"I don't have a pho," Naoki admitted sheepishly.

  Dr. Olim was taken aback, then her gaze swept over the ranch's modest surroundings. It was clear that Naoki was just starting out and, judging by his clothes and living ditions, life was a bit of a struggle for him.

  Uanding the situation, Dr. Olim didn't press the issue. She simply said she would return iernoon a with Arven.

  Naoki watched them go, puzzled. When they were out of sight, he turo Koraidon, who had been hiding behind the door, peeking out nervously.

  Naoki let out a sigh of relief. "They're gone," he said with a smile.

  "Kora." Koraidon emerged from its hiding spot and nuzzled against Naoki affeately, nearly purring with te.

  Seeing its rea, Naoki chuckled. "Do you like me that much?" It had only been a few weeks sihey met.

  Koraidon opes eyes, beaming with joy, and began lig Naoki's fathusiastically.

  Naoki was no longer afraid of Koraidon's dispys of affe. He k meant no harm. He wiped the saliva off his fad stood up, gazing at the growing crops in the field. He took a deep breath, feeling a sense of calm and te.

  Dr. Olim had said she would return iernoon, so his prip to Casseroya Lake would have to wait.

  Cyclizar was chasing butterflies again, aapod was still a few days away from evolving into Butterfree. Smoliv was basking in the sun on the windowsill, and Alcremie was resting in its cupboard home.

  With some free time on his hands, Naoki decided to che the mushroom cultivation kits in the cave behind the house, taking Koraidon with him.

  As they ehe cave, a wave of cool air washed over them. Rows of mushroom cultivation kits lihe walls, and tiny mushrooms had already begun to sprout.

  Naoki moved closer to examihem, using his ability to check their information.

  [Tiny Mushroom: A small mushroom that grows wild in mountains and forests. Very rare and be used in dishes or sold. Quite popur amoaihusiasts and fetch a high price.]

  "Really?" Naoki was surprised.

  If he remembered correctly, these Tiny Mushrooms were valuable items in the game, worth 500 Pokédolrs each if sold. They were far more valuable than eggs.

  In addition to Tiny Mushrooms, there were also Big Mushrooms and Balm Mushrooms, which could be sold for 5,000 and 15,000 Pokédolrs respectively.

  Balm Mushrooms were said to be so rare that they made the surrounding area fragrant. They were more ofteo make expensive perfumes for wealthy tele than for cooking.

  Unfortunately, there were no signs of them in the mushroom cultivation kit. Apart from two Tiny Mushrooms, only ordinary mushrooms remained.

  But Naoki was still pleased. Mushrooms grew quickly, which meant he could sell these Tiny Mushrooms in a few days and add 1,000 Pokédolrs to his savings.

  After cheg on the mushrooms' progress, Naoki, seeing it was still early, decided to explore the back mountains with Koraidon.

  pared to their st visit, the back mountains were rgely unged. The area was mainly inhabited by small, docile Bug and Grass-type Pokémon, who fled deeper into the forest at the sight of Koraidon.

  Naoki didn't pursue them. Instead, he and Koraidon followed the river that flowed through the ranch, hoping to enter some Water-type Pokémon that could help with irrigation.

  Unfortunately, the only Water-type Pokémon they found were Magikarp and Feebas.

  "It looks like I'll have to find Water-type Pokémon at Casseroya Lake," Naoki sighed, disappointed.

  Before he k, it was noon.

  Naoki and Koraidon, having found nothing of i, looked up at the sun and decided to head back to the ranch.

  Before leaving, Koraidon leaned down and gave a pyful bark, "Kora-hi!"

  Naoki, assuming it wao carry him, hopped onto its back.

  But as he settled in, Koraidon transformed. Its long frill unfurled into wings, and with a powerful thrust from its hind legs, it soared into the air.

  "Whoa!" Naoki yelped, ging tightly to Koraidon's neck as the ground shrank below. "You fly?!"

  Koraido out a gleeful cry. "Gaa-hiiss!!"

  Naoki realized that this Koraidon hadn't yet experiehe territorial battle from the game, and it hadn't been injured. It could fly all along!

  After the initial shoaoki marveled at the sensation of flight. Koraidon didn't fly too high, allowing Naoki to take in the breathtaking sery below: vast forests, green mountains, the ranch, Mesagoza, and the endless Paldearetg out into the horizon.

  The wind whipped through his hair, filling him with exhiration. This was amazing!

  Later that afternoon, Dr. Olimand Arveuro the ranch.

  Dr. Olim directed a man in a blue uniform and work clothes. "Right here," she said.

  Naoki looked at them, puzzled. "What's this?"

  Dr. Olim chuckled. "This is the test videophone, installed by the b. You use it to tact me anytime. sider it a thank you for taking care of Koraidon."

  Naoki realized Dr. Olim's iion. She wao learn more about Koraidon's behavior and habits through him.

  He had no objes. In fact, he was happy to help.

  The videophone was installed near his bed, right o the windowsill where the adorable Smoliv basked in the sun.

  O was set up, Dr. Olim expressed her gratitude. "Thank you so much for assisting us in studying Koraidon's behavior. You must really love Pokémon, don't you?"

  Naoki nodded, gng at Cyclizar and Koraidon. "They're intelligent, well-behaved, and full of innoce. I don't think anyone could dislike them."

  Dr. Olim smiled softly but didn't say anything further. She and Arven sooed, as there were still matters to attend to in Area Zero.

  Naoki watched them go, his mind repying the tragic fate that awaited Dr. Olim iure. She and her husband, Professor Turo, would one day perish in an explosion caused by an experimental act.