~The next morning~
After getting freshened up, I went to check the condition of my Pokémon and eggs. The eggs were in good condition, and so were the Pokémon, but they seemed to lack strength and experience compared to wild Pokémon. So, I thought it was time to start their training.
"Guys, how about we start training for Pokémon battles?" I asked them. If they refused to train, I wouldn't make them my Pokémon.
But to my surprise, everyone seemed pretty excited about the idea. It looks like all of them really want to become strong.
After playing with them for about an hour and a half, Mom called me inside the house to have breakfast and take a bath.
It's Saturday, so Mom has two days off, while Dad's schedule varies. He can get a day off or have to attend meetings anytime.
After giving me a bath, Mom dressed me in a new outfit she had bought for me, a teal and black sleeveless princess dress with flares.
I tried to remember what day it was because Mom doesn't dress me like this every day.
After that, she did my makeup and styled my hair into an elegant bun with face-framing tendrils. I must say, I looked so beautiful that I even surprised myself. I looked no less than a princess straight out of a fairy tale.
When I came out of the bathroom, I saw a pair of black heels, which made me even more suspicious. And yeah, I already know how to walk in heels, after who knows how many times falling.
Then suddenly, someone blindfolded me. I had a feeling it was Mom, so I asked,
"Mom, what's going on?"
"Surprise."
"C'mon, just tell me."
"You'll know soon," she replied.
She took me somewhere and I had no idea where, since I couldn't see.
After walking for a while, she asked,
"Are you ready?"
"What are you planning, Mom?"
"Hehe, you'll find out now," she said as she removed the blindfold.
At first, I couldn't see clearly due to the sudden change in light, but I heard many voices.
"Surprise!"
As my eyes adjusted, I saw decorations all over the hall. My dad and the maids were standing in front of me.
"Happy Birthday!" they all said in unison—Mom, Dad, and all the maids.
Yeah, I remember now. Today is my birthday.
"Thanks, everyone," I said, as my eyes went toward a familiar face I couldn't quite place.
"So, is she your child, Rubina?"
"Yes, this is my child. But he's a boy, not a girl."
"Wait, you're telling me this beautiful birthday girl, who could put many real beauties to shame, is a boy?"
"Yes, he is, Miss Drasna," my dad replied.
Wait... I remember now. She's Drasna, the Elite Four member of Kalos and a Dragon-type master.
I never expected my parents to be on friendly terms with an Elite Four member.
"Don't tell me—Rubina, did you..."
"Yes, I did, senior. Hehe," Mom replied, acting cute.
"Huh. Anyway, happy birthday, kid. It must be hard to handle her tendencies."
"It is sometimes, but I guess I've gotten used to it."
"It's not like you had any other choice."
"Yeah, that too."
"Hey, senior, are you trying to turn my child against me on his birthday?"
"No, I'm just giving him my sympathy."
"You're making me look like a bad mom."
"What good mom makes her son crossdress?"
"I can't help it, he's just so beautiful."
"I admit he's more beautiful than most girls, but still, you shouldn't do that. It could have a bad effect on him."
"Sorry, Senior. But I promise I won't make him crossdress..."
"As long as you understand."
"...after he turns ten."
Sigh
"Sorry, kid. Looks like she's not backing down." She clearly knows how persistent my mom is.
"It's okay. I'm used to it. But..."
"Oh! I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Drasna, one of the Elite Four."
"I know who you are. But how do you know my parents?"
"Oh, I was your mom's teacher when she began her journey as a trainer. She's one of my best students. She's great—aside from her strange fetishes."
"Hehe, thanks for the praise, Senior."
"I wasn't entirely praising you, idiot."
"Anyway, I think it's time to cut the cake."
"Yeah."
.
The cake was chocolate-flavored—both mine and Mom's favorite. We both have a sweet tooth.
As I blew out the candles, everyone started singing the birthday song.
"Happy birthday, young master," all the maids said in unison.
"Happy birthday, son," Dad said.
"Happy birthday, my baby." Do I even need to tell you who said that?
"Happy birthday, kid," Drasna added.
"Thank you, everyone. I almost forgot it was my birthday."
"But your mom remembered, unlike your dad."
"Hey! I was the one who arranged everything."
"So what? You didn't even remember your own kid's birthday, but you always remember your meeting dates."
Dad had no reply for that, so he went silent.
"Happy birthday, young master," said Rita, the head maid, as she handed me a gift.
"Thanks, Rita. But you didn't have to..." I said, trying to hand it back. I remembered her mom had been hospitalized with a serious illness.
"You have to take it, young master. It's from all the maids in this house."
"But your mom..."
"She's fully recovered. Master took care of her treatment," Rita said, giving me the gift again.
"Dad did?"
"Yeah, you asked me about it. Don't you remember?"
"I did, but I thought you'd forget—like you forget almost everything."
"His worry is valid, since you forget everything except business," Mom added, clearly still annoyed.
As usual, Dad had no response and remained silent.
"Sorry, kid. I just received the invitation, so I didn't get the chance to bring a gift," Drasna said.
"It's okay. But... can you do me a favor?"
"Yes, ask away."
"Can I see all your Pokémon?"
"Sure. But I only have six with me right now."
"That's okay."
"Then let's go outside."
After that, we headed to the garden to see her Pokémon.