Chapter 0755: Winter’s Party! The Tree of Oaths and Gifts(Two-in-One)

The two-day gourmet street festival came to an end.

During this time, Natsume achieved victory over Siebold in the field of cooking, much to the shock of many attendees.

Most had assumed the Champion was just for show… Unexpectedly, he turned out to be a true Master Chef!

Fans who watched the live stream shouted: “That’s perfect comfort food.”

“Gold-medal chef—Natsume-sensei.”

“This dish, ah, this dish is a shining, multi-color elevation—definitely eat with rice!”

Pokémon chefs, much like Pokémon breeders, are respected professionals. The curry rice, Poké Puffs, and other foods they make can even be used in breeding Pokémon, and strengthen the bonds between them.

If Wallace is the ‘Champion-level Coordinator’ and Steven the ‘Champion-level Collector (Miner)…’

Then Natsume-sensei is truly a ‘Champion-level Chef.’

“It really fits the image of the Touran Champion!”

“No surprise there—he’s the King of the Kitchen.”

“Nico Dou has a big shot who released a recreation video, using seven types of Berry—scary stuff!”

Afterwards, a content creator recreated Natsume-sensei’s ‘Miraculous Mapo Tofu.’

In the video, the creator used Cheri Berries, Lightning Berries, and five other types to recreate the spicy, fragrant, vibrant, hot, numbing, and crispy flavor; they even sought out a rare golden berry for that signature ‘golden glow.’

Once the steamy Mapo Tofu was finished, the chat was overrun with ‘ohhhh.’

The content creator admitted, “It wasn’t easy to make—I went all out. Besides, Natsume-sensei’s cooking is tough to imitate. I could only give a best effort. I hope you all understand and give this a triple-like.”

“Consider it done.”

“Definitely this time!”

“Wow, turns out both the creator and Natsume-sensei are true Berry Masters!”

A Berry Master is an expert in planting and caring for Berries. In every game, if you meet them, they’ll kindly give you Berries.

And then, Natsume would usually harvest every last Berry outside their house—truly a scoundrel.

The final event at gourmet street was the Most Popular Shop contest.

The Team Rocket trio’s stand swept first place with affordable prices, delicious food, and overwhelming popularity.

Natsume, busy with Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma, came in second. Brock earned third, making enough to support his family.

Green’s shop came in dead last due to sparse ingredients and bland flavor.

(Green: “The guests have no taste. Even Red, Daisy, and Professor Oak say it’s good.” Silver: “……” “Yeah, since you all live in Pallet Town, of course no one dares leave a bad review.”)

Without telling Jessie, James and Meowth used their earnings to secretly commission a lavish custom-made gown to help Jessie participate in the “Pokémon Showcase.”

Jessie’s measurements were the same as James’ fiancée’s, so there was no need for inquiries, making things easier to hide.

The dress was designed by the ‘Pokémon Style’ designer Fantina: aristocratic lady style—purple, shimmering with amethyst luster, a green agate pendant, and a ruby necklace.

“This is so expensive!” James said in anguish. All the money they’d made was gone, plus all their savings.

“This is the essence of Fantina’s style, meow~”

Meowth was tearful too, gritting his teeth. “Just for this dress, Jessie absolutely has to win the Kalos Queen’s title!”

“Yeah~~ snivvle.”

“So how do we actually give it to Jessie?” James wondered, holding the bag with the fancy dress. “If we hand it to her outright, she’ll never accept it.”

“Jessie’s got a lot of pride, meow. If she knows it’s this expensive, she’ll definitely refuse.”

Meowth crossed his arms, thought a while, then his forehead lit up: “That’s it, meow—let’s use a gift exchange. Give it as a present and she’ll take it.”

“Gift exchange?”

“It’s a Coumarine City tradition, meow. The legend goes that a Trainer and his Gogoat found fertile soil, built Coumarine City, and the Gogoat gave him a sapling.”

Meowth gestured with his paw: “That little sapling grew, and grew, and grew, and became a towering tree. People called it the Tree of Oaths. Every year’s festival, Trainers swap gifts beneath it, meow.”

James’ eyes lit up: “Great idea! Let’s all go to Coumarine City and do a gift exchange.”

“It’s settled, meow.” Meowth nodded.

“Wobbuffet!”

……

Cynthia was grappling with a dilemma.

The annual festival at Coumarine City was approaching; Trainers would gather beneath the Tree of Oaths to exchange gifts, giving treasured items to friends, sweethearts, and Pokémon.

For Garchomp, Lucario, Togekiss, Gastrodon… every Pokémon needed a gift. That was six.

Natsume and his Pokémon, Gengar, Sylveon, Meloetta… that meant at least ten more gifts.

What to choose? What to give Natsume, and what for each Pokémon?

Whenever she thought about it, the ever-indecisive Cynthia felt her thoughts spinning.

A day had passed since gourmet street ended.

Cynthia returned to the Sinnoh League, and during a break at the duty hall, she consulted Granny Bertha, who was sipping tea on the sofa.

“What sort of gifts should I prepare?”

Granny Bertha, wrapped in a scarf, sipped from her thermos, blowing on it as she said calmly, “Naturally, you give your friends what they’d like.”

“I understand, but how can I possibly pick…”

Cynthia sighed helplessly. Her lovely features now looked a bit haggard from all the thinking about gifts.

“Have you made a list, narrowed down the options? That will make things much easier.” Granny Bertha advised.

Cynthia leaned on her hand thoughtfully, grey eyes glimmering: “Yes… For Garchomp, I was thinking Choice Band, Life Orb, or a strength wristband…”

“And for Natsume… Well, I considered a lot of possibilities, wrote them all down. Granny, would you take a look for me?”

Cynthia went to her office for her notebooks. Granny Bertha shook her head, secretly a bit touched by the beauty of these Trainers’ romances—like melting spring snow, a breeze across the grasslands.

Soon, Cynthia returned and put a stack of notebooks on Granny Bertha’s coffee table, like a student handing over a pile of homework.

“This many?” Granny Bertha stared in shock.

“It’s because of all my Pokémon, plus Natsume’s Pokémon too… I had to account for all the gifts…”

Cynthia blushed charmingly, explaining, “I get indecisive, so I wrote everything down.”

Granny Bertha let out a gentle sigh.

Honestly… I’m kind of jealous of Natsume. At least my late husband was never this thoughtful.

“If you’re free this afternoon, I’ll help you brainstorm.” Granny Bertha paged through the notebooks. After all, her family was the most experienced among the Elite Four.

“Thank you so much.” Cynthia bowed slightly, tucking a strand of gold hair behind her ear with a warm smile.

At sunset, Cynthia finally settled on the gift for Garchomp and returned home full of satisfaction.

“Chao?” Garchomp blinked at Cynthia’s enthusiastic expression, puzzled.

“You’ll find out in a few days,” Cynthia replied, stroking Garchomp’s head with a smile.

She planned to give Garchomp a beautiful Heart Scale in thanks for a lifetime of loyalty.

As for Natsume’s gift, she hadn’t decided yet, so she asked her friends Shauntal and Caitlin.

She started with Caitlin, who hung up soon after Cynthia explained.

Moments later, Caitlin’s butler Darach called back, complaining: “The young lady nearly blew up the whole castle!”

“I’m sorry… I got carried away.” Cynthia coughed, a bit embarrassed; she’d wanted to share festival joy.

But on second thought, this really wasn’t something to tell Caitlin—she was a touch too prone to jealousy.

Shauntal was next. At home, she replied with amusement:

“What’s this—Cynthia, the lady in love, coming to me for advice? I’m putting this in my next novel!”

“If you don’t want a battle with me, you could try,” Cynthia replied sweetly.

“Ahhh… You caught me off guard. I have no inspiration. Why not just give him a copy of my book? I’m making him the main character of my next one—tentative title—hello?”

The call was cut off. Shauntal muttered a few lines and then sent a voice message: “Maybe ask Diantha instead?”

Diantha, the acclaimed actress, is showered with gifts from admirers around the world—she’d know exactly what to give.

“A trench coat,” Diantha suggested kindly. “It’s ideal for the foggy weather in Lumiose City. I was actually eyeing a designer piece myself, but the price… half a film’s salary. These luxury brands are out of their minds.”

Cynthia wrinkled her lovely brow. “Let me think it over,” she said.

Diantha waited quietly as Cynthia turned over thoughts and suggestions, while her agent signaled at her side. Diantha silenced her with a finger held to her lips and gently added:

“Or perhaps… There’s a legend in Kalos about a Poké Ball split in two…”

……

November 7th, Sunday, First Day of Winter.

Moe-Moe! had returned to the Sinnoh League, so I couldn’t spend the first day of winter with her.

According to tradition, the “Champion-level head chef” prepared red bean dango and dumplings for tonight’s meal.

Misty Lumiose City quickly sank into nightfall. Out on the rainy streets, people walked under umbrellas. The sky was a blanket of gray. Prism Tower rose above, sharp-angled buildings densely lined the streets, and Murkrow skimmed low through the air.

Streetlights blurred in the mist. On a street corner, a café glowed with warm light, its windows fogged over. A handkerchief wiped the condensation away, revealing Gengar’s chubby face. He pressed his cheek to the glass and breathed on it again, polishing carefully, then broke into a wide grin.

Inside, plenty of “guests” had arrived: Marshadow, Mew, Diancie...

The place was noisy and bustling—the clatter of cutlery and dishes, Pokémon laughter completely unrestrained, and Natsume-sensei’s bellowing voice.

“Arcanine, move aside, don’t block the entrance.”

“Alcremie, don’t be scared, Tyranitar won’t eat you… probably.”

“Latias, could you stop flying all over the place? You’re making me dizzy.”

“I won’t!” Latias puffed her cheeks.

“Tyranitar—that plate isn’t for you to eat!”

“Tyranitar...(￣～￣)” Tyranitar crunched down on ceramic shards along with dumplings.

Victini floated happily in midair, cheeks dusted with crumbs, snacking on macarons: “Victini~!”

Mew used Confusion to levitate Togepi, who gripped a handheld console, occasionally glancing at Togepi’s serious gaming: “Mew~~”

Hmmm… mine froze again, let’s see how Togepi does it…

Marshadow stood awkwardly on the floor, the little shadow looking out of place with the lively atmosphere.

But there was one elder even more at ease—Darkrai floated by the long table, mist swirling around him as he gracefully used knife and fork to cut Pokéblock.

“ Marshadow…” Marshadow was dazed.

Is this really a café… or a Legendary Pokémon Club…?

“Marshadow~!”

Marshadow felt someone poke him, turned to see Delibird with a luggage bag over its shoulder.

Delibird’s black eyes sparkled as it offered up a gift box.

You must be new—here, this is for you~

Marshadow hesitated over the gift, then turned his head and caught Blastoise’s gaze.

“Blastoise…” Blastoise nodded calmly.

Don’t worry, there’s no bomb in there!

“So do you want dumplings or dango? Never mind, you’ll just eat everything anyway…”

Natsume grumbled as he brought a steaming hot white plate to the table.

Sirfetch’d: “Sirfetch’d…（ˉ﹃ˉ）”

I want leek-filled…

The long dining table was crowded with Pokémon, loaded with delicious food, and the Pokémon debated animatedly at its sides.

Natsume sat at the end of the table, rubbing his aching head, then couldn’t help but smile.

“Not feeling well, Mr. Natsume?”

Beside him, Princess Diancie, diamonds sparkling on her brow, looked on with bright eyes and gentle voice.

“Seeing you here helps a lot,” Natsume replied.

“You flatter me,” Princess Diancie covered her lips, laughing gracefully.

Thin rain fell outside, night deepened.

Inside, the warm light blended with the cheerful racket.

Natsume, Sirfetch’d, and Princess Diancie maintained their elegant dining etiquette.

Elegance never goes out of style.

His phone vibrated. Natsume walked beneath the eaves, gazing out at the fine rain, and answered:

“Hello, Ramos, what’s up?”

“Natsume… that Mapo Tofu from yesterday, I can still taste it, marvelous,” Ramos praised.

“You’re too kind—please drop by the café any time,” Natsume replied.

“Well, this time it’s my turn to treat you—and your Pokémon. I invite you to Coumarine City’s festival.”

Ramos chuckled, “The annual festival features a grand celebration and the tradition of the Tree of Oaths.”

“The Tree of Oaths?”

“Yes indeed—under the tree, Trainers exchange gifts and make eternal vows,” Ramos said wistfully.

Natsume’s thoughts stirred. “Actually, I’m coming to Coumarine City tomorrow anyway, to judge at the Pokémon Showcase.”

“Oh? What a coincidence.” Ramos sounded surprised.

A Champion with such achievement across so many fields… that kind of versatility speaks volumes.

“See you there,” Natsume smiled.

“Yes, goodbye.”

He hung up, hands in his pockets, lost in thought.

What kind of gift would be right for Cynthia…?

An engagement ring? No… the festival’s theme is more about bonds than romance—not appropriate.

As for gifts for his own Pokémon, he’d need to reflect carefully…

Natsume suddenly recalled Ash and the others’ travel plans.

Ash and Serena would be coming to Coumarine City for the Pokémon Showcase—surely attending the festival too.

Exchanging gifts under the Tree of Oaths—

Maybe this would be an important turning point for Ash and Serena’s relationship.

Natsume glanced at his little troublemakers and, after a moment, pulled out his phone to put a plan in action.

“Hello… Matori? Tell Rocket Delivery to plant some operatives at the Coumarine City festival… create a bit of private space for two certain individuals…”

Matori, seated in the shadowy War Room, asked blankly:

“Is this a tactical operation? Like, capturing a Legendary Pokémon or something?”

“Operation?”

Natsume gave a cold chuckle: “Heh, this is absolutely a critical strategy.”

Because love is war.