☕︎
o1.
just a normal day.

The world woke up to a pink morning, skies committing the crime of being the pinkest of all nature around, even surpassing the fresh peaches I passed by in the marketplace. 

"Noibat!" 

I turned to my little Pokémon perched on my shoulder. His little claws were pointing at a set of apples. Their skin was a bright red, and I looked at the bat again. "For spiced sets, I believe?" 

He nodded, jumping up and down on my shoulder and tickling me. "Noibat! Noibat!" 

"Alright, alright. Let's get some of those and... how do those cranberries and those lemons look?" 

"Noibat!" 

"And those blueberries?" 

"Bat." 

That, my friends, was negative in his words. It wasn't advisable to buy those under any circumstances unless you wished to experience taste poisoning. Noibat knew that much, thank you. 

After making the necessary purchases, we set off for the little trek to Ket's Café, heaving the berry bags. Noibat had taken flight to reach before me, and I didn't mind; it lessened the weight. 

My lips tugged up into a smile at the sight of the woman facing the brick building, patting her Manectric calmly. "Good morning, Officer Jenny, ma'am!" I greeted as soon as I was within her earshot. The lady stood up to give a salute, which I returned admiringly. 

"Pleasant of mornings, Ash. Thought to stop by for an early morning sip, if it's okay with you?" 

"Of course, of course!" I replied, reaching for the knob awkwardly. Before I could, though, Greninja opened the door from the other end and stepped aside for us to enter. "After you." 

I followed the police officer into the café, gesturing a thanks to the ninja Pokémon, who took half of the baggage from me. Goodra was already on shift, leading the lady and her Pokémon to one of the tables and handing her the menu. 

Content, I got to the counter, slipping on my Pikachu-themed apron for the day. The café had just opened, but its familial coziness, the scent of brewing, and the trinkets lining the doused fireplace were enough to make me feel at home. 

"I assume I'm the lucky first?" the lady's voice rang out. 

"Oh, yes!" I replied, taking the order from Goodra. Applin Spiced Tea. "Thanks, bud." 

"Goo!" 

"Greninja, Applin Spiced, with cinnamon garnish." 

"Ninja!" 

I got to boiling the water while Greninja neatly sliced an apple. Hawlucha was by my side, throwing in a cinnamon stick and the apple slices. Following the rhythm, I withdrew the tea powder that Noibat and I had put together two nights ago. 

When the water started boiling, Hawlucha took it off the stove and added two spoons of the tea powder before putting it back on the induction. 

The aroma of Applin tea wafted through the air. I gave the fighting bird a thumbs-up and started up the espresso machine. I didn't have to worry about brewing the tea; the only part was decorating it, for which Hawlucha called out. 

"Lucha-cha!" 

It was a fun task—working with my Pokémon on one single beverage. Greninja had all the decorations neatly lined up for the day, with the sack containing more neatly tucked beneath the counter. 

I chose the clotted cream to draw in Applin's eyes and added a sprinkle of cinnamon. Two more sticks of the same, along with a slice of apple, stood beside the mug. I let Goodra take away the order and got back to roasting the coffee beans. 

My eyes drifted to the police officer and my starter enjoying a conversation—if that was legitimately possible—with the tea. "You're the right officer on the beat, Ash!" she complimented, leaning against the chair. I gave her a short bow, grinning. 

"Pleasure to have that title, ma'am." 

Manectric let out a couple of sparks, interacting with Pikachu, who had jumped from the table. My attention was stolen away when the bell tinkled, indicating new customers. 

"Ah!" I smiled. "Good morning, Noble Rockets. Regular, I assume?" 

Jessie, the diva that she always was, took the seat in front of me, flourishing her hair. "Of course, darling. Clefable Caramel, extra caramel, of course. Just as sweet as things could get!" 

James, the calmer one of the trio, took a seat beside her and greeted, "Morning. I'd love the beautiful Blissey Brew. You know the particulars." 

"Gimme the Espurr-esso, old champ," the miraculously talking Meowth piped in, taking his usual high seat beside the cobalt-haired James. "Will never know when you have to run, no?" 

"All three, right away!" I winked, cleaning the bar at once with my tablecloth. I tossed it beneath the counter and began working on the foam decoration for the cup of Blissey Brew that Greninja had ready. 

"Lucha-cha!" Hawlucha called, passing another cup—Clefable Caramel—just as the espresso machine dinged. He left to attend to it while I finished putting a spoonful of maple syrup into the beverage. 

I slid the two their drinks while Hawlucha got out the espresso, adding a teaspoon of cocoa powder—just the way Sir Meowth preferred. He placed it on the counter and got back to restarting the espresso machine. 

"I'll catch you later!" I heard Officer Jenny. She headed for the door before glancing back. "If duty doesn't call again. Stay safe and keep the peace!" 

"Yes, ma'am!" Team Rocket echoed me, while Pikachu gave a cheery spark-goodbye to his pal, Manectric. The door closed with a chime, and I nodded at my dragon type. 

Goodra put the unclean cup into the dishes to be washed, while Greninja threw a fresh wash cloth over the table for the dragon type to use. I smiled at them. How lucky was I to have such cooperative and responsible Pokémon? 

I was cut from my musings when the bell tinkled again. My heart fluttered, seeing the familiar honey-blonde step in, her face flushed with an energetic smile. 

"Oh, shoot," I mumbled under my breath, looking away the minute she turned toward the counter. Not this girl!