"Munch!!! Who is it?!!!"
Munchlax sprang out of Ange's arms as if its rear was on fire.
Diancie and the others surrounded them when they saw this.
Ange smiled and explained to everyone, "This is Sobble. It is joining our family and becoming the new kitchen helper at the Munchlax Home!
By the way, Sobble cooks very delicious food."
"Sobb sobb~" Hello, everyone!
Sobble, taking the opportunity, waved its arm at everyone from Ange's shoulder.
Munchlax was originally in shock that its Master had a "new apprentice." But when it heard Ange say Sobble cooked delicious food, it immediately walked up to Sobble shyly.
(ω)
"Munch Munch~" Hello. Can we be good friends?
It extended its chubby little hand towards Sobble.
"Sobb sobb~~" Of course!
Sobble generously placed its hand in Munchlax's palm.
"Munch Munch~" Will you cook delicious food for me later?
Munchlax asked with a shy expression.
"Sobb sobb, Sobb sobb~" Of course, of course.
Sobble nodded with certainty.
The conversation between Munchlax and Sobble caused everyone to cover their mouths and snicker. Only Ange, who did not understand the Pokémon language, was bewildered. Komala, who was sleeping soundly, was completely oblivious.
At this moment, Ange suddenly saw a tender, pale, green mushroom-head being held in Gardevoir's arms and exclaimed, "Gardevoir, Gallade, your baby has been born! When did this happen?"
No wonder everyone was gathered together just now. They were looking at Ralts.
Ralts was truly too cute!
"Voir Voir~" It was this afternoon. I brought it to show the boss.
Gardevoir replied.
Then, it gently said to the Ralts in its arms, "Voir Voir~" Baby, this is Mama's boss. You were born successfully thanks to the boss.
Gallade also looked at Ralts with a gentle expression. Its loving eyes were practically overflowing.
"Ra Ra~~"
Unexpectedly, the little Ralts was not afraid of strangers at all. It even stretched out its arms towards Ange.
"Ra Ra~" Hugs, Hugs~
"Oh my~" Ange quickly handed Komala to Munchlax. He immediately held Ralts in his arms. He gently stroked its mushroom-head and said, "Good baby."
The pink organ on Ralts' head was its emotion sensor. When Ange touched its head, it instantly felt Ange's kindness. So it affectionately nestled against Ange's chest, crying "Ra Ra~."
Ange was so charmed by its cute appearance that his heart almost melted into a puddle. He felt he had the attitude of an old grandfather now. This was true for Romeo, and it was also true for Ralts.
After playing with Ralts for a while, Ange saw the family of three out. He specifically gave a basket of tomatoes to Gardevoir and Gallade.
The couple initially did not want to accept it. But Ange said it was a gift to celebrate Ralts' hatching. They then accepted it happily.
After the family of three left, Ange looked at Diancie and Munchlax and asked, "Have you two had dinner yet?"
Diancie shook its head. "Not yet."
"Munch Munch~" Waiting for Master.
Munchlax said with a serious expression.
Ange patted Munchlax's head. He said, "That is perfect. We will make a feast tonight. We will hold a welcoming ceremony for Sobble."
"Munch Munch~"
Munchlax cheered when it heard there would be a feast.
"Then let us start making dinner."
Ange then took Munchlax and Sobble into the kitchen. Munchlax gave Komala to Diancie.
Once in the kitchen, Ange assigned some dishes to Munchlax. He began preparing the Beef Stew with Potatoes that he had planned earlier.
Before starting, Ange asked Sobble, "Sobble, would you like to show everyone your skill?"
Sobble's eyes lit up when it heard this. It immediately gave Ange an "okay" gesture.
Ange thought for a moment. "Can you make soup? Why don't you make a bowl of soup for everyone?"
"Sobb sobb, Sobb sobb~"
Sobble confidently puffed out its chest. It gave Ange a thumbs-up.
"Then I will look forward to it!" Ange laughed. He pointed to the refrigerator not far away. "The ingredients are in there. Look at what you need, and feel free to use it."
Sobble nodded. It was by the huge refrigerator in a flash. When it opened it, the dazzling array of ingredients instantly blurred its eyes.
As a chef, this abundance of ingredients gave it a sense of security.
Ange began to work, seeing that Sobble was already busy.
He took the freshly bought beef and cut it into chunks. His knife skills had improved recently. Each piece of beef was cut to the same size.
When the water in the pot boiled, he put the beef in to remove the blood. After boiling for a while, he could scoop it out when the bloody foam appeared on the surface of the boiling water.
Then he cut the scallions into sections. He put them into the pressure cooker with the blanched beef, adding an appropriate amount of water, ginger, star anise, bay leaf, cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, garlic, salt, and soy sauce to stew.
Afterward, he took the potatoes and carrots and cut them into large chunks. He put them in the oil pan and stir-fried them with salt, soy sauce, star anise, and Sichuan pepper.
After the stir-frying was adequate, he added the beef and the broth from the pressure cooker to it. He picked out the scallions and garlic that had been stewed for a long time. Then he added fresh scallions and continued to simmer over a low fire.
When the broth in the pot was reduced to an appropriate amount, a serving of Beef Stew with Potatoes was completed.
Sobble watched Ange make the Beef Stew with Potatoes without blinking.
Its soup was finished a step earlier.
Sobble learned dishes with a strong Kalosian culinary style from Elite Four Siebold's grandfather. So it made a Borscht.
Soon, the aroma of Beef Stew with Potatoes from the kitchen intertwined with the aromas of the braised eggplant in oil, dry-fried string beans, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and hand-shredded cabbage made by Munchlax. Sobble felt its nose could barely keep up with all the smells.
It smelled so good!
It was the first time it knew that food could emit such a rich and irresistible aroma.
Seeing that the Beef Stew with Potatoes was almost ready, Ange patted Sobble's head and said, "Get ready. Let us eat."
"Munch, Munch~" I will carry the dishes! I will carry the dishes!
Munchlax immediately cheered up. It diligently carried the food to the dining room. It did not forget to call Diancie to help. It had been starving!
Soon, the entire table was filled with dishes. After everyone was seated, Ange announced, "We can start eating!"
"Munch~~"
Munchlax cheered. It swiftly scooped a full bowl of rice for everyone.
Ange and the others' staple food tonight was rice. This rice was a reward Ange received from a daily mission two days ago. It was incredibly fragrant!
The people in the Kalos Region did not eat rice. Their staple food was usually bread. Even if the supermarket occasionally sold rice, it was transported from the Johto Region, far away. The quantity was not large.
The staple food in Johto was rice.
So rice was not easy to buy in the Kalos Region.
***
When everyone started to eat heartily, Ange took out a bottle of liquor and placed it in front of Komala. "Here, Komala, the reward I promised you!"
Komala paused its action of shoveling rice to immediately hug the liquor bottle. It swiftly took out a wine glass from its Backpack and poured a full glass. Its movements were exceptionally quick.
The rich aroma of the liquor immediately filled the dining room.
As expected of a high-grade product worth 50,000 Happiness Points! Ange thought.
Seeing Komala happily drinking, a smile appeared on Ange's face. Only at this time would Komala's expression become vivid.
Ange did not enjoy alcohol. So even though the liquor was very fragrant, Ange did not drink it.
"Come, Sobble, quickly try my Beef Stew with Potatoes. It is delicious with rice."
Ange then scooped a large spoonful of Beef Stew with Potatoes into Sobble's rice bowl.
"Sobb sobb, Sobb sobb~~"
Sobble wiped its saliva. It used its spoon to scoop a large bite into its mouth.
Mmm~ Mmm~~
It slowly chewed, letting the aroma of various spices explode and fuse in its mouth. Then a new aroma was created. The softness of the potatoes and the chewiness of the beef, every element made one feel as if they were swimming in a sea of deliciousness.
It was too delicious. It was a flavor that it had never tasted before.
Munchlax was also very enthusiastic. It kept using its chopsticks to put dishes into Sobble's bowl.
"Munch, Munch~" Quickly try my cooking! Quickly try my cooking! My food is also very delicious.
Sobble was very appreciative. It ate the dishes Munchlax put into its bowl in large bites. Then it squinted and gave Munchlax a thumbs-up.
Munchlax was so praised that it beamed.
Ange and Diancie watched the interaction between Munchlax and Sobble with kind expressions. They exchanged smiles.
"Sobb sobb, Sobb sobb~" You all quickly try the Borscht I made.
Sobble urged everyone.
The Borscht Sobble made was very different from the soups Ange inherited. The most direct manifestation was that the Borscht had a lot of ingredients: vegetables, meat... The soup was thick. It felt like "eating" soup rather than drinking it.
Everyone politely served themselves a large bowl. They were amazed by the first sip.
Sobble's cooking talent was indeed outstanding.
Sobble was still young. According to Siebold, it had not been learning from his grandfather for a particularly long time. For its age, it was not easy to achieve this level of cooking.
Compared to master chefs, Sobble was definitely far inferior. But in a family setting, its cooking was very impressive.
"Sobble, you are great!"
"Munch, Munch~" We will learn together and improve together from now on.
"Sobble, you have my renewed respect."
"Hiccup~"...
Everyone praised Sobble highly.
Sobble loved being praised the most. It instantly felt that this family's atmosphere was very compatible with it.
"Sobb~" Am I great?
It struck a proud pose and gave itself a thumbs-up.
Diancie was the first to give it a thumbs-up. "Very great!"
Ange and Munchlax quickly gave it a thumbs-up as well.
"Great, great, Sobble."
"Munch, Munch~~" Very impressive. I like you.
Sobble immediately bounced up and down on the table excitedly.
***
After dinner, everyone gathered as usual to chat and play. Since Sobble was new, Munchlax pulled it to a corner of the sofa to play video games.
Sobble had never played a game before. It was squatting on Munchlax's round, soft belly, circled by Munchlax's two arms. Even Ange was envious.
Munchlax's belly must be more comfortable than the sofa.
Sobble's eyes were wide like ringing bells as it watched Munchlax's chubby fingers move flexibly on the screen.
"Sobb sobb, Sobb sobb~~"
Sobble felt Munchlax was really amazing. Its gaze was full of adoration. It occasionally let out a gasp of surprise.
Munchlax said proudly, "Munch, Munch~" Am I awesome? I will teach you!
"Sobb sobb, Sobb sobb~"
Sobble nodded excitedly, indicating it wanted to become even better than Munchlax.
Munchlax extended its hand with a smug look. It wiggled its index finger, adopting a senior's demeanor. "Munch, Munch~" Compared to me, you still have a long way to go!
Ange and Diancie were both amused by them.
Ange laughed. He opened the System, planning to share the Sub-System permissions with Sobble. After sharing, he suddenly remembered he had not collected the reward for the recruitment mission yet.
He opened the Mission List. The recruitment mission was indeed completed.
[Recruitment Mission] Recruit a new kitchen helper - Completed, reward awaiting collection.
After thinking about it, he clicked Collect directly.
[Congratulations to the Host for completing the [Recruitment Mission] Recruit a new kitchen helper. Reward received: Individual Values +2, Recipe: Congee.]
Ange was already accustomed to the Individual Value reward. But the Recipe reward made his eyes light up.
He had long felt the store was a bit dry only selling Mantou and bun. The Congee Recipe was unlocked at the perfect time.
Ange flipped through the Recipe. He found that the unlocked Congee included all sorts of varieties, such as Red Bean Congee, Mung Bean Congee, Black Rice Congee, Seafood Congee, Preserved Egg and Shredded Pork Congee, Millet and Pumpkin Congee, Corn and Oatmeal Congee... everything was available.
However, some types of Congee could not be made with Ange's current conditions. For example, Preserved Egg and Shredded Pork Congee. As far as he knew, there was no such thing as a preserved egg in the Pokémon world. If he wanted to make Preserved Egg and Shredded Pork Congee, he would have to make the preserved egg himself.
Ange knew how to make preserved egg, but it took time to make it!
Never mind, I will worry about it later.
Looking at the newly acquired Individual Values, Ange decided to add them to Sobble. After all, he received them because of Sobble.
Ange added one of the 2 Individual Value points to Speed, because Sobble's Speed Individual Value was only 1 point away from maximum. He added the other 1 point to Defense, because Sobble's Defense Individual Value was the lowest.
This way, all of Sobble's Individual Values were now 20 points or more (including 20).
Sobble
[Type] Water
[Ability] Sniper
[Gender] Male
[Level] 14
[Moves] Pound, Growl, Water Gun, Water Pulse, Bind, Soak, Waterfall, Water Pledge, Whirlpool, Aqua Ring.
[Individual Values]
HP: 20
Attack: 29
Defense: 20
Special Attack: 31
Special Defense: 24
Speed: 31
Closing the System interface, Ange asked, "Sobble, do you want to call Siebold?"
Ange exchanged contact information with Siebold before they separated.