September 9th, Thursday.
After wrapping up his three-day visit, Natsume boarded a flight back to Touran.
Aside from the Blue Flute hanging around Haunter's neck and the 200,000 Pokémon Coins check in his pocket, there was also this little Growlithe, its face pressed against the cabin window, standing on its hind legs, wagging its tail.
As for why he was flying first class, where Pokémon could be let out...
Don't ask. Just know that the flight ticket was reimbursable!
Glancing at the daydreaming Growlithe, Natsume opened the chat group and tagged the big shots.
Natsume-sensei: Does anyone have a breeding guide for Growlithe? Please, I need it!
Blue Oak was momentarily stunned. "Are you starting to practice the Beat Up Strategy?"
Like the previous Perish Song team, Natsume-sensei had re-bred a Gengar.
This time, the self-created Beat Up Strategy must be for Arcanine!
"No... it's an Intimidate Ability Growlithe with Morning Sun inherited."
Natsume glanced at the round, chubby Growlithe, unable to see any connection between it and "Intimidate."
"Hmm... a tanky Arcanine, huh..."
Blue Oak stroked his chin, deep in thought.
"I got it... I'll draft a plan, and you can adjust it as needed, Natsume-sensei."
Natsume chuckled. "No problem, I trust your skills!"
As Professor Samuel Oak's grandson and a 'Breeding Prodigy,' Blue Oak was indeed a reliable senior (and a handy tool).
Gold: "Crystal also has an Arcanine. I'll ask her for advice."
Green: "@Natsume-sensei, hurry up! Come buy a Fire Stone from me now and get 20% off!"
Natsume twitched.
With Steven, the rock collector, around, why would I buy from a shady merchant?
Speaking of which... even though he had paid off his debt to Steven, the arrival of Growlithe still made Natsume-sensei a bit nervous.
"Worst case... I'll just borrow the Everstone from Red," Natsume muttered.
Brock squinted. "Pokémon that evolve using Evolutionary Stones can learn most of their moves before evolving..."
"That way, the breeding costs are significantly reduced."
Natsume-sensei: "Exactly, that's what I was thinking."
The usually stoic Brock cracked a rare smile.
Truth be told, Brock had come up with this theory due to his own financial struggles.
And Natsume-sensei's thoughts aligned perfectly with his.
Brock crossed his arms and nodded slowly.
This was perhaps the mutual understanding between men.
...
Natsume received Crystal's Arcanine breeding guide from Gold.
[File 'Arcanine Raising Manual' received]
As Professor Samuel Oak's assistant, Crystal rarely came online. Gold had to make several calls to get the materials.
Natsume-sensei was touched. "Thank you, Gold!"
"Heh, no big deal," Gold said, wiping his nose.
"If it evolves into Arcanine, it can have a match with my Explosion Taro."
Natsume looked up at the sky.
Based on the current timeline, converted into game data... Red's Snorlax was probably around level 90.
Gold's Explosion Taro was likely at Elite Four level...
Suddenly gaining a rival, Natsume couldn't help but feel sorry for Growlithe.
Natsume-sensei coughed lightly. "Next time, for sure!"
...
Back home, Haunter put on an apron and started cleaning the room.
Natsume placed the curious Growlithe on the floor, hands on his hips.
"Hmm... I guess I need to build a doghouse soon."
Growlithe took solid steps, sniffing the ground, its grin widening.
"Growlithe (＾ω＾)!"
The smell of home.
Sylveon gracefully walked over to the hamster wheel, fire burning in its eyes.
"Sylveon!" (Time to lose weight!)
"Oh... there's still midnight snack later. You can play for now," Natsume said casually.
"Sylveon..."
Sylveon immediately flopped down, melting into the carpet like liquid, lazily yawning.
Tomorrow... tomorrow is fine too!
...
Natsume walked into the kitchen to prepare tonight's midnight snack.
"With a new member at home... it's a good time to update the video," Natsume muttered.
Turning on the camera, Natsume-sensei got into the zone.
Washing his hands meticulously, preparing the utensils, Natsume-sensei transformed into a master chef, with what seemed like a green dragon swirling behind him.
"Today's recipe is... Beef Bourguignon!"
A classic Kalos dish, rumored to be Water-type Elite Four Siebold's signature dish.
The ingredients required specific cuts of Tauros meat and high-quality red wine.
But poor Natsume-sensei used ordinary ingredients, relying on technique and seasoning to make up for it.
Taking out a beautifully marbled beef hind leg, he patted it dry and brushed honey evenly over the surface.
Melted butter sizzled in the pan as the steak seared, the aroma filling the air, the surface turning golden brown.
Sautéed carrots and onions were added as garnishes, then the steak, thyme, bay leaves, and red wine were added to the pot, which was placed in the preheated oven.
The stew needed at least three hours.
After editing, it would be ready to upload by tomorrow night.
Smelling the rich aroma of the broth, Natsume nodded in satisfaction.
Suddenly, Natsume was startled.
Clang!
The sound of a ceramic cup falling!
Natsume nervously walked out of the bedroom, his breath catching.
...
Ten minutes earlier.
Growlithe sat obediently on the sofa, looking around.
Seeing everyone busy while it was just sitting there made it feel uneasy.
"Haunter!"
Haunter floated over, patting Growlithe's head with a grin.
Helping the new member fit in is my job too!
"Growlithe?" Growlithe tilted its head in confusion.
Haunter grinned, splitting off a Substitute that flew around the room.
Growlithe's jaw dropped as a figure flashed by.
Sylveon landed gracefully, flicking its ribbon, instantly popping the Substitute.
"Haunter! (*⊙~⊙)"
Haunter, munching on a Pokéblock to recover HP, invited Growlithe.
Wanna join in?
"Growlithe!"
Growlithe grinned and nodded vigorously.
...
Growlithe excitedly jumped around, playing with the three little ones.
Thrash!
Natsume looked at the footprints on the wall, the torn sofa, the ruined floor...
His hands and feet turned cold.
What happened to the gentle Growlithe?
How did it get corrupted on its very first day at home?!
Seeing Growlithe's excited expression, Natsume's mood was complicated.
This thing...
Is definitely a little troublemaker!
Seeing Natsume, the little ones stopped in unison, sheepishly looking at him.
Natsume sternly scanned the four Pokémon.
The atmosphere was tense.
But for some reason, Natsume couldn't help but laugh.
"I can't believe you guys."
Natsume sighed. "Haunter, the renovation costs are coming out of your paycheck!"
"Haunter!" Haunter grinned and nodded proudly.
The previously timid Growlithe now wagged its tail happily.
Natsume sighed. "Alright, clean up, it's time to eat!"
"Sylveon!"
Sylveon leaped into Natsume's arms, blinking its azure eyes.
"What are you doing?"
Natsume was momentarily confused, then realized and carried Sylveon to the dining table.
...
The enticing steak, soaked in a dark red sauce, exuded a rich aroma.
"Don't start eating yet, I need to record the card."
Natsume set up the camera.
"Growlithe..." Growlithe paused, shyly shaking its ears.
Haunter, a seasoned actor, placed a napkin on its lap, meticulously cutting the steak with a knife and fork.
"Squirtle!" Squirtle watched Natsume, nodding cautiously after confirming he was fine.
Natsume was lost in the thick, savory texture of the beef.
The galloping Tauros herd, Lance crossing the red wine river, splashing dark red broth.
If sushi cooking was a graceful girl, then beef cooking was undoubtedly a voluptuous mature woman...
"Next time, I'll try a double serving," Natsume muttered.
Crack!
Natsume paused, looking at Growlithe beside him.
Growlithe's teeth gleamed with a sharp white light, cracking the plate in half!
"Growlithe?"
Growlithe, its face still smeared with sauce, looked up with a wise expression.
Natsume's expression was complicated.
Just eating a midnight snack... and you learned Bite?!
Glancing at the camera, Natsume muttered, "I feel like... there's a new card coming!"
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