Pokémon: Farm Story

"The townspeople are really welcoming," Natsume muttered, stroking the Persian head resting on his lap as he sat on a public bench. A hint of unease lingered in his tone.

Everyone knows that the aunties at the village gates possess world-class intelligence-gathering abilities.

Although Natsume had only just arrived in the town of Lianshan and had spent most of his days on the farm, it didn't take long for his basic information to spread among the older locals.

What the uncles and aunties cared about, however, wasn't his Pokémon or their strength, nor his aspirations for the future.

What they really wanted to know was whether he planned to settle in Lianshan long-term, whether he lived alone, and most importantly: did he have a girlfriend?

That last question only became a hot topic after they had seen Natsume in person.

Some of the elderly, possibly old acquaintances of his distant relatives, even grabbed Natsume's hand and recounted stories about people he didn't know, finishing with heartfelt remarks:

"You've had a hard life, child."

"You seem like such a sensible young man."

"If you ever need anything, just come to Auntie!"

(Though that last line is best taken with a grain of salt.)

While Natsume wasn't one to completely sever ties with relatives, he found relying on himself to be far more reassuring when it came to unfamiliar people.

Besides, most of the time, Pokémon were more reliable than humans anyway. Loyal and kind—who wouldn't love adorable Pokémon with such virtues?

Take Gardevoir, for instance, a long-time champion on the "Most Desirable Pokémon to Marry" list.

Humanoid, beautiful, loyal, and protective of their trainers—how could anyone not adore them?

And not just Gardevoir. Even the regional variant, Hisuian Gardevoir, consistently ranks high on the list too.

Who wouldn't like a cute "little Southern lady"? (Ahem.)

"Purr~"

Persian, contentedly nestled on Natsume's lap, purred happily as he scratched behind its ears with practiced skill.

It hadn't understood a single word of what those humans were saying, but since Natsume didn't seem to mind, it stayed put.

As for Butterfree?

It had entered a blissful daydream mid-conversation.

Perhaps, Butterfree wondered, it had unintentionally learned the move Calm Mind.

Could this mean it actually had a hidden talent for psychic powers?

Still lost in its spiraling thoughts, Butterfree fluttered aimlessly beside them.

"Alright, time to find that contractor," Natsume said, snapping out of his own musings.

He playfully pinched the Persian's ears into various shapes before giving it a light tap on the head.

"Get up, lazybones."

Persian, unbothered by the gentle smack, stretched lazily and climbed off Natsume's lap. It had grown used to this kind of teasing over the years.

When it was just a little Meowth, back when Natsume was in his rebellious "brat phase," the two of them had shared a chaotic but inseparable bond.

Natsume, in his youth, wasn't exactly pleasant to be around, and the tiny Meowth had often found itself at the mercy of his antics.

But because Natsume was its trainer—and thus its source of food—it had learned to tolerate being posed in all sorts of silly positions.

Also, it couldn't win in a fight back then.

Young Natsume had once given Meowth an unforgettable lesson in dominance, using a well-executed sleeper hold to prove who was the boss of the house.

Ah, good times.

---

After following his phone's navigation, Natsume arrived at a shop labeled "Machamp Construction and Renovation Team (Material Wholesale)". He triple-checked to make sure he had the right place.

The storefront looked as if it hadn't been open for quite a while. Then again, so did most shops in town.

These stores seemed to open daily despite appearing perpetually out of business. It made Natsume wonder how they sustained themselves. Were they simply hobbies to pass the time?

"Mr. Natsume, welcome!"

Just as he was about to knock, the door swung open.

Out came a young woman with a somewhat shrewd expression, though her face was not unpleasant to look at. Behind her followed a crew of Machamp and Conkeldurr, all looking like seasoned construction workers.

A perfect lineup for a construction company.

Machamp, known for their obsessive fitness habits, saw brick-laying as just another form of exercise.

Meanwhile, the Conkeldurr line specialized in construction, embodying their love for building and crafting.

Anyone in construction usually owned at least one of each Pokémon.

"Hello, I'm Natsume," he said, shaking hands with the young woman and briefly explaining his farm's current state and his plans for it.

Although they had already discussed the project over the phone, face-to-face conversations often allowed for clearer communication.

He also had a few new ideas he wanted to share.

"No problem, boss! Leave it to me!" the woman declared, thumping her chest in a show of confidence.

The sound, oddly reminiscent of knocking on wood, wasn't quite as impactful as a Machamp's thump might have been.

But her enthusiasm was genuine.

---

Upon reaching the farm, the Machamp crew wasted no time unloading supplies and getting to work.

Watching the bustling construction scene, Natsume decided to fetch some water for them.

But as he approached the house, he noticed something unexpected by the door.

"Wait, are you saying you caught this little one for me?"

Natsume stared at the pink, adorable Pokémon standing beside Sandshrew, who was puffed up with pride.

So the meme about Pokémon taking the initiative to help trainers catch more Pokémon was real?

"Shrew, shrew!"

Nodding vigorously, Sandshrew dragged the pink Pokémon closer, as if urging it to introduce itself.

The pink Pokémon nervously glanced at Natsume, seemingly worried about whether it would be accepted.

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