[The ultimate "Umami" techniques you mastered in Cyllage City have successfully captured Ramos's stomach.]
[You received a letter of recommendation from Ramos.]
The chef left the Coumarine Gym, clutching a recommendation letter for a Two-Star Restaurant handed over by Ramos.
Kashiwagi blinked, absorbing the full context provided by the narration. This was a long time coming.
After Viola, the Santalune Gym Leader, became obsessed with his cooking, she had used her sister Alexa's journalist connections to look into his background. She was shocked to discover that the chef was a dropout from a Western culinary school and didn't even have a professional license.
Consequently, she passed this information to Grant in Cyllage City. Grant, being close friends with Elite Four Siebold, and knowing the chef was a die-hard fan of the latter, decided to return the favor for those incredible desserts by recommending the chef to Siebold himself.
Siebold, learning of the chef's predicament, found himself unable to criticize the school's rigid policies but was deeply intrigued by the boy's innovative "Wok-style" Western cuisine. He used his influence to contact a prestigious Two-Star restaurant known for its creativity and paved the way for the chef.
After passing through several hands, this golden ticket finally reached Ramos, who delivered it to the chef. With this letter, the chef could be affiliated with the restaurant—even if he didn't stay to work, the prestige of a Two-Star establishment would grant him his professional chef's license instantly.
This was the definition of "a change in luck."
[Clutching the recommendation letter, you feel a mixture of intense excitement and internal conflict. You toss and turn, unable to sleep.]
On screen, man and duck lay on a bed, both sticking their rears up in perfect sync while staring at the letter. Ellipses ([...]) continuously popped up over their heads.
Kashiwagi understood the feeling perfectly. His idol didn't just know he existed; he was interested in his cooking and had essentially given him his seal of approval. No loyal fan could sleep soundly after that.
"Success is only one choice away now."
The chef's journey had been a complete outlier. Most people graduate from culinary school and open a small bistro or start as a lowly prep cook in a big kitchen. Very few choose to hone their skills while traveling, especially by capturing the hearts of the highest tier of the Kalos training world through their stomachs.
To be fair, if he hadn't shown such extraordinary talent as a Trainer, the Gym Leaders might not have been so willing to try his food. In this case, the two professions of Trainer and Chef seemed to complement each other perfectly.
"So, what will you choose?" Kashiwagi wondered, watching the chef return to Lumiose City.
Would he put the Gym challenges on hold and start as a chef in a Two-Star restaurant? Or would he decline the favor and continue his journey toward the Pokémon League? If he chose the former, the simulation would likely end early—the story only covers a single League cycle.
Unsurprisingly, the chef chose the latter.
When he realized his cooking truly had value and could bring joy to others, he understood that traveling to temper his skills was the right path. Since it was right, he had to see it through to the end.
The stubborn chef walked away from the easy life, even though he knew the experience at a top-tier restaurant would be invaluable. His dream was to be like Siebold—a powerhouse who excelled as both a Trainer and a Chef.
Of course, he still used the restaurant's name to officially register for his chef's license. After offering a solemn thanks, he headed toward the Lumiose Gym.
[You arrived at the base of Prism Tower and challenged Gym Leader Clemont.]
On screen, it was indeed Clemont himself; his younger sister, Bonnie, was nowhere to be seen. Kashiwagi figured if she were there, she would definitely be trying to hug the chubby Psyduck.
Unlike his previous "emotional venting" mode, the chef was now in "Awakening" mode. Having committed his life to innovative cuisine, both he and his Pokémon had gained remarkable power. Type disadvantages were no longer an obstacle—at least, a 5 Badge-strength Electric Gym was no match for a Psyduck with a point to prove.
[You defeated Clemont and earned the Voltage Badge.]
[You invited Clemont to lunch. His sister suddenly appeared and was the first to accept.]
As expected, Bonnie appeared out of thin air and pulled the pudgy Psyduck into a bear hug, twisting and turning with exclamation marks of joy.
Psyduck: [Psy?]
Afterward, the chef set out again, arriving in Laverre City. He followed his usual routine of tasting local food first. Laverre was famous for its mushrooms and spices, which significantly boosted the chef's skill in seasoning. However, he no longer impulsively barged into kitchens to challenge chefs; with the recognition of several Gym Leaders, he didn't need to prove himself through "self-detonation" anymore.
At the same time, besides honing his cooking, he finally—finally—began special training for his Pokémon. Kashiwagi was moved to tears. The gifted chef was actually training his team; for a moment, it seemed like he could just breeze through all eight Gyms and the League without lifting a finger.
After winning the Laverre Badge, the chef moved to Anistar City, passing through Dendemille Town—a place where the wheat-based foods were particularly delicious despite the cold. There, he encountered his sixth Pokémon: Torkoal.
[You caught Torkoal. Your dream "Intense Fire Stove"—your traveling companion—has increased.]
A high-heat stove... Kashiwagi thought. Indeed, the only thing missing from his "Wok-style" kitchen was a stove that could roar with blue flames. Aside from Camerupt, only Torkoal, with its shell that could serve as a burner, fit the bill. It was a fated encounter.
With Torkoal on the team, the chef's skills grew even further. He had likely mastered the legendary "Wok Hei" (the breath of the wok).
Meanwhile, Psyduck still hadn't evolved, but they successfully cleared the seventh Gym—the Psychic-type Anistar Gym.
What's the missing link? Kashiwagi wondered. Olympia, the Gym Leader with psychic powers, provided the answer.
[You learn from Olympia that Psyduck is of "One Mind and Body" with you. The reason it has yet to evolve is that you still have an "Unresolved Obsession."]
Psyduck: [Psy?] The fat yellow duck tilted its head in confusion.
An unresolved obsession? Kashiwagi was stunned. After the chef had clarified his goals and the direction he wanted to take, what could possibly still be weighing on him enough to hinder Psyduck?
Seeing the chef on screen also freeze in thought, Kashiwagi realized this was no simple matter.
Olympia's words clearly rattled the chef. Consequently, when he challenged the eighth Gym—the Snowbelle Gym—he wasn't at his full potential.
Kashiwagi was nervous. Snowbelle was the only other Gym besides Shalour where the Leader used Mega Evolution, and it was the place where Ash's Greninja faced its greatest trial before its final transformation.
Fortunately, Psyduck didn't need a transformation to win. The battle was grueling, but since Gym Leader Wulfric didn't Mega Evolve his Abomasnow, the final Badge was eventually secured.
The chef had officially qualified for the Pokémon League!