"What ingredients should I pair with the Sunshine Coconut to make the sweet version of Century Soup?"
This morning, while tidying up his spatial shoulder bag, Silas discovered the long forgotten Sunshine Coconut inside.
It was one of the essential ingredients for making Sweet Century Soup.
Now Silas was deep in thought about what to pair it with. He only had three chances.
"The nectar collected by the Floette?"
That was certainly one possible choice, so he mentally noted it down for the moment.
Silas stood up. He planned to visit the department store and see if there were any suitable ingredients. As he moved, he lightly nudged Cyclizar, who was lying nearby.
"Cyc?"
"Come with me into the city."
The moment it heard they were going out, Cyclizar sprang to its feet. Its tail shot straight up as it circled Silas twice, clearly inviting him to climb on.
Cyclizar loved going out more than anything. Silas laughed and rubbed its head before swinging onto its back.
"Meow?"
A short cry suddenly came from behind. Litten had appeared at some point.
"You want to come too?"
Litten stepped forward and rubbed its head against Silas's arm. Silas scooped it up into his arms. "Then let's go together. I'll take you out for a stroll."
The little cat burrowed into Silas's embrace, clearly delighted to accompany him.
Cyclizar moved swiftly. After so many trips, it no longer needed directions from Silas.
Within a little over ten minutes, they arrived at the department store. Silas held Litten in both arms while Cyclizar followed closely behind like a loyal tail.
This time he had a clear goal. He headed straight to the first floor, where cooking ingredients were sold.
Not only did this floor carry common ingredients and seasonings, it occasionally stocked Pokémon specific ingredients and special spices as well.
For example, right before Silas now was Pungent Root.
Sprinkled over noodles, it could enhance the color, aroma, and flavor of a dish.
Silas decided to buy some. The wheat harvested from the ranch had fully dried.
He could grind it into flour and make noodle dishes such as braised noodles or soybean paste noodles for the Pokémon.
He still remembered clearly the failed attempt at soybean paste noodles from several months ago. This time, he would not fail.
"Cyclizar, help carry this."
"Cyc!"
Continuing to browse, Silas found quite a few sweet flavored ingredients.
Red onions, which were milder and less pungent than regular onions, carried a faint sweetness.
Avocados, as well as Klawf claw sticks.
These were healthy food products made from the molted claws of Klawf, possessing a strong sweet and salty flavor.
Silas selected them at once, already constructing the final dish in his mind.
Coconut crab soup.
It sounded quite good.
After swiping his card to purchase the last remaining crab sticks, Silas wandered through a few other floors.
While he was at it, he bought a cassette recorder and several tapes filled with music for Minccino and the others.
"Meow."
Litten, who had been lying quietly in his arms, suddenly cried out and pointed its paw toward something hanging on the wall.
Following its gaze, Silas saw a pair of soundproof headphones.
"You really are thoughtful, Litten. With headphones, we will not have to worry about falling asleep while listening to Jigglypuff sing."
Little Jigglypuff had not yet received any special enhancements like the one in the animated series.
No matter how strong you were or how advanced your technology was, you could not completely block it.
Silas bought a full set of headphones in various sizes.
He also purchased a special gift for Jigglypuff.
With shopping bags hanging all over Cyclizar, Silas finally prepared to head back.
However, instead of returning directly, he stopped first at the Shalour Gym and made a reservation at the front desk for a Gym challenge.
Where he had fallen, he would rise again. This time, his Kangaskhan would surely win.
The challenge was scheduled for tomorrow morning, giving Silas one full day to prepare.
After challenging Gym Leader Gurkinn, he planned to travel.
First to Unova, then to Hoenn.
While Silas pondered his plans, Cyclizar carried him and Litten back to the ranch.
Every time he returned from an outing, Minccino and the others would gather at the gate to welcome him. Today was no exception.
There was also an additional small figure. Jigglypuff and Morpeko, with their short legs, lagged behind at the very back.
Seeing everyone else running ahead, Jigglypuff also wanted to see Silas as quickly as possible.
It lowered its head and charged forward, only to bump straight into Silas's leg and wobble backward, landing on the ground.
"Jiggly?"
Covering its little head, Jigglypuff looked up at Silas with tear filled eyes.
Smiling, Silas bent down and helped it up, wiping away the moisture at the corner of its eyes. "Do not run so fast. Just be more careful next time."
As he spoke, he retrieved a beautifully wrapped gift box from Cyclizar's back. "Here. This is a present for Jigglypuff."
Jigglypuff's eyes lit up.
A gift. It was the first one it had ever received.
Encouraged by Silas's warm gaze, Jigglypuff carefully unwrapped it.
Inside lay a small, delicate microphone.
Jigglypuff picked it up joyfully, testing it again and again at its mouth. It loved it immediately.
In a burst of excitement, it jumped onto Silas's shoulder and planted a kiss on his cheek, then prepared to start singing.
"Jigglypuff, wait." Silas hurried to stop it. They absolutely could not afford to sleep through another entire day.
"Jigglypuff?"
"Your voice is electronic. It sounds best with proper lighting. Go find Heliolisk and the others."
'Better them than me.'
Jigglypuff nodded seriously, fully agreeing with Silas's reasoning.
Waving to Minccino and the others, it puffed up its body into a round balloon and drifted toward the beach with the help of a gust of wind. It was going to sing for Heliolisk and the others.
"Whew."
Silas raised his hand and wiped nonexistent sweat from his forehead, letting out a sigh of relief.
He handed out the newly purchased headphones to Minccino and the others, telling them to keep them ready just in case.
With new toys in hand, the little ones ran off playfully, laughing and chasing one another.
Cyclizar followed behind them, unwilling to be left out.
After all the Pokémon had scattered, Morpeko finally arrived late. It climbed up Silas's pant leg and settled onto his shoulder.
Then it froze, staring unblinkingly at the ingredients Silas had brought back.
"You little glutton."
Seeing straight through Morpeko's thoughts, Silas chuckled and returned to the cabin with the Indeedee siblings.
They would cook lunch first, then study Sweet Century Soup in the afternoon.
Tying on his apron, Silas gave instructions. "Big brother Indeedee, please fetch some flour from the mill."
"Indee."
Older brother Indeedee responded and left. Silas and younger sister Indeedee began preparing the ingredients for the noodle dishes.
Morpeko, seeing them cooking, could not bring itself to leave, even though laughter and playful noises echoed outside.
With effort, it climbed onto the windowsill and weakly waved at Litten.
"Morpeko!" <(^_^)>
(Do not misunderstand. I am not here to steal food!)
Litten ignored it and continued licking its fur calmly.
Seeing that Litten paid no attention, Morpeko thought for a moment. It reached into its little pouch, pulled out a snack, and carefully offered it forward.
"Morpe~"
(It is tasty. Let us share~)
Litten looked at the plump mouse with puzzled eyes. The proud little cat did not particularly wish to play with a mouse.
But Silas had said that everyone should get along with other Pokémon.
After hesitating, Litten tapped Morpeko lightly with its tail and accepted the snack.
Seeing this, Morpeko blinked, its courage instantly increasing. It leaned closer and rubbed against Litten.
Its expression clearly declared that they were now good friends.
It even proactively began cracking sunflower seeds for Litten.
(End of Chapter)