Wednesday, November 7.
The beginning of winter brought a gentle patter of rain outside the window, accompanied by a sudden drop in temperature. Apart from Sylveon, who enjoyed burrowing into the bed, Togepi claimed a small pillow and curled into an egg shape, peacefully asleep.
Luke, yawning, donned a sweater and rose to freshen up. Gengar, too, stood before the mirror, toothbrush in hand, brushing alongside Luke. Although accustomed to this routine, Luke couldn't help but comment, "Do ghosts really need to brush their teeth?"
"Jie jie~!" Gengar responded, spitting out mouthwash with a grin, revealing gleaming white teeth.
"...I didn't say anything," Luke mumbled.
A call from his parents interrupted his morning routine. Besides the usual reminder to stay warm, his mother, Lisie, suggested eating dumplings today in celebration of Lidong.
"Would you like us to send you some homemade dumplings?" she offered.
"No, I'll make some with the little ones later," Luke replied.
"Alright... By the way, is it challenging being a Champion?" Lisie inquired. "Your dad has been boasting to everyone for a week."
Despite the game's significant influence, not everyone was familiar with the role of a Trainer.
"It's a friendly game; don't worry about it," Luke reassured with a smile.
"Okay, take care of yourself. And later, your dad and I are planning to go out. He mentioned something about a honeymoon..." Lisie blushed.
Taking in this display of affection, Luke smiled and said, "Enjoy your trip, and don't worry about me!"
During the conversation, Luke casually mentioned studying in Kanto. His parents had no objections, and his father, Luther, added, "Take care, and don't bother us when the time comes!"
Luke sighed. No car, no house, and his parents were busy. Perhaps, upon returning from honeymoon, he might have some new siblings.
In the chat group, the topic shifted to the delicacy of dumplings.
Blue humorously asked, "Can eating it increase intimacy?"
Teacher Luke, blushing, clarified, "It's just delicious!"
Gold, with a mischievous smile, wanted to tease but was saved by Luke's 24-hour mute.
The group continued to share a harmonious atmosphere, with Lorelei posting a selfie eating hot pot in Cerulean City. Without Gold's usual antics, it was a peaceful moment.
With some free time on hand, Luke opened "Pokemon: Battle" and prepared for a live broadcast. Suddenly, an idea struck him. He called out to Gengar in the living room, "Gengar! Go buy some flour and vegetables this afternoon. We'll be making dumplings in the evening!"
"Jie jie~!" Gengar, engrossed in a card game with Togepi, responded.
After losing to Togepi in the card game, Gengar, a sore loser, scribbled on Togepi's cheeks. Togepi, undeterred, happily drew a big heart on Gengar's face.
Gengar, ready to switch to the 'Battle' channel, picked up the vegetable basket and prepared to go shopping. Sensing a pleading gaze, Gengar looked down to find Togepi, eager to join.
"Jie jie~?" (What are you doing?)
"Ke ke~~ ~~" (I'll go with you!)
Togepi, bouncing with enthusiasm, took the vegetable basket and, stepping on its tiny feet, joyfully headed out.
.....
Outside the house, a gentle rain fell, making the road slippery. As Togepi descended the stairs, it stumbled, but Gengar, lurking in the shadows, caught it just in time, wiping away a silent cold sweat.
"kek ke ke ke~~ ~~(*๓´╰╯`๓)" Togepi chuckled.
As Togepi passed an alley under the eaves, a group of menacing Meowth stared at it. Their sharp claws extended, but before they could strike, a massive black shadow plummeted from the sky. Growlithe's Body Slam swiftly subdued the first Persian, ensuring Togepi's safety.
With Togepi unharmed, Growlithe and Gengar sighed in relief, continuing to trail behind the little Pokémon.
Finally arriving at the supermarket, Togepi couldn't reach the flour on the shelf. Suddenly, an unseen force levitated the flour into Togepi's basket.
"kek ke ke ke~~~~(≧∀≦)♪"
After completing the shopping list, with the approving eyes of the saleswoman, a security guard uncle gently escorted Togepi out of the supermarket.
"crash-bang ——" The heavy rain blocked their path home.
Innocently sitting on the steps, Togepi set the shopping bag aside, shaking its little feet. Feeling a pat on its head, it looked up.
"jie jie~ !(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧" Gengar held an umbrella, grinning, and gave a thumbs-up.
"ao wu ~" Growlithe lifted Togepi onto its back and charged through the heavy rain.
"kek ke ke ke~~~~o(*≧▽≦)ツ"
In the pouring rain, Gengar held an umbrella, floating beside Growlithe. Togepi, carrying shopping bags, laughed cheerfully.
At a corner, a drenched Sylveon confirmed Togepi's safety and finally relaxed.
…
"Didn't I tell Gengar to go shopping?" Luke asked in surprise. "Why did all four of you run out?"
The four little companions exchanged glances, burst into laughter, and eventually said, "Forget it."
Luke smiled and shook his head. "Let's take a bath first since I prepared the hot water."
"kek ke ke ke~~ ~~ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ" Togepi handed the shopping bag to Luke, laughing.
Luke paused for a moment, recalling the recent events, and gradually realized. Touching Togepi's head, he said with a slight smile, "Thank you guys~"
"ke ke~~! (⺣◡) ⺣)♡" Luke looked at the four little companions and touched his chin.
Speaking of which, Squirtle, he wondered if its training was complete. It had been a week. With its innate talent, could it have truly cultivated?
"Shouldn't be that unlucky, right?" Luke poured himself a cup of hot tea while pondering. Suddenly, the teacup on the table vibrated.
"Earthquake?" The disturbance originated from the bedroom.
Squirtle, hidden in the water tank, felt the flow of Aura and opened its eyes. Brilliant light emanated from its eyes. Placing its palms together, the blue energy surged, creating a powerful Aura Sphere that resonated throughout the villa.
The sky cleared. After the rain, the moonlight was bright and clean. Looking at "Aura Sphere" in the moves list, Luke felt a mix of emotions. The earlier shock was indeed caused by Squirtle's Aura Sphere.
"Squirtle," Luke said, swallowing, "use Aura Sphere carefully, please!"
"uirt~ !ヾ(⌐■_■)" Squirtle cautiously pushed its sunglasses. The lord's words were to its liking. If Aura Sphere was only this potent, it couldn't be released casually. Training had to continue to ensure its success!
....
In any case, Squirtle has finally completed its retreat.
Teacher Luke is instructing everyone on the art of rolling dumpling skins, all the while keeping an eye out for any attempts by Growlithe to snatch a bite.
"vui~ ~~~(｀・ω・´)" Sylveon, with a ribbon-tied rolling pin, diligently rolls out the dumpling skins.
"jie jie~! Gengar, ease up on the Double Team; we don't need to rush the progress," Luke remarked with a twitch at the corner of his mouth.
"So much, have we finished eating?" he added.
"jie jie~? Gengar squinted, seemingly questioning his appetite.
"That's right… You have a four-dimensional stomach!" Luke responded with an odd expression.
Amid the eager gazes of the little fellows, Teacher Luke stuffed various peculiar ingredients into the dumplings and placed them in the pot. As the pot heated up, the dumplings tumbled within.
Luke easily recognized Sylveon's craftsmanship, noting the meticulous pleats in each dumpling.
At the dining table, Luke poured beverages for each of the five little fellows: orange juice for Sylveon, Momoo Milk for Growlithe, distilled water for Squirtle, canned Coke for Gengar, and bottled Coke for Togepi.
Serving the hot dumplings, Teacher Luke felt the joy of a proud father once again under the clear eyes of his little companions.
"vui~! (I've started~)" exclaimed one.
"jie jie~! (*⊙~⊙)" (I have finished eating!)