The orange sunset spilled across the horizon, as if draping the ranch in a colorful cloak.
In front of the ranch cabin, Kangaskhan lay sprawled at the doorway in boredom. Its thick tail swayed back and forth unconsciously, thumping against the ground with dull thud-thud sounds.
Kangaskhan wasn't in a good mood. It puffed its cheeks and grumbled inwardly.
"You didn't take me with you again. I hate you, I hate you. I'm definitely not talking to you for a whole day!"
"…Wait, isn't a whole day a bit too long?"
Kangaskhan tilted its head and thought about it. That really did seem a little long—it might not be able to hold out.
"How about… thirty—no, one hour."
"Right, right! I absolutely won't talk to Hayato Sora for one hour!"
Just as Kangaskhan was sulking, Hayato Sora returned under the sunset, riding on Cyclizar.
From afar, Hayato Sora waved toward Kangaskhan.
"Boss, we're back!"
"Kanga!"
Kangaskhan jolted upright.
The moment it saw Hayato Sora, its face immediately lit up with a wide smile.
It spread its arms and dashed forward on its short legs.
As for what it had just said…
Did it say anything?
Of course not.
"Hahaha—"
Hayato Sora hugged Kangaskhan's big head as it leaned in and gave it a vigorous rub.
"Alright, alright. Don't cling to me the whole time. I'm making white-cut chicken for you today—I already bought all the ingredients."
After living together for several years, how could he not understand Kangaskhan's little thoughts?
Despite its large size, Kangaskhan was actually incredibly jealous.
Hayato Sora still remembered the last time he spent a little time alone with Gardevoir—Kangaskhan nearly punched someone over it.
Kangaskhan helped carry all the ingredients into the cabin, while Cyclizar went to call Mudbray and Noibat over.
Hayato Sora placed Cinccino on the kitchen counter, washed his hands, tied on an apron, and began the first step of cooking—preparing the ingredients.
Making Sable cookies was somewhat complicated, requiring quite a few ingredients.
A chunk of butter, sugar, salt, egg yolk, low-gluten flour, and almond flour were all mixed together and kneaded into dough, then set aside to ferment.
Next, Hayato Sora began preparing the other ingredients.
Various fruits were diced into chunks, and Berries were sliced before being mixed with Combee-produced Sweet Honey and MooMoo Milk, then left to sit for a while.
Noticing Cinccino's curious little expression as it peeked over the counter, Hayato Sora picked up a piece of fruit coated in syrup and placed it in its tiny paws.
The little cutie's eyes lit up with surprise.
Holding the Berry with both hands, it nibbled at it like a hamster, its cheeks quickly puffing out.
If Hayato Sora remembered correctly, Cinccino's real-world inspiration was the chinchilla—a rather unique kind of rodent.
Knock knock knock.
Someone was knocking at the door.
Cyclizar and the others had arrived.
Wiping his hands, Hayato Sora quickly went to open it.
He let Cyclizar and the others into the cabin. The fireplace had already been lit, filling the room with warm, cozy heat.
After letting the little ones find their own spots to lie down, Hayato Sora hurried back to the kitchen.
He took out the blanched, fully cooked rooster and prepared a basin of cold spring water.
The entire chicken was submerged in it.
This step would make the chicken meat firmer and improve the texture.
While waiting, Hayato Sora began preparing the dipping sauce for the white-cut chicken.
This dish focused on natural flavor, so the sauce was quite simple.
Minced garlic, chopped scallions, sesame oil, and soy sauce were mixed together.
For those who liked spice, chili could be added. Hayato Sora prepared both a spicy and a non-spicy dish.
At that moment, the dough beside him had finished fermenting.
He cut the dough into small round discs, rolled them in Sweet Honey, and sprinkled them with walnut bits, almond slices, and chocolate chips.
There was no oven in the house.
So Hayato Sora wrapped each piece in foil and placed them on the fireplace to slowly roast, hoping they might succeed that way.
The ranch still had no electricity—it was quite inconvenient.
After earning some money at the Beach Festival the day after tomorrow, he was determined to buy a generator, along with a refrigerator and an oven.
Without those, many dishes simply couldn't be made.
They were necessities.
Once the chicken had cooled, Hayato Sora took it out and placed it on the cutting board, slicing it into neat pieces.
He then carefully arranged the slices back into the shape of a whole chicken and sprinkled crushed ice on top to keep it fresh.
As soon as he finished, the dish's information popped up.
Secret White-Cut Chicken (B Rank)
A dish prepared with simple cooking methods that preserve the chicken's original flavor. The skin is smooth and springy, while the meat is tender and melts in the mouth. A dish not to be missed.
Cooking Effect:
Stamina Recovery (Large)
Primal Instinct – After eating, Pokémon have a chance to obtain ancient wild power.
(Note: There is a chance to trigger a special hidden effect.)
"Ancient power?"
Hayato Sora felt puzzled and scratched his head.
Could it mean learning the move Ancient Power?
But that move wasn't particularly strong. The chance for the stat boost was too small.
Not to mention battles—even in everyday situations, it wasn't very useful.
Shaking his head, Hayato Sora didn't dwell on it.
He turned his gaze to the side.
After resting for a few minutes, the Fruit Platter had absorbed the sweetness of the honey and the richness of the milk.
Deluxe Fruit Platter (B Rank)
A perfect combination of over a dozen fruits and Berries, Sweet Honey, and MooMoo Milk. A dish beloved by Pokémon.
Cooking Effect:
Pokémon Friendship MAX – After eating, a Pokémon's friendship with you will gradually increase and can be stabilized through interaction.
A dish that permanently increased friendship.
When a Pokémon's stomach was filled with delicious food, it would simply adore you.
The effects of the two dishes were pretty good.
Hayato Sora carried them both to the dining table.
Having already smelled the aroma, the Pokémon had formed a circle around the table, eagerly waiting for the meal to begin.
Hayato Sora laughed and teased them.
"What a bunch of gluttons."
He then took the Sable cookies that had been roasting on the fireplace.
After tearing open the foil and glancing inside, Hayato Sora shook his head with regret.
Sure enough, this kind of dish really required an oven.
Otherwise, the result was exactly like this—some parts raw, some parts overcooked, caused by uneven heat.
Half-Raw Sable Cookies (D- Rank)
A failed dish. If you break off the raw parts, some of it might still be edible.
Cooking Effect:
Stamina Recovery (Small)
"Just as expected…"
Hayato Sora sighed regretfully and walked over to Cinccino with an apologetic expression.
"Sorry, Cinccino. The Sable cookies I promised you seem to have failed."
"Li-li!"
Cinccino hugged Hayato Sora with its tiny hands.
Then it grabbed a small piece, took a bite, and raised it high to show him.
It was as if it were saying:
It's okay, Hayato Sora. As long as it's food you made, I like it.
What mattered most was Hayato Sora—being with him.
Hayato Sora pinched its ears and rubbed its head.
Luckily, he had made plenty of Fruit Platter, enough for the whole family.
Before dinner started, Hayato Sora served a separate bowl of fruit platter for Chatot.
That guy had run off somewhere again. These days it was coming home later and later.
When it came back next time, Hayato Sora decided he'd have to scold it a little—it kept making the family worry.
He then went to the bedroom and gently picked up Smoliv from the windowsill.
The little one slowly woke up, still half asleep and bleary-eyed.
Hayato Sora also prepared a separate bowl of MooMoo Milk for Smoliv.
The little guy was still growing—it needed the nutrition.
"Fu-fu~"
Smoliv hugged Hayato Sora's finger and gave his cheek a little kiss to show its affection.
After settling the two special little ones, Hayato Sora finally sat down at the dining table.
The Pokémon all looked at him at once.
Hayato Sora blinked.
"Why are you all staring at me?"
"Let's eat!"
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