Chapter 236:
Time passed swiftly, and soon it was 5 p.m.
After seeing off the hardworking Construction Team, who had labored all day, it was nearly time for dinner.
When Hayashi Kaede, Gardevoir, and Younger Sister Indeedee arrived in the garden, Blaziken—who had been waiting there—immediately perked up.
But the moment Hayashi Kaede brought out today's food, Blaziken's eager expression froze.
Because today's meal looked exactly like yesterday's—those macarons that made it glow all night!
They tasted great, sure, but that glowing was truly a nightmare.
Thinking of having another night of shining like a lantern while trying to sleep gives him the chill...
"Don't worry, today's macarons won't make you glow" Hayashi Kaede said, chuckling at Blaziken's look of dread.
The macarons he'd made the other day were just basic—made with water and flour. But today's batch was made using the finest MooMoo Milk and leavened with Steenee's fruit juice.
These macarons were pale in color, their quality completely different—and they came with two additional culinary effects.
They even contained a unique emotional energy.
[S+ Grade Milk Macarons – Macarons made with MooMoo Milk and Colorful Giant Pumpkin, carrying a floral aroma. After consumption, they increase feelings of happiness.]
[Culinary Effect 1: On first consumption, increases the Pokémon's presence and happiness.]
[Culinary Effect 2: Slightly increases luck.]
[Culinary Effect 3: Hodgepodge – made with a mix of ingredients, rich in energy. Temporarily boosts internal energy activity. Note: The more consumed, the higher the energy activity.]
[Special Culinary Effect: Infused with the creator's emotions. Increases this macaron's attraction to Victini by +50%. A perfect fusion of emotion and gourmet artistry.]
It will Increase energy activity…
In particular it will attract Victini!
Honestly, when Hayashi Kaede saw these effects, he was thrilled.
The emotional energy effect had triggered again—meaning Victini would probably like his macarons even more.
Hearing there were no side effects, Blaziken's eyes lit up instantly.
Without hesitation, it picked one up and bit into it.
But the moment it swallowed, something felt off. It's inner fire energy suddenly flared, burning hotter and livelier than before.
That sensation was all too familiar. It felt just like the first time it had ever eaten barbecue, when it ended up dashing wildly around the unfinished garden using Quick Attack.
"Good, the effect's working perfectly!"
Seeing this, Hayashi Kaede nodded in satisfaction. "Don't worry, it won't make you glow this time. It just makes your body's energy more active. After dinner, I'll reward you with a few sprints back and forth along the road~"
"Blaziken?" Blaziken blinked, dumbfounded.
A new effect too?!
"The more you eat, the more active your energy becomes. Seems pretty fitting for you" Hayashi Kaede said, handing it two more macarons. "And don't forget to take some time to practice your fighting techniques."
In their last battle, Blaziken's fighting form had made him sweat a little.
That opponent's Breloom had far better technique, its martial skill was leagues ahead.
Even though Blaziken's energy level was much higher, it still got punched twice.
"Blaziken…"
Blaziken scratched its head awkwardly, clearly understanding what Hayashi Kaede meant.
"But speaking of that, maybe it's time we found you a proper master" Hayashi Kaede added casually as he continued distributing food to the others.
"Blaziken?"
Blaziken froze, then looked up eagerly. "Blaziken~?" (Who?)
"Salamence" Hayashi Kaede said matter-of-factly. "It's got tons of wild battle experience. Perfect for teaching you some close-combat fundamentals. Just ask it not to use energy attacks—keep it to physical sparring. What do you think?"
He figured Salamence wasn't doing much lately anyway, and Blaziken had grown big enough.
It couldn't just rely on strength without technique.
Speed alone wouldn't cut it forever.
But what he didn't notice was that as soon as he said "Salamence," Blaziken's jaw dropped—and the macaron fell right out of its mouth.
Salamence?! No way!
Just picturing that fierce dragon made its feathers stand on end.
"Hm? What do you think?"
When Hayashi Kaede turned around, Blaziken was no longer by his side. It had quietly scooted over to Gardevoir and was whispering, "Blaziken…"
It looked for all the world like a child pleading to its mom—'If I have to fight Salamence, please come watch… or I'll get beaten to a pulp…'
"Gardevoir~…"
Gardevoir couldn't help but laugh softly, but it kindly offered a compromise: how about replacing Salamence with Dragonite instead? At least Dragonite wasn't as terrifying.
Hayashi Kaede couldn't help but smile.
If Blaziken didn't want to train with Salamence, it could've just said so—did it really have to go complain to Gardevoir?
Dragonite readily agreed to the idea, happy to help.
After handing out all the food, Hayashi Kaede sat down on a chair and waited.
Mew and Jirachi hadn't returned home yet. It seemed Jirachi had become completely captivated by the outside world.
Still, he'd told Mew earlier to bring Jirachi back before dinner this time.
Fortunately, Mew was obedient today.
It wasn't long before two small figures flew in from the outskirts of town.
Mew and Jirachi.
"Meeeew~!" (Hayashi Kaede, I'm back~!) Mew called out excitedly.
Jirachi followed behind, just as cheerful. "Big Brother Kaede~ What's the wish~?"
It was still thinking about Hayashi Kaede's promised wish!
Even though it had clearly been having fun outside, it came back right on time.
"No rush…"
Seeing the two little ones return, Hayashi Kaede smiled warmly. "You've been playing all day. You must be starving. Eat first."
"Jirachi~!" (Yay~)
Jirachi rubbed its belly—the same spot where its True Eye was—but purely because it was hungry.
"Meeew!" (I want catnip!)
Mew floated in front of him, wagging its tail.
"Alright, alright…" Hayashi Kaede said, adding a bit of catnip to its meal.
But inwardly, he couldn't help sighing.
This little cat was getting more and more spoiled.
It came home to eat, then flew off to play again—impossible to keep track of most of the time.
Just as he was thinking that, Mew suddenly pulled something out—a shiny yellow feather crackling faintly with electricity.
"Meeeew~" (For you, Hayashi Kaede. For you!)
"Huh?"
Hayashi Kaede blinked in surprise, then focused on the feather in Mew's paw. His pupils contracted slightly.
Wait a second…
Where did you get that…?
"Meeeew?"