Chapter 52 - A Celebration at the Snack Shop

Later, after going to the Pokémon Center to heal up their Pokémon, Rico, Jonathan, and Kale, alongside their Pokémon, went to a snack shop called Juana's Snacks to have a snack break in order to celebrate Rico's victory at the Fire-type gym. Inside the shop, the interior was both classical and modern and had a complex aesthetics. The chairs and tables are made of both metal and wood, the walls are in primary colors while the flooring is tiled. The counters are made of wood as well, and the decorations are lampshades and bookshelves. For the finishing touches, the ceiling had lighting, and the flooring had colored rugs.

Entering in, they went up to the cashiers to order some snacks. The actual owner, Juana Legazpi, was in charge for the day, and was the cousin of Kale.

"Hi there, cous," she gave Kale and his group a greeting. "Welcome to Juana's Snacks. How can I take your order?"

Placing his right arm onto the counter, Kale said to her, "Hey there, Juana, we're here to celebrate my friend's brother's victory against me in a gym battle."

"Oh, I see," Juana responded back with a smile. "And who's that to be precise?"

"That'll be me, ma'am," Rico positively responded with confidence.

Looking at Rico, Juana was intrigued by his cuteness.

"Oh, you're so cute. What's your name, sweetie?"

"This is Rico Cruz," Jonathan explained in response. "He's my long-lost younger brother. Do you still remember my backstory to you?"

Trying to remember that, Juana got it and replied back, "Oh, yes, I remembered now. You said he was 4 years old when you started your own journey, right?"

"Yes, exactly," replied Jonathan back. "And he's now…"

"I'm now 11 years old," Rico responded immediately.

"Wow, you're all grown up now," Juana commented on Rico's age.

"I didn't know that," Jonathan responded to Rico.

"Sorry, I forgot to mention that to you." Rico chuckled.

"Woah, that was really cool," Kale commented.

Not long after, Kale ordered three bowls of chocolate and sweet cheese ice cream with caramel syrup, a bowl of Tamato Berry Biscuits, and a plate of Blueberry muffins. For drinks, he ordered a jug of regular water with ice cubes. He also paid for it despite Rico's concerns for his spending habits. But Jonathan reassured to him that it was Kale's way of appreciation and gesture of congratulatory to those who had win against him. Once Juana placed his hefty order, Kale and his Pokémon went to Rico and Jonathan's table and settled down and told them to wait for their order. In order to pass the time, they begin to talk about personal things and plans for the future. Rico mentioned his plan to go to Galen City for his third gym badge with Jonathan as his travel companion alongside his Pokémon.

"Okay, that'll be far away from Labuyo Town," Kale replied with a reminder. "If I remember correctly, that'll be 100 kilometers east from here. It'll take you 2-3 days of walking to get there. And plus, you have to cross through the rugged and steep Enrique Mountains that is dangerous at night."

Listening to him attentively, Rico commented, "Oh, I see."

"Yeah, it will be a hard trip for you," Kale replied back, "so you must pack up enough supplies because there's barely anyone who lived at the mountains, except for lowland areas. And plus, there's a Pokémon Center halfway through the mountains."

"Oh, that'll be great," Rico responded with agreement.

"Yeah, I had been there when I was on my journey," Jonathan recounted his experience. "It was perilous, but really worth it because you will see the beauty and tranquility of Galen City."

"I see then."

Riolu then responded plainly.

And then, after 14 minutes of waiting, a waiter came to their table with a tray full of their order. He then arranged their order on the table properly, before telling them to enjoy their meal and hurriedly leaving their table.

"Thank you so much," Rico said to the waiter.

After that, they all said, "Thanks for the food!" They then eat up. Rico tasted the ice cream first, then was a bit uncomfortable with the Tamato Berry Biscuits. But, Jonathan encouraged him to at least try it.

"But I already try that," Rico responded back.

"Come on, Rico, you loved spicy foods, right?" Kale persuaded him. "Eat some."

And then, Rico eventually give in and took one of the biscuits. And then, he, being a creative person, dipped it into the ice cream and eat it, feeling mild spicy thanks to the ice cream's presence on it.

"Wow, it was so good," Rico commented as he savors the texture of the crushed biscuits.

"That's good," Kale said to him while eating his ice cream. "How was it?"

"Very good when you dipped it into something cold and sweet," Rico replied back with happiness.

Riolu then get one of the muffins and eats it, and was allured by its fruity taste.

They stayed until 10:55 a.m., when they all left the shop, and Kale parted ways with Rico, Jonathan and their teams, and he went back to his gym for his duties. Rico and Jonathan, meanwhile, went back to the inn to rest up until lunchtime. Rico and his team were at their room while Jonathan was working at the inn.