The rain came quickly and disappeared just as fast. The grass was damp, and the riverbank was slick with mud. Naoki didn't want to dirty his shoes, so he lost his enthusiasm for fishing for the moment.

  Instead, he returo his room and started preparing the three fish he had caught, deg to cook eae differently: braising oeaming another, and frying the third.

  Later that afternoon, Naoki took a trip to the town, where he bought an outdoor campi from a department store.

  After purchasing the tent, he gathered his Pokémon to help set it up on a patch of wn. It wasn't too close to the house, but it wasn't far off either—just a nice, quiet spot on the ranch.

  Pawmo, curious about the tent-building, tilted its head in fusion.

  "Pawmo?"

  Naoki chuckled and expined, "We're going to rebuild the house in a few days. When that happens, we won't have ao stay, so we o prepare ahead of time."

  He went on to describe the joys of camping, trying to paint a vivid picture for his Pokémon.

  "Imagine a summer night, a cool breeze blowing through the pasture. We'll be lying ient, gazing at the stars above, listening to the gentle sound of the cicadas in the hills. Whe tired, we'll fall asleep peacefully uhe sky."

  "Pawmo..." Pawmo, along with the other Pokémon, were quickly swept up by Naoki's description, admiration clear in their eyes.

  As Naoki admired the newly set-up tent, a thought struck him—it reminded him of the game Animal Crossing.

  In the game, pyers could set up a tent on their isnd, and occasionally small animals would visit to camp. If the pyer and the animal hit it off, the pyer could ihe animal to live on the isnd permaly.

  'Could I do something like that here?' Naoki wondered. 'Could I invite wild Pokémon to camp at the ranch?'

  It seemed like a fun idea, but he wasn't sure how practical it would be. After all, wild Pokémon usually stayed within their habitats. It was rare for them to travel or leave their homes, much less camp in an unfamiliar pce.

  But thehought about Teddiursa aheir enters had shown him that wild Pokémon had their owworks and es—just like people.

  'If I spread the word, could I attrae curious Pokémon?' he mused. The world of Pokémon was vast, and there were certainly many Pokémon with unique personalities and hobbies.

  'You never know who might show up to camp here,' Naoki thought, smiling to himself.

  His imagination ran even further—what if he opened a small tavern for Pokémon? A pce where they could rex, drink Moomoo Milk or tree sap, and share their stories.

  Naoki could spread the word across the region: a human at Naoki Ranch could help Pokémon solve their problems. Pokémon in need could e by for help, advice, or even just some rexation.

  Perhaps Teddiursa and Mew, who often traveled, could be his ambassadors. They could spread the o Pokémon all over the world as they jourelling them about the Pokémon Tavern.

  Naoki began to imagihe possibilities: providing seling, guiding Pokémon through their fusion, or simply listening to their stories. He could even ge careers, shifting from rao something akin to a priest, guiding lost Pokémon on the right path.

  The truth was, Naoki was getting a bit bored staying at the ranch with little to do. If he set up a pce like this, not only could he learn more about Pokémon, but he might eve a sneak peek into their little gossip circles. And if he met a particurly fluffy Pokémon with a sweet personality, he wouldn't miing it a few times.

  The idea excited him—he could ect with more Pokémon without having to leave the ranch!

  Naoki was so ed up in his daydream that he didn't even hear Cyclizar calling him.

  After a long pause, Naoki finally snapped out of it and realized Cyclizar was trying to get his attention. "What's up, Cyclizar?" he asked, looking over.

  Cyclizar's eyes gleamed with excitement: "Gaao..."

  Not just Cyclizar—several nearby Pokémon had the same eager expression.

  Naoki blihen looked at the tent he had just set up. Suddenly, it all clicked. The Pokémon had bee up by the cozy image of camping that Naoki had described, and now they wao camp out tonight!

  Naoki smiled warmly. "Of course! I'll go grab some bs, and we'll all camp out here tonight!"

  The Pokémon cheered in unison, clearly thrilled by the idea.

  True to his word, Naoki hurried to gather bs and brought out an old-fashioned camping mp from the utility room, pg it at the entrance of the tent. The soft glow made the se even cozier.

  Just as everything was falling into pce, a clear, sharp cry echoed from above.

  Naoki paused, his head tilting toward the sky in curiosity. His gaze caught sight of a dark blue-feathered bird Pokémon swooping down into the pasture.

  "Is that... a Swellow?"

  Just as Naoki the arrival of the Swellow, he noticed that the bird was clutg something in its talon.

  He quickly realized what was happening—Teddiursa had sent him another delivery. 'What a ce,' Naoki thought, smiling to himself. He had just been thinking about Teddiursa, and now here was a message from the little bear Pokémon.

  With a warm smile, Naoki thahe Swellow, who nodded in response. He gently took the items that had been delivered.

  It was another crayon drawing, just like the oeddiursa had sent before. This time, the picture showed a basket full of snacks, with ty, smiling faces beside it. Naoki chuckled softly, instantly uanding the message. Teddiursa and Mew had received the food he had sent them st time and were clearly pleased.

  Relieved to know the package had reached them safely, Naoki g the other item Teddiursa had sent—a slightly damaged Great Ball that was no longer usable but still a nice keepsake.

  With its task plete, Swellow fpped its wings, ready to take off again.

  "Wait a sed!" Naoki called out, quickly running back to his house. He returned with some food and the camera he had retly purchased in town. It oroid-style camera, perfect for Teddiursa to take pictures with, capturing moments on their adventures.

  Naoki hahe items to Swellow, smiling as he expined, "These are for you to take back to Teddiursa ahe food is a gift, and the camera will be a fun way for them to share more of their adventures with me."

  Swellow tilted its head as if processing the request, then nodded, grabbing the camera's strap in its beak.

  As Swellow prepared to leave once more, Naoki called out again, this time feeling a bit shy. "There's... one more thing."

  Swellow paused, turning its head back toward Naoki.

  Naoki rubbed the back of his neck, feeling a little sheepish as he expined his idea. "Could you also let Teddiursa and Mew know about my pn to open a 'Pokémon Tavern'? It'll be a pce where Pokémon e for help—whether they reatment, a good chat, or even just a pce to rest aheir hearts."

  Naoki added a final message before Swellow left: "And if you or any Pokémon face a problem that you 't solve, feel free to e here to py or camp. You're always wele."

  Swellow seemed momentarily surprised by Naoki's words. It stared at him for a few seds, then gave a small nod of uanding before taking off and flying away from the pasture.

  Watg Swellow disappear into the sky, Naoki sighed with relief. "Finally, the camera's delivered!" he muttered with a smile.

  ...

  Three days ter, deep in the forests of the Kantion.

  Ever sihey had started receiving food from Naoki, Teddiursa, and Mew would linger lo eaew pce they explored, hoping to not miss any future deliveries from their human friend.

  When they spotted Swellow returning with something in its beak, both Mew and Teddiursa lit up with excitement, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.

  "Teddi!" (It's here!)

  "Mew!" (Food's here!)

  Swellow gracefully nded in front of the duo, and their eyes immediately darted to the basket of treats. In typical fashion, Mew and Teddiursa shared the meal generously with Swellow, all three enjoying the delicious snacks together.

  After the feast, Swellow presehe camera Naoki had sent and passed along his message. Teddiursa, who had been fiddling with the camera, paused, hanging it around his neck. He looked up in disbelief at Swellow: "Teddi?" (A Pokémon tavern?)

  Mew, equally surprised, tilted its head, blinking curiously at Swellow.

  Uheir puzzled gazes, Swellow o firm what Naoki had said.

  The duo exged gheir eyes shining with happiness and gratitude. Naoki's message came at just the right time.

  Only a few days earlier, they had entered a ales deep in the forest—a majestion that had lived for an untold number of years. Mew had sehat ales' life energy was slowly fading, and it had seemed weary as if it were approag the end of its long life.

  Teddiursa and Mew had wao help, but they didn't know how. In the end, they could only wat sadness as ales slipped into a deep sleep in the mountains, perhaps forever.

  But now, hearing Naoki's idea about the Pokémon Tavern, a glimmer of hope sparkled in their hearts. If Naoki had been there at the time, maybe he could have helped ales. Whether by guidance or some form of healing, Naoki always seemed capable of helping in one way or another.

  Naoki was, after all, a kind and smart human—someone who could agical food and always find solutions. Teddiursa held the camera tightly, feeling touched.

  "Teddi?" (Do you think Naoki knew we needed help?)

  Mew nodded, "Mew!" (He must have! Naoki's amazing like that.)

  The little bear smiled, its heart warm with affe. "Teddi!" ("In that case, Naoki will definitely be a part of our Hero Exploration Team from now on!"!)