Ekans and its evolution, Arbok, were notoriously difficult Pokémon to care for. Aside from their own Trainers, they were known to be highly aggressive toward both humans and other Pokémon.
And yet this Ekans—ordinarily fierce by nature—now behaved like the most obedient child under Suzie's delicate, porcelain-white hands. It lay comfortably with its eyes half-closed, occasionally lifting its earthy-yellow tail, patterned like a rattlesnake's, to gently brush against her arm.
For most women, Arbok's fearsome appearance and slick, serpentine body would be the stuff of nightmares.
Miki's reaction made that abundantly clear. Snakelike Pokémon were what she feared most. She stopped about a meter away from Ekans and didn't dare step any closer.
As Suzie applied skincare oil to her palms, carefully working it between Ekans' scales to remove hidden parasites, she glanced at Miki's frightened expression and smiled gently.
"Pokémon that have been captured by Trainers aren't nearly as aggressive anymore. They've grown accustomed to interacting with humans. These children are very intelligent. As long as you approach them with kindness in your heart, they won't hurt you…"
"I'm really sorry, Miss Suzie," Miki said sheepishly, feeling embarrassed by her earlier reaction.
Suzie shook her head. "It's alright. It's perfectly normal to be afraid the first time you encounter an Ekans. But if you want to become a qualified Pokémon Breeder, you must treat every Pokémon equally—whether they look cute or frightening. We should regard them as our companions, not merely as part of a transaction."
Clap! Clap!
"Miss Suzie, that was beautifully said!"
Cole burst into applause, so enthusiastic that Kael nearly punched him on reflex.
"And you are…?" Suzie cast a puzzled glance at the unfamiliar man who had suddenly started clapping, but she quickly smiled politely. "If you're here for Pokémon grooming, please wait a moment."
"They're my friends," Miki explained hurriedly. "They just stopped by to see me."
"I see." Suzie nodded lightly. "I still have some work to finish. Please excuse me for a moment—I'll attend to you afterward."
"No rush, no rush! Your work comes first, Miss Suzie," Cole replied, utterly entranced.
To think that such elegance and refinement existed in this world… How had he never heard of her on his previous visits to Celadon City? What a loss.
"Ekans, I'm here to pick you up!"
The nursery's door swung open, and a red-haired "beauty" with a striking figure swayed inside.
"Why does that voice sound like a man's?"
Cole had perked up at the sight of the newcomer, but the moment he heard the effeminate tone, it felt as if a bucket of cold water had been dumped over his head. As the "beauty" came closer, a wave of nausea rose within him.
What beauty? It was clearly a man dressed flamboyantly in women's clothing. His face was powdered white, lips painted thick with lipstick—and that alone might have been tolerable. The real shock was the miniskirt, paired with legs that hadn't even been properly shaved.
"I can't take this—let me throw up first."
Cole immediately turned around, clutching his chest and gagging dramatically, rolling his eyes. Just moments ago he'd been fantasizing about that silhouette. Now, goosebumps covered his entire body.
"Why am I traveling with an idiot…"
Seeing the irritated glare thrown their way, Kael forced an awkward smile and explained, "Sorry about him. He had throat cancer before—he throws up from time to time."
"Hmph!" The flamboyant visitor curled his lip. "Men are so disgusting!"
"Miss Kelly, your Ekans' treatment has just been completed…" Suzie approached gracefully, Ekans coiled around her body, its tongue flicking affectionately as it nuzzled her cheek.
"Good child, don't be naughty. Your Trainer is here."
Smiling, Suzie gently lifted Ekans and handed it over to Kelly.
"Wow, look at those beautiful scales!"
Kelly forgot the earlier unpleasantness, stroking Ekans' wax-polished scales with visible delight.
"We'll come again next time, Ekans!"
"Thank you very much for your patronage!" Suzie bowed politely.
Kelly paid the full grooming and beauty fees without hesitation. As she passed Cole, she suddenly stomped hard on his foot with her seven-centimeter high heel.
Amid Cole's pig-like squeal of pain, Kelly sashayed out of the nursery, hips swaying cheerfully.
"That damn cross-dresser dared to ambush me! Assaulting a League Investigator is an additional crime—I'm throwing him in prison!" Cole snarled viciously while clutching his swollen foot.
Kael sighed and patted him on the shoulder. "Cole, save it. Your League Investigator position was revoked long ago. You're just a reservoir foreman now."
Reservoir foreman.
At that crushing reminder, Cole deflated like a punctured balloon.
"Kael, I absolutely must give you a proper introduction to my teacher—Miss Suzie!" Miki pulled Suzie closer, brimming with excitement. "Don't be fooled by how small and simple our nursery looks. Our Manager Suzie is the best on this entire Beauty Street! Since the shop opened three years ago, she's won the Beauty Street Breeder Competition championship three years in a row! But that's not even the most impressive part. She just turned twenty this year—and she's already earned her Level 7 Breeder Certification!"
Miki's words stirred genuine surprise in Kael's heart.
20 years old. A Level 7 certified Pokémon Breeder.
That wasn't merely impressive—it was extraordinary. Suzie was nothing short of a genius breeder.
After all, Pokémon Breeding was a licensed profession. The League ranked breeder certifications on a ten-level system. Achieving Level 7 at the age of twenty meant she had the potential to reach the pinnacle—Level 10.
And once she did, even regional Elite Four–class figures would have to treat her as an honored guest.
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Read advanced chapters ahead of everyone else on my P@treon.
P@treon/GodDragcell