Sobacake

In general, Friede tried to maintain a good diet, not only to have a healthy body full of energy for new adventures, but also to escape any future scolding from Mollie and Murdock.

However, even the young professor couldn't resist breaking his healthy routine from time to time.

That night, in the silence and darkness, Friede slipped discreetly through the ship's corridors, especially when passing by the entrances to the rooms, because he didn't want to be caught red-handed.

His target? That jar of cookies sitting in one of the kitchen cupboards: the perfect late-night snack.

"I'll just grab a couple of cookies and go back to my room, so no one knows." Th captain whispered to himself, opening the kitchen door, gently pushing to avoid any squeaks that might resonates. Once inside, he turned on a small flashlight and scanned the room until he found the jar of cookies.

"Bingo."

Quickly, Friede walked over, removed the lid, and pulling out a vanilla-flavored cookie with chocolate chips. The white haired man licked his lips before taking the first bite, almost squealing with excitement at its sweetness.

"As delicious as always."

"Friede?"

He stopped mid-bite, startled by the sudden voice. Friede turned around slowly, thanks to the little light of the flashlight, he was able to recognize the pair of figures that were at the door: they were Roy and Fuecoco, although the pokemon was quite sleepy. The boy looked at him for a long time.

"Are those the cookies Murdock told us not to eat until lunch tomorrow?"

If they found out… He was dead.

"I'll give you a cookie if you don't tell anyone," he offered in a tone that left no room for argument…

"One and a half cookies." Roy counterattacked almost without thinking.

Or rather, one that left almost no room for argument.

Friede narrowed his eyes, observing the defiant look of the little one

"One cookie."

"Two cookies."

"HALF a cookie."

"THREE cookies then."

"Okay, one and a half cookies."

"Three cookies or I'm going to scream right now."

He felt his heart skip a beat at the sudden threat, however, the young professor showed no weakness, instead striving to maintain a firm stance.

"Don't. You. Dare."

Roy raised an eyebrow and took a deep breath. Alarmed to see the threat fulfilled, and with it, Murdock's furious scolding, Friede immediately pulled three cookies out of the jar and offered them to the boy.

"Okay, okay, okay! Three cookies. Done. Don't scream."

"Nice doing business with you." Roy responded, completely changing his attitude, showing his classic friendlier smile, while taking the cookies as if he had earned them fairly.

Triumphant, the boy sat next to Friede and began to eat one of his cookies, offering the other to the fire Pokémon, which woke up instantly as soon as it sniffed the sweet smell. Friede stayed by his side, laughing a little as he finished eating his cookie, unable to suppress a proud smile at the sharp and intelligent way in which Roy defeated him.

Well… at least they'd get their way this time.

"WHAT ARE YOU TWO DOING?!"

Perhaps he declared victory too soon…

Both criminals screamed in shock, Friede raised the flashlight: there was Murdock in his pajamas and a look of horror, which was quickly replaced by one of anger. The reaction of the adult and the young man was as instantaneous as it was synchronized.

"IT WAS HIS FAULT, I'M INNOCENT!" Both of them shouted in unison, pointing at each other accusingly.

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