Jubilife Breeding Center.
After Milotic gave Feebas a psychological consultation, Wayne introduced his Pokémon team to Cynthia.
"Lucario hatched from an Egg my grandpa gave me two years ago," Wayne explained.
"Luca!" Lucario called out proudly.
"Arcanine was obtained at the Celestic Town Police Station. It liked me a lot even when it was still a Growlithe," Wayne continued.
Arcanine stood up on its hind legs, wrapped its front paws around Wayne affectionately, and licked him with a big "slurp."
"Later, I found out it was because Grandpa's cooking was too delicious, and Arcanine's just a foodie," Wayne admitted with a laugh.
Cynthia couldn't help but smile warmly. "Grandpa Lionel's cooking is indeed very delicious. I miss his cooking too. How is Grandpa Lionel doing these days?"
Cynthia was also a proper foodie herself. Her favorite treat was ice cream.
"He's doing well. He can still chase me eight blocks with a rolling pin when I mess up," Wayne joked.
Cynthia burst out laughing at the image.
"Metagross was the first Pokémon I caught, evolving from Metang," Wayne continued.
"Shiny Metagross are extremely rare, and this one is very well-maintained," Cynthia observed appreciatively.
Cynthia extended her soft hand and gently stroked Metagross's smooth metallic body.
"Meta!" Metagross responded with pleasure.
Under the afternoon sunlight, Metagross's excellent breeding was even more evident, with a smooth surface and full metallic luster.
"Drakloak was caught in the mountains a few days ago. Dragapult is its mother," Wayne explained.
Drakloak, with its head resting comfortably on Wayne's head, let out a soft cry: "Duru!"
Following the direction Wayne pointed, Cynthia asked with curiosity, "Are there wild Drakloak living in those mountains?"
"No, Dragapult originally had a Trainer. That's a long story. I'll tell you when we have more time," Wayne promised.
"I understand. I'd love to hear it later," Cynthia replied.
"Okay, all of you come out," Cynthia said to her Poké Balls.
Cynthia released her remaining three Pokémon: Spiritomb, Togekiss, and Glaceon.
Glaceon looked up at the Eevee still cradled in Cynthia's arms.
"Eev!" Eevee greeted.
"Glace!" Glaceon responded.
"You've already seen my main team before, so I don't need to introduce them, right?" Cynthia asked.
Cynthia had caught these six Pokémon a long time ago, and Wayne had seen them all during his childhood.
Cynthia had more than six Pokémon total, but she usually carried these six with her. Wayne had also seen her Gastrodon and Braviary in past visits.
Wayne smiled. "No need for introductions. I often see them in your Champion Challenge matches on TV."
Cynthia looked slightly surprised.
"You watch Champion Challenge matches regularly?"
Cynthia remembered that Wayne hadn't wanted to become a competitive Trainer, so he'd obtained his Pokémon even later than her sister Carolina.
"How could I not watch yours?" Wayne replied sincerely.
Cynthia laughed softly with pleasure.
Wayne and Cynthia's conversation was suddenly interrupted,
because Alan had sent a message in the staff group chat announcing Cynthia's arrival, which caused a huge sensation, especially among the female staff members.
Coupled with their exhausted faces from yesterday's spicy food...
Wayne thought it looked like a zombie apocalypse...
"Please sign this for me!" someone called out.
"May I take a photo with you?" another asked.
"I like you very much, Champion Cynthia!" a third exclaimed.
Even Claire and Shion, who had been lying like corpses in bed just minutes ago, came running out.
Cynthia blinked with confusion. "Your complexions... why do they all look like this?"
Cynthia almost thought it was some trendy new makeup style.
"Yesterday, we ate Mapo Tofu and super spicy hot pot that Little Boss cooked..." someone explained.
"It was absolutely delicious, but way too spicy..." another added weakly.
Shion couldn't help but swallow at the memory.
"No, it should be said it was spicy AND delicious at the same time!" Shion corrected enthusiastically.
"Little Boss"? What a strange title, Cynthia thought.
Mapo Tofu? Super spicy hot pot?
This definitely piqued Cynthia's culinary interest.
Cynthia's arrival had no significant impact on Wayne's daily work routine. He still had responsibilities to fulfill.
After a group of people got autographs and photos and left satisfied,
Wayne called Furfrou and Eevee over.
"I still have to groom these customers' Pokémon. Feel free to do as you please. There's a training room on the right side. Garchomp and the others can use it as needed," Wayne explained.
Wayne had to groom Furfrou and Eevee's fur carefully. His Uncle would come in the evening to trim their hairstyles professionally.
"Okay, that sounds perfect," Cynthia agreed.
Cynthia had seen Wayne's work offerings on the self-service machine at the main entrance. He did all kinds of jobs.
Because they were very familiar with Cynthia, Leon and Fumie did not formally entertain her and also told her to make herself completely at home.
"Don't follow me around. You can wander freely," Cynthia told her Pokémon.
Garchomp and the others thought about it. It was clearly very safe here, so they dispersed to explore.
"Luca!" Wayne's Lucario called out.
Wayne's Lucario challenged Cynthia's Lucario to a friendly spar.
"Luca," Cynthia's Lucario acknowledged the challenge.
Shion eagerly volunteered to show Cynthia around the facility, and Cynthia accepted the offer.
"How old are you this year?" Cynthia asked kindly.
"Twelve years old!" Shion answered proudly.
"Then you're two years younger than my sister Celeste," Cynthia noted.
"What's this room for?" Cynthia asked with curiosity.
Looking at the cameras set up in the room, resembling professional photography equipment,
there were Pokémon bathing stations and dryers, and then a stove, oven, Berry Blender...
Kitchen and bathroom combined together?
But why were there cameras in a space that combined kitchen and bathroom?
Cynthia couldn't tell what this room was used for at first glance.
"This is the room Brother Wayne usually films in. It's been specially redecorated, so it has everything he needs," Shion explained.
"Filming?" Cynthia asked with interest.
"Brother Wayne posts videos on Eevee Video Network!" Shion said excitedly.
As she spoke, Shion opened her phone and showed Cynthia Wayne's account.
Cynthia didn't have the habit of browsing Eevee Video Network regularly. She didn't even have an account.
So she wasn't aware that recently, an account named "Jubilife Breeding Center" on Eevee Video Network was gaining followers extremely quickly.
The screen full of viewer comments amazed Cynthia, and the comment section was full of witty remarks.
Watching a series of videos like "Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs" and "Smoked Sitrus Berry Juice," Cynthia unconsciously swallowed.
Cynthia murmured softly to herself, "It looks like his cooking skills have improved quite significantly."
Cynthia's impression of Wayne's cooking skills was still from four or five years ago.
Next to Wayne's filming room was the dedicated room for Pokémon fur care.
Through the transparent glass window, one could see Wayne wearing a protective apron, his hands running through Furfrou's fluffy fur, scrubbing it gently.
Wayne was very focused on his work. The room was closed, and the sound insulation was excellent.
So Wayne didn't notice that there were two people standing outside the window watching.
Cynthia could clearly tell that Furfrou was enjoying the treatment very much.
"Is Wayne usually in charge of this grooming himself?" Cynthia asked.
Shion, with an adoring expression, counted on her fingers enthusiastically,
"Fur care, essential oil management, Energy Cubes, Poffins, cooking... No matter what I ask, Brother Wayne can answer! He's simply omnipotent!"
Cynthia couldn't help but smile at the praise. "That does sound very impressive!"
Shion nodded vigorously. "Yes! Brother Wayne is super amazing!"
"Does Wayne also take care of Metagross and Lucario's grooming himself?" Cynthia inquired.
"Of course he does!" Shion confirmed.
"I feel like I could have Wayne help Lucario and the others with their grooming too," Cynthia mused aloud.
Although Cynthia was a Champion Trainer, she wasn't particularly familiar with detailed Pokémon care herself.
She had always used money to pave the way, hiring top professional Breeders to come to her for grooming services.
Including Pokémon food, Cynthia always bought ready-made premium products.
Of course, Cynthia formulated all the Pokémon training plans herself—that was her expertise.
After seeing Wayne's careful care for Furfrou, Cynthia approved of his methods.
"Then you should book quickly, Sister Cynthia, because Brother Wayne's grooming services require a waiting list!" Shion warned.