"A traveling Pokémon Trainer?"
The young Bug Catcher's eyes lit up as soon as he heard that.
"Hello, Aaron… my name is Moss!"
"My dream is to become a traveling Pokémon Trainer, travel the world with Scizor, and meet all kinds of Pokémon."
He smiled as he spoke, his eyes filled with excitement and anticipation.
But then he seemed to remember something, and his voice dropped.
"Unfortunately, Grandpa won't let me leave…"
His tone was full of disappointment.
Aaron looked puzzled.
"Have you always lived here?"
Moss nodded.
"Yeah… ever since I was little, it's just been Grandpa, Scizor, and me living here in this forest."
"That Pokémon of yours is Greninja, right?"
"I've seen it on TV before."
He looked curiously at Frog Boss.
Aaron's mouth twitched slightly.
They even had TV here?
He had thought they lived like ancient people, completely cut off from the outside world.
Looks like he had overthought it.
"Yes… but he's a Shiny Greninja."
"Wow… that's so cool!"
"Just as cool as my Scizor."
Moss smiled enviously and patted his partner on the shoulder.
His smile was infectious, pure and untouched, like a blank sheet of paper.
It made people feel comfortable just looking at him.
Even Aaron found himself smiling.
"Scizor…"
Just then, a cry rang out from the horizon.
"Ah… time to go home for dinner!"
"Aaron, come back to my place with me. I'll treat you to a meal."
Hearing the sound, Moss immediately invited him along.
Aaron hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
He was also curious about what secrets this young man might be hiding.
"Great! This is the first time I've ever brought a friend home!"
Moss immediately brightened.
After that, Aaron and Frog Boss followed him and Scizor through the forest, crossed a small, crystal-clear stream, and arrived at the foot of a mountain.
The scenery there was beautiful.
A waterfall poured down from the mountain like a silver curtain.
Vegetables and fruit grew all around, and many Scyther lived nearby.
A large wooden house stood not far away, with wisps of cooking smoke rising from its roof.
It looked like a hidden paradise, quiet, peaceful, plain, and simple, yet carrying an almost otherworldly charm.
"Is this where you've always lived?"
Aaron was stunned by the beautiful scenery and could not help asking.
"Yeah… why?"
Moss looked confused.
"Nothing. I just think this place is really beautiful."
Aaron spoke sincerely.
"Hahaha… really?"
"Maybe I'm just too used to seeing it, so it feels normal to me."
Moss scratched the back of his head, a little embarrassed.
Then he led Aaron to the wooden house and shouted,
"Grandpa, I'm back!"
At that moment, an old man with graying hair walked out carrying a dish.
Another Scizor followed behind him.
"Scizor…"
The older Scizor was the first to notice Aaron and Frog Boss.
Its eyes immediately narrowed with a hint of vigilance.
The old man also noticed them.
He paused slightly, looked Aaron over a few times, then turned to his grandson.
"Who's this?"
"Grandpa, this is my friend, Aaron. He's a traveling Pokémon Trainer."
"We met him while Scizor and I were training."
Moss hurried over and explained.
"I see. Then meeting like this must be fate."
"Young man, stay and eat with us."
Seeing that Aaron was still young and did not look like a bad person, the old man smiled and invited him in.
"Thank you, sir."
"Sorry to impose."
Aaron bowed slightly.
Then the three of them sat together at the wooden table and ate.
The dishes were all simple home-style food: radish, cauliflower, and a steamed fish.
But Aaron ate with great enjoyment.
It was delicious.
The vegetables were completely natural.
They had been watered with mountain spring water and had not a trace of chemicals.
Though maybe they had been fertilized with a little urine and manure.
The taste was excellent.
It was the first time Aaron had eaten fish this tender and vegetables this fresh.
"These dishes are really delicious."
Aaron praised the food while eating.
"Hahaha… then eat more if you like it."
A smile appeared on the old man's face.
Having someone praise his cooking naturally made him happy.
He smiled warmly.
"Is it really that good?"
"Why does it all taste about the same to me?"
Moss scratched his head, looking puzzled as he muttered to himself.