"I don't know how to address you, sir," Yuga suddenly realized he still didn't know the name of the elderly man sitting in front of him. He had asked last time but didn't get an answer.
"You can call me Kuni'o," the old man said after taking a sip of tea, offering two simple syllables.
Yuga nodded in acknowledgment. "Kuni'o" sounded quite dignified.
"Did you read the book I gave you last time?" Kuni'o suddenly asked, breaking the silence.
Yuga hurriedly replied, "Ah, yes, I read it, at least some of it."
Kuni'o nodded and asked Yuga a few questions related to the knowledge in the book. He didn't press Yuga too hard and focused on topics related to the seeds Yuga had purchased. Yuga's responses were fluent, which seemed to satisfy Kuni'o.
"How did you know I was in Mauville City?" Yuga asked, feeling a bit awkward sitting in silence for so long.
"I saw you on the street," Kuni'o replied.
Wait a minute! Yuga thought, I remember Ryuichi immediately called out his own name on the street. Did I introduce myself?
"Do you know me?" Yuga couldn't help but ask.
"I've investigated you," the old man said straightforwardly.
"Um..." Yuga didn't know what to say.
"Planning to stay in Mauville City for long?" Kuni'o asked as they continued sitting in silence.
Yuga answered, "I'm not sure yet, I have some things to take care of before I leave."
"Do you have a place to stay?" Kuni'o inquired.
"I'll go to the Pokémon Center later," Yuga replied.
"Come to my place," Kuni'o said, standing up abruptly and leaving without finishing his tea.
Seeing this, Yuga had no choice but to follow. They passed through the beaded curtains, and Kuni'o instructed Ryuichi, who was guarding outside, to "go back." Ryuichi nodded and followed Yuga.
"Sir, do I really have to stay at your place?" Yuga asked as they walked toward the teahouse's exit.
"What's wrong? Do you have any issues with it?" Kuni'o suddenly stopped, turned around, and asked.
Yuga noticed that Kuni'o had been wearing a serious expression since their meeting. His face showed no other emotions, which was a bit intimidating.
"No, no!" Yuga hurriedly shook his head.
After hearing Yuga's response, Kuni'o turned and continued walking. Yuga had to quicken his pace to keep up.
Despite Kuni'o's white hair, he walked briskly and didn't seem like an elderly person at all. Yuga had a hard time keeping up with him.
Once they reached the black car they had arrived in, Yuga got in with Kuni'o, and they headed to the Northern outskirts of Mauville City. They stopped at the entrance of a large estate.
The estate was substantial but not overly luxurious, radiating a natural and rustic charm. It felt somewhat like a farmhouse, although much larger.
After getting out of the car, Kuni'o turned to Ryuichi and said, "Ryuichi, arrange a place for him."
"Yes, sir," Ryuichi bowed.
Kuni'o then left, leaving Yuga and Ryuichi standing at the entrance of the estate. The driver also drove away with the car.
"Young Master Shimizu, please follow me," Ryuichi respectfully said, motioning for Yuga to follow him.
As Yuga walked alongside him into the estate, he said, "Mr. Ryuichi, can you stop calling me 'young master'? It sounds awkward. Just call me Yuga; that's how everyone else addresses me."
"I can't do that," Ryuichi said firmly. "You are our master's distinguished guest. It wouldn't be appropriate to address you casually. Also, you can simply call me Ryuichi; there's no need for the 'mister.'"
Once inside the estate, Ryuichi removed his intimidating black sunglasses, and he seemed much friendlier.
Indeed, the eyes were the windows to the soul. With just his eyes visible, Ryuichi no longer appeared as menacing.
Yuga attempted to change how Ryuichi addressed him, but his efforts were in vain. Since they had just met and Yuga didn't want to engage in lengthy discussions, he decided to let it go.
"Are there any other people living here besides Mr. Kuni'o?" Yuga asked, looking up.
Talking to tall people was truly exhausting! Oh, my neck!
Ryuichi smiled and replied, "No, just Mr. Kuni'o and I live here."
"Wow, with such a large estate, don't you need people to maintain it regularly?" Yuga asked in surprise.
"We have Pokémon to take care of that," Ryuichi explained, pointing towards the courtyard.
Yuga looked into the courtyard and indeed saw a multitude of Grass-type Pokémon. There were Leavannys trimming the plants, Bellossomes watering them, Sunfloras tending to the lawn, and many other Grass-type Pokémon like Sceptile, Vileplume, Jumpluff, Ludicolo, Roserade, Nuzleaf, and Breloom. Yuga was overwhelmed by the variety of Grass Pokémon he saw.
"I see," Yuga said softly.
"By the way, are you a Trainer?" Yuga casually asked.
"Of course! Can't you tell?" Ryuichi replied with pride. "Our master is a very skilled Trainer, you know!"
Whenever Ryuichi mentioned Mr. Kuni'o, admiration would appear on his face involuntarily.
Mr. Kuni'o must be a Grass-type specialist Trainer, judging from the assortment of Grass-type Pokémon and the layout of the estate.
However, Yuga couldn't recall any particularly famous Grass-type Trainers in Hoenn region.
After crossing the courtyard, Yuga followed Ryuichi to the inner courtyard.
The entire estate was designed in an antique style and divided into inner and outer courtyards, giving it a tranquil and layered feel.
Ryuichi stopped in front of a small courtyard, and turning to Yuga, he said, "You'll be staying here."
Just as Ryuichi finished speaking, a Bellossom walked out of the small courtyard, tilting her head as she looked at Yuga and Ryuichi.
Seeing Bellossom come out, Ryuichi smiled and said, "Perfect timing, Bellossom! This guest will be staying here. Please take care of him."
"Bellossom, Bellossom!"
Upon hearing Ryuichi's words, Bellossom happily spun around and then curtsied to Yuga, lifting the edge of her floral skirt.
Oh, she even knows how to curtsy! What a polite Pokémon, Yuga thought in amazement.
"Bellossom is the caretaker of this small courtyard. You can ask her for anything you need," Ryuichi explained.
Yuga nodded in understanding. It truly was a place with only two living beings – himself and a caretaker Pokémon.
Bellossom gently approached Yuga and took his hand, pulling him towards the courtyard. Yuga looked back at Ryuichi, who nodded, and followed Bellossom into the courtyard.
Inside the courtyard, Yuga found everything he needed, and it was beautifully arranged. He turned to Bellossom and asked, "Did you arrange everything here?"
With half-closed eyes, Bellossom nodded at Yuga.
"You're an impressive little caretaker," Yuga complimented, patting Bellossom's head.
Hearing Yuga's praise, Bellossom was delighted and started dancing in place, releasing a sweet fragrance that filled the room.