Chapter 159: The Festival of the Moon, Cheng Cheng's Confession

Cheng Cheng led Muko up the mountain path.

"Cheng Cheng, where on earth are we? Where are we going?"

"This is Mt. Moon. We'll be there in a little while."

The place Cheng Cheng was taking Muko to was Mt. Moon, home of the Clefairy. This time, Cheng Cheng was going to take Muko to the Clefairy cave to witness their evolution.

After calculating the time, Cheng Cheng realized that today happened to be the night of the full moon, the exact day the Clefairy would evolve.

"Why are we coming to Mt. Moon? To look at the moon?"

"Not quite, though it does have to do with the moon. I'm bringing you here to see something wonderful."

"What is it?"

"Oh, just follow me. I'm sure you'll love it when the time comes."

Cheng Cheng pulled Muko along until they reached the mountainside, where he located the cave.

"Gardevoir, use Flash."

Cheng Cheng summoned Gardevoir to illuminate the path ahead.

"It's so dark in this cave!"

"Be careful."

"What is that?"

Suddenly, Muko noticed many glowing eyes on the stone wall above, followed by a swarm of creatures flying right over their heads.

"What are those?"

Muko looked a little uneasy as the creatures swooped overhead.

"They're Zubat. There are plenty of Zubats in this cave. Alright, stay close and let's keep going. I'll use my psychic powers to scout the path."

Cheng Cheng probed the surroundings with his psychic abilities, quickly finding the way out of the cavern.

Emerging from the cave, Cheng Cheng and Muko stepped out onto another slope.

"Is this the place you wanted to bring me? I never expected there would be such a spot behind the cave. It really is gorgeous! You can see the countryside down below from here—it's so breathtaking."

"Well, I didn't bring you here just for the scenery. Something very interesting is about to happen right over here, so let's hurry."

It was already afternoon. With nightfall approaching soon, Cheng Cheng knew he had to pick up the pace.

After an hour of walking, Cheng Cheng finally arrived at the Clefairy cave.

"Here we are. Let's head inside!"

Cheng Cheng led Muko into the cave, this time without asking Gardevoir to use Flash. While Gardevoir's Flash could light the way, it would also startle the Pokémon.

Scanning the way ahead with his psychic power, Cheng Cheng soon guided them into a spacious cavern.

The cave suddenly brightened. In the exact center sat a massive stone, and right above it was a gaping natural opening in the ceiling, allowing the moonlight to pour straight down.

"Did you bring me here just to look at this rock? Could this be a Mega Stone?"

"Not quite, though it certainly is an evolution stone. This is a giant Moon Stone."

"A Moon Stone? One this huge?"

Muko was astonished, having never laid eyes on such a colossal Moon Stone before.

"Cleffa—clef!"

At that moment, numerous Pokémon appeared all around them, surrounding the pair.

"These are..."

Muko was slightly surprised by the sudden appearance of the Pokémon, though she wasn't frightened; she knew escaping would be no problem if necessary.

"Don't worry, they're all friends. These are Clefable, Clefairy, and Cleffa."

"Clefable, Clefairy, Cleffa, long time no see!"

Cheng Cheng greeted them telepathically. Shortly after, a Clefable stepped forward to communicate with him. It was the very same Clefable Cheng Cheng had spoken with previously, and it still remembered him.

"Clefable, long time no see. Tonight is the night of your Moon Ritual, am I welcome to watch?"

"Of course! We are so glad you could make it. There's still a little time left, so please wait just a moment."

"No problem at all, we can just sit over here and rest."

"Let's rest."

Four Clefable walked over, carrying two stones to place on the ground before gesturing for Cheng Cheng and Muko to take a seat.

Cheng Cheng and Muko sat down on the stones and rested comfortably.

"Cheng Cheng, what are we actually doing here?"

"Tonight is the full moon, and the Clefairy's Moon Ritual takes place here. Tonight, they will perform the Moon Dance and use the power of the Moon Stone to evolve into Clefable."

"Is that so? It sounds fascinating. This is my first time seeing a large-scale Pokémon evolution."

"Alright, settle down and let's have a bite to eat. The ritual will begin shortly."

Cheng Cheng pulled some food from his backpack, and the two began to eat. An hour later, the sun dipped below the horizon, and the moon began to rise. Gradually, the moon climbed higher until its light poured directly through the ceiling opening into the cave.

Bathed in moonlight, the Moon Stone began to emit a soft, silvery glow.

"It's so beautiful!"

Muko gazed at the glowing Moon Stone with absolute delight.

"Alright, the ritual is beginning."

The Clefairy formed two or three concentric circles around the Moon Stone and began to dance. The surrounding Cleffa and Clefable formed an outer ring, joining in the celebration. Tonight was a grand feast for the Clefairy.

"Muko, let's join in!"

Taking Muko by the hand, Cheng Cheng led her into the circle of Clefable and Cleffa. Together, they started to spin and dance. The Clefairy's dance was light and brisk; though Cheng Cheng and Muko struggled to keep up with the steps, they were having the time of their lives.

"Wow, this is so much fun!"

"Hahaha, Cheng Cheng, your dancing looks awful."

Unbothered, Cheng Cheng simply laughed and continued dancing happily with Muko.

Soon, the moonlight flooded the entire surface of the Moon Stone. A Clefable stepped into the center and used Rock Smash. Countless fragments scattered in all directions, some landing upon the Clefairy, which promptly triggered their evolution into Clefable. Other fragments, devoid of the Moon Stone's energy, also fell upon some Clefairy, but lacking the necessary power, those individuals did not evolve.

This time, a total of six Clefairy evolved into Clefable, making it a remarkably successful ritual.

"Oh, wow, it's so magical!"

Watching the drifting particles of the Moon Stone alongside the unfolding evolutions, Muko felt an overwhelming sense of joy.

"Muko."

As Muko turned her head, she realized Cheng Cheng was suddenly holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Muko, it's been nearly two years since we met at the Pokémon Breeder School. After spending all this time with you, I've realized that I've truly fallen in love with you.

"Muko, here tonight during the Clefairy's Moon Ritual, I swear by the moonlight that I will cherish you. My feelings for you are as pure and singular as this bright moonlight.

"So, Muko, will you be my girlfriend?"

Muko froze in utter astonishment. She never expected Cheng Cheng to confess his feelings like this. Although she harbored deep affection for him, she had always felt a subtle barrier between them. Yet, facing his heartfelt confession now, Muko discovered she had no desire to refuse.

"I suppose I can say yes, but surely you didn't just prepare a bouquet of flowers, did you?"

"Of course not."

Cheng Cheng reached into his backpack and pulled out something else—a Poké Ball. With two cords threaded through its ends, Cheng Cheng split the Poké Ball in half.

"This is a Love Ball, a symbol of romance, which I bought specially for you. My name is engraved on your half, and your half bears mine. Together, we are like this Love Ball, bound in sweetness forever.

"Muko, will you be my girlfriend?"

"I'll be your girlfriend."

Hearing Muko's reply, Cheng Cheng was overjoyed and pulled her into a tight embrace.

Nearby, the Clefairy watched the scene with curious eyes. Though they didn't fully grasp what Cheng Cheng was doing, they could clearly feel the happiness radiating from both him and Muko.

All the Pokémon gathered around the couple in a circle and resumed their dance.

Noticing the surrounding Clefairy, Cheng Cheng and Muko felt an immense wave of warmth and happiness.

Cheng Cheng fastened Muko's half of the Love Ball around her neck, and Muko did the same for Cheng Cheng, hanging his half around his neck. The two embraced once more.

Hand in hand, they joined the Clefairy in their dance.

It was a night of evolution, a night of joy, and above all, a night of sweet happiness.

Throughout the entire night, Cheng Cheng, Muko, and all the Pokémon remained awake, dancing merrily together. Whenever they grew tired, they rested for a moment before jumping right back up to dance some more. Before long, dawn began to break.

Muko slept for a short while, and when she woke up, Cheng Cheng had already prepared breakfast.

"Muko, come try my special breakfast of love. I've been simmering it for ages."

Cheng Cheng handed a steaming cup of porridge to Muko.

"Alright, I'll give it a taste."

Muko took a sip. The flavor was wonderful, sending a warm, comforting glow through her entire body.

"Have you ever made this porridge of love for anyone else?"

"I have."

"Who?"

Muko's expression shifted instantly.

Cheng Cheng chuckled at her reaction.

"Me, of course. I had to taste-test it first."

"Pfft, humph. From now on, you're only allowed to cook this porridge for me."

"Of course, my love porridge is exclusively for you."

For reasons she couldn't fully explain, hearing those words filled Muko with profound delight.

"Alright, once we finish eating, we should head back down. We've intruded on the Clefairy for a whole night, so it's time to let them rest."

"Okay."

After finishing their meal, Cheng Cheng and Muko locked hands and leisurely strolled down the mountain.

They walked at a gentle pace, laughing and teasing each other along the trail, so engrossed that they hadn't even reached the bottom by midday.

Having lunch on the mountain slope, they resumed their descent. This time they walked a bit faster; otherwise, they would be forced to camp outdoors once more by nightfall.

Suddenly, Cheng Cheng thought to himself that camping outdoors actually sounded rather nice.

A bold new idea began to form in his mind.