Not Being a Trainer This Time

League Year 200, May 12.

The Heroic Expedition Team, along with Ash and the others, smoothly returned to the Hoenn Region.

Far away in Paldea, Naoki received a message from Mew and Teddiursa.

It said they had successfully delivered that leaf to the Forina Region, and parted ways with Ash and the others.

Jirachi no longer needs to stay in the Forina Region to nurture the land; it wishes to see the world outside, like ordinary Pokémon.

So, after bidding farewell to Absol and other Pokémon in the Forina Region, Jirachi chose to embark on a journey with the Heroic Expedition Team.

Looking at the photo sent by Teddiursa on the phone screen, Naoki couldn’t help but smile.

The background of the photo is the Forina Region, and the time of the photo seems coincidentally when the millennial comet just passed across the sky.

Under the sky full of stars, Mew, Teddiursa, and Zapdos clustered around Jirachi.

They looked at the camera, all of them displaying joyful expressions.

”Ah, this is wonderful!”

Naoki was very satisfied with this ending.

With this, Jirachi no longer has to endure such a pitiful fate.

From now on, it can fly freely in the sky like most Pokémon in this world.

Naoki saved the photo to his phone, planning to print it out later for collection.

He acted immediately, ordering a machine specifically for printing photos online, and dispatched a delivery Dragonite to pick it up.

Thirty minutes later, Dragonite returned to the ranch with the machine.

Naoki imported the photo into it, and soon, the photo that captured the story of the Heroic Expedition Team and Jirachi was printed out.

”Ah gah see?”

Seeing Naoki busy over there, Koraidon’s big head leaned in, seemingly curious to see what he was doing.

Naoki took the opportunity to stroke Koraidon’s head, explaining to it, ”I’m printing photos.”

”Ah gah see!”

Koraidon saw Teddiursa and the others in the photo and understood.

Meanwhile, a new idea suddenly popped into Naoki’s mind.

——He wants to buy a camera and a photo album to capture the Pokémon on the ranch, preserving their [present] well!

Although a device like the Rotom Phone can store them more conveniently, Naoki still feels paper photos have more commemorative significance and nostalgia.

That afternoon, he went to the department store in Porto Marinada Town to buy a camera and a family album.

Once back at the ranch, Naoki called over the Pokémon in the ranch to start photographing them.

Pawmot, Alcremie, Koraidon, Cyclizar, Dragonite, Butterfree, Combee, Miltank, Dugtrio, Garganacl, Snorlax, the Eevees, Wooloo, Psyduck, Ogerpon, Gholdengo, Indeedee Sibling, Flutter Mane...

For most Pokémon on the ranch, it was their first time experiencing a photo shoot, so they were all very curious about Naoki’s actions.

Butterfree flew to Naoki’s side, curiously looking at the camera being adjusted, ”Pui-yi?”

”Bui-bui!”

The Eevees also gathered around, pawing at Naoki’s leg with their pads, indicating they wanted to see too.

Naoki squatted down and showed them the camera’s screen.

The camera lens at this moment was pointed at Dragonite in front, and one Eevee accidentally touched a button, the screen’s image began enlarging, and Dragonite’s big face immediately appeared on the screen.

”Bui!”

The Eevees let out an exclamation, it’s Dragonite!

Naoki aimed the lens at his partner Eevee and pressed the shutter.

With the sound of a click, his partner Eevee’s face was fixed on the screen.

”Bamo!”

Pawmot saw Eevee’s photo and was very envious; it wants to be photographed too!

Other Pokémon also want to join in.

Seeing their intention, Naoki smiled and said to the group of Pokémon in front:

”Alright, now continue to play as you normally do, don’t mind me, I’ll be beside you, capturing the most natural photos.”

So next, the Pokémon cooperated very well and began playing on the ranch just like usual.

Naoki roamed among them, continuously pressing the shutter.

The Eevees cooling in the shadows.

The line of obediently sitting Psyducks.

The Dragonite soaring in the sky.

Koraidon’s handsome look back.

The Wooloo sunbathing on the grass.

Flareon by the fireplace.

By night, the Pokémon returned to their nests.

Taking the opportunity, Naoki continued to capture their sleeping faces.

Without realizing it, there were over a hundred photos stored in the camera.

Once the Pokémon in the house entered dreamland, Naoki did not go to sleep immediately; instead, he sat at the desk, turned on the lamp, using moonlight from the window, and slowly put these printed photos into the album one by one.

Behind him, in the darkness, Koraidon lazily yawned; it glanced up at Naoki’s back and then settled peacefully on the floor, gradually falling asleep.

After finishing the album, Naoki gently flipped through the photos of those Pokémon above.

Playful Pokémon, daydreaming Pokémon, flying Pokémon...

Looking at these photos, Naoki’s heart was filled with warmth.

Ah, Pokémon are just so adorable!

He put away the album, turned to his partner Eevee who was sound asleep in the nest, and lowered his head to give it a kiss.