The upscale restaurant in the Indigo Plateau Conference's recreation area was surprisingly busy, despite being located in the competitors' village.
After a year of busy travels, perhaps all those Ace Trainers just wanted to be homebodies who stayed in bed for once.
Compared with the bustling festival plaza, the competitors preferred eating here.
Except... the food was taking unusually long to come out today...
The seated Trainers all looked toward the kitchen in confusion.
"Um... ma'am, this isn't really how we do things..." The head chef of the Teddiursa Western Restaurant, a round, endearing, middle-aged man with a bushy beard, held up his hands with a look of utter despair.
Beside him, the sous-chef, the prep cooks, and even the dishwasher stood with their arms folded, admiring the figure flitting around the kitchen.
Ash's mother, Aunt Delia, was handling three gas burners by herself, her dazzling culinary skills making her look like a butterfly weaving through flowers!
Searing, stir-frying, simmering, deep-frying-Mom's recipes were enough to defeat even the finest chefs. Those warm, rich aromas were full of love for her children...
The problem was... the owner was on the verge of tears. We still have a business to run, ma'am... You're really putting us in a difficult position here...
"Sorry for the trouble. Put all of today's takings on my tab." Adjusting her glasses, Lorelei stood beside Gary with a cheerful smile.
Gary pulled out a black Dragon Card. "Charge it to this card..."
Brock and Misty stood to one side, their mouths forming little O's. "Young Master Mao really does things his own way!"
Professor Oak took a smiling stroll around the dining room, then returned with his hands behind his back. "All settled! The other Trainers are willing to do me a little favor.
"They said they can