Haley huffed.
She didn't know why the thought had suddenly surfaced. Maybe because summer had just ended, and she had nothing to do.
It seemed like everyone in Pelican Town had found their purpose—only she and Alex remained adrift.
No. At least Alex ran an ice cream stand every summer.
But her? She had no idea what she could do.
In her old dreams, maybe she'd become a model in Zuzu City.
Sighing, she crouched to pick up scattered trash, tossed it into the bin, and retreated to her bedroom.
"If you truly can't find anything to do… want to be my fashion model?" Emily asked.
"Model?"
"Mm." Emily nodded, pulling out nearby gems and design sketches. "Something like this—for performance wear."
Earlier that afternoon, Abigail had called her from the Pokémon Center. Since Contests required different costumes—and Abigail wanted something unique, not generic dresses, yet custom outfits in Kalos were shockingly expensive—Emily immediately thought of her own designer dreams.
Haley leaned over the sketches, then pouted. "I don't like this style. I prefer dresses—glamorous, elaborate dresses."
"This is for Abigail," Emily said, chin in hand. "I was just wondering… could I become a designer in Kalos?"
Her dream had always been to be a seamstress—one who crafted custom clothes for countless people. Pelican Town alone wasn't enough.
"Of course, I'd just sell the clothes there," Emily clarified. She loved Pelican Town. She had no desire to leave. Too many people and things tied her here—even Gus's saloon worried her. Without her, it would've fallen into chaos long ago.
"So?" Haley sat across from her. "You want me to wear these and promote them in Kalos?"
"You're not willing?"
"Depends on your sincerity," Haley said, tilting her chin up with playful pride.
"Then I'll bake you Pink Cake for life," Emily offered.
Haley pinched Emily's cheek. "No, dear—" Before Emily could look disappointed, she laughed. "You're my sister. Even if I don't model for you, you'd still bake me Pink Cake for life."
"I'll model for you," she added to Emily's delighted face, "but you have to get Sandy to send me two coconuts."
Watching Emily's joy, Haley flopped back onto the sofa, hugging Sunkern. "How nice… everyone has their goals. What should I do?"
"Sunk~" Sunkern chirped as Haley gently pinched its cheek.
---
The next day, at the farm…
Yesterday, Penny had stayed until Pam finished work—even helping Rattata harvest Pale Ale. Having accidentally glimpsed her feelings through Indeedee, Ron had accepted her kindness with quiet awkwardness.
Thankfully, the mind-reading ability had faded by morning—though it had briefly caused echoes while linked to Indeedee. After confirming his ears heard only ordinary sounds today, Ron made breakfast.
Construction updates confirmed the Kalos factory would be ready for inspection tomorrow noon. Today, he needed to order two more machines from Clint—and craft Grass Starters. Thanks to fiber gathered during the Green Rain, he had plenty. Grass Starters were another conceptual item; they could even sprout on bedroom floors. Ron had reserved a patch at the construction site to test them.
As he opened the cabin door, Emily jogged in, breathless.
"You—you're still here! Thank goodness." She caught her breath. "When are you heading to Kalos?"
"Tomorrow noon. Why?"
"Abigail asked me to make her a performance outfit—it'll be ready tonight." Emily hesitated. "Could you deliver it? I tried asking Lewis, but Pelican Town items can't be mailed to Kalos."
"Ah…" Ron recalled courier services in Santalune. "I'll stop by your place tomorrow morning on my way to the beach. No need to bring it here."
Emily thanked him warmly.
"Have you eaten yet? Join us," Ron offered, gesturing inside.
"Haley's waiting for me to cook," Emily said with a fond sigh. Though she complained, her tone held warmth—she cherished being relied on. Despite their squabbles over chores, she'd never truly clashed with her sister.
After Emily left, Ron glanced at the Rattata finishing breakfast. Froakie bounded over, and Ron lifted it onto his shoulder—its usual perch lately. With watering duties over, Froakie had free time, yet chose to stay close, even when Ron was too busy to notice.
"Full?"
"Croak!"
"Let's go." Ron pulled out a Poké Puff, handing it to Froakie. Once it was happily munching, he boarded the Mine Cart toward the blacksmith's.
Near the shop, voices drifted out:
"Come on—you must encounter something in the Mines," Gunther pleaded. "Just a short video! I've got nothing to write about."
"…" Clint paused. "The Blacksmith Shop is busy. And didn't you already ask Ron?"
"The farm's swamped," Gunther countered. "And my payment would be pitiful for him."
"The blacksmith's busy too."
"Nonsense. I've watched for days—your furnace hasn't been lit."
Creak.
Ron pushed the door open.
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