Geeta was genuinely pleased. Naoki's performance hadn't just defended the dignity of Paldea's Gym Leaders, it also showcased their strength to the entire Pokémon world.
In an age where the internet connects everything and everyone, even the smallest news can explode in seconds.
If word had spread that a visiting trainer had effortlessly "swept" the Levincia Gym, it would've sparked a wildfire of opinions. One person posts, ten people repost, and soon, everyone would be saying it:
"Paldea's trainers are weaker than those in other regions."
Such a narrative could easily spiral into something much worse, damaging Paldea's reputation and credibility. Fewer challengers, less tourism, less recognition.
Geeta would not allow that to happen.
So yes, she was happy. Very happy.
And when Geeta was happy, she liked to give rewards.
"Naoki, would you like a reward?" she asked with a bright smile.
Naoki paused. "...No, I'm good."
His tone was calm and sincere. His life already felt whole.
He had his beloved Pokémon. He had Iono. And soon, their baby would be born. What more could he possibly need?
Still, Geeta was a little taken aback. "Really? Nothing at all?"
Naoki exchanged a glance with Iono and smiled. "The ranch's doing well. The Pokémon I love are all here with me. I've got Iono by my side... and soon, our little one too."
Geeta's eyes softened. She understood Naoki's contentment came not from things, but from the life he had built.
"Well, even so," she grinned, "I'll ask Larry to keep an eye out. If I spot a rare treasure on the market, I'll have it sent your way!"
Naoki chuckled under his breath. 'Poor Larry…'
"Alright, that's it for now!" Geeta waved. "I'm off to inspect a few more Gyms. Who knows, maybe I'll spot another future champion! See you!"
"Take care," Naoki said as she ended the call.
Later that evening, sister Indeedee did the dishes while the Pokémon sprawled across the floor, worn out after a long day. Some of them were already snoring.
Seeing their muddy paws and tired faces, Naoki considered giving them a quick bath.
But just as he was about to move, Iono stretched her arms out toward him.
"…What is it?" he asked, a bit puzzled.
Then he realized.
She missed him.
Naoki smiled warmly. "Want to take a walk outside?"
The summer air was cool now that the sun had set, and a gentle breeze blew through the hills. It was the perfect evening.
"Yeah," Iono murmured softly.
So they stepped outside together, walking hand-in-hand along the quiet path that curved around their ranch, winding past the chicken coop and apple orchard.
The night was calm. The sky glittered with stars. The breeze was clean and gentle.
After a while, Iono smiled playfully and declared, "I'm sooooo tired!"
Naoki raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me… you went picking fruit again?"
Since getting married, she always wanted to help around the ranch, whether it was watering fields, lifting crates, or gathering fruit from the orchard.
"I just wanted to make your load lighter," she protested.
"I never said I wasn't happy," Naoki replied. "I just don't want you overdoing it."
"Hmph! Fine, then…" Iono huffed, pretending to pout. "I'm not talking to you anymore."
Naoki gave her a side glance. "Then what do you want?"
"Carry me!" she said suddenly, wrapping her arms around his neck.
He blinked for a second, stunned. Then he laughed.
"Alright." He crouched down and gently lifted her onto his back.
They walked in silence, the gravel crunching beneath Naoki's boots.
Then Iono spoke up again. "Hey… when we're old, will you still be able to carry me?"
"Of course," Naoki answered without hesitation.
"Will you still love me when I'm old and wrinkled?"
Naoki didn't even pause. "Always."
She rested her cheek against his shoulder, smiling in contentment.
A few minutes later, Iono lightly kicked her feet and hopped down.
"You've been working all day," she said with a grin. "I'll let you off the hook for now!"
Naoki smiled and said, "Alright."
The two of them strolled leisurely around the ranch. As they passed by the orchard, Iono suddenly remembered something and asked,
"By the way, I saw a strange tree over there today. There's a big hollow in its trunk. Did you plant that?"
"Hm?" Naoki glanced in the direction she pointed, then quickly realized what she meant.
"Oh, that's the Breeding Treehouse. It's said that if you place a Pokémon Egg inside, the tree draws nutrients from the earth to nurture the egg, helping the Pokémon inside grow healthier and stronger."
He added thoughtfully, "It's also said to boost the Pokémon's potential and aptitude."
In terms of game mechanics? Every Pokémon hatched from there would be perfect 6 IVs, top-tier in every stat.
"Wow, that's incredible!" Iono gasped. Then, as if a new thought had suddenly crossed her mind, she looked down at her belly and asked,
"Do you think it would work on our baby too?"
Naoki blinked. "Huh?"
"Well… there's that theory, right? That humans are technically a kind of Pokémon too," Iono muttered. "If that's even slightly true, then maybe it could help our baby grow stronger and healthier."
Naoki looked unsure. "...I don't really know about that."
He had heard the theory before, some far-flung lore suggesting that humans and Pokémon share a common ancestor, but whether there was any truth to it, no one could say for sure.
Iono didn't hesitate. "Well, just in case, I've decided! I'm going to sit in that tree hollow for a while every day."
The hollow in the Breeding Treehouse hadn't been very big originally, but over the past year, it had mysteriously expanded. The last time Naoki checked, it had become spacious enough for someone to lie down in.
Iono was small, so it wouldn't be a problem at all.
"Alright," Naoki said with a nod. "I'll set up a mattress for you tomorrow morning. Just head over whenever you like."
"Deal!" Iono replied cheerfully.
—
Time passed quietly. Before they knew it, the calendar had flipped to June 11th, League Calendar Year 202.
Two months had gone by since Naoki took on the part-time role of Gym Leader, and by now, both he and the Pokémon had settled comfortably into their new routine.
Each morning, Naoki would leave Tree House Ranch to work at the Levincia Gym, and return home just in time for dinner.
As her pregnancy progressed, Iono began experiencing a slew of changes, her appetite increased noticeably, and she grew sleepier with each passing week.
After lunch, it had become her new habit to wander over to the Breeding Treehouse and curl up inside for a cozy afternoon nap.
In addition to her daily routines, Iono would occasionally livestream her life at the ranch, filming short vlogs of Pokémon playing around, Butterfree gliding over flowerbeds, Cyclizar zipping between trees, Flutter Mane haunting the orchard for fun, and Dragonite delivering parcels. She uploaded the videos to her page to record these warm, fleeting moments.
The gym work itself fluctuated. Some days Naoki faced several challengers in a row. Other times, it was quiet for days. When he had free time, he would open Iono's page to watch the Pokémon vlogs. He always ended up smiling softly.
Over the past two months, Naoki had run into a handful of particularly memorable trainers during his time as acting Gym Leader.
One stood out: Corina, the girl he'd met on his very first day.
She had zero badges back then, her only Pokémon a timid Ralts. After taking Naoki's advice to heart, she began training fiercely in the wilds outside Levincia, battling wild Pokémon, sparring with other trainers, leveling up nonstop.
Eventually, her Ralts evolved all the way into a confident Gardevoir.
Not only that, but she also caught a Meowth with a knack for Fury Swipes. With a well-planned strategy and real determination, Gardevoir took down Jolteon in a close match, and Corina earned her first Gym Badge.
Naoki could still remember her and Gardevoir crying tears of joy, holding up the Lightning Badge together and shouting, "We did it!"
Most trainers wouldn't stay in one city for two full months just to conquer a single gym. They'd usually move on and return later, stronger.
But Corina had that stubborn fire, that single-minded "level grinding" spirit, reminding Naoki of those Swordmasters in wuxia novels who trained alone on mountainsides.
Her victory became one of his proudest moments as a Gym Leader.
...
Bonus Chapter.
Stones PlZzz