League Year 198, Winter 8th.
With the arrival of a cold wave, the Paldea Region has officially embraced the chilly winter.
Although there's no snow yet, the temperature has dropped to the extent that one needs to wear autumn pants.
Naoki got up in the morning to find a layer of white frost covering the yellowed grass outside, the north wind blew through the valley bringing a whimpering sound from afar.
"It's indeed getting colder!"
The weather forecast said the temperature would drop sharply these two days, advising citizens to prepare in advance, and it seemed to be true now.
Naoki pulled the curtain and turned to sit on the sofa, watching the morning news of the day.
A fireplace was burning in the room, its bright red glow warmly illuminating the entire living room.
As it gets colder, the Pokemon are reluctant to play outside, led by Cyclizar, a group of Pokemon lazily warming themselves by the fireplace.
Pawmot even happily exposed its belly.
This is a sign of feeling very comfortable and secure for Pokemon.
Naoki found it somewhat amusing.
At this moment, the Indeedee brother approached and asked, "Ai-ee?"
Naoki ate two pieces of Translation Nuts Cake, "Go ahead."
The Indeedee brother repeated, "Ai-ee?" (Master, when do you plan to set off for the Galar Region?)
With the weather getting colder lately, it feared it might snow soon.
"I told you, don't call me master, just call me Naoki." Naoki was somewhat helpless, he had told the Indeedee brother many times now.
But the Indeedee brother was very firm in this regard, even the Indeedee sister had changed, yet he persisted.
The Indeedee brother obligingly responded, "Ai-ee." (Alright.)
The expression on his face clearly wrote the words 'dare again next time'.
Naoki: "..." Forget it.
The Indeedee brother had always been a sensible and mature Pokemon, understanding that he and his sister were sent to the farm to serve as a steward for their new master.
Hence, he always played the role of a mature steward.
Naoki thought for a while and decided not to continue the topic, instead answering, "Probably soon, I had previously ordered a batch of winter scarves from town. Once I've given them out to Psyduck and Greedent, I'll set off."
The Indeedee brother nodded in agreement.
In the afternoon, the scarf shop owner personally delivered a box of Pokemon scarves to the farm.
After signing for them, Naoki immediately took the box of scarves to the group of Psyduck, tying them on each one.
The Psyducks were delighted with their new attire.
They joyfully looked at the scarves in front of them, bouncing excitedly by the river.
Naoki smiled at the scene, and indeed, the Psyducks looked noticeably cuter wearing scarves.
Perhaps this is the charm of dressing up?
It's said that some noble ladies love to adorn their Pokemon with various items.
Due to this, Pokemon beauty salons have sprung up in major cities.
"Keep playing, I have things to do, see you later!" Naoki waved to the group of Psyduck.
The Psyducks mimicked him, waving their little arms with cheerful smiles: "Psyduck!"
Naoki chuckled, then turned and headed to the Berry Garden dotted with wooden cabins.
With winter here, these fruit trees no longer bear berries.
But surprisingly, they remain lush as before, not bare like other trees.
For this reason, Naoki had previously looked up books on berry tree planting.
He still remembered how that book described it.
"The magical berry trees are trees blessed by nature, these magical berries have a very short growth cycle. If planted in sufficient quantities, they can even meet the needs of Pokemon in the entire forest."
"Berry trees don't wither in winter, but won't grow berries either. Scholars speculate this is because the cold winter causes nature to enter a dormant period."
"But don't worry, when winter passes and spring arrives, the trees will bear berries again."
"Berry trees have a very long lifespan; if not affected by natural disasters, human logging, or Pokemon moves, they will keep growing."
"Some explorers have even found a gigantic berry tree in a mysterious and ancient forest, bearing countless fruits, with many Pokemon residing nearby. It's speculated that the tree has lived for at least a thousand years."
"Amazing," Naoki murmured.
He couldn't help but imagine that scene.
A tree taller than three Koraidon combined, with a sturdy trunk that three adults can't wrap their arms around, growing exceedingly lush, dense tree clusters, and branches hanging with one plump berry after another.
Naoki's first thought was that it would be perfect to build a treehouse on it.
If only he could grow such a giant berry tree.
However, unfortunately, it's almost impossible in his lifetime unless these berry trees undergo genetic mutation themselves.
As Naoki just stepped into the Berry Garden, Greedent happily darted out from the wooden cabin.
"Chirp chirp chirp!"
Naoki placed the box on the ground and reached out to stroke its head.
Upon hearing Greedent's growl, other Pokemon also started peeking out of the cabins one by one.