After washing up, Xinhai came to the living room and began preparing breakfast for his partners.
The aroma of Pokémon food quickly filled the room. His partners gradually emerged from their rooms and gathered around the living room, waiting for their own portions.
Xinhai divided up the food one by one. Watching his partners eat with gusto, the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifted.
"Today, we're going to challenge the Gym." He leaned against the sofa, his gaze passing over Blaziken, Gardevoir, Krookodile, and Eevee one by one.
"Everyone, be ready, especially you four, Blaziken."
"Blaziken." Blaziken raised his head, a flicker of fighting spirit flashing through his blue eyes. He nodded, then lowered his head and continued eating from his bowl.
"Gardevoir." Gardevoir elegantly took a bite of Pokéblock, her red eyes curving into a gentle arc, filled with certainty.
"Krookodile." Krookodile lifted his head from his bowl and glanced at Xinhai with dark red eyes. The corners of his mouth rose slightly, revealing a row of sharp teeth.
"Eevee!" Eevee crouched before her little bowl and answered loudly, then buried her head and resumed wolfing down her food.
Her little mouth never stopped chewing, her cheeks puffed up, her large brown eyes narrowed into slits, and her fluffy tail swayed happily behind her. She was eating with absolute delight.
Seeing Eevee's little "nothing matters more than eating" expression, Xinhai could not help laughing.
He shook his head, sat down on the sofa, picked up his own breakfast, and began eating at an unhurried pace.
After breakfast, Xinhai cleaned up the dishes and went into the bedroom to change into his new exploration outfit.
He adjusted his collar and cuffs in front of the full-length mirror, then checked the Poké Balls at his waist again—twelve Poké Balls, not