September 21st, Tuesday, Mid-Autumn Festival.

The phoenix trees lining Miare City's streets had accumulated fallen leaves.

Pedestrians walked past rows of neat white buildings, the road extending all the way to the Prism Tower at the end.

"Tourists, please come this way! Take Miare City's special 'Gogoat Transport Services' to reach Prism Tower directly!"

On the brick-paved streets, tourists holding small flags looked curiously as they boarded the Gogoat.

In the autumn season, the green plants on the Gogoat's backs showed slight yellowing as they chewed on berries, moving slowly along the golden streets.

Lu Ye, wearing a light yellow trench coat and holding a large bag of ingredients, watched the orderly line of walking Gogoat.

"Bu-bii?" Sylveon held his arm with her ribbon, lifting her azure blue eyes.

"I've been in Miare City for so long, but this is my first time seeing this," Lu Ye laughed.

If I remember correctly, this is actually an industry under Rocket Delivery, with much more affordable prices compared to expensive Miare taxis.

"Bu-bii..." Sylveon stood motionless, staring intently at the row of Gogoat passing by.

Whether it was an illusion or not, the Gogoat's pace seemed to quicken slightly.

Lu Ye, holding the paper bag of ingredients, turned into the quiet and beautiful southern street.

Passing by shop windows filled with dazzling displays, he walked toward the corner café with its sun umbrellas and white tables and chairs, where a blackboard stand listed today's 'Shopkeeper's Recommendations'.

【Miltank Shake Juice Milk✪, Vulpix Caramel Sundae✪✪, Moon Rock Five Kernel Mooncake✪✪✪✪】

"The last one is my masterpiece!" Lu Ye sighed emotionally.

For the Mid-Autumn Festival, of course we need some Donghua specialty foods.

Today we're celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival at the café with Bamboo Lan and the Pokémon, so Teacher Lu got up early specifically to buy the freshest ingredients.

After moon viewing tonight, there will be the usual livestream segment to announce the 'Challenge Victory Road' news.

Teacher Lu had even planned the entertainment lineup for the livestream.

【Smeargle Water Shuriken, Weakness Policy Sandygast】

Might be difficult against Master Dojo.

But getting editing material from A-Jin would be easy as pie!

The wind chimes jingled crisply.

Lu Ye entered the shop - no customers, Steenee was sitting chatting with Espathra.

"Ne-fu?" Steenee held her face with both hands, her large red eyes wide open.

The shopkeeper is having a party tonight?

The silent Espathra nodded, her eyes glowing blue as she used Psychic to control the teapot, refilling Steenee's empty glass.

"Ne-fu~" Steenee placed both hands flat like an elementary student, swinging her feet.

That's really amazing~

Indeedee stood meticulously behind the counter, suddenly coughing once.

Steenee and Espathra turned around to see the shopkeeper standing at the door, immediately startled.

Whoosh!

Both stood up, grabbing the broom and tea tray placed nearby, their small faces showing serious 'hard at work' expressions.

Lu Ye chuckled helplessly: "Today is Mid-Autumn Festival, so there will be a party tonight."

Steenee and Espathra stopped in their tracks, looking confusedly at the shopkeeper.

"I specially made Five Kernel Mooncakes... ahem, everyone who sees them gets one, whether you want it or not!"

Steenee and Espathra exchanged glances.

Indeedee covered her mouth with a smile, feeling closeness toward the shopkeeper again.

In the courtyard, autumn's atmosphere was gradually deepening.

The World Tree remained densely shaded, and under its fluctuations, several nearby Revival Roots gently swayed.

"Bu-bii~" Sylveon leaped toward the swing by the tree.

"Bangii!" Pupitar crouched in the sandpit, raising a sand shovel to greet Teacher Lu.

"Aoowoo..." Arcanine lay on his side in the corridor, his rear and large tail facing Lu Ye, looking back over his shoulder, wagging his tail, then lying back down.

Lu Ye looked toward the tree.

A tunnel covered with soil looked particularly conspicuous.

That was the path to the Mineral Kingdom... Every month, Ralts would come with diamonds to trade berries with Teacher Lu.

When Diancie finished handling national affairs, she would also visit during her free time.

Lu Ye felt that for such a 'marvelous' sight, it would be unreasonable not to charge Steven admission when he came to visit.

This was exactly: Threaten Diancie to command Steven! (Just kidding)

In the courtyard, around the World Tree were medicinal fields, in front was a rectangular battle arena, and behind was a lawn dotted with flowers.

Those were planted by Bamboo Lan's Roserade. Tending to flowers and plants was its hobby.

Haunter occasionally also pushed the Rotom mower, making 'grass grass early early' roaring sounds while helping with weeding.

This naturally earned complaints from Roserade.

In the lawn, one could occasionally discover camouflaged Spiritomb, oblivious Gastrodon, hide-and-seek playing Togepi, slacking Sirfetch'd...

At that moment, lively laughter could be heard.

Lu Ye, holding the paper bag, stood under the clear autumn sky, squinting as he looked above the house.

The Heart Water Droplets around Latias's neck sparkled in the sunlight, her red and white feathers distinct, eyes curved.

Watching Latias fly was different from Metagross's grand, jet-propelled style - there was a light, graceful beauty.

Beside Latias, Meloetta floated with a smiling expression.

"Ne-mi~" Victini swallowed a macaron with an 'ah-woo', a happy smile spreading across her face.

Lu Ye unconsciously smiled, looking around for a certain Pokémon's shadow.

Behind the tree trunk, a shadow lengthened, white mist swirling.

Darkrai leaned against the tree trunk, arms crossed, blue eyes gazing at the autumn sky as if contemplating something.

Meloetta's gentle singing reached his ears, and Darkrai smiled wryly, closing his eyes.

It was a towering clocktower, music calming anger and hatred, a country girl dancing in the town, that smiling face becoming Alicia, then suddenly becoming Lu Ye with 'braided hair'...

Darkrai's eyes snapped open, his back sweating.

Damn it, I actually had a nightmare too!

The key turned, the lock clicked.

"I'm home—"

Lu Ye held the large paper bag with one hand, taking off his shoes and unfastening his trench coat.

"Chaji du-ee~ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ"

Togepi came running over with pitter-patter steps.

Bamboo Lan sat cross-legged on the carpet, her golden hair spread out, holding a controller and watching the nearby screen, saying:

"Togepi says, welcome back."

"You can translate Pokémon language now?"

"Naturally~" Bamboo Lan smiled slightly.

"Be careful of nearsightedness." Lu Ye glanced at the screen, casually remarking.

"Trainers from Celestic Town never get nearsighted."

Lu Ye walked toward the kitchen: "Then what about those thin-rimmed glasses of yours..."

"That's to see books more clearly."

From behind, Bamboo Lan's golden hair cascaded like a waterfall, hair accessories on both sides, game cases in front of her, surrounded by thick books, white printed papers, and crumpled draft papers.

"Grandma's research report?" Lu Ye looked at the discarded drafts.

"Yes... I don't know where to start, so I'm playing games for inspiration." Bamboo Lan looked somewhat troubled.

"In times like these, I usually check the group chat to see what terrible ideas the genius members have come up with." Lu Ye laughed.

"Speaking of which..."

Bamboo Lan's eyes flickered, recalling the group's topic: "Today is Mid-Autumn Festival?"

Lu Ye nodded: "It's a festival for family reunions, eating mooncakes and admiring the moon together."

"Ah... I can't make it back to Celestic Town." Bamboo Lan murmured softly, then lifted her gaze: "What about you..."

"I've already checked in with my parents." Lu Ye said: "As the saying goes, 'Over the sea, the moon shines bright;

We gaze at it far, far apart.'"

Though separated by thousands of miles, sharing the same bright moon can ease feelings of longing.

Bamboo Lan gazed seriously at Lu Ye for a moment, then smiled gently, saying: "What gifts should be given for Mid-Autumn Festival?"

Mentioning this, Lu Ye became enthusiastic.

"Mooncakes are enough. I made lotus seed paste, red bean paste, egg yolk... especially Five Kernel - a Mid-Autumn Festival without Five Kernel mooncakes is incomplete!"

Haunter looked troubled, turning to the curious Victini and generously waving his hand:

"Gengarrr! (￣▽￣)／"

I tried the Five Kernel flavor last year, so I'll let you all taste it this year!

"Ne-mi~˚*̥(∗*⁰͈꒨⁰͈)*̥" Victini's eyes sparkled with little stars.

Wonderful, absolutely wonderful~

In the chat group.

A-Jin was complaining about unscrupulous merchants.

"The mooncakes sold to Xiao Yin are fake, right? They taste terrible."

"Nonsense." The girl refuted: "How could they be fake? I made them all by hand!"

Xiao Yin: "..."

Actually, they're not that bad...

Bruno crossed his arms, recalling the holiday mooncake gift box he bought online.

The taste was quite good... but the most delicious was definitely Angry Steamed Buns!

Yu Long Du sat in the empty office, holding a thermos cup, calmly saying: "Another Mid-Autumn Festival alone."

Subordinate Grimsley shuddered, understanding the leader's hidden meaning, loudly saying: "I'll return to work tonight!"

Lucian felt warm around his eyes: "So we don't get any holiday for Mid-Autumn Festival after all?"

"That's called shift swapping." Teacher Lu corrected.

Besides, where does Sinnoh have Mid-Autumn Festival?

Shift swapping does exist though, since Bamboo Lan and Lucian often swap shifts...

At Pewter City Gym.

Brock was reliable and capable, personally making mooncakes for his younger siblings, eliciting cheers.

In Pallet Town, Red, Green, Ash, and Professor Samuel Oak gathered together.

In New Bark Town, Gold, Silver, Crystal, and the girl raised their glasses cheerfully.

In Petalburg City, Wallace, Steven, Ruby and Sapphire plus both sets of parents gathered like a large party.

In Miare City, Teacher Lu prepared dinner while Bamboo Lan played with the Pokémon.

The chat group suddenly fell silent.

Beep beep beep, messages flashed.

Lorelei repeated gloomily: "Another Mid-Autumn Festival alone......"

Miare City, café.

Bright lights made the dishes on the round table look delicious and tempting.

Inside were the lively Pokémon.

Delibird carried a large bag on its shoulder, handing out gifts to every Pokémon it saw.

All were small items Delibird bought with its salary - glass marbles, white herbs... not valuable, but particularly thoughtful.

Seeing the Pokémon who received gifts smile, Delibird would also smile.

"Chaji du-ee~" Togepi walked up to Delibird.

"Ooh!" Delibird put down its pack, burying its head in the bag to search.

You want a gift too? Let me look carefully...

"Du-ee!" Togepi lightly touched Delibird.

Delibird looked up.

"Chaji du-ee~(ﾉﾟ▽ﾟ)ﾉ"

Togepi smiled, handing over a large gift box with both hands:

I'm not here to get a gift, I'm here to give you a gift~!

Delibird froze.

It reached out with trembling hands, unbelievingly accepting the large gift box, untying the ribbon to find a large bottle of cola with a ribbon decoration inside.

Delibird: "Ooh......(ಥ﹏ಥ)"

This is the best gift I've ever received!

Cynthia looked serious, hand on her chin, eyes moving back and forth.

"What's wrong."

Cynthia said with difficulty: "I'm thinking... why... are there so many mooncake flavors..."

The table was filled with various small plates, the mooncakes exquisitely shaped, glossy and tempting, with even more diverse flavors.

Lu Ye chuckled: "I did it on purpose, go ahead and choose!"

Cynthia smiled elegantly, her shining gray eyes fixed on Lu Ye as she extended her slender, jade-like fingers to pinch Lu Ye's cheek.

"Ouch, ouch."

"I didn't use any force at all."

"Really? Sorry, I cried out too early." Lu Ye said shamelessly.

Cynthia smiled helplessly, crossed her arms, and after a moment, finally made up her mind.

Looking at the various mooncakes before her, Bamboo Lan's gaze seemed to burst into flames!

Lu Ye: "I see the 'soul'!"

"I choose you - red bean paste!" Cynthia declared.

With an unquestioning reach, she picked up the mooncake.

"Hmph hmph~ red bean paste." Cynthia held the red bean mooncake with both hands, taking a bite, the corners of her mouth happily curving upward.

Lu Ye: "...Actually, there are also ice cream filled mooncakes."

Cynthia's eyes lit up: "Where!"

The round table was filled with dazzling dishes, more resembling a buffet style.

The Pokémon were once again conquered by Teacher Lu's cooking skills.

"Five Kernel mooncakes are quite delicious." Cynthia said, holding a mooncake, hands full of crumbs, looking puzzled.

"Yeah, Haunter just doesn't like them - by the way, this is the Five Kernel mooncake from the girl's online store, you can try it." Lu Ye handed over the packaging.

Cynthia took a small taste, her eyes flickering, then handed it back: "Very delicious, I'll save it for you."

Lu Ye: "I won't fall for such a basic trap!"

Cynthia: "..."

Lu Ye: "...I'll eat it."

Night deepened, the autumn evening cool.

Lu Ye and Bamboo Lan walked hand in hand to the central courtyard.

Moonlight flowed like water, dew sparkled illuminatingly.

Lu Ye glanced sideways at Bamboo Lan beside him.

The moonlight cast a silver glow on her face, her profile noble and exquisite, the corners of her mouth curved upward.

All around were the cheerful sounds of the little ones.

Lu Ye felt a stir in his heart, finding it familiar yet peaceful and quiet.

Returning inside.

"Livestream tonight?"

"Yes, do you want to watch the battle? Or provide guidance from the side."

"No problem~"

Sitting in the long-unused gaming chair, Lu Ye flexed his fingers, muttering:

"When was the last livestream? Seems like it was the last time..."

Editing the livestream title to:

《Entertainment Lineup! Teacher Lu's Victory Road》

Lu Ye clicked to start recording, slightly stunned.

The moment the stream went live, the viewership visibly skyrocketed, with someone immediately sending several large rocket gifts!

"Holy crap, am I seeing this right?"

"Spread the word, the streamer has come back to life!!"

"Whether Teacher Lu streams or not doesn't matter, it's mainly about the cabbage, my cabbage..."

Without any prior announcement of returning to streaming, the viewership broke two hundred thousand within ten minutes.

Massive amounts of bullet comments and gift data flooded the screen, yet Teacher Lu had no intention of showing his face.

And this made the fans realize one thing - this was a serious teaching session!

"Food is served!"

"Good grief, without Teacher Lu's videos to watch, I was starving to death!"

"Fast forward to bullying Sunny Team players!"

Teacher Lu said: "This episode brings two entertainment lineups. I can't say they're particularly strong, but in cold, ideal-less, faith-lacking environments, they can always deliver some unique performances."

"Weak Pokémon defeating high base stat Pokémon through tactics and commands is the romance of Pokémon battles."

"Although we often get punished by competitive players... when playing Pokémon battles, you should do it with a smile!"

Teacher Lu smiled, opening the team editor, dragging two Pokémon into the team...

...