Chapter 6: Fried Rice

"Hey, haven't I told you many times? After spreading the batter, you just need to wait a few seconds before adding other ingredients. Why do you keep cooking it until it smokes?" Heath looked at the Farfetch'd in front of him, feeling a massive headache coming on.

Originally, Heath thought being taught by his sister Maple was already quite the ordeal, but teaching Farfetch'd culinary skills was a true disaster.

Due to Farfetch'd's efforts, Heath was burning through ingredients much faster. If not for having cleared his debts, Heath figured he'd be bankrupt by now.

"Heath, what are you up to? Teaching Farfetch'd how to cook?" A familiar voice called out. Heath looked up to see a person with seemingly closed eyes smiling at him.

"Brock, long time no see. Are you here in Viridian City for a visit?" Heath tossed the burnt crepe into a nearby bag filled with Farfetch'd's failed experiments.

Farfetch'd stood there, clutching its leek with a look of determination, as if ready to jump back in and try again.

"Visit? My dad's planning to step down and recommended me to take over as the Pewter City Gym Leader. I've been having a tough time lately," Brock sighed, his eyes appearing closed as usual.

Heath knew Brock's eyes were naturally small, making him look like he was always squinting, similar to a certain singer from Heath's previous life.

Heath nodded. Ever since meeting Brock, Heath knew he was destined to inherit his father's position and become the Rock-type Gym Leader.

However, Brock later discovered his true calling during his travels with Ash and chose to become a Pokémon Breeder. Heath also recalled Brock expressing an interest in becoming a Pokémon Doctor.

This made Heath suspect Brock's motivation might involve pursuing the lovely Nurse Joys.

"Wait, hold on, you have your own Pokémon now?" Brock suddenly looked surprised, his face filled with shock.

"You just noticed? I've paid off my parents' debts, so I naturally have a Pokémon now." Heath was in a great mood as he cleaned up his crepe stall.

He knew Brock's preferences well enough to know that breakfast crepes weren't Brock's food of choice.

"That's great! Since it's such a happy occasion, shouldn't you treat me to some fried rice to celebrate?" Brock smiled, rubbing his chin as he looked at Farfetch'd. He had his Pokémon, Onix and Geodude, but his father had helped him catch another Pokémon to ease the transition to Gym Leader.

"You must be dreaming. It's not nighttime, so stop dreaming." Heath rolled his eyes. Perhaps because he crossed over with debts, Heath was particularly frugal with money.

By his previous life's standards, Heath would be the type to go back for a missing dime in change.

The massive debt had placed significant pressure on Heath. Without Officer Jenny's help, Heath might have considered joining Team Rocket out of desperation.

"You stingy guy. Then at least give me some fried rice. By the way, now that you're debt-free, what are your plans for the future?" Brock asked playfully, knowing Heath's financial situation well.

Heath took out a pan, looking a bit hesitant.

Previously, Heath hadn't thought much about the future, burdened as he was by his enormous debt. He'd been forced to calculate every penny to buy ingredients and pay off the debt.

Now, with the word "future" back in his vocabulary, he could think about it again.

"Maybe save up to open a restaurant?" Heath said, lighting the stove and taking out yesterday's leftover rice to put into a bowl.

"Oh? Does that mean you can make all those dishes you talked about like braised pork, yellow braised chicken, and spicy chicken?" Brock asked excitedly, his face lighting up with anticipation.

Brock knew Heath's culinary skills well. Describing him as a top chef was no exaggeration. However, due to Heath's food stall, Brock had only heard about these dishes but never tasted them.

But this didn't stop Brock from imagining how delicious they would be. If Heath's fried rice was so good, those other dishes must be incredible.

"Of course," Heath replied confidently. He expertly poured oil into the pan and, after waiting a moment, added the beaten eggs mixed with salt.

The hot oil quickly brought out a pleasant aroma from the eggs, blending with the oil's fragrance, causing passersby to glance back curiously.

Heath swiftly stirred the eggs, then added the rice. Once it was nearly done, Heath chopped a bit of leek and added it in.

"Is that Farfetch'd's leek?" Brock asked, sniffing the air and swallowing hard.

"Yeah, Farfetch'd's leek is much better than regular ones. So charging you ten coins for this little bit isn't too much, right?" Heath said with a sly grin as he continued to fry the rice.

"Wow, you're really something... but I'll take it! It's just ten coins!" Brock exclaimed, wincing but handing over 25 League coins to Heath.

"Thanks for your patronage~" Heath beamed as he handed the finished fried rice to Brock, curious about what reward he might get for serving Brock.

However, he quickly noticed Farfetch'd looking eager to try cooking again. Heath hurriedly stopped Farfetch'd. It had already wasted enough ingredients for five batches of crepes, and he couldn't afford to waste the fried rice.

Brock, on the other hand, was thoroughly enjoying his fried rice, holding a full bowl that looked substantial. The enticing aroma was the real draw.

With one spoonful, Brock couldn't help but take another bite. The warm eggs and rice, mixed with the fragrance of the leek, made it impossible to resist.

Even though it was just fried rice, Heath's fried rice tasted exceptionally good. Brock thought it even surpassed his mother's cooking.

"Maybe I should learn to cook. It would be useful for both living on my own and traveling," Brock pondered seriously while chewing on his fried rice.

(End of the chapter)