Wednesday, November 7th.
The start of winter.
A light drizzle fell outside the window, and the temperature had dropped significantly.
Aside from Sylveon, who loved burrowing into the blankets, Togepi had also claimed a small pillow, curling up into an egg shape and snoring softly.
Natsume yawned, pulled on a hoodie, and got up to wash up.
Gengar stood in front of the mirror, brushing its teeth alongside Natsume.
Though it was a common sight, Natsume couldn't help but complain, "Do Ghost-types even need to brush their teeth?"
"Gengar!"
Gengar spat out the mouthwash, grinning to reveal its sparkling white teeth, which gleamed with a ding.
"…Never mind."
Natsume's parents called.
Aside from reminding him to stay warm, they also reminded him to eat dumplings today.
Due to family traditions, Natsume's family made dumplings not only for the winter solstice but also for the start of winter.
His mother, Misuzu, dusted flour off her apron as she chattered, "Should I send you some pre-made dumplings?"
"No need, I'll make them with the little ones tonight."
"Alright… By the way, is that regional champion thing really a big deal?" Misuzu asked, puzzled. "Your dad's been so excited about it for a week now, bragging to everyone."
While the tournament had a significant influence, many ordinary people still didn't fully understand the world of Trainers.
After all, raising Pokémon and breeding battle-ready Pokémon were two entirely different things.
"It's more of a fan tournament, nothing to worry about," Natsume said with a laugh.
"I see, as long as you're fine… Also, your dad and I are planning to go on a trip soon," Misuzu said shyly. "I haven't traveled much. He says it's like making up for our honeymoon…"
Natsume felt a mix of sweetness and bitterness at the thought of his parents' lovey-dovey plans. He chuckled wryly, "You two go ahead and enjoy your trip. Don't worry about me!"
After some more small talk, Natsume casually mentioned his plans to study in Kanto.
His parents didn't have any objections. His father, Makoto, said, "You take care of yourself, kid. Don't come bothering us when we're back!"
Natsume: "..."
Aside from reminding him to stay warm, they also reminded him to eat dumplings today.
Due to family traditions, Natsume's family made dumplings not only for the winter solstice but also for the start of winter.
His mother, Misuzu, dusted flour off her apron as she chattered, "Should I send you some pre-made dumplings?"
"No need, I'll make them with the little ones tonight."
"Alright… By the way, is that regional champion thing really a big deal?" Misuzu asked, puzzled. "Your dad's been so excited about it for a week now, bragging to everyone."
While the tournament had a significant influence, many ordinary people still didn't fully understand the world of Trainers.
After all, raising Pokémon and breeding battle-ready Pokémon were two entirely different things.
"It's more of a fan tournament, nothing to worry about," Natsume said with a laugh.
"I see, as long as you're fine… Also, your dad and I are planning to go on a trip soon," Misuzu said shyly. "I haven't traveled much. He says it's like making up for our honeymoon…"
Natsume felt a mix of sweetness and bitterness at the thought of his parents' lovey-dovey plans. He chuckled wryly, "You two go ahead and enjoy your trip. Don't worry about me!"
After some more small talk, Natsume casually mentioned his plans to study in Kanto.
His parents didn't have any objections. His father, Makoto, said, "You take care of yourself, kid. Don't come bothering us when we're back!"
Natsume: "..."
Well, no car, no house, and now his parents were too busy for him.
Who knows, maybe they'd come back from their honeymoon with a little sister for him.
In the group chat, everyone was discussing dumplings, a traditional Touran dish.
Blue Oak: Do they increase Friendship when you eat them?
The typical comment from a breeding expert made Natsume-sensei sweat. "They're just delicious!"
Yellow: (??﹃??)
"I remember Brock mentioned making dumplings last time, right?" Green mused. "Can we go over to his place for dinner?"
Brock, wiping sweat from his forehead, sent a voice message: "I'm rolling out the dough right now! You're all welcome to come… Geodude, give me a hand here!"
Red laughed: "With all his younger siblings, he's probably making enough for ten people… Let's not bother him."
Lorelei: [Picture]
Lorelei sent a selfie of herself and Misty enjoying hotpot at a restaurant in Cerulean City.
The steam from the hotpot fogged up the windows, and Lorelei's face was flushed like fine red wine. Misty flashed a peace sign beside her.
Auntie Lorelei, adding stickers to her selfies!
Gold stifled a laugh and was about to type something, but thankfully, Natsume-sensei's 24-hour mute on him was still in effect, saving Gold from himself.
Without the usual troublemaker stirring things up, the group chat was filled with a harmonious atmosphere.
Natsume spent some more time chatting in the group.
With nothing else to do, he opened Pokémon: Battle and prepared to start a live stream.
Suddenly, he remembered something and called out to Gengar in the living room, "Gengar! Go buy some flour and vegetables this afternoon. We're making dumpling wrappers tonight!"
"Gengar!"
In the living room, Gengar, who had been playing cards with Togepi, responded.
Having lost to Togepi, Gengar leaned in close, letting Togepi doodle on its face.
"Togepi doo-ee~~"
Togepi giggled happily, drawing a big heart on Gengar's cheek with a marker.
"Gengar!"
Gengar lifted Togepi onto the sofa, tuned the TV to the Battle channel, and then picked up a grocery basket, ready to head out.
Just then, Gengar felt a pair of eyes on it.
Looking down, it saw Togepi gazing up at it with admiration.
"Gengar?" (What's up?)
"Togepi~~" (I'll go for you!)
Togepi hopped off the sofa, grabbed the grocery basket, and happily toddled out the door.
Outside, the light drizzle made the roads slippery.
Togepi had barely made it down the stairs before it tripped.
Gengar, hiding in the shadows, quickly caught it and wiped a cold sweat.
"Togepi doo-ee~~(～￣▽￣)～"
Togepi walked under the eaves, but as it passed an alley, a group of Meowth eyed it menacingly.
"Meow!!"
Just as the Meowth extended their claws, a large shadow descended from above.
Growlithe's Body Slam crushed the lead Persian into the ground!
Seeing Togepi unharmed, Growlithe and Gengar sighed in relief and continued to secretly follow Togepi.
Finally, they reached the supermarket.
Togepi couldn't reach the flour on the shelf.
But then, an invisible force levitated the flour, sending it floating into Togepi's basket.
"Togepi doo-ee~~( ≧◇≦)"
After finishing the shopping list and paying the bill, Togepi was carried out of the store by a kind security guard under the warm gaze of the clerk.
"Splash—"
Heavy rain poured down, blocking the way home.
Togepi sat innocently on the steps, placing the shopping bag beside it and swinging its little feet.
Suddenly, it felt someone pat its head.
"Gengar! "
Gengar held an umbrella, grinning as it gave a thumbs-up.
"Growlithe~"
Growlithe nudged Togepi onto its back and dashed into the rain.
"Togepi doo-ee~~o(*≧▽≦)ツ"
In the pouring rain, Gengar floated beside the sprinting Growlithe, holding the umbrella, while Togepi clutched the shopping bag, laughing joyfully.
In a corner, Sylveon, soaked to the bone, finally breathed a sigh of relief after confirming Togepi was safe.
"I thought I asked Gengar to go out?" Natsume said in surprise. "Why did all four of you go?"
The four little ones exchanged glances and suddenly burst into laughter.
"Whatever…"
Natsume shook his head with a smile. "I've boiled some hot water. Go take a bath first."
"Togepi doo-ee~~"
Togepi handed the shopping bag to Natsume and grinned.
Natsume paused, then pieced together what had happened.
He patted Togepi's head and smiled. "You all did great~"
Looking at the four little ones, Natsume rubbed his chin.
Speaking of which, Squirtle had been training for a week now.
With its talent… could it really be mastering some ultimate move?
"Surely… it's not that bad, right?"
Natsume poured himself a cup of hot tea, but just as he was about to sip it, the cup on the table began to shake.
Natsume blinked, looking up. "An earthquake?"
The disturbance was coming from the bedroom.
Squirtle, who had been hiding in the fish tank, seemed to sense the flow of aura and suddenly opened its eyes.
A bright light shone from Squirtle's eyes as it clasped its hands together, blue energy swirling between them.
A powerful aura surrounded it, causing the entire villa to tremble.
Outside, a bolt of lightning struck.
Boom!!
The entire sky seemed to light up from the thunder.
Squirtle exhaled, the energy in its hands dissipating as it nodded slowly.
Aura Sphere, mastered!
The sky had cleared.
The moon shone brightly in the washed-out sky.
Natsume glanced at the "Aura Sphere" entry in the move list, feeling a mix of emotions.
Clearly, the earlier tremor had been caused by Squirtle's Aura Sphere…
"Squirtle."
Natsume swallowed hard. "Please think carefully before using Aura Sphere!"
"Squirtle! ヾ(■_■)"
Squirtle adjusted its sunglasses with a serious expression.
Natsume's words resonated deeply.
If Aura Sphere was only at this level… it definitely couldn't be used carelessly.
It needed more training to truly be of help to Natsume!
Regardless, Squirtle had finally "emerged from seclusion."
Natsume-sensei taught everyone how to roll out dumpling wrappers while keeping an eye on Growlithe to prevent it from sneaking bites.
"Sylveon~~~(￣３￣)"
Sylveon used its ribbons to hold the rolling pin, carefully flattening the dough.
"Gengar!" Gengar used Double Team to speed up the process.
Natsume's eye twitched. "Are we really going to eat all of this?"
"Gengar?" Gengar shot him a sideways glance.
Was the Hostage doubting its appetite?
Natsume's expression turned odd. "Right… you do have a bottomless stomach!"
Under the eager gazes of the little ones, Natsume dropped the oddly shaped dumplings into the boiling water.
White steam rose from the pot as the dumplings bobbed and rolled.
Natsume could easily tell which ones Sylveon had made—it had carefully folded each one with pleats…
At the dining table, Natsume poured drinks for the five little ones: orange juice for Sylveon, Moomoo Milk for Growlithe, distilled water for Squirtle, canned cola for Gengar, and bottled cola for Togepi.
Natsume brought out the steaming hot dumplings.
Under the clear, expectant gazes of the little ones, Natsume-sensei once again felt the joy of having a house full of children.
"Sylveon!" (Let's eat~)
"Gengar! (*⊙~⊙)" (I'm already done!)
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