With this plan in mind, Ron continued his work.
Meanwhile, today was Summer 26.
It was also Leo's birthday.
Penny had asked Leo indirectly about his favorite things. Among the list of items, the only one she could actually get her hands on was Duck Feathers.
So, after composing herself, Penny walked into the farm.
"Good morning." Penny greeted the Pokémon coming and going.
"Rattata~"
"Magearna!"
Scanning the farm, Penny found Ron hiding in a corner.
"Morning."
"Morning." Ron wiped the sweat from his forehead, looked up, and smiled at Penny. He then shook the dirt off his hands and asked, "Did you need something?"
"Um—well." Penny said. "Does the farm have any Duck Feathers? I'd like to buy some as a birthday gift for Leo."
Although Leo's reason for wanting them was to line his nest and make it warmer.
Penny had considered just buying Leo a proper small bed, but after deliberating for a long time, she decided to respect Leo's wishes.
"Duck Feathers?" Ron turned to look at Magearna. After getting the exact numbers from it, he nodded. "We have plenty. They're in that chest over there, just take what you need."
"How much?" Penny asked.
"Free." Afraid Penny might feel burdened, Ron added, "They're just a byproduct of Ducks. They'd just sit there anyway. If it makes Leo happy, take as many as you want."
"Thank you." Penny thanked him softly.
Since the farm tour last time, she hadn't seen Ron for a while. She hadn't expected that their first conversation in so long would again begin with her accepting Ron's generosity.
Ron seemed very busy right now. After telling her where the Duck Feathers were stored, he quickly turned back to work. Penny stared blankly at Ron's back, and after a long while, managed to force a smile.
She felt her emotions were a bit complicated. Looking at this increasingly prosperous farm, watching those busy Pokémon, thinking about the foothold Ron was about to carve out for himself in Kalos—she didn't know what to say—
Yoba above—if only his business didn't have to grow so big.
If only he didn't have so many connections to the world—if only, like her, he just wanted a small home in town, self-sufficient—
Before she could dwell on it further, Penny quickly rebuked herself.
Ron would have his own career, his own vast world. She should be happy for him—if she were just a friend, if she didn't have those inappropriate feelings.
Penny thought this as Magearna led her to the chest, and she took out the Duck Feathers inside.
Magearna generously gave Penny quite a few Duck Feathers. It tilted its head looking at Penny, and after a moment, called out: "Magearna?"
"Ah, thank you, thank you, this is too much."
Magearna patted the fluffy Duck Feathers. "Magearna!" (This is just right! If you use them to line a nest, it'll be a very warm little nest.)
"Thank you."
Penny left carrying the feathers.
She was lost in thought along the way, not even noticing Meowth, who passed by her and greeted her.
Meowth stared at Penny's back, thought for a moment, and decided to cross this one off its gossip list.
A free dinner earned from a young girl's private heartache would give it a guilty conscience, meow!
Carrying the feathers home, Penny decided to process them first. Although she had never lined a bed with these before, she could guess that the feather quills needed to be removed.
Before Penny could finish sorting the feathers, a knock came from outside the door.
Opening the door, Vincent and Jas ran in carrying things.
"What did Teacher Penny prepare for Leo?" Jas tilted her head, looking. "Are these Duck Feathers?"
"Yeah, Ron gave them to me." Penny answered.
"I see." Jas then placed the Nautilus Shell she had found on the edge of the table. "I brought a gift too!"
Although he sometimes had minor disagreements with Leo, Vincent had also prepared a gift for him.
He awkwardly placed the Spice Berries he had found on the table.
"What is Teacher Penny busy with right now?" Jas asked.
"Processing the feather quills." Penny said, showing them the feathers she had already processed. "Like this. This way, if you use them to line—uh, a bed, it'll be much more comfortable."
"I see, then I want to help!" Jas raised her hand excitedly.
"M-me too—"
Meanwhile, at the treehouse.
Today was Leo's birthday.
Leo himself didn't really make a big deal of this day. Back on the island, the birds never cared about what day they hatched, let alone Leo.
But because Penny had specifically given him a day off, he could only lie bored in his nest.
Linus didn't know about this, so he had gone out foraging early in the morning. This meant Leo didn't even have the chance to follow Linus around the forest. Leo let out a long sigh and rolled over in his nest.
"I don't know what's so great about birthdays." Leo said, tilting his head up to look at the parrot next to him.
The parrot exchanged a glance with Leo.
"What's so great, what's so great—"
Saying this, the parrot heartlessly abandoned Leo, who was still preparing to continue complaining, flapped its wings, and flew out the window.
"So boring." Leo reached out his hand and waved it in front of his face. "I wish I could fly too."
Having been in Pelican Town for so many days, he had never once spent a day completely alone. As a result, he had even forgotten what he used to do when he was by himself.
Leo let out a long sigh, remembered the boat by the beach, and after a moment, scrambled up from his nest, trotting toward the beach.
Arriving at the beach, Willy was currently fishing. Seeing Leo come over, he greeted him with some surprise. "Morning. Not going to school with Penny today?"
"Uh—we have a day off today." Leo felt a bit embarrassed to tell Willy that today was his birthday. Unsure of how Willy would react, but wanting to avoid any fuss, he kept it hidden.
"I see. Nothing to do? Want to fish together?"
"Uh—" Leo, who had originally wanted to ask Willy to take him back to the islands, fell silent for a moment. After thinking about it, he sat down next to Willy. "Then, then let's fish together."
Willy gestured for Krabby to bring Leo a fishing rod.
After seeing Leo cast his hook into the sea, Willy took a puff of his pipe and asked, "How's life in Pelican Town?"
"Everyone is very friendly." Leo said, staring at the sea. "Teacher Penny has taught me a lot—Jas and Vincent have played lots of games with me, and Linus too—"
He then paused and said somewhat shyly, "But I still miss Ginger Island sometimes—"
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