"I brought you some food."
Shiyu held up a bag containing what appeared to be two insulated lunch boxes.
Rick couldn't help but ask curiously, "You actually brought homemade food? Isn't that a bit troublesome?"
"I was worried that restaurant food might not be healthy, so I feel better making it myself."
"Are you my mom or something?"
The two sat down on a bench in the sports center. Rick opened the black lunch box to find an array of delicious dishes neatly arranged inside—peeled and glistening nine-section shrimp, golden crispy fried eel cakes, sliced braised beef, and blanched cauliflower. Just the aroma alone was enough to make his mouth water.
Shiyu opened a thermos and poured out a bowl of thick, milky-white soup, handing it to Rick. "Drink the soup first. I spent all morning simmering it."
"Thanks." Rick took the bowl and sipped.
The rich, savory-sweet flavor bloomed on his tongue. He let out a long sigh, his face lighting up with bliss. "It's delicious."
"Drink as much as you want, then." Shiyu smiled.
After polishing off every last bite, Rick set down his bowl. "Thanks, Shiyu. I'm full."
"No need to thank me." As Shiyu packed up the lunch boxes, she noticed a grain of rice stuck to the corner of Rick's mouth. She reached out, plucked it off, and—without thinking—popped it into her own mouth.
Rick: "..."
"What's wrong?" Seeing his stunned expression, Shiyu tilted her head in confusion. But a second later, her face turned visibly red, and she stammered, "N-no, no, no—!"
"I-I was just thinking we shouldn't waste food, that's all!"
"I-it's not like I wanted an indirect kiss or anything!"
"Calm down, Shiyu. I didn't even say anything," Rick quickly reassured her as she grew increasingly flustered.
Shiyu lowered her head, her ears burning red.
It took her a while to finally settle down. Seeing her like this, Rick said, "I get it. No need to be so worked up."
Shiyu puffed her cheeks and averted her gaze. "It's all because of the way you looked at me just now."
"I was just surprised, that's all."
"Hmph."
After packing up, Rick stood and glanced at Shiyu. "Are you heading back now, or are you staying to watch me train a bit longer?"
"I'll go in with you. Don't mind me." Shiyu checked her watch. "It's almost 3 PM—less than two hours left. Aren't you going to rest a little?"
Rick grinned. "I'd rather squeeze in more training if I can."
"Alright."
Time flew by. By 3 PM, Rick and Charmander had finished their training session. After witnessing Charmander's overwhelming destructive power firsthand, Shiyu finally understood why Rick had chosen a close-combat approach for it.
Watching Charmander in battle was like seeing a berserker rampaging through a game—only to check its stats and find its class listed as "mage."
"Which mall are we going to?"
Walking side by side out of the training room, Rick asked.
"The usual one is fine. I want to stock up on some ingredients." Shiyu glanced down at her chest and mumbled, "Oh, and also buy some..."
"Your bra's getting tight again?" Rick glanced over and asked, "Are you sure you want a guy tagging along for that?"
"It's not a bra! I was just thinking about what to buy!" Shiyu immediately covered her chest and took a step back. "Wait—how did you even know that?!"
Rick gave a thumbs-up. "I'm very accurate at judging these things."
No sooner had he spoken than Shiyu began pummeling him—though her weak punches felt more like a massage.
True to her word, she only bought ingredients and some seasonings—though in large quantities. After one round of shopping, Rick was already carrying two heavy bags.
By chance, they ended up on the mall's fourth floor, which specialized in Pokémon supplies. There, Rick spotted something that caught his interest.
"Excuse me, could you take that device down for me to look at?"
He pointed at a wall-mounted apparatus, and the clerk obliged.
It was a metallic vest-like device connected by springs. When worn by a Pokémon, its weight and the springs' resistance forced the wearer to exert more effort to move freely. Appropriately, it was called a "Training Vest."
This device could enhance a Pokémon's explosive power, speed, and strength—but the downside was obvious: most Pokémon disliked the restrictive feeling it created.
Rick pondered.
Charmander carried the bloodline of Salamence, meaning it needed ways to burn off its innate destructive urges. The resistance provided by this device might actually help Charmander vent that impulse faster.
"Can newborn or young Pokémon use this?" he asked the clerk.
The clerk smiled. "The Training Vest has five adjustable resistance levels. For a young Pokémon, Level 1 would be suitable."
"You want to buy this?" Shiyu studied the device curiously. She figured Rowlet would absolutely hate it.
Rick took out a Poké Ball. "Let me ask Charmander first. If it's willing, I'd like to get one."
A flash of light, and Charmander appeared.
"Charmander, this device can improve training efficiency, but it might be uncomfortable to wear. Want to give it a try?" Rick crouched to meet its gaze, holding up the vest.
Hearing that it could boost training, Charmander seemed intrigued. It eyed the vest and nodded. "Charr."
"I won't force you, so you can try it first. If it's too much, we'll forget about it," Rick said.
To him, Pokémon were partners. For something like this, he respected Charmander's choice. If he truly disliked the vest, he wouldn't push it.
With the clerk's help, they adjusted the vest to fit Charmander and set the resistance. The moment it was secured, Charmander felt the weight and pull of the device.
It wobbled a few steps before losing balance and plopping onto its rear.
"Is it really okay?" Shiyu whispered to Rick.
"Seems a bit too much for Charmander right now." Just as Rick was about to suggest giving up, Charmander let out a low growl of determination and struggled back to its feet.
One step. Two steps. Three steps...
The image of Charmander refusing to back down etched itself deeply into Rick's mind.