Though Caitlin kept insisting she hadn't been peeking on his movements, she still knew a suspicious amount about the things he'd done.
Hikaru sighed. "Psychics are terrifying. I remember Ojou-sama telling a certain someone not to abuse Future Sight…"
Caitlin twined a finger through her hair, gave a little hum, then muttered under her breath:
"Nosy."
She didn't bother arguing with Hikaru's teasing—people in the group chat had ribbed her the same way before.
That Awakening adept in Johto who trained the power of "awakening" had said as much, but—
"I'm not the only one overusing it."
"Will, Sabrina, and that even stronger psychic… aren't they all using it too?"
Even so, despite the "nosy" on her lips, Caitlin showed no irritation—just a curious little smile, like she was enjoying herself.
Hikaru could feel the subtle shifts in her mood.
"So that's it. With Butler Shilan-san not here, there's no one 'reining you in,' and it feels odd, huh?"
Bickering with Shilan had been part of daily life. Butlers advised their lords about words and conduct, while willful young masters and ladies called it "nagging." It was routine.
Hikaru: "A power like Future Sight might get hard-limited someday—classic 'plot kill.'"
Caitlin: "Hmph. As if. I'm the strongest."
Watching the blonde ojou-sama so blithely hoist a flag, Hikaru couldn't help thinking it was exactly that—a flag.
If his own psychic power were sealed, he still had martial arts.
But if someone like Caitlin—or Sabrina, or Will—had their powers sealed, they'd truly be unable to do anything.
Anyway, dessert first.
"Come out—Rotom Heat."
Hikaru tapped the C-device; the giggling Rotom Heat popped out. The special ion Pokémon immediately piqued Caitlin's interest, though… she already knew about this little one.
"Interesting. This Pokémon can slip into appliances and keep changing forms, right?"
Hikaru got busy. "Rotom show up in Sinnoh too—actually, they were first discovered in Sinnoh. The discoverer kept them secret to monopolize the research—and the credit."
"Eeeh~ another boring type who wants to hoard power?" Caitlin propped her chin. "I'll catch one later. This Pokémon looks lively enough."
"It'll add color to my boring life."
Though she was a Psychic expert, she didn't avoid Ghost-types. Perhaps to prove a point, she sent out a Sableye.
"Look—this Sableye's battle style is based on your earlier suggestions. I went and caught this child just to complete that tactic."
"Mm… I never paid much attention before, but after I met her, I realized—her eyes are so beautiful. And that red gem in her chest really shines."
Sableye stood quietly by Caitlin's side. Her nature was Timid.
"Shihihihi~" Rotom Heat worked away, the stout oven body glowing a hot red. During the process, Caitlin's Gothitelle also helped.
While Caitlin traveled and lived here, her "butler" duties had largely fallen to Gothitelle. Pokémon or not, she was practically a head maid—nearly omnitalented.
As Hikaru worked, he couldn't help suggesting,
"If you want butlers, Ojou-sama—why not catch two Indeedee?"
"Indeedee?" Caitlin blinked. "What kind of Pokémon is that?"
"They live in Galar and Paldea—cute 'little lamb-people' with different abilities by sex. They read emotions with their horn-like tufts and tend their owner constantly—just like butlers—managing everything."
He figured Caitlin simply hadn't gone out much before; most of her life had been restricted to Johto and Sinnoh. Unova was her first real journey, so it made sense she didn't know Galar and Paldea species.
Besides, they're rare in the wild, hard to encounter.
And since they're later-generation additions, if they'd existed earlier, the Battle Castle would absolutely have featured them under Caitlin's command.
"The male Indeedee uses psychic power to anticipate its Trainer's needs and handle day-to-day care. Positive emotions fuel it."
"The female Indeedee is great with children. It hates conflict and busies itself bringing joy and gratitude to people and Pokémon."
Indeedee's inspiration came from the brownie (household fairy) of English folklore—like a maid who helps with chores.
Exactly because they're "fairies," they're rarely met.
Still, despite belonging to a "fairy-like" myth group, Indeedee are actually Psychic/Normal, which is a funny twist.
Caitlin opened her Pokégear. After a rapid search, she found the entries.
"Ah—so they really exist. They're listed under Galar… but it seems no top psychic specialists use them."
"Mm… rare among nobles and sometimes seen in Pokémon Centers doing caretaking."
"Quite cute. I like them."
She immediately felt like catching a pair to help around the house. Galar was just across the sea—hardly an ordeal for Caitlin.
Ding—
Rotom Heat's oven door sprang open!
Gothitelle floated the tea over as well.
Naturally, Striaton's signature tea.
"Ojou-sama, please dine."
Hikaru adopted a butler's cadence, presenting the sweets—only for Caitlin to chide, "It should be 'please enjoy at leisure.'"
"But… it smells wonderful. You're forgiven."
"These are what you made at the Striaton Restaurant? Beyond the Dragon Fang Cake, there are other desserts… not bad."
Hikaru introduced the courses. "Chicorita Herb Toast Bites—rich flavor, crisp outside, tender within, layers distinct; you'll feel happy as you eat."
"Wishing Apple Pie—made with Sweet Apple and Applin fruit; if you bite into a whole chunk of apple, that means great luck."
"Rule-Breaker Corn Tiramisu—a nontraditional method that relies on corn's sweetness alone; joy follows every spoonful."
These were learned at Striaton, part of the "Watchog Cuisine." Those Watchog dessert chefs were truly something.
And by applying unique culinary methods, the dishes carried special "power and appetite." With the "odd-chef" trait optimizing them, the flavors and aromas were delightful—and ingredient purchases even came with a 20% discount.
He also used the chance to prototype a new item.
"What's that… smell? So good." Caitlin was quickly drawn to the final dessert, eyes locked on the pink treasure.
Hikaru: "Alluring Poké Puff—a dessert that greatly raises a Pokémon's friendship and closeness. Both people and Pokémon are drawn to its peculiar aroma; it softens aggression and dampens negative emotions."
"You know Poké Puffs, right? A Kalos dessert with a wide range of flavors and ranks."
Hikaru baked several, then tasted one first.
An odd sensation rose from his heart. The fatigue and pressure he'd been carrying melted like frost in sunlight; even his battle edge dulled a little.
Emotions flowed and pooled, stirring sparks of images and fantasies. A surge of irrepressible excitement rose—then, like waves against the shore, ebbed gently to calm… with joy and fluttering warmth lingering on.
"So that's the essence of 'allure.'"
Come to think of it, Unova's famous snacks were basically the Castelia Cone and Village Bridge Sandwiches. In sweets and snack culture, Unova lagged far behind Kalos.
Those two, in fact, were pretty much a snapshot of Unovan food culture: the former an industrial product, the latter boutique handcraft.
Caitlin gazed over the dazzling sweets. Their overflowing aroma stirred nostalgia and happiness.
"At the Battle Castle… I was forbidden to go out and to battle. My only spiritual support was the afternoon-tea desserts. Shilan would bring them to my room right on time. It was the happiest moment of my day."
"But after coming to Unova, I've rarely allowed myself these… Sweets can relax the will and bring a contented 'this is enough' feeling. So I only visit famous local patisseries after I achieve a goal—as a reward to myself."
Caitlin began tasting with elegance. At first she simply savored the bliss, but gradually the joy, delight, and other positive feelings embedded in the sweets streamed into her heart like rivulets; even her soul quivered faintly.
Fountains of happiness. Fleeting meetings. A brand-new life.
Emotions interwove, beyond words—only the heart could receive them. She fell silent. In the spacious villa, only the slow tick of a clock remained.
After a long while, Caitlin exhaled softly, a satisfied smile on her lips.
"Thank you. I'm very pleased. My mood feels so much lighter… like a brief, beautiful dream."
"Both your power and your cooking meet my standards."
A sunlit dream of peace. A sweet dream wrapped in fragrance.
Caitlin felt more relaxed and comfortable than ever since reaching Unova. Not even time with Shauntal or her big-headed plush had given her this feeling.
Only the person before her brought such serenity. At the thought, unfamiliar feelings rippled in Caitlin's heart.
She lifted her lashes, sneaking an unnoticed glance at a certain someone nearby.
Hikaru, meanwhile, was musing.
Technically, dessert comes after a meal—to refresh the palate and bring happiness.
But eating sweets first can curb appetite, which helps with dieting—
"Nosy. I'll eat them when I want."
Caitlin shot a sidelong look; it was as if she'd read his mind in an instant. "Shilan used to think the same way. I know what you're thinking."
The refined lady rose—or rather, floated—eyes smiling.
"Let's study how to enter the Abyssal Ruins."
"Of course, before that I need to teach you to Fly. It's useful down there—use psychic barriers to control your body's movement, part the seawater, and you won't trigger the mechanisms below."
"Mmm… so from now on, I'm your sensei."
(End of Chapter)
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