Snowflakes drifted through the night sky as steam rose from the bubbling hot pot.
"It's snowing." Cynthia reached out, her voice soft.
"You can warm your hands in my pockets if you want."
Cynthia smiled. "No."
Yet her fingers still crept toward his coat, her pale cheeks flushing pink.
"How does it feel?"
"Not cold anymore."
"My hands are freezing, though."
Cynthia shot him a look. "My dress doesn't have pockets."
Natsume said nothing, his gaze lingering on her porcelain-smooth fingers.
Cynthia's face burned as she withdrew them beneath the table.
"Just returning the favor. Don't read into it."
"Don't worry. I'll cherish this sensation all night."
"…That sounds wrong."
Cynthia stared fixedly at the boiling broth, where fresh vegetables, glistening meatballs, and thinly sliced lamb swirled—
Then flinched as a warm, calloused hand enveloped hers under the table.
Her lips pressed together, lashes lowering. The memory of their first snowy handhold surfaced.
Mischievously, she traced his palm with her pinky.
"Ngh—!" Natsume's expression twisted.
"Natsume-sensei! Stomachache?" Ash blinked worriedly.
Natsume forced a nod. "Chronic… condition."
"When do we eat?" Gold groaned, chin in hand.
"At least wait for the meatballs to float." Crystal sighed.
Their pinkies brushed again under the table. Testing. Natsume marveled at how delicate her fingers felt.
Then—
Caitlin, having just entered the backyard, froze mid-step.
Her jaw dropped.
Year-Defining Shock Engulfs Caitlin!!
"Caitlin?" Shauntal waved a hand before her dazed eyes. "How many fingers?"
Caitlin shook herself off and stormed toward the pair.
Heads turned.
"I… want to join too." Caitlin pouted.
Green recovered first. "Plenty of seats! Sit wherever!"
Shauntal bowed apologetically, sliding beside Erika. "So sorry about this!"
"No need." Erika's eyes sparkled. "I'm enjoying the show."
Shauntal: ???
Nearby, Sabrina crouched beside Gengar. "Even on Christmas… you train?"
"Gengar!" It nodded fiercely.
Making its Trainer the strongest—that was its dream.
And now, it could feel Natsume rising to meet that hope.
"Gengar! (??????)"
Could anything be happier?
"Wonderful." Sabrina smiled. "Then I'll join you."
Caitlin's arrival blindsided Cynthia.
"Why are you here?" She tucked a golden strand behind her ear.
"Mmph." Caitlin wedged herself between Cynthia and Natsume without explanation.
Cynthia shot Natsume an apologetic glance before patting Caitlin's hair. "I'll spend time with you back in Unova, okay?"
Caitlin glared at Natsume, then Cynthia, and shook her head—
Like a abandoned puppy. Or a child whose favorite toy got stolen.
"Fine." Cynthia laughed. "Let's all eat together then!"
"Ahem." Natsume reluctantly withdrew his hand. "Dig in, everyone!"
Food time!
Gold's chopsticks darted toward a plump meatball—
Clack!
Ash's chopsticks intercepted his. Their eyes locked.
Embers of rivalry crackled.
This was a battle between culinary warriors!
"This guy…" Silver facepalmed.
Cooking prowess had tiers: Milcery, Wobbuffet, Charizard…
Natsume-sensei's skills? Moltres-class.
Gold shoved a scalding meatball into his mouth—then turned beet-red.
Spicy fireworks detonated on his tongue, chased by rich, savory broth.
Chugging water, he lunged for another.
"Hot!" Lance gasped. "But incredible!"
Red: "Feels like my spirit's burning!"
Lorelei: "This flavor… it's illegal."
Ash: "Seconds!!"
Natsume smiled, watching the chaos.
Caitlin leaned heavily against Cynthia.
"Give me your hand," Cynthia whispered.
"Huh?" Caitlin obeyed.
Cynthia squeezed it, then frowned.
Why…
Doesn't it feel the same?
...
Oak Research Institute – Indoors
Professor Oak stared at his unexpected guest.
"What?" Agatha tapped her cane. "Can't an old crone visit?"
The industry legend fumbled. "O-of course! I just thought—"
Agatha scanned the room, then eyed his cigarette.
"Smoke less."
Professor Oak froze.
Since when did Agatha care?
The same Agatha who'd hex first and ask questions never?!
"Problem?" she snapped.
"No." He stubbed out the cigarette. "You're here as a guest too?"
A nod.
"Ah." Silence stretched between the two elders.
Decades apart. Both weathered by time.
To Agatha's surprise—
No anger. No blame. Just a quiet realization:
Oh.
So he's gotten old too.
Snow piled outside.
"I'll make tea." Professor Oak hurried off.
"With—"
"Sugar, no cream. Right?"
Agatha's lips parted. Slowly, she nodded.
Alone, she shuffled to his desk—and froze.
A wrinkled smile crept across her face.
"Let's go, Gengar."
"Gengar!"
By the time Professor Oak returned with tea, she was gone.
He sighed, then noticed it—
A crudely drawn Gengar face on the crumpled corner of her last letter.
Professor Oak laughed.
...
Backyard – Photo Time
Red proposed a group photo.
No one refused The Battler.
"C-can I join?" Ash scratched his cheek.
"Obviously!" Gold yanked him over. "You're one of us now, kid!"
"Heh." Ash grinned.
Natsume eyed the sky.
Please don't let Ash inherit Gold's recklessness…
Green set up a tripod. "On three—Cheese!"
She sprinted toward Silver, who barely caught her.
"Cheese!" the group chorused.
"Gengar! (?`▽′?)"
"Dammit, Gengar blocked the shot! Again!"
"Three, two—Whose Pikachu is that?!"
"Ash's! Tattletale!"
"Pikachu, get back here!"
"Pikachu! ???"
...
Team Rocket HQ
Giovanni sat alone, Persian at his feet.
The base was empty—voluntarily.
Solitude suited him.
Then—Beep beep!
His rarely used private phone lit up. Natsume's voice, annoyingly cheerful:
"Merry Christmas, Boss Giovanni!"
"This is your Christmas gift. Five-star reviews appreciated~!"
"A... gift for me?"
Giovanni stared blankly for a long moment before lowering his gaze.
It was a group photo.
Everyone was covered in soot, likely from Pikachu's thunderbolt.
Yet every face brimmed with genuine smiles.
His lips quirked unconsciously at the red-and-white-capped young man at the center.
Then his expression stilled.
Beside him—a red-haired youth with shadowed eyes. A mirror of his younger self.
Giovanni traced the photo with calloused fingers before exhaling deeply.
He dialed Matori, who was mid-bite into grilled meat.
"Mmph... Boss? Whassup?"
"I hear he's preparing for the Kanto League."
Giovanni's voice was steady. "Send Natsume the spare Viridian Badge…"
"And… give him 'Giovanni's Techniques' as well."
Matori was stunned into silence before finally replying hoarsely, "Understood."
'Giovanni's Techniques'—the culmination of Lord Giovanni's life's work.
And just like that… he was giving it to Natsume-sensei?
It seems Natsume-sensei's importance far exceeds what I imagined…
In the quiet, still room,
Giovanni suddenly smiled.
In my life, I, Giovanni, have never owed anyone anything… except…
He shook his head and murmured, "Mentor… this is my thanks. I hope it pleases you…"
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