Naoki stood on the floating isnd, watg Giratina, who was still soundly asleep not far away.

  Suddenly, Giratina groggily opes eyes.

  The first thing it noticed was Naoki standing across from it.

  Still half-asleep and clearly still feeling the effects of the beer, Giratina slurred its speech: "You...you finally remembered to e back!"

  Naoki: "..."

  He stared at Giratina with suspi. 'Why does it sound like that?'

  Naoki had tasks to plete, and he couldn't just stay in the Reverse World all day. Not to mentioill felt weak after drinking that poisonous mushroom soup.

  Looking at the grumpy Giratina, Naoki asked, exasperated, "Did you drink the entire barrel of beer?"

  "Beer...beer?" Giratina squirying to recall with its foggy, intoxicated mind.

  Then it suddenly sprang up and shouted, "Delicious!"

  Naoki: "..."

  Giratina, now t over Naoki, smirked and in a anding tone said, "Send me a few more barrels, or I'll drag you in here and lock you up forever!"

  Naoki: "..."

  Giratina leaned in closer, drunkenly saying, "Foolish...human, why don't you...speak? You...dare ignore me!"

  As it said this, Giratina's aura fred dangerously, as though it was about to unleash its wrath and crush Naoki in an instant.

  But just before it could act, it hesitated.

  Giratina plopped back down aed its massive head on its thick forelimbs. "Fet... Fet it. If I crush you, no one will talk to me anymore."

  Naoki sighed, standing there speechless. Thinking of Giratina's legend and how it was once bao the Distortion World, he felt a pang of sympathy. He was about to say something when he heard the dragon muttering again:

  "Although you're just a small, insignifit human, at least you're not as arrogant as the others... timid though, zZZ..."

  Looking at Giratina falling bato a drunken slumber, Naoki's patience wore thin. He felt like cursing under his breath but restrained himself.

  'Timid, am I?' he thought. 'Just wait until I e back with Koraidon and the plete form of Calyrex riding Gstrier! I'll make this grumpy dragon work on the ranch like a farmhand!'

  With a pyful shake of his fist towards the sn Giratina, Naoki called out to Indeedee to fete Pecha juice to help detoxify the dragon.

  After Mewtwo and his crew had left, life on the ranch quickly returo its peaceful routine.

  At five iernoon, Zack arrived to drive the rge truck to the ranch foods colle.

  They loaded up several barrels of Moomoo milk and goat milk onto the truck, and Naoki invited Zack to join him in cheg out the new beer that was brewing in the celr.

  Standing in front of the brand-new house, Zack paused, gazing up at the building in admiration.

  He looked at the new house, then at the old wooden house not far away, and couldn't help but sigh:

  "Wow, you've really turhis ranto something special!"

  Naoki g the group of Pokémon around him and smiled knowingly: "This isn't just my doing."

  Hearing this, Zack looked at the Pokémon on the rand added, "You all did great! To be ho, when Mayor Thomas and I first saw you, you were so skinny, we were worried about whether you'd be able to hahe work on the ranch."

  Hearing those words, Naoki couldn't help but think back to how things were when he first arrived.

  With a happy chuckle, he asked, "And what about now?"

  Zack replied, "Turns out we were worried for nothing. Now you're as strong as a Tauros!"

  Naoki thought about the Tauros from the Paldea region, especially the bes, and couldn't help but defend himself: "It's not that exaggerated."

  "Hahaha!" Zack burst out ughing. He then looked at the stubble on Naoki's and teased, "You should shave that beard properly, or you'll look like you're in your thirties, and girls ye will start calling you 'uncle' oreet."

  Naoki sighed, "To be ho, that's already happened before."

  It was during the summer. He'd spent a lot of time w outside on the farm, so his skin had tanned, and a bit of a beard had grown. When he went to the market to buy vegetables one day, he hadn't shaved, and a girl of about sixteen or seventeen called him "uncle."

  Zack gave him an "I told you so" look, causing Cyclizar and Koraidon to burst into ughter.

  After their chat, the two headed to the celr, where Zack, being the professional, checked the quality of the beer.

  Naoki stood by, patiently waiting for Zack to give his evaluation and price.

  "Hmm, the fermentation's solid, the aroma is rich with a natural oak fvor." Zack took a gss and sipped, tasting carefully. "A nice blend of rich malt with the bitterness of the hops. It's smooth and refreshing, with a aftertaste. Very well done!"

  However, Zack's face showed a hint ret. "The only downside is that the fermentation time was a bit short. If it had beeo age lohe beer would fetch a higher prid taste eveer."

  Naoki, curious, asked, "Aging? How long does it need?"

  Zack expined, "That depends. Take wine, for example. Normally, it takes about 20 days to ferment naturally."

  "Depending on the winemaker's iion and the wine's style, aging range from a few months to several years."

  "But it's not that wine must be aged to be good. It's really up to personal taste. Some people prefer wihat's aged for several years, while others enjoy it fresh."

  "Of course," Zack tinued, "aged wiends to sell for a much higher price than wihat's been simply fermented."

  Zack said a lot, but Naoki's mind fixated ohing—' aged wine sells for a higher price!'

  "It just so happens there's a lot of fruit in the orchard," Naoki thought to himself. "After selling this batch of beer, I could make some fruit wine."

  At this moment, Zack finished his iion and gave the final verdict. "3,000 Poke Dolrs per liter. It's a bit off-season for beer, so the market price is lht now. In summer, you could probably get even more."

  '3,000 Poke Dolrs per liter...' Naoki began calg in his mind.

  The specifications of each oak barrel were three liters, and with thirty oak barrels in the celr, that meant this batch of beer could be sold for about 270,000 Poke Dolrs.

  pared to the ine from selling Moo Moo Milk, the profit from brewing beer was substantial.

  Naoki nodded, satisfied with the price.

  He had gathered a rge amount of hops st summer, so after selling this batch of beer, he could make use of the stored hops for future brews.

  "If we save up a bit more, we build anreenhouse," Naoki thought to himself.

  Seeing him agree, Zack added, "Alright then, I'll e by tomorrow to pick up the batch! It's getting te, and the truck's already loaded with goods."

  "Sounds good."

  Naoki had no issue with that.

  After firming the time for Zack's return, the truck drove off.

  It was evening, and the ke shimmered uhe colorful clouds as Dragonites and Dragonairs happily flew towards Dragonite Isnd with their day's pay.

  After waving them off, Naoki set about finishing up the day's chores.

  With Pawmot's help, they herded the hens bato the coop and secured the doors and windows.

  He filled the milk tank's trough with fresh grass and berries and topped off G's water bowl.

  Then he went to the field to pick a big pumpkin. The weather was getting colder, so Naoki po make a pot of rock sugar pumpkin pe to warm himself and the Cyclizar.

  Speaking of Cyclizar.

  Naoki suddenly remembered something.

  He went back to his bedroom and flipped through his dar. Sure enough, there was a mark on the August 20th n.

  "Just as I thought—Cyclizar's birthday is ing up soon!"

  Naoki returo the kit, processing the pumpkin while keeping an eye on the yawning Cyclizar lounging in the living room.

  Cyclizar's birthday was important, but there was ahing on his mind.

  It ecial dessert he'd made before—a unique dish that only worked on a Pokémon's birthday.

  If he recalled correctly, the effect of the cake was called "Birthday Gift."

  Its special effect was that when given to a Pokémon on their birthday, it would provide a blessing, permaly boosting one of their stats: HP, Attack, Special Attack, Speed, Defense, or Special Defense.

  Naoki was eager to see how this would py out.

  But with a few days left until Cyclizar's birthday, he would just have to atiently.

  ...

  After dinner, Sister Indeedee went to wash the dishes, while Naoki curled up on the sofa with a few Pokémon to watch TV.

  It was the weekend, and with the tavern closed, they all stayed at home, enjoying the cozy atmosphere.

  The warm light in the living room made the space feel inviting, and the TV was showing tomorrow's weather forecast.

  The female host, dressed in formal attire, read from the script on the s: "Due to a cold front, some areas in northwest Paldea are expected to experience rainfall at midnight tonight. Citizens are advised to prepare in advand ensure doors and windows are securely closed."

  Hearing this, Brother Indeedee quietly got up and checked all the doors and windows, making sure everything roperly shut.

  Naoki remained zily curled up on the sofa, leaning against the furry Pawmot, pyfully ping its soft paw pads.

  This was his favorite time of the day.

  The ranch work was done, and while the world outside was shrouded in darkness, with gusts of cold wind likely, the house was brightly lit, warm, and filled with fort.

  The Pokémon gathered around, snuggling up with him on the sofa, much like kittens huddling together for warmth on a winter's night.

  On the wooden coffee table in front of him were the snacks and milk eaon loved, along with a cup of steaming bck tea for Naoki.

  The old-fashioV broadcasted news programs from the Paldea region, providing a glimpse into the outside world.

  They always watched the weather forecast first, and after knowing what to expect for the day, they'd switch to the news.

  This was how they stayed ected to what was happening beyond their cozy ranch life.

  For example, Naranja Academy was holding another school petition, and a trainer mao turide of battle due to his ued Terastal attribute. A rge-scale event was being held in a certain pce, and news like this was ofteured in broadcasts.

  The antennas in Paldea occasionally picked up the news from ions, like Professor Oak's Pokémoures in the Johtion.

  Although Pokémon like Koraidon and the others couldn't fully uand human programs, they still sat and watched with Naoki.

  Whehis happened, Naoki would wonder, 'Do the Pokémon also enjoy the cozy, rexing atmosphere as much as he does?'

  Naoki turo look at his Pokémon.

  The Cyclizar y fortably on the soft carpet, resting with its eyes closed.

  The Alcremie erched on the coffee table, surrounded by a pile of puddings and buns, swaying leisurely.

  Naoki was using Pawmot as a pillow, finding fort in its softness.

  After Sister Indeedee finished washing the dishes, she joihem on the sofa to watch TV.

  Her brother stood nearby like a loyal butler, always ready to assist when needed.

  As for Koraidon...

  Naoki noticed Koraidon staring at him.

  When Koraidon realized it had been caught staring, instead of looking away in embarrassment, its eyes lit up, and it looked quite happy.

  Naoki looked back at Koraidon, feeling a sense of warmth.

  At that moment, he imagihat if Koraidon were a big dog, it would probably be wagging its tail enthusiastically.

  The thought made Naoki chuckle to himself.

  This Pokémon, Koraidon, was really quite adorable!

  "I wonder what Miraidon would be like in this kind of situation," Naoki mused, thinking of Miraidon's personality in the game.

  Perhaps Miraidon would turn its head away, ag all cool and aloof, pretending not to care?

  But holy, Naoki preferred the type of Pokémon like Koraidon—passioraightforward, and always eager to express itself. The kind of Pokémon that would run up and lick you with affe at the slightest hint of attention was more endearing to him than a tsundere Pokémon like Miraidon.

  Naoki felt that if he kept watg, Koraidon might just poun him and start lig him.

  Quickly turning his gaze back to the TV, Naoki g Koraidon out of the er of his eye. Sure enough, when Koraidon saw Naoki looking away, it immediately dropped its head, looking a bit dejected.

  Naoki sighed internally and thought for a moment, then decided to stretch out on the sofa. He rested his head on Pawmot's fluffy body and casually draped his legs over Koraidon.

  Sure enough, Koraidon perked up instantly, wagging its imaginary tail in delight.

  "Yup, just like a big, affeate dog," Naoki thought with a smile.

  Later that night, the rain finally arrived, just as the weather report had predicted. The steady patter of autumn rain drummed against the roof, and a slight chill crept in, signaling the ging season. Naoki was half-awakened by the sound, but feeling warm and cozy with Pawmot beside him, he simply yawurned over, and drifted back to sleep.

  By the time m rolled around, the rain was still falling, and the sky remained a gloomy shade of gray. Naoki stood uhe eaves, watg the raindrops dance down from the roof. It didn't look like he'd be able to go out today.

  Even the Gogoat in the pen were quiet, tent to stay iheir shelter, nibbling on hay.

  Just then, Dragonites and Dragonairs came flying in through the rain, making their way to the ranch as they always did.

  Naoki blinked, unsure what to say at first.

  As a kied farmer, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty. "You know, when the weather's bad, you don't have to e in. You take a break onite Isnd and e back after the rain stops."

  But the wild Dragonites and Dragonairs both wideheir eyes in shock, clearly not on board with the idea.

  "Ouch!" the wild Dragonites protested, its voice full of determination.

  Naoki raised an eyebrow. "Really? But it's p outside—wouldn't it be better to rest?"

  Dragonites and dragonairs shook their heads vigorously.

  "Ouch!" (No way! If we don't e in, we'll miss out oasty Poffins!)

  Naoki stared at them for a moment, speechless.

  'See? It wasn't that he overworked them—they just wao work! Who could say no to that kind of enthusiasm?'

  But then again, for strong Pokémon like Dragonite and Dragonair, a bit of rain was no big deal.

  Naoki sighed and gave in with a smile. "Alright, alright, as long as you're happy to work in this weather."

  "Ouch!" they both cheered happily, grabbing their delivery bags filled with fresh milk bottles from Naoki and flying off toward town as if the rain wasn't even there.

  As he watched them go, a sudden thought popped into Naoki's head, and he chuckled to himself. Maybe he should print something like "Dragon Express—Mission Aplished!" on the bags fo would definitely suit them.