Chapter 56: The House Demolition Team
Eevee returned home, battered and bruised after defeating Growlithe, and just happened to run into Lu Ye.
"Bui!"
Seeing Lu Ye, Eevee looked a little excited, but there was a hint of exhaustion on its face. Lu Ye picked up Eevee, smoothed the fur on its head, and said with a complex expression, "Did you beat up the landlord's Growlithe?"
"Bui?"
Eevee tilted its head to dodge Lu Ye's hand and seemed to be deep in thought. Suddenly, its eyes brightened.
"Bui!" (I did!)
"You sound so justified!" Lu Ye said with a wry smile. "We're probably getting kicked out by the landlady tonight!"
Although Eevee didn't wreck the house…
Why does this situation feel even worse than wrecking the house?
Offending the landlord—am I going to be sleeping on the streets tonight?
"Bui (/ω＼)"
"That wasn't a compliment! Why are you acting shy?"
Lu Ye sighed softly.
This really was his fault as Eevee's Trainer. Besides disciplining Eevee, he also needed to reflect on himself.
I get it now—I should never leave you two home alone again!
"Gengaa, gengaa o(*≧▽≦)ツ"
Haunter laughed gleefully.
"What are you laughing at? You're no better!" Lu Ye rubbed his temples and sighed.
These two Pokémon... One nearly set the house on fire while training moves at home. The other sneaked out for a battle and beat up the landlord's Growlithe?
Are you trying to level up on your own?
Then what am I, your trainer, even here for?
Suddenly, a flash of insight struck Lu Ye. He realized something.
"It's not that I don't want to be a Trainer…"
"It's that even if I am, it's useless!"
The logic was solid. Lu Ye nodded to himself.
Looking down at Eevee, Lu Ye noticed the many small scratches on its body, some still oozing blood. He gently patted Eevee's head and gave a resigned smile.
"Let's go to the Pokémon Center later and get your wounds treated."
"Bui."
Eevee lowered its head and let out a weak cry.
At the Pokémon Center, Lu Ye sincerely apologized to the landlord and offered to cover the medical costs. Finally, with a bit of embarrassment, he said,
"Sister Liu, I'm really sorry for all the trouble…"
"If you want to find a new tenant, just give me a day. I'll pack everything up."
First, he almost burned the place down. Then, his Pokémon put the landlady's pet in the hospital… Lu Ye couldn't think of a reason she wouldn't evict him.
"It's not a big deal," Sister Liu shook her head. "All the nearby rentals are mine anyway, so you might as well stay."
Lu Ye felt touched at first, but the more he thought about it, the more something felt off.
Did she just say that out loud?
"I didn't leash my Growlithe, so it's partly my fault. I won't take the medical fee," Sister Liu smiled. "I'm making soup at home. Come by later with your little ones and try some."
"Thank you, Sister Liu! We'll be there!"
Eevee only suffered minor injuries.
Interestingly, the doctor treating Eevee was the same one nearly knocked out by Haunter's toxins last time.
The doctor panicked. "You again?!"
Lu Ye scratched his head awkwardly.
"Sorry, doctor, we're troubling you again."
During the check-up, Eevee scratched the doctor 3 times. In the end, with a bandaged hand trembling, the doctor wrote on the medical report:
"Nothing serious. Just spray some wound medicine. Oh, and next time, don't book an appointment with me… I'm not qualified enough for this."
"Next time, for sure."
Back home, Lu Ye let out a sigh of relief.
Eevee slipped from his arms, landed lightly on the floor, and gave Lu Ye a side glance.
It was just giving him face outside.
At home, did he still think he could hold it?
Lu Ye sighed and grabbed Eevee by the scruff of its neck, placing it gently into the new cat bed. After spraying the medicine on its wounds, he finally relaxed.
"Most people's Pokémon are friends or battle partners."
Lu Ye's expression twisted. "Why do I feel like I've adopted a little ancestor?"
Despite his complaints, Lu Ye prepared some high-quality Orange Blocks for Eevee and Haunter's dinner.
As they ate and played around, Lu Ye finally checked his social media. The class group chat was full of shock over Lu Ye making it to the finals.
In the fan group, people were angrily asking why he hadn't started streaming yet—the cafeteria was almost out of food!
In the master group, Red, who had been silent for a while, popped up.
"I've been training on Mt. Silver recently," Red said. "Lu, did you just catch an Eevee?"
Lu Ye was about to ask for advice.
"Boss Red, my Eevee has quite a temper. Any tips?"
Red smiled, recalling his own Eevee before it evolved.
"My Eevee used to be solitary too. But after it evolved into Espeon, it became pretty clingy."
Red's Eevee had suffered live experiments from Team Rocket. It could switch between Fire, Water, and Electric forms, which caused it immense pain, making it extremely aggressive.
After evolving into Espeon, its form stabilized, and its temperament became calmer.
Lu Ye rubbed his chin.
So, it evolves through friendship…
That left 3 options: Espeon, Umbreon, or Sylveon.
He might as well print out pictures of each form and let Eevee choose.
"For specific evolution methods, you could consult Professor Yamana in Sinnoh, who specializes in evolution studies," Red suggested.
"No need, I have his contact."
Red paused, then nodded.
As a master-level trainer, it made sense Lu Ye knew Pokémon Professors from other regions.
"That's even better."
Lu Ye pulled out Professor Yamana's business card.
"Hope he answers…"
To his surprise, Yamana's stern voice answered immediately.
"This is Yamana Research Lab. Who's calling?"
"Professor, it's Lu Ye from Donghuang. You gave me your card when you visited…"
After a moment of thought, Yamana remembered the knowledgeable young man.
"Lu Ye? I remember. Have you considered becoming a researcher?"
"No, I have another question…"
Lu Ye described Eevee's temperament and Ability.
"I'm worried this might affect its evolution."
"An aggressive Eevee? That's rare." Yamana paused. "Can you send it over for examination?"
Lu Ye glanced at the napping Eevee. "I just caught it. It's a bit shy, so sending it is tricky."
"I understand," Yamana nodded. "Can you do a video call so I can observe it?"
Lu Ye turned on the video. The dignified, gray-haired professor smiled.
"Long time no see, Lu Ye. My offer still stands."
"I'll think about it."
Holding the sleepy, bandaged Eevee, Lu Ye faced the camera.
"These wounds are from today's fight… And it initiated the battle."
Yamana watched Eevee's twitching ears and murmured, "This Eevee has a strong competitive spirit!"
"Will this cause any harm?" Lu Ye asked.
"On the contrary, you should be glad. You've caught an exceptional Pokémon," Yamana said with a smile. "Your bond with it is motivating it to become stronger."
Lu Ye's expression turned strange.
What?! This was a thing?
"Professor, I didn't plan to be a trainer…"
"Haha, I know!" Yamana laughed. "Maybe this is what you'd call fate!"
Haunter floated over, poking Eevee's sleeping face and giggling.
"You share a deep bond," Yamana remarked.
Lu Ye cleared his throat, about to speak when a flash of gold appeared on the screen.
"Professor, the tablet inscription is deciphered," a familiar, husky voice said.
A tall woman with waterfall-like blonde hair came into view, giving Lu Ye a strong sense of déjà vu.
Suddenly, he realized who it was and widened his eyes.
Sinnoh Champion, Cynthia!