Click—
A flash of white light glinted as Marzillo's knife came down.
The red chili peppers split into halves, then quarters, then fine shreds, until they were reduced to dust.
In the next moment, a strong spicy aroma filled the kitchen.
"Ugh~ so strong…" Lopunny covered her nose with both hands, blinking rapidly as her eyes watered a little.
Once the chilies were ground into powder, Marzillo nodded with satisfaction. He cracked a few eggs into a bowl and began stirring.
"Lopunny, can you start the fire for me?"
"Okay~" she replied softly, obediently moving to the corner to carry some firewood.
"Alright, next step is—"
Before he could finish thinking aloud, a dish floated gently into view, the thin slices of codfish laid neatly on top.
Marzillo looked up—Gardevoir was standing at the kitchen doorway, smiling brightly.
"All done!" she said cheerfully, tilting her head playfully.
She must have teleported in while he wasn't looking, quietly cutting the fish for him with her psychic energy.
Marzillo studied the slices. Each piece was thin, even, and perfectly clean—her knife technique wasn't far from his own.
"Nice work."
He smiled, gently patting her head.
"Mmm~"
Gardevoir closed her eyes, enjoying the moment like a serene goddess basking in sunlight—so different from her usual mischievous demeanor.
Taking the fish, Marzillo sprinkled salt, added a bit of rice wine, then mixed in the egg whites. Slowly, he stirred the ingredients together, letting them marinate.
"The fish looks even softer now," Lopunny said, peeking up from the fire pit with her cheeks smudged with ash.
Gardevoir nodded in agreement, watching eagerly. She looked like she was ready to eat.
Once the marinating was done, Marzillo heated the oil, tossed in the fish slices, then poured in the ground chili powder that Gardevoir passed him. The wok sizzled, popping and crackling as the spicy scent grew stronger and stronger.
"Gulp…"
"Gulp…"
Both Pokémon girls swallowed unconsciously, their eyes fixed on the pan.
"Almost ready," Marzillo reassured them with a smile as he flipped the fish deftly.
Though the little wooden cabin they lived in was old and weathered—its roof sometimes leaking during storms, the bed creaking under the slightest weight—it was filled with warmth and laughter.
As Marzillo looked at the two Pokémon beside him—the sweet, ash-faced Lopunny tending the fire and the bright-eyed Gardevoir waiting patiently—he felt a quiet joy rise inside.
For a brief moment, he thought of his previous life—watching Pokémon adventures on TV, seeing trainers and their partners travel through new regions, facing battles, joys, and farewells.
And now, here he was—living his own version of that dream.
He wasn't out battling in gyms or chasing championships. Instead, he was building something peaceful, something that felt like home.
A farm of his own.
Simple work. Beautiful scenery. The quiet satisfaction of planting and growing, step by step.
And, of course, the company of these two gentle souls beside him.
"I'll make this place better—one day at a time," Marzillo thought to himself.
"Alright! Time to serve!"
After about half an hour, he lifted the pan and poured the sizzling fish slices into a large dish. A final drizzle of hot oil made the aroma bloom like fire.
Spicy Cod Fillet—complete!
"Yay!" Lopunny clapped her hands in delight, her long ears perking up.
Gardevoir floated the bowls and chopsticks over with psychic power.
"It smells amazing…"
The moment they started eating, Lopunny's eyes lit up in bliss, and Gardevoir's lips curved into a smile as she tasted it slowly, savoring the rich, spicy flavor.
Seeing their satisfied faces, Marzillo couldn't help but grin.
After dinner, while the two Pokémon cleaned the kitchen together, he retreated to his small desk to jot down his notes.
"League Year 2075, October 6th — Hiyori Town Farm," he wrote.
"Income: 3 Hard Stones (estimated 15,000 Alliance Coins)."
"Expenses: None."
"Progress: Three acres of farmland cleared."
"Current funds: 50,000 Alliance Coins."
Even on busy days, he never skipped his farm journal.
Tapping his pen against the table, he murmured:
"We'll need to start planting some basic food crops soon."
He was already making plans for the future.
"The system gave us good starter seeds—Wheat Rice and Rolling Beans. That should cover our basic meals."
He decided to use part of the land for a small medicinal garden—growing herbs like Heal Grass, Bugroot, and Revive Bloom. These could be turned into potions, sprays, and restoration items—useful for their own use and profitable for sale.
The western hill would be for berry trees—Oran, Sitrus, and others. Berries were always in demand among trainers.
As for the eastern plains, one day he hoped to start livestock farming—Mareep wool, Miltank milk—but for now, with limited funds, that dream would have to wait.
An hour later, Marzillo finally put down his pen and stretched, realizing that night had completely fallen outside.
"Um… Master?"
A soft voice came from the door. Lopunny peeked in shyly.
"May I use the bath?"
Her tone was gentle, as if afraid to interrupt his focus.
"Of course," Marzillo said with a warm smile. "It's the room next to the living room. There should be fresh towels."
He reached out to pat her soft ears, and she turned bright red again.
Pokémon, in some ways, weren't too different from pets back in his previous life—they needed care and cleaning too.
But now that she was in her humanoid form, she could handle that herself.
"Okay~ thank you, Master," she murmured, bowing slightly before padding away with her fluffy tail swaying behind her.
Marzillo watched her go, then leaned back in his chair, smiling faintly.
A quiet night, a warm home, and a dream taking shape—that was all he needed.
~------------------------------
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