He couldn't quite understand it, but Lapras was like a playful puppy, especially fond of having his head petted. Every time he was free, he'd nudge Larry for attention, more eager than any dog Larry had ever known.
Lapras couldn't wait any longer and rested his head on Larry's shoulder, nudging him gently to start petting. "Alright, alright," Larry said, placing his hand on the dragon's smooth head and stroking gently.
Lapras's skin was hairless and slick, almost like it had a thin layer of lubricant, giving it a texture similar to a big, soft jelly ball.
As Larry stroked Lapras's head, he glanced around at the other Pokemon enjoying the springs. The whole pool was lively, a scene of playful energy and relaxation.
Nearby, Dragonite rested with its eyes closed and a towel draped over its head, letting out small puffs of steam from its nostrils, clearly savoring the warm water. Across from them, Gardevoir also soaked peacefully.
Just then, a large pink and white Happiny swam over to Larry, carrying a plate of delicious food.
"Thanks, Happiny," Larry said, smiling as he gave the little Pokemon a gentle pat on the head with his free hand.
Unlike Lapras's slick skin, Happiny's fluffy coat felt soft and velvety under his touch. "Happy~" Happiny chirped happily, glad to see Larry in good spirits.
The hot spring pool remained calm and peaceful, with everyone enjoying their time in the warm water. But nearby, in the bathing area beside the pool, the atmosphere was quite different.
Suddenly, a sharp "Ah!" was heard, followed by excited barks, something was happening over there.
The most eye-catching Pokemon were Lucario and Arcanine, who were putting on a show called "The Hero and His Mount." Lucario looked like a knight, and Arcanine was his trusty warhorse, both "galloping" around the bathing area.
Even though they were both dogs, Arcanine took the role of the mount while Lucario played the knight. This made Larry think of a Disney animation set on a earth, where Goofy, who was obviously a dog, was carrying Pluto, also a dog. Despite the amusing comparison, Larry didn't react much, focusing instead on the scene.
Just then, Snorlax, who had just been bathed by Gengar, was ready to jump into the hot spring. The moment his huge body hit the water, the level in the spring shot up dramatically, spilling over the fence like a massive wave.
The sudden "tsunami" swept across the bathing area, causing Lucario's expression to shift in surprise. He let out a confused sound, wondering if they were really in the hot spring room, why else would such a huge wave appear out of nowhere?
But his confusion quickly turned to excitement. Running around was getting boring, and now there was a new challenge.
"Ah!" "Woof woof!" The two Pokemon stared down the rushing wave as if it were a challenge thrown at them.
Arcanine tensed his muscles and charged forward toward the water, with Lucario ready on his back. Without using any special skills or energy, they planned to face the wave head-on, relying on their strength and speed alone.
Larry watched the happy duo and then glanced over at Snorlax, who was still soaking leisurely, completely unaware of the chaos he had caused. His eyes were still half-closed, showing how relaxed he was.
Despite his large size, Snorlax wasn't flabby at all, his body was solid and strong. No wonder a simple dip from him could send so much water splashing everywhere. Then, with a loud splash, everything erupted once again.
The two dogs emerged from the "tsunami" and landed right in the hot spring, water spraying everywhere. After a moment, Lucario and Arcanine's heads popped up from beneath the surface, both wearing excited smiles.
Later that night, after finishing his bath and dinner, Larry was getting ready to go to bed when suddenly, the doorbell… Wondering if it was Pyon, Larry opened the door and was met with a beautiful figure standing there.
"Hey, are you already in bed?" Pyon asked, her voice a bit awkward, and a faint blush colored her fair cheeks.
"Just getting ready to sleep," Larry answered honestly.
"Then... how about I come in for a chat? Or maybe have some tea? I've heard the tea here is really good," Pyon suggested, stumbling over her words and avoiding Larry's gaze as if nervous.
Larry stayed silent, watching her carefully, he wasn't naive, and Pyon's behavior had already given him plenty to think about.
After a pause, Larry finally spoke slowly, "Menchi and I have already…"
"I know," Pyon cut him off before he could finish. Her eyes, uncertain at first, steadied as she looked directly into his.
Her pale pink pupils reflected Larry's figure clearly. "Larry, do you know what the most basic thing is for a hunter?" she asked, shifting the topic unexpectedly.
"Is it strength?" Larry guessed after a moment, feeling pretty sure that strength was essential for a hunter.
"Strength matters, but it's not the core of being a hunter," Pyon replied, shaking her head.
What Larry said wasn't wrong, just incomplete. "A true hunter needs not only strength but also an unshakable determination to chase their goals!"
With that, Pyon suddenly stepped forward, making Larry instinctively take two steps back. She moved into the room, and the first thing she did was close the door behind her.
With his back pressed against the door, Pyon slowly closed in on Larry, like a predatory tiger cornering its prey. Rising slightly onto his tiptoes, he leaned in close, placing his head near Larry's ear and spoke softly, "I don't care about you or Menchi. If anyone should be considered the outsider here, it's me."
She paused briefly, a hint of regret in his voice. "It's unfortunate for Menchi, sure, but I'm a hunter?"
She straightened up, determination hardening her expression. "As a hunter, I'll hold tightly to what I value most. Never let go of your target, that's what being a hunter means."
Though her approach might have been questionable, Pyon knew only one thing: giving up now would haunt her forever. As long as she was alive, she couldn't live with regrets. Just like when she chose to become a hunter, tonight's choice was her alone, and it was one she wouldn't regret.
Meanwhile, at Foodie Paradise, Menchi sat quietly at a table in her shop. A single sheet of white paper lay before her, bathed in the soft, yellow glow of a lamp that illuminated her thoughtful face. She was reflecting on the recent cooking competition, thinking about what she might have missed or how to improve it next time.
After all, her main role in returning to Foodie Paradise was to coordinate and plan these events, constantly seeking ways to make them better. Eventually, she switched off the light and went to bed.