Chapter 61: Haunter's Part-time Job
This all started while Teacher Lu was still taking his exam.
At home, Haunter had both hands firmly gripping a copy of Toxic Insights.
Sticking out its crimson tongue, it carefully licked every line of text, inside and out.
"Gengarrr~ (*⊙~⊙)"
Haunter nodded thoughtfully, ready to share some insights with Eevee, only to realize that Eevee was still in its Poké Ball.
Haunter floated over to the Poké Ball, scratched its head, and turned into a piece of paper, drifting sadly to the ground.
Suddenly, Haunter's eyes sparkled, and with a pop, its body puffed back up. It excitedly floated out of the house.
"Gengarrr!" (Hold down the fort!)
Haunter shouted towards Eevee inside the Poké Ball.
Eevee angrily scratched the inner wall of the Poké Ball.
Training in secret and leaving me out?!
Eevee: ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ
Compared to Lu Ye, Haunter was much more familiar with the local training facilities.
The construction site next to the neighborhood was like a low-level dungeon, where Eevee could clear it unharmed.
But if it wanted to face a truly powerful opponent, Haunter immediately thought of that elite-level Poison-type Trainer. Just the thought of that fierce Arbok made Haunter shiver.
Haunter: (¯﹃¯)
That Arbok is terrifying!
Eagerly, Haunter arrived at the Bull Training Club.
It floated right through the glass door, leaving the receptionist staring in confusion.
"Uh… Hello… Battle or training?"
"Gengarrr!" Haunter pointed to the 2888 Training Package on the counter.
Last time the trainer brought me here, we chose this one. Should be fine!
"Gengarrr! (ノ￣▽￣)"
The penniless Haunter flashed a confident smile.
This was the receptionist's first time dealing with a Ghost Pokémon. Smiling with curiosity, she asked:
"Little guy, which Pokémon are you planning to train?"
Haunter pointed to itself, grinning mischievously.
The receptionist took out a tablet and swiped through the options.
"You can book a Trainer here. Once you select one, you can pay online later."
"Gengarrr!"
Haunter nodded, rubbing its chin as if seriously considering the options.
Just then, Summer Quan, dressed in tight workout pants and holding a water bottle, walked by and glanced at the reception desk. Her face immediately changed.
That laugh… sounds so familiar!
She remembered—the Haunter that nearly sent her Arbok to the hospital last time!
And it evolved?!
Summer nervously scanned the area, relaxing only after confirming that the handsome trainer wasn't around.
Phew, it's fine as long as it's not here for me again…
"Coach Summer! Perfect timing. A trainee specifically requested you."
"Huh?"
"Gengarrr!" Haunter smiled sheepishly and scratched its head.
…
Haunter followed Summer to the training area.
"This is my first time seeing a Pokémon this eager to train…"
"Gengarrr Gengarrr!"
"But you probably don't have money, right?" Summer frowned. "If you default, you'll end up blacklisted!"
Haunter: Σ(っ°Д°;)っ
Haunter's face went pale, and it floated dejectedly towards the exit, a visible aura of despair hanging over it.
Summer hesitated, then gritted her teeth. "Fine! I have an idea. Come back!"
"Gengarrr?"
Haunter's face instantly changed, eyeing Summer with disdain.
You had an idea this whole time, and I wasted my expressions for nothing?!
"With your skills, you could work here as a part-time coach." Summer raised an eyebrow. "You get free training and some extra cash… Interested?"
"Gengarrr! o(*≧▽≦)ツ"
Haunter laughed, patting Summer's shoulder.
Why didn't you say so earlier? We're colleagues now!
Summer's expression turned awkward.
They say Pokémon resemble their trainers… Just how shameless is that trainer?!
"Gengarrr!"
Haunter pumped its fists, eager to begin.
Summer called the receptionist. "Add a coach profile to the system."
"Are you sure?" The receptionist asked, surprised.
"Why not? It's just another membership card."
Haunter calculated the time—Lu Ye's exam should finish in about an hour. That meant it had one hour to work a side gig.
Thinking about contributing to the household, Haunter's eyes shone with pride.
"Gengarrr Gengarrr (๑`▽´๑)۶"
…
Summer stood at the edge of the field, watching Haunter's first class.
To be honest, even as an elite Trainer, Summer couldn't gauge Haunter's true strength.
Judging by its care, it must be consuming supplements she couldn't even dream of. And its training technique? Her Toxic was nowhere near as refined.
What kind of resources does that trainer have?
And he really is handsome… Maybe next time I should make a move…?
"Ugh." Summer blushed, shook her head, and looked up to see Haunter's class finishing.
This was a real match. The customer's Nidorina didn't last more than two moves against Haunter.
But the better the coach, the stronger the results.
"There's a new coach at the club! It's a Pokémon!"
"Really? Is it that Mr. Mime from last time?"
"No, it's a Haunter! Way stronger than regular elite Trainers!"
An hour flew by.
Haunter floated to a vending machine, reached inside without paying, and pulled out a soda.
"Gengarrr!"
Beating weaklings, training, and getting paid—what could be better?
"Here's your membership card, little guy."
"Gengarrr!" Haunter happily took the card.
It waved at Summer, who leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
Summer instinctively waved back, then blushed and fiddled with her bangs.
"Kind of… cute…"
…
Lu Ye raised an eyebrow, looking at the card with Haunter's goofy ID photo.
"You really didn't spend any money?"
"Gengarrr!"
"How did you pull that off?" Lu Ye asked, surprised.
Haunter grinned proudly.
"No surprise there."
Lu Ye sighed. "If you need money for training, just ask me. I can afford it."
He wouldn't discourage Haunter's enthusiasm, even if it nearly wrecked the house.
Trainers and Pokémon were equals. Lu Ye respected Haunter's wishes, and Haunter did its best to support the household.
"Gengarrr (′▽`〃)"
Haunter scratched its head sheepishly.
"Alright, good work." Lu Ye smiled, patting Haunter's head. "Dinner's ready. I made your favorite."
"Gengarrr! (✪ω✪)"