About the Monster Who Stole the Masks

After dinner, Munchlax finally recovered from all the water it had been given. The red Ogerpon Citrus had nearly burned its tongue off, but that did nothing to dampen its appetite.

"I should warn people about that when I sell these. If someone eats one without knowing, it could be dangerous."

Mingyou didn't want a customer to die from accidentally eating a red Ogerpon Citrus.

He hadn't tried the gray variety yet, either. He only knew it was hard and not very juicy, but surely it couldn't be as outrageous as the red one...

Still, today had been a great harvest. Not only had the Ogerpon Citrus ripened, he'd gained a customer—and, more importantly, he and Ogerpon had become companions!

Ogerpon was happy too. She loved life at the Manor, but it was getting late, and she had to go back...

At the Villa's front door, Mingyou noticed how downcast she looked. "Do you really have to go? You can stay here. There are plenty of rooms. I'll prepare one for you."

"Mm..."

Ogerpon gently shook her head and told him the truth.

She didn't have to go back. But the monster that had stolen her masks only appeared when fog rolled in at night. She was waiting for a chance to quietly take them back.

That was why she usually went there at night, though sometimes she went during the day or slept in the cave. It was why she didn't come to the Manor every day.

"The masks..."

Mingyou understood. Ogerpon had told him before that it was a terrifying monster that ate people. That was why she hadn't wanted to tell him much.

But this couldn't go on. Without those masks, Ogerpon was weak in a fight. If the monster caught her trying to steal them back, it might eat her.

So...

"Let's go together. We'll investigate!"

"Mm?"

Ogerpon froze for a moment, then shook her head urgently. It was too dangerous! They'd be eaten!

"But isn't it dangerous for you to go alone?"

"Mm..."

Ogerpon had no answer. Mingyou went on, "We're companions. You trust me, and I'm responsible for you too. I'll help you get your masks back!"

He had an idea. If the monster was that frightening, they couldn't beat it head-on. They needed a proper plan.

And Ogerpon was too innocent and straightforward to come up with one herself. Wait for a chance to steal the masks? How long would that take? What if the monster never gave her an opening? They had to think of something!

Ogerpon stood there, dazed, as she considered his proposal. She was truly worried he might get hurt.

Mingyou saw her concern. He crouched and stroked her head. "Don't worry. I'm not going to put myself in danger recklessly. Until we have a plan, stay at the Manor."

"...Mm~"

After Mingyou kept reassuring her, Ogerpon finally nodded. She'd wanted to stay here all along. With him asking, how could she refuse?

She still needed to go back and collect a few things. When Mingyou heard that, he smiled. "I'll come with you tomorrow. I'd like to see where you've been living."

"Mm..."

Ogerpon gently shook her head.

It was too far. She lived at the foot of Oni Mountain, over ten kilometers away, and there was a mountain to climb. Without a ride, the trip would take ages. Luckily, she walked fast, so a round trip didn't take her long.

Mingyou didn't mind. "We can take a walk and enjoy the scenery together. Besides, the hike will be good exercise!"

"Mm~"

That convinced her at once. Her smile returned, and she stepped forward to take Mingyou's hand. From now on, she could live at the Manor too.

"Mm~"

"Yeah. This is your home now."

Smiling, Mingyou led her into the living room. "I'll get a room ready for you... Actually, you should choose one yourself."

"Mm?"

At the chance to choose, Ogerpon showed her little fang and looked around with bright, clear eyes. Her gaze settled on the sofa where Munchlax slept...

"Mm~"

"Huh? You want to take its sleeping spot?"

Mingyou stared at her.

"Mm?"

Couldn't she sleep there?

"Well... You could, but I doubt Munchlax would like it."

"Mm..."

Ogerpon thought it over. He had a point.

So...

"Mm~"

Ogerpon looked up at Mingyou with a smile. Could she sleep holding him, then?

"Uh..."

Mingyou was at a loss for words. That was... a little awkward, wasn't it? He'd never been in the habit of sleeping with a stuffed toy, let alone being held by a Pokémon.

But he couldn't bring himself to refuse the innocent, hopeful look in her eyes. Spending more time with her would be nice, too. He could think of it as having a daughter around.

"What am I going to do with you? All right!"

"Mm~"

"Haha."

Mingyou fondly patted Ogerpon's head. Life from here on wouldn't be quite so dull!

And so, Ogerpon stayed at the Manor.

When Mingyou woke early the next morning, Ogerpon lay on her side, hugging his arm tightly as if she didn't want him to leave. A smile rested on her face. She seemed to be having a lovely dream.

"You're sleeping so soundly. Rest a little longer. I'll make breakfast."

Mingyou gently slipped his arm free without disturbing her, got ready, and headed downstairs.

He also contacted Pelipper Tailwind Logistics to arrange a pickup. He'd made a good profit this time. Tonight, he could buy some better ingredients to celebrate.

He opened the Villa's front door. Fresh air rushed inside on a breeze blowing toward the Orchard, followed by warm sunlight.

The weather was lovely today.

Smiling, Mingyou went to the Ogerpon Tangerine Tree. After greeting Weepinbell and the others, he picked every remaining Ogerpon Citrus.

The instant he plucked the last fruit, a glow of blue particles spread from the tree and formed a spinning Ogerpon card. The Ogerpon Tangerine Tree turned back into an ordinary Tangerine tree.

"So it really did turn back into a card..."

Mingyou examined the card in his hand. Its description hadn't changed, but Ogerpon's affection for him had risen to level 9.

He didn't know what the maximum affection level was, but comparing hers with the other Pokémon's made the enormous gap clear.

He looked up at the Tangerine tree. It would be a long time before it flowered and bore fruit again. Honestly, wouldn't it be better to buy another sapling that was already flowering?

Just as he thought that, another notification appeared in his mind...

[Note: After a fruit tree has borne fruit using a card and been harvested once, using the card on that tree again will increase the quantity and quality of its fruit.]

"So you won't let me exploit that loophole, huh..."

Mingyou chuckled and abandoned the idea. Buying another tree might work better in the short term, but in the long run, cultivating this Tangerine tree was clearly the better choice.

It was like raising Pokémon. You wouldn't immediately replace a Pokémon just because it seemed weak, would you? There were no weak Pokémon, only useless Trainers. If you didn't even know how to use one, what right did you have to talk about strength?

The same went for cultivating fruit trees!

He used the card on the same Tangerine tree again. Its information changed, and a growth cycle appeared. Although much shorter than that of an ordinary Tangerine tree, it was still long.

"Six months until the next harvest? Half a year... That's a while."

Mingyou rubbed his chin, deep in thought.

Still, with Speed-Gro and Weepinbell and the others tending it, he could probably cut that time in half. Once summer was over, it should bear fruit again.

There was no need to rush. The apples and Jicama would be ready by the end of the month. The Manor had plenty of crops to sell!

He looked at the Ogerpon Tangerine Tree with anticipation and smiled. "Grow well!"