"Christmas?"
On the screen, Lance looked at Lucas and asked a question in confusion.
"Yes, Christmas."
Lucas sat in the lounge area and replied.
"I happen to be free on Christmas Day. Why? Are you inviting me to dinner?"
Lance asked with a smile.
Lucas nodded generously. "That's right. I plan to hold a gathering at the Breeding House on Christmas to celebrate the first Christmas we've officially spent here. Besides you, I'll also be inviting other friends of the Breeding House, such as Cynthia, Wallace, and Diantha."
Lance stroked his chin. "They're all old acquaintances. Alright, I'll head over directly on Christmas Day. Can I bring Clair along?"
"Of course. If possible, you can bring others as well."
"Alright, I got it."
After hanging up, Lucas called everyone he knew one by one, including Ash's trio. As for the Team Rocket trio, it wouldn't be convenient for them to appear at such an event.
Wallace, Steven, Cynthia, and Diantha—all four Champions—would be coming. As for the Elite Four, Flint was going to spend Christmas with his good friend Volkner, and Aaron had to be on duty with Grandma Bertha on Christmas Day, so only Lucian was coming. From other regions, Shauntal and Caitlin also agreed to come.
Lucas even reached out to Erika, even though they had only met once. Erika said she was honored and would attend on time.
Also invited were Mayor, as well as Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy from Twinleaf Town.
Once the headcount was confirmed, Lucas put down his phone, lay back, and began his day of slacking off.
In the kitchen, Mrs. Fujino, Alcremie, and the younger Meowstic could handle everything. Mrs. Fujino could even come and sit in the lounge area now.
This was because Meowstic's packing speed was incredibly fast, and with Meowstic's help, Alcremie's speed in making desserts had also increased significantly.
Lucas turned to look and saw the younger Meowstic using psychic power to bring out a large pile of packed food. Then, with hand speed that was invisible to the naked eye, she attached labels to the packed food.
"Meow."
Thank you for your hard work.
The Pokémon resting in the lounge area heard the younger Meowstic's words and all stood up. They consciously formed a line and, following Meowstic's reminders, took the orders they were responsible for, placed them in boxes, and ran toward Twinleaf Town.
It hadn't snowed heavily recently, so the roads outside were much easier to travel.
The younger Meowstic glanced at Lucas, who was lying in the lounge area, and found him giving her a thumbs-up.
Great job.
Lucas mouthed the words to Meowstic.
The younger Meowstic's face turned red with shyness, and she quickly ran back to the kitchen to continue helping Alcremie.
After the younger Meowstic left, Lucas took a heavy hit from a tail.
Feeling the burning sensation on his thigh, Lucas bit his lip. This little jealous pot.
"Ninetales is very cute."
Lucas gave his daily compliment.
Then he noticed a large number of gazes from around him watching. He took a deep breath and then, like reciting a menu, complimented them all one by one.
He spoke without pause; he was already proficient through practice.
Lucas could say these words even with his eyes closed now.
Just as Lucas was about to close his eyes for a nap, he heard someone calling him.
"Um—excuse me, is this a Pokémon Breeding House?"
Lucas sat up and looked at the girl standing at the door. She was hunching her shoulders and holding her hands tightly in front of her chest, staring at him shyly and looking very nervous.
"Is—is it not? But the description I saw outside seemed to say—"
The girl was startled by Lucas's movement and hurriedly took two steps back before speaking, while also glancing at the sign at the door.
That's right, it said Breeding House on it.
"Hello, welcome to the Breeding House. Is there anything I can help you with?"
Lucas went to the door and asked.
The girl's eyes lit up. "Is this really a Breeding House?"
Lucas nodded with a smile and pointed to the sign.
"Um, I want to buy a Pokémon Egg. Is that okay?"
The girl asked cautiously.
Looking at this extremely shy girl, Lucas stepped aside and made a gesture for her to enter.
"If you're not in a hurry, why don't you come in and tell me what kind of Pokémon you want? If you're not sure, you can also tell me some characteristics of the Pokémon you're looking for."
"Oh, oh, okay."
The girl followed Lucas to the lounge area and sat down. Then Lilligant came over carrying milk tea and desserts, placing them on the table next to the girl.
"Lili~"
Please enjoy.
Lilligant gave a sweet smile.
"Wow—what a beautiful Lilligant."
The girl covered her mouth and said.
Lucas and Lilligant exchanged a glance. Lilligant nodded and went back to sit on the counter, while Lucas asked the girl some questions.
"I'm the owner of the Breeding House, Lucas."
"My name is Shina."
The girl said.
Lucas nodded. "Well, Shina, what kind of Pokémon Egg do you want to buy?"
Shina thought for a moment and then shook her head. "I don't know what kind of Pokémon Egg I want to buy either."
Seeing Lucas's confused expression, Shina quickly explained: "Because I'm not from the Sinnoh Region. I came here with my parents to visit my aunt, so I'm not very clear on what Pokémon are specifically in the Sinnoh Region."
Lucas realized and nodded. "Then do you have any requirements for the Pokémon? For example, cute? Beautiful? Cool? Or brave? Or maybe you hope it can do something with you, like painting? Singing? Can you describe it like that? I can pick one out for you."
Shina thought about it. "I want a little kitten. When spring comes, I want to take it to fly kites, have picnics, and play fetch. It would be even better if it could be a bit cuter, prettier, or cooler."
Speaking of the Pokémon she wanted, Shina talked incessantly, her eyes full of hope.
A kitten?
Flying kites, picnics, playing fetch, cute, pretty, cool—
Glameow and Shinx fit her requirements very well.
However, it was necessary to note that he also needed to tell her about Glameow's evolved form, and as for Shinx, the evolved Luxray was very cool.
"We have two kinds of Pokémon here that fit your ideas."
"Really?"
Shina shouted happily, then realized it might be impolite. Her face suddenly turned red, and she sat back in her seat. "Sorry, I got too excited."
Lucas smiled and waved his hand. "It's okay. I'll explain these two Pokémon to you and see if you need them. It's fine if you don't."
Shina nodded.
Lucas took out his Rotom Phone, searched for photos of Glameow and Purugly, and placed them in front of Shina. "The first one is Glameow. It's very elegant and beautiful before it evolves and can accompany you in doing things you like. However, the evolved Purugly might not be as beautiful in appearance, but it's still a Pokémon full of charm."
Shina looked closely and seemed to dislike Purugly a bit.
"At that time, you can choose to have it wear an Everstone to keep it in its Glameow form."
"What about the other one?"
Lucas said with a smile: "The other one is Shinx. It's a very cute and lively Pokémon. Its final evolution is Luxray, which is a very cool Pokémon that gives a great sense of security."
Lucas looked at Gengar. Gengar nodded and passed through the wall to the backyard. Soon, Luxray walked in from the backyard with several Shinx.
"These are Shinx." Lucas picked up two Shinx, put them in his arms to play for a bit, then looked at Shina. "Aren't they cute?"
Shina's eyes sparkled. To be precise, from the moment Luxray walked in, she had been staring at Luxray.
Lucas grabbed Luxray's head and petted it vigorously. "This guy is the final evolution of Shinx. Isn't he cool and full of security?"
Shina nodded heavily.
"How about it? Is there one you like?"
Shina continued to nod.
"Luxray is so cool."
"I'm sorry, Luxray is a partner of our Breeding House."
The girl realized something and hurriedly waved her hands. "I didn't mean that. I'm very sorry, I apologize."
Lucas laughed at the sight.
"I want a Shinx, is that okay?"
Lucas looked at Luxray, and Luxray nodded.
"Of course. But do you want to buy a Pokémon Egg or do you want to take a Shinx with you?"
After asking, Lucas explained: "Taking a Shinx with you means you can go to the backyard and pick a Shinx you like. If you get its approval, you can take it away. If you don't get its approval, then unfortunately, you can't take it."
Shina didn't hesitate. "I want to buy a Pokémon Egg. I want to be with it from birth and grow up together."
Lucas smiled upon hearing this. "Alright, I'll pick out a very healthy Pokémon Egg for you."
Lucas took her into the Incubation Room, chose a Shinx egg that was about to hatch, and after checking it, handed it to her.
Shina decisively paid the money, picked up the Incubator Lucas handed her—which contained the Shinx egg—and prepared to leave the Breeding House.
Just as Lucas sat down, he heard Shina's voice again.
"Um, Manager—"
Lucas turned his head and looked at her curiously. "What's wrong, Shina? Do you regret it? It's okay, we can do a refund."
Lucas said considerately.
Shina hurriedly shook her head, then seemed to think of something and asked sadly: "I want to ask, do you know how to treat Pokémon? I have a very good partner who seems to be sick. It was fine when we first came, but recently it hasn't even been able to stand up."
"If possible, can you help me save it? It's very cute—"
Shina's voice got lower and lower. Just when she thought she would be rejected, she heard Lucas say: "I can."
"But the house call fee will be extra."
Shina looked up suddenly. "I will pay it."
Lucas nodded. "Then wait for me for a moment, I'll go get some things."
Shina nodded.
Lucas set off with Gengar, Ninetales, and Luxray, following Shina toward Twinleaf Town.
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