Why Eat Ogerpon?

"Wum~"

Ogerpon came bounding through the orchard with an armful of Berries. The Ogre Mask on her face got in the way a little, but it was much more convenient than a plastic bag.

Seeing her arrive, Mingyou walked over with a smile. "You're here early."

"Wum~"

Ogerpon nodded. She hadn't come yesterday, after all. Oni Mountain was quite far from here. Even with her quick feet, making the round trip every day wasn't practical.

She shifted the Ogre Mask to the side of her head. Just as she was about to hand Mingyou the Berries, she noticed the wound on his arm and looked worried.

"Wum!"

"This? It's fine. Just a scrape. A bandage will take care of it."

Mingyou waved a hand to reassure Ogerpon, only then noticing the injury he'd gotten while rescuing Bellsprout. Fortunately, it was just a little broken skin.

"Wum?"

"Don't worry. I'm really fine."

"Wum~"

Only after he said that did Ogerpon relax. She handed him all the Berries she'd picked on Oni Mountain: Lum Berries, Aguav Berries, Sitrus Berries...

Since people rarely went up Oni Mountain, plenty of wild Berries grew there.

"For me? Thanks!"

Mingyou accepted them with a smile. He'd meant to take them to the kitchen first, but Ogerpon was watching him expectantly. He picked out a Sitrus Berry over ten centimeters across, and information appeared in his mind.

[Sitrus Berry (C+): A purely wild Berry grown without human cultivation. It effectively helps Pokémon recover their strength and is safe for anyone to eat. It tastes even better when cooked in a Berry stew.]

Mingyou took a bite of the Sitrus Berry and tasted it carefully.

How to describe the texture... It crunched. Harder than an apple, almost like chewing a nut. It was slightly astringent, with a sweet citrus scent. The flavor was good, but it was just too hard.

No wonder most Berries weren't convenient for humans to eat raw. That was why there was a market for fruit.

After swallowing the bite, he looked at Ogerpon and smiled. "Thanks. It's delicious!"

"Wum~"

Happy that Mingyou liked her gift, Ogerpon ran circles around him.

But the scent of Berries reached Munchlax, who was asleep nearby. He sprang upright and hurried over on his short legs.

"Munch!"

"Wum!"

When Munchlax came over begging for Berries, Ogerpon immediately blocked his path. She puffed out her cheeks and glared at him, looking a little angry. She'd brought those for Mingyou, not him.

"Hey, it's okay. I can't eat all these Berries myself. There's no harm in sharing some with Munchlax. Sometimes you have to share."

Mingyou quickly held Ogerpon back. At his words, she reluctantly stepped aside. She still didn't want Munchlax eating the gift she'd brought Mingyou, but since he'd said that... fine, she would share a little.

"Wum~"

"Munch~"

Munchlax took the Berry Mingyou offered and swallowed it in one bite. He rubbed his belly in delight. Watching him eat it, Ogerpon squirmed, still a little unhappy.

Mingyou caught every one of those obvious little movements. Smiling, he patted Munchlax on the head. "You ate her Berry, so thank Ogerpon. She brought them all this way."

"Munch?"

Munchlax blinked. Only then did he notice Ogerpon beside him. He waved a little paw in thanks, telling her the Berries were delicious.

"Wum~"

At his thanks, the last trace of displeasure finally vanished from Ogerpon's face.

All right, then. I forgive you.

And if everyone liked Berries so much, she'd bring more next time~

Ogerpon was simplehearted. Little things like this could upset her, but she soon put them behind her and got along with the others.

She didn't ask for much. As long as no one hated her or chased her away... she was happy. That was why she liked it here.

Seeing the two Pokémon getting along, Mingyou smiled with relief. Munchlax had surprised him, too.

Sure, all he did was eat and sleep, and he was terribly clingy. But he was actually pretty sharp, and his personality wasn't unpleasant... Maybe only the people of Kitakami disliked him.

Once Munchlax finished his Berry, he lay down right where he stood and fell asleep again. One little paw rested on his belly, scratching it now and then.

Curious, Ogerpon poked his ear. He didn't react at all. He slept like a log; unless food appeared, he wouldn't wake until he was hungry.

"Wum~"

Mingyou smiled at the sight, then said, "Leave him be and come look at this. It's the Ogerpon Tangerine Tree I just planted."

"Wum?"

Tangerines?

Ogerpon turned toward the Ogerpon Tangerine Tree, which stood less than two meters tall a short distance away. Although its flowers were wrapped in plastic bags, she could still smell that familiar scent from where she stood.

Isn't that my scent?

Curious, Ogerpon hurried over. She could see a brilliant, aura-like light flowing through the tree's branches, giving off some kind of familiar energy...

Just as she tried to remember what it was, Mingyou came over and said with a smile, "Once I give it some Speed-Gro, the tangerines should ripen before long. Be sure to come try them."

"...Wum?!"

Ogerpon froze. Tangerines... Did that mean he was going to eat her?

No... That's scary! Ogerpon is so cute, so why would you eat Ogerpon?

"It's a fruit."

Mingyou patted her head. The Ogerpon Tangerine Tree had the same scent as Ogerpon. Maybe she'd mistaken it for one of her own kind.

After he explained, Ogerpon understood. Tangerines were fruit, a bit like Berries. Did that mean they tasted good? She'd never had one, so she didn't know.

"Don't worry. I'm sure you'll like them."

"Wum~"

If Mingyou said so, Ogerpon believed him. She began looking forward to them.

Only then did she remember why the brilliant aura around the Ogerpon Tangerine Tree had felt so familiar.

That energy... was almost exactly the same as the energy in her Mask. Not the Ogre Mask she wore now, of course, but the Teal Mask she'd lost.

At the thought of her Mask, Ogerpon's spirits sank. Mingyou noticed and raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?" he asked softly.

"Wum..."

Ogerpon held her head. A frightening monster had stolen her most precious Mask. That monster had even wanted to eat her.

Every day, she looked for a chance to take her Mask back, but the monster was too scary. She didn't dare go near it.

"A monster?"

Mingyou couldn't understand her words, but he could just about grasp what she meant. A monster had stolen her Mask, and that was why she wore a plastic bag all the time.

He'd planned to wait until they were closer before asking about the Mask. He hadn't expected her to bring it up on her own...

He comforted Ogerpon, then crouched beside her and said gently, "Okay, take a moment to calm down. Can you tell me where that monster is? I'll help you get your Mask back."

"Wum!"

Ogerpon shook her head at once. She wasn't going to let Mingyou put himself in danger for her. That monster would eat Ogerpon, and it would even eat people. It was terrifying!

"Seriously?"

Even Mingyou was rattled. The monster had to be some kind of Pokémon, right? It ate people? If that was happening, why hadn't anyone done something about it?

He'd wanted to help get her Mask back, but going there now would just make him a meal delivered straight to its door. He couldn't be reckless; he had to know his limits.

Still, if there was a man-eating monster in Kitakami, surely people would be talking about it. Maybe he could ask around the next time he went to Verdant Town.

Ogerpon didn't want to tell him because she was afraid he'd get hurt. That left him to help in whatever way he could.

He didn't bring up the Mask again. It was better to cheer her up. He stood and smiled. "It's almost lunchtime. What would you like? I'll make it for you."

At the mention of food, Ogerpon's gloom vanished. She took Mingyou's hand and told him she wanted Sugar-Tossed Tomatoes again. She liked those.

"All right. Let's make them together."

"Wum~"