The ranch welcomed another member

"Really?" Tong Hua took the Whistle, looking a little confused.

"Isn't Orthworm your old companion? Why are you entrusting him to me?"

Tong Hua looked at Grandpa Yang and saw trust in his eyes.

"Keeping him shut away here all the time is the cruelest thing I could do to him.

After spending that day out with you, he came back looking much livelier."

As Grandpa Yang spoke, he stroked Orthworm's head again. Orthworm nuzzled his palm affectionately, letting out a low "Worm, worm."

"I'm already old, but they still have a long life ahead of them.

Before I wither away, I hope I can find someone worthy of looking after them.

Tong Hua, you're that person."

Tong Hua suddenly felt a lump in his throat. The Whistle in his hand seemed to grow heavy.

He had only arrived in this world less than a week ago. What had he done to deserve such recognition?

"I..."

Tong Hua took a deep breath, then bowed deeply to the old man. "I promise I'll take good care of Orthworm!"

Turtwig and Minccino copied him. One braced against the ground with Vine Whip and lowered its head, while the other pressed its large tail to the ground in a bow.

Grandpa Yang watched Tong Hua with a smile. For some reason, he had always felt a heartfelt affinity with this boy.

It was as though they had been born the same kind of person, both worthy of being entrusted with others.

"Good... good..."

When Tong Hua straightened up, he found Grandpa Yang gazing into the distance, lost in thought.

Following his gaze, Tong Hua saw the thriving landscape of Sunshine Ranch.

For the next two hours, Tong Hua stayed at Sunshine Ranch, helping Grandpa Yang with quite a few of the ranch's daily chores.

These included trimming Wooloo's overgrown wool, cutting apart Tangela's tangled vines, and collecting the rock salt produced by the Nacli in their salt nests...

Following Grandpa Yang around, Tong Hua learned all sorts of specialized knowledge he had never encountered in his previous life.

Tong Hua understood that Grandpa Yang intended to train him. Perhaps, far in the future, he might even entrust all of Sunshine Ranch to him.

Tong Hua continued helping with the work as he indulged in that daydream...

Two hours later, after they collected the olive oil produced by the last Arboliva, Sunshine Ranch's daily chores were finally done.

Tong Hua lay on the grass, resting with Turtwig and Minccino. After eating the Sandwiches he had brought for lunch, all three were brimming with energy again.

Grandpa Yang approached with his walking stick, bringing tea for Tong Hua and the two Pokémon.

Orthworm was making his final farewells around the ranch. He understood that once he left, he probably would not be coming back very often.

"You shouldn't have gone to the trouble!" Tong Hua quickly got up and took the tea. Turtwig and Minccino copied him, each taking a cup.

"Thank you." Tong Hua lifted his cup and drained it.

The distinctive flavor of barley tea spread through his mouth, carrying a rich, roasted aroma.

It was light and faintly sweet, smooth and refreshing.

"Is it good? It's my own special recipe." Grandpa Yang smiled as he watched Tong Hua and the Pokémon enjoy their tea. "Thank you for all your hard work."

"Not at all. It was no trouble." Tong Hua smiled, shook his head, and stood up.

"We should probably get going now.

Bounsweet is still waiting for us at home."

Grandpa Yang escorted Tong Hua and the three Pokémon to the gate, just as he had when seeing them off a few days earlier.

Only this time, Orthworm was truly leaving.

"Worm..." Orthworm looked at Grandpa Yang reluctantly. He spread the arms formed from his body hair, wanting one last hug.

"Why get so sentimental? It's not as though we'll never see each other again...

Go on. Help Tong Hua run his ranch properly. This time, you'll still be the senior among those fellows."

Tong Hua caught the implication in Grandpa Yang's words. It seemed that more of Sunshine Ranch's old companions would be joining Fairy Tale Ranch in the future.

Meanwhile, at Fairy Tale Ranch.

After Tong Hua left with Turtwig and Minccino, only Bounsweet and the two Celebi remained at home.

"Amma, amma!"

With everyone else gone, Bounsweet could finally let her true nature loose.

She bounced around happily while spinning the leaves on her head, spreading her sweet scent freely through the fields.

Although this would attract the nearby Starly, being the center of everyone's attention was exactly what Bounsweet wanted.

"Amma, amma!"

Bounsweet rolled happily through the fields, sometimes leaping into the air, sometimes spinning rapidly.

Before long, more than a dozen Starly had gathered on the nearby treetops.

"Star..."

They had been watching for some time. Bounsweet's fragrance tempted them constantly, making them lose their senses.

"Star!"

At last, one Starly could no longer restrain itself. Seeing that Bounsweet really seemed to be alone, it swooped straight at her!

A layer of white light covered its hard beak. It was Quick Attack!

"Amma?" Sensing hostility, Bounsweet slowly raised her head. Starly was already right in front of her!

"Amma!"

Yet Bounsweet did not panic. She sprang into the air! Her leaves spun at high speed as she narrowly slipped past Starly's body!

Unable to stop, Starly plunged straight into the ground and stayed there, head down, out cold.

Bounsweet, meanwhile, landed gracefully, her movements light and agile. She seemed thoroughly accustomed to such sneak attacks.

Her nimble movements were worlds apart from the clumsy image she presented in front of Tong Hua and the others.

"Star..." At the sight, the watching Starly scattered of their own accord.

"Amma!" Bounsweet bounced proudly. She had driven off the bird Pokémon coveting her all by herself, and she loved the feeling of victory too.

Who would have thought that the silly-looking Bounsweet, who seemed to do nothing but smile goofily, had this side to her?

Only the Celebi, who happened to be tending the fields nearby, knew about this little incident...

Not long afterward, Tong Hua returned with Turtwig and Minccino, riding on Orthworm.

"Well then..."

Tong Hua hopped off Orthworm and turned around, speaking with complete seriousness.

"Orthworm, welcome officially to Fairy Tale Ranch."

"Worm!"

Orthworm

let out a low cry, standing outside the ranch as he took another look at what would now be his new home.

It did not seem much different from his last visit...

It was still so quiet and peaceful, with plenty of delicious-looking red soil...

Orthworm slowly lowered himself, gently touching Fairy Tale Ranch's soil with the arms formed from his body hair.

What a lovely smell!

"Tur, turt!" "Min, min!"

Turtwig and Minccino hopped down after Tong Hua, smiling at Orthworm in welcome.

"We're family now. Come on in. Let's find you somewhere to sleep tonight first."

Tong Hua led Orthworm toward the Pasture, but Orthworm took the initiative and placed Tong Hua and the others back on his back.

Traveling this way was faster.

Tong Hua happily accepted. At least until he built roads around the ranch, riding Orthworm would probably be the most efficient way to get around.

As the group passed the fields behind the Wooden Cabin, Bounsweet and the Celebi came running over.

"Bii!"

The two Celebi flew up close and rubbed against Tong Hua's cheeks. The Sandwiches he had left for their lunch tasted good, but the portions had been a little small.

Both little ones were gluttons. The first thing they did upon seeing Tong Hua return was pester him for food.

Tong Hua immediately understood what the two Celebi wanted and agreed helplessly.

"All right, all right. Have some Berries first." Tong Hua took some Oran Berries out of his pocket, and the two Celebi quickly accepted them and started eating.

"Amma, amma!" Bounsweet bounced up too, landing gently in front of Tong Hua.

"Thanks for looking after the house. Here, you can try one too."

Smiling, Tong Hua stroked Bounsweet's round head. She immediately spun the leaves atop her head in delight, releasing a sweet fragrance.

"Pokémon with little bead eyes really do look the cutest. So adorably goofy, hehe..."

"Min?"

The moment Tong Hua said that, Minccino turned to stare at him. It seemed almost jealous...

Only then did Tong Hua realize what he had said. He hurriedly waved his hands and explained, "No, wait, I mean... every kind of Pokémon has its own unique charm! Look at Minccino-so fluffy and pretty!"

Unfortunately, it was a little too late to make amends. Minccino puffed out its cheeks and swept its fluffy tail over Tong Hua as though brushing away dirt.

"That tickles! Haha, stop tickling me, Minccino..."

Amid all the "joyful laughter," Orthworm deliberately slowed his pace, carrying the whole family leisurely toward the Pasture.