I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

Chapter 755: Winter Begins Gathering! The Oath Tree and Gifts

The two-day Food Festival drew to a close.

During that time, Teacher Lu defeated Siebold in the culinary arena, leaving many viewers stunned.

They had thought this champion was all persona… who knew he was actually a top-tier chef!

Fans watching the live stream exclaimed, "So appetite-inducing."

"Gold-medal head chef, Teacher Lu."

"This bowl, this bowl is a nine-colored sublime bowl that makes you eat more!"

Pokémon chefs, like Pokémon breeders, are professions that command respect. The curry, bofuretsu, and other dishes they prepare can even be used to raise Pokémon and deepen the bonds between them.

If Wallace can be called a "champion-level coordinator" and Steven a "champion-level collector (miner)"…

then Teacher Lu is the "champion-level chef."

"Fits the image of an Eastern-region champion perfectly!""No wonder you, Stove King."

"Someone on Bilibili even uploaded a recreation video, used seven kinds of tree fruit, terrifying!"

Afterwards a content creator recreated Teacher Lu's "Magical Mapo Tofu."

In the video, the creator tried to reproduce the spice, aroma, color, heat, numbness, and crispness by using seven tree fruits like Chesto Berry and Thunder Fruit. To recreate the "golden glow," they even procured rare golden tree fruit.

Finally, when the steaming Mapo Tofu came out, the screen filled with "ohhhh."

The creator admitted:

"Not easy to make, spent a fortune, and Teacher Lu's cooking is hard to imitate. I just tried to recreate it, hope everyone understands, please give a triple like."

"Done."

"This time for sure!"

"Wow, the creator and Teacher Lu really are tree-fruit celebrities!"

A so-called tree-fruit celebrity is an expert at growing and caring for tree fruit. In past games, meeting these trainers would often lead to them warmly gifting you tree fruit.

Then Teacher Lu would usually pull every fruit from their doorstep—definitely an evil villain move.

The final event of the Food Festival was the most popular: the best shop contest.

The Team Rocket trio's shop won first place with affordable prices, tasty food, and massive popularity.

Teacher Lu, busy with culinary duels, took second. Brock won third, making a tidy sum to help support his household.

The Cerulean City leader's shop ranked worst due to poor ingredients and taste.

(Cerulean City leader: Customers don't know good food, even Red, Green, and Professor Samuel Oak tried it and said it was good.

Silver: "…"

You live in Pallet Town, they wouldn't dare leave a bad review anyway.)

Behind Musashi's back, James and Meowth used the money they earned to secretly commission an extremely expensive, ornate outfit to support Musashi's entry into the Triple Princess competitions.

Musashi's measurements are identical to James's fiancée's, so no need to ask—convenient for hiding the truth.

The outfit was designed and made by the Pokémon-styled couturier Melisa: a noblewoman-style purple dress, a shimmering purple crystal fan, a green onyx pendant, and a ruby necklace.

"It's really expensive!" James said miserably. Not only did they spend their prize money, they even dipped into past savings.

"This is Melisa's style, meow~" Meowth was also teary-eyed, gritting teeth: "Just for this outfit, we must make Musashi become the Kalos Queen!"

"Sora~~ nashi."

"But how do we give it to Musashi?" James held a dark cloth bag, rubbing his chin, "If we hand it to her directly, she won't accept it, right?"

"Musashi has pride, meow. If it's too expensive, she definitely won't take it."

Meowth crossed arms, thought a moment, then a lightbulb went off: "Right meow, gift exchange, just give the outfit to Musashi that way meow."

"Gift exchange?"

"It's a Bygone City tradition meow. Legend says a trainer and his mount goat came to fertile land and founded Bygone City. The mount goat gave him a small sapling."

Meowth pantomimed: "That sapling grew taller and taller into a towering tree. People called it the 'Oath Tree.' Each year at the festival, trainers exchange gifts under the tree meow."

James's eyes lit up: "Great idea, let's go to Bygone City together and exchange gifts."

"Done meow." Meowth nodded.

"Sora~ nashi!"

****

Cynthia had been very conflicted lately.

Bygone City's annual festival was approaching, where trainers exchange gifts under the Oath Tree, giving treasured items to friends, lovers, and Pokémon.

Garchomp, Lucario, Togekiss, Gastrodon… each Pokémon needed a gift, that’s four.

Lu Ye and his Pokémon—Haunter, Sylveon, Meloetta… that’s at least ten gifts.

How to choose those gifts, what to give Lu Ye and each Pokémon—

Just thinking about it made indecisive Cynthia’s eyes spin.

A day had passed since the Food Festival ended.

Cynthia returned to the Sinnoh League, went to the duty hall, and during a break asked Grandma Kukuno, who was sipping tea on the sofa.

"What would be a good gift?"

Grandma Kukuno wrapped in a scarf, blowing steam from her thermos, said calmly, "Of course, give what the other likes."

"I know, but I absolutely can't choose…"

Cynthia said helplessly. Her pretty face looked haggard from agonizing over gifts.

"Have you listed options? Narrowing it down makes it much easier." Grandma Kukuno advised.

Cynthia propped her chin on her hand, paused, gray eyes flickering: "For Garchomp I thought of a Stylish Headband, Life Orb, Power Bracer…"

"And for Lu Ye… I considered many plans, I wrote them down, grandma please reference them…" Cynthia went to her office to fetch her notes. Grandma Kukuno shook her head speechlessly, bemused by the lovely love life of trainers, like melting spring snow or a breeze across the grassland.

Soon Cynthia returned with a stack of notebooks, placing them before Grandma Kukuno like a class monitor handing in everyone's homework.

"So many?" Grandma Kukuno gaped.

"Because of my Pokémon and Lu Ye's Pokémon… all these gifts must be considered…" Cynthia smiled shyly and charmingly, explaining, "I'm easily indecisive, so I wrote everything down."

Grandma Kukuno sighed softly.

She's kind of envious of Lu Ye… at least my husband never planned so thoroughly.

"Free this afternoon? I'll help you sort through them." Grandma Kukuno flipped through the notes. What else could she do, being the only deeply experienced member of the Elite Four?

"Thank you." Cynthia bowed slightly, tucking hair behind her ear with a radiant smile.

At dusk Cynthia finalized the gift for Garchomp, returned home full of confidence.

"Gah?" Garchomp blinked puzzled at Cynthia's excited expression.

"In a few days you'll know."

Cynthia patted Garchomp's head with a smile.

She planned to give Garchomp a beautiful Heart Scale to thank it for its lifelong companionship.

The gift for Lu Ye remained undetermined, so Cynthia asked her friends Fumiko and Caitlin for opinions.

She first phoned Caitlin;

after hearing the purpose, Caitlin quickly hung up.

Her butler, Shilan, called back and complained: "Miss nearly blew up the whole mansion!"

"Sorry… I got carried away." Cynthia cleared her throat, planning to share festival joy.

But on second thought, this wasn't something to tell Caitlin—she was easily jealous…

Next she asked Fumiko, who was tucked in at home writing a novel, and replied with astonishment:

"What? Cynthia sharing love life details with me? I must put this in my novel."

"If you don't want me to challenge you, you can try." Cynthia smiled faintly.

"Ah… you suddenly ask me this, I have no idea." Fumiko, barefaced in pajamas, sitting cross-legged on her bed by the desk, said, "How about giving Lu Ye a copy of my book? He would like it;

my next book will star him as the male lead, titled… hey?"

The call cut off. Fumiko mumbled, then sent a voice message suggesting Cynthia ask Karine.

Karine, as an actress queen, often received gifts from admirers worldwide and knew best what to give.

"A trench coat."

Karine said gently, "Perfect for foggy Miare City. I have my eye on a designer trench myself, but it costs half a film's salary… these luxury merchants are crazy."

Cynthia furrowed her lovely brows: "Let me think."

Karine waited quietly while Cynthia hesitated, then signaled her agent to hurry with the next call, and softly added:

"Perhaps there is a Kalos legend… a split Poké Ball…"

****

November 7, Sunday, Winter Begins.

Mengmengda had returned to the Sinnoh League, so Winter Begins couldn't be celebrated with her.

By custom, the "champion-level head chef" had prepared red bean tangyuan and dumplings for tonight's feast.

Foggy Miare City sank into night. Pedestrians with umbrellas crossed drizzle-swept streets beneath a gray sky. Prism Tower rose high, its angular buildings tightly arrayed, and dark crows skimmed low over the streets.

Streetlights blurred in the mist. The café on the corner glowed warmly, its windows fogged. Haunter wiped the fog with a handkerchief, exposing its chubby cheeks, pressed close to the glass and exhaled, then carefully wiped again and grinned.

Many "guests" had come: Marshadow, Mew, Diancie…

The place buzzed with noise—the clink of cutlery, Pokémon laughter, and Teacher Lu's roars.

"Arcanine, scoot, don't block the door."

"Alcremie, don't be afraid, Pupitar won't eat your… probably."

"Latias, can you stop flying around? I'm getting dizzy."

"I want to!" Latias puffed a pouty face.

"Pupitar—that plate is not for you!"

"Bangii…(￣～￣)" Pupitar crunch-chomped on ceramic shards, biting through dumplings at the same time.

Victini flew freely in midair, cheeks dusted with crumbs, happily holding a macaron: "Nimi~"

Mew used Psychic to float Togepi, holding a game console, glancing occasionally at Togepi's concentrated screen: "Mew~~"

Hmm… my screen's black again, let's see how Togepi plays…

Marshadow stood awkwardly on the floor, looking ill at ease;

its dark presence seemed out of place with the café’s decor.

But there was an elder who fit in even more naturally—Darkrai drifted beside the long table, mist roiling, elegantly holding knife and fork, cutting energy cubes.

"Mar…sha…" Marshadow looked dazed.

Is this really a café… and not a Legendary Pokémon club…

"Whoo~!"

Marshadow felt something poke it, turned and saw Delibird carrying a luggage satchel.

The courier Delibird's black eyes sparkled as it handed over a gift box.

You're new, right? This is for you~

Marshadow looked at the gift unsurely, then noticed Blastoise nearby.

"Ka-me…" Blastoise nodded lightly.

Relax, it's not a bomb in there!

"What do you want, dumplings or tangyuan? Never mind, you guys eat everything…"

Lu Ye muttered, bringing a steaming white plate to the table.

Sirfetch’d: "Gah…（¯﹃¯）"

I want leek-filled ones…

A long table surrounded by Pokémon, laden with delicacies;

the Pokémon by the table argued endlessly.

Lu Ye looked pained, took his seat, and smiled helplessly.

"Are you unwell, Mr. Lu Ye?"

Next to him, Princess Diancie, a sparkling diamond atop her head, eyes bright, spoke gently.

"Seeing you makes me feel much better." Lu Ye smiled.

"You're too kind." Princess Diancie covered her lips with her hand and gave a delighted giggle.

Outside the drizzle fell, night thickened.

Inside warm light melted the room into a lively din.

Lu Ye, Sirfetch’d, and Princess Diancie maintained elegant dining etiquette.

Elegance never goes out of style.

His phone vibrated. Lu Ye stepped under the eaves into the courtyard, watching the fine rain, and said:

"Hello, Master Fu, what's up?"

"Lu Ye… that Mapo Tofu from yesterday lingers in my memory—so delicious." Master Fu praised.

"You're too kind. You can always drop by the café." Lu Ye replied with a smile.

"It's like this… I'll treat you this time, invite you and your Pokémon to Bygone City's festival."

Master Fu said with a smile, "The annual festival has the Grand Festival and the tradition of the Oath Tree."

"The Oath Tree?"

"Yes, trainers exchange gifts under the tree and set eternal oaths." Master Fu said sentimentally.

Lu Ye's heart stirred. "I'm going to Bygone City tomorrow too, to judge at the Triple Princess competitions."

"Oh? That's quite a coincidence." Master Fu exclaimed.

A champion who excels across fields—perhaps that's what connects everything and allows one to reason by analogy.

"See you then." Lu Ye smiled.

"Yes, goodbye."

After hanging up, Lu Ye put hands in pockets and pondered.

What to give Cynthia…

A diamond ring? No… the festival emphasizes bonds rather than romance, that wouldn't fit.

What to give his own Pokémon still needed careful thought…

Lu Ye suddenly considered Ash's party's itinerary.

Ash and Serena would likely head to Bygone City to attend the Triple Princess competitions and join the festival.

Under the Oath Tree they would exchange gifts.

That could be a crucial chance to warm Ash and Serena's relationship.

Teacher Lu looked up at the sky.

Why be so invested in Ash's feelings?

Isn't it to make up for the anime's regrets, to fulfill a fatherlike vision!

Lu Ye glanced at the noisy little ones, contemplated briefly, then opened his phone to devise a careful plan.

"Hey… Matori? Order Rocket Delivery to plant eyes at Bygone City's festival… create moments alone for those two…"

Matori sat in a dim operations room, dumbfounded and asked:

"Is this some battle plan? Like capturing a Legendary?"

"A battle plan?"

Lu Ye snorted, "Hmph, of course this is an important battle plan."

Love is war.

…