[Seafood Pizza (B): A freshly baked 18-inch seafood pizza, with golden cheese wrapping springy shrimp, mingled with the aroma of black pepper—every bite carries the unmistakable flavor of the sea.
Dish Effect: Greatly restores stamina. After consumption, Pokémon gain a short-term Focus buff, significantly improving meditation efficiency.]
A truly delicious dish, especially suitable for Psychic-type Pokémon.
When Silas carried this dish to the dining table, Gardevoir immediately looked over, utterly captivated by the unique aroma. Unable to maintain her usual ladylike composure, her throat bobbed repeatedly as she swallowed, saliva gathering despite herself.
Silas, who had been paying part of his attention to Gardevoir, couldn't help but smile softly.
"All the dishes are served. Everyone, dig in."
A crowd of Pokémon gathered around the table, and once Silas spoke, they all sprang into action.
The 18-inch pizza was more than large enough. Silas first served a slice each to Diantha and Gardevoir, then to Kangaskhan and Cyclizar. The three Noibat shared one slice together.
The three Mudbray and Smoliv didn't eat meat.
Silas took a slice for himself and gave one-third of it to Minccino.
Minccino was small and couldn't eat very much.
One bite of seafood pizza followed by a sip of chilled pomelo juice—Silas's eyes were filled with pure satisfaction.
After taking just a small bite, Diantha was completely won over by Silas's cooking.
Golden cheese stretched into long, silvery strands, gleaming enticingly in the sunlight. The crust wrapped around the seafood, and every bite was a pleasure, each mouthful bringing a different little surprise.
"It's so good! If only I could eat like this every day!"
Beside her, Gardevoir's reaction was even more dramatic.
After chewing only a few times, her face flushed crimson.
The Psychic-type energy throughout her body was suddenly stimulated, overflowing so intensely it nearly spilled out. Her entire body trembled under the surge.
As her beautiful eyes lit up with psychic light, Gardevoir abruptly vanished from her spot and reappeared in an open area nearby.
Her small hands formed seals before her chest as powerful telekinetic force materialized, distorting the air around her until even her figure became blurred.
Compressed psychic spheres shot one after another into the clouds above as Gardevoir vented the excess energy within her body.
Among Trainers, this phenomenon has a specific term: energy overflow.
If not handled properly, it can cause a Pokémon to fall into a berserk state.
This usually occurs during evolution for Pokémon like Magikarp or Shelgon—one being too weak to control itself, the other too strong to fully rein itself in.
Gardevoir was clearly not among them. After releasing the rapidly surging psychic power, her state naturally stabilized.
When she looked back at the seafood pizza, her gaze had changed—full of shock and delight.
After eating, the other Pokémon such as Kangaskhan showed no noticeable physical changes.
After lunch, Diantha received a call from her manager.
After exchanging a few words, Diantha decisively hung up.
Silas handed her a glass of pomelo juice and asked curiously, "Urging you to go back? Is your acting work really that intense?"
"Yes! I finally got half a day out, and I haven't rested enough yet!"
Diantha shook her head, deciding not to think about work today.
Scooping Minccino up from Silas's arms, Diantha waved and led the group of Pokémon toward the beach.
"The beach?"
"Diantha's swimsuit!!!"
Silas's eyes lit up as he quickly rinsed the dishes clean.
Jumping onto Cyclizar, Silas chased after them.
On the golden beach inlaid with tiny shells and starfish, Diantha was leading the Pokémon in building sandcastles.
Seeing this, Silas instantly lost interest.
Oh come on—what is this supposed to be?!
What's the point of coming to the beach to build sandcastles without wearing swimsuits? There's nothing good to look at at all!
Just as Silas turned to leave, he saw Diantha waving to him from afar.
Ten minutes later, his gaze swept across the Pokémon surrounding him one by one.
"Can I move now?"
Silas wriggled his body, which had been buried in sand, trying to stand up. The sand piled on his stomach slid down in a soft rustle.
"Min!"
"Smoliv~"
The two little ones ran over and pressed him down, refusing to let him get up.
They still wanted to build a castle on top of Silas.
"Alright then. I'll take a nap."
The grass dumplings were already prepared, and there was nothing else to do in the afternoon. Spending time playing with Minccino and the others wasn't a bad way to pass the time.
Soon, it wasn't just Minccino and Smoliv—Kangaskhan joined in as well.
When invited by Minccino to play in the sand, Cyclizar flicked its tail proudly.
It was a mature Pokémon—no way it was going to play with sand!
…Hehehe. Sand is really fun.
Diantha watched with a smile and joined them herself.
Unable to move at all, drowsiness gradually overtook Silas.
Before long, soft snores sounded from his nose, and Minccino and the others lightened their movements considerably.
When Silas opened his eyes again, a circle of Pokémon surrounded him, all with eyes closed, basking in the sunlight.
Not far away, Diantha sat on a lounge chair, gazing at the blue waves and clear sky, more relaxed than she had ever been.
When she saw Silas wake up, she greeted him with a wave.
Easygoing, leisurely days always pass quickly. Diantha's manager called more than a dozen times that afternoon, repeatedly asking when she would return.
They needed to leave Shalour City overnight and head to the next city to discuss the film's promotion.
By Route 12, Silas watched as Diantha got into a car. The two of them waved goodbye.
They were no longer the carefree boy and girl they once were. Each had their own pursuits and goals, and their steps toward their dreams could not stop.
In the end, Diantha still didn't get to stay for dinner, nor did she put on a swimsuit.
"Min!"
Minccino looked up at Silas and asked if Sister Diantha and Sister Gardevoir would come to the ranch again.
"This was your first time meeting them, and you're already such good friends?" Silas chuckled as he patted Minccino's head, directing Cyclizar to the John's ranch and retrieving today's earnings from the delivery box.
Just a little over a thousand.
Cradled in Silas's arms, Minccino nodded vigorously.
Silas glanced at the movie tickets in his hand—Diantha had given them to him before leaving.
"How about I take you to see the movie they're in next week?"
Minccino tilted her head. "Min?" (What's a movie?)
The little one had never even seen a television, let alone a movie.
Facing Minccino's question, Silas thought for a moment and said, "A movie is something that lets lots and lots of people and Pokémon see you—and you can even gain tons of fans."
"Min!!"
Minccino gasped in surprise. So they were big stars.
That's amazing.
After returning to the ranch, having spent the entire afternoon playing at the beach, Silas brought the Pokémon to the lakeside to wash up one by one, scrubbing them clean.
Dinner was simple noodles, a big bowl for everyone.
Silas didn't forget to bring some over to the Noibat as well, reminding them to be careful at night and to inform him immediately if anything came up.
After dinner, Silas recorded the day's earnings in the ledger, then hugged Minccino and drifted off to sleep.
After everyone had fallen asleep, Cyclizar sneakily slipped out of the house to meet up with the Noibat.
They didn't notice Chatot flying overhead, landing on the eaves.
These past few days had completely exhausted Bird Boss—finally, it could rest for a few days.
(End of Chapter)