Lucas lay on Gogoat's back, leisurely gazing at the sky.
Lucas recalled his childhood in his previous life when he used to herd cattle in his hometown, lying on the back of a cow just like this with a blade of grass in his mouth.
Back then, the sky was a deep azure, and the white clouds looked as if they had been painted on.
It was just the same now as it was back then.
The only difference was that Lucas didn't have a blade of grass in his mouth this time; instead, he was nibbling on a golden berry stick.
He could have thoroughly enjoyed the picturesque sky, but unfortunately, a large purple face kept leaning in to interrupt his view.
After arriving in Twinleaf Town and finding Mayor Quinn, Lucas followed him to tour the available vacant shops one by one.
One location was a bit remote, but the surrounding environment was excellent and the space was large. Most importantly, the interior facilities were relatively complete, which Lucas found very appealing.
The last location was near Shauna's school and close to the Pokémon Center. It was in a very bustling area, but the space was relatively cramped, and the rent would be significantly higher.
Lucas preferred the more remote location, so he asked Gothitelle and the others for their opinions.
Unexpectedly, Gothitelle and the others all thought the one near the school was better; they liked that spot more.
Lucas nodded, thinking it was fine either way. Since it was close to the school, Shauna could come here directly to rest at noon, saving her from traveling back and forth.
Moreover, the foot traffic in a bustling area might be higher, which could mean earning more money.
With that in mind, Lucas decided on this location.
He informed Mayor Quinn, who then made a phone call. Not long after, a middle-aged man arrived.
Lucas discussed the contract with him. Thanks to the 'friend of the Breeding House' buff from Twinleaf Town, the man gave Lucas a discount.
In the end, Lucas rented the shop for a fairly reasonable price.
Lucas took Gothitelle inside to inspect it carefully, exchanging ideas for the renovation.
Once they decided, Lucas called the renovation company and asked the person in charge—who had collaborated with the Breeding House many times—to come over in the afternoon to discuss the details.
With everything settled, Lucas checked the time; it was just about lunch hour.
Stretching his limbs, Lucas walked out of the shop and looked toward the school, saying, "Let's go. We'll pick up Shauna from school and then go grab some lunch together."
Shauna held her best friend Chiyo's hand, skipping along. She wore a cute Buneary headband that Chiyo had given her.
She heard that Chiyo's family made clothes and that she had many, many beautiful little outfits.
But Shauna wasn't envious at all, because she also had many, many beautiful little outfits bought for her by her parents and her uncle.
When she reached the outside of the school, Shauna looked around but didn't see Rapidash.
"Huh? Where's Rapidash? Did it forget to pick me up?"
Shauna frowned and pouted her lips.
If Rapidash didn't come to get her, she wouldn't have enough time to go back to the Breeding House for lunch and then get back for class.
Just as Shauna was starting to worry, she saw a familiar figure floating toward her.
Chiyo was waiting with her for Rapidash when she also saw an elegant figure floating their way.
"Goth~"
Shauna let go of Chiyo's hand and ran toward the approaching Gothitelle, throwing herself into its embrace.
"Gothitelle, did you come to pick me up?"
Gothitelle pulled Shauna into its arms and nodded.
"Goth."
Shauna looked up from Gothitelle's embrace and asked curiously, "That's strange. Why did you come to pick me up today, Gothitelle? Where's Rapidash?"
Gothitelle smiled and explained things to Shauna.
Shauna understood Gothitelle's meaning.
"You mean Uncle and Gengar are here too? They went ahead to order food? Where? Where are they?"
Shauna stood on her tiptoes, shading her eyes with her hand as she scanned the distance.
chimecho was also hopping around, looking for Lucas and the others.
Gothitelle took Shauna's hand. Shauna turned back just as Chiyo's mother arrived to pick her up, and she waved goodbye to Chiyo.
"Goodbye, Chiyo! See you this afternoon!"
Chiyo blushed and waved back at Shauna.
"See you this afternoon, Shauna."
Then, she took her mother's hand and got into the car to head home.
Meanwhile, Shauna was led by Gothitelle, who used its other hand to carry her schoolbag as they walked toward Lucas's location together.
Shauna skipped and jumped along the way, humming a little tune.
"Uncle!"
Seeing Lucas sitting at a table, Shauna ran over and sat down beside him.
Lucas tweaked her little nose, but then he was promptly shoved aside by Gengar.
Looking at the big face Gengar thrust forward, Shauna didn't hesitate to give it a big kiss.
*Smack.*
Gengar floated around happily in the air, while Shauna giggled uncontrollably.
While eating lunch, Shauna finished the soup Lucas had served her in one gulp and then asked, "Uncle, did you come here today for something specific?"
Lucas nodded and then explained his plan to open a shop.
"Really? Don't worry, Uncle! When school lets out at noon, I'll come over to help Gothitelle look after the shop."
Shauna puffed out her chest and patted it firmly, acting as if he could leave everything to her.
Gothitelle laughed and wiped the corner of her mouth.
"Goth~"
Thank you, little Shauna~
After sending Shauna back to school, the person in charge arrived at Lucas's shop.
After communicating with him, the person in charge nodded.
He then went back to get his team and soon returned to the shop with several people Lucas recognized, along with some Machamp.
The renovation work on the shop officially began.
It must be said that renovation work in the Pokémon world is incredibly fast.
In just one afternoon, the shop was completely renovated.
After Lucas paid, he walked into the shop. It was divided into a cake section for custom orders like birthday or graduation cakes; a bread section for the bread Gothitelle baked; a dessert section for the sweets Lucas often made at the Breeding House, like tiramisu and various other treats; and finally, a snack section for the common snacks usually found at the Breeding House.
There was also a checkout counter, behind which was the kitchen. The kitchen had transparent glass so customers could see the work being done inside. The kitchen was for baking and making desserts and cakes. Inside the kitchen, there was another door leading to the area where Gothitelle prepared traditional medicine and herbal tea.
There was also a small stand at the shop entrance where Gothitelle's prepared traditional medicines and herbal teas were displayed for sale.
In the future, people who wanted to drink traditional medicine or herbal tea could just come and buy it directly, rather than having to order in advance and wait for delivery.
Of course, home delivery service was still available, but that would still be handled by the Breeding House.
Once everything was ready, Lucas nodded; they could pretty much officially open tomorrow.
Lucas gave the shop a name.
"Gothitelle's Time Shop."
Looking at the shop's sign, Lucas said with a smile, "Gothitelle, we can officially open tomorrow."
"Goth."
Thank you~
Lucas shook his head. "You'll need to keep a close eye on a certain little purple fatty, or else everything will be gone before it's even sold."
Gengar:?!
"Gen Gar———"
Are you talking about me? Am I that kind of Pokémon? How dare you slander me!
Gengar grabbed Lucas's neck, incessantly demanding an explanation.
Lucas refused to apologize, making Gengar's teeth itch with frustration.
In the end, it simply gave him a big lick with its tongue.
Beside them, Gothitelle shook its head, picked up Vulpix, and went to pick up Shauna.
....
Power Stones PLZZZZZ
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