Since no one was home, Cole had no choice but to set out with just Pidove.
When they reached the courtyard gate, a car was already parked there with Mr. Machamp at the wheel.
Now that Cole was well-off, having a vehicle made sense. While riding Pokémon was an option for transportation, it wasn't always practical or comfortable — even with proper riding gear. A car was simply necessary.
Previously, Machamp had favored the large cargo truck used for deliveries, but now this new car had become its pride and joy.
Every day, it would meticulously wash the car and study maintenance techniques. Whenever Cole needed to go somewhere, Machamp would promptly arrive to chauffeur him.
Now it insisted that other Pokémon address it as "Mr. Driver".
After Cole and Pidove settled into the car, Machamp drove off. Thanks to recent improvements, the mountain roads were smooth and bump-free.
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When Cole arrived at the orphanage entrance, little Matthew was crouched by the door, playing with a wooden stick.
"Matthew!" Cole called out.
"Big Brother Cole!" Matthew looked up and, spotting him, immediately dropped the stick and pitter-pattered over to hug his leg.
At three years old now, Matthew was an energetic child who loved to run and jump.
"What are you doing here?" Cole asked as he lifted him up.
"Hehe~" Matthew hugged his neck and answered with a laugh, "Waiting for you. Sister Lily said you'd come today."
"Good boy, let's go inside." Cole retrieved a pastry from Machamp's bag and gave it to Matthew while carrying him into the courtyard.
The orphanage building had undergone renovation in the past two years, funded primarily by Cole with some help from Alfred.
Now the entire orphanage looked completely transformed from when he first arrived, and the children's demeanor had changed as well.
Previously, although the children were well-behaved, they had always seemed timid and lacking confidence. Now they had become like typical children — loving to laugh and play, their faces beaming with self-assurance.
When Cole entered the house, he found Alfred chatting with Norman, while Lily and the others helped Meili in the kitchen.
Cole sat down next to Alfred, placing Matthew on his lap, and asked with a smile, "What are you discussing that's so engaging you didn't notice me come in?"
"Big Brother Cole." Norman greeted him, "Alfred was asking what major I should choose when I enter intermediate school!"
At intermediate school, Norman would need to choose between the Pokémon track or the regular track, or alternatively become a trainer and set out on a journey.
"Alfred said if I choose the Pokémon track, he'll cover my expenses." Norman said while scratching his head shyly, unable to make up his mind.
Alfred, Charlie, and Lily had all chosen the regular track. Back then, they'd had no choice due to their circumstances — especially Charlie, whose childhood dream was to become a Pokémon trainer.
But reality had forced his hand, and now even if given the chance to become a trainer again, he wouldn't want to. Some paths in life require great courage to turn back from, and others offer no return at all.
Now with Norman, Alfred was willing to support him, but Norman felt troubled that his siblings couldn't pursue their dreams while he alone had the freedom to choose.
Hearing this, Cole said, "Choose whatever your heart wants — don't hesitate or worry. Don't concern yourself with the expenses. Alfred doesn't need to pay; I'll handle it."
"Cole..." Alfred tried to interject, but Cole raised his hand to stop him.
"I can also help you prepare your starter Pokémon, but I have one requirement."
Alfred and Norman both looked at him puzzled.
"When you travel and adventure, send back any special berry trees you find along the way." Cole said, "Have you decided? If you want to become a trainer, then go for it — don't hesitate!"
Under this encouragement, Norman finally nodded and said, "I want... I want to become a trainer!"
If becoming a trainer could help Cole, he would find more courage within himself.
Cole smiled and patted his head, "That's more like it. A man should be decisive, not hesitant."
Norman responded with a silly grin, and little Matthew, not understanding why, also giggled along with cream still on the corner of his mouth.
"Matthew, come — Norman will take you to play!" With his mind made up, Norman's face brightened as he lifted Matthew from Cole's lap and took him to play in the courtyard.
After he left, Alfred frowned, "Let's split Norman's trainer expenses between us. After all, I'm his brother too."
Cole smiled, "Why are you being so particular about this? How much does it really cost to become a trainer? Just look at all the Pokémon I raise on the mountain — this is nothing to me."
Alfred sighed, "Well, even so..."
Cole looked at him with a half-smile, "What can you do with your measly earnings? Better not try to act tough!"
"Oh, so you've gotten bold enough to mock me now, huh!" Alfred laughed in exasperation and lunged to grab him, "I may not be as rich as you, but I can at least support one trainer!"
Actually, as the sales director of Cole's orchard, he had earned quite well these past few years. Cole paid him not only a salary but also commission based on the clients he brought in.
Most of his major clients were brought in by Alfred, so his earnings were substantial.
But while both were big brothers to the children, Alfred spent more time caring for them directly, whereas Cole, lacking time and energy, could only contribute financially.
Fortunately, he had the means to do so.
"Hahaha..." Cole shouted dramatically, "Are you getting too full of yourself? Daring to treat your boss like this? Watch out, I might fire you!"
"I'm still your big brother — you dare fire me?" Alfred replied with a smirk.
After their playful banter subsided, he turned serious again.
"Let's split Norman's expenses."
"Please, brother, just let the kid spend some money. I have more than I know what to do with!" Cole pleaded.
Finally, Alfred relented and agreed to let him cover Norman's training expenses.
During dinner, Cole made a solemn announcement to the table, "From today on, our family will have its first Pokémon trainer. Let's all applaud for our future Pokémon Master, Mr. Norman!"
Everyone burst into applause.
Being naturally introverted, Norman's face flushed red from the attention, "Thank you, everyone. I... I'll do my best."
"When I turn ten, I want to become a trainer too!" Paul called out.
"As long as you don't change your mind by then, we'll all support you." Cole replied.
Paul nodded vigorously, "Of course I won't change my mind! I want to travel with Norman — he's easily bullied, so I have to protect him!"
The two boys, only a year apart in age, were closest among all the children and spent most of their time playing together.
"I don't need your protection!" Norman protested, "I can protect myself."
"That's wonderful, Norman. You'll have to work hard!" Charlie said contentedly.
Alfred glanced at him, "Charlie, you could become a trainer now too if you wanted."
Charlie shook his head, "I'll pass. I think working for Brother Cole later would be nice. Being a trainer was just childhood talk."
Alfred couldn't tell if Charlie was being truthful or putting up a brave front — everyone knew how much he had wanted to be a trainer in his younger days.
At twelve years old, he still had plenty of time to become a trainer if he wished.
In truth, he wasn't being insincere. While becoming a trainer had been his childhood dream, and Norman's decision had sparked a brief yearning in him, it was nothing more than a passing impulse.
And impulses were just that — impulses. The thought of actually becoming a trainer now made him nervous. Working for Cole seemed like a better fit.
The meal ended with everyone's laughter and chatter.
After dinner, Cole sat with Norman, "What kind of Pokémon would you like as your starter? We can begin preparing now, so you'll have time to build a bond with it."
Norman scratched the back of his head sheepishly, "I haven't thought about it yet, but I think it's better to choose one that's easy to raise for my first Pokémon."
Cole, sensing Norman's concern about costs, said, "Why don't you come to my place? We have some newly hatched Fletchling you can meet — maybe one of them would like to be your starter Pokémon. If not, we can explore the nearby mountains. We're sure to find a Pokémon that suits you."
"Mm, okay." Norman nodded firmly.
After making plans, Cole said goodbye to Meili and took Norman back to Mt. Ascendant by car.
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After arriving home, Cole took his brother straight to the staff dormitory.
While passing by a group of Sunflora, Norman said, "Actually, I wouldn't mind choosing a Sunflora."
These ones were very easy to raise.
Cole said with resignation, "But would they want to go with you?"
He didn't approve of Norman choosing Sunflora as a starter Pokémon. Though they were easy to raise, making them strong in battle was quite challenging.
They might work as tactical alternatives for a later team, but they weren't suitable as starter Pokémon. If there were no other options, that would be one thing — but since they had choices, choosing Sunflora wasn't necessary.
Norman walked up to the group of Sunflora and greeted them, "Hello there!"
However, all the Sunflora kept their eyes closed and remained motionless, focused only on sunbathing, ignoring him completely.
"Haha..." Norman felt awkward.
Suddenly, a pair of eyes opened, and he thought a Sunflora had finally chosen him, but then Cole spoke.
"That's my Heliolisk, not a Sunflora."
"Helio~"
Heliolisk called out cooperatively.
Looking closer, Norman realized it really wasn't a Sunflora — they just had similar colors.
"Still want to choose a Sunflora?" Cole asked with a smile.
"N-no..." Norman shook his head.
"Alright then, let's go see the Fletchling."
When Cole and the others arrived at the staff dormitory, most of the Fletchling and Fletchinder were away, so Cole sent one Fletchling to call everyone back.
Soon they all returned, but none were willing to be Norman's starter Pokémon.
It wasn't that they disliked him — rather, all the Fletchling had been taught by their parents since birth that a job at Mt. Ascendant was a precious opportunity to be treasured, and that they'd never find an employer as kind-hearted as Cole.
"If you hadn't been born here, you wouldn't have such a good job. Look at all the Fletchling outside — who lives as well as you do? When we were young, we never knew when our next meal would come. You should count your blessings."
This mindset was so deeply ingrained that none of the Fletchling wanted to leave Mt. Ascendant.
Cole hadn't known the Fletchling felt this way. With no other choice, he had to lead Norman away from the staff dormitory.
"Don't worry, we can catch one from outside. There are more types of Pokémon to choose from out there, including plenty of Fletchling." Cole consoled Norman.
"Mm, okay." Norman nodded, not feeling disappointed about the birds' decision.
Since it wasn't late yet, Cole decided to explore the nearby mountains with Norman and Pidove. For safety, he brought along Lopunny.
The Fletchinder and Talonflame who regularly patrolled the area knew best where to find wild Pokémon, so Cole carefully gathered information from them before setting out.
After learning the lay of the land, they departed. Talonflame and the others guided Cole to a mountain west of Mt. Duskflower, where they'd spotted an Exeggcute.
As a Psychic/Grass-type Pokémon, Exeggcute was quite rare. If Norman could get one as his starter Pokémon, that would be perfect.
Riding on Talonflame, they quickly reached their destination, though it lay quite far from Mt. Ascendant.
This was Norman's first venture so far from home into the wild, and everything sparked his curiosity — the Caterpie in the roadside bushes, the Bunnelby that dug holes and fled at the sight of people, and the Fletchling chirping in the treetops... everything seemed to herald his entry into a new world!
There was excitement, anticipation... and nervousness.
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