"Mr. Ding Zhi, I was wondering if I could set up a Shipping Bin next to your ranch?"
Ding Zhi had heard their conversation and understood Galio's logic. He laughed and agreed readily. "Of course, no problem at all."
"And you, Natsuki?"
"I'm fine with it, of course. If anything, I'm taking advantage of your kindness, Mr. Zhi."
The function of a Shipping Bin was simple. The rancher would place items for sale inside, and someone would come by in the evening to collect them, leaving the corresponding Poké Dollars based on the day's market price.
It was a great invention that benefited both parties.
With all three in agreement, Galio stated that someone would come tomorrow to set up a new Shipping Bin.
"By the way, Natsuki, did you come here today because you have something to sell?"
"Oh! I almost forgot." Natsuki quickly took the basket off Mudbray's back and showed the mushrooms inside.
"Wow! That many Morels and Chanterelles? Where did you find them?"
"In the back mountains," Natsuki pointed to Chatot circling in the sky. "He led me to them."
"Mr. Galio, how much are these worth?"
"Hold on, let me calculate." Galio knelt down and took out a calculator to tally the haul.
Meanwhile, Natsuki pulled out another small bag of mushrooms. "Mr. Zhi, these are for you."
"I can't take those." Ding Zhi took one glance and knew their value. For a new ranch, giving these away wasn't easy.
"We're neighbors. It's normal to exchange local specialties." Natsuki didn't give Ding Zhi a chance to refuse, forcing the bag into his hands.
Whether he sold them or ate them was up to him.
"15 pounds of Morels at 250 per pound— that's 3,750 Poké Dollars."
"21 pounds of Chanterelles at 300 per pound, 6,300 Poké Dollars."
"Total is 10,050 Poké Dollars. Here you go, Natsuki."
An income of ten thousand Poké Dollars! It far exceeded his expectations.
Natsuki looked over with a puzzled expression.
"You probably didn't know yet, Natsuki, but Shalour City is about to host the Sandgem Festival," Galio explained upon seeing his reaction.
"The prices for mushrooms and fungi— ingredients used to add savory depth to soups— are all on the rise."
"Natsuki, Ding Zhi, you two should head to the back mountains more often to pick mushrooms. They'll fetch a high price right now."
"So that's how it is."
Natsuki realized the situation and nodded, accepting the 10,050 Poké Dollars with a clear conscience.
After chatting with the two for a while longer, Natsuki noted the late hour and took his leave.
The saddlebags on Mudbray's sides were now piled high with various seasonal vegetables, a return gift from Ding Zhi.
Upon returning to the ranch, Kangaskhan, who had been staying behind, immediately surrounded him, circling him excitedly.
Natsuki soothed her for a moment before letting the Pokémon go off to play. He then headed into the kitchen to start dinner.
There were still plenty of mushrooms left at home, and he planned to make a mushroom feast. Before starting, he washed the White Truffle and placed it on the windowsill to dry.
He needed to turn it into a dried mushroom to prevent it from spoiling. Since the other mushrooms were meant to be eaten today, there was no need to dry them.
In front of the stove, Natsuki looked at the cleaned Morels and Chanterelles, pondering what to make.
'Got it!'
'Chicken stewed with Morels... it would definitely be delicious.'
Now that the soup was settled, he needed a stir-fry. His gaze landed on the green vegetables nearby, their leaves still dotted with dew.
Chanterelles stir-fried with seasonal greens shouldn't be bad at all.
With his plan set, Natsuki got to work. He first chopped the chicken into pieces and blanched them in a pot.
After removing the foam from the surface, he transferred the meat to an earthenware pot, added scallions, ginger slices, red dates, and cooking wine, and brought it to a boil.
Once it boiled, he turned the heat to low to simmer slowly and began prepping the vegetables.
He cut a head of broccoli larger than a washbasin into small florets and sliced the carrots into thin rounds.
Once the side dishes were ready, Natsuki didn't rush. If he stir-fried them now, they would be cold by the time the stew was ready.
He walked to the window and glanced at the fading glow of the sunset in the west. Natsuki called Kangaskhan and the others back, it was getting cold outside, so it was better to stay indoors.
The Mudbray had returned to the Donkey Shed. They had already eaten dinner and were now huddling together, yawning one after another.
Without disturbing them, Natsuki went back into the cabin. He saw Kangaskhan and Minccino watching him expectantly, their noses twitching.
Natsuki gave them a playful tap. "Be patient. The chicken has to stew for a long time before the meat gets tender."
"Kangas~"
"Mee-ree!"
While it wasn't completely dark yet, Natsuki picked up his notebook to record today's gains.
[League Calendar Year 198, Spring, January 17th]
[Income: 10,050 Poké Dollars]
[Remaining Funds: 20,060 Poké Dollars]
A big step forward in the plan to save 100,000 Poké Dollars.
He lifted the lid, and a wave of fragrance rushed out. The savoriness of the Morels merged perfectly with that of the chicken, just the smell alone was mouth-watering.
Two figures immediately appeared by Natsuki's side.
Minccino and Kangaskhan both swallowed hard, staring unblinkingly at the pot.
After simmering for over an hour, a few golden oil droplets floated on the surface of the clear chicken soup, which shone like crystal amber.
"Kangas-lon~"
Kangaskhan acted spoiled, unable to wait a moment longer to eat.
"Don't worry, don't worry." He looked helplessly at the gluttonous Kangaskhan.
When it came to his own "kids," there was only one rule: Spoil them.
Before checking the Cooking Effects, Natsuki served a bowl of soup for Kangaskhan and Minccino each.
"Eat slowly, it's still a bit hot."
After the warning, Natsuki grabbed a large bowl and walked quickly to the Donkey Shed. Mudbray didn't eat meat, but drinking the broth was no problem.
Aside from the soup, the bowl was filled with Morels.
"Mud~" x3
Mudbray: ヾ(｡･ω･｡)ノ?
"As long as you like it. Eat up, I'm heading back now."
After petting them each, Natsuki returned to the cabin. He brought Chatot along too— the hero of the day couldn't be forgotten.
Watching the Pokémon at the table with their heads down, devouring their food, Natsuki finally had time to open his Golden Finger and check the Cooking Effects.
[Morel and Chicken Soup (B+)]: A "Clash of the Century" between umami and umami. Every sip is pure enjoyment. This is one of the ingredients for making the Century Soup.]
[Cooking Effect: Century Soup - Savory.]
(T/N: Umami is essentially a way that food can taste. It's usually described as meaty or savory.)
"Huh? Century Soup!"
Driven by curiosity, Natsuki clicked on the Cooking Effect tab.
[Century Soup - Savory]: An incomparable umami taste. After consumption, Pokémon will experience a flavor journey, during which they obtain a unique ability enhancement.]
'I see. A custom power-up service for Pokémon.'
Just looking at this effect made Natsuki even more excited for the actual "Century Soup", its quality would surely be S-rank.
Compared to the soup, the Chanterelle stir-fry was much more ordinary, with its effect being a simple Stamina Recovery (Large).
Even if the effect was modest, the taste was excellent. Natsuki ate two whole bowls of rice with it.
Not a single scrap was left of tonight's dinner, Kangaskhan even picked up the earthenware pot and licked it clean.
After they were full, Natsuki urged them to get some sleep. After a quick wash, Natsuki lay in bed holding Minccino.
In the blink of an eye, the sounds within the ranch faded into a peaceful silence.
The effect of the [Century Soup - Savory] took hold while the Pokémon slept, subtly strengthening their bodies and abilities.