Lucas turned back to the front desk and inadvertently saw the calendar hanging on the wall.
December 31st.
"Is it already the 31st today?"
Lucas couldn't help but ask.
"Yes, I already bought a new calendar from Twinleaf Town today. I'll hang it up first thing tomorrow morning."
Mrs. Fujino, who was sitting in the rest area doing some handiwork, looked up and said.
"Is time passing that quickly?"
Lucas scratched the back of his head.
"After all, Christmas just passed."
Mrs. Fujino said with a gentle look while looking at the calendar.
Has it been almost a year since I came here?
Lucas thought to himself as he went back to the rest area and sat down.
"At this rate, is spring about to arrive?"
Lucas wasn't sure when spring started in Twinleaf Town. He only remembered his own division of spring as being from the Beginning of Spring to the Beginning of Summer, with the Beginning of Spring falling exactly on February 4th. He didn't know if Twinleaf Town followed the same timing.
Mrs. Fujino stopped her needlework, looked up to think for a moment, and then looked at Lucas, saying: "Normally, spring in Twinleaf Town starts in mid-to-late January, around the 20th. That's when the earth begins to revitalize. However, we might see the ice and snow melt earlier this year, since we've had several heavy snowfalls."
Around the 20th? That wasn't much different from the time he had in mind.
"In previous years, around the 20th, the townspeople would start preparing for spring plowing. They would prepare the seeds needed for sowing, and when the earth revitalizes and the green grass grows, they bury the seeds and wait for the harvest."
Mrs. Fujino said to herself.
"Then our Breeding House should also start preparing for sowing."
Lucas raised his hand, and Ninetales, understanding his intent, rested its head on Lucas's lap. Lucas placed his hand on its head, and it squinted its eyes, enjoying his massage.
"After all, there is still a lot of land we can use at our Breeding House. Although the vegetables and berries in the planting area can grow in winter, we have more and more people at the Breeding House now, so we need to expand the planting area. There's also the herb area; we need to plant more herbal medicine."
Lucas said while stroking Ninetales's fluffy and smooth head.
"And I'm also planning to clear a section to try growing some tea leaves myself. I'm just not sure if it will be successful."
Mrs. Fujino sat nearby listening to Lucas, nodding. During her time working at the Breeding House, she had become very familiar with the work. Most of the time, she and Mr. Fujino could properly handle the tasks Lucas assigned.
At this point, she said, "Alright, I'll find some time to go to the seed shop in town and buy some seeds to have them ready."
"Okay, I'll give you a list then. You can give it to the grandmother at the seed shop, and I'll go over to settle the bill later."
Lucas suddenly remembered something and said with a smile, "It seems like I've spent about as much time away from the Breeding House as I have stayed here this winter."
"I thought I could relax a bit once winter came, but who knew I'd have to go out and handle things every time? It's not any easier than the work in summer or autumn. Plus, there's a pile of things waiting for me to handle at the start of spring, and I also need to make time to watch Dawn's Grand Festival and Ash and the others' Lily of the Valley Conference."
Lucas's head throbbed at the thought of having so many things to handle.
"That's not all, Shopkeeper."
Mr. Fujino, who was sitting in the rest area reading a book, spoke up, and Lucas looked over.
"Based on our past experience, spring is a vibrant season full of infinite possibilities. Therefore, many people choose to travel in the spring to start their Pokémon journeys. As a result, many will choose to buy pokémon eggs or adopt Pokémon in the spring."
Hearing Mr. Fujino's words, Lucas was stunned.
Mr. Fujino looked up at Lucas and said with a smile, "In the past, since Twinleaf Town didn't have a Breeding House, many people would choose to seek help from Trainers in town to catch a Pokémon in the wild. Some would choose to go to Sandgem Town to adopt a starter Pokémon, or go to large cities like Veilstone City to buy pokémon eggs."
Mr. Fujino paused for a moment and continued: "Don't look at our Twinleaf Town's small size; there are definitely many children who harbor dreams and set out to travel every spring. Besides, the neighboring Sandgem Town doesn't have a Breeding House either. Professor Rowan's Research Institute alone cannot provide Pokémon for all the children in Sandgem Town."
"Are you saying—"
"The Breeding House will probably—to use your words, Shopkeeper—be busy enough to fly."
Lucas: "—"
"I wonder if there are enough pokémon eggs in the incubation room."
Lucas was a bit worried.
"I don't think we need to worry too much about the pokémon eggs."
Seeing Lucas look at him, Mr. Fujino continued: "Because becoming a Trainer, Coordinator, or other profession is truly too difficult for some children. Although a large group of children leaves Twinleaf Town every year, it won't be long before another large group returns."
"And—"
Mr. Fujino paused again, then spoke softly: "Not all families can afford pokémon eggs either. They don't want the weak ones, and the powerful ones are very precious and expensive, making them not worth it."
Lucas laughed, "So, that's also my purpose for opening the Breeding House. As long as those children have dreams in their hearts, that's enough."
Mr. Fujino was stunned for a moment.
Lucas buried his head in Ninetales's neck, took a deep breath, then looked up and said softly: "As long as they want to try, I will do my best to help them. In fact, on the path of a Trainer, Coordinator, or other professions, while the strength of a Pokémon is important, what's more important is a firm heart and the bond with the Pokémon."
"I've always believed that as long as you believe in your Pokémon, you will definitely succeed."
"Pokémon themselves are full of infinite possibilities."
"Besides, coming back after going out is still having tried, isn't it?"
"For those who need to buy pokémon eggs, I will recommend suitable ones. For those who want to adopt a Pokémon, I will take them to pick a forest Pokémon and give them a chance to be recognized by it, or help them catch a wild Pokémon—"
After listening to Lucas, Mr. Fujino laughed, "This is also why our Breeding House is so liked by the people of Twinleaf Town—bringing smiles to people."
Lucas also laughed, "That's true."
Mr. Fujino picked up his book and continued reading.
Finally, he added, "Anyway, the one who needs to worry is the boss; we're just employees."
Lucas slumped onto the rocking chair as if accepting his fate, "Uncle Fujino, you won't leave me high and dry, right? You won't, right?"
"Who knows."
Mr. Fujino looked down at his book, which was a book on breeding knowledge collected by Lucas.
Mr. Fujino felt that after studying breeding knowledge for so long, he could try to go for a Breeder certification.
After studying for a bit longer, he would ask the Shopkeeper if he could go take the Breeder certification exam.
"Don't worry, Shopkeeper. When you're not around, he cares more about the Breeding House's affairs than anyone else. He looks after the Canteen, keeps an eye on the delivery orders, and also goes to the backyard to take care of the Pokémon."
Mrs. Fujino said with a smile.
"Then I'll give you a raise. The Breeding House has plenty of money now."
Lucas was incredibly generous.
"Hahaha, then thank you, Shopkeeper."
Lucas lay on the rocking chair, staring at the ceiling. After a while, he spoke: "After spring starts, I need to prepare to plant some rare berries and herbs, as well as tea leaves. I wonder if the soil at the Breeding House can meet the needs of these rare crops."
Mrs. Fujino bit off the thread with her teeth and spread out the clothes in her hands, very satisfied with her handiwork. Hearing Lucas's words, she comforted him, "Don't worry, the God of Spring will bless our Breeding House."
"God of Spring?"
Lucas thought of Enamorus, whom he had seen in the Hisui region, the legendary "God of Spring."
Mrs. Fujino put away the clothes, planning to let Shauna try them on when she returned to see if they fit. Her hands didn't stop moving as she responded to Lucas.
"Yes, the God of Spring. The deity who has protected our Sinnoh region in legends. It is said that it bestowed its mercy upon our ancient Sinnoh region, and then our Sinnoh region became full of life."
Mrs. Fujino thought of something and said: "By the way, according to the legends of our Twinleaf Town, it is said that Twinleaf Town was protected by the God of Spring during the struggle among three other deities. Therefore, our Twinleaf Town holds a festival every year to thank the God of Spring."
"Speaking of which, you've participated in it too, Shopkeeper—the Thanksgiving Festival."
Lucas was incredibly shocked. So the Thanksgiving Day festival in Twinleaf Town he had participated in was actually to thank the "God of Spring," Enamorus?
Also, the God of Spring protected Twinleaf Town during the struggle of the other three deities... this sounded a bit like—
The events of him and Cynthia going to the Hisui region?
If that was the case—
If the village where Akari lived was the predecessor of Twinleaf Town, then weren't the ones who protected Twinleaf Town actually him and Cynthia?!
Hiss— After all that, my connection with Twinleaf Town has existed for a long time?
Was Thanksgiving Day actually thanking me and Cynthia?
Lucas fell into silence.
This matter was truly quite dramatic.
Of course, this could be the timeline without Lucas—that is, what happened if Lucas hadn't gone back to the past.
Because at that time, Enamorus only appeared after he and Cynthia stopped Landorus and the others. It's possible that because it was still on its way, he had already resolved the matter. When it arrived and found nothing left to do, it just handled the aftermath.
While Lucas was thinking, several lines of text suddenly popped up.
[Thanksgiving, Mercy: "God of Spring" Enamorus once stopped the conflict between Landorus, Thundurus, and Tornadus in the ancient Hisui region (Ancient Sinnoh). Facing the behavior of Thundurus and Tornadus trampling on life, it teamed up with Landorus to punish Thundurus and Tornadus. Afterward, it and Landorus brought fertile soil and the sprouts of life to the ancient Hisui region. To thank it, the people of the Hisui region held the "Thanksgiving Day" and "Mercy Day" festivals respectively. When leaving the Hisui region, Enamorus left a part of its power in the Hisui region. No human or Pokémon knows why it chose to separate its power.]
[Merciful Rain of the Dry Sky: Enamorus's power turned into an everlasting rain, falling incessantly on the current Sinnoh region, thereby awakening the vibrant vitality of the Sinnoh region. Now, this power has been influenced by you. It is pleasantly surprised and also amazed that your Breeding House has so many blessings. It has also sincerely blessed the Breeding House: All crops planted in the Breeding House's soil will adapt to the soil. Even if the temperature and climate are wrong, the planted seeds will always retain a final glimmer of hope for life, waiting for the day they sprout and grow.]
[Life is the most wonderful thing, isn't it, Enamorus?]
[Earth, Cloud, and Rain: Rejoice! The land of the Breeding House has welcomed the true hope of life: The Breeding House's soil will provide the corresponding soil richness according to the different crops planted. In short, it will provide the most suitable soil richness based on the crop.]
[I have not forgotten what I promised you — Landorus]
[Merciful Rain of the Dry Sky 2: The kind raindrops will bring a rich aura of life to the Breeding House. Besides crop Growth, the Breeding House's environment will be more suitable for Pokémon to live in, and its attractiveness to wild Pokémon will skyrocket.]
[Long time no see — Lucas — Enamorus]
[Lightning Brings Destruction: Thundurus hates this ancient region. This place brought it indelible harm. At specific times each year, thunderstorm weather will always appear in the coastal areas of this region.]
[Gales Bring Despair: Tornadus dislikes this ancient region. Storms are symbols of destruction and despair. However, it witnessed this region standing on its own feet again on the earth after thunderstorms and storms, and after heavy rain. Therefore, it uncontrollably emitted its power. At specific times each year, storm weather will always appear in the coastal areas of this region.]
[Merciful Rain of the Dry Sky 3: After the thunderstorms and storms pass, this region will completely welcome a Bumper Harvest! A huge Bumper Harvest! A massive Bumper Harvest!]
[Humans, I respect them, so I am willing to protect them! — Landorus, Enamorus]
[Thunderstorms and Storms: Storms and thunderstorms have brought a heavy price to the people of the Sinnoh region. Are you willing to go resolve it—(Garbled text)]
[???]
[—]
Lucas: "—"
How did it disappear halfway through?!
Lucas frowned. Just as he was about to complain, he saw the text appear again.
Finally, a line of text appeared. When Lucas saw it, he was overjoyed.
[Thunderstorms and Storms (Resolved): —]
[Thunderstorms and Storms?! What are those? Get lost! — ???]
"Does this even need to be hidden?!"
Lucas was overjoyed and asked his Golden Finger.
"Look at this tone. I'd know who it is even with my eyes closed. Appears gentle and refined on the surface, but is actually a battle maniac. Thundurus and Tornadus really can't beat it. Daring to stir up trouble at sea? It'll beat the life out of you!"
"Just kidding. Even if you hide inland, it'll still go over and beat you up!"
Lucas looked at the reappearing text and smiled knowingly.
[Favorable Weather: Your Breeding House will have distinct seasons: warm spring, hot summer, cool autumn, and cold winter. It will not be affected by severe weather, and the development speed of crops will increase.]
The color of this text was golden.
Lucas naturally knew whose blessing this was. No wonder it was so overbearing.
On an unknown sea area on the other side.
Tornadus was angrily fighting Thundurus in the sky over the sea.
A certain large white bird in the deep sea suddenly sneezed. Feeling the abnormal climate in the sky above its head, it burst out of the sea with a bit of grumpiness from being woken up. Transforming into a divine bird, it directly dispersed the dark clouds in the sky, then shook its head.
"Strange, why did I feel like someone was there just now? Whatever, back to sleep. Waiting for Lucas to come find me and go to Galar."
After saying that, it dived back into the seabed to sleep.
On an island on the other side, Tornadus and Thundurus floated up with bruised faces. They glanced at each other and then turned to leave quickly.
Damn, why is this jinx here—
***************************
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