Chapter 0709: The Café’s New Employees: Alcremie(Two-in-One)

The card battle between Natsume and Tobias drew to a close.

“I lost…”

Tobias knelt on the ground in a daze, as if his soul had just been taken, hands on the floor and cards scattered everywhere.

The hidden Darkrai and Latios appeared beside Tobias to comfort him.

Natsume rubbed his chin.

Why does this strange sense of déjà vu feel so familiar…?

Never mind, playing cards really is fun!

Natsume beamed, looking down as he sorted through his [Never Even] deck, a little regretful.

The so-called [Never Even] build was a pure hero deck built from seven different types of ‘Eevee V’—like Flareon, Glaceon, etc.

But Tobias hadn’t even lasted long enough for Natsume to summon out [Single Strike Urshifu VMAX].

Natsume sighed softly.

He’d wanted to try the “Gigantamax One-Hit KO.”

With damage as high as 270, and [Darkrai GX] only having 180 HP, plus double weakness, that’s 540 explosive damage. Tobias would have to owe me two lives!

“All right, don’t be so glum. Here’s your Champion bonus.”

Natsume handed Tobias a rainbow-colored card.

“This is…” Tobias looked up, eyes trembling. “A globally-limited UR card, Master Ball!?”

On the card was a purple-and-pink Master Ball with the letter M, the surface shining with rainbow light.

Natsume couldn’t afford a real Master Ball as a prize, but printing a few custom cards was no problem.

Tobias thanked him sincerely, bowed, then spun his cape and left with his “guardian spirits” Darkrai and Latios.

Natsume watched his back, lost in thought.

Even though Tobias’ character prototype is the actual PTCG World Championship Champion…

Now that I’ve invented the tcg in this world, has the timeline just looped back?

“Come out, Togepi.”

Natsume called toward the empty sofa, saying, “Tobias is gone—let’s head back to the shop too.”

The little eggshell tottered out from behind the sofa on its tiny feet.

“Togepi doo-ee~ヽ(￣▽￣)ノ”

Natsume gave a small nod.

If Tobias can bring his “guardian spirit” Darkrai, then I can surely bring a Togepi to play cards with me—makes perfect sense!

……

The two-day PTCG World Championship concluded.

The central plaza amusement area began to pack up, but citizens and contestants were still talking all about it.

For ordinary citizens, a fun, high-spectacle event was more than welcome.

Contestants made new friends and left smiling, having bonded over their cards and games.

Devon, Silph Co., and other corporations were amazed by the holo caster’s projected images.

Using just cards, you could simulate Pokémon battle scenes—part entertainment, part show, part true tournament.

Pokémon Company and the self-made Natsume were dubbed “industry benchmarks” and rightly so!

Thanks to the World Championship,

PTCG fever surged once more, making waves in Trainer academies throughout various regions.

“At last, I finally made some money~” Green giggled behind her hand.

“I also caught a bunch of new Kalos-region Pokémon.”

Crystal, hand on her luggage, smiled. “Once I finish collecting the research data, I’ll let them go.”

Silver, head down, silently scrolled through the holo caster.

“Hey, hey, you didn’t swipe that from somewhere again, did you?” Gold eyed him skeptically.

Silver shot Gold a glare, then turned to Green: “Natsume-sensei’s café is right on Southern Street—we can stop by and visit him and Professor Sycamore.”

“Score free meals!” Green snapped her fingers.

Crystal hesitated. “Dropping in so suddenly—are you sure it’s okay?”

“It’s fine,” Green smiled. “Besides, Natsume-sensei holds a grudge against Gold, not us!”

Gold heaved his pool cue onto his shoulder and spread his hand, a question mark on his forehead.

A red beam shot from a Poké Ball, and Togebo furiously scratched at Gold with its wings.

“Togebo!! (╬◣д◢)”

Hurry up, I want to see my little sister!

“Ahem… All right then, let’s go!”

……

Central plaza, Prism Tower.

Oleana was wrapping up the final handover work, politely saying, “Thank you again for leasing us Prism Tower.”

“No trouble at all~” Clemont scratched his head. “With Clembot here, gym challenges can keep going as usual, haha.”

“Miss Oleana!”

Bonnie’s eyes sparkled, and she dropped to one knee and stretched out her small hand. “If you don’t mind, please take my brother away.”

Oleana, folder in hand, shot her a puzzled look.

“Bonnie!”

Clemont’s face turned bright red. Mechanical arms popped from his backpack, grabbed Bonnie by the collar, and dragged her off.

Oleana then turned another questioning glance to her boss.

“Just a tradition, really.”

Natsume nodded. “There’s also a man who can always spot Jenny and Joy—his story is truly touching.”

Ash looked around and said, “Natsume-sensei, has Tobias left already?”

“Yeah, off to keep training and get even stronger.”

“Right, Pikachu and I are setting out too! Time to earn our first badge—a Bug-type Badge!”

“Pikachu~!”

Looking into the boy’s fiery gaze,

Natsume fell silent.

Ash was about to embark on his Kalos gym challenge…

Speaking of which, I should start asking around about the Pixie Plate.

If I get a head start before Ash pushes the main storyline, maybe I can avoid running into that Yveltal–Xerneas awakening mess.

“Better go home and check on the little ones’ strength levels… Sort out a power ranking.”

Natsume mused, “And I’ll need to pick Blastoise’s Revival Herb, stock up on Berries, and get ready for an adventure!”

The Pixie Plate brought to mind Kalos’s Fairy-type expert, Valerie.

She’s the Region’s Fairy-type leader, and moonlights as a fashion designer—Natsume met her once before.

And the missing badge from the Kalos badge case just happens to be the Fairy badge...

A chill ran up Natsume’s back. His expression turned heavy.

Better proceed with caution!

……

Assistant Oleana returned to the Saffron City HQ to resume her management duties.

That afternoon, Natsume headed back to the café to slack off and prepare to hire new employees.

Cynthia’s butler, Jervis, had recommended a cast of reliable Pokémon employees—including “store butler” Indeedee, “pastry chef” Alcremie, and “attendant” Meowstic.

These Pokémon had assimilated into human society, all working and supporting themselves as individuals.

Attempting to throw a Poké Ball at any such Pokémon would cause alarm; if the data registered at the Pokédex or Pokémon Center, Officer Jenny would swoop in to arrest the criminal.

Natsume knew he couldn’t always be at the café.

With this new staff—plus Delibird handling deliveries—life would get much easier.

The interviews were scheduled for this afternoon.

With these new employees, and perhaps adding a Farfetch’d (normal form) or a Mr. Mime as sous chefs, the café could officially open for business!

Natsume had considered hiring humans as well.

But with all the “special” connections in his shop, Pokémon hires were just simpler.

No matter the species—even a Muk or Trubbish—if you form a bond, you’ll always get a response.

“How do I interview Alcremie…? Do I taste some of her cream?” Natsume mused.

Pondering this, he pedaled his Rotom Bike back to Southern Street.

There, four oddly dressed people standing by the door caught his eye.

“Hey!”

Cap-wearing young man waved and grinned, “Natsume-sensei, we’ve come to see you.”

Wham!

A red beam shot from a Poké Ball. Togekiss glided over to Natsume and chuckled.

“Togekiss~”

I’m here to see my little sister!

“Go play with your brother, Togepi.”

Natsume stifled a laugh. “Be back for dinner though.”

“Togepi doo-ee~”

Togepi nodded smartly from its spot on a paving stone, then waved to Togekiss:

“Doo-ii! (o^▽^ )o”

“Togekiss~(′▽`〃)”

Togekiss carried Togepi, levitating through the air toward the streets of Lumiose City.

Gold muttered, “That looks like they’re heading for the arcade…”

Natsume: !?

How dare they corrupt Togepi!?

…Wait, I love arcade games too. Never mind.

“Togepi and Togebo get along as well as ever.” Green laughed.

“Come inside first. Oh, Green, keep an eye on Ditto—it might get nervous.”

Green cocked her head; the Ditto in her arms suddenly trembled like jelly.

“Ditto…” Ditto shivered anxiously.

A terribly powerful Aura is scanning me!

“Do you have a projector for Hoenn radio in the shop?” Silver asked.

“Of course! I’m a diehard tokusatsu fan.” Natsume smiled.

Silver nodded lightly, a glimmer in his eyes.

Inside the shop.

Sirfetch’d, the shopwatcher, stood at attention with leek and shield, startled awake.

“Sirfetch’d…” His eyes squinted to slits, V-shaped brows furrowed, exuding an impressive sharp aura.

Then his head dropped, and he wandered back into a nap.

Natsume: “……”

Clearly, letting Sirfetch’d or the big dog handle the shop is a bad idea.

Only Blastoise is truly reliable!

“So pretty…” Crystal whispered, gazing at the furnishings.

White wood tables, flaxen tablecloths, lush potted ivy—simple, warm, elegant style.

“This is just the standard layout. On holidays—like Halloween or Christmas—it gets all dressed up.”

“Why not have a pool table?”

Gold brandished his pool cue, miming a square on the table.

A lightbulb moment for Natsume.

Almost forgot to make some spicy curry for Gold!

The summer’s heat was cut by ice-cold “Pachirisu Sparkling Levitate” sodas Gengar delivered on a tray.

“Gengar” (Please enjoy)

Gengar set down the drinks steadily, grinned adorably, and held out his hand.

How can a Gengar be so cute, so shell-shatteringly sweet!

All four had the same thought.

Thin lemon slices fizzed in the icy sodas; cubes floated, bubbles popped.

Dessert was “Pikachu Parfait Pudding”—Pikachu-shaped pudding surrounded by a mound of berries.

“Photo time, I need a photo!” Green’s eyes sparkled.

Even Silver, normally stoic, looked a bit moved.

“These must be expensive, Natsume-sensei…” Crystal whispered.

“Not at all!” Natsume smiled. “Just put it on Gold’s tab.”

Gold: “Cough, cough!”

While chatting, Natsume learned Silver planned to visit Professor Sycamore to ask about Gyarados’s mega evolution.

Gold was left out, as his team had no Pokémon with mega potential. Power creep left him in the dust.

Or maybe the new mega forms just haven’t been discovered yet.

Casually, Silver’s gaze dropped to the cupboard behind the bar; his stony face broke as he stiffened in shock.

Surely I’m not seeing things…

That’s a legendary item—DNA Splicers! Natsume-sensei just uses it as a crystal-ball display prop!?

Silver sneaked a look at the unbothered Natsume.

He was rattling off the names of berries growing in the courtyard:

“My next goal is collecting all eighteen types of resistance berries…”

Crystal’s mouth dropped open, dazed.

Isn’t Natsume-sensei supposed to be a “Strategist”?

Feels like he should be called “The Berry Guy” instead!

Silver, uninterested in berries, glanced out at the sunshine through the glass—and his pupils shrunk.

Planted in a flowerpot… the Rainbow Wing!?

Surely this will trigger Ho-Oh’s wrath, Natsume-sensei!

Yet the Rainbow Wing shone vividly, free of darkening…

Silver’s worldview shuddered and he shifted into deep silence.

……

At sunset.

After saying goodbye to the others and following his schedule,

Natsume interviewed the “shopkeeper butler” Indeedee from Jervis’s recommendations.

This was a female Indeedee—drooping brow, upturned lips, a more friendly air than the male.

Indeedee, known as the “Gratitude Pokémon,” draws energy from feelings of gratitude, and loves to help humans and Pokémon alike.

She specializes in the moves: Aromatherapy, After You, Expanding Force…

Expanding Force!?

Natsume jolted and, after adding her to his Rotom device, unlocked a system function dormant for half a year.

【Indeedee, Psychic + Normal Gender: ♀ Ability: Psychic Surge (Hidden) Moves: Expanding Force, Aromatherapy, Ally Switch, Helping Hand…】

“Indeedee?” Indeedee tilted her head lightly.

“Psychic Surge” is Indeedee’s hidden ability—summoning a Psychic Terrain.

The only other Pokémon with this ability is the Island Guardian Tapu Lele, proof of how rare and powerful it is!

In Psychic Terrain, Expanding Force’s power and range are magnified.

Natsume was impressed.

This employee can greet customers, clean, and throw out brutal damage.

Jervis really is a top-class butler, opening with an SSR-tier Pokémon hire!

“You’re hired!”

Natsume ushered forward the bashful, head-scratching Delibird. “I hope you and Delibird get along well.”

“Indeedee~” Indeedee smiled gently.

“Delibird!” Delibird’s eyes sparkled, and his mailbag seemed a little lighter.

Next to be interviewed was Meowstic, the “attendant.”

Also a female; Meowstic is a common sight at many cafés.

Her body’s mostly white, with soft ears, tail, and stands on two legs.

Using Confusion, Meowstic can snag a falling teacup and saucer—as well as the tea—without spilling a drop.

This attendant was stone-faced,

But once assured her colleagues like Gengar and Togepi would be friendly, she let a slight smile curve her lips, and nodded.

The third candidate was the “pastry chef” Alcremie.

Trimmed with strawberry candy, pink and white Alcremie stood shyly before the boss.

Natsume recalled that Jervis had said this Alcremie once worked at an old grandmother’s pastry shop.

After her shop owner left to enjoy retirement, Alcremie’s love of desserts led her to apply as a pastry chef.

Natsume stroked his chin, scrutinizing the “vanilla-cream” Alcremie.

Alcremie can produce fresh whipped cream—rumor has it, the happier an Alcremie is, the tastier and richer her cream.

Owning an Alcremie is every pastry chef’s dream: her sweet cream can garnish any berry.

Her signature move, “Decorate,” can greatly boost her teammates’ condition and flavor up ingredients.

And her cream is usually used for cakes—especially wedding cakes.

Since Alcremie doesn’t have much battle ability, in a pinch she throws calming cream at her enemies. Once the enemy’s full, they stop chasing Alcremie…

Poor little emergency ration…

Meeting her gaze as she looked ever more dejected, Natsume made his decision:

“You’re hired!”

Gengar eyed Alcremie, scratching his head.

Guess you can’t lick this one… Oh well!

“Gengar~(￣▽￣)／” Gengar reached out his hand.

Looking forward to working with you~!

The pink-and-white Alcremie mustered her courage, lifted her head, and bobbed it strongly. “Alcremie…”

“Sirfetch’d~”

Sirfetch’d eyed the whipped cream’s scent wafting from Alcremie, then eyed his leak.

Would a whipped-cream coated leek taste even better, duck?

Suddenly, realization struck Sirfetch’d.

“Sirfetch’d! Σ(っ°Д°;)っ”

Uh oh, duck!

When all the cream runs out, am I on the menu!?

“Maybe leek pancakes come first, though,” Natsume mused.

“Sirfetch’d! (′︿‵)”

Alcremie looked at the easygoing boss and the quipping Sirfetch’d, and somehow, her nerves melted away. She smiled softly.

“Alcremie~”

Alcremie exhaled, a sparkle in her gaze.

Starting tomorrow, I’ll make the best desserts I can~

Do your best! I know I can create the world’s greatest cake!