c160: Team Rocket's Evil Style!!
Bang
The loud slap of a palm echoed across the kitchen as Jessie, the purple-haired "chef," slammed her hand down onto the cutting board, her expression cold and thunderous with anger.
"Ah!! N-No, Meowth! I… I mean… we're Team Rocket!!" she yelled, eyes burning with fury. "We infiltrated this summer camp to steal Pokémon, not to actually become chefs!! What the heck are we doing?!"
Seeing the fiery determination in Jessie's eyes, the blue-haired young man, dressed in a chef's uniform, suddenly came to his senses.
"Ahh!! You're right!! I've been living so comfortably these days I almost forgot we're part of the evil Team Rocket, meow!!"
Hearing his words, the short chef with the cat-like accent, who was sitting on the sink with his legs dangling, perked up instantly as if waking from a dream.
"Kuuuuh~" Just as the trio was about to plunge into a self-reckoning session about their forgotten evil duties, there was a knock at the kitchen workshop's door. A moment later, the door creaked open and Catalina, the tall, stern summer camp administrator, stepped inside.
"Everyone," Catalina said in her usual flat tone, "it's almost time to begin preparations for today's dinner."
"Today is the final day of the Pokémon Summer Camp," she continued. "There will be a farewell celebration for the campers at six o'clock this evening. So we'll need extra food prepared in advance."
"Yes, ma'am!" All three chefs responded instantly, straightening up like soldiers at roll call.
"Uh… Ms. Administrator," the short chef Meowth, in disguise began with a nervous grin, rubbing his paws together, "we actually joined this summer camp's cooking team because, uh… there was a financial emergency in our family, and we really needed the money, meow."
"During the summer camp, we thought about asking for an advance on our salary," James, the blue-haired "chef," added sheepishly. "But we felt embarrassed... it's just that now that it's the last day, we wanted to ask again… if it would be possible to get paid early?"
"Hm?" Administrator Catalina turned and gave the short chef a long, cold look. "Advance salary?"
Her eyes narrowed.
"Hah… of course that's no problem," she said suddenly, her tone softening slightly. "You've all performed excellently during your time at the camp. The food you've provided for the students has been nutritious, on time, and well received."
"If you were struggling financially, why didn't you just say so?" she continued. "There's no shame in asking for help."
"Besides," Catalina said, placing a clipboard on the kitchen counter, "since this is the last day of the camp, this isn't technically an advance payment anymore it's just your final paycheck."
"In fact," she added, pulling out her tablet, "I've already completed your payroll calculations back in the office. I've submitted the request to the Vermilion City Bank, and the funds should already be transferred to the salary accounts of all three of you."
The three "chefs" blinked in stunned silence.
"And," Catalina added, glancing up with the faintest smile at the corner of her lips, "in recognition of your outstanding performance during this period, I've also issued each of you a generous bonus. I wanted it to be a surprise."
Meowth's jaw nearly hit the floor.
James's eyes sparkled like stars.
Jessie blinked, stunned.
A second passed. Then another.
And then
"…Wait a minute," Jessie growled under her breath, her fists trembling.
"This… is NOT what we came here for!! We're Team Rocket!! We're supposed to steal Pokémon, raid the lab, and report back to Giovanni not win bonus checks and become five-star chefs!!"
"But… but the bonus was really generous~ Meow!" Meowth whimpered.
"I even have dental now," James mumbled.
Jessie screamed internally.
Somewhere, far away, Giovanni probably sneezed.
The usually cold-faced administrator, Catalina, seemed to melt like ice under the spring sun. In the blink of an eye, her face lit up with a rare, sincere smile.
"Ah!! Thank you, Ms. Administrator, you're really kind~" Upon hearing that Catalina had not only paid their salaries but also added generous bonuses, the three "chefs" in the kitchen immediately burst into tears of gratitude.
"You've earned it," Catalina said warmly, folding her arms. "You've worked incredibly hard and done a truly outstanding job."
"You should know, during the previous summer camp session, I had to fire an entire group of chefs before the end. They were lazy, careless, and I didn't pay them a cent. But you three… you've been consistent, punctual, and the students have even complimented the meals."
"Salaries and bonuses are rewards for hard work not handouts. And you three are easily among the best culinary staff I've had in years. So for tonight's Courtney party and tomorrow morning's farewell breakfast, I'll be counting on you."
"Yes!" the three replied in unison, standing upright with expressions of deep pride.
"Wow… I never expected this cold, strict administrator lady to be such a sweet and thoughtful person," James murmured emotionally.
"Yeah~ Meow."
"Originally, I just wanted to ask for an advance so we could slip away and carry out our evil plan," Meowth added, tears welling in his eyes. "But she already paid us… and gave us bonuses… and even praised our work. I'm moved—meow~"
Jessie's expression turned steely as she wiped her hands on her apron.
"Respect must be repaid with respect. James, Meowth… we've been given a fair wage and kind words. As 'Excellent employees,' let's honor our end one last time."
"While the brat and his little friends are still inside the auditorium finishing their graduation ceremony, we'll prepare the food for tonight's Courtney party and get the breakfast ingredients ready in advance."
"Then… we execute the Pokémon snatching operation we've been planning since the day we got here!!" declared Jessie, with a devilish grin.
"Yes × 2!!" James and Meowth shouted in perfect sync, flames of evil determination burning once again in their eyes.
---
Auditorium, Summer Camp Grounds
"Alright, students, I hereby declare the closing ceremony of the Pokémon Summer Camp officially concluded," Professor Oak announced as he stepped off the podium.
"At 6 o'clock tonight, we'll host a Courtney-themed party at the campsite. But first, please say goodbye to the Pokémon partners who've been by your side during the camp. The staff will come around shortly to collect their Poké Balls."
"In the meantime, if you'd like to take pictures, you may borrow a Drone Rotom from Ms. Yoko. You're encouraged to take selfies with your Pokémon, your cabin roommates, or your group leaders. We'll also be organizing a full group photo shortly."
...
"Additionally," Oak continued, adjusting his glasses, "I've created an online student group for this year's Pokémon Summer Camp. Please join it later, if you don't yet have a social account, you can register at the camp's Pokémon Center."
"This summer camp… I believe it's become a cherished and irreplaceable memory for all of you. The friendships formed here, the teamwork developed, and the Pokémon bonds you built are all part of a priceless network of connections. Cherish them."
"...Alright, I'm rambling again like an old man," Oak chuckled, smiling. "Go say your goodbyes, and I'll see you tonight at the Courtney party!"
Student A: "Yes!!"
Student B: "Yes!!"
Student Z: "Yes!!"
Though the campers knew from the beginning that their Pokémon were on loan, the reality of returning them still tugged at their hearts. Still, they were prepared.
And with Oak's talk of group photos, drone Rotoms, and a party, the children most of them just six years old were quickly distracted by the excitement ahead.
---
Camp Canteen
"Ugh, I'm exhausted!!" Meowth groaned, collapsing on a crate. "Didn't expect things to wrap up so fast. That lady Catalina is so demanding…"
"Food for the Courtney party tonight, breakfast for tomorrow—my paws are too sore to move…" he whined.
"Still, we volunteered for this. And we are Excellent employees, after all," James said with a sigh, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Well, a job started must be a job finished," Jessie declared, pulling off her gloves. "But now that we're done…"
"…It's back to our true profession."
She turned toward the door with a wicked smirk. "Farewell, cold-faced but kind-hearted Ms. Catalina… we're not chefs. We're Team Rocket!"
James:
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