Giovanni's Offer to Cooperate

Night fell.

Beneath a gloomy sky and a biting wind, Calyrex slipped into the closed Video Game Store. As long as it had enough mental energy, it never felt sleepy and could enjoy the nightlife.

Mingyou was still in the living room. He had finished cleaning and was sorting through the day's new orders.

After the interview, he had chatted with Yumi about how things were going in Levincia. He had lived there for more than ten years. Of course he missed his hometown.

"Should I go back next month?"

Mingyou leaned against the sofa, lost in thought. He had planned to return after last summer to sell the house and put some money aside, but the Manor had grown so quickly that he'd had to change his plans.

Just then, Ogerpon ran out of the kitchen carrying a pudding it had made and chilled in the fridge. It had taken to cooking, often learning from videos on the Rotom Phone.

"Wum~"

"Pudding?"

Mingyou took the bowl, scooped up a spoonful, and savored it. He nodded approvingly. "Nice work. It'd be even better a little sweeter."

"Wum~"

Ogerpon nodded happily. It would keep trying. It loved desserts; if only it could open a dessert shop of its own.

"Haha, maybe you really can once Kitakami develops a bit more."

Mingyou smiled and stroked its head. Then he asked, "Want to come home with me next month?"

"Wum?"

Home?

Wasn't home right here?

Ogerpon tilted its head, puzzled.

"I mean the hometown where I grew up. It's in the Paldea Region, a long way from here. I haven't been back in ages, and I suddenly want to visit. Want to come?"

Mingyou planned to take everyone to Levincia for about a week. Yumi had mentioned that someone important in Paldea seemed