Cynthia encountered a dilemma. After tasting every single dish on the table, she suddenly didn't know where to place her chopsticks next.
Because everything… was just so delicious!
Seeing that Sato and the others had already started eating without hesitation, Cynthia didn't have time to think. She instinctively reached for the dish closest to her.
Cynthia: So… you're the one I love the most!
Dish: No, I'm not. I'm just the one closest to you ￢_￢
Cynthia suddenly realized that she liked them all. She just couldn't finish everything, which was why she hesitated.
So this so-called indecisiveness was really just an excuse for not being able to have it all.
Now, under the "threatening pressure" from Sato and the others, Cynthia came to a new understanding about herself.
'I'm a grown woman now. I should have it all!'
So Cynthia's chopstick pattern became very systematic: she moved clockwise, one dish after another without skipping a single one.
Ten minutes later, Cynthia set her chopsticks down in satisfaction and casually took out her lipstick to reapply it.
Once she was done, she noticed that Sato and the others were all staring at her.
"…Did my makeup smudge?"
The three of them quickly shook their heads, each insisting there was nothing wrong. It was just that the sheer intensity of Cynthia's eating… had been rather shocking.
Meanwhile, Umbreon had offered its own portion to Glaceon in an enthusiastic display of affection.
Unfortunately, Dark-type and Ice-type Pokémon had very different preferences. Glaceon only took a tiny nibble as a polite gesture and then pushed the food back.
But even that was enough to excite Umbreon. It gobbled up the rest of its own food and then cozied back up to Glaceon.
Now finished with her meal, Cynthia finally turned her attention to her Glaceon.
She looked at the clingy Umbreon acting like a piece of stubborn tape, then thought back to the delicious food she'd just eaten… and chose silence.
'As expected… if you want to win someone's heart, you must first conquer their stomach… hmm, or rather, their Trainer's stomach.'
"M-Miss Cynthia… do you have any plans next?" Sato took the initiative to ask.
"I'm planning to go home first, then head north to Lake Acuity in Sinnoh," Cynthia replied without hesitation.
"Umbr!"
Before Sato could say anything, Umbreon had already run to his side, placed its front paws on his thigh, and looked up at him with pleading eyes.
Sato patted Umbreon's head, signaling it to calm down, then looked back at Cynthia.
"You might not believe this, but our destination is also Lake Acuity in the north. We've already been to Lake Verity and Lake Valor. Acuity is the last one left."
For the "sake" of Umbreon's lifelong happiness, Sato had made up his mind. He immediately shifted his focus to Cynthia.
"Just call me Cynthia. I know you've been through quite a bit at those other two lakes," she nodded, showing that she wasn't entirely unfamiliar with Sato's experiences.
Feeling slightly reassured, Sato made a formal offer. "Since we're headed to the same place, would you consider joining us for this part of the journey?"
After a brief pause, Sato seemed to remember something and quickly added, "…All meals during the trip will be handled by Joseph. They won't be any worse than today's."
Cynthia pressed her lips together slightly. Honestly, she was already leaning toward saying yes the moment Sato had said the first part.
After all, even if she wasn't too fond of Umbreon just yet, what mattered most was that her Glaceon liked it.
'…But Sato, what did you mean with that second half?'
Did he think she was the kind of person who'd casually compromise just for some good food!!!?
'…'
Okay fine, I admit it…
"Aren't you going to ask your teammates for their opinion?" Cynthia didn't want to agree too easily -that would make her seem way too casual- so she chose to phrase it "tactfully".
"They definitely won't mind," Sato said.
"Welcome aboard! If there's anything you like to eat, just let me know and I'll do my best to make it," Joseph said with a smile, welcoming Cynthia.
"It's all right, Joseph. I'm not picky," Cynthia replied with a smile.
Just as Cynthia was expecting Sato to confirm with Mark as well, she noticed he didn't move…
"What about Mark…" Cynthia hesitated, worried she might be disrupting the bond between the three of them.
"Mark is the mascot. He doesn't get a vote, don't worry about it," Sato waved dismissively and gave Cynthia what she found to be a completely absurd explanation.
'…Mascot?'
"HEY HEY HEY! Boss, I'm standing right here! Can you show a little respect when you talk about me?" Mark complained, clearly exhausted.
"You're already a mature mascot. You need to learn how to regulate your own emotions."
Cynthia suddenly understood the dynamic between the three of them. It was that revolutionary kind of friendship where everyone tries to turn the others into their own personal masco- err, "luck charm."
And out of everyone, the happiest about Cynthia officially joining the team were naturally Umbreon and Glaceon.
After all, with time together, they actually had a chance to grow closer.
After lunch and Cynthia's official invitation to the group, the four of them decided to reorganize their travel plans.
Of course, it was mostly Cynthia and Joseph doing the planning, while Sato and Mark stood around watching, and Umbreon and Glaceon were responsible for their budding romance… 'Scratch that last part.'
Soon, the group of four officially set out. They would first head to Celestic Town before continuing to Lake Acuity.
Celestic Town was directly on the path to Lake Acuity, so no detour was necessary.
However, there weren't many towns and cities along the way, most of the journey would be through wilderness. Thinking back to how Cynthia had so easily agreed to join them, Sato still found it a bit unreal.
Traveling with three guys right from the start… either she was incredibly bold, or had absolute confidence in her own strength.
Thinking about that, Sato couldn't help but ask, "Cynthia, earlier you said my strength was just 'not bad.' So how strong is your ace Pokémon?"
Cynthia glanced at him curiously, then finally answered, "You'll get the chance to find out~ When I take on your Mega Tyranitar."
'Clearly, Cynthia was the second type.'
That thought suddenly made Sato excited. The reason he had invited Cynthia to join them in the first place was to find a long-term part- cough… long-term rival.
The future Champion of Sinnoh… traveling alongside someone that talented, how could Sato not want to learn a thing or two from her?
He didn't want to be the guy whose Umbreon ran off with Glaceon while he himself gained nothing. That would be truly embarrassing.
'Time to act.'
With a quick flick, Cacturne appeared by his side.
"Cac?"
No opponent? No enemies? Not even sneaking food? Then why was it being called out?
"Cacturne, what do you think of that Roserade who's following behind us? I'm not telling you to flirt with her… just go talk to her more, interact, and learn a thing or two!"
Cacturne: ...
.
.
.
We made it!
And now…
Once more with feeling hahaha.
150 Power Stones = Extra Chapter
200 Power Stones = Another Extra Chapter
250 Power Stones = You guessed it… Extra Chapter
And just in case…
Though let's be honest.
I don't really think we'll get there...
310 Power Stones = 2 EXTRA CHAPTERS!!
P47r30n/Romeloff