Making Poffins isn't hard.
Following Lily's method, Naoki first mixed flour, eggs, and milk.
Then he poured cold water into the pot and added two different Berries to the cold water.
Here, Naoki chose the sweet-flavored Pecha Berry and Mago Berry.
He heated the pot, and slowly, the clear water turned pink, giving off a sweet aroma.
"Alcremie will definitely like this flavor," Naoki thought.
Once it seemed ready, he poured the pre-prepared batter into the pot, picked up a tool, and began stirring slowly and evenly.
Spending a long time in the kitchen had given Naoki a natural instinct for cooking times.
Once the batter was thoroughly mixed, he turned off the heat, poured it into molds, and placed them into the oven to bake.
Lily watched the whole process, her eyes showing a glimmer of surprise: "I didn't expect you to have such a talent!"
Naoki grinned: "Maybe it's a chef's intuition!"
"A chef? But aren't you a Rancher?"
"Professionally a Rancher, part-time chef." Naoki looked at Cyclizar, smiling, "I prepare all the food for the Pokemon at the ranch."
Hearing this, Lily realized: "I see!"
She thought of the Pokemon that Naoki had brought along at the Sakura Blossom Wine Party and couldn't help but admire:
"You're amazing! Taking care of so many Pokémon by yourself!"
Baking Poffins takes some time, so Naoki patiently waited with Cyclizar.
During this time, some customers came into the store to buy desserts.
Lily asked Naoki to keep an eye on the time as she went to serve them.
At the eighth minute, Lily returned.
This time, she was accompanied by a girl wearing a brown beret, exuding an artistic vibe.
Seeing Naoki's gaze, Lily took the initiative to introduce: "This is Mr. Naoki, he works as a Rancher at a nearby ranch and is currently learning how to make Poffins here with me."
"Mr. Naoki, this is Xiaolei, she, like you, is here to learn the method of making Poffins at my shop."
Xiaolei appeared very cheerful and outgoing, greeting warmly: "Good morning, Mr. Rancher!"
Naoki nodded: "Good morning, Xiaolei."
Following behind Lily, the girl called Xiaolei sat down at a table and pulled out a red and white Poké Ball from her bag.
With a flash of white light, a blue and white-colored Finizen appeared before them.
It levitated in mid-air, resembling a dolphin, yet smaller in size, a blue water ring around the tail, and eyes of a unique blue and pink hue, making it very cute.
Most notably, there was a red heart on its white belly.
Naoki was a bit surprised.
Was that... Finizen? No, the heart means this Finizen has evolved into a Palafin.
Whether it possesses the ability to transform into its Hero Form remains unknown.
At this moment, Xiaolei energetically said: "Xiaobo, this is Mr. Naoki. Today, he'll be learning how to make Poffins along with us under Ms. Lily's guidance!"
Upon hearing this, the Finizen floating in mid-air turned to look, letting out a melodious growl, as if greeting in return.
Naoki was a bit amazed: "How does it manage to levitate?"
Xiaolei honestly shook her head: "I don't know either. Ever since I met Xiaobo, it could do this. It once saved me from drowning; to thank it, I gifted it a Pokémon snack, and we've been together ever since."
Lily, smiling nearby, added: "This Finizen and Xiaolei get along really well!"
Finizen?
Shouldn't it be called Palafin?
Then, Xiaolei continued: "The way Xiaobo swam to save me back then was just like the Palafin from stories!"
Lily asked: "Mr. Naoki, coming from another region, you probably haven't heard the legendary tales of Palafin in the Paldea Region, have you?"
Naoki blinked, thinking to himself that he knew, but outwardly he asked: "Palafin?"
Xiaolei patted her "Finizen" beside her and nodded with a smile: "That's the hero of the sea! Whenever it hears a call for help, it changes its appearance in an instant, unseen by anyone."
"There's a narrative in the Pokémon legends of Paldea about Palafin bravely rescuing others, with immense strength in its transformed state, capable of easily lifting a cruise ship with just one flipper. Unfortunately, there's never been a human Trainer known to have captured a Palafin, and it's rarely seen by humans."
Naoki: "..."
So you just took the Palafin for a Finizen, huh?
Naoki glanced at the Palafin twice, but didn't reveal its true identity.
Just then, with a "ding," the Poffins were ready.
Naoki put on heatproof gloves and went to take them out.
Immediately, a sweet aroma filled the room.
Everyone present, both humans and Pokémon, looked in surprise at the pink Poffins on the tray.
"Wow! The aroma is so rich!"
In Naoki's mind, the information about this Poffin appeared.
[Fragrant Sweet Poffin (A): A delicious dessert made from Berries, milk, and other ingredients, highly favored by Pokémon.
Cooking Effect: Good Friend lv2, significantly boosts the friendliness of Pokémon that like sweet flavors; placing it in the wild easily attracts Pokémon.
Bonus Effect: Long-term consumption makes Pokémon stronger.
Evaluation: A Poffin with a rich aroma and smooth taste, suitable for both humans and Pokémon!]
Good Friend? Significantly increasing Pokémon's liking...
Overall, this effect is pretty good, effectively helping to build a rapport with Pokémon.
Though he did not achieve the cooking effect he desired, Naoki felt somewhat disappointed.
"It'll be good to take some back for Pawmi as a nutritional boost."
Naoki thought as he shared the Poffins with everyone present, including the Pokémon, and picked one up to taste himself.
The baked Poffins were soft and chewy, akin to pancakes, with a hint of Berry freshness, perfectly melding the flavors of Pecha Berry and Mago Berry, sweet yet not cloying.
"Wow! So delicious!"
As the Poffin entered her mouth, Xiaolei's eyes lit up instantly.
Lily was initially surprised, then expressed praise: "It's really good!"
Cyclizar and Palafin also showed enjoyment, eagerly stuffing their mouths with Poffins.
Watching Cyclizar's anxious eating, Naoki couldn't help but chuckle: "Eat slowly, I can always make more if it's not enough."
Cyclizar let out a happy growl: "Gawoo~"