My Pokémon Story of Seasons

Chapter 212 Summer Safety Precautions

"No—are we leaving now?"

Isn't this too hasty? I don't even know what I'm going to do, and besides—

Tong Hua scratched his head. If he had to go away for three days and two nights, wouldn't that mean Happiness Dessert Shop would have to temporarily close again?

"Hmm, that's true. Why don't you pack your things first, and I'll explain everything to you slowly."

As Jessica spoke, she naturally walked into the house.

She casually hung her cowboy hat on the coat rack by the door, her long golden hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall, and her leather vest accentuating her tall and slender figure.

"Hey."

She took off her boots in the entryway, revealing her slender ankles encased in brown socks.

Then, with practiced ease, she took out slippers from the shoe cabinet, her movements as natural as if she were back in her own home.

"I should have told you the day before yesterday, but I was so busy talking about brewing wine that I completely forgot—"

'

Jessica said, smiling sheepishly.

"So what exactly happened?"

Tong Hua poured Jessica a glass of water, and the two sat on the sofa in the living room and started chatting.

"Actually, it's nothing much, just the annual routine for the village and Fengrao Town."

Every year in early June, a three-day, two-night summer safety lecture event is held, somewhat like a summer camp.

All minors are required to participate. You've been staying home for the past few years, so you probably didn't know that.

Hearing this, Tong Hua nodded silently. He truly didn't know about this, and even the original owner of this body had no recollection of it.

"The location is the Ranger Academy east of Windswept Town. Each person can bring a maximum of two Pokémon. Food and accommodation are included, and everything during the event is free."

"So that's how it is—"

A free summer camp that forces minors to participate sounds rather strange.

"Speaking of which, I'm 18 years old, am I not a minor yet?"

As soon as she said it, Tong Hua immediately realized what she had said.

In the Pokémon world, adulthood is around 20 years old, I think.

In a world where 10-year-olds can travel alone, it's surprising that 20-year-olds aren't considered adults.

"On another note, it's legal for minors to brew and drink alcohol without permission in this world—"

I really don't understand the standards here —

After silently grumbling to himself, Tong Hua shook his head, banishing those wild thoughts from his mind.

"So, we're going to that summer camp today?"

"Yes, yes." Jessica nodded. "Although I'm an adult now, to make up for forgetting to tell you, let me and the Rapidash take you there."

"All right----"

Since things had come to this, Tong Hua didn't plan to make any excuses to refuse. She figured it would be nice to just treat it as a trip and rest for three days and two nights.

"By the way, you can only bring a maximum of two Pokémon along, right? —"

Tong Hua stroked his chin, seemingly already sensing the fierce competition that would ensue among the ranch members vying for those two spots—a veritable "battleground."

A dozen minutes later, Tong Hua quickly prepared breakfast.

It was only 5:30, and several lazybones at home were still sound asleep.

"Ooh." "Kuku."

Riolu and Forest Lizard, who had just returned from their early morning workout, were just in time for breakfast.

Even after resolving the Star Stop and saving the world, they still did not slacken in their training.

The next goal is to become the world's number one explorer! To achieve this goal, I need to keep working hard, at least to evolve into Lucario and Sceptile, right?

"Ooh—"

Speaking of evolution, in their world, every Pokémon, regardless of its type, must have the help of Yggdrasil to evolve.

They had recently visited the World Tree's location and tried to evolve, but for some reason, the World Tree said they could never complete the evolution.

"Why is that? It's really baffling—"

Riolu poked at the fried egg on his plate in frustration, his ears drooping listlessly.

Tong Hua noticed his mood and thoughtfully put down her chopsticks.

"Don't worry about it."

"Things will work themselves out in the end; time will tell."

Tong Hua gave a cryptic reminder, and then asked another question.

"How about you two come out with me for a walk to clear your heads?"

There's a three-day, two-night event, and you can only bring two Pokémon. I'm thinking if I bring Slimie, Caterpillar, or Buzzwole, there'll definitely be a fight over the spots—"

"Whoa?!" "Kuku!"

Riolu and Forest Lizard both raised their heads at the same time, their eyes instantly lighting up.

Three days and two nights! And I get to travel with Tong Hua—this is a rare opportunity!

"Then it's settled." Tong Hua clapped her hands with a smile. "You two go and get ready. We'll leave after breakfast."

The two Pokémon quickly wolfed down their breakfast and excitedly ran off to pack their little backpacks.

Tong Hua watched their retreating figures and sighed softly.

Actually, there was another reason why he chose to bring Riolu and Grovyle, besides to avoid other Pokémon competing for them.

Riolu and the Forest Lizard are now companions of Fairy Tale Ranch, but Tong Hua has never had the time to spend much time with them.

Besides, no matter what, he and Riolu are parallel universe counterparts! Why are they always so distant?

So this summer camp is a great opportunity to get closer to Tong Hua and the two of them.

"Is everything ready?" Jessica poked her head out from the living room. "The Rapidash is already waiting outside."

Tong Hua nodded and walked to the doors of the greenhouse and the Pokémon's room one by one, gently knocking on the doors.

"Everyone, I have something to announce."

Before long, Slimie, Orion, Caterpillar, Chipmunk, Delibird, Celebi, and other Pokémon gathered around, rubbing their sleepy eyes.

"I'll be going out for an event for the next three days, so please look after the house while I'm away."

And this time, I can only bring two Pokémon with me.

As soon as Tong Hua finished speaking, the Pokémon, who were still half asleep, immediately woke up and stared at him expectantly.

"So this time I've decided to bring Riolu and Grovyle."

"Huh?!" "Meow?!" "Terrifying!"

Sure enough, cries of disappointment immediately rose and fell!

Sweet Wuni jumped over and hugged Tong Hua's leg, gazing at him with her big, watery eyes. The pickpocket cat wagged its tail in dissatisfaction, while the foam squirrel jumped onto Tong Hua's shoulder and gently tugged at his hair with its little paws.

"Okay, okay, stop fooling around—I'll definitely take you next time."

Tong Hua patted each of their heads and said, "This time we're going to attend a lecture and learn, not to play. You guys stay home and behave yourselves."

It's already summer, so while I'm away, you can stay home, enjoy the air conditioning, and watch TV. Nobody will bother you; you can do whatever you want.

When I return after completing my studies, I'll find an opportunity to take you on a trip to a luxurious tourist destination with a beach. Is that alright?

After I finish speaking, who agrees? Who disagrees?

As soon as Tong Hua finished speaking, the Pokémon that had been sulking just moments before instantly quieted down.

"Oh, right." After a few seconds of silence, Sweet Wu Ni was still a little reluctant, but she was the first to respond and nodded sensibly.

"Fufu." "Terrible." "Meow."

Half an hour later, Tong Hua, carrying a simple bag, came outside with Riolu and the forest lizard.

Each of the three carried a bag. Tong Hua's bag contained some seasonings and a set of portable, simple alchemy equipment.

Even attending summer camp couldn't stop him from studying alchemy!

Meanwhile, Grovyle and Riolu prepared some training tools, such as a sturdy and durable frisbee, a forced training device, a power wristband, and boxing gloves for Riolu to use when boxing.

At this very moment, Jessica's Galarian Rapidash was waiting outside the door, her tall and imposing figure looking particularly majestic in the morning light.

"Ooh---" Riolu looked at Rapidash with some nervousness. He was still not used to riding Pokémon.

Last time he went back to save the world, in order to reach the Phantom Continent, he, the forest lizard, and sometimes Rabi sailed the entire ocean for a week aboard Laplace.

From then on, for a long time he avoided going near the water and refused to use any means of transportation.

"Don't worry, the Rapidash is very docile."

Jessica smiled and stroked the Fiery Steed's mane. "And she's really steady when she runs."

With Jessica's help, Tong Hua and the two Pokémon carefully rode onto Rapidash's back.

The forest lizard sat at the very back, Tong Hua was in the front, and Riolu was tightly hugging Tong Hua's waist, sandwiched between the two.

Before leaving, Tong Hua didn't forget to give some instructions to Tian Wu Ni and Shuang Nai Xian.

"Just don't tear the house down. The dessert shop should probably close for the next couple of days."

If you'd like, you could try making some snacks or desserts using ingredients you have at home; your guests might actually enjoy them.

"Ouch!"

As soon as Tong Hua finished speaking, the three Frost Fairies suddenly cheered.

Finally, they can be fully in charge of making the desserts! No backing out allowed! They've been waiting for this day for so long!

"Are you all seated? Let's go!" Jessica said, quickly mounting her horse after Tong Hua finished speaking. She sat at the front and said, "Hold on tight!"

At Jessica's command, the fiery steed took off like an arrow. The wind whistled past their ears, and the surrounding scenery rushed by.

"La-hua—"

As they watched Rapidash gallop away, the Pokémon in the ranch gazed into the distance.

Of all those eyes, only the pink shrub's gaze was fixed firmly on her forest lizard.

"Oh my."

After the fiery horse's silhouette shrank to a tiny dot in the distance, the mischievous Sweetie suddenly had a bold idea—