Reading, recording, and comparing with the knowledge in her mind and the pokédex system.
Just like that, two more peaceful days passed.
The collection of books in Erika’s study was indeed vast, but it couldn’t withstand Kaname’s rapid digestion rate.
With the pokédex system’s Quantum Speed Reading function, she didn’t need to understand word by word; as long as she flipped the pages, the text and diagrams would be automatically scanned and archived in her mental database.
At first, Erika’s mother would occasionally check on the study a few times.
But every time she pushed open the door, she would only see the pink-haired girl sitting upright in the chair, focused on flipping through heavy volumes.
Out of curiosity and care, Erikas Mother tested her on the contents of the books a few times.
Kaname’s answers were precise and profound, with some insights that even she, an adult, had never considered.
—This child might really become someone extraordinary in the future.
After closing the study door, Erikas Mother leaned against the hallway, thinking to herself.
Earlier, she had only cared for her daughter’s friend because of Kaname’s exquisite and cute appearance and her pitiably sensible behavior as an orphan.
But now, a sense of importance had been added to that simple affection.
She began to consider more serious matters.
For instance, whether she should sponsor the child’s future education or have Erika build a more long-lasting friendship with her.
However.
The adult’s thoughts had nothing to do with Kaname for the time being.
Because the progress of digesting the books was faster than expected, she freed up more energy to look after the Eevee hidden in the room.
Even the wound on Kaname’s palm had scabbed over and the bandage had been removed, leaving only a faint pink mark.
Thanks to the powerful constitution of Pokémon, Eevee naturally recovered even faster.
Now its fur had become fluffy and shiny again, and running and jumping around the room was no longer a problem.
Looking at the energetic Eevee, Kaname began to think about the problem that had been shelved.
Should she just find an opportunity to release Eevee into the wild?
Kaname sat on the edge of the bed, watching Eevee chase its own tail, and seriously considered this.
However, after thinking about it, she ultimately abandoned the plan.
The reason was simple.
This Eevee had absolutely no experience living in the wild.
From their previous interactions, it was highly probable that it had been kept in a cage since birth or was the product of some kind of artificial breeding.
It didn’t know how to identify which berries were edible in nature, nor did it know how to use the terrain to avoid natural enemies, and it didn’t even know the basics of nesting.
If she just threw it into the wild like that, without any elders of its kind to look after it, this Eevee—which hadn’t shown any special abilities—would probably need heaven-defying luck to barely survive the dangers of the wilderness.
While Kaname found it troublesome, she wasn’t so irresponsible.
Doing such a thing would be no different from those hypocrites in her past life who released animals randomly for self-satisfaction, which in reality was just killing them.
In comparison, finding a good home to give it away to was indeed much better than direct release.
But then another problem arose.
Eevee showed extreme resistance to contact with humans.
Even when Erika came to deliver food, if Kaname wasn’t there to keep it in check, it would bare its teeth at Erika and let out threatening low growls.
It didn’t seem to realize that every delicious meal it ate now actually came from the kitchen of Erika’s house.
What an ungrateful fellow.
If it weren’t for the slight connection she had with it, she wouldn’t need to worry so much.
Kaname sighed and decided to think more seriously about a way to properly send Eevee away so she wouldn’t have to worry about it anymore.
It had to be a place that had the professional ability to care for it, could tolerate its bad personality, and was trustworthy.
For example…
Dr.
Oak’s Laboratory in Pallet Town sounds like a very good option.
The more Kaname thought about it, the more reliable it seemed.
The old man was a famous kid at heart and had a natural affinity for children.
The Pokémon lecture program he hosted was a long-standing ratings hit; at the end of every episode, he would leave a “senryu” poem and a mailing address, encouraging children to write in with questions.
Kaname only needed to be like any other child—write a letter in childish handwriting, mention that she had “accidentally” found a special Eevee in the wild, and include some simple descriptions.
Given Dr.
Oak’s research passion for rare Pokémon and his care for the next generation of Pokémon Trainers, he would very likely reply personally or even send someone to take in this Eevee for research and protection.
This way, Eevee would have the best possible home, and she would be rid of a hassle.
It was truly killing two birds with one stone.
After making up her mind, Kaname’s mood lightened considerably.
She pulled a hidden slice of ham from her pocket, placed it in her palm, and held it out to Eevee.
“Congratulations.” Kaname said casually as she watched Eevee approach and stick out its little pink tongue to lick the food.
“Before long, you should be free.” “…Vee?” Eevee stopped eating and looked up, its large eyes tilting; it hadn’t quite processed Kaname’s words yet.
Free?
It was actually more satisfied with its current life than Kaname expected.
Even though it had to hide in the room every day, couldn’t move around too freely, and had to endure being occasionally played with like a toy by another human cub.
But as long as Kaname was alone in the room, it could crawl out from under the bed, hop around on the soft carpet, or lie down and sleep at Kaname’s feet.
Compared to the past days filled with scolding, hunger, and cold.
Now there was someone who cared, it didn’t have to worry about its next meal, and there were delicious slices of meat and clean water every day.
For a cub that had lived as a stray, these were wonderful days it wouldn’t have dared to dream of.
Only…
Did Kaname mean she was going to send it away?
Leave Kaname, leave the human cub in front of it who always kept a straight face but had warm palms, and go into the unknown world outside?
The ham in Eevee’s mouth suddenly lost its flavor.
It looked at Kaname’s calm profile, a strange sense of insecurity welling up in its heart.
“Alright, go back and hide once you’re done eating.” Seeing Eevee finish the last bit of ham, Kaname brushed the crumbs off her hands and reached out her right hand as usual, intending to pick the little fellow up by the scruff of its neck and stuff it back under the bed.
However.
Just as her fingertips touched the edge of the soft fur, a brown afterimage flashed before her eyes.
Whoosh— Kaname’s hand grabbed empty air.
Eevee, who had been obediently licking its paws, had now leaped gracefully onto a chair piled with books, looking down at her from above with its tail swishing.
“…What are you doing?” Kaname frowned.