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Nightfall ā After Dinner
The weather had been warming up, and for the past few days, Kai hadn't asked MoltresĀ to keep the fireplace burning with its sacred flames. Now, surrounded by his PokĆ©mon, he sat across from Kukui and asked, "When do you plan to head back?"
Kukui replied without hesitation, "Tomorrow. I'm leaving first thing in the morning."
Kai's hand, which had been absentmindedly stroking the fur of the GrowlitheĀ on his lap, paused for a moment. He frowned. "That soon?"
Kukui's IncineroarĀ and LucarioĀ had been a great help on the farmāhe couldn't deny that he was a little reluctant to see them leave so quickly.
Kukui followed Kai's gaze, where Growlithe lay on its back, clearly enjoying the belly rubs from its trainer. He was tempted to reach out himself, just to see what it felt like, but kept his composure and said, "I can't wait to get back and push Alola's development forward."
Then, he leaned in slightly. "But have you given any more thought to what I suggested this afternoon?"
Kai gently lifted Growlithe and placed it beside Moltres, then curled his fingers in a beckoning motion. LuxrayĀ calmly padded over, settling beside him. Kai ran his fingers through Luxray's fur with practiced ease before nodding. "You mean going to Alola to learn Grassy Terrain, right?"
Kukui nodded. Off to the side, the lazily coiled SerperiorĀ lifted its head slightly, eavesdropping.
Kai hesitated briefly before speaking. "Before I answer, I have a few questions."
Kukui gestured for him to continue.
"The one you're referring toāthe one who can teach Serperior and the Eldegoss Grassy Terrainā¦ are they a trainer or a PokĆ©mon?"
"A PokĆ©mon,"Ā Kukui answered immediately.
Kai lowered his head slightly, his voice turning serious. "Tapu Bulu?"
Kukui's eyes widened in shock. Kai even knows about Alola's guardian deities?!
Recovering quickly, he nodded. "That's right. I want to take you to meet Ula'ula Island's guardian deityāTapu Bulu. When it comes to Grassy Terrain, there's no greater expert."
Having already suspected as much, Kai wasn't too surprised. He absentmindedly paused his strokes on Luxray's fur, lost in thought. Noticing this opening, Serperior extended the tip of its tail and lightly hooked it around Kai's fingers.
Still deep in contemplation, Kai didn't even register the small gesture. Instead, he was recalling everything he knew about Tapu Bulu.
A Land Spirit PokĆ©mon, Tapu Bulu was the guardian deity of Ula'ula IslandĀ in the Alola region. It was a Grass/Fairy-typeĀ with the abilities Grassy SurgeĀ and Telepathy.
When Kai was expanding his farm, he had briefly entertained the thoughtĀ of somehow convincing Tapu Bulu to live there. After all, much like CalyrexĀ and Celebi, Tapu Bulu was incredibly well-suited for agriculture.
Ā Its overall appearance was reminiscent of an ox, and every part of its lore and abilities was closely tied to farming and nature.
Tapu Bulu had the power to control plant growth, a skill far beyond that of ordinary Grass-type PokĆ©mon. Kai recalled that, in the anime, Tapu Bulu had effortlessly caused several Oran Berry treesĀ to sprout, grow, bloom, and bear fruitāall within seconds. A true miracle of nature.
Despite its overwhelming strength, Tapu Bulu was known for being calm and lazy. As long as one didn't provoke it, it wasn't particularly aggressive.
Across the entire PokƩmon world, there were likely very few PokƩmon more skilled in Grassy Terrain than Tapu Bulu.
If Kai wanted a proper teacher for Serperior and Eldegoss, then compared to the elusive CelebiĀ or the mysterious state of Calyrex, Tapu Bulu was undeniably the best choice.
Kukui added another push, "In Alola, we have a tradition called the 'Island Challenge.' You can think of it as something similar to Gym Challenges. During my journey through Ula'ula Island, I encountered Tapu Bulu, so I know exactly where it usually resides."
He grinned. "I can guarantee you a meeting with Tapu Bulu. But after that..."
Kai caught Mimikyu, which had somehow climbed onto his shoulder, and placed it back downāignoring the sparks flying between it and Serperior. Then, he cut in, "After that, convincing Tapu Bulu to actually teach Grassy Terrainā¦ that's something I'll have to handle myself, right?"
Kukui nodded firmly. "Even I was able to pass Tapu Bulu's trial back then. You'll be fine."
Kai sat in silence for a moment. Then, peeling off a Milcery, which had somehow latched onto his face like a Facehugger, he held it up and said dryly, "As you can see, I have a lot of PokĆ©mon to take care of hereā¦ plus the farm."
Kukui lowered his head in disappointment, but before he could dwell on it, Kai continued, "That said, if there's a problem, there's always a solution."
"The PokĆ©mon's meals, the farm's upkeepājust one week! With the PokĆ©mon I trust, they can hold down the fort just fine!"
"Since you went out of your way to invite me, what reason do I have to refuse? Let's take down Tapu Bulu within a week and learn a special Grassy Terrain from it!"
Kai's determined tone was infectious, and Kukui nodded enthusiastically, clenching his fist. "I'll handle preparing enough PokƩmon food and PokƩblocks for the whole week!"
Kai, never one to turn down an offer that saved him money, gladly accepted Kukui's initiative. However, he poured a bit of cold water on the excitement. "That's all well and good, but nothing's confirmed yet. I still need to call Director Clavell and see if I can even get a week off."
"Don't forget, I'm still a teacher."
Kukui: "...."
Stroking the small fruit on Dolliv's head, Kai hung up the phone. Under Kukui's expectant gaze, he said, "Director Clavell said he'd check if there's a substitute available and get back to me soon."
Kukui nodded nervously, barely holding back his words. But before he could speak, Kai's phone rang almost instantly.
"That was fast..."Ā Kai muttered as he picked it up. Seeing the caller ID, he frowned slightly. "Geeta?"
After answering, Geeta's voice came through the receiver. "Clavell has already filled me in. Your leave? Approved."
Kai raised an eyebrow. "That quick? You already found a substitute?"
Geeta chuckled. "Of course. I had Larry clear his schedule to cover your classes. Don't worry."
Kai: "...."Ā š
Larry, my dude, I owe you one.
"Oh, and about your flight to Alolaāleave the ticket booking to me, alright?"
Geeta tapped her desk lightly, her tone unusually cheerful, as if she was in an excellent mood.
"Uh... well, thanks, then."Ā Kai responded, though he found Geeta's enthusiasm a little strange. Was he imagining it?
As if sensing his thoughts, Geeta laughed. "Don't overthink it. As the Chairwoman of the Paldea PokƩmon League, my top priority is strengthening our trainers. I fully support your decision to train in Alola."
"If you improve, Paldea benefits too. And while Kukui may have turned down my invitation, you going to Alola to learn from their strengths and bringing that knowledge back will only benefit us. In fact, if you get the chance, you should consider scouting some promising talent to brā"
Kai hung up before she could finish. He didn't need to hear any more of Geeta's "grown-up business", which was hardly appropriate for a family-friendly broadcast.
Glancing at Kukui's expectant expression, Kai sighed in relief. Good thing I didn't have it on speaker, or that would've been awkward.
Separating MimikyuĀ and Serperior, who had nearly started a brawl over who got to claim his left and right hand, Kai said, "The academy's all sorted."
"That's great!"Ā Kukui nodded, but his eyes wandered to the PokĆ©mon behind KaiāMimikyu and Serperior were still locked in a fierce, silent battle, one wielding Shadow Claw, the other preparing Frenzy Plant. Completely bewildered, he blurted out, "By the way... you've been weirdly busy this whole time."
Kai simply shrugged. "Just another day. Don't mind it."
Kukui: "...."
What a terrifying battlefield... It's making my spine tingle.
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