Entering Lorelei's villa, the first feeling is ~ a girl's heart.
Unlike the grand pure white marble structure outside, the main color tone of the room is pink.
In the living room, various plush dolls are placed on the sofa and carpet.
Through the glass door to the backyard, Cloyster and Dewgong stare unfriendly at the male creature in the house.
"Uh~ Squirtle, take this energy cube and go make friends with those two big shots." Gary patted his little bald head, sending him to make a connection.
Squirtle ⊙﹏⊙∥… Squirtle…
"Don't worry; they won't hit you." Gary put his hands on his hips. "Trust my sugar-coated artillery."
"Squirtle…" resignedly nodded, Squirtle hugged the energy cube jar and walked towards the pool, looking back three times.
Cloyster and Dewgong coldly watched Gary's little bald head approach with both hands holding the energy cube jar, then opened it...
Gulp~ A refreshing aroma wafted from the jar. The two Pokémon couldn't help but swallow.
Then...
Squirtle was pleasantly surprised to find that those two big shots weren't so hard to get along with after all~
Dewgong and Cloyster were very satisfied with Squirtle's energy cube and expressed that in this sea area, if there's anything, just say it; we're all friends~!
"It seems your energy cube skills have improved again." Lorelei said while sitting in the living room, hugging a Jigglypuff doll and smiling.
"Well~ after all, I'm the best at raising Pokémon among trainers." Gary nodded. "Whether it's people or Pokémon, I can win their stomachs!"
"Impressive~" Lorelei nodded affirmatively.
"By the way—what's that Drake doing?" Gary asked curiously.
"Don't mind him~" Lorelei rolled her eyes. "There's a water friend competition in the Orange Islands, considered a grassroots event. Locals call it the Orange League, and that Drake is the champion of the last Orange League.
Since Seven Islands is geographically close to Orange Islands, there were a few business collaborations when promoting tourism for Seven Islands before.
Who knew he would be like a sticky candy, always saying he's a champion, I'm a king, matching social status and all that—so annoying…"
"Pfft… Alright." Gary shook his head helplessly; this Drake brother seems a bit full of himself.
What level is the Orange League? To explain it this way: being the champion of the Orange League is equivalent to being the champion of Baby Cup.
And matching social status… Lorelei's Cloyster didn't crush Drake's Dragonite; that counts as Drake running fast...
"So... how about we have noodles for lunch?" Gary tilted his head to ask.
"Sounds good~ You make it." Lorelei nodded eagerly.
Gary opened the fridge, revealing three plump Kingler.
As expected from an island by the sea, various types of fish are abundant.
"Hmm, it should be fine." Nodding, Gary decided to showcase his skills. Making French seafood noodle soup!
Flounder, male sea dog, eel liver, and shrimp brains are added to the soup pot for broth, seasoned with sake and thin seaweed salt.
Crushed lobster shells mixed with flour are made into bread slices, fried in butter until golden brown as part of the side dish.
The remaining side dishes are shredded mozzarella cheese and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
In the lobster meat and finished red broth, add chewy hand-pulled noodles, finishing with garlic mayonnaise as a final touch and soul green onions~
Bang!! The dazed Slowbro in the living room jolted awake; in the kitchen... it was glowing~
While waiting for dinner, Eevee was already playing with Glaceon.
Electivire curiously tested Slowbro's reaction ability with weak voltage...
Arcanine lay on the edge of the sofa, panting with its tongue out while watching TV with Lorelei.
After glancing at the fruits in the fridge, let's make some pineapple juice.
Placing noodles and sunny pineapple juice on the kitchen bar, Gary wiped his hands. "Alright, let's eat."
On the carpet in the living room, a picnic blanket was spread out; Gary prepared a mountain-high stack of energy cubes. Except for a few Pokémon in the water, everyone gathered in the living room for dinner.
Fortunately, Lorelei's living room is spacious enough for large Pokémon like Venusaur and Rhydon to fit comfortably.
The red broth seafood noodles emitted an enticing fragrance. Lorelei gently sipped some broth and immediately hugged herself in delight!
This rich flavor mixed with lobster brains and fish liver was simply overwhelming~
Seeing Lorelei's reaction made Gary unable to help but twitch his mouth; did he put too much medicine?
"Ahem~ So how does it taste?" Gary asked awkwardly.
After slurping some noodles, Lorelei nodded appreciatively. "Gary's cooking is top-notch~!"
Bang! A sound echoed from someone hitting against a wall at the front door.
"That guy hasn't left yet…" Gary said speechlessly. "How about we give him a bowl?"
Lorelei pursed her lips. "Alright, let him go back quickly after we finish eating. After all, cooperation between Seven Islands and Orange Islands still needs development."
Gary nodded and carried a bowl of noodles outside.
Drake was squatting in a corner plucking flower petals: "She likes me… she doesn't like me…"
"Hey~ buddy, want some noodles?" Gary squatted down. "A simp has no good end."
"Hmph!" Drake turned his head. "Don't think you can bribe me; our duel is non-negotiable! I am Drake! The chief trainer of Orange League; even if I starve today and jump into the sea—I won't eat your noodles!"
Gary picked up some noodles and blew on them~╭╯e╰╮whoosh~
... One minute later.
Slurp~ Slurp!
"Oh my gosh, this is delicious~" Drake said with his mouth full of noodles, speaking incoherently.
"Alright then; eat your bowl of noodles and head back quickly. I'll come to challenge you at Orange League later—don't worry." Patting Drake on the shoulder, Gary said earnestly.
"Chasing girls isn't done like this; if you don't bother Sister Lorelei anymore later on, I can teach you some tricks."
"Just you?" Drake looked up after finishing his broth and wiped his mouth.
"What? Isn't our gap obvious?" Gary pouted.
"Uh… let's talk after our duel; remember I'll be waiting for you at Orange League!" After putting down his bowl of rice, Drake turned around and left.
Gary shook his head while holding his bowl; he was quite stubborn overall...
...
After lunch, Lorelei changed into a clean white down jacket and prepared one for Gary as well.
"The temperature in Icefall Cave is very low; better safe than sorry." While helping Gary put on his down jacket, Lorelei explained.
"Okay then; thank you very much Sister Lorelei." Gary nodded while recalling his Pokémon into their balls properly.
"In the depths of the cave lies a huge ice crystal; I believe what you need will be inside." Lorelei nodded with satisfaction as she explained.
"Then let's set off." Gary tightened his backpack.
The two boarded a Lapras and circled around to an ice-covered cave entrance appearing before Gary.
Cautiously stepping onto the island's surface, they entered into the frozen cave together.
In the depths of the cave, an ice-blue divine bird slowly opened its eyes...