“Have you decided?”

Cynthia sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze fixed on Lu Ye.

This indecisive champion’s wardrobe was mostly filled with the same style of black trench coats and simple blue shirts.

Of course, there were some other styles too, whose designs clearly revealed their expensive price tags.

Lu Ye crossed his arms, rested his hand under his chin, and scrutinized Bamboo Lan from head to toe before finally sighing:

“I think they all look the same.”

Before Cynthia’s dangerously narrowed eyes, Lu Ye added, “They all look good.”

“Such a careless attitude,” Cynthia said lightly, tucking her blonde hair behind her ear.

“Flabébé has five different colors, but the Eternal Flower only has one.” Lu Ye said, “Bamboo Lan is as beautiful as the Eternal Flower.”

“…Barely passed.” Cynthia lightly pursed her lips.

“By the way.” Lu Ye glanced around the room at the scattered books and materials, “Why is it such a mess again?”

“Ahhh…” Cynthia lay sideways on the soft bed, pressing her head against the pillow, “Because the materials and stuff haven’t been organized at all…”

“Then wear this one.”

Lu Ye handed over a hanger and added, “Haunter, Shadow Clone.”

“Gengarrr!” Haunter responded and jumped out of the shadow, cheerfully tidying the room.

Cynthia hugged the white shirt that was handed to her.

Even after seeing it many times, she still looked curiously at the swift movements of the little purple chubby Pokémon.

There were Pokémon that had ‘housekeeping’ skills, like Indeedee and Chansey, reliable little housekeepers.

But Pokémon tend to become more like their trainers…

Garchomp excels at battle, but in daily life, it couldn’t be better than Haunter.

‘This isn’t bad at all…’

Cynthia lay sideways on the bed, watching Lu Ye with a helpless expression and gave a faint smile.

“Hurry up and get up.” Lu Ye casually threw a substitute doll from the triangular coffee table toward Cynthia, “We’re already late.”

Cynthia stretched out her slender, snow-white wrist to catch the doll. Her gray eyes shimmered with nobility, then she spread her arms and lay back on the bed, pouting like a spoiled child:

“I don’t want to go out.”

“Then no ice cream.”

“You go first, I’ll change.” Cynthia immediately got up, tucked her blonde hair behind her ears, and spoke with determination.

“Can’t I change while you’re here?” Lu Ye argued confidently, “It’s not like I haven’t seen it before!”

Cynthia smiled gently and gestured for Teacher Lu to leave.

“Gengarrr!” Haunter stood with crossed arms beside Cynthia, united in their cause.

Lu Ye: “...It’s all the same anyway, ‘Power of Transcendence’ can sense inside the house.”

“How can someone use the Power of Transcendence like that?” Cynthia sighed, holding her forehead.

“See, now you’re witnessing it.”

Cynthia threw the substitute doll at Lu Ye just as he was closing the door.

Bang!

Lu Ye looked at Haunter beside him in surprise: “Why were you kicked out too?”

Haunter rolled his eyes, stuck out his tongue to make a face, then covered his belly with his two short hands and grinned toothily.

“Gengarrr~”

**

Cynthia changed into a crisp white shirt and black wide-leg pants that emphasized her perfect waist ratio, wearing a pair of black high-heeled sandals on her feet.

Black and gold hair ornaments adorned both sides of her blonde hair, and a teardrop-shaped pendant hung in the center of her voluptuous chest.

“Let’s go.” Cynthia smiled slightly and hooked her arm through Lu Ye’s.

A flirtatious warmth spread at the elbow, and Lu Ye was slightly surprised: “Should we tell Professor Oak?”

“Anyway… it’s not such a big secret anymore.” Cynthia said softly, her delicate cheeks slightly flushed.

“I will always like Cynthia.” Lu Ye said solemnly.

“Hm?”

“And Bamboo Lan, Mengmengda, and Baicai.”

“…Sounds like reading out a menu.”

“Cooking and cross talk are both my old trades.”

“Trainer?” Bamboo Lan asked.

“Who’s the trainer?” Lu Ye asked in surprise.

“Lu Ye and Cynthia.” Bamboo Lan smiled.

Garchomp shrugged lazily and followed behind them, sighing softly: “Kao…”

Just drank a soda, feeling unable to eat much tonight…

“Gengarrr~!” Haunter grinned and flicked his tongue, hitting Teacher Lu’s cheek perfectly.

The trainer is me, Haunter!

……

Night fell, the stars sparkling.

The gathering dinner was held at a high-end restaurant on Lilycove Island, mostly attended by members who stayed on the island.

Marshal had taken the ship Waterflow back to pick up passengers… temporarily unable to return to Lilycove Island.

Lucian was supposed to prepare for the Champion League three days later but was dragged here by Aru and Flint.

“Let go!” Lucian nervously said, “The financial expenditure report isn’t finished yet!”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself~” Aru said with a smile, “Tonight, Teacher Lu will cook personally!”

Flint scratched his explosive hair and grinned: “Maybe after the Champion League ends, there won’t be overtime!”

Lucian shook off their arms, dusted the gray dust off his burgundy suit, pushed up his glasses, and fell silent.

If he faced Teacher Lu in battle, his chances of winning were extremely slim.

But… maybe that’s not a bad thing.

Lucian shook his head and looked at the restaurant in front of him: “Is this the place?”

“Yes.” Flint looked down at his phone, “Teacher Lu said he’s arriving soon!”

Inside the restaurant.

A-Jin was challenging Ash to a match: “Little brother, want to play poker?”

Ash repeatedly waved his hands: “I-I don’t know how to play that…”

“Tsk.” A-Jin clicked his tongue and ignored Professor Oak’s harsh cough.

Only when Green’s cold gaze glanced over did A-Jin activate the “Danger Prediction” ability and put away the poker cards.

Ami, wearing a white dress, squatted on the ground, gently stroking Ash’s Pikachu.

“Pika~” Pikachu closed its eyes contentedly.

Two meters tall, Bruno sat alone, quietly chewing on Angry Steamed Buns—

He wasn’t interested in the gathering, but hearing that Green and Flint would also come tonight, he hoped for a chance to battle them.

To accommodate the Pokémon’s diet, Green, as the “Breeder,” specially prepared Pokémon food.

At this moment, Ash’s main Pokémon were all focused on their bowls, eating heartily.

Except for Lucario, whose deep eyes looked at Ash from the side and said:

“I should go back now… Ash.”

“Can’t you stay…” Ash urged.

Lucario smiled faintly, looking at Ash’s Pokémon, and said:

“Your Pokémon have met an excellent trainer… and so have I.”

Fighting alongside Ash had fulfilled one of Lucario’s wishes.

Now, it was time to return to Cameron Palace and continue guarding the World Tree.

Ash took a deep breath, his eyes flickering as he smiled: “Thank you, Lucario!”

That smile overlapped with Aogen’s. Lucario was startled, then smiled gently and nodded.

A familiar aura appeared, and Lucario looked up just in time to see Teacher Lu walk through the door.

“You’re late.” Lu Ye smiled apologetically, “I brought three helpers to cook with me.”

Three heads popped out from behind him and said in unison, “Sorry to interrupt, meow~”

Ash recognized their uniforms and widened his eyes: “Team Rocket?!”

Lucario got ready to fight, but Lu Ye quickly explained: “They’re reporters for this year’s Lilycove Conference. I invited them.”

“You little brats… We’ve been cheering for you on-site!” the trio complained.

“Sorry.” Ash scratched his head awkwardly, “I was too nervous.”

“I’ll go cook first.” Lu Ye looked at Cynthia, “The food will be ready soon.”

Cynthia nodded gently, her eyes questioning.

“Of course there’s ice cream!” Lu Ye said with a wry smile.

The three Sinnoh Kings—Aru, Flint, and Lucian—exchanged glances as they looked at the two.

“They…” Aru’s little tuft of hair shook gently.

“This is…” Flint scratched his fiery hair.

Lucian pushed up his glasses, about to speak. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel⚑fire.net

A-Jin leaned over and shouted loudly, “They’re together?”

Everyone’s gaze converged, falling on Teacher Lu and Cynthia in the center.

“Surprised?” Cynthia tilted her head slightly and looked at the three Sinnoh Kings.

The three Kings shook their heads in unison.

When Teacher Lu arrived in Sinnoh, Cynthia personally welcomed him.

Plus, during the Lilycove Conference, they had been living together.

This was almost a semi-public relationship, and now it was just an added detail.

Professor Oak and the others weren’t too surprised.

After all, they had spent last Christmas together.

Green crossed his arms and pondered, “So Little Blue’s guess wasn’t wrong after all…”

“Of course not!” Little Blue said proudly, “You and Red are both wooden blocks, how could you tell?”

“Two 6V Pokémon, and their offspring are—uh uh!”

A-Jin hadn’t finished when Silver covered his mouth from behind and dragged him aside.

Krista’s cheeks reddened, and she smiled helplessly: “Everyone, just ignore A-Jin!”

“What does ‘together’ mean?”

Ash scratched his head and looked at Bruno beside him: “Does it mean the two champions train together?”

Bruno chewed his bun and mumbled: “Something like that.”

“Luckily Lorelei isn’t here.” Little Blue rested her chin on her hands and said softly, “Otherwise she’d get upset again…”

After the interruption, Teacher Lu and the trio went to the kitchen to prepare tonight’s food.

The trio’s cooking skills were well-known, and Meowth had studied at a ramen shop, even invited to stay by the owner.

But for the trio’s shared dream, Meowth had returned to the team.

“What are we cooking today, meow~” Meowth looked at the leader.

“With this.” Lu Ye handed over a shining red Dragon Fire Berry to Meowth.

“Th-this… won’t it be too spicy, meow?” Meowth swallowed nervously.

“Each person will get their own bowl of spicy cold noodles.”

Lu Ye smiled kindly, “And… I’ll prepare A-Jin’s portion.”

**

The restaurant had a private space large enough to accommodate everyone’s Pokémon.

Except for Steelix, whose size was too big, most were sent out.

“Roar!” Ash’s Charizard stood in front of Green’s Charizard, hands on hips, blowing out two thick smoke trails from its nose.

Wanna have a showdown?

“Roar!” Green’s Charizard looked down arrogantly, the corners of its mouth curved up.

Though still weak in strength, its courage was admirable!

“Blastoise!” Ash’s and Little Blue’s Blastoises stood together.

Under Blastoise’s careful scrutiny, the ‘little turtle’ trembled and finally transformed into a Ditto.

“Blastoise…” The Blastoise adjusted his sunglasses, unimpressed by the trick.

Minor skill…

Togepi, Pikachu, and Larvitar stood behind Pikachu, who spread his arms wide.

In front of Pikachu, Togebro played the eagle, staring fiercely: “Bok! (╬◣д◢)”

“Pika…” Pikachu wiped sweat from his forehead and quietly stepped back half a pace.

“Chakijudee~ (ﾉ´▽｀)ﾉ♪”

Togepi used Helping Hand!

Seeing Togepi happily enjoying itself, Togebro immediately changed expression.

“Bok~ヾ(●´∀｀●)”

“Pika…” Pikachu sighed helplessly like a nanny.

Night deepened.

Teacher Lu’s cooking was completed, and Haunter used “Shadow Clone” to plate the dishes.

The long table was filled with abundant dishes: charcoal-grilled sausages, smoked tails, stir-fried mushrooms… all common ingredients in Sword and Shield.

The main dish was refreshing spicy cold noodles for summer.

Cucumber shreds, crushed peanuts, tender bean sprouts… noodles soaked in bright red chili oil exuded an enticing spicy aroma.

“It only looks spicy.” Lu Ye said, “The taste is actually quite refreshing.”

A-Jin clapped his hands: “I’m starting!”

Sounds of slurping echoed in the restaurant.

“Hmm… the taste is pretty good.” Green’s eyes brightened in praise.

“This Sinnoh trip was worth it!” Professor Oak laughed heartily.

A-Jin’s face was flushed red from the spice;

he looked around: “None of you feel spicy?”

“I think it’s okay.” Silver answered calmly.

A-Jin’s expression was strange, but he didn’t stop eating, happily gulping a mouthful of chilled Gunner Juice: “Hoo—”

“Teacher Lu’s cooking skills could already open a chef’s restaurant!” Little Blue said.

“I’m thinking about that too…”

Lu Ye pondered briefly, exchanged a glance with Cynthia, then said:

“Maybe I’ll open a coffee shop later.”

Cynthia smiled slightly.

That was a promise they made long ago… now close within reach.

“I’ll definitely visit then!” A-Jin said loudly.

Silver: “…You just want free food and drinks.”

“That’s also a form of visiting.” A-Jin said proudly.

Ash scratched his head and looked at Professor Oak seriously: “I plan to challenge the Unova Alliance!”

“Of course, no problem!” Professor Oak said with a smile, “I’ll contact Professor Cedric Juniper to help you register!”

Teacher Lu looked slightly surprised.

Ash was still going to challenge the Unova Alliance after all…

After all, the Unova Alliance had new bonds waiting for him.

“I also know trainers in the Unova Alliance.” Cynthia smiled slightly, “Maybe they can help you too, Ash.”

“Really!?” Ash’s eyes shone brightly, “Thank you, Senior Cynthia!”

Ash’s next stop was to challenge the Unova Alliance… though he wasn’t very interested in the Unova Conference itself.

Teacher Lu fell into thought.

Better to first go to Kalos… open a coffee shop to relax, and look for the stone tablet at the same time!

“So are you still participating in the Champion League three days later, Teacher Lu?” Aru asked curiously.

Lu Ye: “Yes!”

Considering his steadily increasing strength, this Lilycove Conference would probably be the end of his league tournament.

After all, the rewards from challenging the league were becoming less and less for him… he needed to consider taking on the Elite Four and Champions.

From now on.

Participating in the Champion League (×)

Crushing the Baby Cup! (√)

……