Chapter 51: Farewell Melancholy

The morning business ended swiftly.

"See you tomorrow at Tourist Street, Young boss!"

"Don't miss it!"

"See you tomorrow, Young boss."

"Make sure you come and support us!"

...

As Andrew packed up, he bid farewell to the departing customers.

Once they were all gone, Andrew smiled and asked Raleigh and Slurpuff, "So, Raleigh, are you tired?"

Raleigh wiped the sweat from his forehead and beamed, "Not at all!"

Seeing this, Andrew smiled warmly and pulled out three basketball-sized glass jars from under the counter.

"Here, I made something special. I want to share it with you."

Raleigh looked at the jars in surprise. "Your Highness, is this Acerola Watercress?"

Andrew was surprised. "You recognize it even after it's been cooked? You're better than me! I didn't even know what it was when I first saw it."

Raleigh scratched his head, embarrassed. "I only saw it in books before. This is my first time seeing it in person."

Andrew placed the jars on the counter and explained, "This is my spicy Acerola Watercress. It tastes amazing and goes well with anything. You, Kimia, and Flamel each get a jar."

The spicy Watercress was Andrew's adaptation of a recipe from his past life, learned from his old mother. Not only does it taste great and complement meals, but it also preserves well. Each jar is enough for Raleigh and the others to enjoy for a long time.

The Watercress that the Pokémon had previously given Andrew was too much for him to finish, so he stored it all in his system backpack.

Now, since the Watercress in Nebel Lake had all aged well and the Manchurian wild rice were also past their prime, Andrew decided to turn the remaining Watercress into spicy Watercress. He planned to give it to the Pokémon to eat with steamed buns when they helped him plant berry trees.

Raleigh picked up one jar, opened it, and was immediately greeted by a powerful and enticing aroma.

"Wow!" he exclaimed, "It smells incredible!"

"Slurpuff~ Slurpuff~"

Slurpuff couldn't resist coming over.

Andrew said, "Go ahead and try it."

Raleigh eagerly pinched a piece of Watercress from the jar and popped it into his mouth. His eyes lit up instantly.

Just that one piece filled Raleigh's mouth with a burst of rich, spicy flavor—the freshness of the chili peppers, the depth of the fermented black beans, and the blend of various spices… The crisp texture and unique taste of the Watercress were especially prominent, providing a delightful and varied flavor experience.

"Slurpuff~ Slurpuff~"

Slurpuff was drooling from the intense aroma, tugging at Raleigh's clothes, eager to try it as well.

Raleigh quickly gave Slurpuff a piece, and it was instantly enchanted by the unique flavor.

Seeing that they were still eager, Andrew quickly said, "Alright, save some for later and enjoy it slowly."

Only then did Raleigh reluctantly cover the jar.

At that moment, the palace guards arrived outside to pick up Raleigh.

Andrew patted Raleigh on the shoulder and said, "You and Slurpuff should head back now. Don't keep the guards waiting."

"Mm~"

Raleigh nodded, packed the jars into his space backpack, and left with Slurpuff, excited to try the spicy Acerola Watercress with his lunch.

Once Raleigh left, Meowstic, who had just finished tidying up the tables and chairs, returned to the vehicle.

Andrew asked, "How did it feel interacting with people?"

"Meow~ Meow~ Meow~" I think I did well.

Meowstic replied confidently.

Andrew smiled and said, "Congratulations, Meowstic, you're hired."

"Meow~ Meow~" Thank you, thank you, Mr. Andrew! I'll do my best.

Meowstic was thrilled and started hopping with joy.

"Alright, let's head home," Andrew said.

Then Andrew drove back to Munchlax's House with Komala and Meowstic. As they arrived, he saw Flamel and a group working on the store's new signboard.

It turned out that the custom signboard Andrew had ordered from Flamel had arrived.

The sign for Munchlax's House was a deliberately aged wooden sign, with "Munchlax's House" written in the center. On the left was a simple drawing of steaming dumpling and bun, and on the right was a cheerful Munchlax wearing a chef's hat and outfit, holding a cooking ladle, and smiling.

The sign matched the shop's décor perfectly.

The sign was nearly finished with its installation.

Seeing Andrew, Flamel quickly greeted him, "Your Highness, Andrew."

Andrew thanked her, "Thank you, Flamel, for all your help."

Flamel shook her head, "It's my duty, Your Highness. You're too kind."

"I'll leave the rest to you. I'll take the other signboard myself," Andrew said.

The other signboard Andrew referred to was for Diancie's Canteen.

The sign for Diancie's Canteen was similar in design to Munchlax's House's sign but was new and shiny.

The left side of the sign featured a drawing of Diancie in an apron, the center had "Diancie's Canteen," and the right side had a simple drawing of Andrew, Komala, and Munchlax hugging each other.

When they returned to the Nebel Plateau, Andrew gave Meowstic its pay for the day—one jar of Pokéblocks. Meowstic left happily.

Andrew then took Munchlax to install the signboard.

On the way home, Meowstic met Skitty with a shriveled berry and Scraggy holding a bundle of edible roots. It waved them over:

"Meow~"

The two Pokémon approached, curious.

"Skitty~" What's up, big brother Meowstic?

Skitty set down the berry and asked.

"Scraggy~ Scra~" Big brother Meowstic, do you want some of my roots?

Scraggy offered a root to Meowstic.

Meowstic shook his head.

"Meow~ Meow~ Meow~" Open your mouths, you two.

Skitty and Scraggy exchanged confused glances but obediently opened their mouths.

Meowstic, seeing this, opened the jar containing the Pokéblocks, quickly took out two, and popped them into Skitty and Scraggy's mouths.

The Pokéblocks melted instantly, and both Pokémon felt their empty stomachs fill with warmth, their hunger completely gone.

"Meow~ Meow~~" Big brother Meowstic, what did you give us to eat?

Skitty asked with curiosity.

"Scraggy~~"

Scraggy also looked at Meowstic with bright, eager eyes.

Meowstic, feeling proud, showed them the shiny Pokéblocks it held in its palm.

"Meow~ Meow~ Meow~~" I'm starting to work for Mr. Andrew now. These are my wages!

"Meow~ Meow?" Really? Really? Big brother Meowstic, you're so impressive!

Skitty was so thrilled it began hopping up and down.

The Gardevoir family and the Dugtrio brothers who worked for Mr. Andrew were always admired by everyone.

"Meow~ Meow~" So you won't have to go hungry anymore?

"Scraggy~~" That's wonderful! I want to work for Mr. Andrew too, but I don't know how to do anything…

Scraggy said enviously.

Meowstic patted the two Pokémon and said, "Meow~ Meow~ Meow~" Don't worry, I won't let you go hungry either.

Meowstic took out the jar of Pokéblocks again, counted a few, and placed them in Scraggy's hands, instructing:

"Meow~ Meow~ Meow~~" Take these back and share them with Litwick and the others.

"Scraggy~~" Big brother Meowstic…

Scraggy looked at Meowstic, teary-eyed.

"Meow~ Meow~" Big brother Meowstic, you're giving us your food. What will you do?

Skitty asked worriedly.

"Meow~~" Look, there's still plenty left; I can't eat it all.

Meowstic shook the jar, which still had more than half of the Pokéblocks.

"Meow~ Meow~" Besides, I'll be working for Mr. Andrew again tomorrow and earning more wages. You don't need to worry about me.

"Meow~ Meow~" Thank you, Meowstic.

Skitty felt reassured and smiled sweetly at Meowstic.

"Meow~ Meow~" Alright, you two head home. I need to go back too.

Before leaving, Skitty insisted on giving its withered berry to Meowstic.

And so, the three Pokémon went their separate ways.

On the way home, Meowstic encountered a Bunnelby, or rather, it sought it out deliberately and gave it a Pokéblock.

Afterward, it met a Sentret, Petilil, Buneary, Drilbur, Pachirisu, Aron, Deerling … By the time it reached home, only one Pokéblock remained in its jar.

The Pokémon Meowstic shared Pokéblocks with were all young and without parental care on the plateau.

Meowstic's home was a small hut made of dry wood and leaves. After entering, it sat on a pile of dry grass and poured out the last Pokéblock.

Staring at the lone Pokéblock for a while, Meowstic smiled contentedly and licked it gently.

Eating the Pokéblock bit by bit, it clutched the withered berry Skitty had given it, lay down on the dry grass, and fell into a deep sleep, a smile still on its face.

It had been a long, tiring day.

---

In the afternoon, Andrew was at home, sterilizing and storing the Gogoat milk that Gardevoir and the others had collected with Munchlax.

At that moment, Diancie peeked into the kitchen. "Andrew, Lapras is leaving Nebel Plateau today. Do you want to go see it off?"

"What? Leaving today?" Andrew paused, surprised.

Lapras had mentioned that before winter came to Nebel Plateau, it would migrate north along the Nebel River and wouldn't return until late spring or early summer the following year.

He hadn't realized the migration would be today.

"Well, we'd better hurry! What are we waiting for?" Andrew said, quickly removing his apron and asking Munchlax, "Munchlax, are you coming?"

"Munch ~ lax~" Yes! Yes!

Munchlax answered while clumsily taking off its apron.

Soon, the family of four hurried to Nebel Lake. By now, many Pokémon had gathered at the lakeside to bid farewell to Lapras.

"Laaaa~~"

As Andrew arrived, Lapras let out a long, graceful cry that echoed across the lake.

"Laaaa~~"

"Laaaa~~"

"Laaaa~~"

…

The chorus of Lapras cries continued, revealing that Lapras was not alone; it had a whole pod for its migration.

Andrew approached Lapras and gave it a big hug on tiptoe.

"Lapras, thank you for all your help."

"Laaaa~~" Andrew, see you next year.

Lapras gently nuzzled Andrew's cheek.

If it weren't for waiting to say goodbye to Andrew, Lapras would have already left with its pod.

"Munch ~ Munchlax ~~" See you next year, and make sure to visit me.

Munchlax stood on tiptoe and gently patted Lapras' neck, tears welling up in its eyes.

"Laaaa~~"

Lapras nodded and lowered its head to give Munchlax a gentle kiss on the forehead. It had enjoyed Munchlax's homemade buns and dumplings every day, and this kiss was a gesture of gratitude.

"Laaaa~"

"Laaaa~~"

"Laaaa~~~"

…

In the distance, Lapras' companions began calling again, urging Lapras to join them.

It was time to leave!

"Laaaa~~" Everyone, I'm off.

A gentle breeze created ripples on the lake, stirring the hearts of Andrew and the Pokémon.

Life brings both reunions and farewells, and Andrew and his friends were now experiencing a necessary parting.

"Fletchinder~~"

"Swablu~"

"Spritzee~~"

…

As Lapras swam away, the Pokémon on the shore waved goodbye.

"Lapras, we'll see you again next year!" Andrew shouted, waving energetically.

"Laaaa~~"

Lapras looked back frequently, emitting a reluctant low cry.

One by one, other Lapras surfaced and gathered around, singing as they swam up the Nebel River together.

Goldeen, Seaking, Magikarp, Poliwhirl, Poliwag, Totodile, Feebas… Water-type Pokémon gathered on either side of the Lapras pod, occasionally leaping out of the water, escorting and blessing them on their journey. They continued to escort them all the way to the Nebel Lake's exit before stopping.

Watching the Lapras pod disappear into the distance, Andrew felt a pang of sadness.

Diancie then said softly, "We'll meet again next year."

Even Komala, usually fast asleep, gently patted Andrew, despite its eyes still being tightly shut.

Andrew's mood brightened, "Yes, we'll see each other again next year!"

(End of Chapter)