Menchi couldn't help but clap, her eyes shining with admiration. "That was amazing!" she exclaimed. She had expected to spend hours cleaning, but Larry, as always, had a way of turning tedious tasks into effortless feats.
Just as she was about to continue praising him, a loud voice from outside caught their attention. "Menchi-chan? You're finally back!" A girl with short sky-blue hair and bright blue eyes strolled into the shop, her face filled with curiosity. She was around the same age as Menchi but slightly shorter, with delicate features.
However, compared to Menchi's well-proportioned figure, she was flat as a board, something that was rather obvious standing next to her. "Lika!" Menchi's expression lit up. "Yeah, I just got back!"
Lika seemed just as excited, but her attention quickly shifted to the tall, dark-haired man standing beside Menchi. "Menchi-chan, who's this?" she asked, tilting her head.
Menchi puffed out her chest with pride. "This is Larry, my Gourmet Hunter partner!"
Lika blinked in surprise. "Wait… you actually found a partner?" She had always thought Menchi was too stubborn and independent to team up with anyone—she had entered the competition solo for years, after all. Her gaze shifted back to Larry, scanning him carefully.
Something about his name felt... familiar. "Larry… where have I heard that name before?"
She was still trying to recall when another voice chimed in from outside. "You mean the Invincible Larry from the Sky Arena?"
Lika's eyes widened in shock, her memory finally clicking into place. "Ohhh! That's right! I've seen the promotions! You're the undefeated champion!"
As soon as she finished speaking, another woman stepped into the shop, moving with a confident, almost predatory grace. She was tall and well-built, her presence commanding. Dressed in a sleek black coat, her figure was mostly concealed, but the curves beneath left little to the imagination.
Unlike Lika's delicate features, this woman had darker skin, long black hair, and an intense gaze, her eyes resembling a snake's vertical pupils. Larry immediately recognized her. She was a member of the Zodiac—Gel, the Snake! Her reputation preceded her—a Poison Hunter, a master of toxins and antidotes, and a forensic pathologist.
Unlike Pyorn, who was aggressive in pushing for reform, Gel belonged to the more neutral faction, staying out of political disputes. "Menchi-chan, I didn't expect you to find the strongest host in Sky Arena as your partner!" Gel remarked, an amused smirk on her lips.
Lika gasped, suddenly realizing the gravity of the situation. "Wait… Menchi, you got Larry—the undefeated Invincible—to be your partner?!" She had expected Menchi to team up with someone competent, but this was beyond expectations. And now that she thought about it… She subtly glanced at Menchi's clothes. Something was different. Her usual bold, revealing outfits were now much more conservative, as if she had someone she wanted to impress.
Lika's eyes flickered with understanding, but she kept quiet, hiding her smirk. Menchi, standing proudly with her hands on her hips, soaked in the moment of recognition.
For the first time, she felt validated—not just as a chef or a hunter, but as someone who had chosen the right partner. With four people suddenly filling the previously empty shop, the place felt lively again.
After some introductions, Larry quickly learned more about Lika. She had come to Gourmet Paradise at the same time as Menchi, and the two had become close friends due to their shared passion for food.
Unlike Menchi, however, Lika had a unique ability— She was a Space Nen user. Larry immediately understood why Menchi had reacted so strongly when she first saw Gengar's dimensional storage ability back in the Desert.
For someone like Lika, who had trained for years to master spatial manipulation, seeing a Pokémon casually warp things in and out of reality must have been… frustrating. Still, Lika's abilities made her an incredibly useful ally, and he could see why Menchi respected her.
As the four continued chatting, the air of friendly conversation took an unexpected turn. Gel leaned against the counter, her snake-like eyes locking onto Larry. "You know," she mused, "with someone as strong as you, I wouldn't mind seeing what you're capable of in the competition."
Larry raised an eyebrow. "Are you thinking of competing?"
Gel smirked. "Maybe. But more importantly…" She gestured toward Menchi with a teasing look. "I'm more interested in whether you two will be able to handle working together."
Menchi instantly stiffened. Lika hid her laugh behind her hand, but her knowing gaze said everything. Larry, on the other hand, remained completely unfazed. He had already noticed the subtle shifts in Menchi's behavior, and if Gel and Lika had caught on too, it only confirmed his suspicions.
Menchi wasn't just looking for a partner. She was interested in something more. Still, Larry didn't comment on it. Instead, he leaned against the counter, smirking. "Guess we'll see, won't we?"
Gel chuckled, Lika rolled her eyes, and Menchi—flustered but determined—crossed her arms and huffed. "Just watch. We'll win the whole damn thing."
"Well, speaking of food competition…" Gel stretched, resting his hands behind his head. "I could go for a good meal right about now. What about you, Larry?"
"Depends. You got something good in mind?"
Menchi's eyes lit up. "Actually, yeah. There's a place I've been dying to go back to. Best food you'll ever taste."
Larry chuckled. "Alright, you've got my attention. Lead the way."
****
The cozy wooden shop had a welcoming atmosphere, contrasting the extravagant, exotic restaurants they had passed along the bustling food street. It felt simple yet refined, with a warmth that made one feel at home.
The moment they stepped inside, a gentle yet firm voice greeted them from behind the counter. "Welcome."
The layout of the shop was reminiscent of a Japanese-style eatery, with a long wooden counter separating the dining area from the open kitchen, where food was prepared fresh before the customers.
As Larry and the others took in the surroundings, the middle-aged woman behind the counter looked up from her work, her expression shifting from polite curiosity to genuine surprise. "Oh, well, if it isn't little Menchi and little Lika." Her voice carried both affection and amusement.
Menchi grinned brightly at the sight of the woman and greeted her enthusiastically. "Master, I'm back!"
Larry raised an eyebrow. 'Master?'
Seeing his reaction, Lika leaned over and whispered, "That's Linda, Menchi's teacher. She's the one who taught her both cooking and Nen."
'So she's the one who helped shape Menchi into what she is today?' Larry thought as he observed the woman more closely.
Despite her middle-aged appearance and gentle demeanor, there was an undeniable presence about her—her Nen was subtle but controlled, flowing through her body like an unshaken river. She wasn't just a cook. She was a veteran Nen user.
Menchi wasted no time and ordered without hesitation. "Master, bring us eight bowls first. Let them have a taste."
Linda's smile remained as she nodded. "Alright, just wait a moment." She turned back toward the kitchen, rolling up her sleeves as she began preparing their meal.