"Yaa~"

  By the pond, Slowpoke zily swiped at the water with its paw, rippling the surface gently. Its dull, fish-like eyes showed a faint hint of te.

  Nearby, Mudkip crouched at the pond's edge, looking as if it were ready to leap in and pyfully spsh about. Beh the crystal-clear water, the faint silhouettes of other Pokémon could be seen moving about.

  The fin atop Mudkip’s head twitched, sensing the humidity in the air. This enviro suited it perfectly.

  "Mud."

  Taking a deep breath, Mudkip plus fato the water, enjoying the refreshing ess as its eyes narrowed in delight.

  “Acc to the Pokémon in the pond, this body of water is ected to an underground river,” Natsume expined as he sat cross-legged nearby, feeling the breeze against his face. A small smile appeared.

  “Iure, I’ll probably have to expand this pond or evee a rger ke somewhere else. It’s picturesque, but the size is limiting.”

  "Yaa~"

  Slowpoke responded zily, its tone as vague as its usual demeanor. It wasn’t so much a genuine reply as an automatic response—like a friend absentmindedly agreeing with your long-winded versation by muttering, "Mm-hmm, true."

  High emotional intellige provides great emotional support.

  Low emotional intellige didn’t listen to a word you said.

  “Well, I’ll che the other Pokémon now,” Natsume said, standing up. “If anything es up, let me know.”

  Waving without turning back, Slowpoke dramatically threw itself into the pond, letting its body slowly sink. Inspired, Mudkip eagerly followed suit, mimig Slowpoke as it sank into the water with a blissful “Mud.”

  Closing its eyes, Mudkip reveled iranquil moment.

  “This is so nice.”

  “By the way, I’ll need you to keep an eye on the Bou group,” Natsume said, stroking Persian as it emerged from the shade of a tree.

  Usume, who seemed naturally adept at bonding with Pokémon, Persian had no particur i in such activities. It was here solely to proteatsume from potential harm caused by aggressive Pokémon—not that it doubted Natsume’s ability to handle himself.

  Still, as Natsume’s self-procimed enforcer, Persian had to maintain appearances.

  "Meow," Persian replied ftly.

  Ah, more work, it thought.

  When new Pokémon joihe farm, it ersian’s job to establish the rules and hierarchy. While Natsume preferred a gentle approach, Persian believed every group ructure and someoo py the “bad cop.”

  It had learhis from one of the many ma books on Natsume’s shelf—books that Natsume himself had ouched. Titles like Microexpression Psychology and Behavioral Ma y gathering dust, read only by Persian during its leisure time.

  Persian prided itself on being well-read. Not out of choice, but because Natsume’s fleeting i in unusual books always fizzled out as soon as they arrived.

  “Woof, woof!”

  A red-scarfed Pooa dashed toward Natsume, barkiedly.

  “Oh, it’s you. What’s up?” Natsume crouched to meet the Pokémon.

  Among the litter, this particur Pooa was the cleverest, far outshining its siblings—and even its father, who had retly self-appointed himself as the “Head of Security.”

  The Pooa gnced around warily to ensure no other Pokémon besides Natsume and Persian were nearby. Then it leaned in close to whisper in Natsume’s ear.

  “Woof, woof-woof.”

  “Oh, really?”

  “Woof!”

  “Your mom told you, huh?”

  “Woof.”

  Natsume nodded, easily uanding the Pooa’s report. The mhtyena had noticed something odd about one of the Bou in the group. Its st seemed normal, but its behavior was subtly off, promptio send her smartest pup to inform Natsume.

  “Good work.”

  Natsume ruffled the Pooa’s fur affeately before slipping a few Pokéblocks into its mouth. The pup chewed tentatively, its eyes lighting up with delight at the taste.

  So this was why its dad was always volunteering to run errands for Natsume.

  Should I tell Mom about this? Pooa wondered, deep in thought.

  ---

  After sidering his steps, Natsume decided to send Persian home to fetch Butterfree and Corvisquire while he headed toward the Bou group.

  “Meow.”

  With a graceful leap, Persian shot off like an arrow, its speed rivaling even the farm’s agile Furret.

  ---

  Meanwhile, among the Bouhe suspicious individual quietly nibbled on a berry, its expressioionless.

  When other Bou approached to chat, it responded with cold indifference.

  “Choo.”

  One particurly popur Bou, surrounded by its peers, finally mao break away and timidly approached the odd one.

  Upon seeing it, the cold Bou’s expression transformed into a rare, happy smile.

  “Suo!”

  Gcell