My Pokémon Story of Seasons

"Really?" Tong Hua took the whistle, somewhat puzzled.

"Isn't the worm your old buddy? Why are you leaving it to me to take care of?"

Tong Hua looked at Grandpa Yang and read trust in his eyes.

"Always keeping it locked up here is the cruelest thing you can do to it."

"It's been much more energetic since we went out for a day together last time."

As Grandpa Yang spoke, he patted Tuotuo's head again, and Tuotuo rubbed affectionately against his palm, making a low "wom wom" sound.

"I'm old, but they can live a long time."

I hope that before I wither away, I can find someone worthy to entrust them to.

Tong Hua, you are that person.

Tong Hua felt a sudden tightness in her throat, and the whistle in her hand suddenly felt heavy.

I've only been here for less than a week, so what makes me worthy of such recognition?

"I……"

Tong Hua took a deep breath, then suddenly bowed deeply to the old man, saying, "I will definitely take good care of Tuotuo Yin!"

The grass turtle and the foam squirrel followed his example, one supporting himself on the ground with his vine whip and bowing his head, and the other pressing his big tail to the ground in a gesture of respect.

Grandpa Yang looked at Tong Hua with a smile. For some reason, he always felt a deep sense of identification with this young man.

It's as if they were born the same kind of people, both so trustworthy.

"well……"

When Tong Hua straightened up, she noticed that Grandpa Yang was staring into the distance, lost in thought.

Tong Hua followed his gaze and saw a thriving scene at the entire Sunshine Ranch.

……

For the next two hours, Tong Hua stayed at Sunshine Ranch, helping Grandpa Yang with many of the ranch's daily tasks.

For example, trimming the overgrown wool of Woolstaff, cutting the tangled vines of the Vine Monster, and collecting rock salt from the Saltstone Treasures in the Salt Hole...

Tong Hua followed Grandpa Yang around, learning various professional knowledge that she had never known in her previous life.

Tong Hua understood that Grandpa Yang intended to train her, and perhaps in the distant future, the entire Sunshine Ranch would be handed over to her to manage.

Tong Hua continued helping with the work while daydreaming...

Two hours later, after collecting the last olive oil from the Oliva, the daily work at Sunshine Ranch finally came to an end.

Tong Hua lay on the grass, resting with the grass turtle and the foam squirrel. After having lunch with the sandwiches they had brought, the three of them were filled with renewed energy.

Grandpa Yang came over with his cane and brought tea to Tong Hua and the two Pokémon.

Tuotuo was saying his final goodbyes on the ranch, knowing that once he left, he would probably rarely return.

"How could we trouble you!" Tong Hua quickly stood up and took the tea. The grass turtle and the foam squirrel followed suit and each took a cup of tea.

"Thank you." Tong Hua picked up the teacup and drank it all in one gulp.

The unique flavor of barley tea spreads in the mouth, with a rich roasted aroma.

Light and slightly sweet, smooth and refreshing.

"Is it good? This is my special recipe." Grandpa Yang smiled as he watched Tong Hua and the Pokémon enjoy their tea. "Thank you for your help."

"Not at all, it's not tiring at all." Tong Hua smiled, shook her head, and stood up.

"Then we should probably head out now."

Sweet Bamboo is still waiting for us at home.

Grandpa Yang saw Tong Hua and the three Pokémon to the door, just like he had seen them off a few days ago.

This time, however, Tuotuo is really leaving.

"Worm..." The worm looked at Grandpa Yang with reluctance, its arms formed from body hair opening up, wanting to give him one last hug.

"Why are you being so dramatic? It's not like we'll never see each other again..."

Go and work with Tong Hua to manage the ranch well. This time, you'll still be their senior.

Tong Hua understood the underlying meaning in Grandpa Yang's words; it seemed that more old friends from Sunshine Ranch would be joining Fairy Tale Ranch in the future.

……

Meanwhile, in the fairytale ranch.

After Tong Hua left with the grass turtle and the foam squirrel, only Sweet Bamboo and two Celebi remained at home.

"Ama ama!"

With everyone away, Sweet Bamboo was finally able to completely unleash her true nature.

She hopped and skipped merrily, twirling the leaves above her head and spreading her sweet fragrance across the field.

Although doing so would attract the attention of the nearby Mukes, it was precisely this feeling of being watched by everyone that Sweet Bamboo truly desired.

"Ama ama!"

Sweet bamboo frolics happily in the field, sometimes leaping up, sometimes spinning at high speed.

Before long, the treetops nearby were covered with more than a dozen Mukers.

"Hmm..."

They had been observing for a long time; the aroma of the sweet bamboo was constantly tempting them, making them lose their minds.

"Mmm!"

Finally, one of the Muke couldn't hold back any longer. Seeing that Sweet Bamboo seemed to be really alone, it flew straight over to her!

A layer of white light clung to its hard beak—a flash of lightning!

"Huh?" Sweet Bamboo sensed a hostile force and slowly looked up. Mukel had already rushed up to her!

"Oh my!"

Sweet Bamboo remained calm and leaped into the air! Her leaves spun rapidly, narrowly avoiding M'Kel's body!

Unable to brake, Muckle plunged straight into the ground and fell asleep immediately.

Looking at Sweet Bamboo again, her light and agile figure landed gracefully, as if she was already used to such sneak attacks.

His agile movements were completely different from the clumsy image he usually displayed in front of Tong Hua and others.

"Hmm..." Upon seeing this, the onlookers automatically dispersed.

"Wow!" Sweetie jumped up proudly. She loved the feeling of victory, having single-handedly driven away the bird Pokémon that coveted her.

Who would have thought that Sweet Bamboo, who seems so simple and only knows how to smile, has this side to her?

However, only the shrine maidens who happened to be tending the fields nearby knew about this...

Not long after, Tong Hua, the grass turtle, and the foam squirrel returned riding on a worm.

"So..."

Tong Hua jumped off the worm and turned around, speaking in a serious tone.

"Welcome to Fairy Tale Ranch, Tuotuo Earthworm."

"Worm!"

The worm let out a low chirp and stood outside the pasture, re-examining its future new home.

It seems like nothing has changed since the last time I came...

It's still so quiet and peaceful, and there's so much red clay that looks delicious...

The worm slowly lowered its body and gently touched the land of the fairytale ranch with its arms made of body hair.

Really fragrant!

"Gamega me!" "Terrible!"

The grass turtle and the foam squirrel also jumped down after Tong Hua, smiling and welcoming the worm.

"We're family now, come in quickly, let me find you a place to sleep tonight."

Tong Hua led Tuo Tuo Yin towards the grassland, and Tuo Tuo Yin then put Tong Hua and the others back on its back.

It's still faster to walk like this.

Tong Hua readily accepted, as using worms as a means of transportation would be the most efficient option until roads were built on the ranch.

As the group passed by the fields behind the wooden house, Sweet Bamboo and the Silavis ran over.

"La beep!"

Two Celebi snuggled up to Tong Hua and rubbed against her cheeks. The sandwiches Tong Hua had saved for them for lunch tasted good, but the portions were a bit small.

Both little ones are gluttons; the first thing they did when Tong Hua returned was to pester her for food.

Tong Hua instantly understood the two Celebi's intentions and reluctantly agreed.

"Alright, alright, then let me give you some tree fruit first." Tong Hua took out a blue orange from his pocket, and the two Celebi quickly took it and started tasting it.

"Ah, ah, ah!" Sweet Bamboo also jumped up and gently landed in front of Tong Hua.

"Thank you for watching over the house. Here, have one too."

Tong Hua smiled and patted the round head of the sweet bamboo, which immediately turned its leaves on top happily, emitting a sweet fragrance.

"As expected, Pokémon with beady eyes are the cutest, so adorable, hehe..."

"Terrifying?"

Tong Hua's words immediately drew the attention of the foam squirrel beside her, who seemed to be jealous...

Tong Hua then realized what she had said and quickly waved her hand to explain, "Oh no, I meant... every Pokémon has its own unique charm! Like the Foam Squirrel, it's so cute and fluffy!"

Unfortunately, it's too late to make amends now. The foam squirrel puffed out its cheeks, its fluffy tail sweeping across Tong Hua as if cleaning something dirty.

"It tickles! Haha, stop scratching the foam squirrel..."

Amidst laughter and cheers, Tuotuo deliberately slowed down, carrying the whole family slowly towards the grassland.