Pokémon Restaurant

The Poochyena on the field charged at Eevee like an arrow loosed from a bow, sharp fangs wreathed in Dark-type energy. Eevee remained calm, using its agile body to lightly evade the attack once more.

"Eevee, use Iron Tail!" Shali decisively seized the opportunity.

Eevee's petite body suddenly whipped its tail in place. Its originally fluffy tail instantly gleamed with a cold metallic sheen, becoming a fierce steel whip that slammed hard into Poochyena's waist.

"Awoo!"

Poochyena let out a miserable cry as its body rolled uncontrollably to the side, dragging a long trail across the ground. It then collapsed, completely unable to battle.

The referee quickly raised a red flag and announced in a booming voice, "Poochyena is unable to battle. Contestant Shimizu wins!"

The venue immediately erupted in wave-like applause. Shali jumped up excitedly, her face glowing with a bright smile, while Eevee happily leaped into her arms and affectionately rubbed against her cheek.

Xinhai and Yingnan also applauded wholeheartedly for the highly coordinated pair. Yingnan could not help exclaiming, "I never expected such a cute Eevee to be this strong!"

Xinhai nodded in agreement and analyzed, "Its strength is indeed impressive. Judging from how and when this Eevee evaded its opponent's attacks, its Ability should be Anticipation."

Recalling Eevee's movements during the battle, Yingnan nodded in agreement. "This Eevee's Ability must have been trained. Otherwise, it would be hard for it to dodge attacks like that."

After the match, the girl named Shali ran over to them with Eevee in her arms, her face beaming. "Thanks for cheering us on just now!"

"You and Eevee are strong. That was a wonderful battle!" Yingnan replied with a smile.

Shali curiously looked the two of them over. "Are you both students at Rustboro Trainer School too?"

"Oh! I am indeed a student at Rustboro Trainer School. Xinhai is currently traveling with the goal of becoming the Ever Grande Conference Champion," Yingnan answered with a cheerful expression.

Upon hearing that, Shali gave Xinhai a surprised look. After all, there were relatively few beginning Trainers who aimed for the Conference Championship in their first year.

"Hello! My name is Xinhai Bai Mu. Nice to meet you!" Xinhai greeted her warmly.

With Yingnan keeping the conversation flowing, the three enthusiastically discussed the powerful Trainers on the field.

Time quietly passed amid the pleasant conversation, and soon it was time for Xinhai's match.

At that moment, the referee's voice rang out over the broadcast. "Next match: Trainer Sato versus Trainer Bai Mu. Both contestants, please take the stage."

Hearing his name, Xinhai's heart tightened slightly as he exchanged looks with Yingnan and Shali.

Shali smiled and cheered him on. "Go, Xinhai!" Eevee also cried, "Eevee, Eevee!" to encourage him.

Xinhai took a deep breath, said, "I'm off," and waved before heading toward the arena.

The moment he stepped onto the stage, he saw Trainer Fujita across from him, a tall, thin boy wearing round black-rimmed glasses.

Seeing that both Trainers were in position, the referee called out, "Please send out your Pokémon."

"Come out, Zigzagoon!" "Torchic, go!"

The moment Torchic landed, it shook the orange feathers atop its head and looked energetically at its opponent.

"Torchic!"

"The battle begins," the referee said, waving his flag.

"Torchic, use Flame Charge," Xinhai swiftly commanded.

"Zigzagoon, use Headbutt!" Fujita refused to be outdone.

"Awoo!"

Zigzagoon roared angrily, white energy glowing in front of its head as it charged fiercely toward Torchic.

"Torchic, dodge, then counterattack!"

Just as Zigzagoon was about to collide with it, Torchic flashed aside, accelerating to Zigzagoon's flank.

Zigzagoon's momentum was too strong, and it could not adjust its direction in time. Seizing the chance, Torchic leaped into the air like a meteor blazing with flames and slammed hard into Zigzagoon.

With a pained cry, Zigzagoon was struck by the Flame Charge and sent flying by the powerful impact, rolling several times across the arena.

Trainer Fujita frowned and shouted, "Zigzagoon, get up and use Facade!"

Zigzagoon quickly climbed to its feet, enduring the pain as it lunged at Torchic again.

Xinhai calmly commanded, "Torchic, use Ember!"

Torchic opened its little beak and fired a stream of scorching embers, striking Zigzagoon accurately. Although Zigzagoon's attack was briefly halted, it quickly recovered and charged again.

"Use Flame Charge again!"

Torchic nimbly jumped and dodged, then found the right moment to slam heavily into Zigzagoon's waist again. Zigzagoon cried out miserably, collapsed to the ground, and lost its ability to battle.

Zigzagoon let out a miserable "Awoo!" and fell to the ground, unable to battle.

The referee raised his flag and announced, "Zigzagoon is unable to battle. Contestant Bai Mu wins!"

Xinhai breathed a sigh of relief. Torchic happily ran back to his side, and he picked it up and patted its little head, smiling toward Yingnan and Shali at the edge of the field.

Amid the enthusiastic applause, Xinhai carried Torchic off the stage and headed toward Yingnan and Shali.

"That was amazing!" Shali ran over excitedly with Eevee in her arms, her high ponytail tracing a lively arc through the air. "Torchic's Flame Charge was so cool!"

Yingnan came over as well and said happily, "Beautifully done!"

Xinhai smiled and rubbed Torchic's little head. The little fellow proudly shook its head feathers. "It was all Torchic's doing. It's already past one o'clock, so let's eat first."

"I didn't feel it until you mentioned it, but now I'm hungry too. Then let's go eat first. Shali, do you want to come with us?" Yingnan rubbed his slightly hungry stomach.

The Eevee in Shali's arms chimed in with cries of "Eevee, Eevee!" Shali's eyes lit up as well. "Sure! I know a very affordable Pokémon-themed restaurant nearby. I heard their signature Pokémon pancakes are delicious!" As she spoke, she pulled out her Pokédex from her backpack. A colorful dessert photo immediately appeared on the screen, with an Eevee design made from berries decorating the fluffy cream.

"Alright, let's hurry over! I'm treating today!" Yingnan was especially eager as he took the lead toward the exit.

Watching the two ahead of him, Xinhai could not help thinking, Yingnan is this enthusiastic... could he have fallen for her? Forget it, I won't worry about that. This is the perfect chance to make him pay through the nose. With that thought, he held Torchic and quickly followed after them.

The three made their way through the crowded throng and soon arrived outside the department store, walking down the sunny street.

From afar, they could see the Pokémon-themed restaurant's sign—Pikachu held a fork and happily ate delicious food, looking utterly adorable.

Quite a few Trainers who had also just finished their matches were already lined up outside the restaurant.

Shali stood on tiptoe and looked ahead. "Good thing we didn't come too late. If we were any later, we'd probably have to wait for a table!"

As they pushed open the glass door, an enticing aroma of food rushed toward them, making them involuntarily look forward to the restaurant's dishes.

Inside the restaurant, the walls were decorated with photos of famous people who had eaten there, while an LCD television hanging on the wall replayed battle footage from this year's Ever Grande Conference.

The waitress was a girl wearing a Skitty hair accessory. With a sweet smile, she warmly led the three to a window seat. Delicate menus printed with cartoon images of Torchic, Mudkip, and Treecko had already been placed on the table.

When they reached the table, Yingnan also let out his Mudkip, since the Pokémon-themed restaurant had food specially made for Pokémon.

Xinhai sat down and let out Ralts and Torchic as well.

"Ralts~"

After placing Eevee on the seat, Shali spotted Ralts and eagerly leaned closer. "Oh my gosh! Is this a Psychic-type Ralts? It's way too cute!"

Eevee also curiously moved closer to Ralts and stared at it without blinking. Ralts was a little shy and hurriedly hid in Xinhai's arms.

Xinhai stroked Ralts's head and smiled at Shali. "This little one is a bit shy. Ralts, take a look and see what you want to eat!"

Ralts poked its little head out from Xinhai's arms, its gaze immediately drawn to a small cake on the menu decorated with a cartoon Ralts.

Shali immediately introduced it enthusiastically. "This is a Psychic Energy Cake! It's made with Pecha Berries and Nanab Berries, and it's very helpful for improving Inner Focus! It's one of this restaurant's seventeen signature dishes!"

After introducing it, she turned to Eevee and discovered that the little fellow was sprawled over the menu, practically drooling. Shali smiled and rubbed Eevee's little head. "Little Eevee wants the special Pokémon pancakes too, right?"

Little Eevee nodded hard and even used its adorable Charm move, completely melting Shali's heart.

Shali scratched beneath Eevee's chin as Eevee wore an utterly blissful expression. "So cute! Then we'll get the special pancakes!"

After confirming what everyone and the Pokémon wanted to eat, Yingnan smiled and waved over the waitress. "Sorry for the trouble, we'll have one Torchic specialty meal and one Mudkip specialty meal, one Eevee special pancake, one Ralts cake, and three bottles of signature Pikachu soda! Also, one rainbow pancake set, one Torchic curry rice, and two large assorted ramen."

"Certainly, please wait a moment."

The waitress smiled as she noted down the three's order, then took her leave.