Chapter 48 – Castform and the Family

The next morning, the Daycare welcomed another brand-new life.

Under Kawaki’s watchful care—and with Bewear standing guard—the Castform egg finally hatched.

The tiny Pokémon blinked open her eyes, looking curiously at her surroundings before her gaze stopped on Kawaki.

She looked almost like a tiny paper doll with a cloudlike head, eyes full of confusion, as if still unsure what this whole “being alive” thing meant.

Kawaki’s gaze swept across her gently—

The next second, her information automatically appeared in front of him:

[Pokémon: Castform]

[Gender: Female]

[Ability: Forecast]

[Moves: Tackle, Ember, Water Gun, Powder Snow]

[Status: Healthy]

[Mood: Õ_Õ?]

[Happiness: 5]

[Friendship: 40 (She heard your voice while still inside the egg.)]

[Entry: “Did I… just get born?” —Castform]

Kawaki: “...”

For some reason, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this little one… might not be the brightest bulb in the bunch.

Still, he crouched down and greeted her warmly. “Hello, Castform! I’m Kawaki.”

Castform blinked again, tilting her head.

That voice—she knew that voice!

She remembered hearing it while still in the egg—

“Come on, hurry and hatch already!”

He had been waiting for her.

The realization filled her tiny heart with joy.

“Cast~!”

Castform let out a delighted chirp.

Hearing the new sound, Chimecho floated over curiously, her bell jingling softly.

“Chime?”

Did Mama have another baby?

Hovering close, Chimecho asked in her innocent little tone:

“Chime?” (You were born from Mama too?)

“Cast?” Castform tilted her head, confused.

“Chime-chime!” (Mama is Kawaki! He’s the one who hatched us from our eggs!)

“Cast…”

Castform blinked slowly.

So… that meant she had a mama too?

Meanwhile, young “Mama” Kawaki had absolutely no idea what the two Pokémon were chatting about.

Watching them get along so naturally, he smiled and patted their tiny heads.

“Looks like you two are getting along just fine,” he said with relief.

That would save him a lot of trouble.

After all, if Pokémon in the same team didn’t get along, things could get… complicated.

“In that case, I’ll leave Castform in your care, Chimecho,” Kawaki said.

“Chime!”

Chimecho nodded eagerly, the bell on her tail ringing cheerfully.

Chimecho and Castform made quite the pair—a wind chime and a sun charm. They’d make perfect decorations for the Daycare.

But Kawaki already had another idea in mind for Castform.

After all, this species was quite special.

Castform’s body structure closely resembled that of water molecules. Depending on the temperature and humidity of the air, she could shift into entirely different forms.

In mild, cloudy weather, she remained in her normal form.

On bright sunny days, she absorbed Fire-type energy from the air, her body turning red and glowing like a miniature sun—her Sunny Form.

On rainy or humid days, she drew in the moisture of the air, transforming into a droplet-shaped Rain Form.

And in winter, when the cold settled in, a soft crown of cloud would form around her head—her Snow Form.

It was truly fascinating.

However, these transformations weren’t something Castform could consciously control.

Still, there were exceptions.

Some Castform who had undergone special training could learn to manipulate the weather or their internal energy, freely switching between forms at will.

“Chime~!”

Chimecho floated ahead, motioning excitedly for Castform to follow.

She was going to show her around the house!

Castform gently bobbed along behind, drifting lightly through the air.

They went downstairs—where a group of Clefairy were sitting around the couch, watching TV and munching on snacks.

“Chime~♪” (These are Clefairy! They’re the ones who cook for us!)

“Cast…” Castform nodded softly, memorizing their faces.

“Chime!” (And there’s more to see!)

Chimecho jingled happily and led her to the backyard.

The back field was a broad, grassy area fenced in by a short wooden border—more symbolic than functional. Large wild Pokémon could easily jump over it, but somehow, none ever did.

As they entered, Castform spotted a magnificent Pokémon patrolling the field—Growlithe, with its fiery mane blazing like a small sun.

When Growlithe ran past her, the rush of heat rippled through the air—

Her body shimmered, and within seconds, her pale blue hue began to flush red as her molecules heated up.

It looked like she was about to shift into her Sunny Form—

But just as quickly, Growlithe trotted away, the heat dissipated, and Castform’s color cooled back to normal.

“Chime~!” (That’s Growlithe! He’s part of our family too!)

Castform nodded, carefully noting the fiery guardian down.

Then the two floated over the fence into the herb garden.

Rows of neat, well-tended plots spread before them—tiny green sprouts poking through the soil.

Nearby, two Clefairy were using Wailmer watering cans to sprinkle water across the seedlings.

At the edge of the field stood a line of fruit trees, their branches heavy with plump, colorful berries.

Beneath one tree, a Oddish had buried its head halfway into the dirt, wiggling slightly as it “worked.”

Castform tilted her head in confusion.

Chimecho giggled and explained:

“Chime!” (This is where Mama grows berries! Those two Clefairy help water the plants. And that’s Oddish—he’s a bit different. He loves taking naps during the day~)

“Chime…” (But don’t be fooled—Oddish also helps care for the crops!)

“Cast…”

Castform blinked, watching Oddish wiggle in the dirt.

Then Chimecho twirled happily around her.

“Chime~!” (Mama says we’re all one big family, and family should help each other! So we all do our part to help out!)

Kawaki cared for and raised them with love, and in return, every Pokémon in the Daycare found their own way to contribute.

The Clefairy handled housework.

Growlithe patrolled the yard.

Oddish tended the fields.

Bewear stood as their protector.

And Chimecho? She was their cheerful little greeter.

Everyone helped one another and lived together in harmony.

“Cast…” Castform softly repeated the word she’d just learned.

Family…

“Cast?” she asked hesitantly.

Was she part of the family too?

Chimecho answered with a bright, chiming ring.

“Chime~!”

Of course! Everyone here was family!