Chapter 69: Axel’s Culinary Skills

Luckily, Ash's Pikachu still didn't stand up in the end, otherwise Gary would have really called Officer Jenny.

The two of them snorted coldly, neither yielding to the other, both turning halfway around, facing in opposite directions.

Aunt Delia's gentle voice came from the window.

"You two are really the same as ever. Don't just stand there. I've put on your favorite cartoon, come in and sit down to wait for the meal."

"Okay!", Ash responded loudly, his gaze falling on Axel.

"Once my Pikachu recovers, shall we have a battle too?"

"Also, can you tell me some embarrassing stories about Gary in Aurient?"

"With that smug look of his, he must get taught lessons all the time, right?"

Gary's old face turned red.

If Ash had said this in front of others, Gary would have absolutely retaliated without hesitation.

But the one who actually bullied him was right here, he couldn't even make something up if he wanted.

"Well, nothing like what you're thinking happened. Gary was pretty great in Aurient, he's a somewhat well-known genius."

For the sake of his own Dratini, Axel told a small lie.

Anyway, the one who mistreated Gary was he, if he didn't talk, Ash wouldn't find out the truth no matter where he went.

Seeing that Axel hadn't revealed his embarrassing moments, the corners of Gary's mouth immediately lifted. He clenched his fists tightly, secretly pleased in his heart.

'As expected of my greatest rival,' Gary thought, 'he even knows how to save my face.'

'I, Gary Oak, must help you get the best Dratini!'

Axel chuckled and accepted Ash's challenge. The three of them headed toward the room together.

On the TV was a very popular anime in the Kanto region.

It was about a few trainers sailing across the ocean with their Pokémon, searching for Arceus's treasure.

They hadn't watched for long before they started arguing again.

Gary said the trainer Luffy with Ditto was the strongest. Ash said the trainer Zoro with Bisharp was the best.

After a short quarrel, their dispute quickly escalated into a real-life PK.

Axel helplessly picked up Smoliv and Pikachu, and sprayed some healing spray on them.

Pikachu immediately showed a cute smile and gently licked Axel's cheek.

Smoliv, like Gary, was a tsundere, turning its head away from Axel, but still secretly released a burst of sweet scent in his direction.

"You two cute little guys~", Axel patted the heads of the two Pokémon and released Duraludon as well, letting them all play together.

He then turned and headed for the kitchen, "Aunt Delia, is there anything you need help with? I can lend a hand."

"No need, Axel, I can handle it myself."

"It's okay, Aunt Delia. Two people working together is always more efficient."

Seeing Axel insist, Delia didn't refuse this time, "All right then, Axel, you're such a good boy."

Looking at the pile of work in the kitchen, Axel got busy with a huff and puff.

"Wow, Axel, you're amazing, you even got the moisture out of the abalone so easily."

"Oh, it's cleaned so well~"

"You sprayed too hard, got it all over Auntie... quickly turn down the faucet!"

"No no, don't waste that milk, it's fresh from this morning..."

———

Over an hour later, Axel and a flushed Delia let out a breath and opened the sealed kitchen door, bringing out the dishes they had made.

"Auntie, you're amazing, you're really good at cooking."

"Axel, you were great too, working for so long without getting tired. You must eat a lot later."

"Okay, Aunt Delia. I'll definitely enjoy your cooking," Axel smiled slightly.

"But we have to wait a bit, I still need to make something for the Pokémon to eat."

"You can make Pokémon food too? Then let me help you."

Aunt Delia set down the dishes and followed Axel back into the kitchen.

"Wow, this is so hard, how can they eat it, won't it get stuck?"

"It's fine, this is for Steel-type Pokémon, their teeth are strong."

"Hmm~ this tingling feeling, what's going on?"

"Aunt Delia, quickly let go of that sausage, that's for Pikachu... it has some electric energy inside."

"What's this? It smells so strong~ I accidentally got it on my face."

"That's animal cream... it's for making soufflé. Gardevoir and Pheromosa both love it..."

———

After eating and drinking their fill, Axel lay comfortably on the sofa.

The Pokémon present were devouring their food wildly.

Aside from Gardevoir and Pheromosa who sat by Axel eating some human food, Duraludon and the Pokémon of Ash and Gary were all fighting over the food like crazy.

As Pokémon, it was really hard for them to resist Axel's culinary skills, enhanced by skill entries.

Even the soufflé specifically made for Gardevoir and Pheromosa was mostly snatched away.

In the middle, Pikachu even used Charm on Axel and Delia at least ten times.

Aunt Delia surrendered every time, dragging Axel back into the kitchen...

Fortunately, Ash and Gary's Pokémon were still relatively small. Ash hadn't caught Snorlax yet.

After resting for a while, it was around four o'clock, and the harshest sun had gone down.

Gary stood up and said goodbye, hugging his Pokémon and heading to the Oak Research Institute, agreeing to meet Axel tomorrow.

Ash impatiently picked up Pikachu, looking at Axel with a gaze full of battle spirit.

"Um... although Pikachu just ate your food, I still want to challenge you."

"From what Gary said, your strength is really impressive!"

Axel smiled slightly and nodded without hesitation.

Ash and Pikachu both had two Supreme entries and two Golden entries, clearly plot-critical characters guaranteed to advance.

Even if Ash didn't challenge him, Axel would find a way to battle him a few times.

Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to sleep well after returning to Aurient.

Since there was no air conditioner outside, and no one else in the courtyard, Aunt Delia simply took off her pink shirt, revealing the white underlayer beneath.

Standing in the middle of the courtyard, she took on the role of referee for the two.

"Axel, Ash, be careful when you fight."

"Okay, Auntie, I'll go easy!"

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