Chapter 145: An Unexpected Gift
"What's wrong, Brother Giovanni?" Bruno asked, his voice full of concern.
Mr. Silas, who had been confident just a moment ago, saw the look on Giovanni's face and nervously tugged his beard. "Young Master, my reputation, built over many years, is my bond. I assure you, there will be absolutely no problems with this order."
Giovanni waved a dismissive hand. "It is nothing. I was merely lost in thought."
"That is good, that is good," Mr. Silas said, quickly regaining his composure. "Rest assured, this young man can come and pick up the Pokémon food whenever he wishes. My shop is not going anywhere."
Giovanni gave him a long, deep look. "As long as you have roots here, I am not concerned about you disappearing."
The veiled threat sent a chill down Mr. Silas's spine. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. This boy was not to be trifled with. "Of course not!" he said, forcing a smile. "My reputation is the thing I value most."
"Good," Giovanni nodded. "We are leaving."
"Won't you stay for some tea?" Mr. Silas offered, desperate to be hospitable.
Giovanni gestured at Bruno. "Does he look like someone who appreciates tea? Just ensure everything is arranged when he arrives."
Mr. Silas secretly wished they would leave quickly. For all his youth, the boy's aura was deeply unsettling. "Of course! You two take care. Here are two membership cards. Please come back if you need anything; I will be waiting."
Giovanni didn't reply. He simply took the cards, pressed them into Bruno's hand, and walked out, the boy trotting obediently behind him.
Bruno clutched the Poké Ball in his hand as if it were the most precious treasure in the world. He was in a daze, half-asleep on his feet.
Giovanni looked back at him and shook his head. This is a future Elite? "You do not need to be so careful," he said. "No one would dare to touch a Trainer's Pokémon. Not in Saffron City."
His words seemed to give Bruno a sense of security. The boy relaxed his death grip on the Poké Ball, his curiosity resurfacing. "Brother Giovanni... why are you being so good to me?"
A faint smile touched Giovanni's lips. "I cannot tell you yet— but I can tell you that for the next few days, I will be pushing you to your absolute limit."
Though curious, Bruno didn't press the issue. As they walked, the smell of street food wafted over from nearby stalls. Having missed lunch, Bruno couldn't help but swallow, his eyes fixed on a steaming parcel at one of the stands.
Giovanni didn't miss the small gesture. He didn't ask, knowing the boy would refuse out of politeness. He walked over, tossed a few coins on the counter, and said, "Boss, give me ten of those."
The vendor, a man from out of town wearing a dojo's gi that hung loosely on his non-muscular frame, was enthusiastic. "Alright, enjoy! Our Rage Candy Bars are the best!"
Giovanni took one and bit into it. It was soft and sweet, with a rich flavor. Behind him, Bruno swallowed again, but he was too embarrassed to speak up.
Giovanni simply placed the entire bag in the boy's hands. "I cannot eat all of this. Help me."
"This..." Bruno began to protest, even as his mouth watered.
Giovanni ignored him and continued down the street, buying a little of everything that looked appealing, as well as some more Pokémon food. He muttered just loud enough for Bruno to hear, "If you do not eat it, it will go to waste. I will just throw it away."
The words had their intended effect. "I'll eat it!" Bruno said immediately, his voice tense. "Food is precious. It must not be wasted. That is what my brother taught me."
Giovanni paused for a single step, then continued forward. "It is time to buy some clothes. Indulge me a little longer."
When they returned to the Saffron Dojo, the apprentice guarding the gate rubbed his eyes in disbelief at the sight of Bruno, laden with bags, his belly bulging. He hadn't expected the outing to be quite so lucrative.
If he had seen the new Poké Ball at the boy's waist, his eyes would have popped out of his head.
Passing the training ground, Kaito and his students also saw the spectacle. The apprentices were practically drooling.
Kaito, however, snorted. "What are you looking at? Do I not feed you enough? Get back to training! If you do not complete your tasks today, none of you will eat."
Giovanni heard him but pretended not to. He had no intention of sharing. He was not some great benevolent figure.
Back in the guest room, he found Machoke still diligently practicing, while Hitmonchan, arms crossed in a cool pose, was actually snoring softly. He placed the items on the floor and released Beedrill and Persian.
"Try these," he instructed them. "Some are local delicacies." He then waved Machoke and Hitmonchan over.
Hitmonchan was initially embarrassed to accept food from his charge's trainer, but under Giovanni's urging, he came over. Indebted, the Pokémon later taught Machoke a few extra tricks, allowing it to learn Mega Punch even faster.
Giovanni then turned to Bruno, who was sprawled on the floor, burping contentedly. "Release your Machop. Besides milk, it can eat a little solid food now."
Bruno, realizing he had forgotten his own Pokémon in his eating frenzy, quickly released it. The tiny Machop emerged, unafraid of the powerful Pokémon surrounding it.
It stared wide-eyed at Beedrill, Persian, and the others. They, in turn, couldn't be bothered with the little thing.
The only one interested was Machoke. It finished its own food in two bites, then sat in front of the tiny Machop and simply stared.
The little Machop, showing no fear, balled up its fist and punched Machoke squarely on the nose. The blow caused no harm, but it startled Bruno.
"Machop!"
Machoke, however, wasn't angry. It grinned. Perhaps a Pokémon with such an unyielding personality was the perfect match for a boy like Bruno. It gently flicked the little Machop's forehead, sending it tumbling backward.
Then, it stood up, performed a combination of powerful punches, and let out a challenging roar at the tiny Pokémon struggling to its feet.
The little Machop, defiant, shouted right back.
— — —
My fellow readers, do not be surprised if I'm unresponsive to comments or reviews 'cause I'm gonna lock in for the next 12 months in preparation for my Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination.
Of course, I'll still try to update 3 chapters every day— but please be understanding when I can't (after all, I do this for free).