Ange glanced at the still-sleeping Munchlax, then stood up and gently draped his blanket over it.
Munch~ Munch~~
Munchlax smacked its lips twice. Whatever it was dreaming about, it hugged the blanket and took two bites out of it. Ange could only shake his head helplessly.
It must be dreaming about something tasty again.
He bent down to pick up the aquatic plants, just as Diancie came downstairs carrying the sun-dried blankets.
Seeing what Ange held, she tilted her head. "What's that? Where did it come from?"
Diancie had been raised in the royal palace. Although she had often cared for Ange when he was sick, she didn't know much about everyday things. In essence, she couldn't even tell grains apart, so it was no surprise she didn't recognize the aquatic plants.
Ange shook his head. "I don't know either. Marill brought it over, said it's edible."
"Really edible?" Diancie sounded worried. "What if you get poisoned?"
"It's definitely fine," Ange said with confidence. He trusted Marill completely.
"Bel~ Bel~ Bel~"
Just then, a familiar cry rang out. Ange and Diancie turned toward the sound and saw Victreebel bouncing over, holding up a large leaf with its vine.
"Victreebel? You came too?" Ange was surprised. Victreebel usually didn't visit.
"Bel~ Bel~"
Victreebel placed the leaf on the ground. Neatly arranged on top were piles of fresh green leaves.
Ange's eyes lit up the moment he saw them.
It was crown daisy!
This season, there were actually wild crown daisies on the Nebel Plateau?
"These are for me?" Ange asked in delight.
"Bel~ Bel~~"
Victreebel nodded.
Since Bellsprout had been bringing its siblings over every day to eat at Ange's place, Victreebel and Weepinbell had a much easier time raising their kids. They decided to pick some wild vegetables that day and give them to Ange as thanks.
Ange crouched down, picked up a leaf, and sniffed it. A rich aroma filled his nose, far stronger than the cultivated ones he'd had in his previous life.
Crown daisies had a very distinct smell that some found unpleasant, but Ange loved it.
"Thank you, Victreebel. I'll gladly accept them." Ange thanked it warmly.
Victreebel itself had no idea what these greens were called, it only knew they were edible. Seeing Ange recognize them made it secretly admire how knowledgeable he was.
Because of their strong flavor, not many Pokémon liked crown daisies. Victreebel had offered them before, but everyone had refused.
Now that Ange liked them, it felt like it had finally found a kindred spirit.
Bel~ Bel~ You like it? That's great!
After delivering the gift, Victreebel was about to leave when it noticed the aquatic plants in Ange's hand.
Bel~ Bel~~ Huh? Asire Seaweed? Did Poliwag and the others bring that?
It asked curiously.
Diancie translated its words for Ange.
"This plant's called Asire Seaweed?" Ange realized.
Bel~ Bel~
Victreebel explained that Asire Seaweed was a rare herb that could cure paralysis. It only grew in extremely clean water, and there had to be Poliwag, Poliwhirl, or Poliwrath living nearby. If any of those conditions weren't met, Asire Seaweed wouldn't grow.
Ange was amazed. He looked at the plants in his hand with newfound respect.
He hadn't expected these ordinary-looking water plants to be medicinal herbs that cured paralysis.
(Note: Asire Seaweed appeared only in the anime as an anti-paralysis herb; it doesn't exist in the games.)
"Thank you, Victreebel. I wouldn't have known what it was without you," Ange said gratefully.
Bel~ Bel~
Victreebel nodded, then hopped away cheerfully.
Holding crown daisies in one hand and Asire Seaweed in the other, Ange grinned. "You guys are in for a treat tonight."
Diancie picked up a leaf of crown daisy and sniffed it. Her small face scrunched up instantly. "This... is supposed to taste good?" The smell was too strong!
"How could it not be good?" Ange retorted. "You just don't appreciate fine food!" With that, he strode into the kitchen.
Diancie pouted. "You're the one who doesn't appreciate fine food."
Once inside, Ange re-sorted the crown daisies, discarding the older parts and keeping only the tender tips. He washed them clean and put them in the fridge.
Then he began cleaning the Asire Seaweed.
Because it grew underwater, Asire Seaweed was harder to wash than crown daisy. It took Ange quite some effort to get it clean.
Each strand was half a meter long. After washing, he cut them into finger-length pieces, soaked them in clean water, and sprinkled in some salt.
With that done, they'd be ready to cook by evening.
Munchlax slept until nearly sunset before waking. It stretched, yawned, and wandered drowsily into the kitchen.
When it saw the soaking Asire Seaweed, its eyes sparkled. It grabbed a piece, tossed it in its mouth, and immediately brightened up.
Delicious.
Just then, Ange walked in and chuckled. "You're awake, huh? Perfect timing. Go pick some tomatoes from the garden, and we'll cook dinner together. There's something tasty tonight!"
Munch~ Munch~~
Munchlax cheered and dashed out. In no time, it came back hugging a pile of tomatoes.
Ange often took Munchlax to the garden to learn about the vegetables. By now, it knew every plant there by heart.
"You picked this many?" Ange blinked in surprise.
Munch~ Munch~~ I want lots! Lots and lots!
Munchlax gestured wildly.
Ange couldn't understand its words, but he got the idea from its expression. Smiling fondly, he said, "Alright. Eat as much as you want."
Munch~
Munchlax beamed, climbed up to the counter, grabbed a basin, and dumped all the tomatoes in before washing them.
"Munchlax, start cooking the rice. I'll make the dishes. We're not having mantou tonight," Ange said.
After eating noodles for several days straight, he wanted something different. Luckily, there was still some rice left at home.
Munch~~
Munchlax nodded and eagerly got to work. It liked both rice and mantou anyway.
Ange took the crown daisies from the fridge and laid them on the counter. He sliced scallions, minced garlic and ginger, chopped red chili, and set everything aside.
Then he boiled water, added salt and oil, and blanched the crown daisies.
The salt gave flavor, and the oil kept the greens bright and vivid.
He was careful not to overcook them, cook them for too long, and they'd lose their crispness.
After blanching, he drained and cooled them, setting them aside.
Seeing that Munchlax had already started cooking rice and was now watching him eagerly, Ange explained each step as he went.
Munchlax listened intently.
As Ange poured oil into the pan and tossed in the scallions, garlic, ginger, and chili, a rich aroma filled the kitchen.
Munch~ Munch~
Munchlax's mouth watered uncontrollably.
Munchlax sniffed nonstop, its face full of delight. It couldn't eat yet, but just smelling it eased its cravings.
Once the aroma was fully released, Ange added the crown daisy, then poured in soy sauce, oyster sauce, and spicy seasoning, followed by salt and chicken essence. He carefully explained the measurements to Munchlax.
Munchlax nodded as it listened.
Although usually a bit clumsy, Munchlax was very sharp when learning cooking. Ange only needed to explain once, and it could remember most things.
Soon, Ange drizzled sesame oil over the stir-fried crown daisy, finishing the dish.
"Here, Munchlax." He picked up some with chopsticks and brought it to its mouth. Munchlax quickly swallowed it in one bite.
"How is it?" Ange asked.
Munch~ Delicious! Really delicious!
Seeing Munchlax squint its eyes in pleasure, Ange immediately knew the answer. "I knew you would like it."
Next, Ange looked at the Asari Seaweed in front of him, a little puzzled. He hadn't dealt with it before. How should he prepare it?
After thinking for a while, he decided that since it tasted like jellyfish strips, he would make it the same way, cold tossed. That way, it wouldn't change the Seaweed's unique texture.
He started right away.
Ange cut the cucumber and radish into thin strips. These came from his own garden and were fresh and tasty.
Since they were side ingredients, he didn't need much, so he fed the extra to Munchlax.
Next, he boiled water and blanched the Asari Seaweed he had prepared earlier that afternoon. Just a quick blanch, since its texture was already great. Blanching just made it easier to absorb flavor.
He drained the Seaweed and let it dry, then added a little rice vinegar and set it aside.
Then he mixed the dressing: salt, chicken powder, chili oil, olive oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, white pepper, and minced garlic. In no time, the dressing was ready.
Finally, he took a large bowl, added the cucumber strips, radish strips, and Asari Seaweed, then poured in the dressing and mixed everything evenly.
The cold Asari Seaweed salad was done.
Since his whole family loved cilantro, Ange sprinkled some chopped cilantro and sesame seeds on top.
It was his first time making it, so he tasted it immediately.
Delicious! Ange was amazed by the Seaweed's texture.
Munch~ Munch~~
Munchlax stood on tiptoe beside him, pawing at the counter, eager. Ange picked up another bite and fed it to him.
"Do you like it?" Ange asked.
Munch~ Munch~~ Yes, yes, I like it! So tasty!
Munchlax mumbled with its mouth full.
"Good. I'm glad you like it." Ange rubbed its head.
Munch~ Munch~~ I want to be as great as my master!
Munchlax clenched its fists, looking at Ange with pure admiration.
Unfortunately, Ange couldn't understand him and continued preparing the next dish.
After the crown daisy and Asari Seaweed, Ange made a cold tomato salad and stir-fried lotus root slices.
He still had some lotus root left from Barboach and Whiscash, which he hadn't eaten yet, since his own lotus plants weren't ready to harvest.
Today, Victreebel and Azumarill brought fresh ingredients. Happy, Ange used the remaining lotus root for stir-fry.
Ange and Munchlax finished dinner as darkness fully fell. The four of them sat down to eat.
"Come on, try the crown daisy and Asari Seaweed," Ange called to Diancie and Komala.
Diancie added a bite of crown daisy, but as soon as she tasted it, her small face scrunched up.
"It's awful!" Holding back her nausea, she swallowed it. "Ange, how could you think this tastes good!" She gulped from her water cup.
Komala had the same expression, but unlike Diancie, it didn't swallow and immediately spit it out.
Ange said with a frown, "You two really don't have good taste." He picked up another bite and ate it happily.
Munchlax mirrored his expression.
Ｏ(≧▽≦)Ｏ So tasty!
Ange pinched Munchlax's cheeks, looking grateful. "Only Munchlax understands me! You really are my apprentice!"
Munch~ Munch~ Yes, yes, I'm one with my master.
Munchlax nodded repeatedly, proud to share the same taste as his master.
(_|||) Diancie looked speechless. "Munchlax, is there anything you don't like? Your opinion doesn't count at all."
Munchlax immediately protested, slapping the table. Munch~ Munch~ You're insulting a chef's dignity!
Diancie asked, "Then tell us, what food do you dislike?"
Munchlax was stunned.
Munch… Munch… Uh… um…
It stammered for a long time and couldn't think of anything, so it looked at Ange, feeling wronged.
Master…
Ange comforted Munchlax. "Don't listen to Diancie. They just don't appreciate it." He put another bite of crown daisy into Munchlax's bowl. "Let's eat together and ignore them."
Munch~ Munch~
Munchlax brightened instantly and happily ate.
Diancie tasted the Asari Seaweed. "This is nice, I like it."
Not only did Diancie like it, Komala did too.
Of course, they also ate plenty of the stir-fried lotus root and cold tomatoes.
"If you like it, I'll ask Azumarill if there's more next time. If so, I can trade for some," Ange said.
Diancie nodded.
While eating, Ange asked Komala, "Komala, do you want a little drink today? I can buy you a bottle." Komala had worked hard with him at the stall, deserving a reward.
Komala paused mid-bite, then gently nodded.
Ange was surprised; he had never seen such a reaction from Komala before.
It seemed Komala really liked drinking!
True to his word, Ange spent 1000 Happiness Points at the System Store to buy a bottle of good wine.
"I'll have a drink with you today."
Ange hadn't drunk in a long time and suddenly felt a craving.
He used to be unhealthy and couldn't drink. Now, thinking back, the last time he drank was in his previous life.