Haruki couldn't help rubbing Leafeon's little head.
'What am I even supposed to say to you?'
"I get it. You must've evolved after staying near this Moss Rock for a while, huh!"
Leafeon nodded, thinking Haruki really was smart.
"Alright, let's head back. I'll report this to the Research Lab myself, so you don't have to worry."
"Lea~"
The two retraced their steps, waiting for Weston's arrival.
Haruki noticed the time creeping past noon and was starting to think he might have to cook another mea- when, at long last, Weston finally arrived.
Skiploom used Tailwind to blow a flurry of leaves into the sky, signaling Weston where to land.
The helicopter soon landed in a clearing nearby.
Startled by the roaring sound, the Pokémon all hid behind Leafeon and Haruki, nervously eyeing the massive machine.
Soon, Weston, clad in a white lab coat, jumped down from the helicopter and cheerfully waved at Haruki.
…But halfway through the wave, he froze, his eyes involuntarily locking onto the Leafeon beside Haruki.
"I-Is that… Leafeon?!"
"Yeah, pretty fitting name, right?"
Haruki played dumb, even nodding in approval.
But Weston was losing it. He grabbed Haruki's shoulders, shaking him as he asked excitedly, "Where did you find it?!"
"Right here. It was one of the Pokémon the hunters captured."
Weston nodded without the slightest doubt.
He glanced around at the lush vegetation of Eterna Forest, his imagination clearly running wild, his eyes sparkled brighter by the second.
"Weston, don't tell me… you guys don't know how Eevee evolves into Leafeon either?"
Suddenly, Haruki put on an "aha" expression and asked.
Weston spun around immediately. "You figured it out… again?!"
'…What do you mean again.'
Then, Haruki nodded and pointed at Leafeon.
"Yeah. It told me."
"!!!"
Weston's pupils trembled. His hands reflexively tightened, making Haruki's shoulders hurt.
"Stop! Easy there!"
Haruki pulled away and secretly praised his own acting.
Weston calmed down and took a couple steps forward, unable to hold back his question: "So Leafeon… how did it evolve?"
"I need to settle these little ones in first before I can explain everything properly, right?"
Haruki gestured to the Pokémon behind him, many of whom were now a little intimidated by Weston's outburst.
Weston hesitated, then nodded.
"Blissey, take good care of them."
A flash of red light, and a round, pink Blissey appeared beside Weston.
Haruki clicked his tongue in awe. 'As expected of Professor Rowan's top assistant.'
A Gengar and a Blissey? Haruki couldn't help feeling a twinge of envy.
Blissey, the evolved form of Chansey, was a standard in Pokémon Centers. Its natural warmth and kindness needed no explanation.
With Haruki's reassurance, the Pokémon gradually boarded the helicopter.
Once everything was set, Haruki brought Weston over to Leafeon.
"Leafeon's worried about the kids, so it'll go with you. As for the secret of its evolution, it's something only it can tell you."
With that, Haruki ignored Weston's ecstatic expression and turned to squat down next to Leafeon.
"Sorry, but I'll need you to take us back there one more time."
Leafeon tilted its head and looked at Weston. After seemingly confirming that he wasn't a bad person, it nodded at Haruki.
Then it turned and dashed into the forest. Metang had already been returned to its Poké Ball, but with Skiploom's Tailwind buff, Haruki was able to follow with ease.
Weston wasn't doing a bad job either, he hadn't taken his eyes off Leafeon once.
And when he laid eyes on the Moss Rock under the forest shade, it was as if he were staring at a muse from his dreams. The infatuated, gooey look on his face made Haruki feel a bit gross just watching.
So, Haruki took the initiative to cut in.
"Leafeon said the main reason it evolved was because of this giant rock. I've temporarily named it Moss Rock. This Moss Rock seems rooted into the earth, making it hard to move. I don't know if it would still work after being relocated… that's something you'll have to research slowly."
"Of course. Our Research Lab never allows reckless environmental destruction. That's the only way to find the truest answers. Magnezone's not even fully studied yet, and now Leafeon pops up… looks like I'll be pulling overtime again~"
With such a major discovery, Weston was in great spirits, enough to even joke around with Haruki.
"Tch. I forgot to record that. Should've played it for the Professor."
"Haha, as if you'd dare!"
Haruki glared. No need to say the harsh part out loud; Weston really didn't know when to stop talking.
"Let's go. The Moss Rock's not going anywhere. You'll have plenty of time to study it."
Haruki cut things off and stopped bothering with him.
Weston chuckled and followed.
Back in the clearing, Haruki saw the Pokémon crowding around Blissey, begging for snacks, and finally let out a relieved breath.
'Well, mission accomplished.'
As for the discovery of Leafeon's evolution method… he'd let that one fly for now.
He trusted Professor Rowan wouldn't let him down, Haruki thought silently.
The rotors spun, and the helicopter lifted off from the ground.
Haruki hugged Skiploom, who was nearly blown away, and waved at Weston aboard the craft.
Beside Weston, Leafeon stuck its head out and stared intently at Haruki, as if trying to commit his image to memory forever.
"Leafeon, huh…"
Haruki sighed. He was growing more and more aware of how far he still had to go.
'Just wait for me at the Research Lab. One day, I'll take you traveling again…' Haruki murmured to himself.
---
That evening, Weston returned to Sandgem Town and immediately rushed into the Research Lab with Leafeon, not stopping for a second.
He had intended to go straight to the Professor, but when he looked at the Pokémon Haruki had entrusted to him, he held back.
"Don't be scared. I'll get you all settled in first."
Although the twenty-something young Pokémon were all different species, they had been through hardship together. Their dependence on each other was strong, raising them individually would be tough.
Since Leafeon was also watching over them closely, Weston simply applied for a private forest greenhouse and housed them all together.
With a cozy new home, and a strong Leafeon constantly nearby, the frightened Pokémon finally fell asleep one by one. Leafeon's eyes were filled with affection as it watched over them.
Leafeon looked up at the greenhouse dome above and thought: Haruki really hadn't lied.
But… if only they could meet again someday.
---
Elsewhere, Weston had already found Professor Rowan and was excitedly reporting everything about Leafeon's arrival.
"I saw that Moss Rock. The Grass-type energy it gives off really is extraordinary, even Gengar could feel it. If Leafeon really did evolve from it, this is an absolutely huge discovery!"
After listening, Professor Rowan's face remained serious, but the bright gleam in his eyes betrayed his inner excitement.
"So, once again… it was Haruki who led the way?"
Even in his excitement, Professor Rowan couldn't help but ask.