The hardest part of unication is often the initial step of establishing a e.

  Most people aren't ily g in the ability or talent to unicate. Yet, they appear unskilled at versation because they falter at building that first bridge of unication.

  This is especially true for Ralts, a Pokémon that sense humaions and flee at the slightest hint of unease.

  However, for Natsume, this wasn’t much of a challenge.

  With a calm mi and a touch of psychic power, earning the trust and affe of Ralts was an effortless task.

  After all, Natsume had earhe niame "Little Charmer of Daitaka Preschool" for a reason.

  “Ralts, Ralts!”

  Before long, the little green Ralts were crowding around Natsume, chattering away non-stop.

  They eagerly shared their curiosity about the farm, their experiences so far, and even whispered pints about their older siblings.

  The st part, in particur, gave them the vibe of cssic backstabbers.

  Selling out their older siblings right after meeting someone new—whether it was out of y enuine affe for Natsume, who could say?

  Even though people say “the eldest brother is like a father,” Galde didn’t seem to hold much authority in the family.

  “Alright, alright, let’s go meet the others on the farm,” Natsume said with a chuckle, scooping up a Ralts that had climbed onto his head and cradling it in his arms.

  Turning to the Galde and Gardevoir, he added, “Shall we?”

  “Galde!”

  Galde raised an arm in agreement. Sihe newers didn’t have gifts prepared, at the very least, they should introduce themselves.

  After all, it would be awkward if, after living on the farm for a while, they were mistaken for outsiders due to their low profile.

  Gardevoir, oher hand, remained indifferent.

  It didn’t particurly care as long as no one forced it to bond with others.

  True social ay.

  Gardevoir embodied the essence of true social ay: not announg it to the world, not retreating to a er to stand out, naging in etric behavior to attract attention.

  Real social ay involved blending seamlessly into the crowd, minimizing one’s presence.

  Laugh when h, cry when others cry—thus the ins of “deyed ughter” and “deyed tears” (or so it cimed).

  After formally capturing Galde and the Ralts group, Natsume released them again and began the walk back to the house.

  Not capturing them wasn’t an option; leaving them uered on the farm made him uneasy.

  Believing in the i goodness and moral iy of humanity ofte people vulnerable to malice.

  Natsume had no iion of being the protagonist of a melodramatic tragedy.

  No misuandings, no spping tests.

  He had her the need nor the patience for suonsense.

  He’d rather spend that time napping with his shiny Furret.

  Speaking of which, due to its interaining regime tely, Furret was no longer as soft and plush as before—its once-cuddly body had hardened slightly.

  A pity.

  But no matter—there were plenty of other Pokémon on the farm to cuddle.

  Take Lopunny, for instance.

  Though Lopunny had yet to share Natsume’s bed, it was tempting.

  While its fluffy, humanoid form was undeniably adorable, something about it still felt a bit... awkward.

  Perhaps one day, when Natsume decided to embrace his inner "Dark Emperor," he’d proudly step into the world of furry fandom.

  “Everyone, we have new friends!”

  Pushing open the door, Natsume was greeted by a flurry of Pokémon scurrying out from all ers of the house.

  Mino was the first to hop down from a windowsill, iing the Ralts group hiding behind Natsume, as well as the fnking Gardevoir and Galde.

  Satisfied, it nodded approvingly.

  Diligent newers—good, good.

  For Mino, ing wasn’t the issue—it had to do that anyway.

  What it couldn’t stand were Pokémon that cked motivation.

  It particurly disapproved of Togepi and Hisuian Zorua.

  Hisuian Zorua, a perennial wallflower in the household, had retly teamed up with the troublemaker Togepi.

  Now the duo spent their days causing chaos across the farm.

  Stealing eggs, sneaking into ste, and yes—literally “petting the dog.”

  A Mightyena’s rear was nearly rubbed bald.

  From a distahe shiny patch of fur on its hindquarters gleamed spicuously.

  “Mimi!”

  After a brief introduino happily returo its ing duties.

  Another satisfying day.

  Following Mino, Lopunny, Emolga, Butterfree, Zorua, and Persian all came forward to greet the newers.

  As for Shiny Furret and Corvisquire?

  Furret was outside training tirelessly, only returning for meals a.

  Corvisquire, oher hand, had bee a recluse, big shows upstairs in increasingly uhy positions.

  Its o frame was growing rounder by the day.

  Uo stand it, Natsume assigned Furret the task ing Corvisquire out daily for training.

  Do what you must—just don’t overdo it.

  At this rate, Corvisquire might soon turn into a feathery ball, uo fly.

  The thought of it rolling around on the ground, frantically fpping its wings, was both amusing and tragic.

  “But space is being an issue,” Natsume mused, gng at the crowded living room.

  When he first moved in, it had just been him, Butterfree, Persian, and Corvisquire.

  Back then, the space was more thae.

  Now, however, with the growing number of Pokémon in the household, the space was feeling cramped.

  Sure, they could all teically fit, but fort was another matter.

  If fitting was all that mattered, a cramped i café booth would suffice.

  Thankfully, the new home under stru—a spacious three-story vil—was nearly plete.

  It boasted plenty of rooms, more than enough for the current Pokémon.

  By the time space became an issue again, the farm would have reached a new level, plete with facilities like breeding houses.

  So, Natsume wasn’t too worried.

  “Gardevoir.”

  “Galde.”

  The two Pokémon introduced themselves warmly, only to discover, to their surprise, that many Pokémon on the farm shared simir stories of having fled from hardship.

  Gcell