Diantha and Caitlin looked at Lucas curiously.
Caitlin's small hands were clenched tightly under the table as she glared at Lucas with an unfriendly expression.
Cynthia looked around but couldn't find Vulpix. Just as she was feeling puzzled, a beautiful Ninetales walked over and gently rested its head on her lap.
"Vulpix evolved?"
Cynthia slowly stroked Ninetales' small head and looked at Lucas, asking for confirmation.
"Mm."
Lucas nodded. "They've all grown up. I don't know whether to feel gratified or a bit regretful."
Cynthia laughed, her smile bright. "Pokémon have to grow up eventually. Does growing up mean they aren't children anymore?"
Lucas smiled knowingly. Indeed, no matter what, they were still children in his eyes.
Diantha's attention was captured by the Ninetales resting its head on Cynthia's lap. What a perfect Ninetales.
Having achieved great success in the entertainment industry, she could tell at a glance that Ninetales had immense talent in beauty and charm.
"These are my good friends, Diantha and Caitlin. You've already met Shauntal."
Cynthia introduced them to Lucas.
Lucas finally turned to look at Diantha and Caitlin. He had seen Caitlin on TV before; she was a blonde little girl.
It was said she was a rich woman who could support Cynthia, and she was also a true Psychic.
But why was she looking at him so strangely? Had he offended her somehow?
Lucas was confused, but he still greeted her.
In response, Caitlin turned her head away tsundere-style.
Lucas met Cynthia's apologetic gaze, shrugged, and then looked at Diantha.
Short flaxen-gray hair and small wings on her back that looked soft like ordinary marshmallows.
A familiar outfit.
"I often hear Cynthia mention you, Champion Diantha."
Diantha nodded with a smile. "Me too. I often hear Cynthia mention you, Lucas."
Pop.
Lucas turned to look and found that the cup in front of Caitlin had shattered, and the milk tea inside was spilling onto the table.
My cup—
Lucas felt a pang of heartache. These were cups he had made by hand, and he hadn't expected one to break so soon.
"Caitlin."
Cynthia called out softly. Caitlin reined in her emotions and then apologized to Lucas.
"I'm sorry. I will compensate you."
Lucas shook his head. "It's fine, it's just a cup."
Lucas called toward the kitchen, "Gothitelle."
Gothitelle had just finished her shift.
Gothitelle appeared in the garden in the blink of an eye and skillfully began cleaning the table.
Caitlin's eyes narrowed when she saw Gothitelle, then she closed them.
She sensed an extremely powerful spiritual energy contained within Gothitelle's body.
Gothitelle's hands faltered for a moment, and she looked toward Caitlin.
Seeing the reactions of Caitlin and Gothitelle, Lucas was puzzled for a moment before it clicked.
Are they communicating telepathically?
Just as the thought occurred to him, Gothitelle resumed her work.
Meanwhile, Caitlin gently grabbed Cynthia's hand and whispered in her ear, "This Gothitelle has been bred very well; she possesses very powerful spiritual energy."
Everyone present could hear these words clearly.
Cynthia smiled. "Mm, because she is Lucas's Pokémon."
Diantha and Caitlin both looked at Lucas in surprise. No wonder Cynthia said he was a powerful Breeder.
Ninetales, Gothitelle, and the Gengar that had just left with Garchomp, Lucario, and Cofagrigus—every one of them was bred exceptionally well and possessed great strength.
Shauntal remained silent, simply drinking her tea.
I missed the afternoon tea here so much, sob, sob—
Shauntal had recently been tortured to the point of collapse by writer's block. After coming to the Breeding House and having a wonderful afternoon tea, she finally felt a bit of life returning to her.
She wasn't surprised by the Pokémon Lucas bred, as she had been to the Breeding House once before.
"Big Sister Cynthia~"
Shauna ran toward the garden with chimecho on her shoulder.
Ninetales stood up, sat down beside Lucas, and gently rested its head on his lap.
Since it could no longer jump into his arms, it could only rest its head on his lap.
Cynthia opened her arms and pulled the returning Shauna into a hug.
"Long time no see, little Shauna."
"Heehee."
Shauna grinned; she was looking more and more like Gengar lately.
"These are my good friends."
Cynthia introduced them.
"Hello Big Sister Diantha, Big Sister Shauntal, and Big Sister Caitlin. You're all so pretty."
Shauna's crisp voice instantly won the favor of Diantha and Shauntal. Combined with her cute outfit and appearance, they couldn't help but take Shauna from Cynthia's arms and let her sit on their laps.
Caitlin looked at Shauna, then at Cynthia's empty embrace, and pouted.
Lucas suppressed a laugh from the side.
He remembered now; it seemed Caitlin really liked Cynthia.
Cynthia noticed Lucas's gaze and gave him a playful roll of her eyes.
It was incredibly charming.
Shauna sat on Diantha's lap and looked at Caitlin, who was also looking at her.
She tilted her head, curiously observing the older sister before her.
Strange, why did it feel like this big sister's state was a bit unstable?
Like an old TV that would occasionally show static?
Shauna puffed out her cheeks, troubled.
Caitlin was equally surprised. A child who wasn't afraid of her?
Her spiritual power was difficult to control, so most people felt very oppressed when they were near her.
Cynthia and the others were immune because they were powerful themselves, and Lucas was likely protected by Gothitelle, but what about this little girl?
Caitlin couldn't figure it out.
If Lucas knew what Caitlin was thinking, he would know why Shauna was immune to Caitlin's aura.
When Shauna used Lucas's stethoscope, she could sense the scenes inside a pokémon egg.
The Pokémon world never lacked humans with special powers: Aura Guardians, Viridian Power, Dragon Force, and Psychic powers—
Because guests had arrived today, the Breeding House closed early.
As a result, Lilligant and Roserade also came to the garden.
They were with Mime Jr.
Mime Jr. took Snorunt to the Lake area to play with the Lapras Siblings and Milotic.
Meanwhile, Lilligant and Roserade came to the garden and sat by Lucas.
Diantha looked at Lilligant and Roserade, especially Lilligant.
How could she be so beautiful~
Diantha really wanted them to film a movie with her.
As Lilligant and Roserade entered the garden, a blissful floral fragrance filled the air.
"Lucas, have you considered letting Lilligant and the others film a movie with me?"
Diantha hesitated for a moment before asking Lucas.
Lucas was stunned and looked at Diantha.
As expected of the Kalos Champion!
Her mind was completely filled with filming.
However, he eventually smiled, looked at Lilligant and the others, and reached out to flick the stamen on top of Lilligant's head.
Lilligant narrowed her eyes happily and gave a cry.
"Lilli"
"It depends on their wishes. If they like it, I will definitely give them my full support."
Hearing Lucas's words, Diantha looked at Lilligant and the others.
She smiled; she didn't need them to speak to know the answer.
They loved Lucas and would not part from him.
It was just like her and Gardevoir.
Lucas checked the time and then asked Cynthia, "Well then, Miss Cynthia, would you all like to eat first, or go relax in the hot springs first?"