Training is often a monotonous affair, but small surprises can hide within the boredom.
After about a week of this "three-point-one-line" routine—shuttling between the club, the Pokémon Center, and home—a sudden, remarkable change occurred in Eevee.
"Eevee... you..."
"Vee!"
Eevee was running with an exhilarated expression when her form blurred, leaving a shimmering afterimage that looked exactly like another Eevee. Seeing two nearly identical Eevees, Owen realized what had happened.
"Through the speed training, the effects of the Salac Berries have finally started to manifest..."
"Congratulations, Eevee! You've learned Double Team!"
This was a total windfall, much like when she had intuitively grasped Sand Attack. Double Team uses rapid movement to create illusory copies to disrupt the opponent.
It's said that with enough mastery, a Pokémon can create energy-based clones that provide even more powerful interference.
In the anime, it worked much the same way. Simple Double Teams were just afterimages that stayed still and were easily seen through.
Complex ones, however, could synchronize movements with the user, making it impossible for the enemy to tell which one was real.
Right now, Eevee's Double Team was quite crude—an accidental byproduct of her speed training and the Salac Berry energy.
She could only produce one or two flickering afterimages. Still, it was an incredible gain.
"I won't give you any more 'chicken soup' for the soul. Let's do something practical. To reward your hard work these past few days, I'm taking you out for a real feast."
Owen spoke with newfound wealth. His club salary might not have covered a high-end dinner, but... yesterday, his "Mental Distress Compensation" had finally arrived.
A representative from the Trainer Association had delivered a sum of money to soothe the "tragic experience" Owen and Eevee suffered when they accidentally entered the Secret Realm. Owen and Eevee had practically accepted the cash with tears of joy.
It couldn't have come at a better time. With a bulging wallet, Owen's footsteps felt significantly more confident.
"Vee."
Hearing the word "feast," Eevee nodded with satisfaction. Owen still loves me after all.
The "Fortune Boy" Strikes Again
That afternoon, at the Pokémon Center.
Having finished their daily training, Owen and Eevee were geared up and ready to head to the Dolek Pokémon-Themed Buffet, a place they'd been wanting to visit but couldn't afford.
However, just as they stepped out, Owen's phone rang. A new friend request. The profile picture was a Munchlax. Why does that look so familiar?
After accepting the request, Owen sent a message.
Owen: Is this Leo?
Man of the Slightly Plump World: It's me. Owen?
Owen: Yeah. Let me change your nickname first...
Leo: Hehe, OK. By the way, where are you right now?
Owen: Just left the Pokémon Center. Planning to grab dinner. Something up?
Leo: Dinner? Where to?
Owen: Taking Eevee to Dolek for the buffet...
Leo: Perfect! I'm nearby. Wait for me! I have something important to discuss. Don't leave!
Owen: ???
What kind of scheme is this fat kid cooking up?
Owen wiped sweat from his brow. It was almost evening, yet the sun was still scorching. Little Eevee was also panting heavily from the heat.
"Let's get an ice cream first, Eevee. Want one?"
"Vee!!" Eevee signaled an enthusiastic "yes."
While waiting for Leo, they bought two cones from the supermarket next to the Pokémon Center and ate them greedily.
Eevee finished hers even faster than Owen and, unable to restrain herself, swiped the last few bites of Owen's cone as well, leaving him staring at his empty hand in betrayal.
The soul of a cone is in the last few bites... Damn you, Eevee.
"Finally found you guys!"
Before long, Leo appeared, fully armored against the sun in a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. He panted heavily, clutching his stomach. "Dolek Buffet? Come on, my treat."
"Vee?" Eevee blinked.
Owen was also stunned. Offering a favor for no reason usually meant trouble. Is this kid still trying to bribe me? In the eyes of a righteous person like Owen, bribery didn't exist! He would never throw a match on purpose!
"What's this 'important thing' you wanted to talk about?"
"No rush, no rush. We'll talk while we eat," Leo smiled. "You guys were heading there anyway, right?"
"Tell me what it is first," Owen insisted.
"I... I just need a small favor," Leo said with a pained expression. "I promise it won't make things difficult for you, and it has nothing to do with the club."
Owen and Eevee exchanged a glance. Free food is free food. They'd go and see what Leo was hiding in his sleeve.
"Let's go."
A few minutes later, they arrived at the base of a large building.
Dolek Pokémon-Themed Buffet...
Owen and Eevee looked at the sign with high expectations. Dolek was famous for allowing humans and Pokémon to dine together in a clean, high-nutrition, and lush environment. It was a star enterprise in Fairview with many branches.
The price was notorious. Rumor had it that the per-person cost approached four figures, and certain Pokémon foods were extra. A meal would easily cost 1,000 Yuan minimum.
For a student like Leo to offer this meant he was a true "tycoon." Owen silently thanked the "Boss" in his heart.
"This way," Leo said.
Owen and Eevee were strangers to the place, but Leo moved with practiced ease. He walked straight to the front desk and spoke to the receptionist. "Auntie Huang, I'm here with a classmate. Find us a quiet spot, please."
Owen: "..."
After a moment, Owen asked, "Do you come here often?"
Leo replied, "Not really. My family owns the place."
"My mistake."
No wonder you can afford to raise a Munchlax...
Once they were seated in a quiet area, Leo finally got to the point.
"So, Brother Owen... I heard you're entering the Young Ho-Oh Cup, right?"
"Yeah," Owen said.
"With your strength, you'll definitely make the Top 16, right?" Leo took a massive gulp of Coke as if trying to get "drunk" on sugar. "The thing is, your little brother has a favor to ask..."
During their club battles, Leo usually acted like Owen was his mortal enemy. Today's sudden brotherly affection made Owen very curious.
"Actually, it's a long story..." Leo said, looking dead serious. "Look at my weight. Do I look like the kind of guy a girl would like?"
Owen was speechless. Eevee was also speechless. They both took a sip of Coke and asked, "So?"
Leo said, "So, I've summarized a philosophy: A person must be self-disciplined. You can't just think about falling in love; it affects your appetite."
That makes... an incredible amount of sense. We actually have no comeback for that.
"So what exactly do you want from me?" Owen asked.
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