Pokemon: I am Gary

In the high-end restaurant of the Indigo Conference leisure area, despite being located in the contestant village, business is unexpectedly booming.

After a year of busy traveling, elite trainers are likely wanting to be lazy homebodies at this moment.

Compared to the bustling celebration square, participants prefer dining here.

However, today's food service efficiency is surprisingly low...

Trainers sitting at their tables look confusedly towards the kitchen.

"Um, ma'am, this isn't according to the rules..." The head chef of Bear Baby Western Restaurant, a plump and cute middle-aged man with a big beard, raises his hand with a face full of despair.

Next to him, the sous chef, prep cooks, and even the dishwasher all have their arms crossed, watching the figures flitting around in the kitchen.

Aunt Delia, Ash's mother, skillfully manages three gas stoves, her dazzling culinary skills akin to fluttering butterflies!

Stir-frying and deep-frying, her recipes are enough to make top chefs lose. The warm and rich aroma is filled with love for her children...

The issue is... the boss is about to cry; we still need to do business, ma'am... this really puts us in a difficult position—

"Sorry, today's sales all count on me." Adjusting his glasses, Lorelei smiles as he stands beside Gary.

Gary pulls out a black Dragon Card. "Use this card…"

Brock and Misty stand by with their mouths agape. "Young Master Gary is indeed unconventional!"

Professor Oak walks around the hall with a beaming smile and then returns with his hands behind his back. "Done! Other trainers are willing to give me some face—

Everyone agrees that we can wait while I perform two lines of Pokémon haiku!"

"Grandpa is still the best. Your name is truly useful~" Gary sincerely praises.

After all—Professor Oak—the haiku poet—research scholar—retired trainer.

If you praise Professor Oak for his high academic status, he will only modestly respond a couple of times. But if you compliment his haiku writing skills, he could chat with you for two hours...

Professor Oak laughs heartily. "Hahaha~ Yes, it seems this old man still has some status in everyone's hearts."

Everyone watches Delia perform while only Ash holds his stomach, lying on the table in despair. "I'm so hungry! Is it ready yet? I want to eat a feast…"

Gary walks up speechlessly and gives Pikachu a look: Can you give us some space?

Pikachu nods and turns to play with Misty.

After spending so much time together, Pikachu has matured faster than Ash.

The once sensitive, irritable, hot-tempered fat boy has now become a warm-hearted Pokémon with budding warm male qualities.

Facing Ash, Gary pinches Ash's face.

"Ugh! What are you doing?" Ash looks blankly at Gary.

Gary rubs Ash's cheeks hard and pulls at them. "Eat eat eat~ All you think about is eating! If one day you turn into a pig head, I'll call you Pig Head Trainer!"

A few girls can't help but laugh.

"Urusai! I'm overthinking my battles right now and urgently need to replenish my energy!" Ash pulls away Gary's hands in dissatisfaction.

Gary crosses his arms and tilts his head. "Overthinking~ Your tactics just now were terrible; if it weren't for your opponent giving you an opportunity, would you have won so easily? You were just using whatever came to mind throughout!"

"Gary! I'll fight you!" Seeing that familiar mocking face, Ash immediately gets riled up but is then pinned down by Brock's strong hold.

"Ash, calm down! Don't make trouble!" Brock shouts forcefully.

Ash looks up helplessly. "You want me to calm down while your fingers are stuck in my nostrils?!"

"Ahem... Sorry." Brock finally lets go of Ash and naturally wipes his fingers on Ash's back...

"Alright. Everyone stop messing around. Dinner is ready!" Delia walks out of the kitchen with a smile; other chefs immediately serve the dishes.

The head chef holds a large spoon with tears in his eyes. "Wuwu~ I just want to cook…"

With the help of waiters, soon more than ten delicious dishes are served on the table.

Everyone takes their seats.

Although they are all home-cooked dishes, the aroma is incredibly tempting.

Gary first pulls out chairs for Professor Oak and Delia before arranging seats for Lorelei.

"Gary is thoughtful~" Professor Oak smiles contentedly and glances at Lorelei. "I didn't expect Miss Lorelei to join our gathering."

Lorelei smiles warmly. "Usually at this time Gary makes lunch; today I'm benefiting from Ash and you all by having a feast together."

"It's nothing; we're truly honored that Miss Lorelei can come!" Misty exclaims as a little fan girl.

Brock looks surprised at Gary and Lorelei. Every day it's Gary making lunch; are you two living together? How scandalous!

"Thanks to Miss Lorelei's care, I've been able to rest well during this time; so I'm cooking some dishes as a return," Gary explains calmly.

Ash stares at the table full of dishes just wanting to know when they will start eating.

"Everyone dig in; these are all home-cooked dishes. Don't be polite; eat more," Delia says with a smile.

This motherly gentle personality seems innate; she radiates maternal warmth equally towards everyone—

"Ahm! Ahm! Ahm!" Ash can't wait any longer and immediately stuffs a chicken leg, a rib, and a meatball into his mouth.

"So good! Mom's cooking really is the best!" Ash praises while eating heartily.

Everyone also enjoys their meal very much.

Lorelei tries a spoonful of mashed potatoes; her eyes brighten as the subtle milky aroma and appropriate sweet-salty balance are perfectly executed. Moreover, there's an unknown rich texture that makes one unable to stop—

"I saw your recipe earlier; I'll make it for you later," Gary whispers into Lorelei's ear playfully.

Lorelei's ears along with her fair swan neck turn slightly pink as she gently nods.

Misty glances at Gary and Lorelei before quickly looking down to eat as if she has stumbled upon something scandalous.

However, there seems to be quite an age gap between them—ah! Never mind; I'm dying from jealousy! You two behave yourselves!

Brock chews on his beef while rolling his eyes at Misty. Young people should stop obsessing over everything; it will only harm you!

Professor Oak takes a sip of red wine happily; his nurturing style towards Gary is absolutely free-range—let them find their own fortune as long as Gary can handle things himself; he won't intervene.

Even if someone dares to find trouble with Gary, he won't help him out—at most he'll deal with whoever causes trouble—

"Ahem, Gary and Ash, now that you've both passed the preliminaries, what goals do you have for this Indigo League?" Professor Oak asks curiously.

"What else could it be? Of course it's to win the championship and become a Pokémon Master!" Ash immediately replies as if it were obvious.

Gary rolls his eyes at Ash and wipes his mouth before speaking. "Please read more books during your free time; at least watch some news or TV okay?

The winner of the Indigo League is merely the champion of regional competitions; it does not mean becoming a Pokémon Master.

Only by winning regional competitions can one qualify for the Champion League and start challenging the Elite Four.

Defeating all four members grants qualification to become one of them while also gaining access to participate in the Master League.

At that point one would be worthy of being called 'Master'—

Beyond that point, after defeating all four members individually would one qualify for the path of champions and battle against regional champions.

Only after defeating those champions can one be referred to as Champion Respected One—essentially being recognized as regional No. 1 trainer!"

"Eh... I don't understand at all." Ash mumbles with chicken bones dangling from his mouth while staring blankly...

"So what about your goal then?" Brock probes further.

Gary shrugs. "One step at a time; my current goal is simply to win the Indigo League championship~"

"What?! Gary you're too cunning! I won't concede defeat! Let's battle right now!" Ash exclaims excitedly while jumping up with a meatball in his mouth!

But halfway through speaking, he chokes on the meatball!

"Oh no! Ash don't scare me!" Gary yells out in shock as he prepares to rush forward for rescue.

"Be careful! Use your abdomen forcefully; it might feel a bit gross!" Suddenly, a boy from the next table rushes over and hugs Ash tightly before lifting him up suddenly.

Puff! The meatball flies out of Ash's mouth as he breathes out in relief. "Phew... I'm saved. Thank you... uh... who are you?"

The boy smiles brightly. "Hello everyone! My name is Ritchie, also a contestant."

Gary pauses for a moment. So it's him! Known as Ash's rival but even more like Red!

"Thank you for saving my son," Delia stands up gratefully towards Ritchie.

"No need for thanks; it was just a small effort on my part. Then I won't disturb you further." Ritchie politely waves his hand before bowing slightly and leaving gracefully.

"Tsk tsk; this trainer is clearly around Ash's age but so much more mature," Misty can't help but comment.

"No—I think he resembles Ash too much—like they were carved from the same mold," Gary observes Ritchie's departing figure with complex feelings.

Just imagine—a smart person full of passion and dreams like Ash who had high emotional intelligence—if not for lacking protagonist aura or still being too green right now—he would definitely be a formidable opponent!

Unfortunately though, Ritchie comes from an ordinary background; one can tell from how slowly his Pokémon develop that he lacks sufficient resources despite having opportunities to catch rare Pokémon like Charmander or later appearing quasi-legendary Pokémon like Pupitar.

Unlike wealthy trainers like Jeanette, whose tactical thinking hinders their Pokémon's growth—Ritchie faces limitations due to weak Pokémon themselves struggling without proper development resources.

Wanting to help him somewhat but feeling that such assistance might alter Ritchie's original trajectory ultimately leads Gary not speaking up after all.

"Well—everyone has their own aspirations; wishing you good fortune in battles~" Gary reflects lightly while sending blessings inwardly.