novelraw Chapter 753: Current League Champion
Chapter 753: Current League Champion
Chapter 753 Current League Champion
"Food Festival?"
Inside an elegantly decorated top-tier restaurant on Winter Avenue in Miare City, Siebold, wearing his chef's white jacket, frowned slightly and said, "Don't disturb me with trivial matters while I'm researching new dishes."
"But this event is co-hosted by the Miare Chamber of Commerce, and even Lysandre Labs Hotel is participating. It's a valuable publicity opportunity... Head Chef Siebold, could you reconsider?" the manager urged.
"There's no need to participate."
The pot sizzled as butter melted. Siebold held a frying pan and said calmly, "Compared to publicity, there are higher realms waiting for my exploration... namely, the art of cuisine."
Beside Siebold, an Octillery had bound a chef's knife with its tentacles and was slicing carrots on the cutting board. A Clawitzer opened its large lobster claw, using the water jet from its claw to wash Applin fruit.
The manager glanced at the back of Siebold's white coat. The head chef and his Pokémon worked in orderly cooperation;
though they were cooking, it looked like a living piece of art.
Siebold, hailed as a "legendary chef," also possessed Elite Four-level prowess in Pokémon battles.
If anyone could match skills with Siebold...The manager pondered for a moment, then spoke again, "Head Chef Siebold, there's a very special guest at this year's Food Festival. You might be interested."
"Who? A Pokémon Sommelier from Unova, or a specialty chef from Alola?" Siebold asked calmly as he stirred the stock.
Unova chefs are famous for fine wines, Alolan chefs for unique island flavors.
Siebold had faced chefs from different regions and knew their styles intimately.
"He's from Donghua... uh... a former champion, reportedly a current special-grade chef, Mr. Lu Ye."
Clang!
The Octillery stopped slicing, the Clawitzer closed its claws. The manager was slightly startled, and the three of them turned to look at Siebold.
The "legendary chef" let the ladle slip from his hand, and it struck the pot with a clear ring!
Siebold remained unflustered, picked up a handkerchief to dry his hands, then turned around. A rare gleam of enthusiasm flashed in his eyes.
The manager stammered, "Head Chef Siebold..."
"Announce Siebold's Restaurant will participate, Jupiter."
Siebold's gaze sharpened, and a slow smile curved his lips—reverence for a "champion chef," and the thrill of exploring higher culinary realms.
Teacher Lu, let's stage a culinary duel worthy of art!
...
Southern Street, Colorful Café.
"Here you go, sorry for the wait—Pikachu pudding and a Torchic omelette rice~"
The handsome young manager balanced the tray and, with the little girl's eyes practically glowing, placed the jiggle-pudding and a ketchup-swirled omelette rice on the table.
"I'm digging in!" the little girl exclaimed loudly.
"This is a bit embarrassing..." the girl's father said anxiously. "You personally serving..."
Seeing is believing. This mysterious reservation-only café's manager really was the League champion.
Even dining at Siebold's restaurant wouldn't have felt as shocking as this sight.
"Not at all." Lu Ye smiled. "Seeing guests beam when a dish arrives is the happiest thing for a chef."
"Yeah, haha..." The man exhaled with a nervous but relieved laugh.
"Excuse me then."
Lu Ye gave a slight bow and went back to the kitchen. Alcremie was making desserts and was startled by his silent return.
"Eemai! ∑(ﾟДﾟノ)ノ"
"Don't panic, it's me. You can rest in about fifteen minutes," Lu Ye said with a smile.
"Eemai..."
Alcremie's hand went to her chest. Her cream-colored body, streaked with strawberry hues and smelling of sweet cream, looked irresistibly tempting.
Lu Ye pursed his lips and said, "Alcremie, let's talk about something."
"Eemai?"
"Next time you make a dessert using your own cream, I'll help evaluate it," Lu Ye said seriously.
Alcremie blushed deeply, strawberry decorations adorning her head. Her gem-like eyes sparkled like rubies as she nodded shyly.
"Eem, eemai..."
If it's to make even better desserts... then there's no other way...
As noon neared, the little girl held her father's hand and left. She waved back energetically, shouting, "Bye, Haunter!"
"Gengarrr~" Haunter grinned, its chubby purple body standing on the floor as it waved carelessly.
"Goodbye, come back to play!"
Turning away, Haunter's crimson eyes narrowed and brightened as it laughed again, "Gengarrr~"
Ding-a-ling—
A clear wind chime rang.
Delibird, carrying a satchel, shook its head. Damp feathers made its black eyes shine: "Woo!"
Boss, I'm off work—I'm back to eat the staff meal!
"Lunch is already being prepared. Rest for a bit first."
Lu Ye had his hands in his apron pockets and walked slowly toward Delibird, pouring a glass of iced lemonade for Little Penguin.
Delibird set down its satchel, bowed, then cupped the lemonade with both small hands and gulped it down.
"Woo—"
A tranquil afternoon settled in the café, broken only by quiet Pokémon chatter. Sunlight streamed through the display window, landing on the potted ivy, the bar, and the liquor cabinet.
Lu Ye leaned over the bar, propping his face on his hands, watching his Pokémon in a daze.
A snow-white Sylveon curled up on the brown sofa, a shaft of sunlight falling gently across it, its sleeping face sweet and peaceful.
Togepi sat atop Arcanine's back, holding a game console.
Teacher Lu had bought a whole gaming set for Victini too;
little V floated beside Togepi, fully absorbed.
Blastoise stayed in the water tank in the back room, Pupitar chewed on diamonds in the courtyard, Sirfetch’d napped...
Lu Ye rubbed his eyes and felt a touch sleepy. He yawned and slowly went to the sofa, picking up Sylveon and covering it with a thin blanket.
"Little Rotom, hang a 'Closed for Rest' sign on the door."
Lu Ye said lazily, "Meloetta, play a lullaby BGM."
Ripples spread through the air. Meloetta's long hair flowed like waves, her eyes glowing emerald, a gentle smile at the corners of her mouth.
"Mee-roe~♪"
Meloetta glanced at the café's Pokémon and put a hand to her chest, then into the microphone at her ear, singing softly.
For a while, gentle song filled the café—an afternoon lullaby.
Teacher Lu held Sylveon until dusk, lay on his side on the sofa, and slept soundly...
Only to wake with a crick in his neck.
...
In the chat group.
The group's topic was the upcoming Food Festival.
"Miare City's Food Festival, huh?"
Clemont thought for a moment and said, "I think it's to celebrate the harvest and to honor Xerneas for its contribution to ecological balance, right?"
"I remember the whole square will be filled with delicious food!" Bonnie said.
"There will be chefs from various regions coming to Miare to seek higher culinary techniques," Serena recalled. "That's what I read in a Miare City pamphlet."
Ash scratched his head. "@Serena, aren't you competing in the Triple Princess competitions? You could return to Miare to prepare;
you can get to Bywings City in a day."
The next round of the Triple Princess competitions would be held in Bywings City, and it was Serena's first time competing.
Siebold put his hand to his chin, deep in thought.
The Triple Princess competitions are a Kalos-exclusive performance event.
It's a pity the "Mikuri Cup" isn't well-known in Kalos... people prefer performers over coordinators. Siebold shook his head helplessly.
"Mm." Serena nodded. "Bonnie and I are both very interested in the Food Festival."
Bonnie: [happy Dedenne · jpg]
"I might travel to Kalos soon," Brock squinted.
"Oh?" Lu Ye rubbed his stiff neck in surprise. "Will Jiro look after the gym?"
Brock nodded. "I'm attending an exchange match between Rock-type leaders at Grant's invitation."
Rock Gym leaders are a different breed.
Lu Ye thought of Brock's Mega Steelix and judged he'd rank at least second among rock leaders—only the island captain Liza, who can wield a Rock Z-Crystal, might beat Brock.
A trainer's strength mirrors their character. Brock raised his younger siblings alone;
calling him a "real man" wouldn't be too much praise.
Lu Ye looked up at the sky.
"Since there's a competitive eating contest... Ami will probably come too..."
After all, she has dominated that contest for multiple years—she's the "black hole" girl of eating competitions.
Besides the eating contest, two other events caught Teacher Lu's attention.
One was the tasty juice selection.
Different berries and tree fruits, in varying ratios, create different flavors.
This year's event will choose the most popular juice, and the café's staff, Steenee, was intensely eager to win.
The other was the culinary showdown.
They will select the most popular business and the most acclaimed head chef.
In other words...
It's a slaughter ground for chefs from all League regions.
A food duel!
Lu Ye clenched his fist, and a blazing fire lit his eyes.
On the line was the reputation of a food-area content creator.
I must win this culinary duel!
Creak—
Lu Ye: "Ouch, ow ow, cricked my neck—Latias, send Healing Pulse!"
"I! Am! Coming!" Latias dove down.
Lu Ye: "Don't feed me Dragon Rush!"
"Hehe, just kidding~" Latias's eyes curved as she scratched her head with a small paw.
Lu Ye: "…"
Almost summoned the renovation crew... that was a close call!
...
November 4, Thursday, clear.
The Sinnoh League was calm. Flint had gone to Stark Mountain to train, Aru went to the Pledge Forest to catch bugs, and Grandma Kukuno was on duty at the administration building.
Lucian, rarely free, had holed up in Suimài City's library reading favored books.
Cynthia patrolled Mt. Coronet. After finishing her routine duties, she pondered for a moment and commanded Garchomp to fly toward Kalos.
In under two hours, the graceful and noble Cynthia, dressed in black, appeared on a paved corner in Miare City.
The sun shone gently. Lu Ye was experimenting with a new dish at the open-air counter and glanced up at the ringing wind chime.
Startled slightly, Lu Ye raised a resigned smile, "You couldn't tell me in advance?"
"My work finished and I suddenly wanted to see you."
Cynthia placed a hand at her waist. Golden hair fell across her face, her bearing sharp: "Is that not allowed?"
"Ka’ao!" Garchomp spread both scythes, eyes piercing, standing behind Bamboo Lan.
"If you'd told me earlier I could've prepared a new ice cream flavor." Lu Ye shrugged.
"Hmm..." Cynthia's beautiful face showed a trace of regret. "No need to go to that trouble."
"It's not too late to make it now," Lu Ye said.
Cynthia watched Lu Ye with calm eyes. After a while, a slight smile touched her lips, her eyes crinkling as she gave a gentle nod.
**
The strawberry cream came from Alcremie, the ice was soaked in unmelting-ice's clear water, and the tree fruit was the tart-sweet Applin.
As Lu Ye prepared it, he explained, "The Applin's tartness and sweetness weave a perfect duet;
it pairs wonderfully with salads, too."
Cynthia nodded from time to time and said, "Sometimes I think you're a scholar, sometimes a tree-fruit expert, and now you've become a League champion..."
"Former," Lu Ye corrected.
"You're currently also the League champion."
Cynthia lifted her pale neck and said softly.
Lu Ye paused and glanced at Cynthia. Her proud face had a faint blush, and she looked away, brushing golden hair off her cheek.
This was the first time he’d seen Mengmengda act coquettish.
"In a few years it won't be anymore," Lu Ye said, slicing the tree fruit.
Bamboo Lan fell slightly into thought, her dark brows knitting as she cast a cold glance: ?
"She will become a child's mother, my battle legend," Lu Ye said with a smile.
Bamboo Lan froze for an instant, lifting her long-lashed eyes to gaze at Lu Ye.
Lu Ye suddenly felt awkward.
The usually dignified Sinnoh champion's face flushed, her eyes fluttering before she turned her cheek away.
"Gengarrr! (〝▼皿▼)"
Lu Ye: o(ﾟДﾟ)っ!
Misunderstanding!
Tonight was probably going to be spent at the Pokémon Center!
Beneath her golden hair, Bamboo Lan's profile was refined and high, a smile curving the corner of her mouth.
"...You're not mad anymore?" Lu Ye asked tentatively.
"Ice cream." Bamboo Lan replied coolly.
"There..." Lu Ye handed over the ice cream.
Bamboo Lan examined the glass calmly, then silently pressed her palms together and picked up a spoon.
She scooped a gentle spoonful and brought it to her ruby lips.
Cynthia: (⁎˃ᴗ˂⁎)
So sweet!
Teacher Lu breathed a sigh of relief.
Danger averted... probably!
***
"After you retire, will Champion Shangren really take over? Are you sure?"
Cynthia asked lightly as she scooped ice cream.
"Mostly because of overtime... if I weren't working so much, I wouldn't let Shangren take over," Lu Ye answered honestly.
"Oh..." Cynthia nodded quietly.
She didn't understand—probably the same as Lucian—trainers who are dutiful and responsible.
"Are you going to the Food Festival this weekend? There will be famous dessert vendors," Lu Ye said.
"I have plenty of time." Cynthia considered, "I heard Dorasena will attend, so I want to meet her."
"Dorasena?"
"Yes. She's also a trainer from Celestic Town, and currently serves as Kalos's Dragon-type Elite Four member."
Seeing the confusion in Lu Ye's eyes, Cynthia said calmly, "As you might guess, she's a distant relative of mine."
Celestic Town often produces Dragon-type trainers, similar to the draconic clans of Dragon's Home and Emong City.
Teacher Lu feared nothing more than Dragon types... after all, he still had the Fairy Plate.
As long as Arceus didn't awaken, that Fairy Plate was practically mine! (just kidding)
Approaching year's end, Miare City's events multiplied, and with Teacher Lu's retired-champion status, invitations poured in.
The next day, as Lu Ye prepared a new dish, he received an unexpected invitation.
"I am the committee chair for the Triple Princess competitions."
The caller said politely, "Mr. Lu Ye, are you available next week to attend the Bywings City satellite competition as a judge?"
Lu Ye was slightly taken aback.
Right... besides being a cook, I'm also a coordinator!
"Who are the contestants?" Lu Ye wondered.
"Uh... let me see—there's Shauna, Musashi V, Serena..."
Lu Ye was stunned for a moment, recalled the group chat, and accepted the invitation, "No problem."