Indeedee Cafe

Under the stunned gazes of the cashier and the other customers, Gengar stuffed the mountain of snacks and ingredients into its belly for storage.

Having a Gengar along on a journey really was handy, especially one that could connect to another dimension. It could store things there.

Gengar was simply the perfect travel companion!

Watching Gengar store everything away, Chen Yan nodded in satisfaction, gave the onlookers a polite nod, and left the supermarket with Gengar.

They arrived at the inn he had just booked online. After collecting his key card at the front desk, Chen Yan took Gengar up to his room and put their things away.

There wasn't actually much to put away, just the backpack Gengar was carrying. Everything else had gone into Gengar's "Four-Dimensional Pocket."

After enjoying a nice shower, Chen Yan lay on the bed and waited for Gengar to finish washing.

Gengar floated out of the bathroom wrapped in a bath towel and began admiring itself in the mirror.

Chen Yan couldn't stand its preening. He got up, walked over, and pulled the towel off. "You're a Gengar. What do you need a bath towel for? Stop admiring yourself. Let's go explore. Who knows when we'll be back here again?"

"Gengar-"

Oh.

Chen Yan left the inn with Gengar and began wandering around Twinleaf Town.

Although he hadn't visited any other cities yet, he felt that Twinleaf Town was much larger than the city he'd called home in his previous life.

Perhaps because it had a harbor, Twinleaf Town had plenty of shops and hotels.

Many people who traveled to the Sinnoh Region by ship from the Hoenn Region, Johto Region, or Kanto would disembark at Twinleaf Town before heading to other cities.

As he explored Twinleaf Town, Chen Yan kept taking pictures of this little town where humans and Pokémon lived in harmony.

There were children playing with groups of Pokémon in the streets and alleys, ladies and gentlemen strolling along with Glameow or Persian, and elderly people sitting by the roadside with Machamp, drinking tea and reading newspapers.

Everything felt so natural, so full of everyday life.

Ever since his photography skill had reached the highest level, Chen Yan had noticed a huge improvement not only in his ability to find the right angle, but also in his ability to spot beauty in everyday life.

Looking at the red-and-white building with its Poké Ball-shaped roof, Chen Yan thought for a moment, recalled Gengar, then went inside and handed the Poké Balls containing Gengar and Weedle to Twinleaf Town's Nurse Joy.

"Of course. Please wait a moment. We'll restore their energy right away."

Dressed in a standard nurse's uniform, the pink-haired Nurse Joy accepted his Poké Balls with a smile and spoke gently.

"Chansey~"

Please wait a moment~

Nurse Joy and the Chansey beside her carried the two Poké Balls through the door behind them. While he waited, Chen Yan took a closer look around the Pokémon Center.

Just like in the games and anime, restoring a Pokémon's energy here was free. A fee was only required if a Pokémon had suffered serious injuries.

The Pokémon Center also sold plenty of items, such as Poké Balls and Potions. Those all cost money.

Soon, Nurse Joy and Chansey came back through the door. Returning the Poké Balls to Chen Yan, Nurse Joy spoke with the same reassuring smile.

"Gengar and Weedle have fully recovered. There's nothing wrong with their health; they were just a little tired. Oh, and you've raised them very well. They're both strong and sturdy."

"Thank you."

Chen Yan accepted the Poké Balls and thanked her politely, then complimented Chansey before leaving the Pokémon Center under its delighted gaze.

My first time having my Pokémon healed at a Pokémon Center. That felt pretty special.

After that thought crossed Chen Yan's mind, Gengar and Weedle popped out of their Poké Balls. Weedle had already become quite adept at perching on his head.

Chen Yan took them out for a delicious lunch, then visited a cafe and sat down in a quiet corner. He ordered a drink called "Indeedee's special coffee," then looked at Gengar and asked if it wanted a cup too.

Gengar immediately shook its head.

"Gengar-"

It's all bitter. Tastes awful.

It had tried coffee once, and the taste had made it want to drop dead on the spot.

"You have no taste."

After chiding Gengar, Chen Yan turned to the server beside him and said that would be all.

Soon, an Indeedee brought his coffee over.

Indeedee: Please enjoy.

"Thank you."

Chen Yan lifted the cup and took a sip. It was smooth and delicious. He gave the Indeedee still standing beside him a thumbs-up. "Just what I'd expect from Indeedee's special coffee. Tastes great, love it, could drink it every day."

Indeedee's eyes narrowed happily at his praise. Hugging the tray to its chest, it bowed slightly.

Your praise motivates us to keep serving you.

After Indeedee left, Chen Yan took out his tablet and glanced at Gengar. "I'm going to work for a bit. If you want to go somewhere else and play, go ahead. Just remember to come back before dinner."

But Gengar didn't leave, choosing to sit beside him instead. Chen Yan left it alone and began editing footage he'd previously shot in the courtyard.

Luckily, he'd had the foresight to keep a few videos in reserve for times when he didn't know what to post.

Video views mean View Count, and View Count means money!

I've got to shoot these videos. Got to edit them.

Otherwise, with the shop's outrageous prices, who knew how long it would take him to afford anything if he didn't work harder?

After working with his head lowered for a while, Chen Yan felt as though his neck was about to snap. He reached up, peeled Weedle off his head, and set it beside Gengar.

"Do you have any idea how heavy you are? My neck's about to break."

He twisted his neck as he spoke, producing a crisp crack. The aching relief that shot through it brought tears to his eyes.

"Gengar."

Chen Yan.

"Hmm?"

Chen Yan looked at Gengar, wondering what it wanted.

"Gengar-"

Can I have some snacks?

Chen Yan chuckled. Reaching out to pinch Gengar's cheek, he said softly, "I bought them for you in the first place. Eat whenever you want. You don't have to ask."

"Gengar-"

Hehe, I love Chen Yan the most.

"Weedle-"

I want some leaves too...

"Go ahead. They're for you."

Chen Yan looked at Gengar as he spoke. Gengar nodded and opened the backpack, letting Weedle crawl inside to feast.

Gengar and Weedle stayed quietly beside Chen Yan, munching on their snacks.

They knew he was working, so they didn't make any noise to disturb him.

Once he'd posted the video, Chen Yan looked up to find his two Pokémon. Gengar was standing beneath a tree, poking at something in its branches with the thin bamboo stick he'd given it. Weedle was chewing on a palm-sized leaf while watching the tree.

Taking a closer look, Chen Yan discovered that Gengar was pestering the Combee in the tree. Apparently, they had tried fighting back, only to realize they couldn't win and hide among the leaves instead.

"Gengar, you're bothering those Combee again."

Hearing Chen Yan, Gengar turned around and saw that he'd finished working. It scooped Weedle up with its bamboo stick, slung the stick over its shoulder, and floated back.

"Gengar?"

You're done?

"Yep. I've posted it."

"Gengar-"

Thanks for your hard work~

"Weedle-"

Fanks fer yer hard work~

"Thanks. It wasn't hard. And Weedle, swallow the leaf in your mouth before you talk."

Looking at Gengar, which had gotten bored after sitting for hardly any time at all and gone off to pester other Pokémon, Chen Yan shook his head helplessly. He picked up his long-cold coffee and took a sip.

Maybe this really is a wonderful way to live?

That was what Chen Yan thought.

Golden sunlight fell in scattered patches across his shoulders and the coffee in his hand. Paying it no mind, he raised the cup and drank the sunlight down along with his coffee, quietly watching the two buddies, Gengar and Weedle, pester the wild Pokémon passing by.

The summer evening breeze brushed gently past, and his heart felt utterly still.

The passing wild Pokémon: Isn't anyone going to do something about these two?!

"Who's Chen Yan?"

A voice suddenly rang out. Chen Yan looked up and saw a Dragonite hovering in the air, with a worker in a delivery company's uniform riding on its back.

Chen Yan froze for a moment, then raised his hand. "That's me. And you are...?"

"Oh, so it's you."

The uniformed worker landed near Chen Yan and climbed off Dragonite, then had Dragonite carry a box over to him.

"Hello. We're from a delivery company in Paldea. Our company received an express delivery order yesterday. Were you the one who placed it?"

"I didn't... huh? Was it under Gholdengo's name?"

Chen Yan had been about to deny it when realization struck, prompting him to ask.

"Then that's right. The order was placed by Mr. 'Gholdengo is number one.' Please check it, and if everything's in order, sign to confirm receipt."

"Oh, let me see. Everything seems fine. Shall I sign?"

"Yes, just sign here."

The worker took the document Chen Yan had signed and carefully tucked it into his crossbody bag before speaking again.

"Thank you for trusting our company. If it's not too much trouble, could you leave us a five-star review?"

"Sure. I've already done it."

"Thank you. We'll be on our way, then."

"Thanks for your hard work."

"Just doing our job."

After the worker left, Chen Yan returned to his seat. Looking at the box in his hands, he couldn't help drawing a sharp breath.

They really sent it to me?

Just so I'd livestream?

Oh my goodness...

"Gengar?"

What's this thingamajig?

Gengar had already begun picking up all sorts of strange expressions from Chen Yan.

"Looks like some equipment a fan sent us."

Gengar reached out, wanting to take the box and examine it.

"It looks pretty expensive, too."

Gengar pulled its hands back.

Chen Yan smiled at that, then handed it the box and asked for its help.

"I don't think I can open it. Could you open it for me?"

Gengar grinned.

Hehe.

It took the box, then, under Chen Yan's astonished gaze, grabbed Weedle, who was still nibbling on a leaf nearby, and poked its head against the tape sealing the box.

The horn on Weedle's head sliced straight through the tape.

Chen Yan: ???

You can use Weedle like that?

"Gengar-"

It's open.

Gengar handed the box back to Chen Yan, who didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"Thanks, Gengar and Weedle."

Gengar: Hehe. [covering mouth and snickering.jpg]

Weedle: Yer welcome. [chew chew chew.jpg]

Chen Yan opened the box. Inside was a drone wrapped in inflatable cushioning, along with a Rotom Phone specifically for livestreaming.

Chen Yan looked up the prices online.

"Oh my goodness!"