When do people usually feel like they've grown up?

  Graduation? Falling in love? Or the first time they receive a paycheck after starting work?

  For Natsume, the first time he realized he’d grown up was wheiced that the older sisters and aunts in those easily captivating "big truck crushing little pony" stories were now youhan him.

  In that moment, he didn’t just feel like he’d grown up—he felt old.

  Nowadays, Natsume’s realization of maturity often came with the o keep certain things private. Not everything could be shared so openly.

  And with that, he felt like he’d grown just a little more.

  Though he also felt a little more exhausted.

  Right now, several Pokémon were gathered in front of him, all staring at him with expet eyes.

  It hadn’t even been half an hour sihe idea of entering battles with his Pokémon first occurred to Natsume, but already the entire farm knew about it.

  “That big-mouthed Corviknight.”

  When it came to spreading information, Corviknight ractically on par with the neighborhood gossip crew. The bird had single-handedly spread the news far and wide—impressively, without even exaggerating it.

  “Should I actually praise it for not twisting the facts?”

  C his faatsume wasn’t sure whether to be angry or amused.

  Though he’d inteo share the news with everyoually, the sudden reveal still caught him off guard.

  Now, gathered in front of him were not only Pokémon genuinely ied in battling but also a few with their own ulterior motives.

  There was the diligent, battle-loving shiny Furret; Gardevoir, eager to prove her worth; Galde, dragged along by Gardevoir; the shiny Pidgeotto, hoping to curry favor with Natsume for extra Pokéblocks; and a udkip, who didn’t seem to uand much but wao join in anyway.

  And, of course, Zorua—here to stir up trouble—and Corviknight, looking guilty but still rep for duty.

  Faced with their eager eyes, Natsume sighed and said:

  “Don’t get too excited. We’re ering any battles just yet.”

  “If you’re ied, let me know. Wheime es, I’ll make sure to tell everyone.”

  Once he finished speaking, the gathered Pokémon muttered among themselves before dispersing.

  But not before each of them brushed against Natsume, oer another, as though marking him—or maybe just being affeate.

  “You look like you’re having a great time watg the show, don’t you?”

  Natsume grabbed Zorua by the scruff of the neck just as the mischievous Pokémon was about to sneak away after giving him a pyful nuzzle.

  With Corviknight still adjusting to its evolved form and uo fly smoothly, Natsume doubted it could have spread the news so quickly without help.

  He was sure Zorua had pyed a part.

  “Zor?”

  Tilting its head and stig out its tongue, Zave him an i look.

  What are you talking about? I don’t uand a thing! I’m just a sweet, i little fox, incapable of such schemes!

  “You, my little troublemaker, might have what it takes to bee a follower of Aha.”

  Natsume ruffled Zorua’s fur until it was a plete mess, then casually tossed the Pokémon aside as if it were a cat.

  Zorua nded nimbly, twisting in midair to execute a perfeding.

  Anyone who’s ever had a cat would reize this move. After pying with their cat, they’d often toss it gently to the floor, knowing the cat would nd just fine.

  But dogs? That’s a different story. A dog would fat in a disaster of filing limbs.

  A word of advice to ah both cats and dogs: be careful.

  A cat might five you after a treat, but a dog? You’ll be footing some hefty vet bills.

  “Zor.”

  Shaking its head, Zorua shot Natsume a sassy go eat dirt look before scampering off, its short legs moving in a zigzag to avoid any further attacks.

  Just as Natsume’s foot swung toward its retreating backside, Zorua dodged with precision, leaving his kick to hit empty air.

  Its quick reflexes saved its butt from disaster.

  You think you kick me? Dream on, buddy. Go eat dirt back there!

  With its zigzagging “serpentine” moves, Zorua quickly disappeared from sight. Perhaps it was off to its favorite sunbathing spot—or maybe looking for other Pokémon to scam with its usual spiel:

  “Listen, I’m not saying you’re bad, but your teique needs wive me some Pokéblocks, and I’ll teach you a thing or two.”

  Despite sounding like a artist, Zorua was undoubtedly skilled. Many Pokémon on the farm willingly offered up their Pokéblocks in exge for its advice.

  Skipping a few treats was no big deal—they could always try other fvors ter.

  But the prove their skills? That riceless.

  Because if you missed the opportunity to grow stronger, you might just end up... lying around.

  And there’s nothing more infuriating than watg someone ze about happily while you struggle.

  It’s like when people say:

  I’m not jealous if you have a girlfriend. I’m fine on my own.

  I’m not jealous if you’re rich. I’m getting by just fine.

  I’m not jealous if you’re successful. Some people are just destined freatness.

  But if you’re lying around carefree while I’m struggling?

  Now I’m jealous, you jerk!

  “This little rascal…”

  Watg Zorua disappear, Natsume sighed in exasperation.

  It was a great Pokémon—just a bit too mischievous.

  “Let’s go, Corviknight. Help me move these boxes.”

  Natsume gave Corviknight a kiudging it forward as he picked up a box of miseous items.

  “You talk too much, so now you’ve got work to do.”

  “Caw!”

  I’m on it, boss!

  The oversized bird hopped along behind Natsume, looking like a wind-up toy as it waddled forward with its peculiar, bobbing gait.

  “Caw?”

  So, what are we doing now?

  “To pick up the gifts. Yurine has arrived.”

  “Caw!”

  Gifts!

  At the wifts,” Corviknight’s excitement surged. It instinctively spread its wings—only to knock over the box in Natsume’s hands, almost toppling him in the process.

  Turning stiffly to look at the mess it had caused, Corviknight froze, realizing its mistake.

  Well, looks like I’m getting scolded again today.

  Gcell