Chapter 151: Isn't This as Simple as Having Hands?
"You heard something?" Ruby closed his eyes. "I didn't hear anything."
Steven stood up, his expression serious. "Are you sure you heard something, Sapphire?"
"I… I'm not entirely sure," she scratched her head. "It sounded like it came from the meteorite… but it disappeared right away."
Lu Ye stood up, brushing his wet hair back. "If it's true… then it must've been Jirachi's telepathy. Jirachi resonates with those with pure hearts… this meteorite might be the real deal."
Steven nodded slightly. "It seems Sapphire was the only one who heard Jirachi's call."
"Huh? Why Sapphire?" Ruby asked.
A vein popped on Sapphire's forehead. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Ruby quickly waved his hands. "I just mean… Jirachi has great taste!"
"In any case," Steven said, "Sapphire, hold onto this meteorite."
"Got it!"
"Oh, Teacher Lu, you can borrow Zhi-Zhi's flames to dry your clothes!"
"Really? Thanks." Zhi-Zhi was Sapphire's nickname for her Blaziken. Having a Fire-type while camping was incredibly convenient. After changing, Lu Ye muttered, "Maybe I should catch a Fire-type…" But he hesitated, realizing the potential for house fires would multiply. "Not in this lifetime!"
Outside, Sapphire sat on a rock, hugging the meteorite. "Teacher Lu seems to know a lot about Jirachi."
Ruby leaned against the rock. "As expected. Like my master, champions are always so knowledgeable."
"You know a lot about Celebi, don't you?" Sapphire smiled.
Ruby gazed at the sky. "I just hope it's happy."
"The song is back," Sapphire whispered.
"I don't hear anything," Ruby scratched his head. "Could it be… I'm not pure anymore?"
"Get lost!" Sapphire shoved him aside. Ruby grinned. "I'm not leaving. I'm staying right here with you!" Sapphire's face turned red, and she let out a soft "Hmm."
As night deepened, Lu Ye cast his fishing line, glancing at the lovey-dovey pair with a sigh. Why? I thought I was prepared, yet I still ended up getting second-hand embarrassment!
Steven cast his line as well. "Teacher Lu, you're quite skilled at fishing."
"I'm alright," Lu Ye replied calmly.
SPLASH! A creamy Pokémon that resembled a water serpent broke the surface.
"Milotic?" Lu Ye was stunned.
"Oh, that's Ruby's Milotic," Steven explained.
Milotic glanced at Lu Ye and smiled sweetly. Lu Ye greeted it, tossing a Pokéblock onto the water. Milotic leaped gracefully, catching the treat.
Five minutes later... "Huh? Milotic again?"
Another 5 minutes passed. "You're here again?"
And 5 minutes later... Lu Ye pulled up his line. "I'm out of treats! Please stop biting the hook!" Milotic tilted its head with a bashful smile.
…
Blaziken exhaled a flame, igniting a warm orange campfire. The sky was heavy with clouds.
"Will there really be a meteor shower?" Sapphire asked.
"Let's wait a bit longer," Steven reassured her. "Jirachi's awakening lasts for 7 days. There's no rush."
Ruby, wearing glasses, silently knitted by the fire. "Is that for Sapphire?" Steven asked.
"Yeah… I make all her clothes," Ruby replied. "She's terrible with needlework…" Sapphire bared her teeth but ultimately just sipped her tea grumpily.
On the fire, a steaming pot of curry simmered. Lu Ye added a few drops of spicy Cheri Berry juice. "Alright, time to eat."
"This looks amazing!" Sapphire's eyes lit up.
Ruby swallowed. "This… this is Charizard-level curry, isn't it?" Suddenly, everyone turned to see Steven serving himself a second helping.
"This is delicious!" Sapphire mumbled through a mouthful.
Ruby took a bite, tears streaming down his face. "Finally, no more of Sapphire's cooking!"
In the system interface, his cooking skill had leveled up. [Cooking Lv4: Significantly improves your culinary skills.]
The campfire illuminated the little Pokémon's faces as Lu Ye got up to feed them. Ruby had the same idea but froze.
"Mimi! Why are you over by Teacher Lu?!"
"Milooo~" Milotic shyly lowered its head. Not only Milotic, but also Sapphire's Tropius and Blaziken, and even Steven's shiny Metagross had surrounded Lu Ye.
"One Pokéblock each. No cutting in line!" he commanded. Even the imposing Metagross lowered its head, obediently waiting.
"Hauunter!" Haunter's mouth was stuffed with Pokéblocks as it floated smugly through the line.
Ruby was stunned. The supposedly basic Oran Pokéblocks in Lu Ye's hands sparkled like gems. This quality was far beyond his own. Even Master Wallace might not be able to make Pokéblocks this perfect…
"Teacher Lu…" Ruby swallowed. "You call this… ordinary Pokéblocks?"
"Huh? You mean these?" Lu Ye looked puzzled as he handed one to Eevee. "Eevee!" The little Pokémon turned its head away disdainfully.
"They're just basic ones," Lu Ye scratched his head. "Isn't this as simple as having hands?"
What?! Ruby felt as though a stampede of Tauros had trampled through his mind.
"Well, it seems there won't be a meteor shower tonight." Sapphire hugged her knees, sighing.
Ruby sat beside her, his expression complicated. "Teacher Lu really seems like a coordination champion."
"Isn't he a breeder? His cooking is so good…"
"And yet… he tied with Lance?"
The couple fell silent for three seconds before speaking in unison. "That's amazing…"
Meanwhile, Steven gazed at the thick clouds. "What bad luck. Even if Jirachi awakens, it won't resonate with the stars in this weather…"
Lu Ye wasn't worried. "I guess Cynthia won't make it today," he sighed internally.
"By the way, did you send your location to Cynthia?" Steven asked.
"I did, but the signal here is poor."
"No problem." Steven smiled. "I sent her the exact coordinates."
"Huh?" Lu Ye blinked. Should I consider getting a Rotom Phone?
"Mr. Steven, do you know how much a Rotom Phone costs?"
"About 3 million," Steven replied. "Their output is still quite limited."
Lu Ye was dumbfounded. No wonder Professor Kukui could casually give away a Rotom Pokédex…
Suddenly, Lu Ye's phone vibrated. [Cabbage Ice Cream: I'm almost there.]
Lu Ye: ??? You're almost here?!
He looked toward the horizon. The sky was heavy with clouds. At the farthest visible point—a Garchomp tore through the thick cloud cover, moonlight pouring through the rift. Standing atop it was a blonde woman, striding as though walking on air.
[Inorin Note:
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