Neutral Dungeon No. 5.
"Black... your taste is just..."
Baimu looked speechlessly at the Mawile with shining eyes.
In front of them was a princess bed with a black main color, looking very dark and gothic, with a Gothitelle's face painted on it.
"Chido~"
Mawile glanced at him, with a look of 'I don't care if you don't want to buy it.'
Then it turned its head, crossing its little paws in front, but occasionally couldn't help glancing at the bed again.
What does it mean to show 'playing hard to get'?
"I was just commenting on your taste, what are you doing?"
Without hesitation, Baimu handed the deposit and address to the smiling clerk not far away.
How could he go back on his word; he was only teasing Mawile's taste for fun.
Speaking of which.
This thing must be quite novel for Mawile.
Because when it stayed with the big boss back then, it actually lived in the forest of the Eco Park, not like James' Growlithe that lived in a super big house.
The big boss liked to keep Pokémon in their original natural state, so how could he get a human society item like a princess bed for Mawile?
The doll was basically the only human-made item around Mawile.
From a certain perspective, Baimu volunteering to buy the princess bed can be seen as a fool's errand.
However, Baimu himself was well aware that if Mawile usually slept on a princess bed, would it be so eager just now? Besides, Mawile's 'countryside relief mission' wouldn't be complete without a princess bed.
Of course.
If Lairon and the others want to sleep on the bed, Baimu also wouldn't refuse.
But since Lairon realized its weight could crush the bed, it insisted on sleeping next to it, much like a big Golden Retriever at home.
While Chansey, although mostly passive about getting on the bed, obviously enjoys snuggling with its companions for sleep.
It's unlikely they'd willingly sleep on a princess bed.
"That's about it... let's go back."
Baimu glanced at the list. Everything bought that could be, the rest had to be waited for till restocked, "What do you want for lunch? The usual?"
He whispered to Mawile.
"Chido..."
Mawile was staring eagerly at its princess bed, paused momentarily at his words, then appeared reluctant to speak.
"With the princess bed bought, is there anything different about the food? It's okay, you can have whatever you want." Baimu knew this young lady must have some thoughts again.
Sure enough.
Hearing his words, Mawile surprisingly smiled and ran off in a certain direction.
Baimu hurried to catch up, soon arriving at the front of a store.
"Ah... you wanted this to eat."
He looked at the shiny burger store sign, noticed Mawile's intense focus on the advertisement, and understood this one wanted to experience something it hadn't before.
Speaking of which, although burgers are simple to make, they also seemed relatively novel to the residents of Pyrite Town as an exotic product. Otherwise, they wouldn't open in the underground city.
"No need to look at me like that, go in."
Baimu flicked a hand, and with a hint of anticipation in its eyes, Mawile happily pushed open the door to the burger joint.
Before long.
At a window seat, Baimu accompanied three Pokémon eating burgers and drinking cola.
To be honest, the taste of this shop wasn't as good as KFC from his past life, but with one bite, it inevitably brought back some nostalgia.
"Is it good?"
He turned to look at the Pokémon, and Lairon and Chansey nodded quickly. Used to mild-flavored Pokémon food, occasionally having something like this was quite novel.
Mawile, covering its small mouth carefully chewing, upon hearing Baimu's words, immediately showed an indifferent expression towards the burgers but had quite a high regard for the cola.
"You really like sweet things, huh."
He tugged at the corner of his mouth, idly watching the people and Pokémon walking back and forth in the underground city.
Communication and food truly are key to enhancing relationships between trainers and Pokémon.
A few hours ago, he was pondering how long it would take to converse more with Mawile, not expecting a lunch could so swiftly bring them closer.
But Baimu also understood that currently, Mawile's friendly attitude was based on the premise that Baimu was reasonable to talk to.
What truly determined their relationship would have to be seen when conflicts arose.
In the afternoon.
He returned above ground and went to literacy classes as usual.
The teacher was very surprised to see him, probably assuming after missing two days of class, he wouldn't show up again.
But unfortunately.
For the future money-making plan, he had to attend.
Baimu sat quietly among a group of little ghosts and girls, learning Pokémon World's script with them.
——
Sand Group Dungeon.
In a bright office.
Liu Ge sat in a soft executive chair resting his eyes. Overhead, hanging upside down was a strange Pokémon resembling both a bat and a scorpion, its golden eyes like two bright lamps.
Click.
Flop entered from outside, opening the door.
"Boss, I'm back."
"Mm."
"He went to the literacy class again this afternoon, really sticking to his roots."
"So?"
"So I think you're right, he intends to leave Pyrite Town."
"That's normal. Anyone who's seen an outside magazine, watched an outside video, wouldn't like a place like Pyrite Town."
Liu Ge opened his eyes, saying softly, "Even I feel uncomfortable. For him who started from nothing, it must be even more unbearable."
Hearing this, Flop stepped forward immediately, "Then... should I bring him in?"
"No, forget it. More people, more exposure risk. Just let him continue to accumulate money and strength, and find a way to escape."
Liu Ge shook his head, "If necessary, giving him a little help wouldn't be a bad idea."
Flop nodded, saying, "Indeed. By the way, they said the lab results can be expected within a week, and it shouldn't take more than half a year to develop a cure."
"Mm, I got it."
Liu Ge closed his eyes again, and with that Flop exited.
Half a year... having endured for so many years, what's another half year.
He thought silently, the restless fire in his heart quelled again, and his eyes slowly closed once more...
"Lelelele—"
Gliscor inexplicably burst into a long bout of laughter.
Clap!
"What are you laughing at!"
"Le-oh~"
Gliscor aggrievedly covered its head with its pincers.
——
Evening.
Dinnertime over.
Mawile found the taste acceptable, the post-meal dessert cream cake was a bit lacking, but better than nothing.
Overall, it was satisfactory.
Just—
"One piece every two days, no more. Remember that yourselves."
Baimu said to Mawile and Chansey while washing dishes.
Considering someone's sweet tooth, he bought three cream cakes. Unexpectedly, Lairon sniffed and disdainfully left so Baimu had to accept them himself.
The taste was average because it was made with plant cream—MooMoo Fresh Milk-made cream was too expensive; if it didn't sell, the cost would be too high, making cake shops in Dungeon No. 5 unwilling to make it.
Mawile had complaints about this, giving a barely passing assessment considering its circumstances.
But then hearing even plant cream cakes could only be had every two days, it puffed up its cheeks.
"Chido!"
"Didn't you not have cream cakes every day before? Why so indignant?"
Baimu smiled.
The big boss had professionals caring for Pokémon, there's no way they'd fatten them like a Snorlax. Mawile didn't train regularly at the Eco Park, and high-calorie stuff like cream cake could only fatten it up.
So it was tough for it to have before too.
"Lucky..."
Chansey timidly raised its small hand, offering to share its portion with Mawile.
Seeing this, hope lit up in Mawile's eyes, but its gaze met Baimu's amused expression and it immediately understood everything.
"It's not that I can't afford it, it's unnecessary."
Baimu dried the plate and patted Chansey's head.
In terms of food preferences, the latter troubled him most because it had no particular preference, no matter what it ate, it could happily say it tasted great.