Arrival at Hearthome City

Darren didn't like to battle, and being a bit lazy, he didn't have any plans for it at the moment.

If he wasn't taking a boat, then the only option was to choose a car.

Due to environmental issues, there were no trains in the city of Snowpoint. As Darren knew, a huge Maglev Train Station had already been established in his hometown, Cerulean City, which could connect the two major areas of Kanto and Johto.

With time running out and only half a month of vacation time, Darren couldn't afford to delay. After hesitating for a moment, he chose to share a ride with someone, opting for the cheapest option.

Using the public computer at the Pokémon Center, he contacted a car owner.

The car was a private vehicle, and the owner was a local who was going to handle some business in the right direction. Bringing along Darren as a passenger was a way to make some extra cash.

However, even driving to Hearthome City, where the car owner wanted to go, would take a whole day, and Darren couldn't do anything about it...

He closed his eyes and rested along the way, and before he knew it, they had already arrived at their destination.

Hearthome City.

As soon as he arrived, Darren casually walked around and then asked for directions.

"I want to challenge the Hearthome Gym!"

"I want to join the Pokémon Fan Club!"

"I heard there's a big swimming pool in the Amity Square. Why don't we take our Pokémon there to relax!"

These were the voices of passersby.

But Darren's goal, since he knew he was going to Hearthome City, had been set on the Pokémon Poffin House.

"One of teacher Theresa's recommended places," Darren said as he stood in front of the white building, observing the various utensils drawn on the walls...and the Pokémon dining inside.

"I hope I can learn something useful." Darren took a deep breath and walked in.

In fact, the people here were very hospitable, and as soon as Darren pushed open the door, he was warmly welcomed.

"Hi there, boy! Are you here to study or just visiting?"

In front of the counter, a young man wearing a badge shouted.

Beside him was a young man in a dark blue suit with purple hair.

"I'm here to visit."

"Oh, oh, you came to eat, boy!! Welcome!" The uniformed young man exclaimed enthusiastically.

"Please follow me." He waved his hand and made a gesture of invitation, while also saying to the young man beside him, "Young master James, welcome back. I have already informed the person in charge."

In response, the purple-haired young man nodded gently and smiled at Darren, indicating that he should follow him inside.

"Our Pokémon Poffin House not only creates dishes tailored to different Pokémon, but also studies ingredients that both trainers and Pokémon love..."

"Anyway, visiting here is the best choice."

"Uh...are you even listening?"

The uniformed young man looked at Darren, who was unmoved, and awkwardly spoke up.

"...Sorry, my apologies. By the way, who was that just now?"

Looking at the retreating figure and the respectful teenager that the uniformed young man had just spoke to, Darren was stunned.

"You mean Young Master James?" The uniformed young man pulled him over. "He's the child of our boss's VIP..."

"See how luxurious his clothing is? It's said that he comes from a wealthy family in Cerulean City, and his liquid assets alone are worth millions. He's a millionaire young master!"

Pfft...

James?

Team Rockets James?

Are they trying to fool him?

Darren could forget everything, but he still has a deep impression of Team Rocket, which was a crucial plot line in the story.

Speaking of which, James does seem to come from a wealthy family, and he joined Team Rocket after running away from home.

"...A millionaire, huh." Darren was speechless.

Why did he run away from home, what was the reason...uh, it's so painful, he can't remember.

"Well, thank you, I'll go inside now."

Darren couldn't wait to go and talk to James.

"Hey..." Watching Darren quickly walk in, the uniformed young man was stunned. "Then, what am I, as the guide, even here for~"

Pokemon Poffin House.

James stood by the glass window, his eyes sparkling with wonder as he watched the busy chefs and cooking apprentices at work. He longed to join them in preparing the delicious meals.

Although he had this desire, he sighed because he knew that his mother would never approve of him cooking.

He had managed to sneak out of the hotel while his parents were attending a ball, and he considered himself lucky to be here.

"Hey, if you slice that Clear Aspic thinner, it'll look even better," said a young boy who was even younger than James.

"Do you know about cooking too?" James asked, surprised.

"It's a basic skill for a Breeder," replied Darren.

Like in the anime, James was gentle, even as a child. Perhaps because of his upbringing, he was always very reserved and polite, maintaining the etiquette of high society. Or maybe because he didn't have many friends, he quickly opened up to Darren and shared some of his thoughts.

It turned out that Jame's parents had come to the region of Sinnoh to communicate with business partners, and they had brought James along. The region was known for its luxurious Pokemon hotels, and many families came here to relax.

"That's the top Pokemon Hotel in the city!"

"It's really expensive, isn't it?"

Staying one night in the top Pokemon Hotel in Sinnoh could cost as much as a small fortune.

Darren's topic of conversation was successful, and James started to quickly chat with him excitedly. Just then, a middle-aged man in a suit came out in a hurry.

"Young Master James, I apologize for keeping you waiting. I am the manager of this Pokemon Poffin House. Please give my regards to your parents."

"We have prepared a sumptuous afternoon tea and pastries. Would you like to enjoy them now?" the man in the suit asked. "Of course, we also have various Pokemon dishes, and the chefs would be delighted to receive young Master James's feedback."

"Really?" James's interest was piqued.

"Can I release Kaby, he hasn't eaten yet," the manager said.

"Kaby?" The manager looked at Darren, confused.

"Hey..." Darren was at a loss for words. Wasn't Kaby the name of a Pokemon?

"It's a Growlithe," James said. "And I heard that there's a chef here who's really good at making dishes that both fire-type Pokemon and trainers can enjoy. Is that true?"

"Can we really make dishes that satisfy both humans and Pokemon's taste buds?" James listened quietly.

"Well..." The manager was sweating. If James' parents found out that they were allowing their son to dine with Pokemon and eat Pokemon food, the consequences would be severe. These noble families only regarded Pokemon as pets...

Young Master James is indeed a tough customer...

"It's okay, Kaby is my best friend," James said firmly.

The manager wiped his sweat and didn't know how to respond to this request. He fell silent for a moment before reluctantly agreeing.

James was delighted and excitedly grabbed Darren. "Let's go together."

"Huh? Can I come too?" Darren looked at the manager, not even asking for permission. What a joke, his identity now was...

"Of course, young Master James' friend. Our dishes will surely satisfy you both.