https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-185-The-Cognition-of-the-Gorilla-Tavern/12537216/
Chapter 184: Gifts
Chapter 184: Gifts
With the new house constructed, it was now time to furnish the rooms and make it a home.
In the afternoon, shortly after finishing lunch, Naoki hopped onto his Motostoke and rode into town.
Upon his arrival, Cris was washing dishes, and seeing him approach, she smiled and asked, "Are you all set?"
"Yes!" Naoki couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. After six months of hard work, he finally had a place to call his own. "The rooms are all cleaned up. We can move in the furniture, and it'll be ready for occupants."
"That's great," Cris nodded, washing her hands in the sink before leading Naoki to the workshop and handing him a furniture catalog. "The furniture is currently at the factory. You can browse the styles, and if you see something you like, I'll have it delivered later."
Naoki gave a slight nod. The people in this world were straightforward and honest, so he didn't have to worry about the illustrations being drastically different from the actual products.
He flipped through the catalog, carefully selecting from the dizzying array of furniture options.
From time to time, Cris offered suggestions: "The overall style of your house leans towards a natural, wooden theme. A wooden fabric sofa and a log coffee table would go well with that aesthetic."
"With the dining room and living room combined into one spacious, bright area, adding a few potted plants will create a nature-friendly ambiance that Pokemon will surely appreciate."
As if on cue, Naoki turned to a page featuring a light-colored, handcrafted fabric sofa. He imagined how it would look in his new home and, after a moment's thought, nodded in satisfaction. "This is the one."
"You have good taste," Cris said with a subtle smile.
Hearing her praise, Naoki felt a swell of pride.
He continued browsing and selected other furniture pieces from the same collection.
A log coffee table, a tatami bed, a desk, a TV cabinet, curtains, a floor lamp, a dining table, and a wardrobe...
He also chose a large, light-colored rug with a leafy green pattern. It would look perfect in the living room, he thought.
Additionally, Naoki purchased a wooden display rack. He intended to showcase all the items that Bear Baby had sent him, treating them as precious collectibles.
Even though Bear Baby wasn't physically with him, it was still a part of this new home.
Cris jotted down his selections and then asked, "Do you want to buy an oak barrel for brewing as well?"
"Of course," Naoki nodded.
Over the past two months, he had saved up a substantial amount of money from selling milk, rock salt, and crops. This trip to town provided a convenient opportunity to purchase everything he needed in one go, saving him future trips.
"In that case..." Cris paused briefly in thought. "Based on the size of your cellar, you should be able to fit about thirty oak barrels for brewing. Seeing as you're buying quite a lot, I'll give you a 20% discount this time."
"Now that's a deal!" Naoki grinned.
While he wasn't short on funds, who could resist a good bargain?
Seeing his expression, Cris chuckled. "Alright, if you have nothing else to do, you can head back to the ranch. I'll make a trip to the furniture factory later and have your things delivered."
Naoki acknowledged her, about to agree, when he suddenly remembered something else he needed.
"I also want to buy a bar counter and some chairs. Can you deliver those together later?"
Once he moved his things out, the old house would be empty, providing the perfect opportunity to renovate it.
"Sure, I'll add a bar counter and chairs to the list," Cris said, intrigued by his plans for brewing and opening a pub. "You really intend to open a pub? Your ranch is quite remote; you might not get many customers."
"Don't worry about that," Naoki replied, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. "I have my ways. There will be guests at the pub."
Only, they wouldn't be human guests, but Pokemon.
Sensing his determination, Cris didn't press further. "Alright, we'll leave it at that for now."
After all, Naoki's ranch was right there, and sooner or later, she would discover the truth.
After settling the payment, Naoki left the carpentry shop.
However, instead of returning directly to the ranch, he and his Motostoke made their way to the town's department store.
Ever since arriving in this world, Pokemon had been working tirelessly for him, and he hadn't had the chance to give them gifts.
With the move, he thought it was the perfect time to buy presents for everyone.
Naoki strolled through the department store, contemplating what each Pokemon on the ranch would appreciate, while Motostoke followed closely behind.
The store was massive, offering a wide array of items.
Being close to the seaside, Rustborough City was a bustling commercial hub, and with trade connections to other regions, one could find all sorts of unique goods.
The mall had three floors, encompassing a clothing section, a trainer supplies area, and a daily necessities zone, ensuring that shoppers could find everything they needed under one roof.
"Tyrunt used to be so focused on getting stronger, but now its mindset seems to be gradually changing, no longer obsessed with power."
Thinking of Tyrunt's adorable demeanor, Naoki contemplated getting it a Pokemon doll.
Conveniently, there were Pokemon dolls on display, modeled after the shapes Pokemon took when they used the Substitute move.
"As for Motostoke..."
Naoki turned to the Motostoke by his side.
Noticing his gaze, Motostoke happily looked up, letting out an eager "Gaom!"
Naoki smiled and patted its head affectionately before taking a red scarf from the shelf and placing it in the shopping cart.
People often held a special attachment to the first gift they received in their lives.
Naoki was no exception.
Motostoke was pure-hearted, and this red scarf represented that it was unique and special to him.
Watching Naoki fill the cart with items, Motostoke wore a puzzled expression, tilting its head in curiosity, "Ga?!"
But Naoki didn't explain and continued on his way.
Seeing this, Motostoke lowered its head, looking disheartened.
Naoki sighed, "...I wanted to surprise you later! These are gifts for all of you, and I was planning to give them to you when we got back."
Hearing this, Motostoke's eyes lit up, "Gaom!"
"You can't wear it yet. I still need to pay for it. I'll put it on you once we're outside," Naoki clarified.
"Gaom!" Motostoke nodded eagerly.
Naoki spent twenty minutes in the store, carefully selecting a gift for each Pokemon on the ranch.
Golurk received a bouncy ball, Tyrunt got a Pokemon doll, Motostoke the red scarf, Budew an Electrike ball, and Glaceon a box of delicious ice cream.
For Froslass, he picked a set of cream processors, for Oranguru a flower bracelet, and for Butterfree, a can of specially made floral nectar.
Combee received a large bag of soft candies, each Saltrock a small stone sculpture in a different pose, and each Milktank three buckets of strawberry-flavored yogurt.
Diglett got a package of assorted grains, Minidraco and Hakuryu fish-shaped toys.
Even the group of Psyducks across the river received gifts—wide-brimmed straw hats, as Naoki figured they might appreciate some shade by the river.
As for the three riding goats, he chose three Miracle Seeds, which would enhance their Grass-type moves.
Unquestionably, these gifts would further boost the power of the already formidable riding goats.
In addition to the Pokemon on the ranch, Naoki also thought of Bear Baby, who was away on a journey, and the upcoming arrival of the Aishou siblings.
Not knowing when Bear Baby would return or when the Aishou siblings would show up, Naoki decided it was best to be prepared.
He picked a heroic-looking conical straw hat for Bear Baby and a pair of silk scarves for the siblings.
Loaded with gifts, Naoki returned to the ranch.
He called out to the Pokemon, distributing the gifts to each of them.
Naoki observed their expressions, and seeing the joy on their faces, he breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed like everyone loved his presents, except for the Psyducks across the river, who were attempting to eat their straw hats...
Naoki shook his head, amused, and rode Tyrunt over to the riverbank. He picked up one of the Psyducks, placing the hat on its head.
The other Psyducks watched with intelligent eyes, then promptly followed suit, donning their hats with clumsy enthusiasm.
The hats provided shade from the scorching sun, and the Psyducks seemed to appreciate the comfort they offered.
Satisfied, Naoki returned to the ranch just as Cris arrived with a truckload of furniture.
Naoki quickly sprang into action, helping Cris and Machamp unload and move the furniture into the new house.
On the ranch, the Pokemon who had received gifts were overjoyed.
However, Golurk seemed a little displeased.
It looked at the bouncy ball in its hand and then at the red scarf around Motostoke's neck.
"Agas..."
Golurk's emotions were mixed, and it stood there, lost in thought before letting out a mature-sounding sigh.
Hearing this sigh, Tyrunt tilted its head in confusion, "Ruuu?" (You're not happy with the gift Naoki gave you?)
It didn't understand what was going on, so it decided not to think about anything at all.
It wandered over to the lake, curious to see what gifts Naoki had given to the three Bagon and two Noibat.
Initially, Tyrantrum had been a little worried that these annoying little dragons might be more favored by Naoki and thus receive better presents.
However, upon seeing the five fish toys with dead-fish eyes floating in the lake, its anxiety melted away.
The Bagon and Noibat looked at Tyrantrum with confusion. "Wruu?" (What are you doing here?)
Tyrantrum waved its claws. "Raaarr!" (It's nothing, just keep playing!)
Despite the confused looks on the faces of the Bagon and Noibat, Tyrantrum left without a second glance, hugging its new plush toy.
It strolled around the ranch with its doll, curious to see what gifts Naoki had given to the other Pokemon.
Near the flower field, the three Combee were taking a rare break from honey-gathering. They sat with Butterfree, sharing the special floral nectar and soft candies that Naoki had given them.
On the roof of the chicken coop, Budew lay, tinkering with an Electrike ball. It was channeling electricity into the ball, its eyes sparkling with delight, much like a child playing with a new toy.
In the grass, the three Miltank sat leisurely, enjoying buckets of strawberry-flavored yogurt.
In the sheep pen, Oranguru wore a flower bracelet, basking happily in the sun.
Behind it, the three riding goats were using their hooves to dig in the grass, then using their mouths to plant seeds that they had been given.
Tyrantrum watched as the riding goats used Grass Energy to cultivate the seeds they had planted.
Tyrantrum didn't think much of it, assuming that Naoki had given them the seeds to help them expend their excess energy.
Not interested in farming, Tyrantrum turned and ran off.
Saltrock and Diglett were underground, and Tyrantrum didn't like going there, so it didn't bother to check on them.
As for Glaceon, it was fiddling with some strange machinery in the wooden house, which Tyrantrum also had no interest in.
That left only Glaceon.
Tyrantrum had noticed that Glaceon had sneaked back into the ice house with something in its mouth.
So, it quietly approached the ice house, not bothering to open the door but instead pressing its head against the window to observe what was happening inside.
And then, Tyrantrum witnessed an unbelievable scene.
The usually aloof Glaceon was hugging a metal bucket like Motostoke and giggling to itself! From time to time, it would stick its head into the bucket, and when it emerged, its mouth would be smeared with something white and creamy, resembling butter!
Glaceon would then lick it clean, like a greedy little cat.
Tyrantrum's eyes widened in shock.
At that moment, as if sensing something, Glaceon looked up.
The next second, their gazes met through the window.
The two froze, and Glaceon's face turned bright red.
The very next second, Naoki, who was busy setting up the new house, heard a sharp cry coming from the ice house.
"Buuiii!"
Cris, directing Machamp to move a bed into a room, looked surprised. "Is that... Glaceon's cry?"
Naoki peered out the second-floor window and saw Tyrantrum running out from behind the old house, looking startled, as if it had been scared by something.
"Did Tyrantrum upset Glaceon?" Cris also noticed the commotion.
"Really?" Naoki was a little surprised. After all, neither of these two Pokemon had the sort of mischievous personalities that would bother the others without cause.
He watched for a while longer but didn't see Glaceon chasing after Tyrantrum, and Tyrantrum had already disappeared from view.
"I'll go check it out," Naoki said.
Cris nodded.
Naoki left the house and eventually found Tyrantrum in a grassy area.
He approached and asked, "What happened? Did you have a falling out with Glaceon?"
"Raaarr..." Tyrantrum shook its head repeatedly, feeling a bit embarrassed as it recalled the scene it had just witnessed.
Tyrantrum opened its mouth to speak, "Raa..."
But before it could say anything, it heard Glaceon's voice, tinged with both shame and anger: "Buii! (Don't you dare tell anyone!)
"
Tyrantrum quickly covered its mouth with its dragon claws.
Naoki turned his head and saw Glaceon, its entire body exuding an icy aura that warned others to stay away, staring warily at Tyrantrum.
He narrowed his eyes, looking from Tyrantrum to Glaceon and back again.
Wow, even Pokemon have their little secrets!
(End of Chapter)
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