The following m, Naoki awoke to the sound of rain drumming against the roof. Peering out the window, he saw a gray world shrouded in a steady downpour.

  "Well, at least I won't have to water the crops today," Naoki thought, a small smile pying on his lips.

  The spring rain was a wele sight, nourishing the newly pnted seeds. With the weather being what it was, Naoki decided to stay indoors, opting to rearrahe furniture and give the old house a fresh look.

  He moved the desk closer to the window, allowing for a wider view while reading, and positiohe bed against the er for a sense of security.

  As for the cupboard...

  Naoki circled it, pting its pt. He finally decided to move it to the opposite side of the room, creating a divisioween the living area and the kit.

  As he and Koraidon shifted the cupboard, Naoki was surprised to discover a dusty firepce hidden behind it. It was dark and sooty but appeared to be in w order.

  With time to spare, Naoki set about ing out the old ashes and debris. It wasn't long before the firepce otless.

  "What a nice surprise," Naoki thought, pleased with his discovery.

  With a funing firepce, he wouldn't have to worry about freezing during the winter months. For a former office worker aced to modern veniehis was a novel aing find.

  The firepce reminded him of the fairy tales he had read as a child - heartwarming stories of mother bears knitting by the fire while their cubs pyed with balls of yarn. It was a cozy image, ohat he now found himself longing for.

  Of course, a few more Pokémon would make the picture plete. A cute Eevee, a warm-hearted Vulpix, a pyful Pikachu, or a cuddly Skitty would be lovely additions to the ranch.

  "This is real life."

  Naoki sighed, refleg on his previous life. If he hadn't transmigrated, he would likely be rushing through the rain to catch the subway for work. But the past was the past, and there was no use dwelling on it.

  The present was what mattered.

  Naoki shook his head, clearing away the lingering thoughts. The air in the house felt stuffy, so he opehe door, letting in a cool breeze.

  He settled at the desk and began flipping through the "Rancyclopedia," searg for information on spring crops, their fertilization needs, growth cycles, and expected yields.

  Cyclizar and Koraidon didn't disturb him as he read, instead choosing to lounge by the door, listening to the rhythmic pattern of rain.

  Suddenly, Koraidon perked up, its head tilting to the side.

  "Gaa?"

  Naoki looked up, following Koraidon's gaze. "What's wrong?" he asked.

  "Gaa," Koraidon responded, pointing its head towards the open door.

  Naoki stood up and walked towards the door, curious about what had caught Koraidon's attention. There, huddled uhe eaves, was a familiar green Caterpie, its body soaked by the rain.

  "Caterpie?" Naoki questioned, a sense of surprise washing over him.

  As if hearing his voice, the Caterpie weakly opes eyes and looked towards him.

  Naoki's heart leaped. Could this be the same Caterpie he had given the glutinous rice dumplings yesterday? But why had it followed him?

  Intrigued and ed, Naoki gently picked up the Caterpie, bringing it inside. He carefully dried its tiny body with a soft cloth, then ed it in an old b.

  "Hmm..." The Caterpie's eyes expressed gratitude as it led into the warmth.

  "It followed me here yesterday," Naoki thought, the shivering Caterpie. "It must have been a tough journey, with its slow speed and potential predators. But after eating the magical fruit, it could finally fight back."

  Naoki was impressed. While the Caterpie might not have been strong enough to defeat its attackers, its toughened silk had allowed it to restrain them.

  The Caterpie, witnessing its own newfound strength, felt immense gratitude towards the human who had helped it. It craved further growth, yearning to prove its worth to the world. That desire had driven it to seek out Naoki.

  However, afraid of being a burden, it had remained outside, braving the rain.

  Naoki fetched a pte of warm Oran Berry juice, known for its revitalizing properties, and pced it before the Caterpie. As it drank, Naoki wondered if the Caterpie, like Ash's Heracross in the anime, had been won over by his kindness and sought to bee his Pokémon.

  After a moment's ption, Naoki asked tentatively, "Do you wao be your Trainer?"

  The Caterpie paused mid-sip, the warmth of the juice spreading through its body. It nodded vigorously. "Cater!"

  Naoki spread his hands, "But I'm not a Trainer. As you see, I'm just a simple rancher. I don't know the first thing about training Pokémon."

  His knowledge of Pokémon training urely theoretical, gleaned from watg the anime. He had no practical experience.

  The Caterpie's eyes drooped with sadness. "Cater..."

  Naoki scratched his head, marveling at the creature's intellige had journeyed here alone, seeking his guidan its quest for strength. He couldn't simply igs plea.

  Naoki khat while Caterpie were weak, their evolved form, Butterfree, was a valuable asset. They could help pollihe ranch's crops, promoting growth and abundance.

  After some deliberation, Naoki spoke, "I'm not a Trainer, so I 't train you iraditional sense. But I help you bee stronger in other ways. Even so, do you still want to stay with me?"

  He khat with his cooking abilities, he might one day create a dish that could enhance a Butterfree's or Caterpie's abilities. But the possibility wasn't guaranteed, hehe cautious w. If the Caterpie agreed, he would let it stay and help out on the ranch.

  The Caterpie uood. It looked down at the b ed around it, then at the warm juice. This human had shown it nothing but kindness, resg it from the wild, and providing it with nourishment and shelter.

  At that moment, the Caterpie's decision was no longer solely about being stronger. It simply liked Naoki.

  With newfound resolve, the Caterpie nodded.