Chapter 197:
The sky, clouds, and mountains blended into a single hue. Though it was noon, the horizon glowed like sunset.
In this atmosphere, a Salamence descended majestically, landing on a flat area of Apricot Mountain.
Apricot Mountain was open to the public free of charge now that the fruiting season had passed. Anyone could enter after registering their identity.
Of course, any actions that caused damage to Apricot Mountain were strictly prohibited. Otherwise, the League would legally apprehend the offender.
This season was especially scenic, drawing plenty of visitors. The nearby university meant there were also many couples hiking the mountain together.
Hayashi Kaede had Salamence search for a while before finding a secluded spot. Another reason was to have Mewtwo scan from the air for any unusual signs.
There were none.
Apart from a few Nuzleaf and other Pokémon of the Wilderness Area, nothing was out of the ordinary.
Hayashi Kaede sighed quietly. If Psychic powers couldn't detect anything, then only Aura remained. But Gardevoir's Aura was far too weak. Even if it came to investigate, it likely wouldn't find anything unusual. He still needed to find a way to obtain Aura abilities himself.
Having no immediate results didn't discourage him. After reaching the flat area, he immediately began setting up the barbecue gear.
These were all familiar tasks, and in no time both the grill and the griddle for searing meat were ready.
Then Hayashi Kaede released all the Pokémon he had brought with him: the Eevees, Blaziken, Goodra, and of course Alolan Vulpix and Salamence.
He had originally considered letting Butterfree out for a stroll, but Butterfree seemed to think the outside world was inherently dangerous and wasn't interested. Hayashi Kaede didn't force it. He just felt the little one might have a bit of a persecution complex. Not surprising—after all, it had lived in the wild since it was a Caterpie, and being shiny had probably made life harder.
Speaking of which, he hadn't seen Mew this morning. Where was it…
"Mew~"
A pink kitten suddenly appeared in front of him, just as he was grilling meat.
Hayashi Kaede: "…"
Right on time for mealtime. Even outdoors, you're this punctual, huh?
"Mew~" (So fragrant~)
Mew floated around the griddle, nose twitching, smiling happily.
But soon its attention shifted to Jirachi, who was following Takagi Megumi. She was busy spreading a tablecloth and setting up a picnic area on the ginkgo leaf-strewn ground with Mewtwo.
Meanwhile, Jirachi kept sneaking glances toward Hayashi Kaede.
(╯▽╰)…
So fragrant. Really fragrant…
In all its long life, it had never smelled anything this delicious. Compared to the roasted meat from over a thousand years ago, this was unimaginably better.
Alolan Vulpix was boasting to the Eevees about its heroic exploits, claiming it had dominated the Junior Cup. None of the other Pokémon there could withstand even a single move.
It declared itself the "Vulpix Hero" and planned to form a hero squad. If they joined, they would be the first members, with Vulpix as captain.
It specially appointed little nine as captain of the first squad, with little three and little five as subordinates. In the future, they would dedicate themselves to the peace of the town, remembered by all.
The Eevees listened, dumbfounded.
Nearby, Blaziken, who usually only cared about food, overheard and came over. "Blaziken!" (Me, me, me! I want to join!)
It still remembered what Hayashi Kaede had once said about Blaziken heroes.
Even Goodra looked over with admiration, clamoring to join the hero squad.
Only Wartortle watched with a hint of envy.
Its Trainer would eventually take it on a journey to challenge competitions, so it wouldn't have such a peaceful and harmonious environment.
Then it looked at its Trainer. She was playing with Sprigatito, the little kitten nestled in her arms, nuzzling and occasionally licking her hand.
Ew… how could it lick her hand… Wartortle turned away in distaste.
Hayashi Kaede, however, found the exchange between Alolan Vulpix and Goodra rather amusing.
If Vulpix claimed to have dominated the Junior Cup, then if Goodra entered, no Trainer would dare challenge it.
After all, a one-year-old Elite Four–level Pokémon? Who wouldn't be stunned by that?
The arena might be spacious enough for many low-level battles, but for Elite Four–level fights, the whole place might barely suffice.
Even Salamence, usually so stoic, couldn't help but smile in this lively atmosphere.
Soon, the first batch of grilled meat and barbecue was ready.
The Pokémon who had just been talking about maintaining the peace of the town as heroes rushed over with their bowls.
"Come, come, future heroes, fill your bellies first," Hayashi Kaede said cheerfully, handing out the meat.
"Vulpix…" (Let's eat!)
"Delicious, so delicious~ Sob sob, this is the taste, it's too good…" Takagi Megumi exclaimed, overjoyed after days of instant food.
"Wartortle!"
Wartortle remembered sneaking through the irrigation channel at mealtime back in the day. Its mood value skyrocketed. It even rewarded Hayashi Kaede with an A-grade Water Stone.
Mew and Mewtwo showed minimal change in emotion, only a slight increase. Hayashi Kaede didn't mind. After all, Mew had recently brought him several leaves from the World Tree.
He was already thinking that after the Junior Cup, he would use those leaves to create some novel dishes.
[Congratulations, Host, for increasing Jirachi's mood value from 60% to 95%. Reward: five bags of top-grade Fertilizer, one top-grade Rare Candy, and a Mystical Wishing Fruit (a fruit that fell from outer space, seemingly with magical effects).]
The sudden notification made Hayashi Kaede glance at the picnic blanket, where Jirachi sat tearfully eating grilled meat.
He rarely saw mood values above 90, and 95% was something he'd only seen once before—when he was about to catch Feebas.
Now, just one meal had raised Jirachi's mood so high?
Was it crying because the food was that good?
Hayashi Kaede instinctively opened Jirachi's status panel and saw the mood value, which had just hit 95, plunging rapidly.
Within seconds, it had already fallen into negative territory.
Did it remember something sad?
Hayashi Kaede didn't disturb it. The other Pokémon were too busy eating to notice.
Only Mew floated over to Jirachi's side, blinking curiously. "Mew?" (What's wrong?)