Chapter 161

Chapter 161: Chapter 161

The group reappeared on the island.

"Holy hell..."

Manryo shoved his breathing mask up and sucked in a deep breath.

"That was close."

Mike immediately collapsed onto his back and pushed his own mask away.

"The ocean is way too dangerous..."

"Dangerous, yes."

Manryo was still breathing heavily, but a grin had already begun forming.

"Still pretty exciting, though."

Mike stared at the sky.

"After all this, if anyone calls me lazy about The Wide World of Pokémon again, I’m fighting them!"

He reached toward Glameow, intending to pull her into his arms for comfort.

Glameow gracefully hopped away.

She looked at Mike’s wet, sandy, filthy body with open disgust.

"Meow."

Mike looked down at himself.

Saltwater.

Mud.

Sand.

He sighed.

"Fair."

He stood and began removing the diving gear.

"Come on. Let’s clean up and get lunch."

Manryo nodded and followed him back toward the yacht.

...

Lunch was being handled by the yacht’s chef, which meant Mike had no cooking responsibilities for once.

After washing up, he sat beneath a tree on the island and reviewed the footage he had collected.

Manryo sat nearby with Sylveon in his lap, slowly stroking her fur.

"Finished filming?"

Mike didn’t even look up from the camera.

"Not even close."

He scrolled through several clips.

"At this pace, we’re probably staying here for at least two days."

Manryo looked genuinely surprised.

"That long?"

"What did you expect?"

Mike finally looked up.

"The Wide World of Pokémon isn’t just supposed to show people what a Pokémon looks like. I want viewers to understand how they live, how they evolve, how they behave, what their habits are, and what makes them dangerous."

"That means I need longer and more detailed footage of every species I use."

Manryo nodded slowly.

"No wonder every episode takes you so long."

"It’s not actually the filming itself that causes the biggest delays."

Mike closed the camera.

"The real problem is evolutionary lines. I still have a lot of usable footage from species I filmed months ago, but I haven’t released it because I’m missing part of their evolution line or because I don’t yet have enough species representing that particular type to build the episode I want."

He put the camera away, then looked toward the Sylveon in Manryo’s arms.

Mike’s eyes softened.

’No wonder Sylveon is practically the poster child for Eeveelutions.’

’They’re way too cute.’

He suddenly wanted to pet her!

For some reason, the back of his neck also felt slightly itchy.

"You have a Sylveon too?"

Mike couldn’t hide the envy in his voice.

If only his Glameow were that obedient.

Manryo smiled.

"Cute, isn’t she?"

He gently scratched Sylveon beneath the chin.

"No matter how exhausting work gets, coming home and seeing my Pokémon always improves my mood."

"You probably can’t imagine how relaxing it is to finish work, sit on the sofa with Sylveon in my lap, and watch one of your videos."

He paused.

"Unfortunately, I only have three Pokémon these days—Gimmighoul, Gardevoir, and Sylveon."

Mike looked surprised.

"Why not raise more? With your resources, finding rare Pokémon shouldn’t exactly be difficult."

Manryo’s smile faded slightly.

"I don’t really have the desire anymore."

Mike looked toward him.

"I’ve been working for too long."

Manryo’s voice became quieter.

"When I was younger, meeting a new Pokémon felt exciting. But school became demanding, and after graduation I had to take over the family company."

"One responsibility became another, and before I realized it, years had passed."

He looked down at Sylveon.

"Recently, I finally had enough time to consider raising another Pokémon. But when I actually thought about doing it, I realized the feeling wasn’t there anymore."

"Maybe that’s the best way to describe it."

Manryo shook his head.

"Some of the passion I used to have for Pokémon was slowly replaced by studying and work. Whatever remained was already completely claimed by Gimmighoul, Gardevoir, and Sylveon."

He lifted Sylveon slightly and smiled at her.

"But I suppose that’s enough."

"At least I still have them."

Mike watched him pick up the fully grown Sylveon without his arms trembling even slightly.

His eyelid twitched.

’Damn.’

’Strong guy.’

Still, Manryo’s words left Mike feeling somewhat regretful for him.

It was obvious that he had genuinely loved Pokémon when he was younger, and judging from Sylveon alone, he had always treated his partners extremely well.

But years of relentless schoolwork followed by even more relentless work had worn away that youthful excitement toward meeting and raising new Pokémon.

Then Manryo spoke again.

"But I really enjoy your videos."

Mike looked toward him.

"They remind me of how I used to play with Gimmighoul and the others."

Manryo smiled faintly at the memory.

"When I was little, my family didn’t really allow me to play with other children. So whenever nobody was watching, Gimmighoul, Eevee, and Ralts would sneak into the house and play with me."

"In a childhood that mostly consisted of studying, they gave me something I didn’t get anywhere else."

"Back then, whenever we managed to steal a little free time, we fooled around exactly the way you and your Pokémon do."

Gardevoir stood nearby, watching Manryo with gentle eyes.

Gimmighoul appeared on his shoulder.

Sylveon relaxed completely in his arms and began purring.

Above them, Glameow had been lying along a tree branch.

She glanced down at Sylveon’s exposed belly and some of the hostility in her eyes immediately disappeared.

Glameow calmly began licking her paw.

’Oh.’

’He’s male.’

"Meow."

Mike looked up.

Glameow jumped from the branch.

He smiled and opened his arms, catching her against his chest.

"Hungry?"

Glameow shook her head.

Her tail naturally curled around Mike’s wrist.

Mike stroked her head.

Suddenly, he didn’t envy Manryo anymore.

He already had everything he needed!

Manryo sighed.

"To be honest, I haven’t properly relaxed in a long time."

He leaned back against the tree.

"Work is exhausting."

"I really want to retire."

Mike stared at him.

"Are you Lucian too?"

Manryo blinked.

"What?"

"Nothing."

Mike shook his head.

"I was just thinking Lucian probably says exactly the same thing every day."

"Elite Four Lucian?"

Manryo laughed.

"Compared with him, I think my life is still pretty good. At least when I decide to take time off, nobody can suddenly order me back to the office."

He smiled.

"Lucian can get dragged back to work during his own vacation. Poor guy."

Mike’s expression changed.

"Great. I recorded that."

Manryo: "?!!"

Mike pulled out his phone.

"I’m sending it to the group."

"You really have no shame!"

"Absolutely!"

Mike grinned.

"Thanks for the compliment."

Manryo: "..."

...

Lunch consisted of fresh seafood the yacht crew had caught themselves.

Mike cracked open a lobster, carefully tore the meat into small pieces, and arranged them on a plate before setting it in front of Glameow.

Manryo watched from across the table.

"You really pamper Glameow."

"Of course I do." Mike looked up proudly. "She’s my little princess. If I don’t spoil her, who will?"

Manryo sighed and glanced down at the Sylveon beside him.

"It’s a shame mine’s male. Sometimes I wish he were female."

Sylveon slowly raised his head from his meal and stared at his Trainer.

’What’s that supposed to mean?’

’You never complained about me being male when you were hugging me every day.’

Mike looked over in surprise.

"Wait, Sylveon’s male?"

Then, apparently deciding he needed independent confirmation, he leaned down for a closer look.

Sylveon immediately covered himself.

"Vee!"

He hissed at Mike.

Glameow’s head snapped around.

"MEOW!"

She hissed right back at Sylveon.

Sylveon instantly trembled and retreated into Manryo’s arms.

Manryo laughed as he held him.

"You’re still as timid as ever."

He looked toward Mike.

"Yes, Sylveon is male. You know Eevee’s gender ratio—about seven males for every female. Most Eevee are male."

He gently stroked Sylveon’s head.

"But it doesn’t matter. Male or female, he’s still my favorite Sylveon."

Mike snorted.

"That’s not what you said five seconds ago."

Then his eyes drifted toward Gardevoir, who was sitting beside Manryo.

The system immediately displayed her information.

{Gardevoir}

{Gender: Female}

{...}

"Garde~"

Noticing Mike’s gaze, Gardevoir turned and gave him a gentle smile.

Manryo’s expression darkened instantly.

"What exactly are you thinking?! My Gardevoir is obviously female!"

"I wasn’t—well... ahem."

Mike awkwardly scratched his head and immediately lowered his gaze to his seafood.

Manryo stared at him in silence.

Mike ate an oyster, frowned slightly, then tried several other dishes before finally setting down his chopsticks.

He looked toward Gengar, who was thoroughly enjoying himself, and pushed the rest of his meal across the table.

"You still hungry?"

Gengar was halfway through a lobster claw and looked at Mike in confusion.

"Gar?"

[You’re not eating?]

"Not really my thing."

Mike shook his head and began peeling more lobster for him.

"If you still want it, finish mine too."

Gengar nodded eagerly and tossed the peeled meat into his mouth.

Mike then noticed that Glameow had also stopped after only a few bites.

He picked her up and leaned close to one of her large ears.

"What’s wrong? Don’t like it?"

"Meow~"

After traveling with Mike for so long, Glameow’s palate had apparently become spoiled by his cooking, and the yacht’s seafood preparation didn’t particularly appeal to her.

Mike smiled.

"That’s fine. This afternoon I’ll catch some more, and I’ll cook it myself."

Glameow hesitated.

She had already lost most of her enthusiasm for seafood today, but after a moment, she still nodded.

Manryo noticed.

"She doesn’t like it?"

Mike glanced at the spread.

"I just think seafood this good deserves better treatment."

Manryo raised an eyebrow.

"?"

"You haven’t tried my cooking yet, have you?"

"No."

Mike grinned.

"Then after we finish filming this afternoon, we’ll catch some seafood and I’ll cook dinner."

"Sounds good. I’ve been wanting to see how good you actually are."

Gengar took the final portion Snivy offered him, stuffed it into his mouth, and patted his belly.

"Gar—"

[Finished.]

Manryo looked amused.

"Gengar seems to love it."

"That’s because Gengar refuses to waste food."

Manryo: "..."

...

After lunch, Manryo returned to the yacht with Sylveon and the others for a nap.

Mike remained on the island, sitting on the blanket Gengar had spread beneath the trees.

He finally took out the two things he had picked up from the seabed earlier.

One was a white block of ice.

The other was a golden bottle cap.

System text appeared.

{Never-Melt Ice: A mysterious piece of ice that blocks external heat. When held by a Pokémon, the power of Ice-type moves is increased.}

{Gold Bottle Cap: A beautiful golden cap. When carried by a Pokémon that reaches a sufficient level, its power can be used to maximize all of that Pokémon’s individual capabilities. An exceedingly rare item.}

Mike’s eyes immediately lit up.

The Never-Melt Ice wasn’t useful to him right now, but it was still a valuable held item. Maybe he would need it later, and even if he didn’t, it could always be sold.

The Gold Bottle Cap was another matter entirely.

According to the system’s explanation, it could eventually maximize all six of a Pokémon’s individual values.

In gaming terms—6V.

Perfect IVs across the board.

Mike vaguely remembered that Paul, Ash’s Sinnoh rival, was supposedly the kind of Trainer who constantly searched for Pokémon with exceptional natural potential.

But one question bothered him.

Why had a Gold Bottle Cap been sitting at the bottom of the ocean?

Mike lay back on the blanket, balanced the cap on his fingers, and held it beneath the sunlight.

Light filtered through the leaves overhead and reflected from the gold surface directly into Gengar’s face.

Gengar floated over curiously.

"Gar?"

[What’s that?]

"A Gold Bottle Cap. Ever heard of one?"

Gengar shook his head.

Mike flicked it upward with his thumb and caught it again.

"This little thing can improve a Pokémon’s natural potential."

Gengar tilted his head.

"Gar?"

[Does it taste good?]

Mike stared at him.

"...Is food literally all you think about?"

Gengar blinked, then grinned.

"Gar—"

[Toxic Orbs taste great.]

Mike slowly turned toward him with an expression of absolute disbelief.

"I give up."

He handed Gengar the Gold Bottle Cap and the Never-Melt Ice.

"Here. You can hold onto these for me. Don’t lose them."

Gengar accepted both items.

Then immediately threw the Gold Bottle Cap into his mouth and chewed.

"Gar—"

[Doesn’t taste good.]

He spat it back out with obvious disappointment.

Mike rolled his eyes.

"That one isn’t food. You’re supposed to carry it so it can improve your abilities later."

Gengar then stuck out his tongue and licked the Never-Melt Ice.

"Gar—"

[This doesn’t taste good either.]

He put both items away, pulled out his Toxic Orb, and happily started chewing that instead.

Much better.

Satisfied, Gengar left Mike behind and headed deeper into the island with Beedrill to explore.

"Don’t go too far!"

Mike called after them.

"Gar—"

Gengar’s voice drifted back from the trees.

Glameow yawned, nudged her red ball of string toward Mike with one paw so he could put it away temporarily, then curled up beside him and closed her eyes.

Mike reached into his clothes and took out Enamorus’s scale.

He held it up to the sunlight.

The light revealed every delicate pattern across its translucent surface, making the scale shimmer beautifully.

Mike studied it.

"So finding the Never-Melt Ice and Gold Bottle Cap today was probably your doing again."

The scale gave no response.

He smiled faintly.

"What happened back then, anyway?"

Naturally, the scale remained silent.

Mike put it away and looked toward the green figure sitting in the tree above him.

"Good afternoon, Snivy."

"Sni~"

Snivy lowered her head and answered gently.

Mike closed his eyes and before long, he fell asleep.