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I'm saying——I'm planning to confess to Sailor today, do you believe it or not?
Indeedee gulped, asking in a drifting tone.
Sailor, who had just returned from fishing, paused mid-step and looked at Indeedee holding a bouquet.
Sailor frowned, sensing that things weren't so simple. It scratched its head, unable to help but reflect on every little moment it had shared with Indeedee recently.
"Rattata——"
Have I really gotten that close to it?
Sailor thought in disbelief.
"Alright, stop making excuses. The bouquet is confiscated." Ron reached for the flowers in Indeedee's hands. "Otherwise, if this bouquet doesn't end up in Sailor's hands, I'll make you share a room with Sailor."
"Rattata?!" Sailor, standing behind the two, froze completely.
Sailor hadn't originally known what a bouquet meant, but Willy's wildly associative mind—one idea leading to another—had gone from talking about the Mermaid Pendant to immediately educating Sailor on the significance of a bouquet in Pelican Town.
And enthusiastically encouraging Sailor to experience life to the fullest, while promoting fine cultural traditions—by giving a beautiful bouquet to a pretty Rattata lady!
"——" Sailor backed up several steps, then turned and fled clutching its fishing rod.
"Indeedee." Indeedee reluctantly handed the bouquet over to Ron.
200g wasn't a small amount for Indeedee either! That was two days' worth of pocket money!
And just like that, it went down the drain!
Having confiscated the bouquet, Ron found a chest to store it in.
Penny was still touring the Berry Tree orchard with the kids.
After closing the lid of the chest, Ron couldn't help but ponder for a moment.
This matter had never been in Ron's future plans.
Although it was only natural that this kind of thing should come up at some point, because there was simply too much to do right now, he had never considered anything related to this.
Seeing the bouquet now, along with the conflicted Indeedee over there, Ron fell into a brief contemplation.
In the woods over there, Jas held Penny's hand.
Her hands were warm again. Jas tilted her head up, looking at Penny. "Teacher, did you receive some good news just now?"
"Me?" Penny thought about it. "Neither good nor bad news?"
"So that means Brother Ron doesn't have anyone he likes for now?" Jas's bold statement made Penny cough repeatedly.
"——Why are you always worrying about these things?" Vincent, standing to the side, couldn't help but say. "What does it have to do with you?"
"It has nothing to do with you either way," Jas said. "Even if Ron doesn't choose Teacher Penny, Teacher Penny has nothing to do with you!"
Hearing this, afraid of hurting Penny's feelings, Jas quickly glanced at Penny and corrected herself. "Ron will choose Teacher Penny! I can be Teacher Penny's love advisor!"
"Cough, cough, wait, wait." Penny interrupted Jas. "Alright, dear, stop thinking about this. This isn't something someone your age should be worrying about."
"But I've watched a lot of TV dramas! I think I have enough——"
"Then that means Marnie needs to review what programs you watch every day." Penny rubbed Jas's head. "Alright, thank you for caring about me."
"You're welcome, Teacher~~"
The group came out of the Berry Tree orchard. Ron was still crouching in front of the chest, deep in thought. Hearing Penny approaching, he immediately stood up.
"Done looking around? Shall I take you to Ginger Island for a tour?"
"Okay~"
"Yay!"
"——Sure."
Leo thought for a moment and added, "Then let me show you around properly over there."
Jas cheered.
Meanwhile, Sailor.
Sailor was currently holding its fishing rod, pondering its recent interactions with Indeedee.
That shouldn't be right. Really shouldn't be right.
"What are you thinking about?" Willy took a puff of his pipe and exhaled the smoke. Seeing Sailor looking deep in thought, he couldn't help but ask.
"Rattata." Sailor shook its head, then added: "Rattata." (The troubles of being too popular—you wouldn't understand.)
——
Sailor thought with a deep expression.
"——Hmm?" Willy studied Sailor for a moment, but had no intention of pressing further. After all, he himself had plenty of secrets he didn't want anyone to know, let alone Sailor.
Thinking this, he held his pipe out toward Sailor.
"Want to try? It can get rid of your worries."
"Rattata?" Sailor looked up at Willy. Out of trust for Willy, it took a fierce puff from the pipe, mimicking Willy's manner.
"Rattata?!!! Rattata, Rattata."
Sailor spat frantically, trying to expel the bitter, choking smoke from its mouth. But because it moved too fast, the smoke got into its nose instead, causing two plumes of smoke to shoot out of its nostrils.
Beside them, Krabby sympathetically patted Sailor's shoulder and offered a few words of comfort.
It had been through this too! It had choked so badly it was foaming at the mouth. Back then, Pelican Town didn't have a Pokémon Center, which terrified Willy so much he swore an oath he'd never do that again.
Hearing this, Sailor scrambled to its feet and stared at Willy with righteous indignation.
"See, the effect is pretty good, isn't it? You forgot all about your worries in an instant."
"Rattata!!"
"Hahaha." Willy laughed, then remembered something else. "By the way, there's a Trout Derby next week. Are you going to participate?"
"Rattata?"
Willy briefly explained the rules of the Fishing Derby.
It had been discontinued for some time, but had recently been brought back. Rather than showing off his own skills, Willy actually wanted Sailor to make an appearance.
"Rattata?"
"Let them know you should never underestimate a sailor!" Willy said.
Sailor tilted its head, thought about it, and agreed.
Meanwhile, after returning from Ginger Island and saying goodbye to Ron, Penny dropped the kids off at home.
It was already getting late, so Pam was already home.
"You're back?" Pam's eyes scrutinized Penny. Seeing nothing extra on her, she fell silent.
"Yeah, I'm back."
Penny hung her hat on the coat rack.
"In that case——how about you try getting to know some other boys? I remember you used to——"
"It was Indeedee who bought the bouquet itself," Penny said. "It has nothing to do with Ron."
"He told you that?"
Penny shook her head upon hearing this.
"Sigh——" Seeing this, Pam wasn't sure whether Penny was deceiving herself or if there was actually some truth to it. After a moment, she changed her approach. "Then is Indeedee planning to confess to someone?"
"Uh——" Seeing Pam's expression, Penny quickly realized what she was worried about. To prevent Pam from overthinking, Penny had to sacrifice Indeedee's reputation.
So she thought for a moment and said, "I think it's... Sailor."
"Sailor?"
Meanwhile, Indeedee was cooking in the kitchen. It had just placed a plate next to Sailor when it saw Sailor jump up as if seeing a ghost.
Knowing from Sailor's inner thoughts that it had misunderstood something, Indeedee was just about to explain when Sailor grabbed its dinner and fled in a flash.
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