Half an hour later.
An excited Kashiwagi and Chansey returned home.
According to the official certification at the Pokémon Center, the latter had indeed mastered the move Toxic. The exact cause remained a mystery—Kashiwagi speculated it might be the cumulative effect of all those failed dishes from when she first started practicing, or perhaps it was related to her occasionally sneaking bites of the "dark matter" failures herself.
Whatever the reason, the result was undeniable.
But how exactly did Chansey release the toxin? She didn't have fangs like an Arbok, nor could she scatter poisonous powder like a Gloom.
Kashiwagi watched as Chansey excitedly shared the news with Mawile and Aggron. Seeing the two powerhouses looking genuinely thrilled for their teammate brought a heartfelt smile to his face.
Suddenly, a realization struck him as he saw Mawile and Chansey holding hands.
Could it be released through touch?
Cooking inevitably involved her hands touching the ingredients; if her very touch was infused with toxic energy, it would perfectly explain why every dish she made recently turned into a biohazard.
He rushed forward to share this theory with Chansey. She stared blankly at her hands, and realizing she was still holding Mawile's hand, she tried to pull back in a panic.
"It's okay, she's a Steel-type. She won't get poisoned under normal circumstances," Kashiwagi said, patting her head. "But this unconscious release is something you'll need to practice controlling. We need to keep it in check as soon as possible."
"...Lucky!"
Chansey nodded solemnly, indicating she would stay away from the kitchen for a while to avoid wasting more food.
Still, mastering Toxic was a massive win. It was Chansey's first real offensive tool, allowing her to finally overcome her weakness of being unable to generate solo pressure. She was no longer just a "pure support."
Kashiwagi believed that one day, Chansey would overcome her internal nightmares and understand the difference between having power but choosing not to harm and not harming simply because you are powerless.
"And you need to keep pushing, too. I still can't believe you managed to learn Shock Wave while trying to master Magnet Rise," Kashiwagi said to Aggron.
The move Magnet Rise was proving much more difficult than anticipated. It felt like a stubborn barrier preventing Aggron from achieving flight through its own power.
"Roar!"
Aggron flicked its tail, looking slightly dejected, and gave Kashiwagi a playful nudge. It wasn't like it tried to learn the wrong move. Kashiwagi stumbled from the force of the nudge but didn't mind.
While it hadn't mastered flight yet, Shock Wave wasn't Aggron's only new trick. It had also picked up Smack Down from its previous simulation subject, the Tamer. This move allowed it to ground opponents with the Flying type or the Levitate ability, and even Magnet Rise or Telekinesis couldn't save them.
It felt like the Simulator was specifically targeting Chansey and Mawile's mobility. Since learning this move, Aggron's win rate against Mawile in their sparring sessions had skyrocketed.
Finally, Kashiwagi turned his gaze to Mawile. She flinched, took two steps back, and then glared at him while brandishing her small fists—as if warning him that she'd deck him if he started lecturing. Her progress was actually quite satisfying; having recently mastered Ice Fang and Thunder Fang through her punch training, and completing the "Elemental Fang" trio with Fire Fang from the simulation, she was now working hard on Play Rough and Swords Dance.
"Keep it up! Toward a brighter tomorrow!"
Kashiwagi shouted, breaking into a run around the yard. The three Pokémon looked at each other and immediately fell in line behind him.
----
In the middle of the night.
A freshly showered Kashiwagi lay in bed and opened the Simulator. It was time to find a new partner; those clues were piling up, and he at least wanted to use the high-quality one.
[Select the Pokémon type for the clue]
He hesitated, then thought of the 30 million he'd just banked. Feeling bold, he tapped Dragon.
Dragon-types were legendary for their combat prowess. Even if Fairy-types often kept them in check, their inherent raw power was undeniable. However, they were also "high-maintenance." Most were late-bloomers with temperaments that ranged from difficult to downright feral, requiring immense effort to tame. Furthermore, their combat effectiveness was directly tied to the money spent on them—only the best treatment yielded the best results.
Kashiwagi's 30-million-dollar war chest was his confidence.
The clue transformed.
[You need a wooden plaque carved with a Dragon-type sigil, to be worn at your waist.]
A plaque?
As he puzzled over it, a screen appeared showing a palm-sized tag with an abstract dragon design inside a circular base. It looked exactly like the Dragon Energy symbol from the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
Is wearing this going to make someone mistake me for someone else? Kashiwagi wondered. He decided to have one made the next day and wait for the new encounter. If it required a purchase, he'd use his Executive "reimbursement" perk. If it was a free encounter, he'd consider adding a fifth member to the team.
----
The next day.
Kashiwagi wore the wooden plaque at his waist, but the entire morning passed without any sign of a new Pokémon.
However, while he was running his private kitchen to make some extra cash, he welcomed an unexpected "acquaintance."
"I kept wondering when you'd invite me, but after waiting and waiting, I decided to just show up,"Yamamino said with a smile as he sat at the counter. "I hope you don't mind the uninvited guest?"
"...Of course not."
Kashiwagi laughed. "I was just worried it wouldn't be up to your standards. Someone who's seen the world has experienced the best; I didn't want to embarrass myself."
"Whether it's embarrassing or not, I'll know once I taste it."
Yamamino sat up straight, ignoring the surprised looks from other patrons. He glanced at the walls. "Don't you have a menu?"
"Certainly."
Kashiwagi handed over a small notebook. Yamamino flipped through it, then looked at the stove and raised an eyebrow. "Lo-style cuisine?"
"I learned it from Lo-style recipes online. I'm a big fan. You've probably eaten the real thing, haven't you?" Kashiwagi wasn't surprised this sophisticated youth recognized it. You could fool the locals, but not someone with genuine world experience.
"I've had the honor of visiting the flagship restaurant. Master Locomoco's culinary skills are extraordinary—he is a true genius of the culinary world, easily on par with Master Siebold."
Yamamino seemed lost in the memory of a wonderful meal.
Locomoco and "Lo-style" were the real name and the branding of the Chef from Kashiwagi's previous simulations. While the Chef wasn't famous in the trainer world yet, he was a legend in the culinary world, with branches opening all over Kalos and plans to expand to other regions.
"That sounds amazing. I hope I can taste Master Locomoco's cooking myself one day."
Kashiwagi's envy was genuine. He, more than anyone, knew how powerful "luminous" cooking could be. He was also curious to see how much Locomoco's skills had evolved over the years.
"That day might not be far off," Yamamino smiled. "Serve me your two best dishes. And if you don't mind, I'd like to offer some suggestions."
"The honor is mine!"
Kashiwagi turned back to the kitchen.