Chapter 64:
"Oran Berry, Pomelo pulp, Petaya Berry… cut everything into bite-sized cubes and mix. Add a splash of Moomoo Milk. Okay, Vulpix—breathe into the blender to finish it off."
Hayashi Kaede arranged the fruit on the table with careful hands. He had chosen Oran Berries, Pomelo Berry pulp, Petaya Berries, Spicy Tomato Berries and a dash of Moomoo Milk—ingredients chosen not only for taste, but for subtle synergy with Pokémon constitutions. He set the small blender in place and called Vulpix over.
Alolan Vulpix padded up eagerly. Kaede guided it to the blender and asked it to direct a steady stream of cool breath—Icy Wind—into the mixture. The icy air met the pulp and milk, turning them into a silky, frosted smoothie without a single lump. The platter Kaede arranged looked like a summer promise: glistening fruit cubes, a thread of pale froth across the top, and a dusting of crushed Dragon Clear Berry for a faint pearlescent sheen.
A summer-exclusive fruit-and-milk platter sat on the table.
[A+ Grade Fruit & Milk Platter — a complex platter made from a variety of mixed Berries and Moomoo Milk, infused with a hint of floral essence and condensed ice energy.
Cooking Effect 1:A cooling delicacy that reduces body heat by 50% for three hours.
Cooking Effect 2: Long-term consumption helps Pokémon with Fire weakness resist damage from Fire-type moves.
Cooking Effect 3: When eaten by Ice-type Pokémon, increases the chance to learn new Ice-type moves.]
Kaede smiled as he read the rating. Now that he had more Berries in stock, he had the confidence to produce more of these specialty platters. It was the kind of treat that would be a hit for trainers traveling through hot areas—and perfect for his Alolan Vulpix.
He sampled a small cube himself. The blast of chilled sweetness rolled from his tongue through his chest like a cool gust. The heat clamped around him seemed to unpeel, leaving a fresh, clean chill in its place.
"It's excellent," he said aloud, surprised by how refreshing it felt. How much better this would be on a long summer journey, he thought. For Ice-type Pokémon like Vulpix it was perfect; for Servine and Caterpie, the vitamins and cooling effects were ideal too.
Vulpix made pleased noises and rubbed against his leg, eyes bright. Servine—who had been watching with a distracted expression—kept staring at the platter as if it had cast a spell.
"What's wrong, Servine?" Kaede asked, noticing the faraway look. Servine rarely appeared dazed; its usual composure had slipped.
Servine blinked, then shook its head and gave a soft, embarrassed hiss. It didn't answer with words. It was not used to being doted on like Vulpix; it was too proud to accept such fuss.
Kaede smiled, reached into his chest pocket, and called up a quiet warmth of Evergreen energy. Viridian power let him sense Pokémon emotions with clarity; it was subtle, respectful, and noninvasive—just enough to soothe Servine without crossing any boundary.
He felt the little frown lighten. "You don't have to blush," Kaede said lightly. "Eat. It's made to suit your constitution."
Servine peered around to make sure no one was watching—too shy to be coddled in public—then accepted a cube from Kaede's hand.
[Congratulations! Servine's happiness increased from 15% to 80%. Rewards: 1 A-grade Leaf Stone, 1 Intermediate Magic Candy, 5 Intermediate Fertilizer.]
At first Servine kept one eye on the others, cheeks faintly flaring with embarrassment as it ate. But as the flavor spread, its posture relaxed. The platter was exactly the right combination of sweet, sour and cool; it felt cared for, and the simple act of being fed by its trainer warmed something inside it.
Kaede watched with a private satisfaction. The shy acceptance—Servine's tiny but real trust—was worth more than any coin.
—
August 2nd, daytime. In the Breeding House kitchen.
"All right. Gardevoir, move the Berries into the blender with telekinesis—slowly, steadily. Make sure the Pomelo pulp doesn't clump. I'll finish the sieving," Kaede instructed.
Gardevoir worked with a seriousness that surprised him. At over level 70 she picked up the process quickly: timing the pulsing of the blender, judging viscosity, and tempering the chill with just the right amount of Moomoo Milk. She learned not because she had to, but because she wanted to. Kaede could see genuine focus in her crimson eyes.
"Good—now pulse once for texture, twice for smoothness," Kaede said, guiding her with practiced motions. Gardevoir adjusted the force of her telekinesis as if she'd done this a thousand times.
When they finished, Kaede formed two prototype Energy Cubes from the chilled smoothie: one basic, one finished with a final artisan touch.
[D-Rank Physical Energy Cube — a standard physical Energy Cube. Restores a small amount of physical stamina upon consumption.]
[C+-Rank Physical Energy Cube — refined from the same base with a richer Moomoo Milk infusion. After eating, restores physical energy and grants a modest, short-lived increase in Defense.]
They tested both on a few volunteers—Miltank accepted two pieces, Buffed and content; Caterpie nibbled happily. The difference was clear: the C+-Rank cube had more body and satiety; it left a lingering sense of steadiness that the D-Rank did not. The two methods—one automated, one hand-finished—produced distinct results. Kaede made notes: scale up the D-Rank for volume, reserve the C+-Rank for targeted customers who valued quality and had the PokéDollars to pay.
Gardevoir watched from the side, tilting her head as she observed how subtle changes in blending and chilling altered the cube's effect. She had been cautious about food before, but now she studied the chemistry of it with a reserved curiosity. For her, learning these methods was another way of gaining control over natural forces—one more step away from feeling at the mercy of the curse that had defined so much of her life.
As Kaede packed the new cubes for the day's sales, he glanced at his team: Vulpix warming beside the stove, Servine preening with a contented look, Caterpie busily munching. The Breeding House hummed with the ordinary, fulfilling rhythm of the place—preparation, tasting, sharing. Small moments like this stitched trust into long days and longer lives.
He made another mental note: design a small batch of cooling platters for summer travelers and a limited run of C+-Rank defensive cubes for local trainers with heat-sensitive teams. With Gardevoir learning, and the team settled, the Breeding House could do more than survive; it could begin to shape a reputation.
Kaede closed the jar lid, smiled at Gardevoir and said casually, "Tomorrow we'll try adding a pinch of Pomelo zest to the premium batch. See how the aroma affects satiety."
Gardevoir's crimson eyes flickered—curiosity, approval—and she inclined her head in consent. The work continued, quietly and carefully, like a garden tending itself.