Chapter 202:
"Let me introduce to everyone—this is Jirachi!"
In the garden.
As the Pokémon that had gone out with Hayashi Kaede hadn't eaten dinner yet, he went into the kitchen to cook. After preparing dinner, the first thing Hayashi Kaede did was introduce Jirachi to everyone.
However, the moment the name was spoken, except for the Pokémon that had already knew Jirachi, the eyes of all the others focused on it, widening slightly in surprise.
Jirachi?
The wish-granting Pokémon Hayashi Kaede had recently talked about?
"Jirachi?"
Jirachi, initially feeling a bit uneasy about integrating into such a large group, became even more uncomfortable under everyone's curious gazes.
...
Soon their focus was turned to the dinner. The dinner Hayashi Kaede made tonight was especially sumptuous: Berry salad, steamed bass (from the fish that swam into the reservoir via the irrigation channel), small cakes, juice milk, honey milk.
Since he was already at it, Hayashi Kaede had even prepared corresponding food and drinks for the Pokémon staying at the breeding house.
Like the honey-sweet juice Serperior loved.
The Grepa Berry wine Gardevoir favored.
And the fried eggs Blaziken loved to eat.
So, in Jirachi's eyes, there were so many delicious-looking foods, some it had never seen before.
Under everyone's gaze, it felt too shy to start eating and didn't know where to hide, so it could only offer an awkward smile.
"Jirachi?" (You all know me?)
"Alcremie..." (Yes, yes... Hayashi Kaede told us about you.)
An Alcremie was the first to approach, curiously examining Jirachi. After looking it over, it said seriously:
"Alcremie..." (You really do look like a star.)
Stars are pentagonal, and so was Jirachi.
"Alcremie..." (Look, this is a small cake Hayashi Kaede made with our cream. After eating it, you'll become sweet-smelling and it is also delicious!)
Another Alcremie immediately held up a small cake and came closer.
"Jirachi?" (Why would I become sweet-smelling?)
Jirachi didn't understand this statement.
"Alcremie?"
The Alcremie was stumped.
Yeah...
Why would eating a cake made with their cream make someone smell sweet?
It didn't know either.
Hayashi Kaede chimed in from the side, "It's the power of delicious food."
The Alcremie immediately nodded in agreement. "Alcremie!" (Right, right, it's the power of delicious food!)
Jirachi skeptically took a bite of the small cake.
It was a sweet cake, sugary but not cloying, with the fresh scent of Berries inside. The bread, made from eggs and flour, was soft and fluffy.
Its eyes instantly lit up.
"Jirachi!" (Delicious!)
Jirachi's eyes widened.
It awoke only once a millennium. Last time, its daily meals were simple Berry roasts. Back then, the roasted meat lacked the flavor of today's versions—it was often dry and sometimes just had a bit of salt.
The Berries weren't as sweet and juicy as they are now after generations of cultivation; they were just edible.
But now...
This thing called a "small cake"—it had never tasted food with such rich flavors before!
It is sweet, crispy, and soft.
"Alcremie!" (Is it good?)
Smelling the sweet fragrance emanating from Jirachi, the Alcremie's eyes narrowed into slits, its face beaming.
It wanted to make every Pokémon in the plantation smell sweet!
Just as Jirachi, now ignoring the surrounding gazes, started devouring the cake, Bounsweet also used its tiny hands to lift a small cup containing its own juice and brought it to Jirachi.
"Bounsweet~" (Try this, it's my juice. Drinking it can improve your mood. You must stay happy...)
But its expression carried a hint of comfort and pity.
"Jirachi?" (Improve mood?)
Jirachi didn't understand what an improved mood felt like, but looking at this Pokémon that also seemed fresh and sweet, it raised the cup and drank it in one go.
After drinking, its already happy mood lifted even further.
It exclaimed joyfully, "Jirachi!" (So sweet!)
"Jirachi!" (So tasty!)
After Bounsweet offered its juice, Alolan Vulpix also pushed its favorite Berry salad plate forward.
"Vulpix..." (Try this too...)
"Vulpix..." (This is Berry salad. It can improve proficiency with Ice-type moves...)
Next was Blaziken. Though reluctant, it still gave Jirachi a honey fried egg.
"Blaziken!" (This is a honey fried egg. Hayashi Kaede says it increases happiness. If... if you like it, I can give you another one...)
Gardevoir: "Gardevoir..." (This is Grepa Berry wine...)
Mew: "Mew..." (This is... catnip. Would you like some?)
The little cat Mew also shared its favorite catnip.
At first, Hayashi Kaede was a bit confused, wondering why everyone was offering Jirachi their favorite foods one by one.
After seeing the pitying expressions on their faces, he understood.
After hearing his description of Jirachi, they all felt sympathy for Jirachi's plight. So, after seeing how happy Jirachi was when Alcremie offered it cake, they proactively shared their favorite foods.
Hayashi Kaede had initially worried this might hurt Jirachi's pride, but seeing Jirachi's mouth and hands busy, its face full of joy, he realized he was overthinking it.
Its happiness value kept rising.
In fact, at this moment, Jirachi felt the same way.
It thought the humans it met after a thousand years were truly wonderful.
Whether it was Takagi Megumi or Hayashi Kaede.
Apart from the initial misunderstanding, Takagi Megumi gave it delicious Energy Cubes and, to prevent it from paying a "price," specifically told it not to grant her wishes.
Moreover, Hayashi Kaede's food was delicious, and he took it to the amusement park to experience modern fun.
His Pokémon were also very kind, sharing their favorite foods and became its friends.
'My first day is so happy...'
This thought flashed through its mind.
'It's a pity time passes so quickly....'
'The day is already over....'