Dusk at sunset.
Baimu rubbed his sore eyes, closed the blog, and stopped reading those comments while staring at the ceiling with a bit of melancholy.
Not long ago, Shanren, who was far away in Ore, called to congratulate him.
Even though he had told him early on about his decision to participate in the Gorgeous Competition, staying up all night watching the blog live stream and even calling him—this guy must be really idle.
When Baimu complained like this, he responded, "How can a member of the Rainbow Team not watch the boss's competition?"
He even stated that nearly everyone in the Rainbow Team was watching, and they gathered to watch it like a festival—a scene full of excitement.
Sounded pretty embarrassing.
Baimu instinctively felt an urge to never return to Pyrite Town.
But besides congratulating him, Shanren also brought his own good news. Next month, he will officially take office as the town mayor... I mean, officially become the mayor of Pyrite Town.
While someone was traveling happily this month, Shanren diligently completed various tasks to rebuild and develop Pyrite Town, earning unanimous recognition from the Rescue Organization.
"After I take office, your funding issue will be easier to handle."
Shanren chuckled.
Baimu was a bit worried, "Can this activity fund really be approved? You're not planning on abusing your power, are you?"
"What are you saying! Do you think I'm like Ergin? Just tell me if you want it!"
"Of course, I need proper funding..."
"Then don't talk nonsense, chatting with you is really infuriating! I've been busy all day, barely sleeping and still worried about your economic situation, and this is how you repay me?"
"I'm just afraid you might end up on a criminal path..."
"Ha, if I were to commit a crime now, it would only be murder. I'd rush to Hoenn and chop you to pieces!"
The two joked around.
Although it's unclear exactly how Shanren will send money over, it's really touching that he keeps thinking about his economic situation.
However, he also mentioned not to be deceived by any agency, regardless of the high offers they make.
With Liuqia's previous experience, how could Baimu possibly fall into that trap?
Shanren and Wula La were indeed overthinking it.
After hanging up the phone, Baimu continued to browse the blog until now, then left the Gorgeous Competition venue together with the staff closing the pavilion.
Once outside, there were still reporters lurking.
Luckily, he was wearing a hat and stuck close to a few staff members nearby, so he wasn't caught.
Honestly, the most satisfying thing is that the privacy in the Pokémon World is secure enough that his identity and phone number weren't exposed. If it were his previous life, there's no way he'd be able to play on his phone for so long, his number would have been bombarded long ago.
Currently, not only his phone number hasn't been exposed, but the hotel he's staying in has also not been crowded.
"What a busy day."
He sighed, collapsed onto the bed like a corpse, laid still for a while, then lazily opened his Pokeball releasing his Pokémon, unwilling to move.
"Lucky?"
Chansey approached the bed, sensing keenly that the Trainer's state was different from usual.
"I don't want to cook, Chansey, you cook for us," Baimu lazily turned his head and spoke to Chansey.
The room was booked with a kitchen, but it didn't have an open flame, only an electromagnetic stove.
"Lucky!"
The pink Little Egg agreed very empathetically. It learned to cook just to ease Baimu's stress, but most of the time it could only help out.
Now, it finally has a chance to show its skills and won't let it slip by.
Deino jumped onto the bed, naturally resting its head on the Trainer's back, nibbling on his other hand.
"So heavy... why bite the hand far away instead of the nearby one," Baimu sighed, then spotted Galarian Corsola in front of him.
Its pair of fiery red eyes lit up, meeting his gaze.
Baimu: "What are you doing?"
"Throat~"
"You're 'throat'ing and all, I can't understand," he said he couldn't understand, but he guessed that it meant there was no training today, and it wouldn't be doing overtime to make up for the day.
This guy is just like an office worker.
Galarian Corsola, seeing this, couldn't be bothered to say more to Baimu, the "black-hearted boss," and simply shut up.
Anyway, when there's a battle or training, he would definitely speak up.
Baimu saw it ignoring him and gave up his argument, burying his face in the bedding, trying to imagine himself as a stone.
A poor stone pressed by Deino.
When he came to his senses, Chansey had already prepared dinner, and Mawile rang along to call him to eat.
"Oh, I didn't expect to return to a life where food is ready and clothes are handed over."
Baimu lightly tapped Deino's upper jaw, which immediately understood, released his hand, and tilted its head up before jumping over his body to the floor.
"Mawile!"
"The Vitality Trait is really good."
He twirled Deino's unicorn-like tuft of hair which had been dyed white and was gradually fading, guessing it would be completely gone in a week.
There's actually no need for re-dying; the initial dye was to differentiate.
Now, even if a hundred Deinos were gathered in front of him, he could easily recognize his hand-nibbling little dragon.
Sitting at the table.
The dishes were more sumptuous than expected.
Clearly, Chansey had put a lot of thought into treating him to a good meal.
"Thanks~"
Baimu gently stroked the furry head of the pink Little Egg, eating with relish.
You can't ignore it; Chansey, although it didn't have the experience of observing chefs every night like him, mastered cooking skills at about 60-70%, and upon closer examination, a layer of shimmering glow could be seen attached to the dishes.
Others might think it was added fluorescent agents, but Baimu knew it was a sign of luminous cooking at a basic level.
"Impressive, impressive, well done."
As he ate, he praised, making Chansey a bit embarrassed.
——
After dinner.
Baimu lay with no intention to step down for training.
Aggron and Mawile exchanged glances, realizing the Trainer was probably done for the night, and decided to practice moves downstairs on their own.
The latter even specifically mentioned it, earning Baimu's okay gesture.
So.
Aggron grabbed Deino, Mawile led the way, and Chansey cradled Galarian Corsola, lovingly going out together.
During this, Laziness Coral woke up, seemingly planning to protest, inadvertently meeting Chansey's gaze.
Galarian Corsola: "..."
Chansey: (*￣︶￣)
Laziness Coral resigned.
Among all the Pokémon, Chansey was the hardest to handle for it. On one hand, it was gentle and particularly attentive, on the other hand—this fellow truly lacked strength to absorb!
Unlike Xiaogang's mighty Happiny, thinking of absorbing Chansey's vigor felt like it would be turned into a stool, tabletop support, soup ingredient, or firewood by the black-hearted boss...