The next morning, before Chu Xin had woken up in his tent, a small figure slipped inside. Seeing Chu Xin fast asleep, Little Nidoran nimbly nestled beside him, then bit down on a phone and dragged him out.
"Huh? Who is it? Oh, it's you, Nidoran?"
Luo Luo woke up after having his sleep disturbed. Looking at the lively Nidoran beside him, he extended a mechanical hand and stroked him.
The commotion woke Chu Xin as well. Looking at Little Nidoran and Luo Luo, he yawned, rubbed his eyes, and climbed out of his sleeping bag.
"Oh, it's Little Nidoran. What are you doing here this early? Looking for Luo Luo to play with?"
This Little Nidoran was the Pokémon Chu Xin and Luo Luo had rescued in the Swamp. Ever since they had saved him, however, he had clung to Luo Luo, coming to play with him every day.
Chu Xin did not mind. He let Luo Luo and Little Nidoran play together every day, since that would also help him grow closer to Little Nidoran. After all, his reason for setting out had been to obtain an excellent Pokémon.
After washing up, Chu Xin left the tent. The morning sun shone brightly over the Plains, where the grass was lush and lovely. Nidoking and Nidoqueen stood watch, surveying their surroundings. When they saw Chu Xin awake, they nodded in greeting.
Chu Xin nodded to Nidoking, then began strolling across the Plains. Every so often, a curious Nidoran wandered over, nuzzled against him, and left.
After all his efforts over the past several days, the Nidoran group had fully accepted Chu Xin's presence. The Nidoran now had a very favorable impression of him. Even if he took one of them away, he believed Nidoking and Nidoqueen would have little