Wallace glanced at Lucas, who was lying on the lounge chair with a look of despair, and softly asked Gengar, "Is Lucas going to be okay like this?"
Gengar shifted his gaze from the TV to Lucas and shook his head.
"Gengar gargar"
That's just how he is, don't mind him.
Meanwhile, Lucas was lying in the rest area, having lost all hope in life.
Although the Evolution Stone wasn't sold, Sally bought a pokémon egg from Lucas—a Piplup from the Starter Pokemon—and she was willing to pay extra as a fee for Lucas's guidance.
Lucas shook his head and refused, because he would choose to share his knowledge with anyone who asked.
What made him feel miserable was that after Eevee evolved into Sylveon, he had lifted Sylveon high and buried his face deep into its belly.
Later, seeing Sylveon's hopeless expression, he was still secretly rejoicing, when Ninetales whispered in his ear that the Sylveon was male.
Looking at the hopeless Sylveon again, Lucas suddenly felt like a part of him had died too.
How could such a cute Sylveon be male?
Most importantly, he had actually buried his face in its belly just now.
From the moment Sally left with Sylveon, through lunch, until now, Lucas had been lying in the rest area, lost in thought.
Finally, Ninetales sighed, stood up from the ground, and gently rested her head on Lucas's lap.
"Xiu~"
Hearing Ninetales' soft and cute Growl, Lucas seemed to come back to life a little.
"Xiu~"
Next time we can just go find some female Eevee to bring back.
Hearing this, Gothitelle, who was sitting nearby doing some handicraft, couldn't help but roll her eyes.
It's because you're all like this that he's getting spoiled.
"Lilli?"
Is it really just us?
Lilligant asked with a slight smile.
Hearing Lilligant's words, Gothitelle was at a loss for words. She wanted to say something but didn't, and continued with her handicraft.
Lucas sat up straight and gently pressed his forehead against Ninetales'.
He closed his eyes and felt it for a moment.
"Thank you, Ninetales."
Actually, he only had himself to blame. The moment he saw Sylveon, he treated it like a soft, sweet little cake, momentarily forgetting that the male-to-female ratio for Sylveon is 7:1.
Female Sylveon are actually the rarest.
Strictly speaking, Sylveon follows the same 7:1 male-to-female ratio as Eevee.
The point is, Sylveon is all pink and tender; anyone would think it's a daughter at first glance, right? Who would have thought it would be—
But fortunately, his own daughter was very well-behaved and sensible, and even a few degrees cuter than Sylveon.
Lucas buried his head deep into the fluff around Ninetales' neck.
Fluffy~
Lucas even shook his head and rubbed against it.
Seeing this scene, the corners of Wallace's mouth couldn't help but curl up.
It was hard for anyone not to feel happy seeing this.
This kind of sincere emotion between humans and Pokémon was, to him, the most beautiful thing in the world.
After absorbing enough spirit from Ninetales, Lucas scratched her chin.
"Our Ninetales is still the cutest."
Before Ninetales could say anything, several other voices rang out in the next second.
"Lilli?"
"Gothitelle?"
"Gengar gargar?"
Are we not cute?
A chill ran down Lucas's spine.
"No Sylveon is as cute as the Pokémon in our Breeding House."
Only then did the prickly feeling on his back disappear.
"But Gengar, why are you mixing in with them too?"
Gengar grinned.
"Gengar gargar"
Because I'm also a cute little cake~
Lucas: ————
Lilligant: ——
Gothitelle:
Ninetales: ————
Golduck passing by: What is he saying? Has he gone crazy from hunger?
Looking at the expectant look in Gengar's eyes, Lucas tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"True, how could there be a Pokémon as cute as Gengar in this world, right?"
"Gengar gargar (*σ"∀)σ"
I lick~
Gothitelle skillfully took out a Cheri Berry and used psychic power to stuff it into Lucas's mouth. Lucas chewed it habitually and then looked at Wallace.
"Wallace, the weather looks quite nice today."
Wallace looked outside; the sun was shining brightly.
"Indeed. I heard it's been snowing in Twinleaf Town for a long time?"
"Yeah, the sun finally came out. I have to say, you chose a great time to visit."
Wallace looked puzzled.
Just as he was about to ask, he saw Lucas smiling and saying to him, "The weather is so good today, it's perfect for enjoying some winter afternoon tea."
Lucas said to himself, "To be honest, I've never really experienced outdoor afternoon tea in winter. Watching the snowy scenery, drinking hot milk tea, enjoying delicious desserts, and chatting—it must be a wonderful thing, right?"
Wallace imagined it, and a look of yearning appeared on his face.
"Indeed."
"In that case, Wallace-san, would you like to join me for this hard-earned afternoon tea time?"
Lucas clapped his hands and asked.
Wallace was stunned for a moment, then quickly reacted.
"I'd be delighted."
"Lilligant, I'll leave the Breeding House to you then."
"Lilli~"
Okay, have a pleasant afternoon tea~
Lilligant responded sweetly.
After that, Lucas led Wallace to the garden in the backyard.
When Wallace stepped into the backyard, he felt an indescribable sensation.
It felt—very warm?
Wallace followed Lucas to the garden and looked at the flowers still in full bloom in the flowerbeds.
"They can bloom even on snowy days?"
Wallace stopped and sniffed the flower closest to him.
The fragrance was refreshing.
"Fragrant, isn't it? This flowerbed was painstakingly built by a little girl at our Breeding House and her friends."
Wallace curiously asked about this little girl.
Lucas led Wallace to sit on the chairs. Smelling the fragrance from the flowerbed, he told Wallace in detail about Shauna.
Wallace listened intently.
After Lucas finished, he spoke up, "What a strong little girl. She must be very cute, right?"
Hearing Wallace's words, Lucas couldn't help but laugh.
"Definitely."
The expression and smile on his face were full of uncontrollable pride.
While Lucas was chatting with Wallace, Vespiquen came to the flowerbed with the Combee to collect nectar. Seeing Wallace, she flew over to Lucas's side.
"Bi?"
Is this a new guest?
Lucas nodded, "This is Champion Wallace. Like Cynthia and Lance, he is also a League Champion, currently the Champion of the Hoenn region."
Vespiquen tilted her head and glanced at Wallace, sensing the approachable aura coming from him.
Compared to Cynthia's dominance and Lance's arrogance, Wallace's aura was relatively gentle, so her first impression of Wallace was slightly better than those of Cynthia and Lance.
Next, Lucas introduced Vespiquen to Wallace.
"This is Vespiquen. She currently lives at the Breeding House. The sweet honey she and the Combee in the hive brew is something you can't buy outside. The taste is superb."
Wallace's interest was piqued by Lucas, and he greeted Vespiquen with a smile.
"Hello, Vespiquen."
Vespiquen nodded and then turned to leave.
Soon, Lucas noticed Vespiquen returning, carrying a small jar of sweet honey.
Gengar's eyes lit up, and he immediately went to meet her.
"Gengar gargar"
I knew you were the best Vespiquen~
"Bi."
This is a meeting gift for him.
Gengar came back.
What a pity. (p′)".）
Vespiquen wouldn't spoil Gengar; no Pokémon knew Gengar better than Vespiquen.
Since she brought the swarm to the Breeding House, not a day had passed without her matching wits with Gengar.
Vespiquen handed the sweet honey to Wallace.
Wallace was somewhat flattered.
"Is this for me?"
Vespiquen nodded.
"Thank you, Vespiquen."
Wallace glanced at the dejected Gengar, then asked Vespiquen with a smile, "Excuse me, Vespiquen, may I share this honey with others?"
Vespiquen shot Gengar a look, "Bi."
Up to you.
Wallace understood Vespiquen's meaning and then looked at the dejected Gengar, "Gengar, would you like to share this sweet honey with me?"
Gengar's eyes lit up, and he instantly appeared beside Wallace.
He patted his chest.
"Gengar gargar—"
From now on, you're my number one best friend.
Wallace couldn't help but laugh.
"So whoever gives you food is your number one best friend, right?"
Lucas exposed Gengar without mercy.
Gengar pulled two small spoons out of his Four-dimensional space, handed one to Wallace, and used the other to scoop a tiny bit for himself, putting it in his mouth.
"Gengar gargar~ ()"
After swallowing the sweet honey, Gengar came up to Lucas and gave him a lick.
"Gengar gargar—"
Lucas and I are actually number one best friends.
Lucas pushed Gengar away with a look of disgust.
"You just finished eating and you're licking me without rinsing your mouth? It's all sticky."
Gengar made a face at Lucas, then floated to Wallace's side, gesturing for him to try the sweet honey.
Wallace used the spoon to scoop a tiny bit and put it in his mouth.
It wasn't as sweet as he had imagined; it melted instantly, but the moment the sweet honey dissolved in his mouth, a variety of rich emotions instantly filled Wallace's entire palate.
All the emotions blended together to form a flavor called "happiness."
Wallace looked at the sweet honey in disbelief. No wonder Lucas said it was almost impossible to buy outside; this was a top-tier ingredient.
Gengar was very satisfied with his reaction and declined Wallace's invitation to continue eating.
Seeing this, Lucas sighed and said, "Actually, Gengar has a lot of sweet honey himself, in various versions. There's also plenty in the kitchen; if he wanted some, he could just go there and eat."
Then he looked at the smiling Gengar and said, "He just likes to steal others' food."
Wallace expressed his understanding, "After all, food that's stolen tastes the best."
Hearing Wallace's words, Gengar's eyes sparkled, as if he had met a kindred spirit.
"When I was a kid, I really did think stolen things tasted better. I thought it was just me, but I didn't expect you to be the same, Wallace."
Hearing Lucas's words, Wallace shook his head.
"I didn—"
"I understand, you're just embarrassed to say it, right? It's okay."
"Gengar gargar"
Exactly, exactly.
Seeing Gengar with an arm around his shoulder and Lucas's understanding expression, Wallace smiled helplessly.
Fine, think whatever you want.
"By the way, you can put the sweet honey away; it keeps for a long time. You can use it for cooking or mix it with water. Also, note that this sweet honey can increase a Pokémon's happiness and friendship."
Hearing Lucas's introduction, Wallace quickly put away the small jar of sweet honey.
Seeing this, Lucas thought to himself that Vespiquen really wasn't stingy.
This wasn't the ordinary version of sweet honey, but the third edition produced by the hive.
Lucas vaguely remembered that when it was first brewed, he and Gengar had plotted for a long time just to snag a little bit.
At this time, Gothitelle arrived with the afternoon tea, and Alcremie came over with the desserts.
Alcremie placed the desserts on the table in front of Lucas and the others.
"Yi-ma~"
Please enjoy~
"Thanks for your hard work, Alcremie."
Lucas expressed his gratitude.
Gothitelle set out the tecups and looked at Lucas.
Milk tea or green tea?
"Green tea, please."
Gothitelle nodded and then turned to ask Wallace.
Seeing Wallace's puzzled expression, Lucas translated for him.
Wallace chose the same as Lucas.
Gothitelle skillfully brewed the tea in front of Lucas and Wallace.
"Gengar gargar?"
Why didn't you ask me?
I want milk tea.
I don't want to drink that bitter stuff, I just want milk tea.
Gengar stood by with an expression that said he'd cause trouble if he didn't get his milk tea.
Gothitelle couldn't stand the annoyance any longer, and her psychic power couldn't help but flare up.
Gengar immediately quieted down, his mouth pouting.
He looked quite aggrieved.
But in the next second, he was smiling again.
Because he saw Gothitelle pointing at a teapot on another table.
Gengar floated over and opened the lid to find it filled with milk tea personally brewed by Gothitelle, with his favorite pearls and sweet honey added.
Gengar quickly closed the lid to prevent the heat from escaping.
Then he covered his mouth and couldn't help but laugh.
Gothitelle is the best!
Gothitelle hadn't prepared a cup for Gengar because Gengar had his own.
Gengar pulled out a large tea mug; it was an item Lucas had brought from Eastern Splendor, which Gengar had later claimed for himself.
Gengar poured himself a full cup.
He took a sip.
"Gengar gargar~"
Gothitelle's milk tea is still the best~
"What do you mean? Mine doesn't taste good?"
Lucas, still waiting for Gothitelle to brew the tea, narrowed his eyes and glared at Gengar upon hearing his words.
Gengar quickly covered his mouth.
"Gengar gargar? — (0O)"
Who? Who's pretending to be me? How dare you frame me! Come out, I'll make you pay!"
"Alright, stop acting. It's really a pity you're not an actor."
Gengar made a face at Lucas.
Lululu~
Wallace watched Lucas and Gengar's playfulness in silence.
"Gothitelle."
Please enjoy.
After brewing the tea, Gothitelle signaled that Lucas and Wallace could enjoy it.
"Why don't you try the handiwork of our Breeding House's Tea Master, Gothitelle?"
Wallace nodded with a smile, picked up the teacup, and brought it to his lips. The refreshing fragrance of the tea leaves made him feel invigorated. He blew on it and slowly finished the drink.
"Mmm—"
Wallace's eyes widened in surprise.
It's delicious!
Seeing Wallace's surprised expression, Lucas nodded in satisfaction and picked up his own cup to drink.
He drank tea with Lucas, chatting occasionally, though most of the time they were silent, enjoying the quiet moment.
Wallace looked at the Combee busily working in the flowerbed and felt his mind become exceptionally peaceful.
I really want to live here forever.
Wallace thought to himself.
Then he gazed into the distance.