Jubilife TV, 7th floor, recording booth.
Jigglypuff tippy-toed forward, leaning in with a nonchalant expression, opening its mouth:
"Jigglypuff~"
Natsume fed it a piece of Oran Berry Block, and Jigglypuff chewed with a squeaky yap, cheeks puffed like a hamster.
"How does it taste?" Natsume teased with a smile.
"Jigglypuff!(o｀ε′o)"
Jigglypuff swelled and flushed, turned away angrily, peering at Natsume, and held up a tiny paw.
I don't want you to feed me, Jigglypuff giggles to herself!
Natsume grinned: "Here you go, all yours!"
Team Rocket Trio has salaries to collect; Ash agreed to cameo for friendship.
Jigglypuff is willing to stay and teach; Natsume-sensei is quite grateful.
As a reward, a handful of Berry Blocks is nothing.
"Jigglypuff!(`~′)"
Jigglypuff stuffed the block into its mouth in one go, cheeks bulging, patting its little hands.
Meowth translated: "it says it can keep training, meow~"
Ash sat on the ground, scratching his head: "Natsume-sensei said there'd be a band accompaniment today, right?"
Natsume glanced at the wall clock and said: "The arranged time was this afternoon… they should be here soon."
After a bit more teasing of the round Jigglypuff, Sylveon widened its deep blue eyes, a strong vinegar scent filling the air as it floated.
Natsume bent down and patted Sylveon's head, the white satin ribbon winding around Natsume's arm.
"Sylveon~o(′^｀)o"
I wasn't actually mad just now~ hmph~
"Gengar~?"
Gengar wore headphones, looking like a professional musician, and tilted its head curiously.
Ding, dong.
A radio station assistant, a tad nervous, knocked and stepped in: "Natsume-sensei, the Poison Notes have arrived."
"Alright, I'll go greet them."
"They seem pretty impatient."
The assistant added cautiously: "Maybe the billings and expectations differ from what they imagined…"
The Poison Notes band had toured overseas several times; top-tier players, their fame on par with Alola's 'Three Ground Rats' band.
If not for Roxie's and BW Entertainment's connections, they wouldn't have taken this gig.
But coming across the ocean to meet an unknown singer and amateur producer… Roxie was a bit disappointed.
The assistant, who'd struggled for years, explained Roxie's discontent with a wry smile:
"As a rock singer and a pavilion master, she can be a bit temperamental…"
"Well, I'll go meet her first."
Natsume could understand Roxie's disappointment, but their own team isn't amateur.
Even without the all-around Team Rocket, Jigglypuff's singing ability might only be rivaled by the legendary Meloetta.
With that coaching, Ash's progress has been meteoric.
"Anyway, she's from far away." Natsume smiled.
"Natsume-sensei, I'll go with you!" Ash jumped up.
Meowth, arms crossed, blocked ahead: "You still need to practice singing, you little runt!"
"Just take a break for now~"
Ash clap-clapped and grinned.
Today there might be a chance to challenge Gym Leader Roxie…
If not, observing Natsume-sensei's battles will still be very rewarding!
Meowth grudgingly muttered: "Only a break for now, meow…"
He looked around, only to find no one nearby.
" Jessie, James, where did you go? Wait for me, meow!"
...
Jessie and James Stormed into the elevator lobby in a huff, grinding their teeth:
"What Roxie… how dare she look down on us!"
"Yeah, later we'll have Jigglypuff sing her a proper song!"
"Jigglypuff!(`^′)" Jigglypuff puffed its cheeks.
Natsume smiled: "They didn't do anything wrong… we need to show strength and sincerity first."
Respect for the strong is a common concept in rock culture, and even more so among Trainers.
'Only the strong deserve respect; being with the weak is a waste of time.'
In a sense, that's quite true and direct.
What Natsume needs to do is simple: take Jigglypuff and sing a song—
With Roxie's musical literacy, she'll understand Jigglypuff's exceptionalism.
"Jigglypuff, perform well later; singing will earn you sweet treats." Natsume smiled.
"Jigglypuff!"
Jigglypuff pulled at its eyelids with two fingers, making a goofy face, and spat a little.
Kids like candy! Jigglypuff isn't a kid!
"Gengar~"
Gengar smiled slyly, showing its fangs as it pulled rainbow candy from its pocket, licking it contentedly.
Jigglypuff glared at Gengar, cheeks puffed, eyes brimming with tears.
In the end, Jigglypuff reluctantly agreed to Natsume's request.
"Jigglypuff!" Jigglypuff turned away.
It's just singing, after all—Jigglypuff's strongest suit is singing!
...
Jubilife TV, third-floor reception lounge.
Sofas circle around; a white-haired loli sinks into the couch, spiked boots not quite reaching the floor, her short legs swinging in midair.
"Couches are so comfy, so soft~"
Roxie squinted, speaking lazily.
The bassist, wearing a scarf and shades, coughed softly, low: "Boss, keep your aura in check. Natsume-sensei is almost here."
"Right, Natsume-sensei!"
The white-haired loli sits up straight, big-sleeved top on either side, purple-black electric guitar wedged between her legs.
"I was planning to ask for guidance from him!"
As the Poison-type expert, Natsume-sensei's most classic strategy is the plain-but-deadly SubProtect Toxic.
Roxie had watched that episode too.
Who would've thought the band's collaboration would involve Natsume-sensei.
Although the client's music team didn't meet Roxie's expectations.
Still, if this is a chance to learn from Natsume-sensei…
A guest appearance isn't impossible…
Roxie's fingers toyed with the empty sleeve cuff, resting her chin on her palms, gazing blankly.
Footsteps sounded in the distance, and Ash called with authority:
"Natsume-sensei, that little girl seems to be coming!"
In an instant, the band members' faces shifted, looking toward the lead singer in alarm.
"A little girl?!"
Roxie bared shark teeth, her twin tails bristling, leaping to the floor and towering over Ash:
"Who are you calling a little girl?"
"Eh?" Ash scratched his cheek, "But she seems younger than me…"
Natsume looked up at the sky.
Roxie stood at just under 1.5 meters, shorter than Ash.
Not exactly a proper lolita, probably around 14.
A 14-year-old rock vocalist, punk lolita… odd character addition!
"Ugh… don't laugh!"
The band members covering their mouths suddenly straightened and shouted, "Yes!"
These aren't just band members; they're apprentices from Virbank Gym.
Music and training go hand in hand; like actresses and champions, you can have both.
Kalos even has Elite Four chefs and Gym Leader scientists… Roxie as the vocalist isn't strange at all.
"I was invited to provide accompaniment for Pokémon Company's project."
Roxie looked up at Natsume-sensei, tall at 1.83m, with a fierce-yet-cute grin:
"However, before that, I have to assess your team's level!"
Where does a guest assess the host's strength…
Natsume's expression was complex, about to respond when Ash clenched his fist and spoke with momentum:
"Fine, we accept your challenge!"
Natsume: ???
"Whether in music or battles, Meowth will prove it to you!"
Meowth stood in line with Ash, arms crossed, eyes blazing.
Because singing is one of the few things Meowth can rely on with confidence.
"Hmph…"
Roxie narrowed her eyes, snorting.
Then Roxie opened her guitar case, lifting a flashy purple-black electric guitar and praising loudly:
"Nice! Great eye contact! Let's settle this with a battle!!"
Natsume crossed his arms, mood complicated.
Like in the card game world, one wrong move and you're playing cards.
In the Pokemon world, if you have a dispute, you settle it with a battle.
Roxie isn't evil—just a straightforward, hot-tempered girl.
"Let's move to the battle arena on the first floor."
Natsume said: "Jubilife TV has professional-grade facilities for performances, too."
Roxie shot a glance backward; the band members picked up their instruments, serious.
"What's going on, meow?" Meowth asked curiously, blinking.
The bassist whispered: "During battles, we'll provide accompaniment… that's the master's habit!"
"BGM on-site?" Meowth's eyes lit up, "That sounds awesome!"
Then Meowth shook its head: "We're opponents; don't expect me to get cozy."
The bassist gave a sheepish smile.
He's a fan of Natsume-sensei and a music lover, so being able to accompany an idol is lucky.
Moreover, with the master's strength, learning from Natsume-sensei would be a huge coup…
Wouldn't that be a gift horse?
"If it were that kid, the vocalist might have a chance…" the bassist whispered about Ash.
"Natsume-sensei, leave it to me later!"
Ash was itching to challenge, "Pikachu and I are ready!"
"Pikachu~!?" Pikachu lay on the floor, cheeks flickering with electricity.
"No, wait until we reach the Union, then challenge her."
Eh?
Natsume wore fingerless gloves, a Poké Ball spinning at the tip of a finger, then snapped it shut.
Turning, Natsume smiled softly.
Because Poison type is also my specialty!