Class was tedious.
Li Xiang had thought this more than once.
Especially theory classes, where they watched clips of other people's match recordings, analyzing them frame by frame, without any beginning or end.
But there was no denying it was very important, containing a lot of essential knowledge.
Li Xiang could only grit his teeth and persevere, barely managing to get through an afternoon of classes.
He decisively came back seeking comfort.
Usually, when he came home, the first to pounce on him was Lucario, followed by Corviknight. But today, what pounced on him was a coffee-colored ball of fur?
"Meow! Meow! Meow!"
The furball had a white ribbon tied around its head, covering most of its black coin and small curved horns, looking a bit odd.
It hopped up and down in front of him, its whiskers swaying, giving it a somewhat ugly-cute appearance.
Cat-type Pokémon might not have impressive official artwork in the original games. But once transformed into reality, their cuteness factor continuously rose.
Even Galarian Meowth, with its big beard, became as adorable as a Maine Coon cat.
At worst, they were on the same level as Pallas's cats and lynxes. They were long-haired cats, after all.
However...
"Why are you here? I don't think I've seen you around school before?"
Li Xiang squatted down, placed his hand under the fluffy part of its chin, and gently scratched it twice.
Galarian Meowth had been a bit excited initially, but amidst this miraculous eighteen-cat-stroking technique, its emotions suddenly calmed down.
Its mind went blank. A strange feeling arose spontaneously, numbness like lightning surrounding its body and sinking into its brain.
"Meow~"
By the fifth scratch, Galarian Meowth grabbed onto Li Xiang's arm. Its amber pupils glistened slightly, and the curled tip of its tail kept unfurling and retracting, unfurling and retracting.
"Hmm?"
Li Xiang wasn't surprised. Cat-type Pokémon basically couldn't resist this feeling. But he found it strange that Incineroar was looking at him as if he were a monster.
"Incineroar, did you bring this back from the Iron Cats Gang? The one who can cook, Ah-dai? And where is the dog?"
"Roooo!"
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. Lucario appeared with a beaming smile. Seeing Galarian Meowth struggling to breathe in Li Xiang's arms, its smile instantly faded.
Just like you!
"How did you guys manage to kidnap a Pokémon from the group?"
Li Xiang released Galarian Meowth's chin. The latter flopped to the ground with a thud, looking blissfully unconscious.
Incineroar walked over with a complicated expression and picked up Galarian Meowth.
Lucario silently explained the situation to Li Xiang.
...
"I see. So you were planning to bring me back a chef?"
Li Xiang suddenly understood. Looking at the bewildered Galarian Meowth beside him, with an expression that screamed "Who am I, where am I, what am I doing?", he couldn't help but chuckle.
"I appreciate your intentions, but from what you're saying, its grandfather doesn't seem very willing."
To be honest, the idea of a cat that could cook was somewhat tempting to Li Xiang.
But its grandfather wasn't willing. He couldn't just throw a PokéBall at it, could he? If he did, Mrs. Yin would beat his head in.
Upon hearing this, Lucario and Incineroar both sighed.
Yes, the biggest obstacle in persuading Galarian Meowth was Perrserker, this overly protective grandfather who doted on Galarian Meowth excessively.
It simply didn't want its grandchild to be alone, without support, out in the world, suffering any harm.
Its protective instincts were too strong.
But there was no helping it. This kid was congenitally deficient, with a defect in its brain or spirit.
"Meow!"
Galarian Meowth let out a low cry, flipped over, and stood up, waving its claws while chattering incessantly at Li Xiang.
"A competition? Sorry, I'm really tired right now. I can't muster the energy. How about we wait until tonight? Oh, and feel free to use the kitchen, as well as any ingredients."
Li Xiang smiled and stroked its head, especially the area from its nose to its forehead.
Galarian Meowth felt both comfort and irritation at the same time.
It felt Li Xiang wasn't respecting it.
"Meow!"
It seemed to bristle, scolding Li Xiang loudly, yet it refused to move its head away and insisted he compete with it in cooking.
Galarian Meowth's ability to concentrate each day was limited; any more delay would require a long rest.
"You think this is Food Wars? Food Wars: Shokugeki no Meow?"
Li Xiang chuckled, slumping onto the sofa. "I really don't have any energy left. How about you cook something first, and I'll cook for you tonight? Then we can let everyone judge objectively."
Upon hearing this, Galarian Meowth's expression flickered for a long time. Remembering the happiness the sandwich had brought it before, an emotion that made its thoughts more active, it finally nodded, picked up a chair from the living room, and headed into the kitchen.
If it wasn't tall enough, a chair would do.
Incineroar stood up and followed it. It was a bit worried this guy might not know how to handle the kitchen and burn down the villa.
Li Xiang cheerfully took out his phone and asked Lucario to film Galarian Meowth. "Since it's the first meal it's making after coming here, how about recording it?"
"Rooo!"
Lucario nodded.
Li Xiang watched it walk away, playing on his phone and whistling.
There was an unwritten rule in food manga: the one who goes first always loses, kid. You're still too young.
He clicked his tongue.
Meanwhile, he started looking forward to Galarian Meowth's cooking.
According to Lucario, there were no other adjectives for it – it was just genuinely delicious.
A chef.
If Galarian Meowth really was that good, he should indeed try to win it over. Having a helper with cooking would save him a lot of time.
Coincidentally, it was also a Steel-type. Its evolved form wasn't very strong, but that could be compensated with candy. And this guy had been struck by lightning, making its Electric-type move power exceptional.
What was the process for adopting a Pokémon from the conservation base again?
Li Xiang began to search his memory and he felt somewhat arrogantly confident of victory. After all, during his six months on Mist Island, his cooking skills had improved tremendously.
Even Mo Ye gave his finished dishes a thumbs-up. He didn't think he was worse at cooking than a Pokémon, especially a five-year-old Pokémon!
Speaking of which, was there a bet or not?
If not, then it would have to sell itself.
"Hee hee hee, little kitty~"
From the living room, came a creepy laugh that made many Pokémon's fur stand on end.
...
An hour later.
At the dining table.
Several Pokémon surrounded a pot, wolfing down their food like a herd of wild boars.
Li Xiang sat in his chair, food crumbs at the corner of his mouth.
He was beginning to doubt his life because he really wanted to ask: how could a cat know how to make Golden Soup Meatball and Vermicelli Casserole?
And make it so delicious!
The sour and savory flavors were spot on! And this guy could even make the meatballs!
How could a cat's paw possibly make meatballs?
If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, Li Xiang wouldn't have believed such a thing was possible.
This guy, it was practically the reincarnation of Team Rocket's Meowth!
He remembered that Meowth made excellent knife-cut noodles too.
"Burp."
A belching sound came from beside him.
Li Xiang turned his head and saw Incineroar leaning languidly against the corner, clutching its stomach with an expression of utter satisfaction.
"What do I do? I can't beat it."
He complained, "This opponent is too strong. It's on the same level as Yukihira Soma!"
"Roar."
Incineroar waved its paw. It didn't care about that; it had eaten its fill.
Galarian Meowth really had skills. Just as they were talking, Galarian Meowth walked over with its hands behind its back, looking very proud, its face full of an expression that said, "How about that, am I cool?"
Li Xiang wasn't the type to cling to pride. He immediately admitted he was no match for it and applauded enthusiastically.
"You're amazing!"
"Meow!"
Receiving Li Xiang's praise, Galarian Meowth proudly called out, then took off its headband.
The sense of déjà vu with Yukihira Soma was almost overwhelming.
Should it also shout "Happy to serve!"?
Li Xiang thought to himself, but then noticed that once the headband came off, Galarian Meowth's eyes immediately shifted from lively to dull, like a dead fish.
It was very reminiscent of the Galarian Meowth model in the games.
Just as strange.
"So this is what you meant by 'can't concentrate'? I think this is much more extreme than simply being unable to focus."
Li Xiang pointed at Galarian Meowth. He hadn't seen it with his own eyes before, so he didn't know.
Now that he saw it, the whole cat had turned stupid. Its eyes weren't even focused; it seemed to be functioning entirely on instinct.
"A problem child."
Li Xiang scratched his head. He couldn't help but start having second thoughts. There were quite a few problem children on the team.
The issue of Aegislash reciting poetry hadn't been resolved yet. And now this one couldn't concentrate?
He should probably recommend a psychologist.
But the conservation base did have psychologists; he had been to one before.
...A physical defect?
If it was congenital, wouldn't that be troublesome?
However, what was that "Total Concentration Method"? It sounded a bit like Demon Slayer. Was it the same as the Three-Blind Perception Method?
Speaking of which, could it learn the Three-Blind Perception Method?
Li Xiang looked at Galarian Meowth. Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, the most curious being whether this guy could learn the Three-Blind Perception Method.
The benefits brought by the Three-Blind Perception Method were obvious.
To date, every Pokémon that had achieved minor success had gained an extremely strong boost in strength.
Even Rotom, which had recently achieved minor success, had gained greatly enhanced control over electric currents and improved computational ability.
If Galarian Meowth could learn it, the problem of being unable to concentrate probably wouldn't be too hard to solve.
The troublesome part was, the Three-Blind Perception Method involved not listening, not smelling, not seeing, and sensing the myriad things of the world.
And the prerequisite for sensing the myriad things of the world was precisely concentration, which was rather contradictory.
Li Xiang reached out and scratched under Galarian Meowth's chin.
There was a reaction, albeit a weak one, indicating that its constitution itself wasn't a major problem.
"Are you taking it back tonight?"
He looked at Incineroar.
The latter nodded. They had already arranged it with Perrserker.
Li Xiang thought for a long time. To be honest, he was somewhat tempted, even knowing this guy had certain defects. But sometimes, if a defect was used well, it ceased to be a defect.
For example, Greninja's early-stage self-concealment was merely a matter of weakening its own presence.
If possible, he should try to win it over.
Besides, he heard this guy had its Hidden Ability. By the time it became a Perrserker, it would be Steely Spirit.
At least it would be a full-field buff.
...
In the evening, Li Xiang prepared a dinner, full of friendliness and sympathy for Galarian Meowth.
After eating, Galarian Meowth stared blankly at him for a long time.
"Hee hee."
Li Xiang smiled back.