Hau'oli City, Aina's Kitchen.
Aina's Kitchen was filled with laughter.
At Professor Kukui's invitation, Li Wei and Lance had come here for a meal.
They even got to taste the long-lost, legendary Alolan cream stew.
Li Wei didn't need to ask Mallow for the recipe. He already knew how to make it and what all the ingredients were.
He could make it for Cynthia once he got back.
But just as Mallow had said, gathering golden nectar outside the nectar-producing season was extremely difficult.
It could hardly serve as a signature dish. At best, it could be a seasonal special.
He wondered whether the flowers that produced golden nectar could even grow in the Sinnoh Region...
Li Wei planned to give it a try when he returned.
Ash and his classmates were there too, making the atmosphere especially lively.
Especially once everyone had eaten and drunk their fill.
"Mr. Lance!"
Ash suddenly stood up, his eyes burning as he looked at Lance, his fists clenched.
"Please have a Pokémon battle with me!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu clenched his little fists too.
At those words, not only were Kiawe, Lillie, and the others startled,
but the customers dining at Aina's Kitchen were stunned as well.
Who was this kid?!
He actually dared to challenge Lance, the Johto Champion?
Lance raised an eyebrow slightly, a smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
"You've got guts, Ash."
"Then let's see how much you've improved over the past month or so."
"I'll use this partner to test the results of your training."
Lance took a Poké Ball from his belt.
It held the very Dragonite he had used in the Gym assessment earlier.
The spectators were even more surprised. They hadn't expected Lance to accept!
"We get to watch a match!"
Professor Kukui and Li