Flavors of the Past

Improve the quality of milk? Exclusive to Miltank or Tauros? Naoki raised an eyebrow, surprised. He had assumed his cooking would enhance a Pokémon's strength, and speed, or provide other direct benefits. But this indirect buff, this enhancement of a specific product, was a new revelation. It would be incredibly useful on the ranch!

Would other dishes yield similar effects? There were so many possibilities and so many recipes to discover. It would take a lifetime, perhaps even fifty years, to explore them all.

But regardless, Naoki's curiosity was piqued. He was eager to experiment and uncover the hidden potential of his culinary creations.

"Plenty of time for that," he mused, turning to offer the glasses of berry milk to Cyclizar and Koraidon. While neither were milk-producing Pokémon, the drink would still be a refreshing treat.

Before being summoned by the time machine, Koraidon had just finished a fierce battle with another Koraidon. It had sustained minor injuries, but the urgency to return to this time and space had driven it to rush home without rest.

Now, having devoured Naoki's cooking and savoring the familiar flavors, Koraidon felt rejuvenated, its injuries healing rapidly. Overcome with gratitude and affection, it approached Naoki, licking his face with its long tongue.

Naoki, initially startled, remembered Koraidon's playful nature from the anime. He relaxed, a chuckle escaping his lips. But as Koraidon's saliva dripped down his face, he gently pushed the Pokémon away.

Koraidon, unfazed, crouched nearby with a goofy grin, its thick tail thumping against the floor as it watched Naoki wash his face.

After Cyclizar finished its meal, Naoki cleared the table, washed the dishes, and stretched his weary muscles. It had been a long day, and it was time for some much-needed rest.

There was no bathroom in the ranch house, so Naoki stepped outside and rinsed himself off with the garden hose. He then retreated to bed, yawning as he flipped through the "Ranch Encyclopedia," studying the information on spring crops.

He had a lot to do tomorrow: clear the fields of unnecessary trees and rocks, till the soil, plant seeds and saplings. He also planned to try fishing, hoping to catch something he could sell to supplement his income. Until the crops matured and the Pokémon house was repaired, this was his only means of making money.

As Naoki drifted to sleep, he glanced at the bedside where Cyclizar lay sprawled on the floor, yawning sleepily. Koraidon had also found a comfortable spot and closed its eyes, the familiar scent of Naoki, the comforting environment, and the lingering aroma of food created a sense of ease and security.

Despite the ranch's remote location, Naoki wasn't afraid. Cyclizar's presence offered a sense of protection, and Koraidon, despite its initial aggression, seemed to have settled into a peaceful slumber.

Naoki smiled, then turned off the light and surrendered to sleep.

The next morning, his internal alarm clock, honed from years of corporate life, woke him at the crack of dawn. A glance at the pendulum clock on the wall told him it was only 6:15 AM. He briefly considered going back to sleep, but the thought of the day's tasks ahead quickly dispelled any lingering drowsiness.

He rubbed his eyes, got out of bed, and started preparing breakfast. The rustling sounds woke Koraidon, who, upon seeing Naoki up and about, simply rolled over and went back to sleep.

Cyclizar, however, perked up immediately. Naoki chuckled as he passed by, patting the Pokémon's head. "Go back to sleep," he said softly. "I'll wake you when breakfast is ready."

Cyclizar let out a soft "Graaaah" and obediently curled back up on the floor.

For breakfast, Naoki decided to make a sandwich for Cyclizar. He combined toast from the Mesagoza Market with leftover steak, freshly sliced tomatoes and lettuce, and a generous slathering of cheese sauce.

As he assembled the sandwich, the familiar information popped up in his mind:

Sandwich (D): A combination of fresh ingredients, meat and vegetables, rich in nutrition, and ideal for breakfast.

Cooking Effect: Minor Energy Increase, making Pokémon more energetic and less prone to sleepiness.

Evaluation: A basic sandwich, but a great choice for breakfast.

"Just a minor energy boost?" Naoki mused, a hint of disappointment in his voice. But then, he considered that the only ingredient he had actually cooked was the steak, and the result seemed rather impressive.

After serving Cyclizar its breakfast sandwich, Naoki turned to prepare his own. He eyed the remaining pack of instant ramen, deciding against wastefulness. However, as he was about to dig in, Koraidon, ever vigilant, noticed the discrepancy.

It glanced down at its own sandwich, then at Naoki's bowl of steaming noodles. With a sudden burst of energy, it switched to a bipedal stance, snatched the bowl, and began to slurp down the noodles with gusto.

Naoki watched in astonishment, "You like that stuff?"

For Koraidon, this bowl of ramen was a taste of home, the first meal Naoki had prepared for it—a meal with special significance. In the future, as the ranch prospered, Naoki would rarely make instant ramen again. Now, seeing it once more, nostalgia flooded over Koraidon.

"Graaoaoaoshi~" Koraidon exclaimed, its voice muffled by noodles.

Naoki couldn't understand the exact words, but Koraidon's expression clearly conveyed its delight. It was a stark contrast to Cyclizar's indifference towards the ramen.

After washing the dishes, Naoki grabbed his hoe and headed outside, ready to tackle the day's work.

Thanks to yesterday's practice, Naoki and Cyclizar had developed a good working rhythm. Cyclizar used its powerful tail to smash rocks and clear debris, while Naoki followed behind, tilling the soil with his hoe.

They encountered a few large trees that were too tough for Naoki to handle alone. He handed the axe to Cyclizar, who expertly felled them with swift, precise strikes.

Koraidon observed this from a distance. Suddenly, it let out a series of excited cries and then charged towards a large tree. It wrapped its arms around the trunk, muscles bulging, and with a mighty heave, uprooted the entire tree, tossing it aside as if it were a mere twig.

Naoki and Cyclizar watched in stunned silence. Koraidon, seemingly energized by its feat, continued to help, clearing the land with surprising efficiency.

Naoki's eyes widened. "What incredible strength! Is it trying to repay the favor?"

Koraidon's assistance significantly reduced their workload. With the Dragon-type Pokémon's help, they cleared a large portion of the farmland in just one morning.

Naoki wiped the sweat from his brow as he watered the newly cleared land, making it softer and more suitable for planting. "A Water-type Pokémon would be handy right now," he thought.

After watering, the soil needed time to settle before planting could begin. Naoki wasn't in a rush to clear the entire field at once. There weren't enough seeds, and they were short on manpower.

The progress they had made was more than enough to keep them busy for the foreseeable future.