In Corvisquire’s memory, it had once been young and brash.

  Especially after Natsume painted a vivid picture of its bright future, Corvisquire had been brimming with fidence, certain it would one day reign supreme.

  Then, it got k by Persian.

  With a swipe of its cws, Persian made it clear who held the sed spot in the household hierarchy.

  First pce, of course, beloo Natsume.

  Refleg on its pain and humiliation, Rookidee realized that it simply hadn’t "honed" itself enough.

  After a period of self-refle, it challenged Persian again.

  And lost.

  A few more defeats ter, Rookidee finally saw the light: as things stood, it had no hope of defeating Persian. It decided to go bad "hoself further.

  Now, as Corvisquire, it felt ready! Just a few more days of "honing," and it would challenge Persian for that coveted sed-pce spot!

  Flying beside Natsume, Corvisquire tried to keep a low profile, but it couldn't help sneaking g Persian.

  Its iions were written all over its face.

  “Meow,” Persian yawned, stretg luxuriously.

  Is this our new home?

  Mino's eyes sparkled as it gazed at the two-story house.

  Such a big house! There must be so many pces to !

  Just imagining it filled Mino with boundless energy.

  Beside it, Buneary stared curiously at the house.

  So this is where we’ll live with Natsume from now on? It looks pretty nice. Just thinking about it made Buneary feel happy.

  “Meow.”

  Persian stretched, arg its batil its entire body was taut. It let out a long yawn before padding gracefully toward the stairs.

  It was sleepy and ready for a nap. After all, cats are noal creatures.

  Butterfree and Corvisquire also retired to rest.

  Butterfree had its own room on the sed floor, while Corvisquire had a small per the rooftop. Though, o evolved into Corviknight, it would probably o move outside.

  At over two meters tall, Corviknight would clearly be te for the house.

  Besides, Natsume's Corvisquire was already bulkier than its peers. O evolved, its size would undoubtedly be even more impressive.

  It seemed likely that Natsume would eventually build a bigger house—but for now, that pn was still just a thought, not something to mention to Buneary and the others.

  “Mi-mi!”

  Mino darted around the house, poking its o every nook and y.

  With Natsume’s permission, it zipped through the rooms, occasionally popping out from ued ers.

  As Natsume unpacked, he couldn’t help but notice the little Pokémon’s expression gradually shift from joy to stern seriousness.

  Occasionally, Mino would pause and turn back, giving Natsume a sharp look.

  It was as if to ask, Are you sure you actually ed this pce?

  That look made Natsume a little self-scious.

  He’d tried to , hadn’t he? Maybe he’d cut a er or two, but overall, he’d done a det job... right?

  As everyone knows, a guy’s room is always messy but ruly dirty.

  But for Mino...

  What was this hell oh?!

  After its iion, Mino sched its little fa disapproval, looking as if it couldn’t bear the sight.

  It cluded that while the house had teically been ed, it wasn’t ed properly.

  It was almost as if someone had iionally left a few dirty spots just to show how messy it had been before.

  What might pass unnoticed by a big, burly boy stood out gringly to the sharp eyes of Mino.

  “Mi-mi!”

  Rolling up its metaphorical sleeves, the little Pokémon was ready to go. Behind it, fmes of determination seemed to flicker.

  Not just behind—it almost seemed to have fire in its eyes, too.

  “How about we leave it for tomorrow?” Natsume suggested. “It’s getting te.”

  Mino ftly refused.

  It gestured with its little paws, saying Natsume should focus on his own tasks—ing was now its responsibility.

  Watd learn!

  Seeing the spirited little Pokémon flit around with a determined "Mi-mi," Natsume couldn’t help but smile.

  “Then I’ll leave it to you.”

  “Mi~” Leave it to me!

  It waved a paw fidently and marched into the living room, as grandly as an a general heading to war.

  ---

  In the misty warmth of the bathroom, Natsume’s figure was blurred by steam.

  Hot water flowed down his well-toned frame.

  “I’ll o repair the farm’s perimeter fences soon.”

  “And the warehouse—it’s pletely falling apart.”

  “The mae for making PokéBlocks arrived this m. I’ll start using it tomorrow.”

  “That’ll also help replenish our supplies.”

  As he pnned out his steps, Natsume realized his life was about to get very busy.

  Well, that was expected for a fledgling farm.

  “Bun?”

  When Natsume emerged, Buneary was standing nearby, proudly holding a blow dryer like a trophy.

  It seemed to have been waiting for him.

  “Thanks, Buneary.”

  “Bun~” No problem! Need help drying your hair?

  Buneary scrambled onto a nearby table, looking at Natsume with eager anticipation.

  “No need.”

  Despite Buneary's hopeful gaze, Natsume gently deed.

  Bl a guy’s hair is quick work.

  Besides, if he gave in now, he might start relying ooo much.

  Natsume had no iion of being one of those famously pampered humans, utterly spoiled by their Pokémon.

  “Bun...”

  Though a little disappointed, Buneary's ears twitched, and it accepted Natsume’s refusal without fuss.

  This made Natsume breathe a sigh of relief.

  While he could be firm with outsiders, it was much harder to turn down his own Pokémon.

  He just wasn’t cut out to py the role of the strict parent.

  After drying his hair, Natsume was ready for bed but noticed Buneary trailing behind him.

  “You’re not going to your own room?”

  “Bun!”

  Buneary shook its head and climbed onto a nearby beanbag chair, patting the cushion. It clearly wao sleep there.

  “Alright. Goodnight, Buneary.”

  “Bun~” Goodnight, Natsume.

  With a soft click, the room lights went out.

  Outside, the world was just as quiet, the sun having long dipped below the horizon.

  Except...

  Rustle, rustle.

  In a bush not far from the house, something stirred.

  It seemed a wild Pokémon was lurking nearby.

  Gcell