[Bonus Chapter]
Today's lunch was handled by Poliwag. It was just some kelp, but Reiji ate it, Magikarp ate it, and Poliwag ate it too.
After lunch, Poliwag even went out and caught a Caterpie, leaving Reiji both amused and exasperated.
Even if they had a Caterpie, they couldn't cook it—what if the Krabby showed up again? They'd just have to flee.
"All right, Poliwag, come take a break. There's no need to push yourself so hard," Reiji waved at Poliwag, signaling it to rest.
Ever since he had asked it to collect seaweed, Poliwag hadn't stopped. There was no need to work that hard.
"Wag wag," Poliwag responded by spitting water. It was clear—it wanted to train. It was eager to keep going.
"No, no, Poliwag. I've got something more important for you to do. Go check if Caterpie's fever has gone down. See if she's awake."
"Wag!" Poliwag nodded and darted off to the treehouse.
Moments later, it came running back, excitedly reporting that Caterpie was awake. "Wag wag, wag wag!"
Reiji turned to look—Caterpie had already crawled out of the treehouse and was slowly making her way toward him.
"Coo… coo…" She reached Reiji's lap and lay down. The fever had only just broken; her body was still weak, and her voice lacked strength.
"Caterpie, where did you go these past two days?" Reiji asked gently.
"Coo coo…" She chattered on, thinking Reiji understood, but in truth, he had no idea what she was saying.
But it didn't matter. The past was the past. She was back—that's what mattered. She was back.
"Here, eat this berry," Reiji pulled out the Rawst Berry he'd sliced earlier.
"Coo…" Caterpie sniffed it and instantly shook her head. It was far too bitter—she didn't want to eat it.
"You have to eat it. It'll help you recover faster," Reiji didn't give in. A patient needed to act like one. Refusing medicine while sick? Not happening.
"Coo…" Caterpie glanced at the bitter berry, then at Reiji's serious face, and finally gave in, biting into the berry.
The moment she did, her eyes squinted tight from the overwhelming bitterness.
"Finish it, and you'll be fine tomorrow. Trust me," Reiji said. He'd tasted it himself—he knew just how awful it was.
But there was no choice. If she didn't eat it now, the fever might come back. Better to end it completely.
"Coo… coo…" With eyes nearly shut, Caterpie forced down the bitter berry, blue juice dribbling from her mouth.
It was terrible. She immediately climbed onto the nearby water bucket and dunked her head in, gulping down water to wash away the taste.
"It's just a single berry," Reiji couldn't help laughing. She'd left, and now she was back, acting like nothing happened. He had no idea what was going on in that little bug's head.
"Wag wag!" Poliwag, seeing Caterpie finish her drink, brought her over to meet their new friend—Magikarp.
"Coo coo," Caterpie looked up. In the other bucket, only a red head stuck out—Magikarp. She greeted it with a couple of calls.
"Garu garu… garu garu…"
This time, Magikarp responded. Now that it had food and shelter, it was starting to get used to life here. The only problem was the small bucket—it was a bit cramped.
"Coo?" Caterpie tilted her head and looked at Poliwag, confused. "What did he say?"
"Wag…" Poliwag shook its head. It had no clue either. That was the first time Magikarp had ever spoken up.
Watching the three Pokémon chatting away, Reiji leaned against the tree and smiled warmly. He couldn't follow their conversation, but it was still a charming sight.
Before he realized it, he had dozed off. When he woke, it was already dusk. Beside him was a pile of kelp—dinner for the day.
The Caterpie caught earlier had been placed in a Poké Ball. Tomorrow, it would serve as bait to lure out the Krabby.
He had to resolve the Krabby issue—like a thorn stuck in his throat, making even eating feel uneasy.
Caterpie's return had given him the confidence to face those three Krabby head-on.
As for why she came back or what she went through those two days, even returning while still sick—Reiji didn't want to ask. It didn't matter. She was back. That was enough.
Even if this Caterpie was a little rebellious, he didn't mind—as long as she listened. If she could be as reliable as Poliwag, then she was welcome to stay.
"All right, time for dinner." Reiji saw the trio still chatting even after he napped. He had to interrupt eventually.
Once the stew pot boiled, he divided the seaweed Poliwag had collected into three portions: one for himself, one for Poliwag, one for Caterpie.
Magikarp's portion was already in the bucket—raw, as usual. No need to cook.
After dinner, he continued boiling water—to disinfect his feet before bed.
When he unwrapped the bandage to reveal the angry red gash, Caterpie was shocked. Just two days apart, and Reiji was already hurt?
She urgently asked Poliwag what had happened.
"Wag wag," Poliwag lay in its bucket and explained the berry mission. "Reiji got hurt getting that berry to save you."
"Coo?" Caterpie asked if it was the bitter berry she'd just eaten.
"Wag," Poliwag nodded. "You ate it—that's why you were able to wake up."
"Coo…" Caterpie lowered her head. Reiji got injured because of her. And she'd even given him the cold shoulder before. She felt deeply guilty.
"Wag wag," Poliwag noticed her mood and comforted her. "It was Reiji's choice. Just don't let his effort go to waste."
"Coo…" Caterpie nodded quietly.
"Wag wag," Poliwag added, "Don't betray Reiji's trust. If you truly want to stay, listen to him. Don't disappoint him."
Caterpie looked at Reiji, who winced in pain as he cleaned his wound, and didn't answer.
She just nodded silently… letting her actions speak instead.
[End of Chapter]
[100 Power Stones = Extra Chapter]
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