On the last day of September, the temperature had grown noticeably colder. Silas suspected that compared to the past couple of days, it had dropped by at least three or four degrees today.
Getting out of bed required tremendous courage. Silas had already been awake for quite a while, playfully messing around with Cinccino on the bed.
It was only when he heard the transceiver ringing that he had no choice but to get dressed. With both hands resting on Cinccino's soft little belly, he grabbed the transceiver from the bedside and walked downstairs.
"A call from that brat? Is she missing her big brother again?"
Thinking this to himself with a pleased smile, Silas answered the transceiver. On the other end appeared a small Fletchling, which tapped the screen with its short black beak and chirped.
Soon after, the sound of footsteps approached from afar, and his mother, dressed like a typical housewife, appeared on the screen.
She observed him for a moment, then slightly frowned.
"Not eating properly again? Why do you look so worn out?"
"I am eating, Mom."
Silas turned the screen to face forward. Cinccino and Kangaskhan enthusiastically waved their little hands.
"Hello there. Cinccino is still as cute as ever. Kangaskhan, make sure you take good care of Silas for me."
"Cin!"
"Kang~"
"Where is Serena? Wasn't she the one who called?"
"Serena is still sleeping in. Fletchling, please call her for me."
After saying that, his mother sat down on the sofa in the living room.
"I am the one calling today. Are you hiding something from your mother? When did you get together? When are you getting married?"
"Ah, even you know about it, Mom."
"I was planning to bring her home in a few days to surprise you."
Out of the corner of his eye, Silas noticed Diantha coming downstairs while holding Brionne. He waved at her.
Diantha quickly walked over and immediately wrapped her arms around Silas's neck, leaning in for a kiss.
"Miss, please behave yourself."
Silas dodged while speaking, subtly gesturing toward the screen in front of them.
But Diantha paid no attention to that. She thought Silas was teasing her, tightened her arms, and continued chasing after him for a kiss.
"Just one kiss. You are not allowed to dislike me."
"Ahem, look up."
Silas lifted his chin slightly.
Diantha got her wish and stole a kiss first, then raised her head, only to meet eyes directly with his mother on the screen, clearly seeing the amused smile in her gaze.
Her entire body froze as if struck by a petrifying spell. Her arms loosened instantly as if shocked by electricity, and she quickly tried to retreat out of the camera's view.
Her ears, neck, and face flushed red at a visible speed, even redder than the sweetest apples one could find. Her whole body temperature seemed to rise rapidly, as if white steam might start coming out at any moment.
Social death. Complete embarrassment in front of her future mother in law.
Even with Diantha's strong mental resilience, it took her quite a while before she could reappear, pretending as if nothing had happened and greeting her.
However, her voice was as soft as a mosquito's hum.
"H-Hello, Auntie… My name is Diantha. I am currently in a relationship with Silas."
On the other side of the screen, Silas's mother was smiling so widely that her eyes had nearly disappeared. She waved her hand casually, already imagining holding grandchildren in two or three years.
With how affectionate the two of them were, it would not be surprising if they had several children in just a couple of years.
Looking again at her son's exhausted appearance, the more she looked, the more satisfied she became.
As a result, Silas no longer had any chance to speak. His mother pulled Diantha into all kinds of casual conversation, asking questions and chatting endlessly.
This was not something that would end in just one or two hours. Silas said a few words, patted Cyclizar by his feet, and then left the house together with his Pokémon.
Winter was approaching. As a Pokémon modeled after a lizard, Cyclizar did not enter true hibernation like snake Pokémon or bear Pokémon.
However, it had become less active. Only when Silas rode on its back would it regain its usual liveliness.
There were quite a few others in the ranch with similar semi dormant behavior.
"Feels warmer now, right?"
"Cyc."
Cyclizar bounced slightly. Under Silas's direction, they first headed to the berry orchard. The apple dragon Pokémon at home had all entered hibernation.
They stayed inside their little nests, appearing like fruits themselves and becoming far less active.
Upon sensing Silas's presence, the Applin and Flapple called out softly in greeting.
They hibernate too?
Well, his apple dragons were not bugs. They were also considered dragon Pokémon, so hibernation was perfectly normal for them.
Like Cyclizar, they had simply reduced unnecessary activity.
Not disturbing them, Silas then went to the berry orchard. Led by Litten, he arrived at a tree hollow in the center.
Inside, five Appletun were curled up together on a bed of dried grass, huddling close to keep warm.
One of the outermost Appletun lifted its ear like eyes slightly.
"Do you want to move to the cabin?"
Silas crouched down, somewhat worried about their way of resting.
"Apple."
The Appletun shook its head, as if saying that this was fine, that they had reinforced and insulated the tree hollow, that it was very warm inside, and that Silas did not need to worry.
Looking closer, one could see that the walls of the hollow were coated with a thick layer of wax, preventing heat from escaping.
Silas used a thermometer to check. The temperature inside the hollow was five or six degrees higher than outside.
Seeing their insistence, Silas could not bring himself to force them to move.
"Let us agree on this. When it starts snowing, you will come to the house with me."
"Apple~!" x5
All five responded in unison.
Holding Litten, Silas and Cyclizar then went to the cave.
Among all the Pokémon on the ranch, only three were truly hibernating in the strict sense.
Entering the cave, they saw three massive forms like small mountains.
Carbink, along with an exploration team that had taken on the mission "Guarding the Sleeping Dragon," were patrolling back and forth to ensure no Pokémon wandered in and disturbed the three Noivern's hibernation.
It was not out of concern that the three would be awakened, but rather to prevent intruders from being torn apart.
In a hibernating state, the three Noivern relied more on instinct.
No one would want to face three powerful "grumpy dragons." Even the bravest hunter would likely choose to sneak past them instead.
Softening his footsteps as much as possible, Silas approached the three.
Seemingly sensing his presence, the three large heads leaned closer, rubbing against him.
Silas had no choice but to reach out and comfort them, but with three at once, there was always one that could not be petted at the same time.
The three Noivern bumped and pushed against each other, fighting for the best position.
"If you do not behave, I will leave."
Silas deliberately put on a stern face.
The three let out aggrieved sounds, and in front of Silas, they were still just little Noibat at heart.
"Meow."
Litten at his feet greeted them and tossed the ripe berries it had prepared into their large mouths.
The three Noivern let out satisfied cries before lying back down, their rumbling snores soon filling the cave again.
Since he was already here, Silas took the opportunity to head deeper into the cave and visited Diamond Town.
The development of the town was quite good, and many Pokémon had gathered here.
Walking along the streets, Silas even saw a Tyranitar taking care of its child.
Even such a ferocious Pokémon was trading with others and following the rules of Diamond Town, which showed just how much effort Diancie had put in. She had truly grown a great deal.
(End of Chapter)