In the Pokémon series games, there are two methods to evolve Feebas into Milotic—
Method one: Raise its Beauty stat to 170 or higher, then level it up.
Method two: Trade it while holding a Prism Scale.
However, after consulting Professor Oak, Hayashi learned that the actual process required first raising Feebas's Beauty stat to 170 or higher, then leveling it up while holding a Prism Scale. The former condition is met by keeping Feebas in good spirits and feeding it high-quality Pokéblocks, while the latter requires one of the rare scales Milotic sheds only a few times in its lifetime.
In short, raising a Feebas into Milotic demands an exorbitant cost—equivalent to buying a top-tier private jet or luxury yacht back on Earth.
Erina nodded thoughtfully. "We just bought a Berry Blender earlier. I'll try making some Pokéblocks later."
"Pika!"
"Eevee!"
Hearing that Erina was about to make Pokéblocks by hand, Pikachu and Eevee cheered enthusiastically—Seriously, if Big Sis's human food is already so delicious, wouldn't her Pokéblocks be out of this world?
Heck yeah! A feast awaits!
"Vul?"
The Alolan Vulpix in Erina's arms tilted her head curiously and asked softly, "Is the food she makes really tasty?"
"Eevee!"
Eevee nodded vigorously, spreading her paws wide to emphasize just how, how, how delicious it was!
"Vul!"
The fire Vulpix in Hisako's arms immediately perked up upon hearing those words, happily waving its two front paws at Erina while making "wo~ wo~" sounds.
It seemed extremely excited.
Erina was taken aback by the Vulpix's enthusiasm and turned to Hayashi for help. "Hayashi, what's going on with her?"
Hayashi chuckled helplessly. "This Vulpix seems like a little glutton—she's begging for the Pokémon food you make."
"Ugh—"
Hisako, standing nearby, couldn't stay calm. She quickly looked down at the Vulpix in her arms and asked, "Didn't Professor Oak feed you before sending you here?"
"Wo—"
The Vulpix blinked, as if to say that she had one stomach for meals, another for snacks, and yet another for desserts!
After Hayashi translated her meaning, Erina, Hisako, and Sabrina all struggled to hold back their laughter—why did that sound so familiar?
Wasn't that just the classic excuse girls used?
"Well, it's almost time anyway—" Erina said with a smile. "Let's start preparing lunch. I'll cook for everyone first, then work on the Pokéblock recipe."
"Hell yeah!" Hayashi cheered excitedly. "Erina, I want meat! Big, juicy meat!"
Erina immediately patted her chest confidently. "No problem! I'll make sure you're stuffed full—just wait and see!"
Hisako: "Burp—"
Even her burp tasted like dog food.
...
...
In the open backyard of the Pokémon Center.
Hayashi and the others were gathered around a table enjoying their meal, while at another table, Gengar—the eldest of the group—was welcoming the three new little companions.
"Wo—"
The fire Vulpix took a bite of the Pokémon food and froze in shock. "This is so delicious?! Do you guys eat like this every day?"
Gengar giggled, placing her hands on her hips. "Our lady's cooking is the best in the world—no arguments allowed!"
"Never, ever offend Erina, or you'll regret it when your meals turn terrible," Eevee added with a nod.
The Vulpix immediately clenched her tiny paws in determination. "For the sake of future meals! I'll protect Erina with all my might!"
"?" The Alolan Vulpix glanced at her sister and asked, "Did you get something wrong? This is my trainer, so naturally, I'll be the one protecting her."
The Kantonian Vulpix froze, then gaped in stunned silence: Oh, oh right. The big sister who cooks delicious food isn't my trainer.
From that day on, another emo Pokémon joined the team.
Nearby, the Growlithe, who had already finished her lunch, lifted her head from her bowl. After licking her lips contentedly, she first looked at the sulking Vulpix, then at the mostly untouched Pokémon food still left in her bowl.
She's not gonna eat it? What a waste! It's so tasty!
Guess I'll help her finish it then! Chomp chomp—
...
...
Meanwhile.
"Mmm—"
Erina popped a pale blue Pokéblock into her mouth. After savoring it for a moment, she smiled in satisfaction and declared, "The finest Pokéblock is complete."
Hayashi popped up beside her and leaned in curiously. "So, the Pokéblock for the Feebas is done?"
Erina nodded, carefully placing the Pokéblocks into a storage case as she replied with a smile, "Just give her one every day at lunchtime."
With that, she led Hayashi over to the tank where the Feebas was kept and dropped a Pokéblock into the water. "Eat up! Grow strong and become beautiful, okay—?"
"Blub—"
The Feebas's vacant, unintelligent eyes briefly flicked toward Erina before locking onto the Pokéblock slowly sinking through the water—What is this thing!? Why does it smell so irresistibly good!?
Unable to resist the temptation, the Feebas opened its mouth and gulped the Pokéblock down in one bite.
"!"
The next instant, a surge of pure Water-type energy blossomed in her belly. The sensation—as if every inch of her, from her organs to her scales, was being filled and nourished by water—made the Feebas's expression twist into one of sheer bliss.
"?"
Hayashi's face twisted into something strange. He poked Erina's side and whispered, "Erina, why does this Feebas look like she's high or something?"
Erina's lips twitched. As much as she hated to admit it, she could actually see a hint of…
Seductiveness!
If she had to describe it, it was like the expressions of the female characters in Food Wars! when they tasted something delicious—basically fanservice in motion.
But you're a fish! A Feebas, no less! Do you really have to be this alluring?
After tasting such a divine Pokéblock, the Feebas's affection for Erina skyrocketed. She happily swam a few laps around the tank before blowing a few cheerful bubbles.
"She looks so happy—" Erina smiled softly, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear as she murmured, "I'm looking forward to the day you evolve into a Milotic."
Meanwhile, Hayashi clutched his chest, looking like he was about to collapse. 'Damn, how is a fifteen-year-old girl this charming—?'
He had to admit, the feminine charm Erina exuded when she flipped her hair just now nearly overwhelmed him. The way his heart raced made him wonder if he was about to develop stripes.
Seemingly noticing Hayashi's intense gaze, Erina shyly glared at him and pouted, "What are you staring at?"
"Erina, you're just too captivating. I couldn't help but get lost in looking at you," Hayashi scratched his cheek sheepishly. "I feel like I could never get tired of seeing you, even in a lifetime."
'Uwah, this guy—' Erina felt her ears burning red. She wrapped her arms around Hayashi's waist and buried her face in his chest, mumbling, "How can you say these things without blushing?"
"Who says I'm not?" Hayashi hugged her back with an awkward chuckle. "It's just because it's only the two of us here. If Hisako or Sabrina were around, I wouldn't dare say it—"
"Ehe—"
Erina lifted her head, narrowing her eyes as she smiled at him. "Then say more while we're alone. I like hearing it."
Uwah—why is Erina so adorable when she's in love!? Where's your tsundere side!? Weren't tsundere types supposed to retain some of their tsun even after falling in love? How did you become so dere!?
Darn it, how am I supposed to resist your charm like this!?
Now the question is—how does one compliment a girl?
Hayashi, who was usually eloquent, now felt like his tongue was tied in knots, his expression twisting in agony. Meanwhile, Erina, not receiving the praise she wanted, puffed up her cheeks and asked, "Is there really nothing you want to compliment me about?"
"Uh—" Hayashi tilted his head back, racking his brain for ten seconds before murmuring, "Erina is super cute, Erina is super beautiful, Erina is super gentle—"
That's it?
Erina looked up at him, torn between laughter and tears. "Aren't you usually so talkative? You're always so witty when chatting with Gin-san. Why are you so clumsy now?"
Hayashi gave an awkward yet polite smile. "Well, talking to a girlfriend and talking to a troublemaker friend are completely different situations, right?"
It's like chatting with idiot friends online—throwing around terms like "babe," "I love you so much," and "I can't live without you"—but when talking to a girl, you can barely squeeze out a word.
Erina huffed and patted Hayashi's arm. "Alright, let's go spend some time with the new Vulpix and Growlithe."
"Let's go—" Hayashi effortlessly scooped Erina up into a princess carry and cheerfully headed toward the dining table. "Come on, let's show the little ones their mistress!"
Covering her face with her hands, Erina muttered under her breath, "You're actually pretty smooth when you want to be—"
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