of the Pokémon playfully pounced on him, turning the moment into a small wrestling match.
But then, as his gaze landed on Ceruledge, a thought crossed his mind.
He suddenly sat up and hurried toward the house.
A few minutes later, he returned this time, carrying something bright yellow in his arms.
It was a well-used but neatly folded apron.
Kai smirked as he approached Ceruledge.
"You know… you're getting oil all over your armour again. And I'm the one who has to clean it."
Ceruledge stiffened slightly, its glowing purple eyes darting away, clearly guilty.
Without hesitation, Kai took a cloth and carefully wiped the new oil stains off its armour.
Ceruledge's blades twitched slightly in embarrassment.
Kai shook his head and sighed. As if being a Trainer wasn't already a full-time job, now he had to be a full-time caretaker, too.
Once he finished cleaning, he unfolded the apron and held it up.
The bright yellow fabric was adorned with an adorable Psyduck print.
Kai grinned. "Come on, put it on."
Ceruledge hesitated.
This wasn't just any apron.
This was the apron Kai had given it the day it evolved from Doublade.
Rather than risk staining it, Ceruledge had always chosen to let its armour take the brunt of the mess instead.
Most of the stains on it had only appeared because Kai had forcibly made it wear the apron before.
To Kai, an apron was something meant to be used.
Even if it held sentimental value, it wasn't some sacred relic to be worshipped.
He had plenty of years ahead to give Ceruledge even more aprons.
So why be so careful with just this one?
Seeing Ceruledge's internal conflict, Kai chuckled.
"Listen, it's just an apron. I didn't give it to you so you could keep it locked away."
Realizing there was no getting out of this, Ceruledge finally gave in.
"Slash…"
It carefully took the apron, draped it over its armour, and resumed grilling.
…But this time, it was being extremely cautious, making sure no oil splattered anywhere.
Kai nodded in satisfaction.
That's more like it.
He watched as Ceruledge silently but skillfully handled the grill.
It had been a long journey.
The once-reclusive, defensive Charcadet, who had put up walls against the world, had now fully integrated into this little family.
Even if Ceruledge still had a quiet, reserved personality…
Even if it rarely spoke…
That didn't matter.
It had found its place here. And that was enough.
---
Later That Night
The feast had ended, and the Pokémon had cleaned up the area before retreating to their usual sleeping spots.
Ceruledge sat alone in a quiet corner of the farm, carefully cradling its apron.
Despite its best efforts, a few tiny oil stains had found their way onto the fabric.
"…Sigh."
It would have to ask Swampert for help cleaning it again.
Last time, they had spent forever carefully controlling the water pressure, making sure not to damage the delicate material.
Ceruledge hadn't even been that nervous during Elite Four battles.
Just as it was deep in thought—
A familiar gurgling sound echoed beside it.
"Poli~!"
Poliwag suddenly popped up out of nowhere, grinning as it greeted Ceruledge.
Ceruledge blinked.
'…Wasn't it supposed to be at Thunderclap Lake with the others?'
'What was this little troublemaker up to?'
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