Meowth ran out of the port with a terrified expression, gasping for breath and constantly looking back as if worried something from that boat would chase after it.
Then it turned its head and saw the group gathered around the table.
"That boat has—it has—" Meowth pointed at the boat nearby. "People with tails, meow! They really have tails—is someone having a birthday, meow?"
Looking at the cake held up before Ron, Meowth was about to speak when Jessie picked it up with an apologetic expression.
"Sorry, sorry, Meowth got scared. You continue, happy birthday Ron." As she spoke, Jessie muttered while carrying Meowth toward the port. "They didn't even do anything to you, why such a fuss? Speaking of which, I saw a submarine over here just now, let's go ride it later—"
Ron silently blew out the candles. Everyone was stunned for a moment, then gradually began laughing.
"Really—by the way, this is your birthday gift." Leah spoke up first. "Happy birthday Ron, this is your first birthday since coming to Pelican Town."
"Happy birthday."
With Leah leading, gifts were handed to Ron one after another. Even Nurse Joy had prepared a present for him.
"Happy birthday Ron." Nurse Joy said, handing him the gift wrapped in beautiful paper. "Hope you like it."
Ron didn't open these gifts immediately. After thanking everyone, he put them away in his backpack one by one.
Pam glanced at Penny, who was clutching her bag with a conflicted expression, hesitating to take it out. She promptly began distributing cake, shifting everyone's attention away from Ron.
The cake was made by Jodi and Marnie together. Both were quite skilled at making this type of cake, even more so than Gus.
Gus held the piece of cake given to him, tasted it, and began guessing the recipe.
"This is my secret recipe." Jodi smiled and patted Gus.
Ever since the Community Center shop opened, Jodi's burdens had lightened considerably. Along with that, her previously worried demeanor had disappeared, and she had become much more cheerful.
Even after Sam's salary at the library increased, she would occasionally bring the two of them to the Saloon to eat out and improve their meals.
Therefore, she was sincerely grateful for this farm's existence and grateful for everything Ron had done, so she no longer had to worry about tomorrow's meals during every quiet night.
Gus smiled and took another bite.
A cold wind blew in from the sea at this moment. Gus turned to look at the port hung with colorful lights, his gaze stopping on Ron's face. He was about to step forward and say something to Ron when he noticed Penny hesitating nearby. He immediately understood, smiled knowingly, and naturally averted his gaze.
"Ron—" Penny called out softly.
Ron was holding a slice of cake and eating.
Although he didn't particularly like this overly sweet stuff, eating it occasionally was surprisingly not bad.
Hearing her, Ron turned to look at Penny.
"This is your birthday gift." Penny looked at Ron and took out the bag in her hand.
Ron paused, wondering whether to put down the cake first or finish it quickly. Before he could decide, Penny took out the item from the bag.
It was a scarf.
"I really didn't know what to give you." Penny lowered her head, her voice very soft. "Although I spent quite a bit of effort making it—it doesn't look very nice."
With that, she still raised her head and glanced at Ron. Then she stood on her tiptoes and placed the scarf around Ron's neck.
"Hope you don't mind."
She then smiled, as if wanting to remember this moment, looking at Ron several times before hurriedly lowering her head again.
The movement was small, and almost no one noticed this small interlude.
Only Leah noticed when she turned her head—a dark brown scarf had somehow appeared around Ron's neck.
She then saw Penny with her head lowered nearby, and Ron holding cake saying something.
A cold wind was still blowing from the sea at this moment. Leah inexplicably shivered, uncomfortably tucked her neck in, and accepted the hot soup Gus handed over.
"Thank you."
"Don't mention it. Cold, right?" Gus continued. "Drink some soup and you'll warm up. We can still go see the mermaid show over there later."
As he spoke, he seemed to remember something and turned to Nurse Joy. "Kalos doesn't have mermaids?"
Nurse Joy was silent for a moment, then asked in an incredulous tone. "Pelican Town has mermaids?"
Gus laughed upon hearing this. Robin beside him put her arm around Nurse Joy's shoulder. "Then I'll treat you to the mermaid show later!"
"They really exist?! No wonder that Meowth reacted so strongly." Nurse Joy said, following Robin's pointing finger to look at the small boat with the sign.
Because of the night market nearby, the celebration didn't last long. Once the food on the table was finished, everyone dispersed.
Penny hesitated for a moment. Before she could speak, she received an invitation from Ron to browse the night market together. She was stunned at first, then looked at Ron with pleasant surprise. "Okay! Let's go together!"
With that, she followed behind Ron, hopping onto the wooden plank bridge at the port.
The plank immediately creaked.
Actually, there wasn't anything particularly novel being sold. But some vendors were selling special winter decorations, such as oversized candy canes and such. Some people would buy these to decorate their courtyards and add some Starlight Festival atmosphere to their homes.
Of course, some bought things to eat—such as the row of Rattatas in front of them currently trying to group purchase.
Penny breathed on her hands.
Ron turned to look at Penny's fingers, red from the cold. After a moment, he extended his hand toward her.
"Huh?"
Penny stared blankly at the hand extended before her. After hesitating for a while, she tentatively reached out and took it.
Probably because he often did farm work, Ron's hand was somewhat rough. But it was very warm, and soon her palm warmed up as well.
Penny quietly curled her fingers, then stepped forward to walk beside Ron.
Everything was still the same night market, the same port. Yet somehow, there seemed to be something a little different.
"Is there anything you want to buy?" Ron asked while looking around.
Penny shook her head, carefully stealing glances at Ron's profile.
For some reason, she faintly smelled something very sweet—like the scent of autumn Fairy Roses, mixed with the sea breeze, appearing and disappearing.
It was the scent of a racing heart.
Penny thought this to herself.
------------------------------------------------------
40+ Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)