"Chirrr~"

  With tiny paws csped nervously in front of its chest, the shiny Furret lowered its head, sneaking g Natsume from time to time, as though trying to gauge his rea. If Natsume showed the slightest displeasure or furrowed his brows, the poor Pokémon might decide to leave on its own.

  But to the Furret’s relief, Natsume’s expression remained calm and kind throughout. No signs of irritation or reje could be found.

  "I see. I uand now," Natsume said after listening to Sandshrew’s expnation. "Thank you, Sandshrew."

  The situation was simple, and unfortunately, all too on for shiny Pokémon. This pink Furret, with its unusual coloration, had been ostracized and bullied by its peers simply for being different.

  Although humans might find the pink “living body pillow” incredibly cute, within its own species, being shi being abnormal—a reason for exclusion.

  Thus, the youret had been forced to leave its home, embarking on a lonely journey of exile. Who knows how far it wandered before evolving into Furret aually settling on Natsume’s farm?

  Apparently, it had arrived on the very first night Natsume moved in—his first ued “tenant.”

  Truthfully, it was a bit of a surprise.

  Looking at the visibly tense Furret, Natsume spoke softly, "Hello, Furret. I’m the owner of this farm. Sandshrew must have already told you about me, right?"

  The Furret nodded quickly, indig it was well aware of Natsume—the kind person who provided delicious food. When introdug Natsume, Sandshrew had struggled to find the right words, eventually settling on, “A really good person who gives tasty things to eat.”

  Though the description was vague, it hit all the right notes for Furret.

  For a wild Pokémon, food aramount. Questions like "Is this person nice?" or "Will they make me battle?" could only be sidered oheir stomach was full.

  As the saying goes: "Only when the granaries are full do people leariquette." Simirly, Furret only he promise of food to decide to join the farm. That, coupled with Sandshrew’s reassurahat Natsume wouldn’t force it into battles, sealed the deal.

  "I won’t say much more. Would you like to bey panion?" Natsume asked gently. "I’m not a Trainer, so you won’t have to fight, but you’ll o help out around the farm."

  Before Natsume could finish his sentence, Furret’s head bobbed up and down like a metronome. If there had been a Poké Ball in front of it, the Furret would have eagerly spped it, happily itself to Natsume.

  A boss who offers food, shelter, and no mandatory battles?

  Let’s put it this way: Imagine your boss telling you, "From now on, you’ll work at the same level as a CEO. Just show up, and we’ll provide you with a house and a car—both in your name. Meals are free, and your workload is minimal. You might just sweep the office or walk around occasionally."

  To someone like Natsume in his past life, this sario would have been too good to even dream about.

  But now, Furret could proudly say, "Your wildest dreams? I’m living them!"

  "Here you go."

  Natsume pced a Poké Ball in front of the Furret.

  "Chirrr!"

  The Furret’s eyes lit up. It immediately spped the Poké Ball, entering it in a fsh of red light. The ball wobbled twice before log in pce.

  "e on out, Furret," Natsume said after the capture was plete. He gently released the Furret and carefully beled its Poké Ball, ready to store it on the shelf ter.

  Initially, Natsume had po dedicate aire room tanizing his Poké Balls, knowing he’d likely befriend many Pokémoime. But for now, a simple shelf would suffice.

  After all, big goals are achieved step by step—just like marriage es after dating.

  "Chirrr~"

  The newly released Furret swayed slightly befazing at Natsume with sparkling eyes. Its small paws csped at its chest, its hopeful iions as clear as day.

  Uanding the Pokémon’s feelings, Natsume smiled and opened his arms.

  Seeing this, Furret squealed with excitement a into Natsume’s embrauzzling its soft, pink head against his like an affeate puppy.

  "There, there."

  As Natsume stroked Furret’s head, a smile naturally spread across his face. Spending time with Pokémon always lifted his spirits.

  And speaking of Furret—it had the perfect texture for a body pillow. Long, soft, and incredibly warm. A natural body pillow, really. Though it might be a bit much for summer use...

  Meanwhile, Sandshrew crossed its arms, exuding the air of a “seasoned senior.” As the first Pokémon Natsume met on the farm, Sandshrew felt a deep sense of pride.

  Sure, Furret, you may be cuddling with Natsume now, Sandshrew thought. But when you’re busy snuggling, I’m out there helping him capture more Pokémon. That’s the power of being a senior Pokémon!

  Notig Sandshrew’s smug expression, Natsume chuckled. He reached out to ruffle Sandshrew’s head and slipped two Ground-type energy cubes into its paws.

  In an instant, Sandshrew’s “mature and posed” demeanor vanished, repced by pure delight as it munched on the cubes.

  "Ag all grown-up, huh?" Natsume teased. "You’re still just a kid. Do you know how many adults would love to be ye again?"

  In the er, a Buneary peeked out, tugging on a handkerchief it had somehow found. Its face was filled with envy, a cartoonishly dramatic se only g the signature wavy, seaweed-shaped tears of a manga character.

  For the first time, Buneary had found a Trai truly liked—a home it wao settle into.

  But why did it turn out like this?

  I was here first. I haven’t even hugged Natsume yet!

  Buneary could only stew in its jealousy, feeling pletely left out.

  Beside it, a Mino gently patted Buneary on the back. Though it didn’t quite uand the situation, it decided that a smile and a f gesture were the safest responses.

  Gcell