It took a full hour after paying the electricity bill before the lights came back on.
Staring at the exorbitant bill, Natsume felt his wallet cry out in pain.
With this much power consumption, people would think I'm raising an Electivire!
But considering it was New Year's Eve,
Natsume-sensei still diligently prepared for the major cleaning and tonight's feast.
In the chat group, everyone was aware of the special occasion.
"Happy New Year, Natsume-sensei!" Green said cheerfully. "Don't forget the red envelopes!"
Natsume-sensei: "@Steven."
[Group member 'Steven' has sent a group red envelope! Grab it fast!]
Maylene: !
Yellow gasped: "That's more than my weekly allowance!"
Sophia: "Thank you, Steven!"
Natsume stared blankly for a long moment.
I just randomly tagged him... and some big spender actually sent one?!
Gold: "@Red @Blue Oak @Lance @Lorelei..."
Gold: "Let me try too!"
[Group member 'Gold' has been removed by admin 'Blue Oak'.]
Natsume blinked.
Is this what they mean by "try and die"?
Silver: "...Couldn't afford one, could you?"
[Group member 'Blue Oak' has sent a group red envelope! Grab it fast!]
See?
This is the difference between low EQ and high EQ!
Lt. Surge gave a thumbs up: "Kicking out the hedgehog boy first? Nice attention to detail!"
Natsume approved Gold's rejoin request and comforted him:
"Don't worry, I only got 10 Pokécoins."
"How much did Yellow get?"
"...Over ninety Pokécoins."
"Pfft!"
"One more word and you're muted for 24 hours!"
On this New Year's Eve, Ash was still working hard at the Battle Frontier.
His progress had been remarkable - in just a few days, he'd reached the third facility, the Battle Dome.
"Who's the Dome Leader?" Brock asked curiously.
"Tucker," Ash scratched his head. "If I can beat him, I'll get my third Tactics Symbol!"
"Then go ask Natsume-sensei for advice," Blue Oak said. "With his guidance, you should clear it quickly."
Ash nodded vigorously: "Please, Natsume-sensei!"
Natsume-sensei: "No problem. When are you paying tuition?"
"Huh?"
Jokes aside, Natsume remembered Tucker's team composition was Arcanine and Swampert.
*A Swampert with 4x Grass weakness? Sceptile's Leaf Blade would one-shot it...
...provided Swellow can set up Tailwind first to guarantee Sceptile's move priority.
If Tucker switched mid-battle... given Ash's proficiency with Flying-types, Swellow and Charizard could still sweep easily.
After the private coaching session, Ash had an epiphany.
"Thank you, Natsume-sensei! After I beat Tucker, I'll send you gifts!"
Natsume nodded approvingly.
This kid's got potential.
As evening approached,
After calling his parents to reassure them, Natsume looked around.
The little ones were "cleaning" the house - which mostly meant roughhousing.
"Blastoise!" Twin water jets shot from its cannons, instantly flooding the entire living room.
"Sylveon~(*≧▽≦)" Sylveon splashed around in the new pond, getting water everywhere.
"Togepi doo-ee~" Togepi seriously swept with a broom twice its height.
"Gengar!" Gengar kicked over the Rotom-powered cleaning robot.
Try stealing my chores? Not happening!
The Rotom-bot lay upside down, helpless.
"System Overload, Rotom! o(TヘTo)"
Slackers Natsume-sensei and Sirfetch'd stood by awkwardly.
"Maybe... we should go prepare the ingredients?" Natsume suggested.
"Sirfetch'd! " (Great idea!)
Though called a New Year's feast, it was really just a simple dinner for two...
Plus each Pokémon's favorite dishes.
A perfectly fine way to start the new year.
"Would a battery count as a main course?"
Natsume examined the "dinner" he'd prepared for Rotom,
Suddenly remembering the battery bento from Bicentennial Man.
"Adding some motor oil should improve the flavor..."
By 5 PM, the ingredients were prepped.
Evening sunlight streamed through the sparkling clean windows...
Natsume: "HOW DID IT GET MESSIER AFTER CLEANING?!"
Instant chaos erupted - howls, Sylveon cries, and water everywhere.
Rubbing his temples, Natsume couldn't help but smile.
Surrounded by Pokémon, he felt truly at home.
"Alright, let's all clean up together properly!"
...
Night fell as light rain drifted outside.
Natsume turned on the long-unused living room TV, filling the house with festive New Year's programming.
"Togepi, don't sit so close to the screen!"
"Togepi~" It wobbled back to the table... then scampered right back when Natsume wasn't looking.
"Snow probability tonight: 99%, Rotom!" Rotom reported.
"A timely snow promises a good harvest year."
Natsume smiled - then suddenly sensed a familiar aura.
The lock clicked. Rotom immediately flew to the security camera feed.
"Suspicious target detected!"
"Beep... 99% probability it's Garchomp! Recommend safety protocols, Rotom!"
"Come back."
Natsume coughed. "That's Cynthia's Garchomp."
"Cynthia, the Sinnoh Champion? Beep—System Overload, Rotom!"
Snowflakes swirled in as a statuesque golden-haired beauty entered, brushing frost from her black fur collar.
"Garchomp!" Garchomp sniffed the air and grinned.
Finally getting to taste his cooking!
"So tired," Cynthia complained softly.
Natsume's gaze dropped to her black-stockinged feet.
"Need a foot rub?"
Twin icy glares from Cynthia and Garchomp - plus Sylveon's disgusted "Sylveon!" - answered him.
Natsume crossed his arms defiantly.
What's wrong with a man appreciating beauty?
"You came all the way from Sinnoh after my call?" he asked.
"I was already on my way before you called," Cynthia smiled. "My memory isn't that bad."
Natsume nodded thoughtfully.
"You can shower first. Dinner will be ready soon."
"Alright."
She agreed softly, then fixed him with a warning look. "You know what I'm going to say."
"Don't worry, I'll just stand outside the bathroom door."
"Absolutely not."
"That's asking too much of human nature."
Blushing, Cynthia tilted her chin up, golden hair veiling her face.
"...You may peek. But no details until I say so. Understood?"
"Understood." Natsume nodded solemnly.
A small tactical victory today, a major strategic advantage tomorrow!
...
Fabric rustled in the changing room.
Then came the sound of running water.
With his heightened sensitivity,
Natsume realized just how useful aura detection could be in these situations.
Later, a barely audible whisper came through the steam:
"C-come in."
"Louder?"
"..."
"Then I'm coming in."
"...Fine."
He stepped into the misty bathroom, barely making out the silhouette in the tub.
The golden-haired beauty's face was flushed crimson, only her bubble-covered head visible above the water.
"S-see enough?"
"Almost."
"Get. Out." Her sweet smile contrasted with the arctic tone.
"Don't soak too long - you'll get dizzy."
He gently closed the door, tapping the glass. "The New Year's feast will be ready soon."
A soft "hmph" was her only reply.
"...Mm."
Back in the living room,
Natsume contemplated firing his resident "Holy Knight."
Since when did my house have a paladin?!
"Sirfetch'd?" Sirfetch'd gave him a sidelong glance - then suddenly shuddered.
"Sirfetch'd!~(?﹏?)σ"
That's the same look he gives ingredients!
As Natsume arranged the dishes,
The hair dryer hummed from the changing room.
Fireworks bloomed outside, their colors blending with the TV's festive program.
Garchomp paws crept toward the food.
Natsume tapped his chopsticks. "Wait until everyone's ready!"
"Garchomp..." Garchomp reluctantly retracted its scythes.
Then paused.
Wait—why am I listening to him?!
"Garchomp!" It settled down anyway.
...Fine. The hungrier I am, the better it'll taste!
Cynthia emerged, toweling her golden hair.
Seeing the lavish spread and gathered Pokémon, her eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Let's eat."
"Enjoy the meal."
Outside, snow swirled as the New Year's countdown approached midnight.
What will the coming year bring?
Natsume glanced at Cynthia's radiant face,
Then at his assembled Pokémon:
Sylveon and Garchomp wrestling over food.
Blastoise and Lucario meditating together.
Gengar and Rotom fighting over cleanup duty.
Togepi giving New Year's blessings to Mew.
Arcanine zooming around excitedly. Sirfetch'd contemplating duck philosophy.
As long as Trainers and Pokémon walk together, the future will be bright.
He smiled - meeting Cynthia's gaze.
Her shimmering gray eyes held endless warmth.
"After the holidays... Sinnoh?" he said.
"Take your time," she smiled. "I'll wait."
Natsume scratched his cheek.
"There might be loose ends to tie up... or rookies to mentor. But it won't take long."
Cynthia simply listened, smiling silently.
Midnight struck.
"Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year."
Fireworks exploded outside, painting the snow in brilliant colors.
Countless household lights glowed warmly across the city.
--------------------------------------
No More Waiting - The Story is Complete!
Love what you're reading? Get instant access to the entire story—all 460+ chapters are available right now!
👉 Unlock everything: patreon.com/PokemonStoryWeaver
--------------------------------------