"Haah… as expected, this is how it turned out."
The room was astonishingly quiet. Everyone had been lulled to sleep by Jigglypuff's singing, without a single exception.
Including Jigglypuff itself.
It had curled into a soft pink ball, and from within came earth shaking snores. Silas had been woken up precisely by that thunderous snoring.
He glanced at the person beside him. Diantha's breathing was even and steady, a faint smile resting at the corner of her lips.
As if sensing someone watching her, she slowly opened her sleepy eyes, still hazy with drowsiness.
"Did I fall asleep, Silas?"
"Everyone did," Silas replied, pointing at Jigglypuff and then at Roxie across from them, who was sprawled out and drooling while using Foongus as a pillow. "Jigglypuff's singing can put people to sleep, but its snoring wakes up those who've already fallen asleep."
Diantha did not answer. She simply tilted her head up to look at him quietly, savoring this rare moment of peace without pressure.
In truth, she had woken up long ago. She just had not wanted to separate so quickly.
The two of them maintained their original posture. Although Silas was awake, his mind was still a little foggy.
Only when Roxie stretched lazily did Diantha subtly move a little farther away.
"Haah…"
After a long yawn, Roxie immediately looked toward the window. Seeing that it was still daytime, she let out a huge sigh of relief.
She shook Foongus awake with some force, then turned her gaze toward Jigglypuff as if she were looking at a priceless treasure.
"I never expected a Jigglypuff with this kind of voice to still retain its racial ability. What a… unique experience."
More than that, there was the thrill of having discovered an unpolished gem.
The thought of cultivating a world class rock singer was enough to make her heart race.
She could already imagine future conversations with other singers.
Other singer: I'm a global superstar.
Roxie: So is my student.
Other singer: I have countless fans.
Roxie: So does my student.
Just imagining their gritted teeth expressions made her feel secretly delighted. The corners of her mouth nearly stretched to her ears.
The three who had woken up first did not disturb the Pokémon and let them continue sleeping.
They spoke quietly off to the side until Jigglypuff rubbed its sleepy eyes and suddenly leapt into Silas's arms, burying its face against his chest while cautiously peeking at Roxie from the corner of its eye, clearly anxious and afraid.
Silas gently took one of Jigglypuff's tiny hands, giving it a sense of security, and looked at Roxie.
"Jigglypuff."
"Jiggly…"
"Your voice is very special. I've decided to take you as my final student."
"Jigglypuff…?"
"You need to have confidence. Jigglypuff is a born rock singer."
Receiving praise from a famous singer left the little Jigglypuff completely flustered.
It clutched tightly at the hem of Silas's clothes, its round eyes wide with shock and confusion, then tilted its head up at him.
"Being a student means that in the future, you can follow Miss Roxie and learn rock music from her."
But Jigglypuff focused on something entirely different.
"Jigglypuff?!"
(Does that mean I have to separate from Silas? I don't want to!)
The little Pokémon hugged him even tighter, pressing itself desperately into his arms.
Compared to singing, Jigglypuff would much rather stay at the ranch with Silas and everyone else.
Silas shook his head with a smile. The little one was truly sensitive.
Pinching the small tuft of hair sticking up on Jigglypuff's head, he softened his voice.
"I already discussed this with Miss Roxie. Considering you're still young, you'll mainly study online and by yourself for now. You won't be leaving the ranch."
As for advanced knowledge in the future, they could worry about that later.
Or perhaps he could even hire a Dragonite from Dragonite Island to fly Jigglypuff to and from school every day.
He did not want to be apart from Jigglypuff for too long either.
Upon hearing that it would not have to leave the ranch, Jigglypuff looked up at him with sparkling eyes. When he gave an affirming nod, it immediately broke into a wide smile.
"Jigglypuff!"
(I like you the most, Silas!)
"Jigglypuff!" Roxie called out at that moment.
Jigglypuff twisted its round body to look at her.
"Take this as a gift for our first meeting."
It was a small black booklet, filled with detailed notes and reflections from Roxie about rock music.
Jigglypuff's eyes lit up. It leaned halfway out of Silas's arms, but only accepted it after receiving his approval.
On the cover was a tiny electric guitar. Jigglypuff hugged the booklet tightly to its chest.
"Jigglypuff!"
(Thank you, Master!)
Since there was still time, Roxie gave Jigglypuff a lesson.
Meanwhile, Silas was dragged off by Diantha to go shopping. By the time the sky was tinged with orange red hues, he finally waved goodbye to the two women and headed home with the little ones.
Jigglypuff waved vigorously at its master in farewell. Silas saved Roxie's Xtransceiver number so Jigglypuff could call her anytime it had questions.
As they passed by the Gogoat, Minccino suddenly leapt up and grabbed Silas's hair.
"Min Min!"
(Silas, Silas, you still haven't taken me to ride Gogoat!)
He gently flicked away Minccino's little hand and grabbed onto Cyclizar instead.
Cyclizar abruptly sped up and dashed away. Only after they had left the city did it slow down.
Shaking his head with amusement, Silas flicked Minccino lightly on the forehead and changed the subject. If they continued, Cyclizar would get jealous again.
"I bought you a present."
"Min?!"
"I'll give it to you when we get home."
On the way back, Minccino kept guessing and pestering him about what it could be. Only upon arriving home did it finally quiet down.
It was immediately surrounded by the other Pokémon and began enthusiastically sharing stories about the concert, gesturing wildly with its paws. Minccino loved lively occasions more than anything.
"Indee!"
The older brother Indeedee stepped forward and took the various supplies Silas pulled out from his spatial backpack.
"Thanks. That gift box doesn't need to go into storage. It's for Minccino."
Hearing this from afar, Minccino's ears twitched. It quickly led a whole group of Pokémon rushing into the house.
It squeezed its way to Silas's side, climbed onto his shoulder, and began acting spoiled, making adorable "min min" sounds.
Under Minccino's impatient urging, Silas had no choice but to open the gift box first.
"Here. It's a Shiny Stone."
"Min!"
Minccino froze in surprise and reached out to touch it, but stopped midway.
Suddenly, it dashed out of the house.
Silas blinked in confusion.
Before long, Minccino returned, having gathered nearly all the ranch Pokémon. Large and small, they formed a crowd in front of the house.
Well then. As expected of Minccino, who loved showing off and lively scenes.
He had thought it had changed its mind and no longer wanted to evolve. Apparently he had overthought it.
Minccino simply wanted everyone to witness the moment.
It raised its little paws high and solemnly announced a major event to the Pokémon. Then it bounced back inside, grabbed Silas, and pulled him outside.
With a helpless smile, Silas picked Minccino up and stepped into the center of the crowd.
Minccino stood properly, unusually serious, and gently placed its small paw onto the Shiny Stone in Silas's hand.
In the next instant, the light of evolution burst forth, gradually enveloping Minccino.
The soft glow radiated outward. There were no surprises in Minccino's evolution.
A few seconds later, as the white light condensed and faded, a Pokémon that looked eighty to ninety percent similar to Minccino appeared before everyone.
However, Minccino's very first reaction after completing its evolution was completely beyond Silas's expectations.
(End of Chapter)