"Mr. Alakazam, you're really amazing," Heath said, wiping tears from his eyes. He always cried when he laughed too hard.
"Of course, my friend. Alakazam can foresee the future," Alakazam said with a smile. He looked like an elder, and indeed, Alakazam was quite old. According to Sister Maple, Alakazam was over a hundred years old.
Alakazam then explained the use of the stalactite milk. When applied to stones or rock walls, it could attract Rock-type and Ground-type Pokémon.
"So... do you have spicy chicken rice bowls?" After explaining, Alakazam rubbed his belly and asked with a smile.
Heath nodded. He hadn't sold spicy chicken rice bowls before, but making one was no problem, and it was a good opportunity to test his cooking skills.
Heath quickly took out a chicken and had Farfetch'd use a kitchen knife to cut the chicken into medium-small pieces along the grain. He also sliced some potatoes while Heath prepared the sauce.
The simplest way to make spicy chicken is to stir-fry the chicken with chili peppers, which is quick and easy but can be hit or miss with customers. Those who can't handle spice or dislike chili wouldn't enjoy it. Heath planned to make a different version for Alakazam, one that was also spicy but had a richer flavor.
"Too bad there's no chili bean paste," Heath sighed. If he had chili bean paste, the spicy chicken would be perfect.
"Chili bean paste? What's that?" Alakazam asked curiously. Alakazam loved new things, and he had never heard of chili bean paste.
"It's a very salty sauce that makes spicy chicken taste better," Heath explained, trying to figure out how to explain it to a Pokémon.
Alakazam showed a puzzled expression. Heath quickly pretended to be focused on cooking, causing Alakazam to close his mouth again.
Heath knew Alakazam too well. This guy wouldn't stop until he understood everything. To avoid becoming a culinary encyclopedia, Heath wisely chose to evade.
Soon, Heath placed a fragrant spicy chicken rice bowl in front of Alakazam. Watching Alakazam eat, Heath realized a problem.
Though he had a food cart, there was nowhere for customers to sit and eat. He would need to visit a furniture store to find portable tables and chairs.
Meanwhile, Alakazam was eating quickly, combining a piece of potato with rice. The savory taste was followed by a burst of spiciness, making Alakazam stick out his tongue.
Alakazam then tried a piece of chicken with rice and was amazed. The chicken was incredibly flavorful.
Heath's spicy chicken was slightly different from the usual kind. Instead of frying the chicken dry, which, while fragrant, didn't taste great, Heath's chicken was tender and savory, with a spicy kick that balanced out the small pieces of chicken that could be under-seasoned.
The rice balanced the salty flavor, and Alakazam finished his meal quickly.
"Oh, my, what will I do when little Heath starts his journey?" Alakazam said with a worried look. Heath couldn't help but laugh.
Looking at the familiar, bustling Viridian City, Heath also felt reluctant to leave. Though a transmigrator, Viridian City held his memories, friends, and family in this world.
"We'll meet again," Heath said with a smile, considering whether to go to Pallet Town or Pewter City next.
He was curious about the unique ingredients his system mentioned for each city. If Viridian City's was Viridian Fruit, what about Pallet Town?
This curiosity, and the unknowns of the journey, lessened his reluctance to leave.
"That's true. By the way, when you reach other towns with post offices, just mention my name to the Alakazam there. They'll help me with deliveries," Alakazam said, his eyes lighting up with a solution.
Heath was surprised. Delivering a meal would cost hundreds of League Coins, but Alakazam was willing to spend that much.
He felt proud that his cooking was so highly valued by Alakazam.
"Mr. Alakazam, you're really generous. If I go to Lavender Town or somewhere far, the delivery fee will be steep," Heath remarked.
"Ah, little Heath doesn't know. Alakazam don't charge for teleporting items," Alakazam said with a strange look before waving goodbye.
Heath was taken aback. So they were using their abilities for personal errands?
Heath shook his head with a wry smile and took Alakazam's dishes to wash.
"Farfetch'd!" Farfetch'd poked Heath's side with its leek, startling him so much he almost dropped a plate on its head.
"What?" Heath glared at Farfetch'd. Didn't it know men's kidneys were off-limits? Even though he was only seventeen, he still needed them.
"Farfetch'd!" Farfetch'd waved its leek, seemingly trying to say something.
Heath pouted. Not understanding Pokémon speech, he picked up the sleeping Zorua.
"Zorua, what's Farfetch'd saying?" Heath asked.
"Hmph, foolish Trainer, you can't even understand something so simple?" Zorua turned its head, looking defiant.
"You were drooling over the spicy chicken, weren't you? I'll make you a portion," Heath said, hoping his system would soon give him a way to communicate with Pokémon.
"Hmph~ Don't think you can bribe me with spicy chicken. But since you're my Trainer, I'll help you this time," Zorua said, wagging its tail proudly.
(End of the chapter)