"When did you realize that I wasn't the Fossil Duke?"
At the dining table, after listening to the Indeedee siblings confess everything honestly, Silas asked in confusion.
The older brother Indeedee answered calmly, "Indee~"
(The Duke was terrible at cooking.)
"I see!"
Though he and the Fossil Duke shared many similarities, in the finer details they were ultimately not the same person.
Scooping a bowl of fish soup for Cyclizar, Silas then looked solemnly at the Indeedee siblings and formally extended his invitation.
"You're both so smart, you probably already know why I came."
He gave a brief introduction of himself.
"My name is Silas. I own a ranch that is still under development. Right now, the ranch is very busy, and I would like to hire you to come help me take care of the Pokémon there and manage their daily lives."
"Would you be willing to come and help me?"
"Cyc!"
Cyclizar gulped down an entire bowl of fish soup in one go, wiped the corner of its mouth, and chimed in enthusiastically.
The Indeedee siblings exchanged a glance. They had already made their decision in their hearts, so naturally they would not refuse Silas's invitation.
Facing him together, they nodded solemnly. "Indee!"
(We are willing to go to Silas's ranch to help.)
"Thank you! I'll be in your care from now on."
He wrapped his arms around the two Indeedee, his joy plainly written across his face.
Unable to resist, he gently touched the small horns atop their heads.
Those horns were not to be underestimated—they allowed Indeedee to sense the emotions of others and were also the place where they absorbed positive feelings.
Through this intimate touch, the siblings felt Silas's heartfelt thoughts, along with the deep concern and affection he held for them. They broke into bright smiles.
Silas was truly a very, very good human.
He genuinely needed their help.
They would absolutely not disappoint his expectations.
…
"Butler Bron, Drampa, Kingambit—we're heading back now. When I have time, I'll bring Indeedee to visit you."
"Dram~"
Drampa, like a kindly elder, gave the siblings careful instructions—when they arrived at the ranch, they must get along well with the other Pokémon, help Silas, and avoid causing conflicts…
After their final goodbyes, the Indeedee siblings climbed onto Cyclizar's back together, setting off toward their new life.
On the way back, seeing that there was still some time left, Silas brought them to say farewell to Nurse Joy as well.
With the evening glow spreading across the sky, he urged Cyclizar to speed up so they could return to the ranch before nightfall.
"Cyc!"
Feeling the warmth from the two small figures seated on its back, Cyclizar's four legs blurred like flaming wheels. It took only half the time of their journey there, arriving at the ranch gates just before darkness fully descended.
Silas jumped down, placed one hand on his hip, and pointed proudly toward the ranch with the other.
"Look—this is our ranch."
"Indee!"
(So wide!)
The younger sister exclaimed, her eyes sparkling brightly—only to be immediately distracted by the Pokémon running out from inside the ranch.
So many little Pokémon! And they were all so cute!
She loved it so, so much—hehehe!!!
In an instant, Silas was surrounded by a crowd of Pokémon. Minccino, Phione, and several of the smaller ones leapt into his arms.
They rubbed their cheeks against him one after another, expressing how much they had missed him.
During the time Silas had been away, they had thought about him constantly.
He patted and squeezed them one by one, equally delighted to be with his Pokémon again.
It took quite a while before he managed to soothe the group led by Minccino.
Only then did he have the chance to introduce the ranch's two new little housekeepers.
"This is the younger sister Indeedee, and this is the older brother Indeedee. I've hired them to be ranch housekeepers. From now on, they'll help me take care of everyone."
"Indee!" x2
The siblings waved in greeting.
The Pokémon responded one after another—except for Minccino, who looked as though the sky had just collapsed.
The entire Pokémon stood frozen, completely petrified.
Wait… wasn't I the ranch's housekeeper?
Wasn't I supposed to be Silas's most beloved little darling?
How could Silas secretly find other Pokémon behind my back? This, this, this…
A feeling of lost favor began to grow inside Minccino's heart, and the poor little mouse felt utterly miserable.
Among the sea of positive emotions, that sudden negative feeling stood out sharply. The Indeedee siblings noticed it immediately and tugged at Silas's clothes.
Silas followed their gaze and spotted Minccino standing at the outer edge, fully petrified, bits of imaginary stone debris clattering off her.
He hurried over and scooped up the "petrified" Minccino in his arms.
"What's wrong? Who made our cutest little one unhappy?"
Surrounded by his familiar scent and warm embrace, Minccino couldn't help but sob softly, giving small, accusing taps against his chest with her tiny fists.
While comforting her, Silas quickly thought through what might have upset her.
Though Pokémon were innocent and simple-minded, when it came to important matters, they could remember them for a very long time.
"Minccino~"
Cupping her round little face in his hands, Silas smiled gently.
"Are you afraid that I don't like you anymore?"
"Min!"
She turned her head away shyly.
"Of course not. You're the most important in my heart."
"And the reason I hired the Indeedee siblings as housekeepers is to lighten your workload."
Minccino stopped crying. Her little mouth, which had been drooping low enough to hang a cup, slowly lifted again. Though her body still hiccupped from earlier sobs, her eyes were suddenly bright.
"Think about it!"
He placed a hand on her small belly and gave it a playful tickle.
"You've been training with Diancie and the others, and at the same time cleaning and taking care of the little ones. That's exhausting."
"You've even lost weight these past few days, I felt so bad about it. That's why I wanted to hire Indeedee to help share your responsibilities."
"And besides, you've been promoted. You're now the head housekeeper of the ranch. The Indeedee are assistant housekeepers, they'll take your instructions."
"Min?"
(You're not lying to me?)
"Of course not. How could I ever lie to the ranch's cutest, prettiest, most sensible, most obedient, most… wonderful Head Housekeeper Minccino?"
Minccino's gloom vanished instantly. She planted a loud kiss on his cheek.
Then she hopped down happily and ran toward the Indeedee siblings.
Taking them by the hands, she led them into the ranch like a little adult, proudly introducing everything to them.
"Whew! Comforting girls really does use up brain cells."
He wiped imaginary sweat from his forehead.
"Have you all had dinner?"
He directed the question toward Kangaskhan.
"Kang~"
Kangaskhan gave a slightly jealous cry and turned her head away. Clearly, she was thinking that she was supposed to be Silas's…
Silas immediately wrapped his arms around Kangaskhan and spoke earnestly.
"Kangaskhan, you're my big treasure. Minccino is my little treasure. You're both equally important."
"Cyc?"
(What about me, Silas?)
Cyclizar squeezed its head in between them.
Before Silas could answer, Kangaskhan picked him up and placed him on her shoulder, then turned and walked deeper into the ranch.
Phione looked left and right, her eyes rolling thoughtfully before she suddenly came to a realization.
"Phion … Phion~"
(Big brother Morpeko was picked up by the Meowth brothers from the trash can. Big brother Cyclizar was also picked up from the trash can.)
Cyclizar crossed its arms indignantly and retorted.
"Cyc!"
(I wasn't! Silas calls me his beloved little motorbike. You're the one picked up from the trash can!)
"Phion~"
(I know! The three of us were all picked up from the trash can!)
(End of Chapter)