870 Farewell
After Deoxys left, Yuga and Chimecho returned to their shop.
However, shortly after their return, Yasushi came looking for them.
"Boss, I'd like to talk to you about something," Yasushi said after taking a deep breath.
Yuga glanced at him deeply, already having an idea of why he had come.
"Follow me," Yuga said.
Yasushi nodded and silently followed Yuga.
Once they were in the guest room of the shop, Yuga closed the door and said, "Say whatever you want to say."
Yasushi hesitated, unsure of how to begin.
Yuga sighed and said, "If you have something on your mind, just say it. You've been here for quite some time, helping me a lot. Whatever you decide, I'll respect it."
Considering how long Yasushi had been at the YoYo Day Care, working tirelessly and helping out in many ways, Yuga wanted him to know that his decision would be honored.
"I... I want to go back home... My grandfather, he..." Yasushi struggled to get the words out.
After saying this, Yasushi seemed to have used up all his strength. To him, Yuga was not only his savior but also someone who had sheltered and cared for him for a long time.
Leaving now felt morally wrong.
During his time at the YoYo Day Care, it had been the most relaxed period of his nearly thirty years of life. If he had the choice, he wanted to stay here forever.
But now, he had no choice but to leave.
Under the influence of Miyuki, their family's incense business had suffered a severe blow, almost reaching the brink of bankruptcy.
Who could have imagined that their family, which had been a leader in the incense industry, would become a pariah overnight?
This situation wasn't just due to Miyuki's wanted status but also because of the backstabbing from others in the incense industry who had once praised them highly. Those who had elevated them before now wanted to see them fall.
"They've been propping us up so high before, and now they want to see us fall so hard," Yasushi lamented, expressing the harsh reality they were facing.
Yuga listened attentively to Yasushi's words, understanding the difficult situation he was in. It was clear that Yasushi's family needed him, and Yuga respected his decision to return home.
"Yasushi, I understand your situation. Family is important, and you need to be there for them. You've been a great help to the YoYo Day Care, and I appreciate all your hard work. If you ever need anything in the future, don't hesitate to ask," Yuga assured him.
Yasushi felt a sense of relief hearing Yuga's understanding and support.
"Thank you, Boss. I'll never forget what you've done for me," Yasushi said gratefully.
Their conversation marked a turning point for Yasushi, who had found a home and support in the YoYo Day Care but now had to return to his family during their difficult times. It was a bittersweet farewell, but he knew he was making the right choice.
Due to his past experiences, Yasushi wasn't particularly interested in inheriting the family business. However, he couldn't just leave his family, his grandfather, and his sister behind.
His grandfather wasn't a good person, nor can be considered as a good grandfathed, neither for Miyuki nor for Yukino.
But the unique aspect was that everyone had the right to criticize his grandfather except for him, because for him, his grandfather had done everything a grandfather should and should not do.
Not long ago, Yasushi received a call from his sister, Yukino, stating that the family's incense workshop was facing increasing difficulties. His grandfather had fallen ill due to the stress, and they hoped Yasushi could come back and take charge of the situation.
Now, the only one in the family capable of handling this responsibility was him.
Yukino had no understanding of the incense business; she was a rich second-generation who only knew how to enjoy life. As their family's situation worsened, she was filled with fear.
Hearing his sister's voice, trembling and out of breath on the phone, Yasushi pondered for a long time and finally made the decision to leave the YoYo Day Care.
His growth had been supported by his family, and when they were in their glory days, he could afford to ignore their troubles.
But now, during the family's low point, he had the responsibility and obligation to go back and support them, no matter how unfavorable the family's reputation might be in the eyes of others.
His grandfather was aging, and his sister was not competent. If he didn't step in, the family would fall apart.
"Have you really made up your mind? You need to understand, your family is in a mess right now, and there are many people with ill intentions. Going back means taking on countless troubles.
Staying here, I can provide you with the same treatment as Lain, and you won't have to worry about being dragged into trouble because of Miyuki or your family's affairs. Which option do you think is easier? You should know better than me," Yuga reminded Yasushi.
Yuga was aware of the turmoil in Yasushi's family, and he wanted Yasushi to think carefully about his decision. Returning home would bring its own set of challenges and burdens, and Yuga wanted to ensure that Yasushi was making the choice that was best for him.
At this moment, Miyuki was in a precarious position as a highly wanted criminal by the Pokémon League. As her brother, Yasushi would inevitably carry a stain that was difficult to shake off.
Having such a stain on his record could hinder Yasushi in both his personal life and his career, causing continuous hardships.
Yasushi possessed exceptional skills in incense-making, a rare talent. Moreover, during his time at the YoYo Day Care, he had built good relationships with both the other employees and Yuga himself.
If possible, Yuga genuinely wished for Yasushi to choose the easier path. Staying at the YoYo Day Care, Yuga could ensure that Yasushi wouldn't be entangled in Miyuki's affairs.
However, if Yasushi chose to return home, Yuga's influence would be limited.
"I've made up my mind. I want to go back. If I don't, Grandfather and Yukino won't be able to cope," Yasushi replied with a somber tone.
Yuga sighed and said, "Since you've made your choice, I won't dissuade you anymore. If you encounter any trouble after you return, remember to let me know."
Yasushi fell silent for a moment, his voice choked with emotion as he said, "Boss, thank you."
Yuga simply nodded, not saying much.
"Sean and Kano have already reached the point where they can independently create incense. However, their techniques aren't mature enough to meet the standards for supplying to the League's stores.
But it's fine for selling in our own shop. In the future, let Lain handle the League's supply, and the shop's production can be entrusted to Sean and Kano. Even if I leave, there shouldn't be any problems," Yasushi reported to Yuga, regaining his composure.
With this discussion, Yasushi's departure was becoming more concrete, and plans were being put in place for the future of the YoYo Day Care without him.
Yasushi's apprentice in incense-making was Sean. He shared all his knowledge and experience about incense-making with Sean, even passing on his previous study notes.
Later, Yuga learned that Yasushi had entrusted his family's incense recipes to Sean. Even if Sean couldn't immediately digest all that knowledge, Yasushi insisted that he write it down with pen and paper for future learning.
Sean received Yasushi's true teachings and combined them with Yuga's incense manual, allowing the two inheritances to complement each other.
As a result, Sean made much faster progress in incense-making compared to Kano, who had entered the YoYo Day Care at the same time.
With the weight of this decision off his chest after discussing it with Yuga, Yasushi felt relieved.
"Everyone doesn't know about your departure yet, right? Find a time to let them know," Yuga said as he opened the door to the guest room, walking out while addressing Yasushi.
Yasushi responded, "Don't worry, I'll make sure to tell them."
Yuga and Yasushi left the old shop and went together to the new shop. Yuga handed over the Bug-type Pokémon Pokéblock formula, which had been a system reward, to Anya and Misaki.
