December 24th, Christmas Eve.
The snow fell heavily outside, swirling in the glow of streetlights.
Natsume glanced at Cynthia, her cheeks flushed pink in the cold, looking particularly charming.
As they reached the warmly lit doorstep, she stepped ahead, turning with a bright smile.
"I've already decided on the menu for later!"
"That fast?"
"Mhm." She looked pleased with herself.
Her playful mood was infectious. Natsume followed her inside.
"What were you doing out there earlier?"
"I saw you all having a snowball fight from the balcony and couldn't resist joining."
"You could've played too—though no Glaceon. That'd be cheating."
"What about Garchomp?"
Natsume made a conflicted face. "...Let me think about it."
Cynthia watched him, exhaling a soft cloud of breath, her heart fluttering. "It feels... different," she murmured.
"Hm?"
She shook her head, tucking golden hair behind her ear, eyes crinkling.
"Nothing... Let's have another snowball fight later!"
"Or we could stay in and play board games," Natsume muttered.
Cynthia's eyes sparkled. "Then let's game~"
...
Inside, warmth enveloped them.
Natsume released his Pokémon, preparing to give them a warm bath.
Like humans, Pokémon could catch colds—Pikachu's cheeks would discharge abnormally as an early symptom.
Brock, for one, was well-versed in Pokémon medicine.
As the red light faded, the little ones scampered around, still buzzing from their snowy antics.
"Togepi doo-ee~" Togepi toddled eagerly toward the door.
Natsume scooped it up. "No going outside after sweating. You'll get sick."
"Togepi!" It nodded solemnly—only to dart for the door again the moment it was set down.
After three rounds of this, Togepi giggled, treating it like a game.
Cynthia watched from the couch, amused.
"Go shower first. I'll keep an eye on Togepi," she offered.
Natsume nodded, picking up Sylveon, who drowsily nuzzled his shoulder.
Post-bath, Sylveon shook moisture from its ribbons and yawned.
Cynthia was nowhere in sight.
Upstairs, Natsume spotted her outside on the balcony, gleefully trading snowballs with Togepi.
He sighed, smiling. "Dinner's ready!"
Cynthia looked up, breath misting, cheeks pink with embarrassment.
"Togepi doo-ee~Ｏ(≧▽≦)Ｏ"
Though reluctant, Togepi let Cynthia carry it inside.
"I'll give Togepi a bath."
"Can I join?"
Cynthia's eyes glinted teasingly. "Next time?"
Natsume stared at the ceiling.
...
The sound of running water filled the air.
Leaving Lucario on guard, Natsume headed to the kitchen.
Tonight's menu: "Chariben Steak Donburi."
Fragrant shallots sizzled in the pan as he prepared a red wine reduction.
The steak, marinated in honey for tenderness, seared to perfection before being laid over pearl rice, topped with golden crispy shallots.
Even by professional standards, this was "Tang Niu"-level cooking.
"Sirfetch'd…" The duck knight eyed Natsume warily, shielding its precious leek.
"Relax," Natsume said. "I'll just trim the new growth from your potted leek."
"Sirfetch'd! (??????????????)"
So you're STILL after my leek?!
Since Cynthia preferred sweeter flavors, Natsume adjusted the sauce accordingly.
With the main course done, he moved to her requested side: "Karaage Chicken"—crispy, juicy bites atop fresh lettuce, paired with ice-cold cola.
Pleased with the presentation, Natsume carried the dishes to the dining table, where eager Pokémon waited.
Cynthia, now in a simple black coat, her hair loose, took her seat.
The aroma was intoxicating.
She bit into a chicken piece—and her face lit up.
"Gengar…" Gengar rubbed its eyes.
Did that chicken just... glow?
Despite devouring the steak rice with speed, Cynthia's manners remained impeccable.
Natsume watched, amused, as she finally set down her chopsticks, exhaling happily.
"Your cooking's improved again," she said, cheeks pink.
Well, it's evolved from Master Chef to Food Wars!
"The secret ingredient is heart," Natsume said. "Cooking with the wish to bring joy makes it tastier."
"Gengar~! (*⊙~⊙)" Mouth still full, Gengar shoved its bowl forward.
More, Trainer!
The long table buzzed with clinking dishes and contented munching.
"Garchomp!" Garchomp speared steak with her scythe, chewing ungracefully.
Lucario eyed Squirtle's aura, then its own meal, deep in thought.
Maybe... this human isn't so bad for our Trainer?
"Heart... makes food better?"
Cynthia recalled her own disastrous cake attempt, flushing.
Then why was mine so awful? I tried so hard—
"I have a Christmas gift for you," Natsume said suddenly.
He returned with a guitar, tuning it briefly before strumming.
"A song I heard from a wandering musician. Hey Jude."
Outside, snow swirled around a flickering Christmas tree. Delibird hopped by, sacks ready for deliveries.
The gentle chords seemed to melt the winter chill.
[Hey Jude, don't make it bad...]
[Take a sad song and make it better...]
The melody filled the room. The Pokémon listened quietly.
"Sylveon~" Its ribbon curled around Natsume's arm, watching him thoughtfully.
Togepi, nestled in its shell on Arcanine's warm back, snoozed peacefully.
As the last note faded—
"Garchomp~!" Tears welled in her eyes.
Damn sand... got in my eyes!
In the cozy silence, Cynthia's gray eyes gleamed.
"Who was the musician singing about?"
"Maybe his child. Or his lover..."
Cynthia interrupted softly. "Then he must've loved Jude very much."
Natsume met her gaze and nodded.
She smiled. "I loved it."
"Me too," he said.
"I... also prepared something."
Rare shyness colored her cheeks as she pulled a small USB drive from her coat.
"For Sylveon. It's not as strong as Hyper Voice, but it'll help master Fairy-type moves..."
"Wh-what is it?" Natsume's voice trembled with emotion.
"Moonblast." Her smile was radiant. "Best trained under a full moon."
Natsume's lips pressed together.
With mixed feelings, he took the USB.
"Th-thank you!"
"I'm glad you like it." Cynthia's lashes lowered.
Compared to what you've given me... this is nothing.
Natsume took a deep breath.
So this is growth.
...
December 25th, Christmas Morning.
Natsume yawned, shuffling out in Gengar-themed pajamas.
In the living room, Cynthia sat on the couch, swaying side to side, the ornaments on her hat tinkling.
"My turn."
Natsume tugged his hood's drawstring—Gengar's ears perked up.
"This is embarrassing to admit..."
Cynthia smiled. "But I like Pikachu more."
"WHAT?!" Natsume clutched his chest.
"Gengar?"
Gengar peeked out from behind him—wearing Pikachu pajamas.
Cynthia's eyes sparkled. "Come here. Let me pinch those cheeks."
As Gengar floated over, it shot Natsume a thumbs-up.
I'll order Pikachu pajamas ASAP!
Breakfast was Natsume's domain—rich coffee, sizzling ham and eggs, toast popping up with a ding.
"Mmm..." Cynthia nibbled toast while playing Pokémon Auto Chess on her cloud PC.
Natsume peeked.
Five synergies active. Just needs the chosen one!
Post-breakfast, he called Oleana to outline Pokémon Company's next project.
"Hold off on Unova's expansion. Focus on PTCG's online version first."
Though young, Pokémon Company had already produced hit games.
But to rival giants like Game Freak or Nintendo, they needed a flagship live-service game.
Oleana suggested a Hearthstone-inspired PTCG adaptation—easy to learn, with card packs and pre-orders driving engagement.
"What should we name it?" Oleana asked.
"Pokémon Legendary?"
"Sounds like a cheap mobile game," she deadpanned.
"Naming's not my forte. But content is king!"
Besides, Natsume thought, no "Golden Legendary" = no soul.
"Oh, and give everyone the day off. Save their hairlines."
Oleana touched her own hair, sighing.
"With the overtime pay you offer, not working is the issue."
Natsume blinked.
So... generous pay negates work overtime complaints?
Back in the living room, Cynthia sat reading, her glasses perched delicately.
She looked up, smiling.
"Keep reading. Don't mind me," Natsume said.
"Sinnoh's mythology. Just revisiting it."
"Streaming later," he said. "Promised fans after the tournament. Then Oak's lab for the party..."
Cynthia's eyes lit up. "Can I watch you stream?"
"You can co-host. I'm a skill-based streamer now—no face cam. Just don't talk much."
"Viewers come for gameplay, not cute girls."
Cynthia nodded solemnly. "Don't worry. I'll be quiet!"
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