Sunday.
Breeding House.
Lucas's room.
Gothitelle opened the door and saw Lucas lying like a dead pig in Ninetales's arms, clutching a Hattrem doll stolen from Shauna, sleeping soundly.
Gothitelle stood at the doorway, her eyes flickering with light.
Gengar floated in from the balcony, originally intending to greet Gothitelle, but upon seeing the light in Gothitelle's eyes, it wisely retreated into the ceiling, revealing only a pair of scarlet eyes, carefully peeking out.
Gothitelle floated into the bathroom, and not long after, floated out with a damp towel, coming to Lucas's side.
Ninetales opened its eyes, looking curiously at Gothitelle. Gothitelle smiled and gestured for it to remove its tail from Lucas. Ninetales looked at the damp towel in her hand, then closed its eyes.
All its tails moved away from Lucas.
Gothitelle then found a perfect angle, and Gengar saw the towel land squarely on Lucas's face.
Hiss—
Gengar gasped.
Gothitelle looked up at the ceiling, and Gengar retracted its neck.
An arm stretched out from the ceiling, signaling Gothitelle to ignore it and continue with her work.
Lucas was comfortably nestled in his bed, projecting the screen onto the wall, happily playing Pokémon Legends: ZA. Suddenly, he felt a chill, looked down, and found his bed was gone, and he was lying on a giant ice block.
Where's my bed?!
Lucas looked puzzled.
Then he felt snow falling in his room.
A gust of wind blew, and Lucas instantly jumped up.
"So cold!"
Lucas stood on the carpet, the towel on his face sliding down. He looked around, a bit bewildered.
Then he saw Gothitelle standing by the window, which was open.
The cold wind made Lucas shiver.
"What happened?"
Lucas asked, confused.
Seeing Lucas awake, Gothitelle closed the window.
"Gothitelle."
Look at the time now.
Lucas listened to Gothitelle and glanced at the time.
10:22.
"How is it so late?!"
Lucas was a bit surprised.
Since coming here, he had never woken up later than nine o'clock.
He noticed Gothitelle staring intently at him, scratched his head, and gave an embarrassed smile, "I'll get up now, brush my teeth, wash up, and go downstairs to eat. It'll be quick."
Gothitelle finally withdrew her gaze with satisfaction, floated past Lucas, and picked up the towel from the floor.
Lucas looked at the now somewhat stiff towel in her hand and couldn't help but gasp.
So, the ice block in his dream was this towel?
"Aren't you afraid I'll catch a cold?"
Lucas rubbed his nose and muttered.
Gothitelle stopped, turned her head, and looked at Lucas.
"Gothitelle."
Which do you want to drink, herbal tea or herbal medicine? What kind of herbal tea? What kind of herbal medicine? I'll boil it for you.
Lucas quickly refused.
"No."
After that, Gothitelle floated into the bathroom, hung up the towel, and before floating out of the room, she looked back at Lucas.
"Gothitelle."
If you're not down in ten minutes, you can go plant yourself outside.
"Yes sir!"
Lucas saluted.
Gengar, hiding in the ceiling, snickered.
Gengar felt a sudden tightening in its rear.
It secretly looked at Gothitelle.
You too.
Gen gar gar
Yessir!
Gothitelle then closed the door with satisfaction.
Lucas breathed a sigh of relief. Gengar floated down from the ceiling. Lucas walked out to the balcony, looking at the snowy scenery outside the window.
Covered in silver.
"It's a vast expanse, Gengar."
"Gen Gengar—"
The snow has stopped.
The long-awaited sun has also reappeared.
"It looks like the weather will be great today."
"Gen Gengar."
"Shall we go have a snowball fight, build a snowman or something later? If we're not busy."
Gengar nodded.
"Gen Gengar—"
"After building the snowman, we can—" "Whoosh."
Ninetales's helpless voice came from inside the room.
You have five minutes left.
Lucas and Gengar simultaneously tensed their butts.
Then they both ran into the bathroom.
Arriving at the washstand, Lucas found that toothpaste had already been squeezed onto his toothbrush, and the kettle was filled with warm water, with a little salt added.
The same went for Gengar.
Lucas felt a warmth in his heart.
He once again thought of that phrase.
Lucas cannot leave Gothitelle, just as the West cannot lose Jerusalem.
After brushing his teeth and washing his face, Lucas pulled Gengar over and covered Gengar's big face with a towel.
Then he reached out and forcibly pulled in Ninetales, who was trying to sneak out of the room. Despite its protests, he washed its face before taking it and Gengar downstairs.
Despite its protests, he washed its face before taking it and Gengar downstairs.
"Lilli~"
You're awake.
Lilligant sat on the counter, sweetly greeting Lucas.
Lucas hummed in acknowledgment.
"Good morning, Lilligant."
"Lilli~"
You overslept, you know. Oversleeping is for children~
Lucas's old face flushed.
Gothitelle brought out breakfast for Lucas, Gengar, and Ninetales.
"Gothitelle."
Eat a little something to tide you over; lunch will be ready soon.
Lucas hummed, then sat down with Gengar.
Under Lilligant's innocent gaze, he retrieved the egg yolk he had secretly given to Ninetales and ate it in one bite.
Lilligant then withdrew her gaze.
"Lilli."
Being a picky eater is also not good.
Gengar chewed on the super-sized breakfast Gothitelle made for it.
Nodding in agreement.
"Gen Gengar."
See, I'm not a picky eater.
"Lilli~"
Gengar is so good.
Gengar's mouth was almost curving up to the sky.
Lucas glared fiercely at Gengar.
"What are you showing off for?"
Gengar glanced at him.
Hmph.
Seeing Gothitelle starting to sweep the Breeding House with a broom, Lucas was a little puzzled.
"Doesn't Gothitelle need to go to the Cottage today? I saw Roserade has already gone over."
Lucas finished his soy milk, then took the tissue Lilligant handed him to wipe his mouth, and asked.
Gothitelle shook her head.
"Lilli."
She saw you overslept and was afraid the Breeding House would be too busy, so she stayed. the Cottage is left to Roserade and the others.
Lucas said, "Oh."
Since Gothitelle was at the Breeding House, he could slack off again.
So Lucas, with a clear conscience, went to the lounge area and lay down.
"Gothitelle."
The next second, a book floated out from the bookshelf and flew into Lucas's arms.
Lucas looked content.
Indeed.
She truly is the Pokémon called 'Mom' by everyone on the ship.
Lucas opened the book and began to read leisurely.
Ninetales lay at his feet, eyes closed, sleeping.
Gengar turned down the TV volume and watched cartoons.
Lilligant sat at the counter, her eyes on the Breeding House door, her small feet swinging constantly on the high stool, softly humming the song Lucas taught her.
Gothitelle swept the Breeding House with a broom.
Mime Jr. guarded the Canteen.
Alcremie made her favorite desserts in the kitchen.
Machamp and the others went out for deliveries in Twinleaf Town.
Roserade took Snorunt and the others to guard the Cottage.
Mr. and Mrs. Fujino—huh? Where are Mr. and Mrs. Fujino?
"Where are Mr. Fujino and Mrs. Fujino? Why haven't I seen them today?"
"Lilli~"
They went with Shauna to her school for a parent-child event.
Lucas then remembered that Shauna had mentioned yesterday that today was a parent-child event.
Thankfully, Gothitelle was here; otherwise, if Mr. and Mrs. Fujino weren't around, he didn't know how busy he would be.
Lucas couldn't help but exclaim.
All I can say is, Gothitelle is the best!
After thinking that to himself, Lucas began to focus on the book in his hand.
This was a book about how to showcase the beauty of Pokémon.
Lucas read it with great interest.
He actually didn't quite agree with some of the views inside, but many things were expressed very well.
For Lucas, the book's advantages far outweighed its disadvantages.
While Lucas was reading, a new guest arrived at Breeding Road.
Wearing a stylish white hat, green hair peeked out from under it, fluttering in the wind, and a small white cape behind him also danced with the breeze.
With the sun high in the sky, he shielded his eyes with his hand and looked ahead.
The outline of a house was faintly visible in the distance.
He then quickened his pace.
After Gengar finished an episode of cartoons, it looked over at Lucas and saw that he had already covered his face with the book.
"Gen Gengar—"
I knew it.
Gengar sighed, then turned down the TV volume a little more.
Ninetales's tail gently covered him.
The tip of its tail was still gently swaying, seemingly chasing away non-existent mosquitoes for Lucas.
Wallace arrived at the Breeding House entrance and looked at the Golduck walking out of the Breeding House. Its blue body, yellow hat, and red bag on its back—this combination of different colors had a strange harmony.
Red, blue, and yellow—this was Lucas's re-design due to his quirky taste.
Wallace greeted Golduck, then walked into the Breeding House.
Just as he stepped into the Breeding House, he saw a Gothitelle gently covering a man sleeping in a chair with a blanket.
Before the blanket was laid down, the tail covering the man stood up; only after the blanket was on did the tail rest over it again.
Lilligant was the first to notice Wallace at the door. It jumped down from a high stool and approached him. Sensing the elegant aura radiating from him, it also gave an elegant bow.
"Lilli～"
Hello～
Wallace looked at the Lilligant curtsying to him as if lifting its skirt, his eyes sparkling with light.
What a beautiful and elegant Lilligant!
Even the world's top gardeners would find it difficult to raise such a Lilligant, wouldn't they?
"Hello."
Wallace gently placed his right hand over his chest and returned the bow to Lilligant.
Lilligant invited Wallace into the Breeding House. He followed it to the lounge area and sat down. The Gothitelle that had been covering the man with a blanket earlier came over carrying a teapot and poured him a cup of fragrant hot tea.
"Gothitelle."
Gothitelle gestured with its hands, signaling Wallace to drink a cup of hot tea to warm his body first.
Wallace picked up the teacup and drank it all in one gulp.
The tea's aroma overflowed, instantly filling his mouth.
This tea is delicious.
"Gengar gargar—"
Wallace followed the Lilli and saw a Gengar with eyes full of light looking at him.
This Gengar is full of intelligence and handsomeness!
And the Gothitelle that just poured him tea is full of intelligence, elegance, and beauty.
It seems Lance was right; the owner here has raised these Pokémon exceptionally well.
"Gengar gargar?"
Hearing Gengar ask if he needed anything at the Breeding House, Wallace put down his teacup, smiled gently, and said, "Actually, I'm here to see Lucas."
"Mr. Lance told me about Lucas. I happened to have some free time these past few days, so I came to pay a visit."
Hearing Wallace's words, Gengar suddenly understood, and then it revealed a toothy grin.
"Gengar gargar~"
Wait a moment, I'll go wake him up.
With that, Gengar floated over to Lucas, preparing to wake him.
"Wait a moment."
Wallace stopped Gengar. Gengar turned back to look at him in confusion.
"Visiting without prior notice is already quite rude of me. It would be even ruder to wake him from his sleep."
Hearing Wallace's words, Gengar thought for a moment, feeling even more confused.
"Gengar gargar?"
But you are a guest since you've come to the door. How can we let a guest wait for so long?
Wallace thought for a while, seemingly understanding Gengar's meaning, and laughed.
What a truly clever Gengar.
"It's fine. I'll just wait here for Lucas to wake up."
Hearing Wallace say this, Gengar didn't insist, allowing Lucas to sleep a bit longer.
Afterward, it sat back in its seat and continued watching cartoons.
It even shared some of its snacks with Wallace.
Under Gengar's expectant gaze, Wallace curiously picked up a piece of cat ear snack and put it in his mouth.
He chewed.
"Mmm—"
Wallace's eyes lit up.
Seeing this, Gengar withdrew its gaze with satisfaction.
Then it placed a large pile of snacks between itself and Wallace and focused on watching the cartoon.
Lilligant also sat back on the high stool.
Gothitelle continued with its chores.
Wallace sat quietly in the lounge area, watching the occasional Golduck, Azumarill, and Machamp run in. They took lunch boxes handed over by Gothitelle from the back kitchen, put them in their bags, gave a shout, and headed out again.
Everything seemed so orderly.
He could feel a sense of happiness and contentment from every single Pokémon.
Several Pokémon even walked straight to the counter after entering, pulled out change from their bags, and handed it to Lilligant. After receiving it, Lilligant would place it in a drawer and smile sweetly as it thanked the Pokémon who paid.
Wallace unknowingly fell in love with this atmosphere. He began watching cartoons with Gengar, occasionally asking about certain plots. While eating the snacks Gengar shared with him, he would laugh out loud when they discussed funny scenes.
When Gengar made a shushing motion, he lowered his voice again.
He even took the initiative to stand up and help Gothitelle pack lunch boxes when the Breeding House needed help, then handed them to the Pokémon waiting for delivery.
Wallace smiled as he watched a Rhyperior, which had called out to him and Lilligant before heading out, then sat back in the lounge area.
Gothitelle poured him a cup of hot milk tea to thank him for his help.
Wallace watched Gothitelle personally pour him the milk tea. Gengar, standing nearby, indicated it wanted some too. After Gothitelle finished pouring for him, it used its psychic power to deliver the rest of the milk tea into Gengar's hands.
"Gengar gargar"
Hee-hee.
Seeing Gengar show a happy smile.
Wallace picked up the milk tea and took a sip. Unlike the clear tea Gothitelle had poured for him earlier, as soon as the milk tea entered his mouth, Wallace felt a wave of happiness surround him.
He glanced at the still-sleeping Lucas and the Ninetales lying at his feet, constantly using its tail to shoo away insects for him.
He suddenly understood why Lance and Cynthia spoke only words of praise when they mentioned the Breeding House after meeting him.
This place really allows one to relax.
Wallace thought to himself.
His eyes also began to gently close.
"Manager!"
A voice startled Wallace, making him open his eyes. He happened to make eye contact with Gothitelle, who was about to cover him with a blanket.
However, it wasn't covering him by hand, but with psychic power.
Wallace sat up straight and smiled at Gothitelle to express his gratitude.
Gothitelle put away the blanket, and after setting it aside, it followed Lilligant to the door.
Wallace looked over and saw a young girl with an Eevee.
The girl seemed to see him and pointed at him, speechless with surprise.
"Wa—Wallace!"
The girl shouted in surprise.
Wallace smiled and stood up, walking to the door. Gengar and the others looked at Wallace in confusion and then made way.
"Hello."
Wallace gave a greeting.
Just as the girl was about to say something, another voice came over.
Carrying the confusion of someone who had just woken up.
"What's wrong? Is there a guest?"
Lucas rubbed his eyes and stood up. The blanket and book both fell to the floor because he stood up.
"Gothitelle."
Yeah.
Lucas patted his face, forcing himself to wake up.
Then he walked to the door.
"Hello, welcome to Gengar's Paradise. I am the owner here. May I ask what you need—Wallace?!"
Lucas thought he hadn't woken up yet and reached out to pinch his cheek.
It didn't hurt. Am I really dreaming?
"gen—Gengar gargar"
The one you're pinching is me!
Lucas came to his senses and looked at the Gengar beside him, finding that its mouth was being pulled outward by him.
Lucas quickly let go. "Sorry about that, force of habit, force of habit."
Lucas apologized quickly.
Gengar rubbed its cheek and made a face at Lucas.
"Hello, Lucas."
Wallace smiled and greeted Lucas.
"It really is you?"
Lucas recovered and said, "Lance only mentioned you to me yesterday. I didn't expect you to come over today."
"Mr. Lance mentioned me to you?"
Wallace asked with a smile.
Lucas nodded. "Yes, he told me yesterday. He said you learned about me from Anzie."
Hearing Lucas's words, Wallace thought of that charming contestant.
He smiled.
"Anzie is a very excellent Coordinator."
Lucas was about to speak again when he noticed Gothitelle staring intently at him.
Lilligant stood beside Lucas and reached out to tug at his sleeve where passersby couldn't see.
"Lilli~"
Lilligant gave a sweet greeting to the girl holding the Eevee.
"Wow, what a beautiful Lilligant!"
The girl said in surprise, covering her mouth.
Lucas then remembered there was another guest, and he looked at Wallace apologetically.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Wallace. I'll settle the guest's matters first and then have tea and chat with you."
Wallace nodded.
Then he stood to the side.
Lucas invited the girl to the lounge area, and Gengar poured her a cup of milk tea.
"So, would you like to buy something? Or do you need to board a Pokémon?"
Lucas asked.
The girl looked at the Eevee on her shoulder and said, "I want to buy an Evolution Stone . I wonder if the manager has any here?"
"An Evolution Stone?"
"Is it for Eevee's evolution?"
Lucas looked at the Eevee on her shoulder.
He nodded.
"We have them. I wonder what kind of Evolution Stone you need? A Fire Stone? A Water Stone? Or something else?"
"Actually, I don't know either."
The girl scratched her head.
"?!"