March 31st, Year 202 of the League Calendar, the last day of spring.
The Levincia Gym was closed today, so Iono stayed at Tree House Ranch to help Naoki with some light farm work.
With summer just around the corner, all spring crops needed to be harvested before the season changed. After that, the summer seeds would be planted.
The two of them spent the morning harvesting vegetables and loading them into storage together. Then, they moved on to the orchard to pick ripe fruit.
Iono went to the chicken coop with the help of Pawmot to gather eggs, while Naoki headed down to the underground caverns where the Garganacl and a Dugtrio lived to collect rock salt.
By the time everything was done, the sun was high in the sky.
Iono pulled out a handkerchief and tiptoed up to gently dab the sweat from Naoki's brow.
"Tired?" she asked with a smile. "I'll go whip something up for lunch. I learned two new recipes this week, I want to show off a little!"
Naoki smiled, bent down to wipe the sweat off her cheek, and replied, "Sure. I'll head over to the apple orchard to check on the harvest."
"Alright, go ahead!" Iono said cheerfully before heading off toward the house.
Naoki, with Koraidon by his side, made his way to the orchard on the far side of the river.
The trees there were heavy with plump, crimson apples. Thanks to careful cultivation by Naoki and his Gogoat, the apples were on par with the famous red apples of Kitakami.
But where there's fruit, there's always a few hungry Pokémon.
A group of Applin had taken up residence in the trees. The last one had evolved into a Dipplin and now lived happily near the World Tree.
Naoki spotted a few new Applin settled in. Koraidon sniffed at them curiously, causing the tiny apple Pokémon to tremble and curl up in alarm.
Naoki sighed, half amused. "Alright, Koraidon, don't scare the little guys."
He had no intention of chasing them away. Their presence meant his apples were good quality, and as long as there weren't too many of them, they wouldn't do much damage.
And if they ever did become too numerous…
Well, Naoki figured he could just assign their capture to one of the young trainers visiting the ranch for a Hero Trial challenge.
After checking the orchard, he made his way to the Wooloo pasture.
The flock of Wooloo lounged happily on the hillside, munching on grass and soaking up the sunlight.
Just watching them made Naoki feel more relaxed. Their calm, fluffy presence always brought a smile to his face.
He stayed there a while before hearing a familiar voice call from the distance.
"Lunch is ready!"
Naoki stood and turned to Koraidon. "Come on, let's head back!"
"Raoo!" the Pokémon replied eagerly, trotting after him.
By the time they got back home, Indeedee had already set the table, with dishes steaming and ready.
The table was full of food, and it all looked incredible.
Iono beamed with pride. "Well? Indeedee and I made it together!"
"Aya~!" chirped the younger Indeedee, clearly proud of her contribution.
Steamed fish, crispy pork cutlets, spicy Mapo Tofu, cucumber salad, shrimp egg custard… the table was packed.
Naoki didn't hesitate to give them a big thumbs-up. "This is amazing!"
Iono laughed. "Right? Quick, call the others in for lunch! I even made special milk treats for Pawmot and Eeveelutions!"
Just as she was grinning, her expression suddenly changed. A wave of nausea hit her, and she instinctively covered her mouth.
"Huh?" she mumbled.
Pawmot and Bellibolt, who were waiting eagerly beside the table, looked up in surprise.
Naoki's brows furrowed. He quickly stepped forward and patted her back gently.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling sick? Did this morning's work wear you out? You should've let me handle it all."
After a while, the nauseous feeling gradually subsided, but Iono still looked a little pale and tired.
"I don't know what's going on lately…" she murmured.
Hearing this, Koraidon's eyes widened slightly. Something clicked in its mind.
It turned and cast a meaningful glance at Iono's belly.
"Agaa…"
Naoki caught the look and quickly pieced it together. His expression tensed for a moment, but he gently helped Iono sit down.
"Let's go to the clinic for a check-up after lunch," he said, trying to stay calm. "Are you feeling any better? If nothing on the table looks appetizing, I'll make you something else."
Iono gave a sheepish little smile. "Then… I want boiled fish."
Naoki smiled back. "Coming right up."
He turned to Pawmot and Koraidon. "You two go ahead and eat. Don't wait for me."
He rushed into the kitchen, pulled out the fresh fish he'd bought that morning from the market, and got to work.
Back at the table, Iono sat quietly, gently resting a hand on her stomach, a look of wonder in her eyes.
Could I really be…?
The Pokémon nearby began to pick up on the mood. Their eyes turned toward her, a spark of realization spreading among them.
The younger Indeedee clapped its hands with joy. "Aiya~!"
It seemed to sense it too, a new life might soon join their little family.
Koraidon's eyes gleamed with hope.
Could it really be… a little master?
The memory of the past welled up—of the child that once held its tail and asked, "When will you come back?"
Now, Koraidon thought, heart swelling with warmth—
It wanted to answer that question at last:
"I'm back."
Pawmot looked up, full of curiosity. It had a father and mother, too, so it understood what it meant to have a baby.
Naoki was going to have a child. 'Would they be able to grow up and be good friends, just like in Warm Slugma House?'
"Bamo!" Pawmot squeaked excitedly. It couldn't wait! They could play hide-and-seek together someday!
Naoki quickly finished preparing the boiled fish. After lunch, he handed ranch duties over to the Indeedee siblings, then drove off with Iono to Kosaji Town Hospital, accompanied by Koraidon and Cyclizar.
At the hospital, the doctor was briefly startled by Koraidon's imposing presence. But after understanding the reason for their visit, he calmly began the examination.
Soon, the results came out.
"Congratulations," the doctor said with a warm smile. "You're going to be parents. She's pregnant."
Naoki felt like thunder had struck him on the spot.
What? She's really pregnant…
That meant… he was going to be a father?!
He imagined a little child gripping his hand and calling him "Daddy" in a sweet, soft voice. Tears welled up in his eyes.
This was incredible.
"Make sure she rests well when you return," the doctor advised. "Avoid overworking, and focus on balanced nutrition so the baby can grow up healthy."
"Got it!" Naoki nodded rapidly. On the way back, he told Iono, "Starting today, you're on full rest! No more gym battles. Call Geeta and request maternity leave!"
Iono was still excited herself, but seeing Naoki getting so worked up left her at a loss. "You're really overreacting."
"The doctor said it clearly," Naoki insisted. "Rest is important. The flight from Levincia to Kosaji Town is long, and Dragonite flies fast. What if the turbulence makes you sick?"
"I'm not that fragile…" Iono mumbled, but she was starting to second-guess herself.
"You still need to be cautious," Naoki said, already pulling out his Rotom Phone to call Geeta.
When Geeta picked up and heard the news, her voice turned bright and cheerful. "Congratulations!"
But after a pause, she added, "That said… if the Levincia Gym is closed for too long, it may affect this year's League schedule."
Her voice was tinged with concern.
This year, the Paldea League had undergone reforms. For the first time, it was holding an official tournament like those in other regions, where trainers who collected all eight badges would face off in a final competition to crown the strongest.
And now, one of the core Gyms was at risk of shutting down temporarily.
...
Bonus Chapter.
Stones PlZzz