"Peter, aren't you going to invite me in for a bit?"
Erika leaned closer, tilting her head as she smiled, her cheeks almost brushing his.
Peter instinctively leaned back. "Uh… that might not be appropriate, right? I already have a girlfriend…"
"Pfft—" Erika covered her mouth and laughed softly. "Looks like I was a little too forward~"
She turned sideways and pointed toward Dolliv inside the room. "Actually, it's about that child. Don't you want to hear my advice?"
"Huh?" Peter froze.
"If I'm not mistaken, it's very close to evolving~"
Peter's expression instantly turned serious. "Miss Erika, I think it's absolutely necessary that you come in and sit down!"
…..
Half an hour later, Peter's door opened again.
"Thanks so much, Erika. I'll take Dolliv to the northern flower fields tomorrow," Peter said with a smile.
From Erika, he'd just learned several important points about Dolliv's upcoming evolution. In return, Peter shared the cultivation method for Powerleaf Spinach with her.
"Mmm~" Erika gave a slight bow. "I really enjoyed chatting with you today, Peter. If that scent can really be made into perfume, I'll mail you a bottle~"
"Ah—no, really, that won't be necessary…"
Peter's mouth twitched violently.
Who in their right mind would use manure-scented perfume?
"Then… Peter, do you still have anything else to do tonight?" Erika smiled sweetly, her gentle sway somehow looking dangerously alluring.
"Ah? Something… else?" Peter's heart skipped a beat.
"Actually, a cute boy like you could do other things too, you know~"
As she spoke, her face flushed faintly, her gaze drifting—intentionally or not—toward the large bed in Peter's room.
"Ah—no, no, no! I still need to video call Whitney! Miss Erika, you should head back and rest early too!"
Peter waved his hands frantically, instantly bringing Whitney into the conversation—terrified he might be devoured alive by the elegant lady before him.
"What a shame~" Erika smiled enigmatically as she turned around, the rolling curves of her figure barely concealed by her slender back. "Then I'll take my leave~"
"Phew…"
Just as Peter finally let out a breath of relief, a playful voice rang out behind him.
"Just like Whitney said—Peter, you really are a good boy. If she hadn't gotten to you first, I might've wanted to try falling in love too~ Hehe!"
"Wha—?!"
Peter snapped his head up, only to see a mischievous, devilish smile curling at Erika's lips.
"Hehe~ I was just teasing you. It was actually Whitney who asked me to come find you. From now on, if you ever have questions about Grass-type Pokémon, feel free to ask me anytime~"
With that, Erika left cheerfully, leaving Peter behind, utterly helpless.
She really was just like in the original stories—an elegant Yamato nadeshiko on the outside, but with a little devil living inside her heart.
Good thing I didn't do anything embarrassing just now…
------
The night passed without incident.
Early the next morning, Peter first visited the famous Flower World Florist in town.
Located near Eterna Forest, the shop had access to Berry resources no less abundant than Eterna City itself, and its reputation stretched far and wide. Peter bought a large batch of Berries and stored them in his system inventory, preparing to mass-produce Intermediate Pokéblocks later.
After that, he headed north with Dolliv toward the Flower Garden fields.
According to Erika, Grass-type Pokémon required more than just energy accumulation to evolve—they also needed immersion in natural aura.
This sea of flowers was home to the rare Gracidea flowers, which bloomed once a year. During the blooming season, the Gratitude Pokémon—Shaymin—would visit.
They spread pollen across the fields, transform from Land Forme into Sky Forme, and then migrate beyond Mount Coronet, carrying gratitude to the world.
If Dolliv could absorb the natural aura within a garden shaped by Shaymin themselves, its evolution would almost certainly succeed—and bring considerable benefits.
It was early autumn now.
The season when Gracidea flowers bloomed.
Peter's timing couldn't have been better.
Lost in thought about Shaymin, he arrived at the entrance to the flower fields.
Before he could approach, two men stopped him.
"Hey, kid. What are you doing here?"
"Huh? I just wanted to go inside and take a look."
"That won't be possible," the other man said stiffly. "The fields are under ecological maintenance. No outsiders allowed for the next few days."
"Oh… I see. Then I'll wait."
Peter smiled and turned away, though his gaze lingered briefly on the Team Galactic insignia hidden inside the man's clothing.
…
"Captain, is this really okay?" the subordinate whispered.
"It's fine. These people are easy to fool. Just do what I did earlier," the captain replied. "I'm heading out."
"Captain? Where are you going?"
"To see Lady Peony. Been pent up lately. Do well, and I'll take you next time."
He patted the subordinate's shoulder and left.
The successfully baited underling stood guard at the entrance, eyes shining, his mind already filled with vivid fantasies…
The small captain hummed happily as he walked down the path.
"Oh~~ I really, really don't want you to leave~ We're about to fall apart~~ I still want to be with you—ugh!"
Before he could finish the lyric, a fist the size of a sandbag slammed into his back, sending him flying.
"Y-you are…?" he murmured groggily, barely catching a glimpse of a young figure.
"Slakoth—go!"
The Slakoth leapt skillfully onto his back and punched again.
The captain went completely limp.
…..
Moments later, the "captain" returned to the flower field entrance.
The subordinate blinked. "Captain? Why are you back so soon?"
"Ah… I suddenly felt you've been working too hard lately. Lady Peony is yours. Go on."
The subordinate's face lit up. "Holy—really, Captain?!"
"Of course. Hurry up, don't keep her waiting."
"You're basically my real dad!"
The subordinate bolted away at full speed.
As shimmering light rippled, the "captain" transformed back into Zorua, a phone clamped in its mouth on speaker mode.
Peter emerged from the nearby bushes.
The conversation had been remotely controlled—after all, at its current stage, Zorua could only mimic appearances, not create full illusions like Zoroark.
…
Stepping into the fragrant flower fields, Peter finally understood why this place was called a sea of flowers.
As far as the eye could see—endless colors, countless blooms competing to shine. Every petal glistened with life. Wild Pokémon darted through the flowers, soft rustling sounds carrying vitality and the beauty of nature itself.
Peter took out his phone, slowly filming a full circle, and sent it to Whitney.
Sure enough, a message came quickly.
"The flower sea is so beautiful~ I really wish I could be there with you…"
Along with it came a selfie.
Sweet smile. Graceful curves. And an overwhelming, snow-white pressure that practically burst through the screen.
"Ghk—!"
Peter immediately shut the phone.
After calming himself, he called her. "Whitney! How could you send me a picture like that?!"
"Huh? You don't like it?" she asked innocently.
"It's not that I don't like it, it's just…" Peter hesitated.
Too much visual nutrition—his body might not keep up…
"If you like it, then look properly~ Hehe~"
"…!"
As if possessed, Peter opened it again.
"So~ who looks better? Me, or Erika?"
"Both—uh, no, no, no! Whitney, you're the best-looking! Absolutely!"
Peter snapped back to his senses instantly, cold sweat breaking out down his spine.
"Hmph~ That's more like it."
"…."
It took a long string of reassurances before Peter finally calmed her down, letting out a long breath.
Just then, a soft, adorable cry reached his ears.
"Mi~——"
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