Chapter 382:
Speaking of Psychic-type Pokémon, isn't this Latias right here perfect for making Energy Cubes?
Even if it seems a bit clumsy right now, with some proper training and its ability to transform into a human form, it shouldn't be too bad, right?
Once this thought occurred, Hayashi Kaede's mind began to race.
He wanted to keep Latias here to work as an "employee"!
First, he definitely needed to resolve its logistical issues.
Currently, while Altomare itself wasn't in any trouble, the problem was Latias's duty was to guard the place. So, a major issue was handling Latias's commute back and forth.
But honestly, with Giratina allowing him passage through the Reverse World, that problem wasn't a problem at all!
Latias could easily come here in the morning and go back in the evening, just like a commute to work!
'I'm so clever!'
After these thoughts flashed through his mind, Hayashi Kaede couldn't help but praise himself.
"Is it delicious?"
His thoughts settled, Hayashi Kaede looked at Latias, who was still eating with its hands, his eyes full of expectation.
This expression made Serperior, who saw it from the side, roll its serpentine eyes slightly. It could only sip its own berry wine, thinking about what to do later.
Gardevoir, seeing this, also shook its head helplessly.
Sure enough, this Psychic-type Pokémon that could transform into a human had likely become Hayashi Kaede's new target for recruitment.
It just didn't know when they had met.
"Woo~" (Yummy, yummy~) Even though its mouth was full, Latias still found a moment to reply to Hayashi Kaede.
It even poured itself another cup of Grepa Berry Wine, drinking it down in one go with immense satisfaction.
"How long are you planning to stay here?" Hayashi Kaede continued, guiding the conversation.
Although he himself realized he now sounded like a shady uncle trying to lure a child.
But thinking of the future staffing needs of the Breeding House, he had no choice but to resort to this "ruthless" tactic!
"Umm?" Latias's hand paused. It lifted a pair of clear eyes, a trace of surprise within them.
It suddenly realized, when it left, it had told its brother it would come here, play for a bit, and then return.
It calculated the time it had been here; the sun hadn't even set yet. In human terms, that meant less than a day.
But...
'Play for a bit and go back'...
That little cat wouldn't be bringing it food anymore either.
Its brother definitely wouldn't allow it to go out all the time either.
Did that mean... this was its last meal here?
Instantly, Latias became panicked.
"Are you leaving soon?" Hayashi Kaede, noticing its panic, couldn't help but ask.
"Woo..." Latias nodded sadly.
"What a pity," Hayashi Kaede said regretfully. "I was thinking of making some other delicious food tonight."
"Woo?" (Nooo....) Latias's heart tightened, and it waved its hands hurriedly.
But soon, its eyes lit up again, and it began almost dancing with excitement. "Woo Woo Woo... Woo...."
Understanding what Latias meant, Hayashi Kaede's expression immediately stiffened.
It meant that Hayashi Kaede could make the delicious food, put it in those little capsules, and give it to take back.
Just like Mew did.
"Ahem..." This statement made Hayashi Kaede's brain short-circuit for a moment.
Darn it, he forgot about that.
But looking at Latias's sincere expression, Hayashi Kaede coughed twice.
He decided not to beat around the bush anymore.
"Mew can take my storage capsules because it always brings me good things from outside when it returns. Also, both it and Jirachi are my Pokémon, so of course I provide for them."
"If you want some, you'll have to work for it."
Even so, it was better not to trick the innocent little red aircraft.
"Woo?" (Work?) Latias looked at Hayashi Kaede, not comprehending.
It didn't understand.
Hayashi Kaede was direct. "It means you help me with work, and I'll give you delicious food every day. Plus, I'll prepare an extra portion for you to take back and share with your brother."
"Woo?" Latias's eyes lit up. It could take food back to share with its brother?
Such a good deal?
But soon, Latias thought of the key point.
Every day?
Taking food back every day meant it would have to come here and go back daily.
That sounded really difficult.
It took a very, very long time to fly here once.
Subsequently, it raised this doubt to Hayashi Kaede.
"So clever?" Hayashi Kaede looked at Latias with some surprise.
But he quickly explained, "Of course. Since I'm proposing this, I'll definitely have a solution for you."
"Come with me," Hayashi Kaede said directly.
But then he thought better of it and added, "...On second thought, wash your hands first before coming."
Its hands were covered in grease.
If it really started working here, the first thing to teach it would be how to eat properly.
(・∀・）: "woo?"
...
Berry Plantation, Reservoir.
After finishing the meal, Hayashi Kaede brought Latias here.
Although he could travel anywhere in the world via the Reverse World, honestly, Hayashi Kaede didn't know how vast the Reverse World was.
Would traveling through the Reverse World to various places be faster?
This was something they needed to test to find out.
Latias stood behind him, watching eagerly.
Hayashi Kaede knocked on the water's surface.
Then, to its bewildered gaze, a dark aura began to envelop the entire water surface, and then... then...
A strong ripple suddenly appeared in the water, and a head with deep red eyes emerged.
This scared Latias so much that it instantly reverted to its true form, hiding warily behind Hayashi Kaede.
"Woo!"
"Giratina, I need a favor~" Hayashi Kaede patted Latias, then looked at Giratina.
Giratina looked at him, silent.
"It's like this. I want to use your Reverse World to see how far it is to send it home. If it's not too far, I'd like it to use the Reverse World to commute every day."
(Alright!)
With that one-word reply, Giratina submerged back into the water.
"As aloof as ever," Hayashi Kaede remarked, then turned to Latias. "Come on."
"Umm?" Latias still looked like a frightened little rabbit.
That Pokémon's aura just now seemed really scary.
"Don't worry. It might look intimidating, but it's actually a Pokémon that's not good with words and even a bit shy. It's fine," Hayashi Kaede said, somewhat amused.
Before meeting Giratina, he had discussed it with his Pokémon.
Back then, he was also speculating about the personality of the master of the Reverse World.
Now it seemed Giratina was even more... taciturn than he imagined.
"Woo?" But Latias still seemed a bit afraid.
"Ah, come on, let's go. After going once, you won't be so scared anymore." Hayashi Kaede didn't waste words. He walked behind Latias and started pushing it towards the water.
"Woo..."