Chapter 81: The Gourmet Street of the Pokémon World

Evergreen City was a large metropolis, complete with all the facilities one could expect—commercial districts, residential areas—the layout was much like any other city. Perhaps due to his own profession, Heath was most familiar with the marketplaces and the gourmet streets; he had to admit, the cuisine in the Pokémon world was truly fascinating.

"Trainer, what is this gourmet street you mentioned?" Zorua, who had been sulking and whispering secretly to Farfetch’d, instantly perked up with excitement, curiously sprawling atop Heath’s head as she inquired.

"It’s over there, right next to Mr. Sakaki’s gym—just one block away. The whole area is filled with food stalls, and it’s quite an interesting place," Heath replied, pointing expertly in that direction. He’d parked his vehicle near the Evergreen City Gym this time, so reaching the gourmet street wouldn’t take long at all.

Charmander didn’t seem particularly interested in the gourmet street; instead, it was twisting its neck and limbs in odd motions. Heath recalled this was a muscle-relaxing exercise Mr. Fujiyama had taught them, usually done after training to stretch out.

Farfetch’d obediently trailed by Heath’s side, flying along and curiously observing everything around. The duck seemed fascinated by all things human; Heath noticed its expression grew even more animated whenever they passed a restaurant.

"Do you want to open a restaurant, Farfetch’d?" Heath asked, fondly ruffling its feathers with a smile.

"Leek~" Farfetch’d nodded gleefully. Heath couldn’t help but chuckle; who would have thought a Farfetch’d would dream of opening a restaurant? It was almost too amusing to believe.

Heath considered that perhaps once Farfetch’d’s culinary skills improved, he could let it truly open a restaurant—call it the Farfetch’d Café, with Farfetch’d as the head chef. The idea was quite entertaining; perhaps it could even provide a new career path for Pokémon.

Soon, Heath and his Pokémon arrived at Evergreen City’s gourmet street. As they entered, Heath was greeted by a bustling crowd and all kinds of little shops. What caught his eye most was a Bambamboo Juice Bar off to the side.

"What sort of Pokémon is that? It smells so good," Zorua asked from atop Heath’s head, gazing curiously at the shop.

"That’s Bambamboo—a bit clumsy, but with an incredibly fragrant scent," Heath nodded in agreement. He’d read in the Pokédex that Bambamboo was a fragrant Pokémon, but smelling it in person was a different experience entirely.

The aroma given off by a single Bambamboo was like a blend of dozens of fruits, making one’s mouth water. No wonder Bambamboo was rarely seen in the wilds of Alola—after all, it was simply too fragrant.

Heath entered the Bambamboo Juice Bar, where the owner was a Chillicream. With an air of elegance, she glanced at Heath and then pointed to a sign on the table.

"Bambamboo Juice: 20 League Coins per cup (3/30 available)" was written there. Heath breathed a sigh of relief; luck was with him today—there was still Bambamboo Juice left.

With a slight pang in his heart, Heath handed over sixty League Coins and bought all three remaining cups. Soon, he received three chilled glasses of juice, each exuding a delightful aroma.

"How is this made? It’s delicious!" Zorua licked her cup and closed her eyes in satisfaction. The flavor was just right—aromatic, sweet, and refreshing—perfect for sipping an ice-cold drink in the sweltering Evergreen City.

"It’s made by mixing Bambamboo’s...juice with water," Heath explained, glancing at the shop whose door was now closed. They would only reopen once the Bambamboo produced enough juice.

Heath didn’t mention that Bambamboo Juice was actually made by diluting Bambamboo’s sweat with water; after all, drinking a Pokémon’s sweat sounded unsettling. Calling it juice made it much more appealing.

In Evergreen City, Pokémon and humans lived in harmony. Some shops were even owned by Pokémon who, though unable to speak human language, communicated through writing—quite a marvel. Pokémon like Chillicream, who brought their kin to open businesses and make a living, were not uncommon. Most employees at the power plant were Electric-type Pokémon, for example.

The League greatly encouraged such enterprises, and Heath was long accustomed to it.

Watching his three Pokémon happily sipping their juices, Heath smiled and fetched a chilled Venusprite from a nearby vending machine—a beverage produced by the Charizard Cola Group.

"Come one, come all! New shop from the Galar region! Alcremie Ice Cream Parlor grand opening today!" As Heath wandered the gourmet street, he heard an enthusiastic cry.

Following the voice curiously, he saw a League staff member waving a flag energetically. Behind them stood a massive ice cream shop adorned with an Alcremie logo.

Heath’s lips twitched in surprise. Thanks to the wonders of air travel, the world was truly interconnected—he never expected to see a Galarian Pokémon like Alcremie here in Kanto.

"Trainer, what kind of Pokémon is Alcremie?" Zorua, having finished her Bambamboo Juice, asked excitedly.

Heath glanced at Charmander and Farfetch’d, who seemed equally eager, and patted his wallet with a sigh—today would certainly be an expensive outing.

"What kind of Pokémon is Alcremie..." Heath echoed Zorua’s question. He honestly hadn’t expected to encounter one here.

"Alcremie is a remarkable Pokémon—its entire body is made of cream, and it has an incredible variety of forms. Depending on regional traits, there are as many as sixty-three different kinds," came a stranger’s voice. Heath turned to see a familiar face.

"Are you Professor Oak?" Heath asked in astonishment. Though the face looked a little different from the anime, the resemblance was uncanny.

"Yes, I’m Professor Oak. Do you know me?" Professor Oak replied with a warm smile.

"I’ve seen your introductions on television," Heath said, scratching his head, feeling a bit excited.

On reflection, it wasn’t all that surprising. Evergreen City and Pallet Town were connected by regular bus routes, only a two- or three-hour ride apart. It was common to see people from Pallet Town in Evergreen City—some doing business, some traveling, some challenging the gym, others just here for the food. Professor Oak was probably here for academic exchange at the local research institute.

"Alcremie’s cream is truly exceptional. Don’t miss the chance to try it if you can," Professor Oak said with a genial laugh.

Heath nodded eagerly. He too wanted to find out what Alcremie’s cream tasted like.