Chapter 4 - When Will the Second Pokémon Appear?

All afternoon, under Yuri's watchful eye, I-chan trained hard practicing the strength and control of Iron Tail, as well as combining it with Quick Attack.

Although this small patch of forest took quite a beating from the bursts of Quick Attack and Iron Tail, Yuri carefully managed the damage. Aside from a few broken branches and some shredded grass, no major harm was done.

They even shared some Poké Puffs with the nearby Pokémon and gave a few relaxing massages. With that, peace was quickly restored.

It wasn't until dinnertime that Yuri finally called a halt to I-chan's training. Thankfully, the Rotom Phone allowed for some basic data analysis, which made training more efficient.

Kneeling down to scoop up a somewhat tired I-chan, Yuri returned to her tent and found Yuri snapping selfies with Sobble, something round and apple-shaped cradled in her arms.

"Dinner's about ready."

"Really?! That's great! I'm starving..."

"Yaah... (Ugh...)"

Still shy, Sobble slipped up Yuri's arm and nestled behind her collar as soon as it spotted Yuri, trying to hide itself.

"Chii chii-(Who's that?)"

"..."

Yuri blinked, her gaze meeting the big, round eyes of what appeared to be a giant apple in Yuri's arms. Then she looked at Yuri's completely oblivious expression and sighed.

"That little one... where'd you find it?"

"Oh, you mean this? I picked it up under a tree earlier! I thought I found a huge apple, but it turned out to be a Pokémon."

"...Picked it up, really."

Yuri glanced over again. She recognized the little creature Applin, a Grass/Dragon-type Pokémon. They're born nestled inside apples, with only their tails and eyes showing. They're incredibly cute in appearance.

"Are you planning to keep it? Its evolution varies by form, but either way it ends up with solid Attack or Special Attack stats. And being Dragon-type, it can learn a lot of powerful moves."

"Oooh! Really? You're that strong, little guy?"

"Chii chii? (Am I really that strong?)"

Applin seemed just as surprised by its potential, cheerfully snuggling deeper into Yuri's arms.

"..."

Yuri didn't press the issue further. She turned to prep the cookware, lighting the fire and setting up the rice. While the pot began to simmer, she cast a glance toward Yuri, who was all smiles with Applin and Sobble cuddled in her lap.

"By the way, I never asked what's your goal in Motostoke City?"

"Oh, I'm heading there to enter the annual Gym Challenge!"

Yuri raised her hand energetically, radiating her usual optimism so much so that Yuri was momentarily at a loss for words.

"You got a recommendation letter... let me guess, from the Champion?"

"Yep! Leon gave it to me after Hop asked him to watch one of our battles."

"I see. Well, I'm heading to Motostoke too. I'll take you with me."

Yuri sighed. She really couldn't feel at ease letting this kid wander the Wild Area alone. Besides, she had to go register anyway, so taking Yuri along didn't require a detour.

"Really?! Thanks a ton!"

"It's no big deal. I just don't want you getting yourself into trouble."

While stirring the curry in the pot, Yuri spoke without turning around. Her Umbreon, lounging nearby, lifted its head and let out a soft chirp.

"Yii yii-(Yuri's blushing~?)"

"Enough out of you. Rest means rest if you can't speak properly, don't speak at all."

A faint blush rose on Yuri's face. What had been a casual statement now felt oddly embarrassing under her Pokémon's teasing.

"Yii~ (Sure, sure~)"

...

With dinner ready and the portions divided like they had been at lunch, everyone was about to dig in when I-chan suddenly fixed its gaze on the bushes behind Yuri.

"Yii (Want to join us?)"

"Huh?"

Yuri blinked in confusion, realizing I-chan wasn't talking to her. She turned around and spotted a green head with a red horn-like spike peeking out from the tall grass.

"La...Lulu... (M-May I?)"

It was a young Ralts.

Ralts were known to appear in this area; Yuri had seen them before. She'd never caught one, though partly because she was still getting used to being a trainer and taking care of I-chan alone was already challenging enough. Another reason was Ralts' innate ability to sense human emotions. Yuri never saw herself as cheerful or pure-hearted enough to appeal to one.

"Wahhh! So cute! Rotom, Rotom! Quick, take a picture!"

Ignoring Yuri's camera frenzy, Yuri crouched down and offered the Ralts a gentle smile.

"Of course. I made plenty. Do you like sweet curry?"

"Ra...Lulu... (U-Um...)"

The little Ralts flinched, clearly shy, shrinking back into the grass at the sound of Yuri's voice.

Not minding in the least, Yuri scooped a portion of curry into a bowl, carried it over, and crouched nearby. She placed the dish a comfortable distance away and tapped the spoon gently against the rim of the plate.

"Do you know how to use a spoon? I-chan, show it how."

"Yii? (You're making me demo that too?)"

Despite the protest, I-chan obediently used psychic power to float the spoon, scoop some curry, and bring it to its mouth right in front of Ralts.

"La...Lulu~ (I understand now. Thank you...)"

Yuri backed off, giving the timid Pokémon space, and returned to her seat beside Yuri to eat her own dinner.

"Hey, hey! Yuri-chan! That's a Ralts! A real Ralts! How can you stay so calm?!"

"..."

Jostled left and right as Yuri clung to her shoulders, Yuri nearly spilled her plate. She rolled her eyes and pushed Yuri's face away.

"Calm down and eat. The longer you stay in the Wild Area, the more Pokémon you'll see. I've even spotted Dragapult and Goodra before."

...A bit of a bluff, actually. She'd only seen their unevolved forms. She hadn't really seen the fully evolved pseudo-legendaries in person.

"Whoa! You sound so pro!"

"...Just eat."

Yuri let out a long sigh. Maybe this is what it feels like to look after a true rookie...

Her own portion wasn't large girls usually didn't eat much, and even I-chan could eat more than she did. Soon finished, she placed her empty plate on the makeshift table and glanced over at Ralts.

The little Pokémon was still carefully battling with the spoon. Not used to fine-tuned psychic manipulation, it had to hold the spoon with its hands and use a bit of psychic power to guide it into its mouth.

Watching the four Pokémon gathered and eating together, Yuri couldn't help but smile.

Maybe... it's time to add a new teammate.

I-chan had grown to the point where strength came more from time and experience than just training. And she herself had learned how to properly care for and guide Pokémon.

Perhaps after this, she could swing by Sonia's place and try a bit of fishing? That pretty scale she picked up earlier was still unused...