Melemele Island, in the forest near Hau'oli City.
A Pokémon forest café stands quietly here.
No one can say for sure how long this café, deep in the woods, has been in operation. It's notable, though, as a "peace zone" in the forest—a place where all wild Pokémon voluntarily uphold the rules.
No matter what grudges exist outside, fighting is strictly forbidden here.
It's even said that the island guardian of Melemele, the battle-loving Tapu Koko, respects this rule as well.
Gazing at the treehouse perched atop towering trees in the dense, tranquil forest, Lucas's eyes shifted to Tapu Koko beside him.
Clearly, Tapu Koko was a regular. Familiar with the way, it navigated directly, needing no guidance from Lucas's hint system.
The treehouse was built almost entirely from natural materials—planks, dried grasses, and a pointy roof fashioned from wide leaves.
A spiraling wooden staircase led up from the forest floor to the treehouse entrance, suspended in mid-air. The construction, though somewhat rustic, was exactly the nature-connected style Lucas had envisioned.
Everything about the treehouse exuded an understated harmony with nature. Lucas imagined how delightful it must be to sip a drink here, immersed in the forest's beauty.
Oranguru's gaze fell on the treehouse. From its style, it could already infer certain personality traits of its kin.
Gladion, visiting such a place for the first time, stared in wide-eyed surprise.
"I had no idea there was a place like this in the forest. Is it really opened and run by Pokémon?"
"Do you think they'll serve human guests?"
"Don't worry. They serve both humans and Pokémon."
Lucas offered Gladion some well-needed reassurance.
If he remembered right, the Oranguru in the anime even took on a human apprentice—if he was right, Mallow's father.
And apparently, it once had its own trainer as well.
"Puka-koh."
Tapu Koko called out to Lucas. Ignoring the staircase, it flew straight up to the treehouse door and politely knocked with its shell.
Even half-expecting this, Lucas couldn't help but feel a bit moved by the sight.
For Tapu Koko to be this respectful, the Forest Sage must be deeply respected here.
After all, Tapu Koko usually even preferred climbing in through windows rather than using the front door—even when visiting Melemele's kahuna.
It was still morning, well before the café's usual opening time. Even back home, most chain cafés opened at 10 a.m. at the earliest.
There was no guarantee that the Forest Sage—the café's proprietor—would be in at this hour.
Fortunately, Lucas was lucky (hopefully?), and soon after Tapu Koko knocked, the sound of slow, heavy footsteps echoed from within.
With a long creak, the wooden door swung open. A figure swept aside the straw curtain, revealing half its body.
Holding a leaf-woven fan and donning a cloak-like shroud of purple fur, a white, sage-like Oranguru appeared.
The Forest Sage of Melemele Island—Oranguru.
"Yaleh~?"
Compared to Lucas's Oranguru, the Forest Sage's tone naturally stretched out, carrying a slow but reassuring rhythm.
It seemed surprised by Tapu Koko's early knocking and was about to let it in when, from the corner of its eyes, it noticed Lucas's accompanying Oranguru below.
Instantly, the Forest Sage and Oranguru's gazes sharpened.
Two sets of eyes met in the air, and sparks seemed to fly between them.
Gladion pulled out a notebook that looked suspiciously like a wordbook and began to read an entry aloud:
"Oranguru is a solitary Pokémon, but that doesn't mean it minds sharing its territory with other creatures.
It treats the forest's Pokémon with kindness, seeking out herbs and healing the wounded, and sharing food with the hungry.
But Oranguru's relations with its own kind are poor; they are obsessed with testing wit—constantly competing to see who is smarter, better at planning, or more skilled. Some have even been seen at the shore, competing in intelligence with Slowking…"
Gladion's face grew more troubled as he read.
He hunted for a line like, "If you ever see two Oranguru meet, here's how to peacefully stop them…" Only to find a scribbled note in the bottom corner:
"If you, a reader, unfortunately encounter this situation, for your own safety—RUN! Don't let yourself be used as the arbiter of their competition."
But… it was already too late.
Within Oranguru's society, there was a saying:
If the eyes meet, the contest must begin.
Tapu Koko, guardian spirit and veteran of many battles, sensed an odd tension, even if this was its first time seeing such a scene.
Why did it feel that a slip of attention would have these two Oranguru at each other's throats?
Soon enough, Lucas's Oranguru made the first move.
It waved its feather fan in greeting, still holding its "armory" in its other hand, impressive and unflinching as it walked toward the wooden stairway.
Before its kin, it would show no hesitation.
The other, half-out the treehouse, narrowed its eyes, greeted its kin as if certain of victory.
"Yaleh yaleh~"
"Yaleh yaleh~" Oranguru replied, equally polite.
On the surface, it all seemed peaceful. Yet Lucas couldn't shake the feeling that a battle of wills was erupting around the two Oranguru, tension filling the air.
Thankfully, both were too dignified for bestial brawling or crude insults. This was a contest of stares—a battle of egos.
But could a winner even be decided in such a fight?
As Lucas grew uneasy, he watched as the two Oranguru seemed to exchange silent signals, the charged atmosphere growing ever heavier.
Moments later—
The Forest Sage, having "spoken" something in Oranguru-ese, nodded gravely, accepting the challenge.
It was confident that its constantly improved recipe could beat this stranger's.
Lucas's Oranguru, no less self-assured, believed its months of research gave it the clear edge in both intelligence and skill.
Both looked down on each other, each certain of their superiority.
The two Oranguru pointed at Lucas, Tapu Koko, and Gladion: "Yaleh Yuta."
"You three will act as judges today—let's see whose Pinal Juice tastes better."
It was only then that Tapu Koko grasped what Lucas meant by "something interesting."
Oh no—they've set me up!
Despite the awkward tension between Oranguru, the Forest Sage still graciously welcomed Lucas, Gladion, and Tapu Koko inside.
Though not business hours, the Forest Sage was hospitable to all visitors—except, perhaps, Oranguru.
Inside, the treehouse was dim, sunlight leaking in through cracks in the boards and thatched grass, barely lighting the floor.
"Yuyu, yaleh."
The Forest Sage called out, searching for something in the gloom.
Tapu Koko and Oranguru seemed to understand, but Lucas and Gladion were confused.
What did it say?
Lucas suddenly remembered—not all Oranguru had the "Telepathy" ability.
At least, the Forest Sage did not.
Seeing Lucas's blank face, his Oranguru sighed, and without hesitation, fulfilled its butler duties—choosing work over rivalry, and relayed the Forest Sage's message via telepathy to both Lucas and Gladion:
"The lampshade Shiinotic and Torkoal staff haven't arrived yet, so there's no light or hot food available for now."
Lucas: "…"
Come to think of it, wasn't the café supposed to have staff Pokémon?
"Puka."
Realizing it couldn't avoid its responsibilities, Tapu Koko resigned itself to serving as a living lightbulb—electrifying itself to provide illumination.
With this "light," the Forest Sage soon found what it sought, picked up a leaf-woven basket, and emerged from behind the bar.
Leaving only a parting word, it turned and left the café.
Of course, it wasn't avoiding the contest—Lucas and company had simply arrived unannounced, so its juice ingredients weren't ready. A quick trip for fresh fruit was needed.
The Forest Sage had cultivated a small orchard of berries and herbs nearby, for ready use.
Not far to go—back in a flash.
Oranguru, displeased but inwardly proud of its telepathy skills, again acted as interpreter.
As the Forest Sage's footsteps faded, Oranguru wasted no time, opening its own case and began preparations.
Neither would cheat. That was a point of honor.
Soon, the Forest Sage returned, basketful of fruit and a jar of honey in hand, just as Oranguru, knife in hand, started slicing a ripe Pinap berry.
Seeing this, the Forest Sage frowned but returned to its post, quietly assembling ingredients to compete.
The Forest Sage's juice-making was delightfully primitive.
It squeezed the Pinap berries by hand, extracting juice into a coconut shell, adding unknown fruit juices here and there, then drizzling in Combee honey, stirring briskly, and finally slipping a hollow reed straw into the cup for serving.
Though rustic, it was clean—the Sage washed its hands with telekinesis after each step, and waste was neatly collected in a bamboo basket.
If the Forest Sage's method was classic simplicity, Oranguru's approach was thoroughly modern.
It sliced farm-fresh Pinap with a glowing, psychic-imbued knife, juiced directly into a cocktail shaker, measured flavors in precise increments, and used a long-handled spoon to blend everything—before shaking the final mix like a pro.
It was a beautiful sight—dazzling without being showy.
After all, Oranguru was a certified bartender and Pokémon sommelier!
Soon, six cups of jeweled-gold Pinap Juice sat before Lucas and the others.
Compared to the Forest Sage's version, Oranguru's included several crystal-clear ice cubes—a choice of classic or "on the rocks."
Apparently, after being told last night the flavors tasted "identical," Oranguru had tweaked the recipe all night.
Under immense pressure, Lucas hesitated but finally reached for the Forest Sage's version first.
There were two reasons.
First, he was genuinely curious about the juice flavor shown in the anime. Second, Oranguru's version needed time for the ice to chill the drink for maximum refreshment.
Gladion and Tapu Koko, both watching him closely, made the same choice.
Lucas lifted the little coconut bowl of golden juice, the sweet scent tickling his nose—sweeter, somehow, for being outdoors. Pinching the hollow straw, he gently stirred.
The movement released an even richer aroma.
He had to admit, the drink's appearance alone was captivating.
Embracing the coconut shell, Lucas lowered his head eagerly, taking a careful sip through the straw.
And the flavor? It was hard to describe.
Pinap Berries were exceedingly tart on their own.
Even with honey, the sour kick just couldn't be fully masked.
But the Forest Sage added mysterious tiny berries, balancing the flavors through intuition. The finished drink had a layered sweet-and-sour nuance, addictively refreshing—not explosive at first sip, yet somehow compelling, sip after sip.
Tension and anxiety seemed to melt away. It was the kind of drink that could coax confessions from the troubled.
Before he knew it, Lucas slurped the whole thing down in a single go.
…