Chapter 153
After reaching the edge of the forest, Haruto did not leave immediately.
The reason was simple.
He was hungry!
He opened the Gourmet Restaurant and brought out several of the ingredients he had collected.
First came a plump pink Slowpoke tail, soft and tender to the touch.
Next was a small jar of Beedrill pollen carrying a gentle sweetness, followed by several mushrooms harvested from Paras.
Finally, he brought out an assortment of Berries, including many-pointed Tamato Berries and golden Mago Berries.
Haruto studied the ingredients and considered what to make.
Slowpoke tail had a clean, natural sweetness that made it ideal for grilling.
Paras mushrooms possessed a powerful savory fragrance, while the sweet, mildly spicy Tamato Berries would balance the richness.
Mago Berries could contribute their refreshing fruitiness, and the Beedrill pollen would deepen the aroma.
It did not take him long to decide on a dish.
Using water stored inside the Gourmet Restaurant, Haruto thoroughly rinsed the Slowpoke tail.
Once washed, the pink flesh looked even plumper and more succulent.
He drew his Melk Knife and scored a crosshatch pattern across its surface.
The shallow cuts would keep the tail from bursting under the heat while also allowing the seasoning to penetrate more deeply.
Once the tail was prepared, Haruto gathered several dry branches and started a fire. Orange-red flames crackled to life.
He set up a simple grill and placed the seasoned Slowpoke tail over the fire.
Flames licked across the pink flesh, and the intense heat quickly sealed in its juices.
The moist surface gradually developed a faint char as a gentle sweetness drifted into the air with the rising steam.
Haruto patiently turned the tail, ensuring that every side received precisely the right amount of heat.
Before long, it was perfectly grilled.
Thanks to Haruto’s careful control, its surface had taken on an enticing reddish-brown color. The crosshatched cuts had opened slightly, revealing the pink, juicy meat within.
The combined fragrance of caramelization and natural sweetness was enough to make anyone’s mouth water.
Haruto’s already empty stomach responded with another loud complaint.
He placed the grilled tail into a prepared seasoning mixture and left it to absorb the flavors.
While it rested, Haruto began making the sauce.
He sliced the Paras mushrooms into pieces of moderate thickness, then arranged them along the cooler edge of the grill.
Using low heat, he slowly drew out their natural savoriness.
The slices soon turned lightly golden, releasing a deep mushroom fragrance.
Haruto removed them from the grill and set them aside.
Next, he picked up a bright-red Tamato Berry with firm, plump flesh and cut it into even chunks. A faintly spicy juice trickled down the blade.
He heated a pan and added the chopped fruit directly once the base had warmed.
Over a low flame, the Tamato Berry gradually softened. Its vivid-red flesh broke down into a thick purée as its mild heat began to fill the air.
Haruto then added the roasted Paras mushrooms.
He stirred gently, blending their concentrated savoriness with the Tamato Berry’s sweet spice.
Once everything had combined evenly, the result was a glossy red sauce with an exceptionally rich fragrance. Haruto removed it from the heat and left it to rest.
Now it was time to prepare the staple.
He peeled a Mago Berry, revealing smooth, golden flesh beneath the skin. Its rich sweetness immediately spread through the air.
Haruto diced it into evenly sized pieces.
He then brought out a batch of white rice he had cooked in advance.
Thanks to the Gourmet Restaurant, he could keep all kinds of basic ingredients ready whenever he needed them.
Haruto poured a small amount of oil into a pan.
Once it began to shimmer, he added the rice and quickly broke it apart with his spatula, coating every grain in a fine sheen of oil.
Then he added the diced Mago Berry and sprinkled in a small pinch of Beedrill pollen.
The moment the pollen touched the heat, it released a clear sweetness that blended perfectly with the fruit and warm fragrance of the rice.
The aroma drifted across the edge of the forest, drawing several distant Rattata from their hiding places.
They peeked curiously through the undergrowth but did not dare approach.
After a final round of quick stirring, the Mago Berry fried rice was complete.
The golden grains were soft yet pleasantly springy, saturated with a rich fruity aroma that made the dish look irresistible.
Haruto spooned the steaming rice onto a plate and laid the marinated Slowpoke tail on top.
Finally, he poured a generous spoonful of Tamato Berry and Paras mushroom sauce over the meat.
The bright-red sauce slowly flowed down the tail and seeped between the golden grains, staining them with an enticing crimson sheen.
The Grilled Slowpoke Tail Rice Bowl was complete!
Looking at the colorful, wonderfully fragrant dish, Haruto picked up his chopsticks and immediately began eating.
His first bite was the grilled and seasoned Slowpoke tail.
The contrast between its lightly charred exterior and tender center was exceptional.
The surface carried a delicate crispness, while the meat beneath remained succulent and pleasantly firm.
Juice filled his mouth as he bit down, followed by the tail’s natural sweetness. The flavor unfolded gently across his tongue without ever becoming cloying.
The sauce balanced that sweetness perfectly.
The mild heat of the Tamato Berry and the powerful savoriness of the Paras mushrooms fused with the Slowpoke tail, producing a richly layered sweet-and-spicy flavor.
It was warm without being harsh and sweet without becoming heavy. The more Haruto chewed, the better it tasted, leaving a long and satisfying finish.
He followed it with a mouthful of Mago Berry fried rice.
The golden grains were soft and springy, infused with the refreshing sweetness of Mago Berry and the natural floral fragrance of Beedrill pollen.
Layer after layer of aroma unfolded inside his mouth.
The juicy pieces of fruit brightened the otherwise simple rice, while the pollen deepened its sweetness and fragrance.
Every bite was soft, warm, and pleasantly sweet.
Fruit and rice blended into a gentle, comforting flavor that paired beautifully with the spicy-sweet tail meat.
Savoriness, fragrance, sweetness, and heat took turns blooming across Haruto’s tongue.
His hunger vanished completely.
Haruto was still enjoying his meal when a violent rush of air suddenly sounded overhead.
His chopsticks stopped halfway to the plate.
The next instant, an orange Dragonite descended from the sky.
Its arrival sent a powerful gust across the clearing, scattering dry leaves and sparks from the campfire.
Its heavy body struck the ground with enough force to make the earth tremble faintly.
After landing, Dragonite looked directly at Haruto, though it showed no sign of aggression.
Haruto calmly lowered his chopsticks and raised his eyes.
An elderly man wearing a white research coat climbed down from Dragonite’s back. His hair was gray, but he carried himself with remarkable vigor.
Haruto recognized him immediately.
Professor Samuel Oak.
He was the foremost authority on Pokémon research in the Kanto region and the man who had entrusted Pikachu to Ash Ketchum, setting countless young people on the path to becoming Pokémon Trainers.
Haruto knew Professor Oak was not the sort of person who rode a Dragonite around forests simply to pass the time.
If he had tracked Haruto down this precisely, there had to be a reason.
Professor Oak stopped before him with a warm, approachable smile and introduced himself.
"Hello. I’m Samuel Oak, a Pokémon researcher."
As he spoke, the professor quietly examined Haruto from head to toe.
Nothing about his appearance seemed unusual.
He radiated no hostility, carried no trace of a dangerous Pokémon, and did not even possess a single Poké Ball.
He looked like an ordinary traveler who had happened to stop at the edge of the forest for a meal.
Professor Oak also glanced at the dish in front of him and immediately recognized the Slowpoke tail.
He showed no concern.
Losing a tail did not cause meaningful harm to a Slowpoke, and it would eventually grow back.
Haruto looked at the professor and gave an equally straightforward introduction.
"Suzuki Haruto."
"I’m a chef and a part-time Gourmet Hunter. Food is my main interest."
Once the introductions were over, Haruto asked directly,
"Professor Oak, what brings you all the way out here to find me?"
His bluntness made Professor Oak pause.
After a brief moment of surprise, however, the professor’s expression became serious.
"You aren’t from our world, are you?"
The clearing suddenly grew quieter.
Only the soft crackling of the campfire and Dragonite’s deep breathing could be heard.