[Young Man]: Coffee? What's that?
Huh?
Johan blinked.
Was there really someone in the Pokémon world who didn't know what coffee was?
Given that this person seemed quite adept with their smartphone, their ignorance of coffee felt… odd.
But he didn't dwell on it.
[Grain in the Field]: It's… a kind of beverage that helps keep you awake.
[Young Man]: A beverage?
For some reason, Johan suddenly felt like he was talking to someone who'd been living under a rock.
[Grain in the Field]: Just try it, and you'll see. By the way, where are you?
[Young Man]: In the Distorted World.
Oh, great.
Johan sighed. He was starting to think this person's contact name should be changed from Young Man to Edgy Young Man.
[Grain in the Field]: Well, can't help you there.
[Grain in the Field]: If you're bored, you could train some Pokémon. Or better yet… watch a show. There's a good one out right now—Adventures of Foam Mouse.
[Young Man]: Adventures of Foam Mouse?
[Young Man]: Understood!
Edgy Young Man probably enjoyed silly entertainment, similar to Gengar.
Giving him something to pass the time was the best way to drag things out for now.
In the Distorted World, Giratina—its Origin Form hovering in the void—stared at the small screen in front of it, deep in thought.
Johan hadn't finished his sentence earlier, but Giratina understood the implication.
If bored, it should train its Pokémon.
While Giratina considered most Pokémon laughably weak, there were a few that showed promise. Perhaps, in time…
"Rooooar!"
Giratina abruptly clamped its mouth shut.
No! No thinking about that!
It glanced at the endless void of the Distorted World and muttered to itself.
Foam Mouse, Foam Mouse, Foam Mouse…
Still, it had to admit Johan was right. Someday, having a few dependable Pokémon might be helpful.
And that "small form" of his—Gengar—was quite capable. Its ability to integrate Giratina's energy without issues proved it had potential.
But for now...
Time to watch Adventures of Foam Mouse.
Three days passed peacefully.
One morning, Johan woke up as usual to Gengar's signature wake-up call—a slimy lick to the face.
After washing up and eating breakfast with his Pokémon, he prepared to head to the academy.
But when he reached the first floor and saw the line outside his café's front door, he froze.
What on earth was going on?
By all logic, his café—located in a less-than-ideal spot, with no advertising—should've seen dwindling business after opening day.
Yet, contrary to his expectations, the number of customers had only increased. On the third day, people were lining up before opening hours.
Sure, Johan was confident in his coffee-making skills, and customer reviews had been glowing. But still, there was no reason for this sudden surge in clientele.
Especially since the café only served coffee and nothing else.
As Johan puzzled over this, Gengar floated past him, visibly pleased with the crowd outside.
Good, Gengar thought. The flyers are working.
"Ka-kah~~"
It slipped into its server uniform, opened the doors, and began welcoming guests with practiced ease.
The other Pokémon—Tinkatuff, Dratini, and Vulpix—also got to work, moving with enthusiasm and familiarity.
They were clearly more invested in the café than Johan was.
Meanwhile, in a nearby alley, three familiar figures were crouched, peering at the café.
"This is it," James said, checking the address on a scrap of paper.
"This is our Team Rocket base in Hoenn? A public café called A Ray of Sunshine?" Jessie looked skeptical.
"'The best place to hide is in plain sight,' nya," Meowth chimed in.
"Wobba~!"
"Whatever! Let's go!" Jessie declared, striding toward the café.
She barely made it a few steps before James and Meowth pulled her back.
"Jessie, we're here to help the Executive Advisor run this café. We can't blow our cover!"
"Exactly, nya! This is our big chance to prove ourselves and expand Team Rocket in Hoenn!"
"Wobba~!"
"Fine, fine!" Jessie huffed, returning Wobbuffet to its Poké Ball.
The trio then executed one of their specialties—disguises.
After serving the morning rush, Gengar tugged on Johan's sleeve as he cleaned the counter.
"Ka-kah!"
It gestured toward the café entrance.
New hires?
Johan looked up, delighted, only for his expression to sour the moment he saw who it was.
Really?
Did they think their disguises would fool anyone besides Ash and his friends?
Two humans and a Meowth, skulking around...
"Executive Advisor! The coolest of cool, feared even by the girl in the green wig!" Jessie's voice rang out with enthusiasm.
"Shh! We're supposed to be incognito!"
Johan's forehead twitched.
Their not-so-whispered voices could probably be heard across the street.
"Okay, you three." Johan interrupted their huddle, wasting no time.
Jessie reacted instinctively.
"To protect the world from deva—mmph!"
James and Meowth clamped their hands over her mouth just in time.
"Jessie, keep it down! We need to stay undercover!"
Jessie blinked, then sheepishly nodded.
A Poké Ball opened with a flash, and Wobbuffet emerged.
"Wobba~!"
It struck a pose but hesitated when it realized the motto hadn't been completed. Scratching its head awkwardly, it muttered, "Wobba…"
Wobbuffet? Already?
Johan frowned. Wasn't Wobbuffet supposed to join them later, during a Pokémon Swap event?
Maybe this was fate.
"Hello, Executive Ad—I mean, sir! We're here to apply for jobs. Here's our recommendation letter," James said, stepping forward.
A recommendation letter?
Johan glanced at the envelope, his expression twitching. He took a deep breath and said, "Excuse me for a moment."
He pulled out his phone and dialed.
"Hello, Matori? What's up with these three idiots?"
Idiots?
Were they talking about us?
Jessie, James, and Meowth exchanged nervous glances.
"Um… Johan-sensei, please let me explain…" Matori's voice came through the line, strained.
By now, she had pieced together the unique relationship between Johan and Giovanni.
Johan was, as Giovanni described, a "clear-eyed outsider." Team Rocket needed someone like him to offer objective advice.
"I specifically told them to stay incognito…" Matori groaned.
"They're as incognito as a Skitty in a Pyukumuku tank," Johan deadpanned.
"Uh… they're… Giovanni's relatives? Not great at battling and hoping for work?" Matori ventured.
Johan smirked coldly.
"You think this café is a charity?"
"No, no! They're quite good at making desserts!" Matori added hastily.
"Oh?" Johan turned back to the trio.
"Can any of you make desserts?"
"I-I can bake a little," James admitted.
"We can also work as servers, nya!" Meowth chimed in.
"Fine." Johan nodded.
Before they could relax, he added, "James, make a dessert that's simultaneously sweet, sour, bitter, and spicy. And brew a rainbow-colored coffee."
The trio gawked.
What kind of culinary nightmare was that?
"See? They're useless," Johan muttered into the phone.
"They're just… untrained!" Matori tried again.
"Two million Pokédollars for training," Johan countered.
"Deal!"
Matori agreed instantly.
Hanging up, Johan sighed inwardly.
Did I ask for too little?
Returning to the trio, he said, "Your salary is five thousand Pokédollars a month. Take it or leave it."
They huddled briefly, whispering.
"Five thousand! That's amazing!"
"We can't let the Executive Advisor down!"
Moments later, they turned back, beaming.
"No problem!"
"Good." Johan allowed himself a small smile.
Though incompetent at their main job (catching Pikachu), the trio had proven resourceful in their side gigs.
"Call me Johan-sensei," he said.
"Johan-sensei?"
The name rang a bell for James, though he couldn't place it.
"From now on, you'll report to Gengar," Johan added.
"Ka-kah!"
Gengar emerged from Johan's shadow, grinning and cackling.
"Ka-kah! Call me President Gengar!"
The trio exchanged uneasy glances.
Their new boss was terrifying.
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Powerstones?
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