The sky darkened as Natsume prepared to head home. Ash waved energetically behind him, shouting, "See you next time, Natsume-sensei!"
Natsume weighed the pocket change in his arms and sighed.
Winning battles meant taking spare change from random passersby.
In a way, Trainers weren't much different from adventurers who ransacked houses for loot.
Rather than letting Ash waste his money on Angry Pidove, it was better to charge him tuition.
Natsume exchanged a grin with Gengar, levitating beside him.
His promise to Professor Oak wouldn't be due until after New Year's.
Until then, he could stroll around the school, tease Sylveon, or play games with Cynthia.
Such was Natsume's life—monotonous and uneventful.
Stepping out of the research institute, the crisp night air greeted him under a vast, clear sky.
A blonde girl in a white cap walked quietly beside Cynthia, hands clasped behind her back.
"Chasing after everything is the beginning of misfortune," Caitlin murmured.
"Hmm?" Cynthia smiled.
"Something you once told me," Caitlin said softly, her gaze steady. "The difference is… you seem even stronger now."
"Meeting different people creates different bonds."
Cynthia pinched Caitlin's cheek playfully. "Smile more. It'll deepen your connection with Pokémon too."
Caitlin froze, then blushed and looked away.
While that situation flourished, Shauntal trailed behind Natsume, fidgeting. "Sorry for intruding, Natsume-sensei…"
"I don't mind," Natsume rubbed his chin.
If Cynthia and Caitlin were like sisters… then technically, didn't that make Caitlin his sister-in-law?
He paused, recalling the rumors about Caitlin.
This "sister-in-law" was practically a human-shaped Psychic-type Pokémon who could level buildings with her bare hands!
"Can't let my guard down. She might ambush me," Natsume mused.
A night breeze swept by as Cynthia tucked her golden hair behind her ear. "You two head back first. I'll visit Unova soon."
Caitlin and Shauntal stared.
Shauntal, the Ghost-type Elite Four member, adjusted her round glasses, cheeks pink.
Their relationship really is something else…
Her face burned hotter as scenes from certain novels flashed in her mind.
"Mmm…" Caitlin let out a small, conflicted noise.
Clinging to Cynthia might just make her unhappy…
Unable to bear the thought of Cynthia's disappointment, Caitlin made a decision. "P-promise?"
"Promise," Cynthia chuckled, ruffling Caitlin's hair.
Why do I feel like the villain here?
Natsume blinked, then reconsidered.
Cynthia's ability to face the world with warmth and optimism was part of her charm.
And her battlefield prowess? That just won her more admirers.
"My wife's the cutest!" Natsume grinned to himself.
Near Pallet Town's station, they boarded a Corviknight Taxi.
Shauntal bowed slightly. "Thank you for tonight, Natsume-sensei!"
Caitlin recalled the meal and licked her lips unconsciously—then shook her head.
Not that impressive!
"You're not coming with us?" Caitlin asked.
"Ah…" Cynthia smiled. "I've got some personal matters."
P-personal matters?!
Shauntal hid her flushed face behind a hardcover book, giggling.
Natsume's eye twitched.
This Elite Four member's mind is anything but pure!
Finally, Caitlin pressed her cheek to the window, reluctant to part.
Under the streetlights, their shadows stretched long as scattered snowflakes drifted down.
Natsume wished the road ahead could stretch forever.
"I'll need to return to Sinnoh soon," Cynthia said quietly.
"Yeah," Natsume nodded.
As Champion, she couldn't slack off indefinitely.
No matter—next year, he'd visit Sinnoh and finally get her to confess.
A crucial step for household dominance!
"But I can stay a few more days."
Cynthia grinned. "I've already planned the next week's menu!"
"Seriously?!" Natsume gasped.
"Of course."
I stayed up all night brainstorming so you wouldn't have to wait each time you asked…
"Should we walk back?" Natsume asked.
"Or… fly?" Cynthia suggested.
"...Let's ride Arcanine."
Natsume tossed a Luxury Ball. "Warm, comfy, and seats two."
"Arcanine~~(｀0｀)!" Arcanine barked cheerfully, fangs glinting.
Cynthia stroked its fluffy mane. "He looks… well-fed."
"Obviously. Look who's raising him."
Natsume mounted Arcanine and offered a hand—but Cynthia needed no help, leaping up as gracefully as an Altaria.
"..." His hand hung awkwardly in the air.
"Let's go."
Cynthia pressed close from behind, her scent enveloping him as she high-fived his palm.
Her hair brushed his shoulder; her breath tickled his ear.
"Home," she whispered.
...
December 26th, Saturday, Sunny.
Natsume yawned lazily as he shuffled out of the bedroom.
"(p-ω-q)" Sylveon mimicked him with a stretch.
"Who uses 'Yawn' first thing in the morning?!"
Suddenly drowsy, Natsume considered going back to bed—until he spotted the leek sprouting in the balcony planter.
"Looking good!" He grinned.
In the living room, Lucario sat surrounded by picture books, Togepi napping on its lap.
It shot Natsume a weary look.
"Hang in there!" Natsume nodded solemnly.
BOOM!
Garchomp and Squirtle trained vigorously in the yard.
Cynthia, still in bed, seemed unfazed by the noise.
Natsume tied on an apron, waved to Gengar (busy vacuuming), and started breakfast.
Sunlight filtered in comfortably.
He flipped open a random book, less for content and more to wake his brain.
Ring ring—
The phone shattered the morning calm.
Natsume blinked at the caller ID.
"Matori?"
...
At a café in Saffron City, ivy crawled over the walls. A woman in oversized sunglasses and a face mask lurked under a parasol.
"Matori?"
She jumped, removing her glasses. "How'd you see through my flawless disguise?!"
Natsume: "..."
I refuse to acknowledge Pokémon world's disguise standards.
If James and Jessie count as "max-level," I could've been a detective!
"Get to the point," Natsume sighed. "I've got a kid—I mean, lunch to make."
"Right."
Matori slid a paper package across the table. "This is for you."
Natsume recoiled. "What is it?"
"Guess."
"Move manuals?"
She shook her head.
Relieved, he took it—then froze.
[Ding! Quest Updated!]
[Badges Collected: (6/8)]
[The last stretch is the hardest. Stay strong, Host!]
Natsume: "???"
Even this has knives hidden inside?!
"Lord Giovanni wanted to express his gratitude," Matori explained.
"F-for what?!"
"Consider it… a Christmas gift?"
Natsume's face twisted.
That group photo he'd sent Boss Giovanni—
Was a group shot really worth reciprocating?!
Boss Giovanni, you don't need to be this generous!
"W-what's inside?" His voice trembled.
"The Viridian City Gym Badge, for one…"
Natsume stared at the sky.
Foolish me.
He'd assumed Viridian Gym's current Leader, Blue Oak, would make the badge impossible to earn.
But who knew the former Leader was an inside man?
"I've been outplayed…"
Matori continued, "There's more."
"Go on," Natsume braced himself.
Her tone turned grave.
"Lord Giovanni's personal manuscripts—
"Giovanni's Techniques!"
"..."
Natsume wiped his face, leaning heavily on the table.
"Natsume-sensei?!" Matori shook his shoulder. "Are you okay?"
"Fine."
He forced a smile. "Just… struggling with this 'problem.'"
Giovanni's Techniques—the culmination of his life's work.
Legends claimed that as long as Giovanni stood on solid ground, he couldn't lose.
(His sole defeat? A cheap shot from Red. By False Swipe rules, Red had already lost.)
Thus, he was called "Giovanni of the Earth."
In the original timeline, Blue Oak used these techniques to build a championship team within a year.
This wasn't just Ground-type moves—it contained Giovanni's (and Team Rocket's) decades of training secrets.
Calling it "Legendary" would be an understatement.
This was Mythical-tier!
If Gengar mastered this…
Could it raise a team as strong as Blue's?!
You thought 'Breeding Prodigy' referred to Blue? Surprise—it's Gengar!
Matori watched Natsume's prolonged silence with awe.
Even someone of Mentor's caliber is moved beyond words!
"Can I… return this?" Natsume croaked.
"You're not satisfied?!"*she gasped.
Natsume: "..."
If I refuse, will Giovanni send something even worse?!
A cold wind blew. Natsume pulled his coat tighter.
Winter was coming.
With shaking hands, he opened a fresh notebook.
December 26th, Sunny.
Giovanni gave me the Viridian Badge and Giovanni's Techniques.
Giovanni… (scratched out), Silver.
Silver… (scratched out), Gold.
This grudge isn't over!
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