1. Ash's Story (Part 10: Galar)

Chapter 12: Grass Work

The Pokémon Center west of Motostoke felt calmer than the stadium, but the opening ceremony still followed us through every doorway. Challengers filled the seats with uniforms half zipped, cards newly traded, and voices bright with plans for Turffield. Pikachu stretched on my shoulder while Alice checked our supplies near the counter.

Before we could decide our next step, Alice's phone rang. Jane's face appeared on the screen, framed by the familiar colors of Hammerlock Academy's office. "Ash, Alice, good timing. The academy field program has opened its Grass-type Pokémon Jobs for traveling students."

Elena leaned closer, her Indeedee standing beside her with quiet interest. "So you two are doing the academy work while chasing badges too?"

"That is the plan," Alice said. "The jobs let our Pokémon help real workplaces instead of only training for battles."

Jane nodded. "Exactly. Galar's League roads pass through towns, farms, stations, labs, and shops. Hammerlock Academy wants its students to understand those places, not just the stadiums that stand above them."

"That sounds more useful than sitting in a classroom all day," Gloria said. "Especially if the Pokémon actually get to do the work."

Jane's smile softened. "That is the point. Several Grass requests are available now: Yoshida's Coffee wants plants for color and fragrance, Turffield Orchards needs farm help, Bookmark has deliveries through shrubbery, Dream Dairy wants turf care, the Fire Station wants relaxation greenery, the Post Office wants flower deliveries, and RKS Laboratories needs medicinal herb support."

Gloria whistled softly. "That is a lot before you even reach Route 3."

"We only need one today," Jane said. "Yoshida's Coffee is close, practical, and perfect for a starting Grass module. The owner asked for merchandise shelves decorated with living plants, not cut flowers. They want fragrance, color, and something customers can enjoy without turning the shop into a forest."

Flora smiled at once. "A proper Grass-type presentation needs rhythm. Too much bloom becomes messy, but too little looks lonely."

Helen lifted one brow. "And if we finish near lunch, I can test a Galar curry. I bought sausages this morning, and I want to begin my Curry Dex properly."

Elena gave Helen a thoughtful look. "You are making a cooking record alongside the Gym Challenge?"

"A region tells you a lot through its food," Helen answered. "If I ignore that, I learn less about Galar than I should."

I liked how quickly the morning reshaped itself. Yesterday had been stadium lights and cheering. Now Galar was asking our Pokémon to help a coffee shop breathe easier. "Jane, we will take Yoshida's Coffee."

"Good," Jane said. "After the shop work, I booked the academy's supervised Dynamax practice field nearby. Use one Grass partner for the assigned Max Overgrowth exercise. The League staff will handle the field controls, so do not treat this as new personal equipment."

That warning mattered. I looked at Alice, and she nodded. This was school work with a safe field, not a shortcut to permanent power. "Understood. We will keep it controlled."

Pikachu pressed one paw against my cheek, ears angled toward the screen, "Small work can still show how big a partner's heart is."

I smiled. "You are right. Let's go help some shelves shine."

Yoshida's Coffee sat on a Motostoke side street where warm steam from the city pipes mingled with roasted beans. The shop window displayed bags of coffee, jars of sweet cream, and a row of plain wooden shelves that looked sturdy but tired. A small sign on the door welcomed academy helpers.