Back at the Breeding House, Lucas flopped down onto a seat.
Shauna ran over to help massage Lucas's shoulders.
Lucas's heart melted.
Gothitelle and the others had rested at the Breeding House for a while and were just about to head back to the sweets shop in Twinleaf Town when Gengar approached Gothitelle and whispered a few words to her.
Gothitelle glanced at Lucas and nodded.
Gengar gave her an OK sign.
Then, Gengar went to Lilligant, Roserade, and Dash one by one, whispering something to each of them.
The Pokémon of the Breeding House then began busying themselves right in front of Lucas.
Lucas watched the sneaky Gengar and asked, "Gengar, what are you doing?"
Gengar shook its head, flashing its healthy teeth.
"Gen Gengar——"
Nothing much.
Lucas looked puzzled.
"Don't you need to open the shop today?"
Lucas asked in confusion as he watched Gothitelle walk out of the kitchen.
Gothitelle shook her head.
"Gothita."
Taking a break first.
Lucas nodded.
However, watching the Pokémon constantly moving back and forth, Lucas grew more and more curious.
Just as he was about to stand up and check the kitchen, Shauna called him back.
"Uncle, look, this little dress is really pretty!"
Hearing this, Lucas sat back down and looked at the tablet in Shauna's hands.
On it was a very beautiful little dress, but why did it look more and more familiar?
"Uncle, our school is hosting a play in a few days, and I signed up. This is the little dress Chiyo made for me. Look, isn't it pretty?"
Shauna said in her crisp voice beside him.
Lucas was stunned.
It really is you! Miss Power!
Lucas cast a subtle glance at Shauna, then turned his attention back to the tablet.
Could Shauna originally be a Magical Girl? Like Sabrina from Saffron City?
A Psychic girl?
That shouldn't be the case.
Seeing that Lucas's attention was back on the screen, Shauna looked toward Gengar behind the counter.
She blinked her little eyes.
Gengar gave her a thumbs up.
Good job, little Shauna.
"It's quite pretty. What kind of play is it?"
Shauna lowered her head and explained clearly, "It's a script chosen by the Master. I'm playing a girl who can use magic to defeat bad people and save everyone."
Lucas: ————
No wonder, no wonder there's even a magic wand.
But Lucas was curious; Shauna hadn't been at school for very long, so how did she get the chance to perform on stage?
When Lucas asked, Shauna smiled and said, "Because they all say Shauna has Pokémon, just like a Magical Girl—cute and full of charm."
Lucas laughed after hearing that.
"That's right, our little Shauna is the cutest."
Lucas rubbed her little head. Just then, Vulpix also ran over, followed Gengar, and jumped into Lucas's arms.
Lucas looked at Gengar, who grinned at him.
"Finished with your work?"
Gengar nodded, then came to his side and took his hand.
"Gen Gengar—"
I'm taking you somewhere.
"So mysterious, keeping it from me. Fine, let's go see what you've been hiding."
Holding Vulpix, Lucas walked toward the backyard.
Gengar went outside the Breeding House, hung up the 'Closed' sign, then helped Mime Jr. clean up the dining hall and hung a 'Closed' sign there as well before heading to the backyard.
At this moment, Lucas was wondering where Dash and the others had gone; even Paul was nowhere to be seen.
"Where are Dash and the others?"
Lucas asked when he saw Gengar and Mime Jr. approaching.
Gengar shook its head, "Gen Gengar o（"^）."
It's a secret.
Then it pulled Lucas's hand and led him toward the forest.
Entering the forest, Lucas followed Gengar deep inside.
Gengar floated happily in front, occasionally greeting the Pokémon in the trees.
If you didn't know better, you'd think Gengar was the boss of this forest.
However, Lucas was even more curious about where Gengar was taking him.
If he wasn't mistaken, Lilligant and the others should be there too.
Reaching the depths of the forest, Lucas saw what looked like water vapor rising from the bushes ahead, and the temperature felt warmer.
Following Gengar through the bushes, he was greeted by a large bundle of leaves from Dash.
Since there were no flowers in the forest, Dash had just picked up some random twigs and leaves to use as petals and dumped them right over Lucas's head.
Lucas: ————
Brushing the fallen leaves off his head, he found all the Pokémon from the Breeding House gathered around.
"Gen Gengar——"
Ta-da!~
Lucas looked behind Gengar and saw a small pool emitting steam.
"This couldn't be... a hot spring, right?"
Lucas looked at Gengar excitedly.
Gengar gave him a thumbs up.
"Gen Gengar——"
That's right.
Lucas set Vulpix down, then went to the hot spring and reached out to touch the water.
It was hot and very comfortable.
Glancing at the surrounding construction, it seemed to have been piled together recently and was a bit crude.
However, the hot spring itself was likely naturally occurring and had probably been in this forest for a long time.
There were traces left by other Pokémon in the vicinity.
Lucas didn't see any other Pokémon around and looked at Gengar.
Gengar seemed to know what Lucas wanted to ask and explained to him.
"Gen Gengar—"
I negotiated with them; they're letting our Breeding House have this place for today.
Lucas suddenly laughed and reached out to tug at the corners of Gengar's mouth.
"Thank you, Gengar. I really love this gift."
Then he looked at the Breeding House Pokémon nearby. Dash and the others still had traces of work on them. Lucas gave a happy smile.
"Thank you, everyone. Next, let's soak in the hot spring together!"
"Gen Gengar——（ω`*）☆"
Hurray!
"nihai!" ×3
"Lilli～"
"Gothita."
"Swoosh~"
"Mime Jr.~"
Lucas looked around and found a towel appearing before his eyes.
Gengar was holding a large stack of towels, smiling at Lucas.
A large spread of food and drinks had already been set out nearby. Lucas laughed.
He then changed his clothes, tested the temperature, and stepped into the hot spring.
Feeling the comfort brought by the spring water, Lucas couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
Soaking in a hot spring in this kind of weather is just too comfortable!
And an outdoor one at that!
Gengar sat beside Lucas with a white towel draped over its forehead.
Its entire face was flushed red from the soak.
"Gen Gengar~（.∀·）（·ω.）"
Lucas was right, this feels so good.
A floating tray was drifting nearby, carrying drinks and snacks.
—
Truth be told, Gengar really knows how to enjoy life.
Lucas glanced elsewhere.
Gothitelle and the other girls were gathered in one area, lazily soaking in the hot spring.
Mime Jr. and the other boys had naturally come to Lucas's side.
Everyone was quietly soaking, enjoying the comfort of the hot spring.
Since Snorunt didn't like hot places, it had run off to the Lake in the forest to play with other Pokémon.
The peace was broken by Shauna.
She took out a small ball and tossed it toward Lucas's side.
Lucas snapped out of it and saw Lilligant and the others covering their mouths and giggling.
He exchanged glances with Gengar and Luxray, and then the ball was tossed back.
A great battle was about to erupt.
In the end, no one's attention was on the ball anymore; it was all on the opposing side.
Finally, the battle ended with Lucas's side declaring surrender.
Only after Lucas admitted defeat did Dash let go of him and spare him.
Tranquility returned once more.
Lucas dipped his towel in the water, folded it, and placed it on his forehead.
Incredibly pleasant.
Indeed, soaking in a hot spring—especially with your dearest Pokémon by your side—was just too comfortable.
Who would refuse this kind of life?
Lucas certainly wouldn't.
Chewing on a snack Gengar had suddenly fed him, Lucas thought to himself.
۞۞۞۞
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