Not Being a Trainer This Time

Chapter 428: Chapter 263: Winter Tea Party (5k)

Naoki Ranch, seven in the evening.

Night had fallen, and after enjoying a reunion dinner with all the Pokémon, everyone got busy with their own activities.

Sister Indeedee headed to the Pokémon Tavern to attend to the Pokémon guests who visited daily.

Brother Indeedee handed over a stack of postcards and several items to Naoki.

Naoki glanced over and found that these were sent back by Teddiursa and Mew who were traveling.

The front of the postcards were photos, with little paw prints on the back. At first glance, they seemed to depict the scenery and Pokémon the two had encountered on their travels.

The items included a Star Piece that shone with a red glow, a heart-shaped colored scale, a peculiar bone, and a hard stone.

No doubt, these were all picked up by Teddiursa using the ”Pickup” ability.

Naoki briefly scanned them before setting them aside, intending to read them slowly as bedtime reading later.

For now, he had some tasks to attend to.

First, he needed to thaw the batch of fresh pasture harvested in autumn and turn it into Grassy Seed snacks.

The Grassy Seed snacks he made last time were all eaten by the three bleating Gogoat, so he needed to make more as soon as possible.

Naoki mixed the pasture with the dough and then put them into the pot to steam.

As Naoki was busy, the other Pokémon congregated in the living room, spread throughout the house.

Occasionally, when Naoki looked up, he saw Alcremie and Pawmot climbing up and down the stairs.

Thinking about it made sense; in this season, once night falls, the temperature outside plummets. Compared to the cold and darkness outside, no Pokémon could resist a cozy indoor space with a burning fireplace, bright lights, and unlimited Berries and snacks.

Naoki smiled, checked on the Grassy Seed snacks, and then set an alarm clock.

When the alarm sounded, it meant the Grassy Seed snacks were ready.

While waiting, Naoki brewed a few cups of his favorite Kitakami Sweet Red Tea.

He carried the tea back to the living room, placing one cup in front of Calyrex seated on the sofa, and two more cups in front of Sinistea and Polteageist.

After drinking that bitter cup of red tea on the ship, Polteageist had been gloomy until now, without a hint of a smile on its little face.

Thus, Naoki decided to swap the tea for Polteageist.

”Want to give it a try?” Naoki pushed the two cups towards Sinistea and Polteageist.

The two Pokémon looked down at the tea before them.

Sinistea swayed its body and floated forward, using Giga Drain on the tea before it.

In no time, the Sweet Red Tea was emptied.

Sinistea, content, let out a satisfied burp, its expression visibly growing more cheerful.

Clearly, it enjoyed the taste of the red tea.

Meanwhile, Polteageist looked at the red tea before it, unsure of what it was thinking, and after a while, let out a soft sigh.

Naoki: ”?”

Just then, two little heads peeked out from under the table.

Pawmot and Alcremie looked innocently towards Polteageist.

Alcremie happily said, ”Maa maa!” (The tea Naoki brewed is delicious! Sweet!)

Pawmot nodded in agreement: ”Bamo bamo!” (That’s right, go ahead and try it!)

The little Polteageist person gazed dazedly at the two Pokémon before it.

It could feel the kindness and friendliness in the atmosphere.

This brought a touch of emotion to the hearts of Polteageist and Sinistea, who had always stayed alone in the dilapidated warehouse.

”Pol...” Polteageist swayed its head and then, as if making a firm decision, extended two slender little hands to pick up the cup of Sweet Red Tea and pour it into its body.

A moment later, Polteageist’s body seemed fuller, spilling some purple tea liquid onto the table.

Polteageist felt a bit concerned.

However, Naoki just smiled, took a cloth, and wiped the spilled tea.

”It’s okay, as long as it’s cleaned up quickly.”

Polteageist looked at the human in front filled with kindness, and it seemed like flowers blossomed atop its head.

Its mood became cheerful and lively, and there was a joyful tone in its voice: ”Pol!”

”Feeling better now?” Naoki asked.

The Polteageist before him had completely shed its previous gloomy vibe from the ship.

Polteageist happily nodded: ”Pol!”

Calyrex beside them also smiled at the scene, feeling moved and spoke:

”I never would’ve thought a young one’s temperament could change due to the taste of a cup of tea. In all my years of living, I have never witnessed such a wondrous thing!”

”Indeed!” Naoki nodded in agreement and then looked at Calyrex before him: ”Would you like to try? Not sure if this red tea suits your taste.”

Calyrex nodded gently, picked up the cup of tea, and elegantly sipped it at its lips.

After carefully tasting it for a while, Calyrex nodded slightly: ”Quite delicious, I like its taste too.”

”That’s great,” Naoki grinned.

Looking at the elegant Calyrex before him, he couldn’t help but picture a scene in his mind—underneath a warm sun, Calyrex sitting in the flower field, elegantly tasting afternoon tea.

”Hmm, if there were a slice of Green Grass Cake, it’d be perfect, Afternoon tea paired with Green Grass Cake, a quintessential match.”