In the evening, Lu Ze looked at Electabuzz's excited face and smiled. It seemed the little guy had gotten over it — no need for a heart-to-heart after all.
"Dinner's ready~"
"Chii~"
"Bwee~"
At Lu Ze's call, and Mini Dragon's and Snorlax's, Charizard, Crawdaunt, and the others quickly took their seats at the table.
Lu Ze had no classes that afternoon. He'd planned to spend the whole afternoon cheering Electabuzz up, so he'd spent the day cooking — and it had resulted in this enormous spread of dishes.
(Wow, I knew I came to the right place!)
Little Red, who had just climbed onto the table, had drool practically dripping from her mouth. Her eyes were practically glued to the food.
Once all the Pokémon had taken their seats, Lu Ze raised his drink.
"Okay everyone — we have a new friend staying with us for a couple of days. Let's give a warm welcome to our new friend."
"Chii~"
"Chii~"
"Bwee~"
"Roo!"
"Le!"
"Chii-woo!"
"Yaa~"
The Pokémon each let out a cry, then raised their cups in unison.
The ones who couldn't lift cups just sprawled there and drank.
Little Red watched the scene unfold, her eyes crinkling with delight. She raised her cup right along with them.
"Cheers!"
After they'd all had their drinks, Lu Ze looked at the eager eyes around the table and waved a hand magnanimously.
"What are you all looking at me for? Eat!"
"Oh-ho~"
Only then did the Pokémon burst into cheers and dig in.
Snorlax's table manners were relatively refined — it simply held one roasted chicken in each hand and ate them both simultaneously.
Mini Dragon was in heaven too. Today's fried food was right up her alley.
All the other Pokémon were eating happily, and Little Red was no exception — one hand gripping fried fish, chopsticks loaded with dishes, shoving it all into her mouth.
"Slow down, don't rush."
Lu Ze smiled as he watched them eat.
As a cook, seeing your guests enjoy the meal — that was the greatest affirmation there was.
That night, after dinner and drinks, Lu Ze lay in his room on Snorlax's belly. As he drifted toward sleep, it suddenly occurred to him.
"Hold on — I could've sworn I locked the door when I left. How did Little Red get in?"
But he didn't think too hard about it, and simply fell asleep.
"Good morning, Little Red."
Looking at Little Red as she sleepily got up, Lu Ze smiled and greeted her.
"Breakfast will be ready in a bit. Hang in there."
Little Red nodded obediently, and Lu Ze went back to cooking.
Little Red sat乖乖 on the sofa, waiting for breakfast with the patience of a well-behaved child.
When Lu Ze came out with the food, he caught sight of Little Red on the sofa and felt a warmth bloom in his chest.
Someday, if I have a daughter, I hope she's this cute and this obedient.
He shook his head with a laugh and pushed the thought aside.
"Little Red! Everyone! Breakfast's ready~"
At Lu Ze's call, the Pokémon quickly assembled at the table and started eating.
"By the way, Little Red — I've got class today. What are you going to do?"
Little Red was beaming with joy, face covered in the幸福的 glow of a good meal. When she heard Lu Ze's question, she pointed at Crobat and then went right back to eating.
"You mean you'll stay with Crobat?"
Lu Ze asked, a little puzzled. Crobat was an option, sure — it had looked after plenty of baby Pokémon before. Watching Little Red for a bit wouldn't be a problem.
The only issue was that Crobat had to train, and sometimes it would take off at full speed and be miles away. Little Red wouldn't be able to keep up.
Little Red nodded. Lu Ze turned to look at Crobat.
Crobat gave a small nod as if to say it was no problem. Lu Ze turned to Crobat and instructed it:
"She's still a little kid. Don't fly too far away from her, okay?"
"Chii~"
"Remember — don't stray too far from Little Red."
"Chii~"
Lu Ze finished breakfast, packed up, shouldered his bag, and headed out with Mini Dragon.
Before leaving, he made sure to remind Crobat one more time not to get too far from Little Red.
Crobat didn't show a trace of impatience. It nodded, waved a wing at Lu Ze, and seemed to be telling him to hurry up and get to class before he was late.
"Right then, I'm off."
"Chii~"
"Bwee~"
After Lu Ze left, the Pokémon went about their own business.
Snorlax scooped Sirfetch'd up in one big arm and headed toward the back mountain stream, bringing Electabuzz and Crawdaunt along.
Charizard was ready on its end. It tucked Klefki into its small side bag, then turned to Crobat and flashed a big grin.
Crobat nodded back to Charizard and was just about to grab Little Red and head to the small forest—
When Little Red suddenly stuck out a hand, stopping Crobat mid-reach.
Crobat froze, bewildered.
Then Little Red transformed.
Latias stood there.
(Tee-hee — little sister, this is my true form.)
(You're… also a Pokémon?)
Latias pressed her lips together in a smile.
(Of course. But remember — keep it a secret for me, okay? I don't want Xiao Ze to know I'm a Pokémon just yet.)
Crobat tilted its head slightly.
(But… isn't keeping it from Xiao Ze a little… not great?)
(Oh, come on — don't you want to see the look on Xiao Ze's face when he finds out I'm a Pokémon?)
At Latias's tempting offer, Crobat couldn't help but imagine it: Lu Ze's reaction when he discovered Little Red was actually a Pokémon.
(…That does sound kind of fun.)
Crobat was still a kid at heart. Once it pictured Lu Ze's face, a grin of mischievous anticipation was already spreading across its features.
(Right? Trust me — his expression is going to be priceless.)
(Yeah.)
Crobat reached out and tapped wings with Latias.
Deal struck!
(Those two over there — you handle convincing them, okay?)
Latias said with a smile, pointing at Charizard, who was still standing there in shock, and Klefki, who was poking its head out of Charizard's bag in utter surprise.
(Leave it to me.)
Crobat gave Latias a confident toss of its head, then斜着眼瞥了喷火龙一眼.
Charizard immediately shuddered, then thrust out its right paw.
(Big sis, don't worry — I won't say a word.)
Satisfied, Charizard then grabbed Klefki and held one of Klefki's many legs up with its dragon claw.
(Klefki — you're not going to say anything either, right?)
Klefki撇嘴 at Charizard's terrible attempt at looking intimidating, but in the end, it decided to give Charizard some face. It thumped its own chest and declared to Crobat:
(Don't worry, big sis — your girl Klefki isn't the gossiping type.)
After Klefki finished speaking, Charizard looked proudly at Crobat, as if waiting to be praised by the big sis.
"Pffft—!"
Watching Charizard preen like that, Crobat couldn't hold it in any longer. It burst out laughing, shot Charizard a look, and said:
(Alright, let's get going. Today's training is starting.)
(Yeah, got it, big sis!)
———
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