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Chapter 34: Steven
🕑 Added 2025-09-22 03:33:37 +0000 UTCSteven Stone. As the heir to Devon Corporation and the eldest son of the Stone family, Steven, like other children, chose to become a Pokémon trainer when he turned ten.
Today marked the fifth month of Steven's journey.
In just four months, he had already collected five gym badges and evolved his Beldum into Metang.
After leaving Meteor Falls, Steven didn't linger on the road. Calculating the time, if he relied solely on walking, it would probably be dark by the time they reached Fallarbor Town.
This was a common occurrence during travel. After brief consideration, Steven decided to continue onward.
Sure enough, when he'd walked halfway, evening had already arrived.
Steven looked up at the sky and noticed it was getting dark.
"In that case, I'll rest somewhere around here tonight!"
This place was still some distance from Fallarbor Town, but traveling at night wasn't very safe. Steven decided to wait until dawn tomorrow before continuing.
The League's technology had already developed to a very advanced stage. With spatial technology applied to backpacks, it had greatly facilitated trainers traveling outdoors.
Just as Steven was preparing to set up camp on the spot, Metang suddenly flew forward and looked in a certain direction.
"What's wrong, Metang?"
Steven was somewhat puzzled. He followed Metang's gaze and saw a house with lights on not far ahead by the roadside.
That was...
Steven was slightly stunned, then walked forward with Metang. Soon, they saw a sign hanging on the door of the house.
The sign read "Currently Open."
On one side of the door stood a small blackboard listing the house's main business.
[Daycare Main Services]
[1. Pokémon Daycare]
[2. Currently Available Move Tutoring: Baby-Doll Eyes, Tackle, Sleep Powder, Swords Dance, Protect, Toxic, Odor Sleuth.]
[3. Egg Breeding: Leave two Pokémon of the same egg group but different genders at the daycare to breed superior offspring through eggs.]
[4. Rare Item Trading: Common Stone, Big Root.]
[5. Buying in Large Quantities: Moon Stones!]
[6. Room and Board.]
"A daycare? An inn?"
Steven didn't need Pokémon breeding services, but this place seemed to also operate as an inn.
Either way, sleeping on a soft, comfortable bed would be much more reassuring than sleeping in the wilderness filled with dangerous wild Pokémon.
Steven decisively pushed open the daycare's front door.
What greeted his eyes was a lobby decorated very warmly with a touch of cute style.
The lobby was lit up, and the sofa meant for entertaining guests was currently occupied by a group of Clefairy playing around, while a Bewear was sweeping with a broom.
The front door faced directly toward the counter, and behind it, a boy about his age was leaning back in his chair, intently reading a book.
Beside the boy, on one side of the counter, lay a very young and energetic-looking Growlithe.
Outside the window was an endless forest and wilderness shrouded in darkness, while inside presented a completely opposite scene.
A boy living together with a group of Pokémon...
Under the warm-toned lighting, the entire daycare exuded an atmosphere that put people at ease, giving off a cozy feeling.
A customer has arrived!
Hearing the door open, Kawaki immediately looked up.
But when he saw the visitor's appearance clearly, he was momentarily stunned.
That unmistakable aura of a wealthy young master, that handsome face, and that flowing silver hair...
Although the other's face was still youthful, Kawaki recognized his identity at first glance.
It was none other than the Hoenn region's Champion, Steven Stone!
Though he wasn't champion yet.
Kawaki noticed the Metang beside Steven.
So this was Steven during his early traveling period?
"Welcome! This is Kawaki's Daycare, also known as Bewear Inn!" Despite his inner confusion, Kawaki didn't show it on his face and greeted the customer with unchanged expression: "Are you here for Pokémon daycare or lodging?"
"Excuse me, I'd like to rest here for the night," Steven replied.
"Then that's lodging." Kawaki pointed to the small blackboard above the counter and said, "The room and board prices are listed there. Let me know if you need anything."
Steven looked up and saw some basic information written there.
[Bewear Inn]
[₽5,000/night]
[Bewear Restaurant Currently Serving: Ramen ₽800/bowl, White Porridge ₽300/bowl, Berry Juice ₽100/cup, Sandwiches ₽500/serving, Pokémon Treats ₽500/serving, Moomoo Milk ₽600/cup, Fried Rice ₽900/bowl]
"Grumble grumble—"
Having stayed at Meteor Falls too long, plus walking all afternoon, Steven was indeed hungry.
While he was looking at the menu, several Clefairy that had been sitting on the sofa suddenly jumped down and ran to his side, taking his travel backpack from him.
Steven was slightly startled.
"Please don't worry, this is a special service at our shop. These are our server Clefairy, and they'll take your luggage to your guest room," Kawaki explained.
Steven understood. Pokémon were intelligent creatures, and he'd seen many cases of Pokémon helping out in shops.
He let go of his backpack, entrusting it to the two Clefairy and watching their figures disappear at the staircase.
"The guest room is on the second floor, first door on the right after going upstairs." After Steven paid, Kawaki spoke.
Steven nodded, then ordered: "Please give me one bowl of ramen, one cup of berry juice, three cups of Moomoo Milk, and three servings of Pokémon food."
"No problem. I'm called Kawaki. May I ask how to address you?" Kawaki asked.
"Steven."
As soon as Steven finished speaking, two more Clefairy jumped down from the group that had been sitting on the sofa.
"One bowl of ramen, one cup of berry juice, three cups of milk, and three servings of Pokémon treats," Kawaki repeated to them.
The two chef Clefairy happily nodded their heads: "Clefairy~!" They remembered!
Seeing this, Steven was slightly stunned. He watched the two Clefairy run toward the kitchen, and an incredible thought suddenly popped into his mind.
The dishes he'd ordered, the chefs making them, couldn't possibly be those two Clefairy, could they?
Steven looked utterly amazed.
He turned to look at the young shop owner named Kawaki.
Kawaki smiled and said, "The Clefairy serve as assistants in my daycare. When I'm too busy or tired, they help with cooking."
"Are they your Pokémon?" Steven was somewhat surprised.
Not just because the Clefairy could help with tasks, but because Clefairy were extremely rare Pokémon, almost never seen in the wild.
They lived in quiet deep mountains and were extremely few in number. It was said that in some places, if someone casually brought them out to show off, they'd be targeted by thieves who specialized in stealing Pokémon.
And now... this daycare actually had so many Clefairy!
