Pokémon: Chef Trainer

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"Hey, I told you many times, didn't I? Once you spread the batter, count a few seconds and then start adding the other ingredients. Why do you always cook it until it's burnt and smoking?" Heath stared at the Farfetch'd in front of him, feeling like his head was about to explode.

At first, Heath thought learning from Sister Rose was tough enough, but it turned out teaching Farfetch'd to cook was the real disaster movie.

Thanks to Farfetch'd, Heath was burning through ingredients at an alarming rate. If he hadn't already cleared his debts, Heath figured he'd be bankrupt by now.

"Hey, Heath, what are you up to? Teaching your Farfetch'd to cook?" A familiar voice interrupted. Heath looked up and saw a smiling man with perpetually closed eyes.

"Brock? Long time no see. Are you visiting Viridian City?" Heath tossed the burnt pancake into a bag full of Farfetch'd's failed experiments.

Meanwhile, Farfetch'd hugged its signature leek indignantly, looking like it was ready to jump back in and experiment again.

"Nah, no vacation for me. My old man's stepping down and wants me to take over as the Pewter City Gym Leader. I've been running myself ragged lately." Brock sighed, his perpetually squinting eyes giving him a relaxed look that belied his actual stress.

Heath chuckled, knowing full well Brock's eyes weren't closed; they were just naturally small. It reminded him of a certain singer from his past life.

Heath had always known Brock would eventually take over the Pewter City Gym, becoming a Rock-type Gym Leader. But during his travels with Ash, Brock had discovered his passion for becoming a Pokémon Breeder and later decided to become a Pokémon Doctor.

Heath couldn't help but suspect Brock's decision had something to do with his fondness for Nurse Joy.

"Wait a second… You have your own Pokémon now?" Brock suddenly froze, looking shocked.

"Only noticing now? I've paid off my parents' debts, so of course, I have Pokémon now." Heath grinned as he packed up his pancake stall.

Heath knew Brock's preferences well—pancakes weren't his kind of food.

"That's great! Such a happy occasion calls for celebration. How about you treat me to a plate of fried rice?" Brock teased, stroking his chin as he glanced at Heath's Farfetch'd. Brock had his own Pokémon, like Onix and Geodude. His father even caught a new one to help him take over the Gym.

"You must be dreaming. It's not even nighttime; stop fantasizing," Heath shot back, rolling his eyes. His experiences with debt had made him extra frugal.

In his past life, Heath would've been the type to go back and demand a penny if he was short-changed at the market.

That enormous debt had weighed on him like a mountain. If not for Officer Jenny's help, Heath might have joined Team Rocket just to escape his predicament.

"You're so stingy. Fine, just one plate of fried rice, then... By the way, now that you're debt-free, what are your plans for the future?" Brock asked, his tone playful as he handed over some coins for the fried rice.

Heath hesitated, taking out a pan. For a long time, he hadn't thought about the future. The debt had been his sole focus, forcing him to calculate every penny to buy ingredients and make repayments.

But now, the word "future" seemed to have meaning again.

"Maybe save up to open a restaurant?" Heath mused as he lit the stove and fetched some leftover rice from yesterday.

"Oh? Does that mean you can finally cook those dishes you've talked about—braised pork, yellow stewed chicken, spicy chicken?!" Brock's excitement was palpable.

Heath's cooking skills were undeniable, but his food stall setup meant Brock had only ever heard about those dishes without tasting them.

But just imagining their flavors, Brock's mouth watered. If Heath's simple fried rice was this good, what kind of heavenly flavors would those other dishes have?

"Of course." Heath expertly poured oil into the pan, waited for it to heat, and then poured in the beaten eggs mixed with salt.

The sizzling oil released a tantalizing aroma as the eggs cooked, filling the air with their rich scent. Passersby couldn't help but glance over.

Heath quickly scrambled the eggs before adding the rice. When everything was nearly ready, he cut a small piece of leek and tossed it in.

"Wait, is that… Farfetch'd's leek?" Brock asked, swallowing hard as the aroma became even more irresistible.

"Yup. Farfetch'd's leek is much better than regular ones. A sprinkle of this is worth ten bucks, don't you think?" Heath said with a sly smile as he stirred the fried rice.

"Ten bucks for a pinch of leek? You're ruthless… but fine! It's worth it!" Brock reluctantly handed over some coins, muttering under his breath about the cost.

"Thanks for your business~" Heath beamed as he handed Brock a steaming bowl of fried rice. He was curious what kind of reward Brock might offer for such a treat.

Before he could ponder further, Farfetch'd perked up, eager to try its hand again. Heath quickly stopped it. Farfetch'd had already wasted enough ingredients, and if it ruined this fried rice, Heath's restaurant dreams would be delayed indefinitely.

Brock, meanwhile, was contentedly savoring the fried rice. The generous portion was fragrant and flavorful, the combination of eggs, rice, and leeks creating an unforgettable taste.

One bite was enough to have Brock hooked, and he immediately went for another. The dish was so good that it even surpassed his mom's cooking.

"Maybe I should learn to cook. Whether I stay home or travel, it'd come in handy," Brock said, seriously considering the idea as he devoured the rice.

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