Unova region, Flycloud City, International Police Headquarters.

The silent corridor echoed with the sound of footsteps. A middle-aged man in a brown trench coat walked slowly, his face stern.

“Inspector Chief, codename ‘Handsome Guy,’ ordered to investigate the volcanic eruption incident in the Sinnoh region.”

He pressed the glowing blue walkie-talkie and said, “Report complete. Please transfer to the Sinnoh Alliance, Lilycove Island headquarters.”

A sweet female voice responded from the other side, “Transferring for you now... You will be connected with Lucian, the Psychic-type Elite Four member.”

“Beep, beep, beep—”

The man in a burgundy suit crossed his legs and reluctantly put the hardcover book he had just opened back in place.

“This is the Sinnoh Alliance, Lucian speaking.” Lucian pushed up his glasses and said, “Go ahead.”

“The International Police need permission to enter the Sinnoh region for investigation.”

Handsome Guy briefly summarized the situation, “We suspect the volcanic eruption is related to a fugitive on the run, so I am coming alone for the investigation.”

“Operating solo?” Lucian was surprised, “Are you requesting reinforcements from us?”

“No need.” Handsome Guy was silent for a moment. He had a direct superior in the Sinnoh region, “It involves confidential matters, so I can’t disclose details.”

“Better not to send extra help then.”

Lucian rubbed his brows and sighed deeply, thinking: Otherwise, I’d be stuck working overtime again. But since this is a dispatch from the International Police Headquarters, the Sinnoh Alliance should show some cooperation.

“This matter will be handled by Flint, the Fire-type Elite Four member. You can coordinate with him later.”

Flint was either glued to video games at home or off challenging Volkner in Sunyshore City. This was a good chance to make him fulfill his responsibilities as the Sinnoh Elite Four!

Lucian felt a bitter frustration and rubbed his hairline, sighing.

“No problem.” Handsome Guy nodded thoughtfully, “Just... may I ask something rather boldly?”

“Please go ahead.”

“Usually, wouldn’t Champion Cynthia be the one to liaise with your headquarters?”

“...” Lucian was silent.

“Hello? Can you hear me?” Handsome Guy asked.

“Ahem.” Lucian’s inner bitterness grew stronger, thinking, “She’s taking the day off today.”

The reason was supposedly to have a good rest to ensure smooth investigation work—who would believe that!

Could she be off meeting Gardenia, or Willow, or maybe on a date with Teacher Lu?

Only I am left alone in the empty Alliance headquarters, even reading a book gets interrupted by work calls...

I quit! I’m resigning! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

“Oh, I understand.” Handsome Guy nodded, “Then my schedule is tentatively to arrive in Sinnoh tomorrow, and please have Flint accompany me.”

“Mm.” Lucian regained his composure and added with some curiosity, “Could it be some Pokémon’s power rather than a man-made disaster?”

“That can only be confirmed after the investigation.” Handsome Guy sighed.

After briefing, the call ended.

Lucian opened the hardcover book on his crossed legs but couldn’t focus on reading.

He thought about Grandma Kikuno, semi-retired and relaxing;

Aoki catching bugs in the forest;

Cynthia having fun...

“This year in Sinnoh...”

Lucian felt a chill and looked out at the bright spring sunlight, softly saying,

“Is also a long winter with heavy snow...”

...

“Are you off today?”

In a quaint seaside villa in Masago Town, Lu Ye was rubbing Sylveon’s chin while speaking on the phone.

“Technically, it’s a day off in lieu.” Cynthia was perched on Garchomp’s back, her black trench coat fluttering in the wind as she spoke via Bluetooth.

Lu Ye looked at the brightly lit courtyard bathing in spring sunshine. Sirfetch’d was chopping steel vigorously, producing loud clangs.

“Perfect timing.” Lu Ye smiled, “We can go for a spring outing.”

Cynthia’s tone unconsciously carried a faint smile, “What about lunch?”

“We’ll talk when you get back.”

Lu Ye stood up, holding the half-asleep Sylveon, “I can make a bento to take for the picnic.”

“Okay~” The voice was gentle and magnetic.

Cynthia ended the call, holding onto Garchomp and smiling faintly with determination,

“Garchomp, full speed ahead!”

“Gao!!”

The clear blue sky was like a jet fighter slicing through the clouds, leaving a long contrail behind.

Lu Ye stood in the yard with his hands on his hips, watching Haunter weeding.

“Gahahaha~”

Haunter pushed the cutting Rotom across the lawn, its voice trembling with a buzzing vibration.

A scent of laundry detergent floated in the air. Shirts freshly taken out from the favorite “drum washing machine” mode of little Rotom shone bright white under the sun.

“Chaji du yi~”

Togepi hid in the corner, sneaking glances.

“Hoo?” Arcanine looked around cluelessly, completely unaware of Togepi playing hide-and-seek.

“Can’t your nose smell it?”

Lu Ye snorted, unimpressed with the silly dog’s acting skills.

Looking at Togepi, its eyes seemed to sparkle brightly.

Lu Ye was silent for a long time, scanning the surroundings and pondering,

“Hmm... where did Togepi go...”

Today, Blastoise wasn’t doing push-ups.

Wearing sunglasses, it leisurely sipped vitality tea. Beside Blastoise was an incubation container, the Pokémon egg inside occasionally shaking.

“Only been taking care of it for half a month,” Lu Ye thought, “The incubation progress is pretty fast.”

Maybe it was because it met A-Jin, the ‘Incubation Expert’... Hopefully, it won’t pick up any bad habits from A-Jin and Togebro.

Just be like me, a pure, kind, and innocent trainer!

Clang, clang, clang.

The sound of iron forging continued. Sirfetch’d chopped steel with its leek sword, overwhelmed with emotion.

“Gah! (´థ౪థ)σ” (Too hard, duck!)

Lu Ye said to Haunter, “Look, Ducklett is so happy it’s almost crying.”

Haunter nodded repeatedly, “Gengarrr, gengarrr!”

Sirfetch’d: “Gah! (´థ౪థ)σ”

If it keeps training like this, who knows if Sirfetch’d could become the world’s greatest swordmaster.

Lu Ye mused:

Focus Energy is like Conqueror’s Haki, Sunsteel Strike is Armament Haki, and that Observation Haki...

Seeing through all attacks, a counter, counter?!

Lu Ye’s expression changed slightly, “Damn, maybe Ducklett really has talent.”

Looking at Sirfetch’d, which looked like emergency rations, Lu Ye pondered,

“Hmm... maybe I’m overthinking it...”

...

The sun was bright. In the afternoon, Lu Ye planned to go on a picnic with Mengmengda.

Teacher Lu’s mood brightened as well.

Near Masago Town, there was a large cherry blossom forest on a hillside. It was said that standing on the top allowed a view of the shimmering beach far away.

Lu Ye had never been there but had visited Masago Beach with Mengmengda once.

“Ten o’clock already.”

Lu Ye glanced at the time.

It was time to prepare lunch for today.

Since it was spring, he should prepare spring-appropriate dishes... No, suitable spring cuisine.

Nine Treasure Vegetable French Jelly.

A delicate vegetable snack with vibrant colors but surprisingly familiar ingredients, mostly common vegetables.

Cabbage, asparagus, tomato, cucumber, zucchini, pumpkin...

Haunter stood beside the cooking counter, looking at the ingredients, his face wrinkled, “Gengarrr...”

“Don’t be picky.” Lu Ye smiled dryly, “You’ll like it once it’s made!”

“Gengarrr~” Haunter nodded and extended its long tongue to slurp the dark red Mega Stone.

“Bui!” Sylveon’s pink ribbons wrapped around Lu Ye’s arm and gently sniffed the vegetables on the table, wearing a disdainful expression.

Sylveon was carnivorous;

although cute, it preferred high-calorie foods like pork bone ramen and tempura.

“You still need to eat more vegetables.”

Lu Ye said with a smile, “Or you’ll turn into a ribbon-fat lady.”

“Bui! (〃＞皿＜)” Sylveon shook its ribbons, hitting Lu Ye’s arm.

Lu Ye’s mouth twitched.

Laughable, with my current constitution, it doesn’t hurt at all!

Nine Treasure Vegetable French Jelly had seven layers: two main dishes—shiitake chicken and zucchini beef;

two dessert layers—creamy mashed potatoes and pumpkin puree;

plus tomato, carrot, and other layers.

For Teacher Lu, making it was quite simple—just refrigerate it for a while.

The sauce was made from a mix of herbs like perilla, pine nuts, and mint, emitting a faint fresh fragrance.

Lu Ye dipped some sauce and tasted a small portion of the Nine Treasure Vegetable French Jelly.

The colorful appearance attracted the eye, and the sweet fragrance of vegetables slowly spread, like returning to his distant homeland, relaxing body and mind.

“Looks like it’s not enough, but the portion is actually quite substantial.”

Lu Ye muttered to himself and looked at Rotom, “Did you record it?”

“Beep beep... perfectly recorded, Roto!”

Lu Ye smiled.

When making cooking videos before, he had to set up the camera, adjust the aperture, and time the filming himself.

With Rotom, posting videos was much easier.

“Rotom.” Lu Ye suddenly became serious.

“Beep beep... what are your orders, Roto!” Rotom’s Pokédex blinked.

“Can you also edit the video? Add some effects and subtitles, maybe some emotional background music... I’ll pay your electricity bill after it’s done!”

“Beep beep, can’t understand, Roto! o(TヘTo)”

...

In the chat group.

“No one’s coming out on Saturday.” A-Jin pressed his face on the table, “So boring...”

“Aren’t you at the Breeder’s House?” Xiao Yin asked.

“Yeah.” A-Jin said, “Why don’t you come find me? We can duel in Ilex Forest? Or go to the Goldenrod City arcade!”

Xiao Yin: “...”

The two then went silent, probably chatting privately elsewhere.

Brock was working as a security guard at the Deep Gray City museum;

Marshal was fishing in Kuriba City’s harbor wearing sunglasses and shorts.

Lila giggled, “My perfume shop launched spring skincare products. Someone in the group might want some.”

The girl’s eyes lit up, “Lila, save me a sample! I’m coming right now!”

Skincare... Nassi’s brow twitched, her face cold. Was that old woman mocking something?

“The spoon divination says, nothing is suitable recently.” Nassi tucked her black hair, “Especially avoid wearing kimonos.”

Lila smiled sweetly, “Ah, maybe some people just can’t pull off the kimono charm.”

Nassi said coldly, “Because it’s troublesome to run away while wearing a kimono.”

The group chat was filled with a strong tension. Little Yellow timidly said,

“I... I want skincare products too...”

“Of course welcome!” Lila winked, “But Little Yellow, your skin is already great. Who do you want to maintain it for?”

“Um...” Little Yellow’s face flushed.

Brock squinted silently.

I’m sure Lila asked that on purpose!

Lily scratched her head, “I’ve never used skincare products since I was a kid.”

Suddenly, the chat went quiet.

Gentleman Wallace thought, “Should I send this girl a whole set of makeup?”

Saphira cheered, “I haven’t used any either! But Ruby uses it every day!”

‘Too effeminate,’ A-Jin was about to send a voice message but Xiao Yin quickly covered his mouth.

“Wallace.” Xiao Yin only said the name.

A-Jin understood and clapped Xiao Yin’s shoulder, “I’ll buy you an ice pop later!”

Xiao Yin: “...”

Ruby sighed, “I think you should be a bit more ladylike... Saphira.”

“Hmph! What? Having you as a lady is enough.” Saphira giggled.

Cynthia quietly pushed up her glasses.

So sour, more sour than a shoujo manga!

“Teacher Lu posted a new cooking video.” A Grass-type trainer suddenly said.

“Oh, I saw it too.” Lance nodded. Watching a cooking video during work is quite appetizing...

Bruno frowned slightly.

Teacher Lu was actually a food blogger...

Then his steamed buns must be amazing!

“Oh oh.” Bruno clenched his fist, his gaze sharp, “He’s a role model for us to learn from!”

Lu Ye glanced at the chat group during a break.

“Who was that again...” Lu Ye was slightly stunned, muttering, “Vegetable soup or vegetable seed?”

Shaking his head, Lu Ye checked the time: exactly 1 p.m.

The video had been posted for only half an hour, but [Teacher Lu’s Midnight Diner: Nine Treasure Vegetable French Jelly] was already on the homepage.

“Redefining late-night snacks!”

“Grandpa, your favorite UP finally updated!”

“A spring special... slipped up, got tricked into watching without ordering takeout!”

A few days ago, the Teacher Lu in the battle zone seemed unfamiliar to the audience.

After all, a chef with a twisted heart and underground tactics had crushed Bruno!

Although many fans were mentally prepared, they still needed time to adjust.

Now, Teacher Lu’s cooking series brought back the fear of “overeating to bursting.”

“My youth is back!”

“As a food blogger, occasionally challenging an Elite Four for material is reasonable, right?”

“Posting this early... is it because you’re going on a picnic with Mengmengda?”

“Wuwu, bros are pouring the sourness into the chat!”

Lu Ye laughed happily.

Hey, it really is a picnic with Mengmengda—aren’t you jealous!

Suddenly, a noise came from outside. The electronic lock opened, and a sharp aura accompanied a breeze of fragrance into the room.

Cynthia wore a black trench coat, her golden hair flowing down both sides of her slender waist, carrying a metallic luxury handbag. Her face bore a cold and unapproachable noble expression.

Behind her, Garchomp’s fierce eyes glowed sharply, acting like a dutiful bodyguard.

However.

Their eyes met like a clear, melting pool of water, like the first cherry blossoms blooming on a branch in April.

A faint smile spread across her brows and eyes.

“I’m back.” Cynthia said with a smile.

“Welcome home.” Teacher Lu replied with a smile.

...