After the last child was picked up by their parents, Gothitelle closed the small house and led Pinsir and the others toward the Breeding House.
On the way, they stopped by a supermarket and ordered a large amount of meat and various seasonings according to Lucas's instructions.
The supermarket owner recognized the Breeding House's Gothitelle because of the unique small wooden plaque hanging around its neck.
He told Gothitelle that he would deliver the items to the Breeding House shortly.
Just standing at the entrance of the Breeding House, Gothitelle could hear happy sounds coming from the backyard.
It let out a sigh and then walked into the Breeding House.
A group of children who just couldn't stay out of trouble.
In the backyard, Garchomp and the others were sparring. Luxray, Staraptor, Vex, and Azumarill were already lying on the ground. Currently, only Garchomp, Lucario, and Dash were left in a chaotic free-for-all.
Gothitelle saw Lucas sitting in the garden with Cynthia and the others, eating melon seeds and watching the battle unfold.
The surrounding area of the battle had been completely destroyed by them.
Gothitelle floated over to Lucas's side, nodded a greeting to Caitlin's Gothitelle, and then skillfully took out tea leaves to brew tea for Lucas.
"I'd like a cup too, thank you."
Cynthia said to Gothitelle with a smile.
Gothitelle nodded. By the time the tea was brewed and poured, the winner had been decided over there.
In the end, Garchomp stood in the center of the field with an absolutely powerful posture.
"Ka-ow!"
Garchomp let out a domineering roar toward the sky, scaring a Starly flying above so much that it fell to the ground before quickly flying away again.
Garchomp returned to the garden, took the tea Lucas handed over, glanced at him, and then downed it in one gulp.
This kind of pure combat still suited it best.
On the other side, Milotic, Roserade, and the others were treating the Pokémon lying on the ground.
The Breeding House's Roserade's Aromatherapy made everyone and all the Pokémon involuntarily turn their attention toward it.
"Ni~"
Cynthia's Roserade came to its side and gave a soft cry.
Roserade returned the greeting with a smile.
Lucas rolled his eyes as he watched Gengar float back to his side, having been lying there pretending to be unconscious since the beginning.
However, in this kind of pure physical showdown—comparing strength rather than moves—Gengar's paper-thin body really couldn't withstand the likes of Garchomp and Dash.
What surprised Lucas the most was that Dash had actually lost to Garchomp in terms of raw strength.
He recalled how Dash had just been forcefully picked up by Garchomp as if pulling a willow tree from the roots and then thrown away.
Now, seeing Garchomp eyeing him as if sharpening its claws for a challenge,
he couldn't help but shiver.
And then—
he grinned.
Heehee.
Garchomp turned its face away haughtily.
Vespiquen saw Lucas's expression from the side; she remained expressionless.
However, the frequency of her wing beats clearly quickened.
After making a face at Vespiquen, Lucas stood up and clapped his hands.
"Everyone, we have two choices for dinner tonight. The first is by the Lake in the forest. It will be very lively, and we can dine accompanied by the forest Pokémon, enjoying our time with them. The other is Lake Verity. The Lake there is shimmering at night, and the scenery is unparalleled—perfect for a quiet dinner. So, where would you all like to go?"
"Lake Verity!"
They said in unison.
"Did you guys agree on this beforehand?"
Cynthia, holding Mime Jr. in her arms, exchanged glances with her best friends.
Her eyes curved into a smile.
Gardevoir spoke up, "This is our mutual understanding."
Lucas nodded. "Since it's autumn, let's have Barbeque tonight!"
"Yay!"
Shauna shouted happily.
Along with Gengar and the others.
They loved eating Barbeque—it was lively and warm.
Cynthia and the others were curious. Barbeque?
"Then let's head out!"
The Pokémon picked up various ingredients and started heading toward Lake Verity one after another.
Gengar followed Lucas. This time, it wasn't carrying just one large net; it was carrying two.
Clang~
Gengar patted on its chest, looking like it was inviting Lucas to give it his best shot.
Lucas lowered his stance, took a deep breath, and threw a punch.
Duang!
"Damn, what kind of move is this? It's as solid as a rock!"
"gengars—"
Cynthia sighed.
"Truly like a child."
Shauntal and Gardevoir on the side were already laughing out loud, and even the corners of Caitlin's mouth curled into a faint smile.
Upon arriving at Lake Verity, the Breeding House's Pokémon skillfully set up the large pots, washed the ingredients, and gathered firewood.
"Gengar, light the fire!"
"gengars——"
Watching the eerie flames rising beneath the pot, Gardevoir gave a speechless smile.
"This really is... Lucas's style."
After adding his specially made Barbeque Net base and the fresh water brought from the Breeding House, the fire soon began to roast the items.
An incredibly enticing aroma wafted from the net.
Lucas took a sniff and nodded. As expected of the base he brewed himself—it smelled wonderful.
Then, under the gaze of everyone and the Pokémon, he said, "One is a spicy Barbeque, and the other is a non-spicy Barbeque. You can put the food you want to eat into either one according to your taste. Once it's ready, you can take it and eat. The seasonings are on the side."
As soon as Lucas finished speaking, Gengar and the others launched their 'attack'.
Gardevoir and the others, along with Gardevoir and the rest, watched Gengar's group. After learning how to do it, Gardevoir fished a meatball out of the spicy Barbeque, put it in her plate, blew on it, and took a bite.
"Mmm—"
It was so hot and spicy, but so delicious!
Diantha's eyes lit up, as did Shauntal's. Even Caitlin had taken a liking to hot pot.
"Help me."
A plate was handed to Lucas. He turned his head and met a pair of bright eyes.
"The seasoning."
Lucas chuckled, took the bowl, and said mischievously, "What kind of seasoning do you want?"
Cynthia fell into deep thought. However, seeing Lucas's smiling expression, she knew he was teasing her. A hint of pink tinged her neck as she said, "I trust your taste."
Lucas stopped smiling.
What was this? This was a finishing blow!
Lucas prepared the seasoning, walked over to Cynthia, handed it to her, and sat down beside her.
Cynthia took a piece of meat from the items, dipped it in the seasoning, put it in her mouth, and half-closed her eyes.
"Is it good?"
Lucas boasted.
Cynthia nodded, then asked Shauntal to scoop a piece of meat from the spicy Barbeque for her and put it in her mouth.
Sss-ha~
Then, just as Lucas was about to speak, she stood up, walked over to the spicy Barbeque, and sat down next to Caitlin.
Apparently, the spicy Barbeque suited her taste better.
Seeing the slyness in Cynthia's eyes, Lucas thought, 'Damn!'
Another total defeat!
"At least I have you guys—Gengar, Lilligant, Gothitelle, Ninetales, and Snorunt. Only you are part of our Non-spicy Family."
"gengars ?"
What nonsense are you talking about?
"gengars."
Because there are fewer people here, I can eat more. There are too many people at the spicy Barbeque. Instead of fighting for food there, I'd rather have a good meal here without competing. You guys can't eat much anyway, so won't all of this be mine in the end?
Lucas: —
That hurts even more.
Lucas tearfully ate a meatball from Gengar's Barbeque, feeling quite miserable.
Gengar and Cynthia exchanged a glance, and Gengar grinned.
It looked down to eat a meatball, only to find the plate was already empty.
Gengar:?!
Where's my meatball?!
"gengars"
You stole my meatball! You're shameless!!!
"Whad are ya sayin'? I don't understan'."
Lucas's cheeks were puffed out in the shape of meatballs as he spoke indistinctly.
"gengars—"
You're shameless, stealing a child's meatball to eat.
Gengar lunged over, trying to snatch the food from his mouth.
Lucas took off running.
Chewing as he ran.
Finally, Lilligant grabbed him. Lucas stopped and looked at her, only to see her sweet smile.
It's over! Lilligant, you've betrayed me!
It was too late to run; Gengar had already wrapped its arms around his neck.
Lick to the face.
Lick again.
Another Lick.
Gengar returned to its spot contentedly and continued enjoying the Barbeque. Lucas sat in his place, chewing on the Cheri Berry Lilligant had stuffed into his mouth, feeling indignant.
"Lilligant, you've turned bad too."
"Laji~"
What are you saying? I don't understand.
She even gave an adorable, killer smile.
Just then, a figure sat down beside him; Cynthia had returned to his side.
She handed him a bowl.
"You can have mine."
Touched, Lucas took the bowl and started eating the meat in large mouthfuls.
A few seconds later.
"Cynthia, why have you turned bad too?"
Lucas shed 'touched' tears.
There's so much chilli!
Everyone and all the Pokémon present burst into laughter.
Diantha finally understood why Cynthia liked coming here so much. Perhaps she too would choose to come here to rest after finishing her work in the future.
The atmosphere was great, there was plenty of fun, it was relaxing, and the food was delicious.
Caitlin remained silent, focused solely on eating meatballs.
So... so delicious.
Caitlin didn't even have time to look up.
He's not completely useless after all; at least his cooking is excellent.
Cynthia handed Lucas a glass of water. Lucas looked at her suspiciously.
She looked completely innocent and even blinked her eyes.
"You don't trust me?"
Lucas coughed, internally crying 'my bad, my bad,' then took it and downed it in one gulp.
It was sweet.
Cynthia took the glass and set it on the ground nearby; she was already full.
"The Barbeque was delicious,"
Cynthia said.
"Of course it is, look whose skill it was."
Lucas immediately puffed out his chest.
"I mean, fighting over food in the same Barbeque with Pokémon and your best friends is truly fun and makes it taste even better."
Diantha and the others nodded in agreement.
The reason they were fighting for food so joyfully and eating so happily was ultimately because they were with their closest friends and Pokémon. They were tasting the deliciousness of the food itself, but even more so, the flavor of the meaning behind it.
Lucas looked at Gengar gorging itself and nodded with a smile.
"That's why I decided on Barbeque tonight."
"gengars"
Sharing with you.
Lucas took a bite of the meatball Gengar handed him and chewed continuously.
"Burp~"
Shauna suddenly covered her mouth. Seeing everyone and the Pokémon looking at her, she grinned.
"I'm too full, sorry! Heehee."
This once again brought laughter from the group and the Pokémon.
Lucas and Cynthia sat together, quietly watching the Pokémon playing in front of them. Cynthia thought to herself,
A life like this is truly interesting.
Once someone defeats me, I'll retire and come live at the Breeding House. I'll study ancient books every day and frequently visit ancient ruins. This kind of life seems quite nice, doesn't it?
She cast a subtle glance at Lucas beside her and found him staring blankly at the Lake's surface, lost in thought.
A ripple of emotion flashed through Lucas's heart.
"Lucas."
Lucas looked toward the Lake. It was that transparent figure again.
Mesprit.
Everyone present, including Garchomp and the others, seemed to have sensed it.
They all looked toward the Lake together.
"Get ready."
The ripple in his heart slowly faded, and then the figure on the Lake's surface vanished.
"That was..."
Cynthia asked softly.
"Mesprit, the legendary Lake Guardian who governs emotion."
Hearing Lucas's words, Cynthia's eyes lit up. Then, her gaze turned gentle as she whispered, "Is that so?"