"What? Why should I be responsible for you?"
Axel stood in the corridor, looking utterly confused at Iono.
Just now, things were still tense between them, they almost fought.
'But now, what's with Iono's longing expression?'
"Because you used mind control on me and made me obsessed with your cooking. So, for the next few days, I'm going to eat your food and drink your drinks!"
Axel: "..."
He's too lazy to cook even for himself, either he buys something to make do or just eats Pokémon food.
Now you want him to cook for Iono?
Even though Iono is good-looking, cute, and has a nice personality—
'That's just not happening!'
Axel explained helplessly, "I didn't use mind control on you, okay…"
"No! You totally did!", Iono covered her ears like a child refusing to listen.
Axel looked toward Gardevoir with pleading eyes. Gardevoir blinked and chose to ignore it.
She could clearly sense it. Iono had no ill intent toward Axel, nor any chaotic emotions.
'Very safe.'
Gardevoir was quite tolerant toward allies.
["My… cake can… be shared with Iono."]
Hearing Gardevoir's telepathy, Iono instantly hugged Gardevoir's arm.
"Oh~ Gardevoir is the best!"
Seeing Iono willing to eat Pokémon food, Axel no longer refused.
Anyway, he had to cook for the Pokémon daily. It was just a matter of doing it all at once.
"Alright, then. But I have one condition."
"What condition?", Iono blinked her big eyes and looked up at Axel.
Axel took a deep breath, looked Iono straight in the eyes, and enunciated clearly, "You're not allowed to say I used mind control on you again. I really didn't."
"Haha~", Seeing Axel flustered, Iono covered her mouth and giggled hard.
If she had known Axel was so afraid of rumors, why did she waste time angrily chasing him down?
"That depends on your performance," Iono made a face at Axel and playfully stuck out her tongue.
"As repayment, I'll take you and Gardevoir shopping. Don't forget to cook lunch, okay?"
"Wait a sec," Axel felt obligated to remind Iono.
"Blueberry Academy is different from the outside. Except for friendly stores, other places don't accept regular currency, you have to use special Blueberry Points."
"No worries," Iono lightly patted her chest, the still-developing bunny gently bouncing.
"Blueberry Academy has close ties with our Paldea region. As a Gym Leader from Paldea, I'm never short on that stuff."
"Besides, I came here to help promote Unova's customs and Blueberry Academy's education, so they gave me a ton of Blueberry Points."
"I can't even spend them all."
"Gulp~", Axel couldn't help swallowing hard.
He was still thinking about how to collect enough Blueberry Points or fight his way to Blueberry Peak to get the composite metal.
And Iono has more than she can spend?
Seeing the sudden sparkle in Axel's eyes, Iono gave him a teasing look.
"What? You really need Blueberry Points? I'll lend you some~"
She batted her eyes at Axel and licked the corner of her lips, looking as if she desperately wanted him to borrow money.
If he borrowed, Axel would owe her a favor, and he'd have to keep cooking for her.
That way, she wouldn't have to keep saying she was "mind-controlled" by him, which was really embarrassing.
Feeling Iono's deep craving, Axel shook his head firmly.
'I, Axel, absolutely will not be a kept man!'
"No need. What Duraludon needs, let Duraludon earn it himself."
"Only that way can he become a true powerhouse."
"Right, Duraludon?"
Duraludon looked at Axel, confused and babbling, the biscuit in his mouth crunching unconsciously.
'I didn't say that!'
'If you can be a freeloader, just be one, trainer. You've got Sister Gardevoir and Sister Pheromosa with you, you don't even have to sell yourself.'
Gholdengo, fast as ever, slurped the falling cookie right into his mouth.
Axel held back laughter and patted him, "See? Almost wasted it. Luckily, Gholdengo has developed a frugal personality."
"Your punishment is to earn Blueberry Points yourself and come back only when you qualify to challenge the Elite Four."
Hearing Axel's words, Duraludon looked up at the sky.
'Each word… from Trainer is just buildup.'
Seeing Duraludon's hesitation, Axel gave a little nudge.
"As the Dragon Clan's Grand General, don't tell me you've lost your leadership and battle skills?"
"Here, this is Gyarados's Poké Ball. Take him with you."
Duraludon's eyes lit up.
'Steady!'
"And Dragonair's Poké Ball too. Let her get some battle experience."
Duraludon's bright eyes dimmed instantly, he blacked out.
'Tragic!'
———
At the school plaza, a senior girl in a sky-blue uniform stood at the registration window, wearing a professional smile.
"Today's Alliance Ranked Battles are starting. Anyone want to sign up?"
"As long as you rank, you'll earn Blueberry Points as a reward, and you can get a few points every day."
"Once your level gets high enough, you can even challenge the Elite Four."
Hearing the senior's announcement, many students who'd been waiting to rank immediately formed a long line.
Just then, a two-meter-tall Duraludon, shimmering with icy steel light, appeared at the entrance to the plaza.
A few muscular guys' eyes lit up, they abandoned the line and surrounded Duraludon.
"Hey, here's a Duraludon without a trainer! Quick, everyone come touch him!"
Duraludon looked totally confused, surrounded by the crowd.
'I… I came here to compete!'
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