The work of harvesting was both exhausting and deeply satisfying; basket after basket of crops was carried over and temporarily stored in the silo. Silas and the ranch Pokémon busied themselves for the entire morning before finally completing the initial round of harvesting. By the time they were done, the little ones were utterly worn out, sprawled all over the cabin in disarray, lying this way and that, too tired to move a single inch.
"Crem~"
Alcremie stepped out of the kitchen, carrying a glass of ice-cold watermelon milkshake that was still misting with a refreshing chill, and handed it to Silas.
Taking the milkshake, Silas reached out and gently rubbed Alcremie's head. "Thank you! Let me see how it tastes."
Earlier, he had asked the younger Indeedee sister to come back first and place several large watermelons into the refrigerator to chill. Seeing that everyone had finished their fieldwork, Indeedee had hurried to prepare the milkshakes and deliver them right away.
The deep crimson color of the drink was incredibly enticing. Silas scooped up a large spoonful and put it into his mouth.
A wave of cool, refreshing sweetness spread through him, so soothing that he couldn't help but reveal a look of pure enjoyment.
After finishing work and returning home—
Sitting under the air conditioner while eating a chilled milkshake—
What greater pleasure could there be?
"Phion~"
Little Phione wriggled into his arms, squeezing its small head forward expectantly.
"Alright, you can have a bite too."
Silas scooped up a full spoonful and fed it to Phione.
The little one narrowed its eyes happily, opened its mouth wide, and swallowed it in one gulp, its mood instantly bright and radiant.
After finishing the milkshake together with Phione, Silas looked around the room.
Everyone had a share.
Minccino and Dolliv were using spoons to scoop their milkshakes delicately, taking small, refined bites and occasionally feeding each other, creating an incredibly heartwarming scene.
In complete contrast was Morpeko's style of eating—it was practically feral. It simply dug into the milkshake with its tiny paws.
Its claws were covered in watermelon milkshake, and even the fur around them was stained with sweet juice, but it didn't care in the slightest.
It shoved its paw straight into its mouth, chewing noisily with utter bliss written all over its face. Red streaks of milkshake smeared its mouth and cheeks.
Seeing this, the younger Indeedee sister used her psychic powers to float a handkerchief over Morpeko's face and carefully wiped it clean.
But the moment she finished cleaning it, Morpeko couldn't resist and immediately reached back in with its paw again, prompting Indeedee to puff up in frustration and poke its forehead with a tiny finger while scolding it.
Not far away, Alolan Meowth glanced over briefly before withdrawing its gaze and slurping down some watermelon juice.
Meowth and the others didn't like milkshakes, so they had been given freshly squeezed watermelon juice instead.
The regular Meowth finished its drink the fastest. After wiping its mouth, it dashed upstairs to retrieve its yarn ball from its little nest and began playing.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. The older Indeedee brother stepped forward to open it, and Cyclizar rushed in urgently.
It had just finished delivering watermelon milkshakes to Litten, the Mudsdale brothers, and the Mareep herd, and had only now returned.
"Cyc!"
"The ice-chilled watermelon you wanted is in the kitchen. Don't make a mess with the juice," Silas replied, pointing toward the kitchen.
Cyclizar immediately sprinted inside, grabbed half of a frost-covered watermelon, and scooped out a massive chunk of flesh with a large ladle.
"Morpe~"
Having slipped away from the younger Indeedee, Morpeko ran over beside Cyclizar and looked up at it with pleading eyes, making a sweet, ingratiating sound.
Cyclizar was generous. It scooped up a heaping spoonful and fed it to Morpeko.
Morpeko chewed laboriously, its cheeks puffed out round and full.
Moments later, a series of "pfft pfft pfft" sounds rang out as dozens of watermelon seeds shot out from its mouth, spraying everywhere. It had practically transformed into a full-fledged watermelon seed shooter.
The two Pokémon exchanged a glance and grinned mischievously. A wicked idea formed. Lowering their voices, they turned their backs to the outside and began whispering conspiratorially.
No one paid attention to the two in the kitchen.
Silas gently patted Kangaskhan, who had come to his side, and handed Phione over for her to look after.
He then lowered his gaze to the coffee table.
[Blazing Chili Pepper: A special ingredient containing unstable Fire-type energy. Its flavor is extraordinarily, unbelievably, overwhelmingly spicy. Only a very small number of Pokémon can withstand its taste. (Warning: Exercise extreme caution when using it in cooking.)]
Silas hadn't thought much about the description at first, but when he saw the warning note at the end, his expression changed slightly.
What was this—could cooking with it actually be life-threatening?
Silas: "..."
For now, he definitely had no use for such a chili pepper. Just as he was about to store it away in a preservation container—
He suddenly heard a loud "crash" from the kitchen, followed by the younger Indeedee's indignant "Indee!" shout.
Silas hurried over, only to find the kitchen floor littered with watermelon seeds.
Cyclizar and Morpeko were using the cabinets as cover, facing the doorway and firing watermelon seeds with repeated "pfft pfft pfft" attacks at the younger Indeedee.
Several seeds clung to her apron and hair, while many more were suspended midair by her psychic power.
Even Litten, who had just appeared on the kitchen windowsill, had not been spared—several seeds were stuck to the tip of its tail, causing it to bristle in anger and hiss furiously.
"Cyc!"
Out of the corner of its eye, Cyclizar noticed Silas appearing behind Indeedee. It swiftly put Morpeko down, gave it a little shove forward, and then tilted its head upward to stare innocently at the ceiling.
Morpeko hadn't yet realized what was happening. Its mouth was still full of watermelon it hadn't swallowed.
After a moment, the pulp was swallowed, leaving the seeds in its mouth.
It made a muffled sound and assumed a ready-to-fire posture.
"Morpe~"
(I'm ready.)
"And what exactly are you ready for?"
Silas's voice came from directly ahead.
Morpeko's body stiffened, its cheeks puffing out even rounder.
Like a small beast caught by the tail, it slowly raised its head.
Meeting Silas's half-smiling gaze, several watermelon seeds slipped out of its mouth.
Morpeko hurriedly dove forward to cover them, looking up at Silas with a muddled, ingratiating voice.
"Morpe-ko..."
(N-no, nothing at all…)
"Oh really?"
Crouching down, Silas grabbed Morpeko's cheek.
The little one could no longer hold it in—watermelon seeds poured out from its mouth like a waterfall.
"Morpe~"
(Silas, I know I was wrong.)
Seeing that there was no escape, Morpeko sincerely admitted its mistake.
"And who taught you to be a watermelon seed shooter?"
Silas grabbed Morpeko by the scruff of its neck and lifted it up with one hand, asking coldly.
Morpeko lowered its head and pointed toward Cyclizar's hiding spot.
"Morpe!"
(It was Cyclizar.)
...
Half an hour later, the kitchen was sparkling clean, thoroughly scrubbed by Morpeko and Cyclizar.
Both Pokémon stood there shyly with their heads lowered, ears drooping.
"Do you understand your mistake now?"
"Cyc!"
"Morpe~"
The big one and the small one nodded in unison. They had deeply realized their error.
"Go apologize to Litten and the younger Indeedee. It's not over until they forgive you."
The moment he finished speaking, Cyclizar grabbed Morpeko and dragged it toward Indeedee.
Morpeko, still not fully recovered from the scolding, stumbled along on its short legs.
Pressing a hand to his forehead, Silas couldn't help but sigh.
There was one downside to having so many Pokémon on the ranch—
They were far too lively.
Every few days, he found himself mediating some similar incident.
"Indee!"
"Thank you, Indeedee."
Silas accepted the coffee brought by the older Indeedee brother and took a sip, feeling some of his energy return.
Then he headed toward the cellar.
(End of Chapter)