Spring, League Calendar year 112, April 24.
"Wooo-"
Morning sunlight streamed through the window into the room. Riolu, who had been sleeping on the floor, was the first to open his eyes.
He sat up, leaning against Ampharos's soft body behind him.
Everyone in the room seemed to still be asleep. Riolu looked around but found no sign of Tong Hua or Lucario.
"Min-min-"
Minccino was talking in his sleep on the bed. His sleeping habits were terrible: he had practically rolled all the way from the head of the bed to the foot and stolen the entire blanket for himself, leaving Purrloin, who shared the bed with him, with no choice but to hide under the pillow.
On the other bed, Steenee and the others looked much more harmonious. Steenee held Smoliv in her arms, while three Milcery lay beside her, greedily drinking in her fragrance.
"Chirp, chirp-" The only odd one out in the room was probably Delibird. He alone slept standing up-
Strange. Where did Tong Hua and Lucario go?
After splashing cold water on his face, Riolu was fully awake. Following the enticing aroma drifting through the air, he tiptoed out of the room.
At the end of the corridor, the sounds of cooking, chatter, and laughter came from the kitchen.
He quietly peeked inside and saw Tong Hua, wearing an apron, busy at the stove. Lucario stood quietly beside him, watching him cook with a hint of curiosity in her eyes.
What surprised Riolu even more was the crowd of early-rising Rangers and their partner Pokémon gathered outside the kitchen, all gazing eagerly at the pan.
Smiling, Tong Hua flicked the Frying Pan, sending the pancake inside tracing a perfect arc through the air.
These special American Pancakes, made with batter prepared from the high-quality