Not Being a Trainer This Time

Forest Pokemon Cafe, we’re here!

Naoki climbed down from Koraidon, stepped onto the wooden stairs and walked up to the treehouse door, then knocked on it with his hand.

”Anyone there?”

”Knock knock!”

But just as he knocked twice, the wooden door opened on its own, and Naoki could see the interior of the shop clearly.

Under the dim yellow lights sat a wooden bar counter and several tables and chairs, with an Oranguru standing behind the bar.

On the table beside it, a Shiinotic and two Morelull were using the light from their bodies to illuminate the cafe.

Closer to the back was a Torkoal, using the flames from its body to cook a pot of soup.

Only, aside from Oranguru, all of these Pokemon were wearing troubled expressions.

Seeing someone push the door open, they all turned their heads in unison and looked toward the entrance.

Oranguru spoke up: ”Yare yare.” (The cafe is temporarily closed.)

Through the Power of Viridian, Naoki sensed what Oranguru meant. He paused for a moment, then shook his head and explained:

”No, I’m not here for juice. I’ve accepted the trial from King of the Island Mr. Hala, and came to investigate why the Forest Pokemon Cafe has suspended business, and help you solve the problem.”

Hearing this, every Pokemon in the cafe lifted their heads.

Shiinotic’s face lit up with delight, the Morelull looked full of anticipation, and Torkoal also stretched out its neck.

Oranguru was slightly taken aback, and used those wise eyes to size up the human in front of it from head to toe.

”Youyou?” (You can understand what Pokemon say?)

Naoki nodded with a smile and said, ”That’s right. And not only that—I can help treat Pokemon’s injuries too!”

Koraidon nodded again and again: ”Agassi!” That’s right!

Oranguru was very smart. Looking at the human and the Pokemon in front of it, and combining that with what he’d just said, it quickly guessed that he was here to complete an Island Pilgrimage trial.

Oranguru wasn’t unfamiliar with this sort of thing, since the Island Guardian of this island would also drop by its cafe from time to time.

”Yare yare.” (In that case, come with me and take a look.)

Oranguru walked out from behind the bar and took the lead.

Naoki and Koraidon followed behind it out of the treehouse, then went along a forest path, and soon arrived at a clearing.

The clearing had been artificially divided into plots of land, in which rows of fruit trees were planted, but the trees were now bare, looking as if they’d been looted by robbers.

”This is…”

Just as Naoki was feeling puzzled, a burst of snoring suddenly came from the far end of the clearing.

He looked up and saw an enormous Snorlax lying on its back on the grass, its round belly exposed, big paws resting on its stomach as it slept soundly.

Seeing this scene, Naoki instantly understood what had happened here.

He turned to Oranguru and asked, ”Was it that Snorlax that ate all the Berries in the Berry Garden?”

Oranguru nodded: ”Yare yare.”

Naoki couldn’t help feeling a bit doubtful. If he remembered correctly, judging from its portrayal in the anime, this Oranguru’s strength should be pretty formidable.

It could absolutely use Psychic or some other scheme to drive this wild Snorlax away.

Oranguru noticed the human’s gaze. With just one look, it guessed what he was thinking.

Oranguru fanned the fan in its hand and explained: ”Yare yare.” (If I drove it somewhere else, it would just eat up all the food in the rest of the forest, and then the other Pokemon living here would go hungry.)

And this Berry Garden was something it had personally planted, so even if it got eaten, it wouldn’t affect the forest or the other Pokemon.

The only thing affected was the supply of ingredients for the cafe. Without Berries, it had no way to mix fruit juice.