It wasn't clear what was going through Gloom's mind, but the next instant, Ron saw Gloom reach out and touch the Sun Stone in his hand.
Immediately, light flashed.
When Ron looked again, the Gloom before him had shrunk considerably within that light, then evolved into a Bellossom.
Looking at the harmless-looking Bellossom before him, Ron suddenly received a glimpse of Bellossom's thoughts.
He paused, looking into Bellossom's shining eyes, then reached out and lifted Bellossom from the ground.
"That works too—making people let their guard down isn't a bad tactic." Saying this, he patted Bellossom's head, placed it on his shoulder, then scooped up Nacli as well.
Walking to the bus, Ron greeted Pam, who was dozing in the driver's seat.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Pam waved it off carelessly, then started the engine.
On the way, Ron and Pam discussed the arrangement for Froakie to come to the desert as well.
The slight difference was that Nacli would commute between the desert and the farm continuously, while Froakie and Bellossom would only stay until the last day of Fall.
Hearing it was for less than half a month, Pam refused Ron's fare. Glancing at the two Pokémon hanging around like charms in the rearview mirror, she smiled and said, "They're this small, they won't take up much space or cause any trouble. If you feel bad about it, how about you bring a bottle of Pale Ale on the 28th when our new house is finished?"
Although that day hadn't arrived yet, Penny was already preparing for the housewarming celebration and had even granted Pam special permission to drink some beer on that day.
She could tell that Penny was still somewhat hesitant about it.
Not to mention Penny—even Pam herself worried that once she touched alcohol, things might get out of hand.
However, fortunately, the house was built with a loan, not given by anyone. At least for these two years, she could hold out until the loan was paid off.
After two years, perhaps she wouldn't have the alcohol addiction anymore—who could say for sure.
Thinking this, Pam stopped the bus at the bus stop.
As soon as the bus came to a stop, she saw Penny waiting by the bus stop, with Clefable standing beside her for company.
Pelican Town was getting a bit chilly now. Penny breathed on her hands to warm them. Seeing the bus rolling to a stop, she hurriedly waved at Pam.
"Ah, Ron, you're here too?" Penny looked at Ron getting off the bus with surprise.
Ron nodded, glanced at the dark path, paused, asked them to wait a moment, then sent the Pokémon in his arms back to the farm.
Although confused, the two waited for Ron anyway.
Then, they saw Ron emanating a soft glow as he walked towards them.
"What is this?"
"A type of ring that glows," Ron said. Looking at the path without streetlights, he thought for a moment and added, "I'll walk you back. It's too late."
"That would be too much trouble," Penny said, waving her hands repeatedly.
"After all, it's because of me that it's this late," Ron said, walking over to them.
Penny looked up, staring at the glowing Ron, feeling her heart soften immensely.
Ron was still thinking about the path.
Since Pam's bus always had to wait until the Pokémon emerged from the mine before returning to Pelican Town, it was necessary to install some streetlights here.
After all, knowing Bellossom's enthusiasm, he couldn't guarantee it would return from the Skull Cavern on time every day.
Pondering this, he walked a few steps to the trailer. Pam entered first. Penny stood at the door and turned to look at Ron.
"Then I'll go in. Be careful on your way back."
"Mm, good night."
"Good night."
Watching Ron's figure fade into the distance, Penny entered the trailer and saw Pam and Clefable sitting together, seemingly talking about something.
"What are you two talking about?" Penny asked.
"I was asking what it thinks of Ron."
"Clef~" Clefable sat obediently on the sofa, paws resting neatly on its lap, and called out to Penny.
"Actually, it wouldn't be bad if you married him," Pam continued.
At least based on her observations of Ron so far, if they ever got together, Penny would definitely not end up following her own past path.
"Clef!"
"Oh my, what are you two talking about!" Penny's face turned crimson instantly. Seeing this, Pam smiled and got up to wash.
"Clef, Clef~" Clefable opened its arms towards Penny.
The next second, Penny dove into Clefable's embrace.
"Clef, Clefable."
The Next Day, At The Farm.
Since Robin had been at the farm during this period, Ron found her early in the morning and bought the blueprint for crafting lamps.
Robin had quite a few blueprints. Besides lamps, there were also some paving blueprints that allowed one to lay down paths on the ground.
If not for that huge expense, Ron figured he would have bought all the blueprints at once. But since he had just paid for the new Coop and the calf for the Barn, he was a bit tight on funds. After some thought, he chose the Iron Lamp-Post and Stone Floor.
Robin seemed to realize something. Watching Ron bury his head in selecting blueprints, she smiled after a moment.
"Actually, I think—"
"What?"
Robin paused, swallowing the unfinished words. "Nothing, I just think you're a really nice person."
As a townsman living in the same town as Ron, she was naturally happy to have such a selfless good person in town.
But as a friend, she actually hoped Ron would be a bit more selfish.
After all, upgrading Ron's own farmhouse only cost 65,000g.
She looked up at the farmhouse over there, seeing the Pokémon playing and laughing inside, plus the Rattatas washing up by the pond.
Following Robin's line of sight, Ron turned his head and also saw the group of Rattatas.
It was already late autumn, and the weather was getting colder. The Rattatas were wrinkling their faces, reluctantly washing their paws with the pond water.
Ron paused and thought for a moment.
"What's the price for another house upgrade?" Ron asked.
"65,000g," Robin answered. "I can additionally install a larger bathroom for you."
"I can even customize the sink to be lower, to make it easier for the Rattatas to wash up."
"Then after the Coop upgrade is done, help me upgrade the farmhouse," Ron said, calculating the time. "It should be finished before the 24th, right?"
As for the money, as long as he exchanged the recent income from Kalos with Nurse Joy before the day after tomorrow, it would be enough.
"No problem," Robin agreed immediately.
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