The meet-and-greet session concluded, and by the time the clock hit 6:00 PM, the campers began streaming toward the mess hall for dinner.
"Yum!! So good~"
After the exhausting battles that afternoon, the delicious meal instantly rejuvenated everyone.
"The flavor's a bit unique, but it's really tasty!"
"Mhm~ Froakie, what do you think?" Green turned and asked, prompting Ash to smile and glance at Froakie, who was munching happily on its Pokémon food.
"Froaa~ "
Froakie nodded mid-chew, its eyes curving with joy like little crescent moons as it devoured the food with bliss.
"This is a taste I've never experienced before… Maybe because it's made with ingredients unique to the Kanto region. I can really feel the chef's heart behind it."
Trevor's eyes sparkled as he savored each bite, even snapping photos with his trusty portable camera while he shared his thoughts.
Ash nodded in agreement. Though his mom Delia was an excellent cook, this dinner had its own charm. It was a taste completely new to him.
Just as Trevor said—it wasn't just food. It was a meal infused with genuine heart and care. Even without using Aura, Ash could sense the gentle love that went into the cooking.
What Ash and the others didn't know was that in the kitchen behind the dining hall, the young chef who had prepared the meal was trembling with emotion as he listened to the students' praise.
"I'm so happy… Please, praise me more!"
The young man with short blue hair pressed his hands to his chest, eyes shining with emotion, his face full of joy.
They didn't know him in person, nor did it matter what his status or background was. Yet just because of this dinner, the students were truly recognizing him. That kind of acknowledgement… was something he had never once felt in his own home.
This was exactly what he had left home to chase—even if it meant running away.
The shorter chef next to him looked equally delighted by the praise.
"Even if Team Rocket fires us, with your cooking skills, James, we can survive anywhere! Meow~!!"
"I swear… Have you guys forgotten our real mission for infiltrating this Pokémon Summer Camp?"
Jessie, the magenta-haired chef beside them, grumbled with disappointment at the other two's attitude.
"Where's your loyalty to Giovanni? Don't tell me you've thrown that away too?"
"Relax, Jessie, of course I haven't forgotten our true goal," James replied casually. "It's just that we missed the perfect opportunity earlier. And according to Meowth's new plan, we'll need to wait a bit longer anyway."
"If we don't hold down this job as chefs properly during this waiting period, the camp managers might kick us out before we can even start the new plan. That would ruin everything."
Just as the trio were whispering and plotting in the kitchen, the door was suddenly thrown open with force.
A tall, lean woman with a cold expression strode in.
"Yes, ma'am!"
The three "chefs" jumped in surprise, straightening up instantly in front of the Camp Manager, Katarino.
But the icy look on Katarino's face melted almost immediately into a bright smile. Clearly, she hadn't noticed their secret conversation.
"I heard the students really liked tonight's dinner," she said cheerfully. "Tell me—should I give you all a raise?"
Beaming, she winked playfully at them. The three chefs nearly jumped with excitement, their eyes shimmering like coins.
"Thank you!!"
All three bowed at ninety degrees and thanked her in unison.
Meanwhile, the students outside had no idea what had just unfolded behind the kitchen doors.
After dinner, the sky had completely darkened, and the students were instructed to stay within the campgrounds. Everyone returned to their assigned log cabins for the night.
Ash walked alongside the crowd. Just as he was about to separate from Green and the four other girls heading to their own cabin, he turned to Serena with a quiet request.
"Serena, can I borrow your Clefairy for the night? I'll return her to you first thing in the morning."
"You want to borrow Clefairy? Oh—sure!"
Serena didn't even ask why. She smiled and handed over Clefairy's Poké Ball without hesitation.
"Thank you, Serena."
Ash felt genuinely pleased by her reaction. She didn't ask questions, didn't doubt him. And that made him like this girl even more.
Of course, calling her "this girl" felt a bit distant. A more fitting term might be… my princess.
But that was a name Ash could only whisper in his heart. Saying it out loud? Yeah, no way.
Back in the cabin, however, someone was bursting with curiosity.
"So, Ash… why'd you borrow Serena's Clefairy just now?"
It was Gary, who shared the same cabin and couldn't hold back his questions once they returned.
"Hmm…"
Ash paused, then decided not to keep it secret.
"You all know I awakened some kind of psychic ability, right? Well, earlier today, while I was helping Froakie train, I noticed something… interesting."
"This power inside me—it doesn't just heal injuries. When I channel it into a Pokémon's body, it temporarily boosts their comprehension. Almost like it helps them grasp and learn moves more easily."
Ash had already anticipated that his ability to help Pokémon master moves would be hard to hide—especially once he opened his online shop to accept requests from other Trainers.
But his transmigrator identity and the existence of the System absolutely couldn't be exposed.
So, he decided to credit everything to his "psychic powers."
He didn't go into full detail, either. He didn't mention how he could copy moves from other Pokémon and then use them himself. Instead, he framed it as: his power briefly enhanced a Pokémon's understanding, allowing it to comprehend moves on its own.
Don't say too much. Leave room for doubt. That way, it wouldn't draw too much envy or attention.
After all, just being someone with psychic powers was already remarkable enough.
...
...
--------------
T/N:
Access Advance Chapters on my
P@treon: [email protected]/PokePals