Time always flew by quickly at the Breeding House when Cynthia was around.
Shauntal had stayed for three days, found inspiration for her novel, and returned to the Unova region yesterday.
After all, as an Elite Four of the Unova region, she couldn't be away from her area for too long.
Today, Cynthia woke up early from her bed.
Garchomp was standing by her bed, and she looked out the window.
The sky was just beginning to lighten.
She rubbed her somewhat messy golden hair, spaced out for a bit, then stretched and got out of bed.
She changed out of her pajamas, washed up, and left the room with Garchomp.
She met Lucas, who was coming out with Gengar.
Lucas looked at Cynthia, whom he had just encountered, with some surprise.
"You're up so early today?"
Cynthia nodded.
"Good morning, Lucas, and Gengar."
Lucas stared blankly at Cynthia, who was greeting him with a smile.
He then reacted.
"Are you leaving?"
Cynthia nodded.
"Mm."
"Good morning, Cynthia, and Garchomp."
"gengar sound
Good morning~"
"Garchomp's cry."
Tch.
As he led Cynthia downstairs, Shauna had already finished breakfast and run off to the backyard.
Shauna was always the first one up every day.
Because playing with Chingling, Mime Jr., and the others in the backyard consumed a lot of her energy, and she didn't have a phone.
She often fell asleep as soon as it got dark.
Then she would wake up before dawn.
This extremely regular routine, combined with Lucas's dietary supplements, had made Shauna's complexion incredibly good now.
Especially her strength.
She could simultaneously pick up Chingling, Mime Jr., Vulpix, and several Pachirisu.
It was just a pity she wasn't growing taller.
After breakfast, Cynthia still went back to the backyard to play with Shauna and read, while Lucas stayed in the front with Lilligant and Roselia, waiting for customers.
Soon after, the Team Rockets trio also came downstairs, finished breakfast, and went straight to work in the backyard.
It wasn't until after lunch that Lucas returned to the backyard to enjoy afternoon tea with Cynthia.
In the afternoon, Cynthia didn't choose to read but quietly chatted with Lucas.
From the mysterious Kanto, to the Sinnoh region, the Pokémon of the Sinnoh region, the myths and legends of the Sinnoh region, and the Pokémon of the Breeding House—
The leisurely afternoon tea time quietly slipped by with Cynthia's golden hair.
"What do you want for dinner?"
"Whatever you like."
"Bamboo shoot noodles?"
"Okay."
After a quiet dinner, Lucas stood in the backyard with Shauna.
The sound of high heels clacking reached their ears.
Cynthia walked out the door with Garchomp.
"Sister Cynthia, are you leaving again?"
Cynthia bent down and smiled, rubbing Shauna's little head.
"I'll come back to play with you next time."
"Mm, Sister Cynthia, I hope your work goes smoothly."
Cynthia nodded.
Lucas nodded to her.
Cynthia jumped onto Garchomp's back, and Lucas quietly watched her.
Suddenly, Lucas heard Cynthia speak:
"Half of autumn has already passed."
Lucas didn't understand why, so he could only nod, indicating that it was true.
"Before long, there will be an autumn festival in Jubilife City, and there will be a grand fireworks display."
The wind blew gently, causing ripples in Lucas's heart because of Cynthia's words.
", Then, shall we go watch the fireworks together?"
Lucas was stunned.
There was an inexplicable flutter in his heart.
Then he smiled.
"Okay, we'll go to the fireworks festival together then."
Cynthia's lips curved into a smile, then she nodded and said:
"It's a promise."
"It's a promise."
Cynthia lightly tapped the Garchomp beneath her feet, and Garchomp understood, taking off and soaring into the sky.
It drew a dividing line in the sky.
After seeing Cynthia off, he retracted his gaze.
He suddenly felt a little excited for the Jubilife City festival.
Lucas thought.
He patted Shauna's somewhat sad little head, then looked at the Team Rockets trio.
He spoke:
"You guys should go too."
They shouldn't have been at the Breeding House in the first place, but during their few days there, the overall condition of the Breeding House had improved a lot, especially Lucas's workload had significantly decreased.
Just as the trio exchanged glances, Lucas continued:
"You've already paid off the meal you owed at the Breeding House; you can leave now."
"Also, don't you have something you absolutely must accomplish?"
The trio remembered the brat and Pikachu.
The three exchanged glances, and finally, James bowed sharply.
"Thank you for taking us in for so long, Boss."
"Thank you, Boss."
"Thanks, meow."
"So-nan-su~"
Shauna was even more reluctant when she heard the trio was leaving.
He saw the trio to the door, and just as they were about to turn and leave.
"Wait a moment."
Lucas called out to them, then took money from Gengar's hand and handed it to them.
"This is your wages for working here these past few days."
Lucas looked at them and said with a smile.
"If you put in the labor, you should get something in return, right?"
The trio was in tears.
"We can't accept it, Boss."
Jessie directly refused.
Lucas directly stuffed it into their hands.
"If you ever encounter a situation where you have no food again, and you happen to be near the Breeding House, just come over. Help me work, and I'll feed you."
", You are always welcome here."
Lucas said sincerely.
"Remember, don't wear your Team Rockets uniforms."
The trio nodded emotionally.
"Then— I wish you an early capture of Pikachu?"
The trio:?!
How did the Boss know we wanted to catch Pikachu?!
Seeing their suddenly shocked expressions, Lucas burst out laughing happily.
A sudden prank was quite nice.
"Does the Boss also want that Pikachu?"
The trio exchanged a knowing look, then nodded in unison.
"If that's the case, we'll catch that Pikachu and give it to the Boss!"
"That's right, meow."
"So-nan-su~"
He didn't know what the trio was silently discussing.
But Lucas knew that catching Pikachu was an impossible task.
It was like keeping an eye on Jade, even harder than that.
At least Jade had Valmont.
What about Pikachu? It gets stronger when facing strong opponents.
Watching their retreating figures, Lucas closed the Breeding House door, sighed, and then sat on a chair in the lounge area.
The Breeding House suddenly returned to its former state.
Seeing Shauna looking a bit unhappy.
Lucas smiled, then pulled Shauna onto his lap.
"Little Shauna misses them?"
Shauna nodded.
"Shauna understands that they have things they need to do."
Shauna said sensibly.
"Shauna will wait for them to come back and play with her at the Breeding House."
"They'll come back, won't they, Uncle?"
Lucas smiled and nodded.
"Of course, our little Shauna is so cute, isn't she?"
Lucas pinched Shauna's little nose, then said:
"When we have time, I can also take Shauna to go find them and play."
"Really?"
"Mm, pinky promise."
"Pinky promise!"
After the pinky promise, Shauna ran back to her room with Chingling, clattering away to take a bath.
....
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