Boom!!

“Pikachu!”

In the middle of a fierce battle, Ash lunged to shield Pikachu and was immediately flung away by the force of a punch.

“Pika…” Pikachu rubbed its cheek against Ash’s chest, then fainted, knocked out of the fight.

“As expected, I still can’t beat Red-senpai.”
Ash got to his feet, patted the dust off his pants, and grinned wide.

Red was slightly stunned, replaying the moment in his mind, a bit surprised.

Just now, to protect Pikachu from Poliwrath’s Ice Punch, Ash had thrown himself in front of it.
Even though Red had called for Poliwrath to pull back at the last second, Ash still took part of the hit.

He turned and looked at Ash, completely unscathed—Red’s pupils shrank.

This guy… is he a monster?

Still, Red had met plenty of Trainers who were monsters in terms of raw physical endurance.
He smiled and patted Ash’s shoulder.

“Keep it up—the future’s yours.”

Ash’s eyes lit up, and he nodded enthusiastically.

“I’ll heal Pikachu,” Daisy said gently, reaching over to take Pikachu. A soft white glow of Viridian Power shimmered in her hands.

Ash stared in awe, while Red nodded with a smile.

Off to the side, Misty patted her cheeks and said with a chuckle,
“Well, guess I came just for the food!”

Everyone moved over to the food area, where the aroma was absolutely mouthwatering.
Several burners were set up with bubbling, spicy red hotpots.

A long rectangular wooden table had been arranged, large enough for everyone—including the smaller Pokémon—to sit together.

“If it were just a few times bigger, even Snorlax could join us at the table,” Red said, scratching his cheek.

“Can’t be helped,” Lorelei adjusted her glasses. “Some of them are just way too big…”

Brock looked up at the massive Steelix and teared up. “Sorry, Steelix—you’re gonna have to sit this one out.”

“Graaah!” Steelix grinned, not the least bit bothered.

With a body that size, it was sure to snag plenty of Pokéblocks anyway.

But then Steelix glanced around—Red’s Snorlax, Lance’s Dragonite, Lorelei’s Cloyster…

Steelix fell silent for a long time.

“Teacher Lu, I’ll go keep an eye on my siblings—I’ll skip the meal,” Brock said.

“Oh, no problem!”
Lu Ye was once again touched by Brock’s sense of responsibility.

“Awwooo~” Arcanine rested its big head pitifully on Lu Ye’s shoulder.

“It’s alright—you can sit behind me,” Lu Ye said as he rubbed Arcanine’s fluffy head. “Garchomp too!”

“Chaargh!” Garchomp froze for a second, then turned her head away.

D-Don’t think saying that will make me approve this marriage!

Gengar floated nearby, while Togepi nestled on Lu Ye’s shoulder, and Sylveon curled in his arms.
Squirtle and Sirfetch’d sat on small stools like two seasoned generals, chatting and laughing.

Cynthia rested her arms on the table, chin propped on her hands, a faint smile on her lips.

“You two…” Auntie Lorelei swallowed and asked what everyone had been dying to know,
“How did you meet?”

“Gaming,” both Lu Ye and Cynthia answered in unison.

Everyone: “……”

So that’s all, huh?

“…Hmph. Whatever,” Lorelei turned away with a huff and muttered under her breath,
“I’ll go register an account too…”

“When can we eat?!” Gold groaned. “I’m starving!”

“Gold, read the room!” Kristal whispered, blushing.

“What’s that? Is it tasty?”

Silver facepalmed. Blue, meanwhile, smiled faintly and sighed,
“This is exactly the life we dreamed of~”

Silver’s gaze flickered as memories flashed through his mind. He nodded softly, “Yeah.”

“Teacher Lu!”
Ash sat directly across from Lu Ye, full of energy.
“Later—let’s battle! I studied your Tailwind tactics, and I even trained up my Aerial Ace!”

Lu Ye: “No.”

“Please—just one match! I’ve got my allowance ready!”

Lu Ye’s eyes lit up. “Deal—later!”

The winter night was damp and cold, but the steam rising from the hotpots drifted gently toward the clear, moonlit sky.

Red looked around. “Where’s Professor Oak? He’s not here yet?”

“He’s out front greeting guests,” Yellow replied from beside him. “There are still a few Gym Leaders on the way.”

“Green’s with him,” Lance nodded. “Good to let grandfather and grandson catch up a bit.”

Lance glanced at the food area and brightened. “Teacher Lu, your cooking looks great!”

Lorelei took off her glasses again and silently polished the lenses.

Handsome, strong, and can cook…

Aside from being a little stingy, Teacher Lu is just like Steven—
A perfect man!

Lu Ye chuckled and leaned toward Cynthia.

“Before you start eating—dip the milk.”

“Huh? Why?”

“You’ll see.”

Cynthia nodded obediently. “Okay.”

Outside Professor Oak’s Lab.
Two Gym Leaders, Erika and Sabrina, arrived fashionably late.

“I thought you weren’t coming,” Erika said with a smile.

“But here I am,” Sabrina shrugged. “Free dinner, after all.”

“…Can’t argue with that.” Erika tilted her head, thinking of Lu Ye’s cooking.

Sabrina chuckled coldly. “Still, I suggest you give up on whatever little schemes you’re plotting.”

“What?” Erika asked with a soft smile.

Sabrina didn’t answer.
She used her psychic powers to lock onto Gengar in the backyard.

She hadn’t gotten to play with him in days… and kind of missed him.

Inside the lab.
Professor Oak looked toward Green.
“Besides Erika and Sabrina… that’s probably everyone, right?”

Green didn’t say anything.

“You little brat, still keeping secrets from me?” Professor Oak laughed.
Just then, the front door knocked again.

When the visitor stepped inside, Green frowned.

“Professor Oak.”
Wearing a wide white sun hat and winter dress, Caitlin bowed slightly.
“Caitlin, Psychic-type Elite Four from Unova, here to pay her respects.”

“And I’m Shauntal!”
The purple-haired girl behind her waved her hardcover book.
“Professor Oak, I’m a huge fan of your senryū!”

“Ah…”
Professor Oak opened his mouth, stunned.

That brat… how far does his network even reach?
He managed to invite two Elite Four members from Unova?!

“Please, come in,” Professor Oak nodded.
They had traveled far—no way he’d let them go unwelcomed.

As the two Unova Elites stepped inside, Green fell into deep thought.

Wait a minute…
Wasn’t it supposed to be Grandma Agatha coming?
How did it end up being Caitlin instead?

“What are you thinking about?” Professor Oak glanced at his grandson.

“I’ll go check the backyard,” Green said. “Just in case it’s Gengar in disguise.”

Professor Oak blinked. “What Gengar?”

Green shook his head, said nothing, and walked into the backyard.

Once again, the massive lab was left with just Professor Oak.

“……”

Wearing his white coat, silver hair at his temples, the old man fumbled around his pockets, then opened a drawer.
He pulled out a lighter and a cigarette.

His eyes lingered on an old, cherished photo for a long moment.
With slightly clumsy hands, Professor Oak lit the cigarette.

Knock knock—

At the same time, the sound of a cane tapping on the door echoed through the lab.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read