Heath felt like he had discovered a path to wealth—food streaming. After all, the Pokémon world didn't have food streams yet.
Alakazam eating at his place proved highly effective, bringing Heath many customers, keeping him busy until work hours when office workers headed to their jobs.
As the crowd dwindled, Heath wiped the sweat off his forehead and checked the pot. There wasn't much braised pork left.
He estimated that there was enough for about two more servings.
"Phew, this new dish is quite popular. It's almost sold out already," Heath counted the money in his hand, smiling happily.
After finishing his meal, Alakazam left, but seeing his lingering desire for more, Heath guessed Alakazam would return tomorrow. Heath decided to add braised pork to his regular menu.
"Leek~" While contemplating how much pork to buy in the future, Heath felt a tug on his sleeve.
He looked down in confusion and saw Farfetch'd looking at him with pitiful eyes. Heath was puzzled for a moment, then looked at Farfetch'd with a strange expression.
"Do you want to make braised pork?" Heath recalled a previous task where Farfetch'd seemed very interested in braised pork.
"Leek!" Farfetch'd excitedly waved its leek, chirping happily.
Heath took a deep breath. Braised pork wasn't like crepes. Losing a crepe only hurt a little, but losing braised pork felt like a knife to the heart. Even though making braised pork was profitable, he couldn't afford to let Farfetch'd ruin it.
However, seeing Farfetch'd's eager eyes and considering the special reward for completing the task, Heath was tempted. If he could get something valuable, the loss of the braised pork would be worth it.
Heath decided to be cautious. After buying ingredients, he would personally teach Farfetch'd how to make braised pork with tofu puffs to avoid waste.
"Dad! I want that!" A child's voice interrupted Heath's thoughts. He looked up to see a well-dressed boy pulling his father's hand, pointing in his direction.
"Today is the day to receive your starter Pokémon. Don't you want to get your first Pokémon first?" the father smiled, ruffling his son's hair.
"But I'm hungry!" The boy's stomach growled at the aroma in the air, and the father, unable to resist, brought him to Heath's stall.
After asking about the price, the father bought the remaining two servings.
Heath watched them leave, scratching his head. It seemed the boy was a wealthy child about to get his first Pokémon, though he didn't appear to be anyone important.
Heath figured he'd only serve a few well-known people in the Kanto region. He wondered if he'd ever see the Elite Four, but doubted they'd eat at his stall.
As the time to receive Pokémon approached, cars passed by Heath's stall. He began to pack up, knowing no one would stop to buy food at that time.
"Mom, when can I get my Squirtle?" A familiar voice caught Heath's attention. He looked up in confusion and froze.
A car waiting at the red light revealed a little girl through the window—a girl Heath had seen in Evergreen Forest yesterday.
Heath rubbed his eyes, but the car had already driven off. He was sure he saw the girl who had turned to sand and blown away in the wind yesterday. This discovery puzzled him.
"A Pokémon illusion?" Heath frowned. Yesterday, the girl had disintegrated like sand. He suspected a Pokémon was behind it. Humans didn't have such technology.
Then he considered that in the Pokémon world, humans sometimes had strange technologies.
Heath touched the GS Ball hanging from his waist. He had kept it since he received it, but it hadn't been useful yet.
"Let's go, Farfetch'd. Time to buy groceries," Heath stretched. With no customers, he decided to buy ingredients and teach Farfetch'd how to cook.
As they walked, Heath reviewed the notifications he missed while busy.
Most customers had left him some candy to boost specific effort values.
[You served Plasma Team Sage Gorm and received a random clue.]
Heath was surprised. Previously, he had served people like Todd and Arlon, but now suddenly a member of Team Plasma? This piqued his interest. He continued reading.
[Team Plasma brought something to the Kanto region, seeking collaboration with Team Rocket.]
The random clue caught Heath's attention. He hadn't had time to check notifications earlier but now found an unexpected reward.
"Team Plasma? I remember they're the villains from the Unova region," Heath scratched his head. They were the antagonists in Pokémon Black and White, promoting Pokémon liberation while actually seeking to monopolize Pokémon power.
Opposing Team Plasma meant risking his own Pokémon. They were true villains.
Heath hadn't expected to serve such figures. He was curious about what Team Plasma brought to Kanto.
He shook his head, unable to recall Gorm's face due to the busy day. He'd have to wait and see if he encountered them again. He kept the matter in mind as he took Farfetch'd to the market, buying several pieces of pork.
He planned to cut them into small pieces and teach Farfetch'd how to make braised pork, minimizing potential losses.
(Chapter End)