Koraidon followed Naoki into the living room. Naoki went upstairs to his computer to look up what sort of gifts were appropriate for meeting the in-laws in the Pokémon world, while Koraidon plopped down on the couch, daydreaming about their future.
This time, it would be part of the journey from the very beginning, not as a bystander, but as a witness to a new chapter.
Pawmot, who had just returned to get a drink, noticed Koraidon's dopey smile and asked, "Pawmot?" (What are you smiling about?)
Koraidon blurted out without thinking, "Raao!" (I was thinking about the baby Naoki's going to have!)
"Pawmot?!" Pawmot's eyes went wide in shock.
A baby? Naoki's having a baby?! When? Why didn't it know?
Koraidon immediately realized it had said too much and hastily tried to cover it up. "Raao…" (I was just guessing.)
But Pawmot was already off in its own imagination.
Naoki's baby! That meant a tiny human might come to live at the ranch and play with them, just like Anna from Warm Slugma House!
"Pawmot!"
Too excited to contain itself, Pawmot dashed off and found the Slugma resting in the fireplace. It blurted out the news that Naoki's baby would be joining them soon and might become their friend.
The Slugma blinked slowly and looked up. "Slu?"
Pawmot nodded excitedly. "Pawmot~"
What if Naoki's baby was just like little Anna — curious, cheerful, and eager to make friends with every Pokémon on the ranch?
Would they play tag together? Maybe even hide-and-seek?
"Slu..." Slugma let out a soft puff of white smoke in confusion.
It had watched Warm Slugma House with Pawmot before.
But if it remembered correctly, the little girl Anna wasn't the old woman's child, right? Weren't they more like a granddaughter-grandparent relationship?
It was hard to keep track.
Slugma gave up trying to understand.
...
"Gift giving depends on the recipient's interests… If they're a trainer, go for something like a commemorative Poké Ball or a favorite item..." Naoki muttered while scrolling through the gift suggestion guide on his computer screen.
It made sense. But the problem was, he had never met Iono's parents before and had no idea what kind of people they were.
After a moment's thought, Naoki took out his Rotom Phone and decided to call Iono to discuss it directly.
The call connected quickly, and Iono giggled when she heard his reason for calling.
"Wait, are you really coming?" she asked with a teasing tone.
In Iono's mind, meeting the parents was a very serious step. Usually, it meant the couple was preparing to get married.
"Of course," Naoki nodded. "But the problem is I don't know what they like. I don't want to show up with the wrong gift."
Now that they were talking about something important, Iono became thoughtful too.
"Hmm… My dad used to be a trainer when he was younger. He loves anything related to battling. Just recently, I saw him watching Champion Leon match from Galar, he seems to really admire him!"
"As for my mom, she's been obsessed with those Spicy Buns from the Johto region ever since she had them during a trip. She always talks about how delicious they were."
Then, Iono laughed. "But really, anything you give them, they'll love. because it's from you."
Naoki replied flatly, "They're not you."
Spicy Buns, huh?
Not a problem. He could head there and pick up a fresh pack. With Koraidon's speed, he could be there and back in no time.
As for Leon… even easier. Naoki figured he could pull a few strings and ask Leon for an autographed photo.
Iono, meanwhile, was still busy accepting challengers at her gym.
It was almost August now, and with the regional League tournaments only two months away, a lot of trainers were scrambling to collect their last badges.
After they confirmed the visit date, the call ended.
Iono went to greet her next challenger, and Naoki began making preparations for his visit.
...
World Tree – Expedition Guild
It had been some time since everyone began exploring the mysterious dungeon hidden within the World Tree.
During this period, the Pokémon had brought back all sorts of items from the dungeon and made many new friends along the way.
Today, as they gathered to relax and chat after another expedition, someone suddenly mentioned Naoki.
A few Pokémon remembered something he had once said.
Naoki had mentioned that when he got older, he wanted to retire and move to the World Tree to live with them.
"Mee? Mee!" (Naoki is going to live on the World Tree too? That's awesome!)
The Tatsugiris leapt up with joy.
The other Pokémon lit up with excitement as well.
But Treeckos, a little more practical, looked concerned.
"Chafu..." (But there aren't any houses or human beds here... would Naoki have to sleep in the forest with us?)
If Naoki had to sleep on a tree branch, he might fall off...
"Chansey..." Chansey puffed out her cheeks, unsure of what to do.
Just then, one of the Treecko's eyes sparkled with an idea.
"Chafu!" (Then let's build a house for Naoki!)
The expedition team had recently made friends with some skilled builder Pokémon in the dungeon—veteran crafters who were excellent at construction.
With their help, any kind of house could be built!
The moment that idea was shared, all the Pokémon agreed enthusiastically.
Charizard raised his wings proudly: "Roarrr!" (I'll go gather timber from the dungeon!)
Sandshrew shot up with excitement and scratched the ground with his claws: "Sha-sha!" (I'll help dig the foundation!)
Pikachu wagged his lightning bolt-shaped tail: "Pikapi!" (I can use Iron Tail to chop the wood!)
And just like that, the Pokémon sprang into action, eager to build a home for Naoki on the World Tree.
Not just for him, but also for all the Pokémon from the ranch.
That way, when Naoki and his Pokémon eventually moved in, they'd have a cozy place ready and waiting for them.
...
Naoki had no idea what the Pokémon on the World Tree were planning for him. At the moment, he was too busy preparing for something big.
Before he knew it, the date had arrived: September 1st, League Calendar Year 201.
Today was the day he and Iono had agreed to visit her hometown.
From the early morning, Naoki's ranch had been unusually lively.
After hearing about his plans, the Indeedee siblings, who acted like attentive caretakers, had carefully picked out a proper outfit for him. With practiced precision, they straightened every fold and fixed his collar.
"Ai ah~" chirped the younger Indeedee sister cheerfully. Naoki might soon have his own family, and with it, the ranch could one day welcome new life. That thought made her eyes shine with joy.
Sure, they and Koraidon were family to Naoki in every way, but there's still a difference between a Pokémon family and a human one.
If Naoki spent all his time with Pokémon and had no one human to talk to, wouldn't he eventually feel lonely?
But now, with both Pokémon and people by his side, everything would be just right.
The elder Indeedee brother helped Naoki pack the gifts, calm and steady as always. In recent years, he had matured from pretending to be a responsible grown-up into truly becoming one.
"Thanks," Naoki said warmly, taking the wrapped gifts from him.
The elder Indeedee simply gave a quiet nod. "Ai."
Naoki looked around at the Pokémon gathered to see him off. Their expressions were full of happiness, proud and excited for him, like family sending off a beloved brother.
"Alright then, I'm heading out!" he called.
"Gaao!"
"Bamo!"
"Awoo!"
"Boni~!"
A chorus of cheerful goodbyes followed.
With the gift box secured, Naoki mounted Koraidon and set off toward Levincia City.
Inside the box were carefully chosen presents for Iono's parents: an autographed photo of Leon, Champion of Galar, rare champion merchandise, and a bag of freshly steamed Rage Buns, Johto's local specialty.
He had made sure to order the buns in advance and picked them up that very morning to ensure they stayed warm and fresh. Any delay would affect the taste, after all.
Naoki exhaled. "Phew..."
Meeting your partner's parents for the first time... it was only natural to be nervous.
Strangely enough, he hadn't felt this anxious even when facing Arceus.
He didn't know what kind of people Iono's parents would be, gentle and welcoming? Stern and critical? Would they like his gifts? Would he make a good impression?
Sensing his tension, Koraidon let out a reassuring chirp:
"Agas!" Everything will go smoothly. Don't worry!
Naoki blinked in surprise, then laughed. "How can you be so sure when you've never experienced this yourself?"
Then he added, half-curious, half-amused, "Actually, I've never asked, can Pokémon like you even fall in love and have children?"
If not, how did the Paradox Pokémon even reproduce?
Koraidon widened its golden eyes, clearly caught off guard by the sudden question.
"Agas!"
"…Huh?"
And then it fell completely silent.
That odd exchange broke the tension. Naoki wasn't nervous anymore.
Thanks to Koraidon's perfectly timed interruption, he had calmed down just as the gates of Levincia City came into view.
...
Bonus @2500 $tonks
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