บท 63: Chapter 63: What is the Most Difficult Dish to Make?
Charmander, wrapped in bandages, looked at Heath with those big eyes full of complex emotions. Heath wasn't an expert in reading expressions, so he couldn't decipher the look in Charmander's eyes.
However, Heath keenly sensed that Charmander seemed hesitant. Heath had some idea of the reason for Charmander's hesitation, so he leaned in close to Charmander's ear.
"Don't worry, I'm not like your previous trainer. I won't enjoy torturing you." Heath whispered softly. Charmander looked at Heath in surprise.
Then Charmander slowly nodded, and Nurse Snow smiled with relief. She and Heath completed a series of paperwork, and the treatment costs were waived. Once Charmander healed, Heath could take it home.
"We'll be partners from now on, Charmander." Heath looked at Charmander happily. If Nurse Snow hadn't said that Charmander shouldn't be touched yet, Heath would have patted its head.
"Sigh, another poor soul tricked by you." Zorua sighed, sounding sympathetic towards Charmander.
Heath, amused, rubbed Zorua's face, which was soft and pleasant to touch. This little guy, despite being a chef, was actually quite kind to Pokémon.
After leaving the Pokémon Center, Heath drove his food truck back to the dormitory. He didn't operate at night because he had to work out and study basic knowledge under Maple's supervision.
Heath thought he might start serving customers at night in the future. He discovered a barbecue grill in his food truck, which meant he could make barbecue—a perfect choice for late-night snacks.
Though barbecuing was simple, making it delicious was not easy. Heath looked at the cabinets in his food truck and decided to prepare in advance the next day.
When Heath returned to the dormitory, he saw Maple lying on the sofa, video chatting on her phone. Seeing Heath, she quickly put her phone away and wiped her eyes.
"Good evening, Maple. Want something to eat?" Heath put down his things and held Zorua while asking Maple.
"I was wondering why you were gone for so long. So, you were at Nurse Snow's place." Maple smiled at Heath, who noticed her red eyes but said nothing.
"Yes, there was a little situation. I now have my third Pokémon." Heath proudly rubbed his nose, making Maple laugh.
"Three Pokémon? Congratulations on having three bottomless money pits." Maple teased, making Heath a bit conflicted.
Maple wasn't wrong. The most expensive part of raising Pokémon was training. The same Pokémon could have vastly different combat abilities depending on their training.
Even without considering training costs, feeding three Pokémon daily was expensive. Fortunately, Heath could cook, which helped reduce costs.
Watching Maple chat with him, Heath felt a bit complicated. Maple usually seemed so strong and tough that Heath often forgot something important.
Maple was only twenty-four years old.
At twenty-four, Heath remembered just graduating and struggling with work and life. But twenty-four-year-old Maple was already a team leader in Viridian City, though she often hid her vulnerable side.
In the end, Heath decided to make hotpot for dinner. When in doubt, have hotpot—this had become a routine for Heath and Maple, as she wasn't picky about food.
Heath felt that Maple would enjoy anything that could fill her stomach.
"Farfetch'd, how do you like this hotpot?" Heath asked while eating beef slices and talking to Farfetch'd, who was munching on lotus roots.
"Leek thinks this hotpot is delicious, but it's a bit too spicy, making his stomach ache." Zorua lay calmly beside Heath, gnawing on beef. Heath had cut the beef into perfect slices, making it chewy.
However, seeing no new tasks triggered, Heath felt a headache coming on, hoping Farfetch'd's next task would be easier and not overly difficult.
"Heath, is Farfetch'd really learning to cook?" Maple asked curiously. She had been skeptical when she first heard about it.
But after seeing Farfetch'd demonstrate its knife skills, Maple was amazed. She had heard of using Pokémon for battles, as family members, or as friends.
There were also those who used Pokémon for mischief, making money, or even abusing them. But teaching a Pokémon to cook was new to her.
Especially a Farfetch'd! A Pokémon that came with its own seasoning!
"Yeah, Farfetch'd is doing well. It can make roast duck now, and it tastes pretty average." Heath said calmly.
Farfetch'd puffed out its chest proudly, holding its leek as if it were a general receiving a medal.
"Heath, what do you think is the hardest dish to make? Can Farfetch'd learn it?" Maple asked curiously, smiling at Farfetch'd.
Heath paused, thinking. The hardest dish? That was tricky. Many dishes were difficult to make, but replicating the taste of one's mother's cooking was almost mystical.
A mother's cooking was often remembered fondly, enhanced and beautified in memories. People didn't chase the flavor but the person who made it. Some older folks might even cry if they tasted something similar.
But in terms of pure difficulty, "There are many difficult dishes, but I think something called 'Three Non-Stick' is quite troublesome to make." Heath shrugged. He had made it once and never wanted to do it again.
[Pokémon Chef Step Four: Teach Farfetch'd to make a 'Three Non-Stick' dish independently, and you will receive a special reward.]
Heath was stunned, turning to look at Farfetch'd, who wore a confident expression.
(End of Chapter)
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