Chapter 179: The Tavern's First Customer
Chapter 179: The Tavern's First Customer
Today's plans were derailed by the sudden arrival of the Nine-Tailed Fox, and Naoki glanced at the time, realizing he might not make it to the fishing competition after all.
So he first used a video call to inform Mayor Thomas that he wouldn't be able to attend, before turning his attention to the Nine-Tailed Fox.
The Nine-Tailed Fox lifted its four paws and padded inside, its nine fluffy, golden tails swaying gently behind it, looking ethereal and dreamlike.
Moto Lizard, Gulpin, Salamence, and Creampuff followed curiously, gathering around the mysterious Pokemon.
"Is there something I need to do?" the Nine-Tailed Fox asked.
Based on its understanding, places like this human-run restaurant, tavern, or cafe usually required payment.
Money...
It didn't seem to have any.
This made the Nine-Tailed Fox feel a bit embarrassed, and it started thinking about how it could earn some money.
Naoki understood the Pokemon's concern.
Originally, he hadn't planned on charging any fees for the tavern.
Of course, if the Pokemon wanted to pay, he would gladly accept—whether it was a Pokeblock, an ordinary stone, or even a flower, he would be appreciative.
From the illusion the Nine-Tailed Fox had just displayed, Naoki could tell it was incredibly powerful.
Since it could communicate through telepathy, he wouldn't need to eat the translation nut.
Naoki thought for a moment, then said considerately, "There's no need. You just need to wait a moment."
The Nine-Tailed Fox relaxed, its tension melting away, and it nodded gently. "Thank you."
Hearing this, Naoki didn't say more but turned to start gathering ingredients from the fridge.
The dessert he was making required Creampuff's whipped cream, as well as cake, Pokeblocks, and other ingredients.
Fortunately, he hadn't made a cake in a while, so the fridge was well-stocked with ingredients.
After placing the necessary items on the kitchen counter, Naoki turned back and saw the Nine-Tailed Fox sitting patiently on the ground, waiting.
Watching this, Naoki couldn't help but think to himself, "It's quite fitting for the tavern's style of business."
He began to imagine the tavern in operation.
The kitchen counter became a bar, a red carpet lay over the wooden floorboards by the entrance, a roaring fire blazed in the fireplace, and the room was warm and inviting. Several wild Pokemon filled the tavern, drinking and creating a lively atmosphere.
And he, dressed as a bartender in a vest, white shirt, and sleeves rolled up, polished glasses while observing the bustling scene before him.
It was a typical medieval tavern, but with Pokemon, it didn't feel out of place.
Realizing he had a task at hand, Naoki focused his attention and began to seriously prepare the dish.
Time passed slowly, and the Nine-Tailed Fox waited patiently, its eyes fixed on the busy human. Its mind drifted to the recent memory of the Teddiursa and Mew that had found it.
They had called themselves the "Adventuring Heroes," saying they were traveling the world and asking why it was sad.
Upon learning the reason, the two Pokemon had looked distressed but admitted they didn't know how to help, sadly turning to leave.
The Nine-Tailed Fox had watched their figures disappear, intending to return to its slumber, but a few days later, the two Pokemon suddenly reappeared.
Excitedly, they spoke of a magical Pokemon tavern across the distant sea.
They described a wonderful human who lived there, one with the incredible ability to help Pokemon fulfill their various wishes.
The Nine-Tailed Fox still remembered the expression on the Teddiursa's face as it spoke.
With enthusiasm and urgency, it had said, "Naoki can help you! Go find him!"
And so, it had come.
To see the face of a dear friend one more time, to hear her voice, the Nine-Tailed Fox, who usually avoided the sea, had crossed mountains and oceans to reach the other side of the sea, to find this magical little tavern.
Naoki called over Creampuff and asked it to make fresh caramel whipped cream, which he then evenly spread over the cake base.
With his movements, a sweet-smelling cream cake began to take shape.
When he had first made this cake, his kitchen utensils were lacking, so the cake had turned out very rudimentary.
Now, with all the necessary tools and ingredients, the cake looked much more appealing.
The final step was to cut the Pokeblocks into pieces and decorate the cake.
"Done!"
Naoki looked down, and information about the brand-new cream cake immediately appeared in his mind.
[Cream Fruit Cake (Caramel Flavor)
(B)
: A fruit cake made with Creampuff's hand-whipped cream. The delicious cream and beautiful appearance make it even more attractive.]
Not only that, but the cooking effect had also increased from level 1 to level 2, and the description now included the phrase "blessed by the Sweet Dream Spirit."
Sweet Dream Spirit... Naoki's mind conjured an image of a beautiful figure, akin to a fairy, draped in pink gossamer.
It was Cresselia, the embodiment of the Sweet Dream Spirit, the personification of the new moon, and the counterpart to Darkrai.
There was a legend in the city that spoke of Cresselia's feathers. It was said that if you slept with one of her feathers, you would be protected from nightmares and blessed with sweet dreams.
Based on the description, Naoki couldn't pinpoint exactly what the level 2 effect of 'Sweet Dream' entailed beyond what was already described.
After a moment's thought, he picked up the cake and cut a small piece, placing it in front of the Nine-Tailed Fox.
The Nine-Tailed Fox paused, its crimson eyes filled with confusion, as the aroma wafting from the cake reached its nose.
"Want to give it a try?" Naoki suggested.
The Nine-Tailed Fox wasn't feeling hungry. "I just want to see her," it said, expressing its lack of interest in food.
"Eat this, and you will see her," Naoki assured, knowing it would be in dream form.
Hearing this, the Nine-Tailed Fox remained silent.
It lowered its head slightly, its expression filled with doubt, but it decided to give in to the human's suggestion and ate the cake in front of it, more out of curiosity than anything else.
"Get some rest now!" Naoki said, a bit disappointed that the cake didn't have a sleep-inducing effect, and that he would have to wait for the Pokemon to fall asleep naturally for the cake to take effect.
The Nine-Tailed Fox froze for a moment.
Suddenly, it recalled the question Naoki had asked earlier.
"You just want to see her, no matter the way?"
In that instant, the Nine-Tailed Fox realized what that 'way' was.
As expected, Naoki's next words confirmed its suspicion.
"This cake will let you dream, and in that dream, you will see the one you wish to meet."
The Nine-Tailed Fox fell silent.
Dreaming, huh? That didn't sound like a bad idea.
"You can sleep right here. Don't worry, it's safe," Naoki assured.
"Thank you," the Nine-Tailed Fox replied gratefully.
It turned and walked outside, its eyes gazing into the distance. Then, with flames trailing behind it, it ran to a tree and lowered its body to the ground, closing its eyes to sleep.
The Nine-Tailed Fox thought it would have trouble sleeping, but as it listened to the murmurs of the Pokemon in the distance and felt the rhythm of the wind, a wave of drowsiness suddenly washed over it.
When it opened its eyes again, it was astonished to find itself in a familiar, ancient mansion from a distant era of over 1500 years ago.
Looking around, the Nine-Tailed Fox saw that everything was just as it remembered, with no changes at all from its impressions.
A long-dormant emotion stirred within it, like a clear drop of water falling onto a dusty floor.
A hint of anticipation surfaced in the Nine-Tailed Fox's heart.
Just then, the door to the house opened, and a girl in a kimono and wooden clogs walked out with a gentle smile on her face.
"So, you ran off to this place, huh?" the girl, Ryoko, said softly. "Isn't it too sunny here? Come, let's rest in the shade."
Ryoko picked up the Nine-Tailed Fox and walked to a large tree in the yard, sitting down in its shade to read a book.
The Nine-Tailed Fox didn't pay attention to the fact that it had inexplicably regressed to having six tails. It curled up in the girl's embrace, a long-forgotten name surfacing in its mind.
Ryoko...
How long had it been since it had last heard that name? The Nine-Tailed Fox couldn't remember.
The afternoon sun bathed the yard in warm light as the girl sat under the tree, reading. The Nine-Tailed Fox quietly kept her company.
Was this a dream?
But why did it feel so real? It could even smell the grass and trees around it.
The thought flitted through the Nine-Tailed Fox's mind, but it didn't dwell on it. Instead, it stood up and jumped onto the girl's lap.
Understanding its intention, Ryoko smiled and grabbed the Nine-Tailed Fox's two front paws, placing it on her thigh. She gently scratched its nose and said, "You little rascal! Okay, rest here."
The Nine-Tailed Fox didn't want to sleep.
But Ryoko frowned, concerned. "Can't sleep?"
Finally, the girl smiled softly, "That's more like it! Good boy, Little Six!"
But at that moment, she noticed something amiss, "Hmm? Why are you crying all of a sudden?"
"Waaah!"
The Nine-Tailed Fox quickly blinked, pretending that something had gotten into its eye.
"Did something get into your eye? Let me blow it away for you!" The girl leaned forward and blew gently on its face, "There, all gone. Now you can sleep without worries!"
The Nine-Tailed Fox nodded gently, then closed its eyes and curled up on the girl's lap, quietly savoring the warmth of the moment.
Even years later, it would still remember this afternoon, this heartwarming moment that made it feel so content.
On the ranch, Naoki had been observing the Nine-Tailed Fox's situation through the bubble above its head.
He noticed that when the Nine-Tailed Fox shed tears in its dream, a single tear also rolled down its cheek in reality.
Several Pokemon gathered around, witnessing the Nine-Tailed Fox's dream as well.
Moto Lizard's face fell, and it let out a sorrowful "Gaoh..." (So sad...)
Naoki still had some sunflower seeds left from his breakfast, so he naturally understood what Moto Lizard was saying.
As companions who had lived together for a long time, even without explanation, Naoki understood Moto Lizard's sentiment.
"Indeed, but there's nothing we can do about it," he said.
"Ah Gas?" (What do you mean?)
Seeing the curious looks on the Pokemon's faces, Naoki continued,
"Different species naturally have different lifespans. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are all part of life. Everything in this world will eventually face the same fate, it's just a matter of time."
Aerodactyl quickly asked, "Awoo? (Will there be a day when Naoki dies too?)
"
Upon hearing Aerodactyl's question, the group of Pokemon lowered their heads in unison, their expressions filled with concern.
"Gaoh..." (I don't want Naoki to die...)
Golurk's face was etched with fear. Although it had come from the future, it wasn't from a distant one.
It couldn't bear to imagine that day...
As far as it knew, humans were fragile and their lives fleeting. Some lived only a few years or decades, and only a select few reached a ripe old age.
What if Naoki had a short lifespan too? What if he died tomorrow? Golurk's anxiety grew as it thought about it. Finally, it blurted out, "Ah Gas?! (Naoki, how long do you have left? Please don't tell me it's only a few years or so...)
"
Naoki facepalmed, exasperated, "Who's cursing me to die so soon?!"
Realizing he had spoken too hastily, Golurk covered its mouth with its hands.
Naoki understood their worries; witnessing the Nine-Tailed Fox's dream had stirred up their emotions.
After a moment's thought, he declared with determination, "Don't worry, even for your sakes, I'll strive to live to be 200 years old!"
Aerodactyl, ever the inquisitive one, pressed further, "Awoo? (And what about after 200 years?)
"
The rest of the Pokemon were equally curious and looked at Naoki with anticipation.
Naoki coughed lightly and began, "Maybe I'll become a Pokemon then. I once heard someone say that some Pokemon are humans who have transformed after death. Have you guys ever heard of a Pokemon called Gengar?"
He recalled a Pokemon short animation he had watched in his previous life. There was an episode titled, "Did I Turn into a Gengar?"
In that episode, the female protagonist had turned into a Gengar during her time at school, and with the help of another Gengar, she overcame her social anxiety.
Later, keen-eyed viewers noticed that the Gengar who helped her might have been her sister.
Hints like the Gengar's smile, the phone strap, and other subtle clues pointed to this possibility.
This led to speculations that Gengar could be humans who had transformed after death.
While this was just an urban legend with no substantial evidence, in this world, anything was possible.
"So, as long as you remember me and don't stop thinking about me, a miracle might happen. If I ever become a Gengar, no matter where you are, I will find you."
Naoki smiled as he reached out and patted the heads of the Pokemon in front of him one by one, "By then, don't you dare not recognize me!"
After all, his ability to cross over to this world was already a miracle in itself.
Although his words lacked logic, the pure and innocent Pokemon believed him.
They vowed to themselves, no matter what form Naoki took, they would always recognize him!
(End of Chapter)
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