"Dinner's served!"
Andrew called out as he and Munchlax set the dishes on the table.
Seeing this, the others quickly grabbed bowls and chopsticks to help.
As everyone sat down to eat, Kimia, holding a pair of chopsticks, remarked with difficulty, "These utensils are so hard to use."
In the Kalos region, people use knives and forks, so chopsticks are unfamiliar to them.
"It's easy. Just watch me," Andrew said as he demonstrated the use of chopsticks for Kimia, Raleigh, and Flamel.
Raleigh, eager to try, grabbed the chopsticks and attempted to pick up some braised eggplant. However, after several tries, he only managed to scoop up a bit of sauce.
Diancie and the others found it amusing and laughed heartily, including Raleigh's Pokémon, Slurpuff, who joined in the laughter.
Embarrassed and annoyed, Raleigh said, "Slurpuff, you're laughing at me too! I'm getting annoyed!"
"Slur~~puff~~"
Slurpuff laughed even harder.
Following Andrew's instructions, Raleigh and the others released their Pokémon to join the dinner. Raleigh's Slurpuff, Flamel's Florges, and Kimia's Pokémon included an Alolan Ninetales and a Sylveon, along with Gardevoir.
Andrew learned that Kimia was not only a princess but also an accomplished trainer. Her goal was to become a leader like Queen Anna—skilled in both governance and protection.
Seeing Kimia struggle with the chopsticks, Andrew chuckled and said, "Should I get you some knives and forks?"
"No!" Kimia insisted. "Today, I'm going to master these chopsticks." She wasn't someone who easily admitted defeat; how could two little sticks best her?
Raleigh and Flamel, seeing their sister (the princess) not switching, refused to switch themselves.
Andrew shook his head, not insisting further.
"Come, come, everyone try tonight's steamed buns. They're different from usual," Andrew said, holding up a milk-flavored steamed bun.
Everyone eagerly took the steamed buns when they heard this.
As soon as they touched the milk-flavored steamed buns, they felt something special—so soft, like a baby's delicate skin, smooth and tender.
A light bite revealed a cloud-like lightness and cotton-like softness, with flavors of flour and milk perfectly blending together.
With each bite, they felt as if they were in a golden autumn wheat field, or in a vast prairie with the fresh scent of grass wafting in the breeze.
"Delicious," Princess Kimia said, looking at the half-eaten steamed bun in her hand with a wistful expression, wondering how she'd manage if she couldn't have this again.
Raleigh and Flamel looked similarly amazed.
While Andrew's previous steamed buns were tasty, they were best enjoyed with his side dishes. But these milk-flavored steamed buns were so good that Kimia felt she could eat ten of them even without sides.
For the Pokémon, the steamed buns offered a unique experience beyond taste.
"Andrew, this steamed bun is... special," Diancie said, tugging at Andrew's sleeve.
"What's the matter?" Andrew asked.
"I feel a flow of energy in my stomach, making me feel warm and comfortable," Diancie described her sensation.
Munchlax, Gardevoir, Florges, two Sylveons, Ninetales, and Slurpuff all nodded in agreement with Diancie. Only Komala remained silent, slowly savoring the steamed bun.
Its actions spoke volumes.
"Really?"
Andrew realized his steamed buns were indeed different, which explained why the system referred to them as an upgrade from regular steamed buns.
He tasted a small piece himself but didn't experience the same sensation as Diancie.
"Really?"
Diancie and the others nodded.
Kimia and the others were similarly surprised.
Suddenly, Andrew realized his system was a Pokémon feeding system, not a human feeding system.
"Alright then, eat as much as you like," Andrew said with a smile.
The Pokémon cheered and began to enjoy the food with gusto.
After dinner, everyone reclined in their chairs, full and content. The meal had been so satisfying that they didn't care about manners or posture—comfort was the priority.
"Burp~~ This was the best meal I've ever had," Raleigh said.
Besides the steamed buns, Kimia, Raleigh, and Flamel were trying Andrew's other dishes for the first time and were amazed by their flavors.
Andrew smiled and said, "Except for the steamed buns, the other dishes tonight were made by Munchlax."
Kimia and the others were surprised.
"Munchlax, you're incredible."
"You're the best Pokémon chef I've ever seen."
...
They praised Munchlax generously.
"Of course, I was taught by my master!"
Munchlax accepted the praise graciously, thrilled and beaming.
Despite the chopstick challenges, the meal was a great success.
Interestingly, everyone except Kimia learned to use chopsticks.
Flamel was the fastest learner, using chopsticks effortlessly while Kimia and Raleigh were still struggling. Soon, Gardevoir, Florges, Raleigh, and Slurpuff all managed to use chopsticks, and even the two Sylveons used their ribbons to handle them. Kimia, however, was still struggling like a child learning to walk.
After dinner, Kimia was still frustrated about not mastering chopsticks.
"Your Highness, it's getting late. We should be on our way," Kimia said after a brief rest.
Andrew nodded, "It's best to head back early for safety. Don't stay too long, and come back when you can."
Kimia and her companions stood up and left with their Pokémon. Andrew saw them off to their aircraft and watched as they disappeared into the sunset before heading back inside.
Back home, Andrew helped Diancie and Munchlax tidy up before heading upstairs.
Since dinner was served earlier today, they didn't rush to the training room.
Diancie was nestled on the sofa, engrossed in a drama on her newly purchased tablet from the system shop. With Andrew's new identity and the addition of home internet, Diancie had taken up watching dramas and online shopping during her free time, no longer feeling as bored as before.
Little Munchlax wanted to join Diancie and watch, but Diancie was annoyed by its tendency to shout loudly during shows, so she kept pushing it away.
"Buy your own if you want to watch. It's not like you don't have the money," Diancie complained. Munchlax was the wealthiest in the household besides Andrew.
Upon hearing it would cost money, Munchlax looked wary.
"Want to use my money? No way!"
Andrew chuckled. His Little Munchlax was quite frugal, never spending a cent unless absolutely necessary, always saving up.
Andrew had no idea why it saved so much; did it really think they'd run short of food and drink at home?
"Munch~~lax~~"
Munchlax clung to Diancie's arm and tried to be cute.
"Alright, alright. You can join me, but you have to promise not to make any noise," Diancie warned sternly.
"Munchlax~" I promise!
Munchlax covered its mouth.
"Then come over here," Diancie said with a reluctant look.
"Munch~~~"
LMunchlax happily snuggled next to Diancie, and soon the two Pokémon were mumbling and discussing the drama's plot.
Andrew smiled and shook his head. He then picked up the sleeping Komala from the side, settled into the sofa, and began browsing news on his phone while petting Komala's soft fur.
A news headline suddenly caught his attention.
The headline read: "Boy Jumps from Prism Tower to Save Garchomp." Below was a video.
Andrew clicked on the video, which showed a boy with Pikachu and Froakie at the top of Prism Tower, trying to talk to a frenzied Garchomp. Garchomp kept backing away, almost falling off the tower.
Prism Tower was a landmark in Lumiose City, standing over a hundred meters tall. Thankfully, Froakie made a move to secure Garchomp's feet.
The boy then leaped and hugged the rampaging Garchomp, with Pikachu joining in. After some effort, Garchomp calmed down.
However, an accident occurred: a corner of Prism Tower crumbled, and Pikachu fell.
Without hesitation, the boy leaped after Pikachu, and they both fell towards the ground.
A beam of light appeared just in time to catch them.
The video cut off abruptly.
The news was misleading; the boy had actually jumped from Prism Tower to save Pikachu, not Garchomp.
The video was taken in Lumiose City in the Kalos region.
Seeing the boy in the video, Andrew realized he looked like Ash! So, he was in the world of the anime!
This is bad, he hadn't watched the anime and didn't know the plot at all!
But he quickly shrugged it off, thinking: "Well, not knowing is fine. I still have to live well wherever I am."
After browsing a bit more, Andrew jumped off the sofa with Komala in his arms and said to Diancie and Munchlax, who were still engrossed in the drama: "Alright, it's training time. Let's go."
"Coming!"
"Munch~~"
Diancie promptly turned off the tablet and got up from the sofa with Munchlax.
Once in the training room, Diancie turned into a strict instructor, rigorously overseeing Andrew and Munchlax's training.
Tonight's focus was on the newly unlocked recipe—Milk Steamed Bun.
An hour later, when everyone emerged from the training room, Munchlax was huddled up like a quail, having been thoroughly scolded by Diancie.
Munchlax looked at Diancie with a resentful expression, suspecting that Diancie was taking out personal grievances because it had commented that Carbink in the drama looked ugly, like an old man...
Diancie shot Munchlax a stern look. "What are you staring at? Hurry up and wash up and go to bed. Don't you have work tomorrow?!"
Munchlax: (´・ω・`)
Andrew didn't speak up for Munchlax this time because he thought Diancie was being fair. Munchlax did make frequent mistakes.
After training, the family went to their rooms to wash up and sleep.
Before going to bed, Andrew opened the system, and sure enough, all three tasks were marked as completed. The task list showed:
[Daily Task 1]Train in the culinary training room for 1 hour—Completed, reward pending.
[Daily Task 2]Host 10 Pokémon—Completed, reward pending.
[Temporary Task]Obtain a store of your own in Azoth Kingdom—Completed, reward pending.
[Ingredient Collection Task]Cooperate with the mountain goat in Nebel Plateau to obtain Gogoat milk—Completed, reward pending.
[Recipe Upgrade Task]Upgrade Steamed Bun to Milk Steamed Bun using Gogoat milk—Completed. Reward pending.
Seeing the completed tasks, Andrew rubbed his hands in anticipation.
He wondered what rewards he might receive.
He clasped his hands and prayed, "May fortune be with me."
He then claimed the rewards for two daily tasks to check them out.
Congratulations, Master, you have received: 1 Chikorita's Scent Leaf.
Congratulations, Master, you have received: 10 Pomeg Berries.
Andrew: ...
The rewards weren't useless, but they were a bit disappointing.
He took out the Chikorita's Scent Leaf, and the room was instantly filled with a refreshing fragrance.
Wow! Andrew's eyes lit up. The scent was so pleasant! This reward was actually quite good.
He decided to buy a beautifully designed pouch from the system shop, folded the Chikorita's Scent Leaf, and carefully placed it inside the pouch.
The leaf was dry but very resilient, showing no damage even after folding.
Andrew sniffed the leaf again; it still smelled great! He planned to give the pouch to Diancie tomorrow; she would definitely like it.
Next, Andrew took out a Pomeg Berry. It was so large and plump, and it was his first time seeing one like this.
He sniffed it and couldn't resist taking a bite.
He jumped off the bed, washed the Pomeg Berry, and cut it into pieces.
Hmm~~~ Andrew looked at the almost perfectly cut pieces with satisfaction. His knife skills were impressive.
Eagerly, he popped a piece into his mouth. The juicy fruit burst with flavor, and the tender, crisp texture combined with the sweet, refreshing juice was just as delicious as he had imagined.
Wild fruits from the plateau couldn't compare!
Soon, Andrew had eaten the entire Pomeg Berry.
Although he wanted more, he resisted and decided to share it with Diancie and the others tomorrow.
Well, time to brush his teeth again.
Andrew went to the bathroom, brushed his teeth, and then returned to bed to continue claiming rewards.
(The End of this Chapter)