Multiverse Gourmet Hunter

After formally reaching an agreement with the Pokémon League, Haruto no longer needed to search for Pokémon himself.

That did not mean he intended to sit around doing nothing.

The Pokémon world possessed its own culinary system, and several aspects of its ingredient combinations, cooking methods, and approach to flavor had caught his interest.

He was especially fascinated by Pokéblocks and Poffins, foods created specifically for Pokémon.

Their use of ingredients and balance of different forms of energy were unlike anything Haruto had encountered before.

Professor Oak had conducted extensive research on Pokéblocks, so the laboratory contained a large collection of complete recipes, ingredient ratios, and detailed production methods.

Haruto studied every stage, from processing the Berries and blending the ingredients to shaping and solidifying the finished blocks. It did not take him long to understand the essential techniques.

Poffins, however, proved more difficult.

Professor Oak’s research had always focused on Pokémon ecology, evolution, and breeding theory.

Since Pokéblocks were closely connected to raising Pokémon, he had studied them in some depth.

Poffins were closer to gourmet treats, so the professor had never explored them seriously.

The few pages of basic information in his possession were nowhere near enough for Haruto to properly learn the craft.

With no better option, Haruto asked Lorelei for help.

"You want to learn how to make Poffins? That won’t be a problem."

Lorelei agreed without the slightest hesitation.

After thinking for a moment, she smiled in realization.

"As it happens, I know someone who is highly skilled at making Poffins. Her work is excellent."

The following morning, Haruto and Lorelei rode Flying-type Pokémon toward Cerulean City, a coastal city in the Kanto region.

They soon arrived above the city.

A salty sea breeze brushed past them, carrying cool moisture from the glittering blue water below.

The Cerulean Gym, famous for its Water-type facilities, was visible from a considerable distance.

Lorelei led Haruto to a small shop beside the Pokémon Center.

The store had been decorated in a fresh, elegant style, with a wooden sign reading Sweetheart Poffins hanging above the entrance.

Its spotless glass windows revealed rows of finely crafted wooden shelves inside.

A faint sweetness from various Berries drifted through the air, naturally putting visitors at ease.

When they opened the door, a clear wind chime rang overhead.

Behind the counter, a Nurse Joy in a pink uniform was arranging several Poffins. She immediately raised her head and greeted them with a gentle smile.

"Welcome! What flavor of Poffin would you like? We have—"

Before she could finish, her gaze settled on Lorelei, and surprise lit up her face.

"Oh! Lorelei! What brings you here? It’s usually impossible to convince you to even have tea with me."

"I’m normally quite busy," Lorelei replied with a smile.

She stepped aside and introduced Haruto.

"This is Suzuki Haruto. He’s interested in Poffin-making and wants to study it properly, so I brought him to see you."

Nurse Joy turned toward Haruto, understanding flickering in her eyes.

As a member of the Joy family, she had recently heard his name.

She did not know many details, but apparently he was someone the Pokémon League regarded as highly important.

She had not expected him to be interested in learning how to make Poffins.

"You want to learn Poffin-making?" she asked curiously.

"That’s right."

Haruto nodded as he looked over the shelves filled with colorful Poffins.

"Though I’m curious, Nurse Joy. If you work at the Pokémon Center, why do you also run a Poffin shop?"

Nurse Joy laughed softly.

"This is actually my part-time job."

"I love making Poffins. There’s something incredibly satisfying about combining different Berries and turning them into treats that Pokémon enjoy."

"So whenever the Pokémon Center isn’t too busy, I come here. You could say it’s my way of indulging a personal hobby."

Haruto nodded in understanding.

Each Nurse Joy had her own personality and interests. There was nothing strange about this one being passionate about Poffins.

After her brief explanation, Nurse Joy enthusiastically began teaching him the basics.

"Poffins have five fundamental flavors: spicy, dry, sweet, bitter, and sour."

"Those five flavors can also be combined in pairs."

"By adjusting the proportions, you can create twenty-five different blended flavor profiles."

"The variety of Berry used is equally important. Even with the same flavor formula, replacing a Pecha Berry with an Oran Berry, Pomeg Berry, or Wiki Berry will completely change the aroma, texture, and subtle aftertaste."

"Poffins can also gently improve a Pokémon’s condition, sociability, and vitality. That is their greatest difference from ordinary desserts."

Perhaps realizing that words alone would not explain everything clearly, Nurse Joy brought out several Poffins in red, purple, pink, green, and yellow.

Each one was smooth and plump, with a gentle sheen across its surface. Their fine craftsmanship was obvious at a glance.

"Would you like to let one of your Pokémon try them? That might help you understand the effects more directly."

Haruto picked up a pink Poffin with interest and took a bite himself.

A rich but restrained sweetness immediately spread across his tongue.

It was followed by an unusual blend of fresh Berry fragrance and mild grain sweetness, creating a layered flavor with a pleasantly long finish.

It was genuinely good.

Nurse Joy stared for a moment when Haruto began eating the Poffin himself, then smiled.

Poffins had been designed for Pokémon, but they were perfectly safe for humans.

In fact, she enjoyed tasting them herself.

"The sweet Poffin is quite good," Haruto said sincerely. "The aroma is especially strong."

He picked up the yellow one next.

Its sourness was gentle but still possessed clear layers, accompanied by a light fruity fragrance that gave it a distinctive character.

After watching Haruto taste them so seriously, Lorelei hesitated briefly before picking up one of the pink sweet Poffins herself.

She took a small bite.

A gentle sweetness melted across her tongue, wrapped in a soft fruit aroma. It was unexpectedly delicious.

Haruto and Lorelei proceeded to sample every basic flavor.

After comparing them, Haruto decided that he preferred the sweet and sour varieties.

Lorelei favored the spicy and sweet ones.

Once they had finished tasting the basic Poffins, the practical lesson officially began.

Nurse Joy led them through the front of the shop and into a spacious, brightly lit kitchen at the rear.

Everything inside was clean and neatly organized.

Specialized grinders, mixers, and temperature-controlled ovens used for Poffin production were arranged around the room.

Berries, grains, and dairy ingredients had all been sorted into clearly labeled sections.

"Besides the various Berries I mentioned earlier, the main ingredients used in Poffins include special flour ground from Warm Wheat, Sweet Honey produced by Combee, and rich Moomoo Milk."

Nurse Joy gestured toward the ingredients.

"Their freshness directly determines the final quality of the Poffin."

She then explained the four quality grades.

"Poffins are divided into four levels, from lowest to highest: Foul Poffins, Rich Poffins, Dense Poffins, and Fragrant Poffins."

"Foul Poffins have a dull appearance and a rough texture. Pokémon generally refuse to eat them, and they only waste ingredients. They’re defective products that must never be sold."

"Rich Poffins have an even color and full flavor. They are the most common commercial grade and can be sold normally."

"Dense Poffins possess a smooth, delicate texture and a deep fragrance that lingers for a long time. They are considered premium quality."

A trace of pride naturally appeared on Nurse Joy’s face.

"Every Poffin sold in this shop is Dense grade. Quite a few Trainers come here specifically to buy them."

"You’re very skilled, Nurse Joy," Haruto praised.

He was not particularly surprised.

The Poffins he had tasted were indeed excellent and deserved their premium classification.

Still, there were several imperfections in their flavor, and they remained a considerable distance from true perfection.

Haruto naturally had no intention of saying that aloud.

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