Lucas dreamed he turned into Ultraman and fought Godzilla, then was knocked down by Godzilla and stomped on.
His chest light flashed red, and he couldn't breathe.
Opening his eyes, his chest felt warm. He moved Vulpix from his chest.
"Vulpix?"
What's wrong?
Vulpix poked out its small head, looking at Lucas with sleepy eyes.
Lucas rubbed his eyes, looking at the somewhat gloomy azure sky.
It's morning.
He rubbed Vulpix's small head, signaling that he was fine.
Lucas sat up.
Gengar and Misdreavus were nowhere to be seen. Mime Jr.'s sleeping posture was amusing, lying sound asleep next to Gothorita. Lilligant and Roselia slept gracefully, clinging tightly together like best friends.
His Pokémon were patrolling the backyard.
Seeing Lucas wake up, they gave him a thumbs-up as a greeting.
Vespiquen had already returned to the hive.
The surrounding Oddish, Budew, and others were still sleeping.
Just then, a gust of wind blew, landing a few fallen leaves on Lucas's face and on the head of Vulpix, who was shaking its head and struggling to stand up.
"Vulpix?"
Why can't I see?
Lucas removed the leaves from his face, smiled at the bewildered Vulpix, and then helped it remove the leaves.
He hugged Vulpix close.
Lucas looked at the autumnal yellow leaves in his hand and the many trees around that had turned yellow.
"It's autumn," Lucas murmured.
"Lilligant?"
Lilligant was a light sleeper, and Lucas and Vulpix's movements had already woken her.
"Good morning, Lilligant."
"Lilligant ~"
Lilligant came to Lucas, extended her arms, and gently hugged him.
"Gothorita ~"
Gothorita also woke up.
She smiled and greeted Lucas, then wiped Mime Jr.'s drool.
"Mime Jr.?"
Mime Jr. was startled awake by Gothorita's action, looked around, and then wiped its own drool.
It pounced into Lucas's arms.
"Mime Jr. is so cute, even dreaming of delicious food while sleeping."
Hearing Lucas's teasing, Mime Jr.'s face turned red.
It buried its face in Lucas's arms.
The other Pokémon around laughed, joining Lucas in teasing Mime Jr..
Their laughter also woke Roselia and the surrounding Oddish and Budew.
"Roselia is awake too."
"Roselia ~"
Seeing all the Pokémon awake, Lucas stretched his neck.
"Then let's get up."
After Lucas spoke, Vulpix and Mime Jr. jumped out of his arms.
Lucas stood up, preparing to put away the mat.
"Gengar—"
Lucas turned his head to see Gengar floating back, carrying a pile of berries and accompanied by its little brother, Misdreavus.
"Gengar—"
It came before Lucas and the Pokémon, put down the berries.
Then it handed two to Lucas.
Lucas smiled and took them.
He took a bite.
It was a bit sour.
"Let's just eat the berries Gengar found for us this morning. I'll make you something delicious for lunch."
"Gengar!"
"Lilligant ~"
This drew cheers from the Pokémon. Lucas spread his arms and stretched.
A gust of wind blew, making Lucas shiver and retract his neck.
Autumn in Sinnoh is really cold.
Gengar, Mime Jr., and Gothorita packed up the sleeping mats, and Gengar took them back to the room.
Gothorita, meanwhile, took Mime Jr. back to the room where Shauna and Gary were staying and removed the duvet covers.
Of course, also the room where Cynthia was staying.
Coming to the backyard, he connected the water hose, then Lucas took out a large basin.
He put the duvet covers and pillowcases in, soaking them with his hands.
Then Gothorita and Mime Jr. began washing the duvet covers.
Lucas watched them, especially Mime Jr., holding a brush and personally scrubbing.
Once clean, Gothorita used Psychic to wring out the water, then used Psychic to set up a clothesline.
She hung the duvet covers to dry on it.
At the front counter, Lilligant and Roselia opened the Breeding House door, hung out the 'Open' sign, and then sat at the counter.
Waiting for customers to arrive.
Gengar, meanwhile, was sweeping the Breeding House with a broom.
Seeing that there was nothing else to do, Lucas returned to the lounge area with Vulpix in his arms and sat down.
He sent the picture of the yellowing leaves he had just taken to Cynthia.
"It's autumn."
Cynthia didn't reply, probably still asleep.
Lucas put away his phone, suddenly remembering a meme from his previous life.
He went back to the kitchen to check and found that the sugar was almost used up.
"Gengar, I'm going to Twinleaf Town. Do you want to come?"
"Gengar—"
What are you going to town for?
"To buy some brown sugar. I'll make you something delicious when we get back. Want some?"
"Gengar?!"
Really?!
"Gengar—"
I'm coming~
Watching Gengar dive into his shadow with a jumping posture.
Lucas shivered.
Fortunately, he was holding Vulpix, which gave him some warmth.
"Then Lilligant, I'll entrust you and Roselia with looking after the Breeding House."
"Lilligant ~"
"Roselia ~"
Just then, Mime Jr. also rushed out.
"Mime Jr. ~"
I want to go too.
Lucas smiled, then took Mime Jr. and Gothorita with him.
Arriving at Twinleaf Town, Lucas felt that his physical strength had really improved a lot.
He didn't feel tired walking such a long distance, and his speed wasn't slow either.
He was still holding Vulpix in his arms and Mime Jr. was sitting on his shoulder.
He looked at Vulpix in his arms.
"When you grow up, I won't have to walk so hard."
"Vulpix ~"
Arriving at the department store, Lucas picked out some brown sugar and then bought some tapioca starch.
And went to Grandpa Yask's place.
He knocked on the door.
No one answered.
Someone came out of the house next door, it was Grandpa from the Seed Shop.
"Shopkeeper Lucas, are you here to see Grandpa Yask's Teddiursa?"
"Yes, Grandpa Manny."
Lucas replied politely.
"He took Teddiursa fishing early this morning."
"Then when do you think he'll be back?"
"Soon, I guess. Look, they're back."
Lucas turned his head to see Grandpa Yask carrying a small bucket, a fishing rod on his shoulder, and Teddiursa following him, occasionally peeking at the fish in the bucket.
Grandpa Yask smiled kindly at Teddiursa.
"Grandpa Yask."
Lucas waited for Grandpa Yask to approach with Teddiursa before greeting him.
"Oh, Shopkeeper Lucas, are you here to see Teddiursa?"
Lucas nodded, then looked at Teddiursa.
"Teddiursa."
Teddiursa walked to Lucas, hugged his thigh, then pulled him to Grandpa Yask, motioning Lucas to look at the wooden bucket in Grandpa Yask's hand.
Lucas looked into the small bucket and saw a few fish flopping around inside.
"These are caught for Teddiursa to eat."
Grandpa Yask said, and Lucas looked at Teddiursa.
Teddiursa scratched the back of its head, embarrassed.
Lucas squatted down and patted its small head.
"Teddiursa, do you like your current life?"
Teddiursa nodded happily.
Lucas smiled, then checked its physical condition.
It was almost fully recovered.
Lucas finally felt relieved.
Then he declined Grandpa Yask and Grandpa Manny's invitation to stay.
He walked back to the Breeding House with Gengar and the others.
Along the way, Lucas suddenly remembered his Grandma's Ninetales friend, who was Vulpix's father.
He also thought of the Staravia that left with Paul, and this Teddiursa.
Would they someday return to live at the Breeding House, or perhaps meet one of their relatives, see him inherit this Breeding House, and then come to visit him, as if meeting him again?
Thinking of this, Lucas suddenly laughed.
Indeed, the encounter of lives always creates unique collisions.
Back at the Breeding House, Lucas plunged into the kitchen.
He took out black tea, then milk from the refrigerator.
"Do you still have fresh milk?"
"[?]"
"Alright, I know you don't."
"[.]"
Lucas ignored it and instead stir-fried the black tea until dry.
Then added brown sugar.
He stir-fried it until it caramelized.
Then poured in the milk.
Gothorita and Mime Jr. watched intently from the side.
Lucas explained to them as he cooked.
Finally, he stirred it and heated it up.
Next, he kneaded tapioca starch into pearl shapes and cooked them until they were translucent.
Then he poured the pearls into the milk tea.
The first pot of autumn milk tea was complete.
Lucas thought for a moment, then took out Vespiquen's special honey.
He added a little to it.
Stirred it evenly.
Immediately, a scent of milk, tea, and honey wafted out.
Smelling this aroma, Lucas was a little surprised.
It seemed to taste even better after adding the special honey?
"Gengar, and everyone, come and drink your first cup of autumn milk tea!"
"Gengar—"
I'm coming—
Gengar passed directly through the wall and appeared before Lucas.
His Pokémon also walked over.
Lucas picked up cups and filled one for each Pokémon.
Gengar looked at the bubble tea in its hand, sniffed it with its nose.
Then its crimson eyes narrowed.
It habitually took a sip.
"Gengar—"
Gengar seemed to be in a blissful paradise.
It chewed on the pearls.
The texture was unique, but the taste was superb.
"Gengar—"
So good!
The other Pokémon took a sip and also narrowed their eyes in bliss.
Seeing this, Lucas clapped his hands in his heart.
It seemed the bubble tea was a great success.
He also picked up a cup and started drinking.
The milk tea flavor was rich and fragrant, and the special honey enhanced the taste, making it smoother and sweeter.
"This delicious?!"
Lucas himself was shocked.
[Cuisine 1: Successfully created four snacks. It seems your passion for snacks is greater than for gourmet food. Fortunately, Grandma also likes to eat snacks, so you have received a gift left by Grandma.]
[Grandma's Gift: Fresh Milk x 50]
"..." Lucas said nothing.
[As a not-so-qualified gourmet, you have great potential in snacks. You can create your own snack list, and the snacks you make will receive Grandma's blessing.]
[Grandma's Blessing: Snacks receive 'Gourmet Critical Hit' effect.]
[Cat Ears and Golden Fruit Sticks 'Gourmet Critical Hit': Slightly increase satiety, slightly increase physical defense, slightly increase physical attack.]
[Spicy Strips 'Gourmet Critical Hit': Slightly increase comprehension of Fire-type moves.]
[Bubble Tea · Special Edition 'Gourmet Critical Hit': Significantly increase the use and understanding of own-type energy, significantly increase Pokémon's happiness and friendliness.]
[It seems fresh milk is more suitable for making bubble tea? —Grandma]
[Snacks are delicious, snacks are also a part of gourmet food —Grandma]
"You had fresh milk, why didn't you take it out earlier?"
Lucas questioned in his mind.
"You wait until I'm done before you reward me, what do you mean by that?"
"Is it that I don't want to research recipes? I made so many things, but none of them could be included in my recipe book, and they couldn't trigger a Gourmet Critical Hit. And you say I'm a not-so-qualified gourmet?"
"If I'm not a gourmet, are you?"
Lucas kept questioning in his mind.
Only then did he turn around, preparing to pour himself another cup of milk tea.
But then he saw the bottom of the pot.
"...So, can anyone tell me what's going on here? Where did this whole pot of bubble tea go?"
Lucas turned to look at the group of Pokémon trying to sneak away.
He rubbed his forehead, then asked them.
"Gengar—"
Hehe.
Gengar couldn't reach the back of its head, so it patted its own belly.
Vulpix drank so much that its fur turned white.
And Mime Jr. was still chewing on pearls.
Lucas had a bit of a toothache. Finally, he brewed another pot.
Then he admonished them not to drink so much.
Afterward, he asked Gengar to deliver a few cups to Vespiquen.
He himself began preparing lunch.
After lunch, Lucas lay in the lounge area.
Cynthia replied to his message.
Cynthia: Yes, autumn has arrived.
Lucas: [Image]
Cynthia: What is this? Milk tea?
Lucas: Yes, but it's the pearl version.
Lucas: Bubble tea, everyone who's had it says it's good.
Lucas: [Image]
Cynthia looked at the image of Gengar and the others happily drinking.
A smile hung on her lips.
"The things you make are usually very delicious."
Lucas: Usually? It's the best, isn't it?
Cynthia: ?
Cynthia: Since that's the case, next time make me a bubble tea ice cream.
Lucas: ?
Cynthia: ??
Lucas: ???
Cynthia: Try asking question marks again?
Lucas: Is there such a thing as bubble tea ice cream?
Cynthia: Didn't you say bubble tea is delicious? Can't I try ice cream?
Lucas: It's not impossible, I guess. Alright, next time you come, I'll try.
Cynthia: It's a deal.
Lucas: It's a deal.
Turning off his phone, Lucas lay on the armchair. Vulpix, full from drinking, was lying on Lucas's lap, its eyes half-closed.
"If you don't exercise properly, I'm telling you, you'll regret it when you get fat."
Looking at Vulpix, who always rested on his lap after eating, Lucas said in a feigned stern voice.
"Vulpix?"
Vulpix suddenly woke up, then jumped off his lap and ran towards the backyard.
Lucas looked at its retreating figure, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
Lilligant covered her mouth, giggling nearby.
Gengar sat next to Lucas, holding milk tea, with cat ears and golden fruit sticks on the table.
"Gengar—"
Looking at Gengar, Lucas reached out and tugged at the corner of its mouth.
"Gengar, shall we go fishing tomorrow, okay?"
"Gengar?"
Fishing?
"Yes, fishing. It's been a long time since I've fished, and I want to try it."
"Gengar—"
Go.
Whatever Lucas wants to do, I will accompany him.
Thinking this, Gengar happily took a sip of bubble tea.
Its eyes narrowed.
So delicious!