Chapter 250:
In the kitchen, watching Gardevoir complete the final solidification step, Hayashi Kaede said softly, "Thank you for your hard work~"
Although he now possessed psychic abilities himself, most of the Energy Cubes needed daily by the breeding house were still crafted by Gardevoir.
After all, when it came to psychic power, Gardevoir was still far more skilled.
"Gardevoir."
Gardevoir shook its head gently, then floated outside.
It was heading out to patrol the Berry Plantation.
Today, it had been feeling a strange presence—something seemed to be watching the plantation. Yet, no matter how it scanned with Aura or psychic power, it couldn't detect anything unusual.
That only made the feeling stranger.
To be safe, it decided to take another look while also bringing the freshly prepared dishes to the table in the garden.
…
Hayashi Kaede glanced at the clock.
5:42 p.m.
Not quite evening yet.
He took a deep breath and pulled out a fruit with a pitch-black, rock-like exterior.
It was the Wish Fruit, a gift from the cheerful Jirachi.
Its description read:
[SSS-Grade Ingredient – Mysterious Wish Fruit]
A fruit that fell from the stars, seemingly imbued with a mysterious power.
An SSS-grade ingredient—its effects completely unknown.
"What should I make with this…?"
Hayashi Kaede murmured as he examined the fruit.
He gently cracked open the dark, stone-like shell, revealing the soft, white flesh within.
A faint, indescribable aroma wafted out.
"It smells… a bit like Steenee" he concluded after a moment's thought.
He didn't hesitate for long. Ever since Jirachi appeared, they'd mostly eaten grilled dishes. This fruit's flesh clearly wasn't suited for that, so the best approach would be to turn it into Energy Cubes.
Once he decided, he moved with practiced ease.
The art of crafting Energy Cubes was already second nature to him—especially when working with a single ingredient.
Before long, the white flesh transformed into a shimmering white Cube. Hayashi Kaede eagerly checked its details:
[Legendary-Grade Dish – Wish Energy Cube]
Made from the mysterious Wish Fruit from outer space and infused with the maker's heartfelt emotions. It holds a miraculous "choose one of two" effect.
Exclusive to Jirachi.
Effect 1: Heart Free from Wishes – Frees Jirachi from the duty of the Wish-Granting Heart. It will no longer need to slumber for millennia and will live like an ordinary Pokémon.
Effect 2: Thousandfold Dream – Upon falling asleep, Jirachi's energy activity increases a thousandfold. When the energy from the Millennium Comet is fully transferred to the earth, Jirachi will awaken once more.
"Special emotions, huh…"
Hayashi Kaede fell silent, staring at the description.
Then, he let out a quiet laugh at himself.
These two effects reflected what he truly felt in his heart—he didn't want Jirachi to leave.
The first effect freed it from the endless cycle of wish-granting and slumber, allowing it to rest and awaken like any ordinary Pokémon. It would, however, lose its divine powers and the role of returning the comet's energy to the world.
The second effect maintained that duty but reduced its thousand-year sleep to only one year.
A millennium shortened to a single year…
Hayashi Kaede's heart suddenly felt lighter.
Whether Jirachi chose to live freely or to sleep for only a year, it would never again vanish into a thousand years of dreams.
And even if a year was still long—it was nothing compared to an eternity.
Besides, during that year of rest, Jirachi could still reach him in dreams.
If Serperior managed to grow more Dream Spinach next year, everyone could even meet within those dreams.
Just as he was about to rush out and share this good news with Jirachi,
Alolan Vulpix suddenly dashed in.
"Vulpix…!" (Ahhh, not good, not good!)
It hurried straight toward him, eyes wide in panic.
"Vulpix…" (Victini's crying—crying so hard!)
"Huh?"
Hayashi Kaede blinked in confusion. "Victini's… crying?"
What could have happened?
Was it something related to Jirachi?
Without wasting a second, he stored the freshly made Energy Cube in a storage ball and followed Alolan Vulpix to the living room.
Before he even stepped inside, he could already hear faint sobbing.
When he entered, he saw Victini sitting on the floor, tears streaming down its small face.
Everyone had gathered around, but none of them knew what to do.
Seeing Hayashi Kaede appear, the sister Indeedee quickly stood up.
It glanced at Victini worriedly—without knowing the reason, it didn't know how to comfort it.
"What happened?"
Hayashi Kaede crouched down beside Victini, his voice gentle. "Hey, what's wrong, Victini? Did someone bully you?"
That seemed impossible—his Pokémon all had calm, gentle temperaments.
"Mew…"
"Jirachi…"
The two Mythical Pokémon also floated nearby, both equally puzzled by Victini's sudden sorrow.
The sadness radiating from the little Pokémon felt like water overflowing from a cracked vessel.
"Victini…"
Seeing Hayashi Kaede approach, Victini wiped at its eyes. It didn't want to show such sorrow before this human—but the tears just wouldn't stop, spilling like a broken dam.
"Victini…" (S-sorry… I don't know why I'm crying…)
It whimpered softly.
Hayashi Kaede couldn't understand its words, but when he saw its trembling shoulders, he frowned slightly, preparing to sense its emotions through his Aura.
Just then, Alolan Vulpix nervously poked his sleeve.
"Vulpix…" (It was me… I asked Victini if it had a trainer, and then it started crying. I didn't know I shouldn't have asked that…)
Alolan Vulpix's voice grew smaller and smaller. Though confused, guilt now weighed heavier than curiosity.
Hayashi Kaede froze for a moment—then sighed softly.
Now he understood.
He reached out and lifted Victini gently into his arms.
"Go on, cry it out" he whispered. "It's okay. You'll feel better once you let it out."
"Vic…tini…"
Victini burst into another round of tears, burying itself in Hayashi Kaede's embrace.
"...Tini…" (Waaah… I miss him… I miss him so much…)
It sobbed, clutching at his shirt as if afraid he'd disappear too.