The Indeedee siblings quickly integrated themselves into the great family that was the ranch, adapting with remarkable ease and naturally becoming part of the lively household. They were even given a room of their own. Minccino, as the acknowledged leader of the group, generously gave up its own room to them without hesitation. After all, as the boss, it had to treat its subordinates well.
Silas personally crafted two small wooden beds for the siblings, along with two separate lockable storage cabinets where they could safely keep their private belongings. As for the remaining necessities, Silas planned to take them to Shalour City the next day to purchase whatever else they might need. For tonight, however, they would have to make do with what had already been prepared.
With everyone showing them such care and consideration, the Indeedee brother and sister felt deeply happy. When Silas came by in the middle of the night to check on the rooms, he saw the two Indeedee lying on their respective little beds, faint smiles of happiness curving at the corners of their mouths.
The next morning, while the ranch had yet to awaken and everyone was still immersed in their dreams, the two Pokémon quietly rose to their feet, moving about on tiptoe.
It was their very first day in their new home—they absolutely could not afford to be lazy.
"Indee!"
(Wait a moment, brother. Let me help cover Meowth with a little blanket.)
The younger sister Indeedee used her psychic powers to lift a small blanket into the air and gently drape it over the regular Meowth. Only after making sure everything was in order did the siblings head downstairs to begin the day's work.
After they left, Alolan Meowth slowly opened one eye into a narrow slit. It glanced at the regular Meowth who was still fast asleep and snoring softly, then closed its eyes again, pretending to remain asleep.
When daylight outside the window had fully brightened, Silas finally dragged himself out of bed, albeit unwillingly. He had been busy until the latter half of the night and had only managed to get a few hours of sleep. A brand-new day meant countless tasks awaiting him on the ranch; he could only hope to steal a brief nap during the midday break.
He picked up the two little ones clinging stubbornly to him and exchanged cheerful good mornings with Dolliv, who was perched on the windowsill. Then he gave his own face a couple of firm pats to wake himself up properly.
The Meowths were not waiting for him in their nest as usual today—they had already gotten up and gone downstairs.
By the time Silas arrived on the first floor, breakfast had already been set out neatly on the dining table. Meowth, Cyclizar, and the others were already eating.
"Hmm? Who made breakfast for you all?"
When he noticed the younger sister Indeedee walking out of the kitchen together with Alcremie, Silas immediately understood. Cooking was an effortless task for the Indeedee.
At that moment, the older brother Indeedee appeared at Silas's side, handing him a towel dampened with warm water along with a toothbrush already prepared with toothpaste.
"Indee~"
"How did you know I was about to wash my face and brush my teeth? Thank you so much!"
After handing the two still-drowsy little chubby ones over to the younger sister Indeedee to look after, Silas began washing up.
Without him even needing to say a word, the older brother Indeedee always handed him exactly what he needed at just the right moment. This was the ability of a male Indeedee—using psychic power to foresee the trainer's next actions and carefully tend to his daily needs.
The older brother Indeedee truly was an outstanding butler.
Seated at the dining table, Silas sampled the dishes prepared by the Indeedee. While they did not possess the enhanced effects of the special portable meals he personally crafted, they were more than sufficient as a hearty breakfast.
Cyclizar, Meowth, and the others, whose palates had been refined by Silas's excellent cooking still ate with obvious enjoyment.
Choosing to invite the Indeedee siblings to work at the ranch had been an incredibly correct decision. In the future, he would be able to leave the ranch in their capable hands without worry whenever he needed to travel.
After breakfast and the completion of the ranch's routine daily tasks, the hops had nearly finished drying. It was time to prepare the materials needed for brewing.
Calling the Indeedee siblings along, Silas took them to Shalour City to purchase daily necessities.
"I'll leave the daily supplies to you two. Don't forget to pick out some furniture to decorate your little room as well."
Silas handed them a sum of money. Meanwhile, he headed to a floor of the department store that sold various regular fruits and berries.
Today, he planned to purchase many different kinds of fruit to experiment with brewing fruit wines of various flavors.
Raspberries, peaches, grapes, apples, and more—Silas selected ten varieties in total before finally stopping, then went to reunite with the Indeedee.
They quickly returned to the ranch.
The younger sister Indeedee began organizing the purchased daily necessities, while the older brother Indeedee followed Silas down into the cellar.
"Let's take ten wooden barrels out first."
One barrel per flavor would be just perfect. Silas nodded in satisfaction.
The older brother Indeedee waved his small hand, using psychic power to lift all ten wooden barrels at once and carry them behind him as they exited the cellar.
Psychic-type Pokémon were not only suitable for carrying heavy objects; they were also excellent at handling delicate tasks.
For instance, at this very moment, the younger sister Indeedee was working together with Minccino to conduct a thorough cleaning of the cabin. Using her psychic abilities, she lifted Minccino high into the air, making it effortless to sweep away cobwebs and dust from the ceiling. Even the corners and edges were cleaned until they were spotless.
After greeting them briefly, Silas signaled the older brother Indeedee to place the barrels down on the grass.
He then opened the brewing recipe and examined it word by word and line by line. This was his first time attempting to brew alcohol personally, so he studied it with utmost seriousness.
Half an hour later, Silas closed the recipe, confident that he had fully grasped all the knowledge within.
"Indeedee, let's begin the preparations before brewing."
"Let me think…" After a short moment of contemplation, Silas said, "Help me call the eldest Mudsdale and Dolliv over. I'll go prepare the wheat."
Brewing required malt, yet the ranch only had wheat intended for feeding chickens.
He needed the wheat to sprout into malt—and for that, he would require Dolliv's assistance.
Before long, the two Pokémon arrived beside the ranch cabin, both looking toward Silas expectantly.
"Doll~"
(Does Silas need our help with something?)
"Yes, I do need your help."
Smiling, Silas spread the wheat previously soaked in water flat across a wooden board and covered it with a piece of white cloth.
"I need you to use Grass Terrain on the wheat and help it sprout."
"Doll!"
Dolliv readily agreed. What might have been difficult for others was simple for it. Not long ago, it had successfully mastered the move Grass Terrain.
Everyone stepped aside to make space. Dolliv clapped its small hands, and vibrant green Grass-type energy radiated outward from its body.
Even the pasture grass on the ground began to grow rapidly. Under these ideal conditions, the soaked wheat sprouted almost simultaneously.
Lifting one corner of the white cloth, Silas saw that the wheat had not only sprouted but had even grown tiny roots. He quickly called out for Dolliv to stop.
"That's enough, that's enough—it's more than sufficient!"
Dolliv halted and looked up at Silas.
"Amazing! Our Dolliv is the very best!"
"Doll!"
Upon receiving praise, Dolliv spun around happily like a child. Silas casually picked a small red flower and stuck it onto Dolliv.
Startled and delighted, Dolliv looked toward Cyclizar, who was not far away casting an envious glance, and ran over to him, offering the little red flower.
"Cyc?"
(For me?)
Without hesitation, Dolliv stuck the small red flower onto Cyclizar's arm.
"Doll~"
(I already have one. The very first flower I earned through my own effort, I want to give it to big brother Cyclizar.)
Having said that, Dolliv scampered off in quick little steps, not giving Cyclizar any opportunity to refuse.
Silas withdrew his gaze and gently rubbed Dolliv's head before continuing with the brewing process.
Together with the older brother Indeedee, he spread the malt out evenly to dry under the sun.
Taking advantage of this time, Silas called Cyclizar over and rode around the ranch on its back, checking on the various Pokémon and observing their conditions.
When they arrived at the orchard, Silas called Litten back.
Natural sun-drying was somewhat slow—he would have Litten help speed things up.
This little one was truly impressive, possessing both talent and diligence in equal measure.
Not long ago, while chasing after a Butterfree, the little fellow had unexpectedly mastered the move Heat Wave.
"Litten, please use the gentlest Heat Wave you can to help blow-dry the malt."
(End of Chapter)