Jubilife City, Meria's Home.
Wayne tentatively asked with hope, "Would it be possible for us to stay here for dinner tonight? I'm actually a trained chef, and I can cook for everyone."
Wayne genuinely wanted Dragapult to be able to stay here just a little longer, even if only for a brief moment more.
Rosa looked skeptical. "You can actually cook?"
In this modern day and age, finding a Trainer this young who wasn't actively participating in Gym battles, League tournaments, or Pokémon Contests, but instead working professionally as a chef seemed unusual.
Especially since Wayne clearly had a rare Shiny Metagross and a powerful Lucario—he obviously looked like an exceptionally strong Trainer.
Wayne directly pulled out his phone and showed her his Eevee Video Network account, successfully convincing Rosa of his culinary credentials.
Rosa exclaimed with surprised recognition, "Oh! So this is your account! I didn't make the connection between you two at all. Then I'll gladly leave the cooking to you!"
"Arcanine, Metagross, you two stay here with Dragapult. Lucario, let's go buy ingredients," Wayne instructed.
"Woof!" Arcanine acknowledged.
"Meta!" Metagross responded.
Almost immediately afterward, Arcanine and Metagross found themselves surrounded by the enthusiastic children of the orphanage.
"Wait, we already have ingredients here!" Rosa called out.
"Extra meal tonight!" Wayne announced cheerfully.
But Wayne had already dashed out the door to shop.
Wayne quickly purchased a large pile of fresh ingredients and ten full cases of canned Moomoo Milk, considering it a gift for all the children.
When cooking time arrived, it became exceptionally chaotic in the kitchen.
"Wayne, don't let them touch that hot pot!" Rosa warned.
"Hey, please don't run around in the kitchen where it's dangerous," Wayne called out.
"Put down that bag of flour right now!" Rosa ordered.
"Heyy!!!" both adults shouted simultaneously.
The little girl who had previously grabbed Wayne's pant leg asking questions almost performed a dangerous stunt of 'stewing herself in an iron pot.'
Wayne swiftly picked her up to safety.
This was definitely not claypot rice preparation!
Director Rosa brought out her ultimate move. "Let's have a competition to see who can stir ingredients the best! The top three winners will get special lollipops!"
"Yay!!!" the children cheered enthusiastically.
The strategy was simple but remarkably effective.
This was the so-called principle of 'one trick to rule them all.'
For the main course, Wayne prepared meat porridge, carefully mincing all the meat into tiny pieces to effectively prevent any child from choking.
Then he expertly stir-fried several large portions of family-style big-pot dishes, and that was sufficient for everyone.
The head chef working here seemed to have the attitude of wanting to compete professionally with Wayne, but Wayne honestly wasn't interested in any rivalry.
Normally, he might have been somewhat interested in a friendly cooking challenge, but because of the emotional weight of Dragapult's situation today, he felt completely unenthusiastic about competition.
His suggestion to stay and cook at the orphanage was actually strategic—to borrow the children's natural vitality and joy to help dilute the heavy sorrow everyone was feeling.
Steamed egg custard, hearty meat porridge, sweet-style Kung Pao Chicken, braised beef with carrots...
Wayne cooked common, comforting dishes. He didn't prepare too elaborate a spread, as the regular chefs here had also cooked their planned menu.
The orphanage's dining hall was decorated very elegantly and warmly, showing absolutely no depressing signs of being an institutional orphanage.
There were no wild Pokémon kept here, only a few decorative Goldeen swimming peacefully in a large fish tank.
Rosa had already explained this particular policy decision before.
"Meria didn't want these children to live in hardship from such a young age. She believed they should experience a better life and normal childhood," Rosa had said.
Meria was truly an angel in every sense of the word.
No wonder Dragapult had never forgotten her after all these years.
Wayne carefully carried food over to Dragapult, who was silently observing everything, and to Drakloak, who remained loyally beside its mother.
"This is for you two. Please eat something," Wayne offered gently.
"Gulu," Dragapult responded quietly.
(It said it has no appetite,) Lucario translated with concern.
"Meria is always here in spirit. She's watching over you. You wouldn't want to make her sad by not taking care of yourself, would you?" Wayne said softly.
Oh no, why did he use that kind of emotional manipulation sentence structure? Wayne thought with mild guilt.
"Gulu..." Dragapult vocalized with resignation.
Dragapult eventually began eating slowly.
A system notification chimed: Obtained Energy Cube proficiency +364.
"Director Rosa, are you able to organize field trips or outdoor activities for the children?" Wayne asked thoughtfully.
Rosa nodded. "Yes, we have one such educational activity scheduled once a month."
"If you don't mind the idea, you could bring the children to our Breeding Center for field study visits. It's a large property and has many safe wild Pokémon they could observe," Wayne offered generously.
Rosa looked genuinely tempted by the offer. "That sounds wonderful, but what about safety concerns...?"
"Lucario and Metagross have long become the territorial overlords of that entire vicinity. No wild Pokémon there is a match for them, so the children would be completely safe," Wayne assured her.
"Is that really the case? That's absolutely wonderful! Our next scheduled outing happens to be in two weeks..." Rosa said with growing excitement.
Wayne and Director Rosa exchanged contact information on their phones.
"As an exchange for that favor, would it be possible to allow me to bring Dragapult here to visit often?" Wayne requested.
"No problem whatsoever. Even if Dragapult comes here alone without you, that's perfectly fine. This is Meria's Home, and it will always be Dragapult's home too," Rosa said with warm sincerity.
"Thank you so very much," Wayne said gratefully.
"I should be thanking you instead. You've helped fulfill an unfulfilled wish that I've carried for years," Rosa replied emotionally.
Later in the evening, after playing games with the children for quite a while,
Wayne announced, "Then we'll be leaving now. It's getting late."
"Take care, and please feel welcome to visit often!" Rosa called out.
"Goodbye, Brother Wayne!" the children chorused.
The children's pure innocence had effectively dispelled Wayne's heavy sorrow. "Goodbye, everyone! Hurry and get ready for bed!"
Jubilife City remained bustling even at night, with streetlights shining as bright as day throughout the downtown area.
Standing under a streetlamp, Wayne looked directly at Dragapult.
"I won't catch you in a Poké Ball or force you, but will you come home with me? My family's home is very close to Mt. Mistveil," Wayne offered respectfully.
"Gulu!" Dragapult nodded with determination.
Wayne looked at Drakloak floating beside its mother and took out a Luxury Ball. "Drakloak, would you like to officially become my Pokémon partner?"
"Duru!" Drakloak responded enthusiastically.
Drakloak gently bumped the Luxury Ball's button with its head, transforming into red light and entering the Luxury Ball willingly.
A satisfying "click" sound rang out, signaling successful capture.
"I caught Drakloak!" Wayne announced with joy.
"Lucario!" Lucario cheered supportively.
Drakloak, successfully caught!
"Alright, let's all go home now!" Wayne declared.
Wayne had originally intended to have Metagross carry him back, but Dragapult herself volunteered and gently lifted Wayne up.
At 9:30 PM, only the streetlights illuminated the Breeding Center. Everything was peaceful and quiet.
Though today had been sad, life still had to continue moving forward.
"Dragapult, Drakloak, this will be your home from now on. Mt. Mistveil is in that direction if you ever want to visit," Wayne explained, pointing.
"Gulu! Duru! Dreepy!" they all vocalized happily.
Before returning to his own bedroom, Wayne went to check on the traumatized Arcanine, who was housed in the row of connected rooms.
The police Arcanine was still curled up tightly in the corner, trembling visibly at the slightest sound or rustle.
Wayne gently rubbed Arcanine's head with soothing motions. "Arcanine, please help look after your new companions here."
"Woof!" Wayne's Arcanine responded.
Arcanine showed a confident grin, baring its teeth with enthusiasm.
(Leave it to me, boss!)
This Arcanine was actually easier to potentially treat than Feebas's case.
Wayne had already thought of a comprehensive plan to treat Arcanine's PTSD: simply take it out for regular exercise sessions.
Physical exercise was an excellent remedy for soothing troubled minds.
Although tiring after exercise, it could relieve substantial amounts of negative emotions and also help Arcanine gradually rebuild lost confidence.
Wayne pushed open the front door. His father was eating a late-night snack in the living room. "Son, you're back? I thought you weren't coming home tonight at all?"
Seeing his father's ambiguous and knowing expression,
Wayne almost rolled his eyes in exasperation. "What exactly did you think I went out to do? And eat fewer late-night snacks—they're not good for your health at all."
Hearing Wayne's voice, Fumie, who was wearing a facial mask, also emerged from the bedroom. "Eh? This seems to be...?"
"This is Drakloak and Dragapult. Drakloak is my newest capture. As for Dragapult..." Wayne began.
Wayne briefly but thoroughly explained Drakloak and Dragapult's story to his parents.
"You went out all day today just for this?" Leon asked with surprise.
"Yes, what else would it have been for?" Wayne responded.
His father fidgeted with his hands, muttering softly with disappointment:
"I thought you went on a date with someone..."
Wayne sighed deeply. "..."