In Natsume’s memory, Ogerpon seemed to be a Grass-type legendary Pokémon, capable of ging its type and battle style by equipping different masks.

  It was likely categorized as a mythical Pokémon, though he wasirely sure.

  Still, because of its adorable design, Natsume felt it must be a mythical Pokémon.

  In a northern vilge infamous among pyers for its hostile NPCs, Ogerpon was known as "the ghost."

  But in truth, it was just a poor child whose masks had been stolen.

  Its masks were taken by three Pokémon, and although it fought to retrieve them, it was reviled as an evil Pokémon.

  The thieves, oher hand, were hailed as guardians of the vilge and affeately called “Pokémon panions.”

  This was Natsume's impression of Ogerpon.

  He also had a lingering question from the story:

  If Ogerpon had defeated all three Pokémon on its own ter, how did it get bullied in the first pce?

  But after thinking about it, he realized that the oute of battles isn’t just about strength—it’s also influenced by mi and enviro.

  It was like a certain warrior from Fallen Hibiscus King. Strong as they were, they often got outpyed by weaker oppos.

  Imagine a beginner Naruto pyer entering a petitive match with high-tier characters like Kizaru, only to get boed into submission by a seasoned oppo.

  Ending up frustrated was only natural.

  Ogerpon’s case might have been simir. At first, it didn’t want to fight, which left it vulnerable to bullying. But os emotioed, it wiped the floor with those bullies.

  Of course, that was the inal story.

  What the current Ogerpon’s situation was, Natsume had no idea.

  “Left one for me, huh.”

  Looking at the gss marble in his hand, Natsume couldn’t help but chuckle.

  The little Pokémon must have thought something like, “Paying to avoid trouble” or “I’ll leave one, so don’t get mad.”

  Before running off, it had left him a single gss marble.

  For Natsume, these weren’t particurly valuable items.

  Even if Ogerpon had taken them all, he wouldn’t have minded.

  But si left one behind, he decided to keep it properly.

  sider it a parting gift, maybe?

  “Even though it’s teically mio begin with.”

  Shaking his head with a smile, Natsume turo his panions following behind him.

  “Alright, everyoime to head back to bed.”

  “We’ve got things to do tomorrow m.”

  g his hands, he signaled his Pokémon to return home.

  Despite the interruption making him feel wide awake, he believed in maintaining proper rest.

  Even if sleep wasn’t ing, lying in bed aing was important.

  This was one of Natsume’s long-held principles.

  “Oh, and Corvisquire.”

  “Caw?”

  “Good thing you didn’t chase after it earlier.”

  As a legendary Pokémon, Ogerpon—even if it wasn’t in the mood for a fight and only focused on fleeing—might retaliate if pushed into a er.

  If it had retaliated with a move like Ivy Cudgel, Corvisquire might have ended up demonstrating its ability to fall asleep on the spot.

  Young ones sure have it easy—instant sleep.

  “Caw?”

  Tilting its head, Corvisquire didn’t quite uand.

  What do you mean it’s a good thing I didn’t chase? Were you worried my strength might scare that Pokémon?

  I see. From now on, I’ll o restrain myself.

  Corvisquire's thoughts had already wandered far. It was imagining sarios of entering an anime world, strategizing how to achieve a perfect, storybook ending.

  Perhaps those who liked novels and anime all had this ability to multitask—responding outwardly while p plots in their heads.

  Under Natsume’s guidahe Pokémouro their respective rooms.

  After pg the gss marble into a drawer, Natsume prepared to return to bed.

  “Bun-Bun.”

  The Buneary naturally climbed onto a nearby reer, seemingly intending to sleep there from now on.

  Persian carried its cushion into Natsume’s room, settled into a er, and sprawled on it.

  Thankfully, Natsume’s room acious enough. Even if two more Persian joihere’d still be space.

  Feels like my room’s going to fill up with Pokémon iure, Natsume thought as he y in bed, stroking Persian's head.

  At least he was gd he was a quiet sleeper—no sleepwalking or sn.

  Even if his Pokémon didn’t mind, Natsume still cared about his image.

  ---

  Meanwhile, Ogerpon—clutg its spoils—ran all the way to a wild, rown field. It found its destination and dove headlong into it.

  The hidden cave seemed naturally formed, devoid of human interference.

  Deep in the cave, Ogerpon finally let out a sigh of relief.

  Then it gazed at its gss marbles with urained joy.

  Even in the dark, its eyes sparkled like jewels.

  “Mm-hmm!”

  Pying with the marbles, Ogerpon hummed in delight.

  Carefully, it stashed them away with its other treasures—objects it had worked hard to collect.

  Of course, they were all items nobody wanted. If someone did, Ogerpon wouldn’t take them.

  After all, Ogerpon sidered itself a good child.

  It plopped down on its makeshift bed of grass and rags.

  Though it told itself to sleep, its mind wandered.

  Unbidden, it thought of the human it had met earlier.

  “Mm-hmm…”

  I left one for him before leaving. He shouldn’t be mad, right?

  But what if he is? Should I return it?

  But I don’t want to… And he didn’t chase me.

  He probably isn’t mad… right?

  And he didn’t seem to dislike me. Was I mistaken? Everyone usually hates me…

  No, I don’t think I was wrong. He doesn’t dislike me… Does he?

  Tossing and turning, Ogerpoually drifted into an uneasy sleep.

  At the same time, it made a decision.

  The day after tomorrow—no, tomorrow. I’ll go see him again.

  He shouldn’t dislike me. Probably…

  ---

  The M—

  “Bun~!”

  M!~

  “Mi?!?!”

  Seeing the disheveled, bed-headed Buneary emerge from Natsume’s room, the Mino froze in shock.

  Did something unthinkable happen st night?!

  When Natsume came out to wash up, he found Mino holding onto Buneary protectively, eyeing him warily.

  “…?”

  What… just happened?

  Gcell