Two days before the League Conference, at Gengar's paradise, in the morning.
Cynthia finished her call, tapped her phone screen twice, then turned it off and lay on a chair in the lounge area.
"Why do I feel like you're not in a very good mood?"
Lucas brought her and Shauna two cups of warm honey water.
She took the honey water, took two sips, and said, "The League Conference begins the day after tomorrow."
"Time passes so quickly?"
Lucas was a little stunned, "Are you leaving?"
"Mm."
Cynthia nodded, downing the honey water in her hand.
Shauna next to her exchanged a glance with Chingling, indicating they didn't understand their conversation and could only silently drink their honey water.
"Reluctant to leave?"
Cynthia looked at Lucas with a half-smile and asked.
"A little."
Lucas nodded honestly.
"Then I'll go back tomorrow night, it just so happens that I'm also a little reluctant to leave here."
"And our little Shauna, Gengar, Petilil, and Mime Jr. too."
"Did you miss someone?"
"What?"
Cynthia looked at him, a little confused.
Alright, you win.
Lucas looked at Cynthia, who had an innocent expression, and gritted his teeth inwardly.
Seeing Lucas's expression, Cynthia couldn't help but chuckle.
"Let's go."
Lucas's words made her a little confused.
"Huh?"
"You are the Champion of the Sinnoh region, aren't you? Champion Cynthia of Sinnoh, the League Conference is such an important event, you still need to go back and check, right? Otherwise, Elite Flint will call to rush you again."
Lucas looked at her and said.
Cynthia fell silent; just now, it was Flint who called her to go back and check the venue preparations and schedule.
Lucas stood up, returned to the room, took a key from the drawer, and sat back down next to her.
"Here, the key."
Cynthia watched him extend his hand towards her, a key quietly resting in his palm.
"This is the key to the Breeding House. When you're tired from work, you can come back anytime. This place will always welcome you. If you don't believe me, ask Gengar and the others, or ask Shauna."
"Gen gar—"
"La Ji~"
"Nini~"
"That's right, Sister Cynthia."
Seeing that Cynthia didn't speak, Lucas continued, "Or you can wait until the League Conference is over and push your work onto Flint. After all, as a Sinnoh Elite, he's already used to overtime."
Cynthia smiled, then she looked at Lucas; his eyes were gentle and deep.
"I don't know if I should say this, but you are the Champion of Sinnoh, everyone's goal."
Cynthia reached out and took the key.
"I know."
I am the Champion. This was decided when I chose to sit on the Champion's throne. I will bear the responsibilities that come with being a Champion.
"I want to eat bamboo shoots for lunch."
After a week of spending time together, the two no longer had any unnecessary distance between them.
"Okay, then we'll have bamboo shoots, and for dessert, special ice cream."
Cynthia's eyes lit up.
"Okay."
Lucas smiled, then stood up, "Gengar, Mime Jr., come give me a hand."
"Gen gar—"
I'm here.
"Nini~"
I'm here too.
It seemed Mime Jr. was developing in Gengar's direction.
"Sister Cynthia, are you leaving?"
Shauna's soft voice came, and Cynthia turned to look at her.
She reached out and patted her hair, then had her sit in front of her and tied her hair into a bun.
She looked even cuter. Compared to being scared and timid when she first arrived, Shauna, with the companionship of her parents, Chingling, Lucas of the Breeding House, and the Pokémon of the Breeding House, had completely transformed.
She no longer hid behind adults out of fear when facing strangers; she had become confident.
"Mm, because I have things I must do."
"Just like Uncle Lucas?"
"Exactly."
Shauna nodded, half-understanding.
"Dinner's ready."
Lucas walked out of the kitchen and called out to them.
The two stood up and walked towards the kitchen.
After lunch, Cynthia, holding the special ice cream Lucas made for her, jumped onto Garchomp's back.
"Gen gar—˚‧º·(˚˃̣̣̥᷄⌓˂̣̣̥᷅)‧º·˚"
Gengar bit on a white cloth nearby, full of reluctance.
Cynthia, imitating Lucas, tugged at Gengar's mouth.
"Good luck. Shauna, Gengar, and I will cheer you on from the TV."
"I am the Champion."
Cynthia said domineeringly.
After hearing that, Lucas laughed, "Okay, Ms. Champion Cynthia."
"Call me Cynthia."
Lucas was stunned, then softly said, "Then, Cynthia, I wish you good fortune in battle."
Garchomp took flight, and Cynthia stood on its back, heading straight into the distance, leaving a long white line across the sky.
Watching the disappearing figure, Lucas took a breath.
As expected of a Champion, she's so accustomed to goodbyes.
Then he looked at Gengar and the others, clapped his hands, "Alright, she's gone to do what she needs to do. So we also need to do what we need to do, take good care of this place, and wait for their next visit."
His words reignited Gengar's fighting spirit.
"Gen gar!"
Gengar pulled out a Black Belt from who knows where and tied it around its forehead.
How is that so similar to the Expert Belt?
After entrusting Shauna to look after the Breeding House at the counter, Lucas returned upstairs and pushed open the door to Cynthia's room.
Walking in, a delicate fragrance wafted into Lucas's nostrils; the room was filled with the lingering scent of Cynthia's life.
Her clothes were still in the wardrobe. Lucas opened it to look, then closed it with a blush; thankfully, it was just a trench coat.
On the table was a group photo of her and Garchomp.
Coming to the balcony, he found a book closed on the balcony table, a bookmark peeking out from the middle, indicating the reading progress.
Lucas picked it up; it was a book about Sinnoh ruins research. He then remembered that Cynthia was also a scholar who researched Sinnoh ruins and was very interested in Sinnoh mythology.
In the anime, she often appeared near ruins, and her first meeting with Ash seemed to be next to a ruin.
Lucas thought of her first meeting with Ash and his friends, then put the book back on the room's table and adjusted the position of the photo.
The room was very clean; he would just have Mime Jr. come and clean it later.
Returning downstairs, he took out his recipe book and wrote down his second recipe.
He had been wondering why the food from the past few days hadn't triggered the 'Gourmet Critical Hit' effect, but then, when he said goodbye to Cynthia, along with Cynthia's gift, it popped up.
"In the hot summer, you always need some refreshing food to whet your appetite; fresh bamboo shoots are excellent. Congratulations, you have developed your second recipe: Breeding House Bamboo Shoot Family Feast."
"Breeding House Bamboo Shoot Family Feast: 100% triggers Gourmet Critical Hit."
"Gourmet Critical Hit Effect: 100% cures all symptoms of loss of appetite in Pokémon, improves Pokémon's mood, reduces fatigue, and slightly increases Pokémon's affection for their Trainer."
"You were a gourmet all along? —Grandma"
After writing down this recipe, Lucas looked at another prompt.
"Breeding House 1: Champion Cynthia of Sinnoh doesn't remember the last time she felt so relaxed. As Sinnoh's strongest Champion, she occasionally needs to unwind, and this place perfectly fulfills that. You have received Cynthia's gift."
"Cynthia's Gift: As the Champion of the Sinnoh region, nothing is more valuable than her helping you train Pokémon. The Pokémon of the Breeding House have all mastered some new moves under her guidance. Please check them yourself."
"Gengar: Dazzling Gleam; Machamp: Focus Punch (Dynamic Punch, Close Combat); Petilil: Energy Ball; Mime Jr.: Light Screen, Reflect."
"Wow..."
Lucas was completely shocked; the overall combat power of the Breeding House had significantly increased.
"Breeding House 2: The Breeding House has become a home for some people and Pokémon. Please work hard to take even better care of the Breeding House. During the League Conference, please be sure to pay attention to fire safety."
....
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