Kitchen.
When Austin cooked, he treated chili like it cost nothing.
The system's evaluation was simple:
A portion of Mapo Tofu loaded with Sinnoh peppercorns, possessing outstanding flavor.
A dish that spice lovers would obsess over, and those who couldn't handle heat would still force themselves to finish.
The bright red Mapo Tofu (B-rank) sat in front of Austin.
He picked up a piece and took a bite.
The tofu, blanched in boiling water, held its shape perfectly. The light salt bath had removed any trace of beany taste. The minced beef, stir-fried with bean paste and cooking wine, carried a deep, savory richness.
The first sensation hit instantly.
Hot.
Then spicy.
Then addictive.
"Not bad," Austin muttered.
First consumption of Mapo Tofu (B-rank): Permanently increases a Pokémon's Sp. Atk slightly.
Austin paused.
Right. He wasn't a Pokémon.
Repeated consumption would only grant a temporary boost.
His daily quota updated:
Mapo Tofu (1/6).
He looked down at the dish again, and a strange thought surfaced.
In competitions, people used X Sp. Atk items.
He… served Mapo Tofu?
Imagine this.
Mid-battle.
"Wait a second!"
Then the Pokémon trainer casually pulled out a plate of Mapo Tofu.
Eat first, fight later.
…Ridiculous. Austin shook his head.
Still, the system's Special Cuisine Pokédex was absurdly powerful.
It allowed him to create dishes that enhanced Pokémon abilities using completely ordinary ingredients.
That kind of effect usually required Master-level chefs, rare materials, and precise techniques.
Austin had none of that.
Smoked Oran Berry Juice made sense. Oran Berries naturally restore stamina.
But Mapo Tofu?
There was nothing in those ingredients that should boost special attack.
And yet it did.
Who would believe it? Austin leaned back slightly, thoughts shifting. A Pokémon restaurant…
A plate of Mapo Tofu.
A cup of Smoked Oran Berry Juice.
A serving of Crab Roe Lion's Head.
Finished with Pecha Crisp for dessert.
By the end of the meal, a Pokémon's stats would be noticeably improved.
The idea had potential.
Real potential.
But not yet.
His priority was still the Breeding House.
The Special Cuisine Pokédex was also too limited. A handful of dishes wasn't enough.
He needed at least a few dozen.
. . .
Evening.
Austin cooked a bunch of dishes.
The Mapo Tofu made a strong impression.
Everyone loved it.
Everyone suffered from it.
Five full portions disappeared quickly, each Pokémon getting a share.
To go along with it, Austin prepared an egg custard(Chawanmushi) to help with the heat.
But it looked like it failed.
The spice wasn't just strong.
It was overwhelming.
"I think my head's buzzing…"
"Dai Yui Ge, your lips look like sausages!"
"Wait, did Pichu just use Flamethrower?!"
Jigglypuff only caught a whiff of the scent and immediately froze.
Its legs trembled.
Mizuki swallowed hard but held her ground.
"Come, Daniella, try the egg custard. It's really good."
"Thank you, Mizuki."
"Shion, you're still growing. Eat more."
"I am! I am!" Shion shouted, tearing up while forcing down a meatball from the pot.
Austin had Zenith help prepare the ingredients earlier, shaping beef balls, fish balls, and more.
Although…
Zenith nearly destroyed the kitchen in the process.
Have you ever seen a steel-type precision Pokémon smash meatballs like a hammer?
Austin had.
He had stood there in silence for a full ten seconds.
"…If it's too spicy, I can prepare something for you," he finally said.
Shion clenched her fists, refusing.
"No. I'm eating the tofu."
Dai Yui was even worse.
Eight cartons of Moomoo Milk were stacked beside him.
He opened two and shoved them toward Shion.
"Get drunk. We're finishing these standing on the boxes!"
…Getting drunk on milk?
At least his swollen lips explained everything.
Austin was soon dragged into the chaos as well.
"Try this!"
"Austin, come on, eat more!"
"Son, this quail egg is good!"
For a moment, the noise, the heat, and the laughter blended.
Leon's display of fatherly care almost moved Austin.
Almost.
Until he bit into the quail egg.
No seasoning.
None.
Austin froze for a second.
Then his expression collapsed.
So Leon realized it wasn't seasoned, couldn't waste it, and casually passed the problem to his son.
…Typical.
Austin said nothing.
Austin could handle spicy food just fine.
More chili peppers.
A whole batch planted in the backyard.
If needed, he would even set up a greenhouse.
Across the table, Dai Yui leaned forward, eyes locked onto the snowflake beef sitting in Ao's bowl, brisket drenched in chili oil and Sinnohan peppercorns.
"Ao, you can't handle spicy food, right? Want me to help you out…"
His tone was polite.
His eyes were not.
"Thank you, but your help is not needed."
Dai Yui could only swallow his disappointment.
" You can have some of mine." Mizuki offered.
"Delicious!" Dai shouted, taking a bite of his new brisket.
"Incinerooaar." His Pokémon wasn't to be left out.
Both Dai Yui and Incineroar looked like they were on fire, completely immersed in the heat and flavor.
"Dai Yui is fired up again!"
Ryu and Agni had no such struggles. Both handled the spice easily, eating with clear enjoyment.
Zenith, on the other hand, could tolerate some heat, but not much.
As for Drakloak…
It stared blankly at the spicy foods.
Completely stunned.
In the end, it quietly moved toward the fried chicken Austin had prepared just for him.
That was more its style.
Dragapult watched the scene in silence.
For a moment, it seemed lost in thought.
This reminded it of Maria's first time trying spicy food.
That had been a memorable day. Dragapult thought.
Spicy food always felt great going down.
The next day told a different story.
. . .
Morning.
Except for Austin and Amanda, who maintained perfect control, everyone else was effectively tied to their bathrooms.
Fortunately, each dorm had its own toilet, and there was no pressing work scheduled.
It became an unintended day of recovery.
"Drink some hot Moomoo Milk. If it gets worse, we'll head to the hospital."
Austin, along with Ryu and the others, went room to room, handing out warm milk.
When they reached Dai Yui, his face was pale.
"Thank you… seriously…"
After finishing the milk, he looked slightly more alive.
Austin crossed his arms, watching him.
"Still eating spicy food after this?"
"Eating."
"…Alright."
No hesitation.
Austin gave up arguing.
"If it gets worse, call me. I'll take you to the hospital."
Dai Yui raised a shaky hand and made an OK sign.
"Don't worry."
. . .
Elsewhere.
A tall, slender blonde woman braced against the wind, her black trench coat fluttering behind her.
Her posture was steady, almost unshaken by the force of the air currents.
"I'm almost there."
Her voice was calm as it came through the call.
On the other end, a softer voice responded with a hint of apology.
"Sister, I'm sorry. I can't leave right now, so I'm counting on you."
The blonde woman smiled faintly.
"It's fine. This is for you."
Above the clouds, her Garchomp cut through the sky like a supersonic jet.
The clouds split apart in its wake as it surged forward.
Its destination was clear.
The eastern suburbs of Jubilife City.
And it was getting close.
. . .
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