The morning market soon came to an end.
"Young boss, see you tomorrow on Tourist Street!"
"See you there, no excuses."
"See you tomorrow, young boss."
"Be sure to come and support me!"
...
As Angie packed up, he bid farewell to the departing customers.
Once the customers had all left, Angie smiled and asked Raleigh and Slurpuff, "So, Raleigh, are you tired?"
Raleigh wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled brightly, "Not tired!"
Angie, seeing this, smiled kindly and pulled something from under the counter, handing it to Raleigh. It was three glass jars, each the size of a basketball.
"Here, I made something nice, and I'll share some with you."
Raleigh stared at the contents of the glass jars and exclaimed in surprise, "Your Highness, is this Salveyo Weed?"
Angie was equally surprised, "You recognize it even after I've turned it into a dish? You're much better at this than I am. When I first saw it, I had no idea what it was."
Raleigh sheepishly scratched his head, "I've seen it in books, but this is the first time I've seen it in person."
Angie placed the three glass jars on the stove and introduced them to Raleigh, "This is my version of spicy Salveyo Weed, it tastes really good. No matter what you pair it with, it always tastes extremely fresh and delicious. One jar each for you, Kimia, and Flamel."
This spicy Salveyo Weed was a modified recipe from Angie's previous life, imitating his mother's method. It not only tasted amazing and was extremely appetizing, but it could also be preserved for a long time. One full jar would be enough for Raleigh and the others to eat for a long time.
The Salveyo Weed that the Pokémon had given Angie was simply too much, and he couldn't finish it all, so he stored it all in his system's backpack.
Now, the Salveyo Weed in the Nebel Lake had all aged, as did the water caltrop, and the Pokémon couldn't even harvest it if they wanted to. So, last night, Angie decided to turn all his remaining Salveyo Weed into spicy Salveyo Weed, and when everyone helped him plant berry trees, he would give these to the Pokémon to enjoy with steamed buns.
Raleigh picked up one of the jars, opened the lid, and was immediately hit with a rich, intense aroma.
"Wow!" He exclaimed, "It smells amazing!"
"Slurpuff~ Slurpuff~"
Slurpuff couldn't help but lean over, drawn by the fragrance.
Angie said, "You can try some now."
Raleigh, eager to taste it, immediately grabbed a piece of Salveyo Weed from the jar and popped it into his mouth. Instantly, his eyes lit up.
Just one piece of Salveyo Weed filled his mouth with a rich, spicy flavor. The fresh taste of the chili peppers, the rich depth of the fermented soybeans, and the aromatic spices all blended together… Most notably, the crisp texture and unique fresh taste brought by the Salveyo Weed were especially prominent. The complex and diverse flavors tantalized his taste buds—it was truly an ultimate indulgence.
"Slurpuff~ Slurpuff~"
Slurpuff, driven by the overwhelming aroma, started drooling and tugging at Raleigh's clothes, wanting him to share a bite.
Raleigh quickly picked up a piece and placed it in Slurpuff's mouth. Immediately, Slurpuff was captivated by the unique flavor.
Seeing that the two of them still looked like they hadn't had enough, Angie quickly said, "Alright, alright, save some for later and enjoy it when we get back."
Raleigh, feeling a bit embarrassed, closed the lid of the jar.
At this moment, the palace guards appeared outside. They had come to pick up Raleigh.
Angie patted Raleigh on the shoulder and said, "You and Slurpuff should head back now. Don't keep the guards waiting."
"Mm~~"
Raleigh nodded, packing all three glass jars into his spatial backpack, and then he and Slurpuff left, walking with light, eager steps. He couldn't wait to go home and try the spicy Salveyo Weed with his lunch.
Once Raleigh had left, Meowstic, who had finished tidying up the tables and chairs, returned to the car.
Angie asked, "How was your experience interacting with humans?"
"Meowstic~ Meowstic~ Meowstic~"
I think I did just fine.
Meowstic replied confidently.
Angie smiled and said, "Congratulations, Meowstic, you've been accepted."
"Meowstic~ Meowstic~"
Thank you, thank you, Mr. Angie. I will work hard!
Meowstic immediately became excited, jumping up and down in happiness.
"Alright, let's head home." Angie said.
Angie then drove the car back to Munchlax's Home with Komala and Meowstic. When they arrived at the entrance, they saw Flamel and a group of people knocking and banging around the store's door.
It turned out that the custom sign Angie had asked Flamel to make had arrived.
The sign for Munchlax's Home was an intentionally aged wooden board. In the center, it read "Munchlax's Home," with a simple sketch of a bun and steamed bun on the left side, and on the right, a Munchlax wearing a chef's hat and outfit, holding a rice scoop and smiling brightly.
The sign matched perfectly with the store's decor style.
By the time Angie arrived, the sign had already been almost fully installed.
Seeing Angie return, Flamel quickly bowed to him, "Your Highness Angie."
Angie thanked her, "Thank you, Flamel. I appreciate your help."
Flamel shook her head, "Your Highness is too kind. It was the least I could do."
"Then, I'll leave the rest to you. As for the other sign, I'll take it myself." Angie said.
The other sign Angie referred to was, of course, the sign for the Diancie's Grand Dining Hall.
The Diancie's Grand Dining Hall's sign was similar to Munchlax's Home's sign, but without the aged look. It was shiny and new.
On the left side of the sign was a Diancie illustration wearing an apron, in the center were the words "Diancie's Grand Dining Hall," and on the right was a simple sketch of Angie, Komala, and Munchlax all hugging each other.
Back at the Nebel Plateau home, Angie gave Meowstic its internship wages for the day—a Pokéblocks—and it happily left.
Angie, meanwhile, went to install the sign with Munchlax.
On the way home, Meowstic encountered a Skitty holding a shriveled berry and a Scrafty carrying a pile of grassroots. Meowstic waved at the two Pokémon.
"Meowstic~"
The two Pokémon walked up to it with curiosity.
"Skitty~"
What's going on, Brother Meowstic?
Skitty put down its berry and asked with confusion.
"Scrafty~ Scrafty~"
Meowstic, do you want to eat my grassroots?
Said Scrafty as it took a root from its pocket and handed it to Meowstic.
Meowstic shook its head.
"Meowstic~ Meowstic~ Meowstic~"
Open your mouths.
Skitty and Scrafty exchanged confused looks but obediently opened their mouths.
Seeing this, Meowstic opened the jar of Pokéblocks, quickly took out two of them, and stuffed them into the mouths of Skitty and Scrafty.
The Pokéblocks melted as soon as they entered their mouths, and both Pokémon immediately felt their empty stomachs filled. Their bodies felt warm, and any sense of hunger vanished.
"Meowstic~ Meowstic~"
Brother Meowstic, what did you give us to eat?
Skitty asked, its face full of curiosity.
"Scrafty~ Scrafty~"
Scrafty also looked at Meowstic pwith sparkling eyes.
Meowstic, hearing this, had a proud look on its face. It then opened its hand, revealing the shiny Pokéblocks in its palm.
"Meowstic~ Meowstic~ Meowstic~"
From now on, I'll be working for Mr. Anjie. This is my salary from him!
"Skitty~ Skitty?"
Really? Really? Brother Meowstic, you're amazing!
As soon as Skitty heard this, it jumped around excitedly.
The Gardevoir and Gallade family and the three Dugtrio brothers, who worked for Anjie, were always objects of envy for others.
"Skitty~ Skitty~"
So you won't be hungry anymore?
"Scrafty~ Scrafty~"
That's great! I also want to work for Mr. Anjie, but I don't know how to do anything...
Scrafty said enviously.
Meowstic patted both Pokémon.
"Meowstic~ Meowstic~ Meowstic~"
Don't worry, I won't let you go hungry.
It then took out the jar containing Pokéblocks, counted out a few cubes, and placed them in Scrafty's hand, instructing.
"Meowstic~ Meowstic~ Meowstic~ Meowstic~"
Take this back and share it with Litwick and the others.
"Meowstic~~"
Meowstic...
Scrafty looked at Meowstic with gratitude, tears welling up in its eyes.
"Skitty~ Skitty~"
Brother Meowstic, you gave us food. What about you?
Skitty asked with concern.
"Meowstic~~"
See, there's still plenty left. I can't eat all of it.
Meowstic shook the jar, which still had most of the Pokéblocks inside.
"Meowstic~ Meowstic~"
Besides, I'll keep working for Mr. Anjie tomorrow and get paid again. So, you don't need to worry about me.
"Skitty~ Skitty~"
Thank you, Brother Meowstic.
Hearing this, Skitty finally relaxed and smiled sweetly at Meowstic.
"Meowstic~ Meowstic~"
Alright, you two head home now. I'm going home too.
Before leaving, Skitty stubbornly gave its shriveled berry to Meowstic.
And so, the three Pokémon went their separate ways.
On the way home, Meowstic ran into the Diglett, or rather, it was intentional. It also gave the Diglett one of the Pokéblocks.
Afterward, it met Furret, Floette, Buneary, Drillbur, Pachirisu, Aron, and Deerling... By the time it got home, only one Pokéblocks remained in its jar.
The Pokémon that received Pokéblocks from Meowstic were all young ones living on the Nebel plateau without parents to care for them.
Meowstic's home was a small hut made of dead wood and leaves. It pushed the door open, sat on a pile of hay, and took out the last Pokéblocks.
Staring at the last one for a while, Meowstic smiled happily, then extended its tongue to lick it.
Slowly finishing the Pokéblocks, it tightly held onto the shriveled berry given by Skitty and lay down on the hay, falling into a deep sleep with a smile still on its face.
It had worked hard all day and was very tired.
...
In the afternoon, Anjie was at home with Munchlax, disinfecting and sterilizing the Gogoat's milk that had squeezed by Gallade and Gardevoir and storing it in the fridge.
At that moment, Diancie poked her head into the kitchen. "Anjie, Lapras is leaving Nebel Plateau today. Are you going to send it off?"
"Eh? Leaving today?" Anjie paused in his actions.
He had heard Lapras mention that before the winter arrived on the Nebel Plateau, it would be migrated to the north along the Nebel River and wouldn't return until late spring or early summer of the next year.
He didn't expect the migration to happen today.
"Then hurry up, what are you waiting for?!" said Anjie as he took off his apron, glancing back at Munchlax, "Munchlax, are you coming?"
"Munchlax~ Munchlax~"
Yes! Yes!
Munchlax hurriedly answered while trying to take off its apron.
Soon, the family of four rushed to the edge of Nebel Lake, where many Pokémon had already gathered. They were all there to send off the Lapras.
"Lapras~~"
Upon seeing Anjie, Lapras let out a long, elegant cry that echoed across the lake.
"Lapras~~"
"Lapras~~"
"Lapras~~"
...
One by one, more Lapras calls rang out. It turned out that Lapras had a group, and its migration journey was not a solitary one.
Anjie walked up to Lapras and, standing on tiptoe, gave it a big hug.
"Lapras, thank you for your help these past few days."
"Lapras~~"
Anjie, see you next year.
Lapras gently nuzzled Anjie's cheek.
In fact, had it not been for waiting for Anjie, it would have already departed with its group by now.
"Munchlax~ Munchlax~"
See you next year! Be sure to visit me!
Munchlax also stood on tiptoe and gently patted Lapras's neck, tears welling up in its eyes.
"Lapras~~"
Lapras nodded, then bent down to kiss Munchlax on the forehead. For the past few days, it had enjoyed the buns and steamed bun Munchlax had made, and this kiss was a thank you.
"Lapras~"
"Lapras~~"
"Lapras~~~"
...
At that moment, Lapras's companions called out from afar, urging it to depart.
The time to leave had come!
"Lapras~~"
Everyone, I'm leaving now.
A gentle breeze blew across the lake, rippling the water and stirring the emotions of Anjie and the Pokémon.
Life has reunions, but also partings, and the Anjie family was now experiencing the necessary farewell.
"Bellsprout~"
"Swablu~"
"Munchlax~~"
...
As Lapras swam toward the distance, the Pokémon on the shore all waved goodbye.
"Lapras, see you next year, no matter what!" Anjie shouted loudly while waving his hand.
"Lapras~~"
Lapras turned back frequently, letting out a soft, reluctant cry.
At that moment, one by one, more Lapras surfaced and gathered around. They sang together and swam upstream along the Nebel River.
Goldeen, Seaking, Magikarp, Poliwag, Staryu, Totodile, Feebas... one by one, Water-type Pokémon surrounded the Lapras's group, occasionally leaping out of the water, protecting the Lapras, wishing them a safe journey, and only stopping once they reached the mouth of Nebel Lake.
As they watched the Lapras group disappear into the distance, Anjie felt a pang of melancholy.
At this moment, Diancie softly said, "We'll meet again next year."
Even the normally-sleeping Komala, broke from its slumber and gently patted Anjie, although its eyes remained shut.
Anjie's mood brightened. "That's right, we'll see each other again next year!"