Chapter 73: Cynthia Arrives in the Magic City
Friday, July 17th.
The weather was clear, with wisps of clouds drifting across the blue sky. The early Caterpie had already been eaten by Pidgey, while the night-owl gamers were still deep in sleep.
Lu Ye yawned and fished Eevee out from under the blanket. The little one blinked groggily.
"Eevee?"
Hmm... this bed for cats was starting to feel unnecessary.
But sneaking out at night and returning covered in mud—that's not okay!
Lu Ye sighed, got up to wash, and splashed water on his face. Droplets ran down his hair, and Lu Ye stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Another day of waking up to my own handsomeness."
Today, he was going to pick up the Sinnoh Champion's flight. Even the usually laid-back Teacher Lu took some effort to clean up.
A slightly oversized white T-shirt and neat black hair gave him a fresh, simple look. Though his mindset was dark and his tactics dirty, Teacher Lu still had a sunny demeanor. After all, readers need someone relatable. An ugly protagonist just doesn't cut it these days.
"Haunter, let's go pick up our guest!" Lu Ye called.
"Haunter?" Haunter woke up, scratching its head sleepily.
Didn't I finish all my classes yesterday?
After preparing breakfast for his two little companions, Lu Ye sipped on orange juice and texted Cynthia.
"Have you arrived?"
"At 10 AM."
"I'm on my way!"
"No rush, I can wait."
Lu Ye hopped in a cab, feeling an unusual flutter of nerves. The cab driver, steering with one hand, glanced in the rearview mirror and teased, "Picking up your girlfriend?"
Lu Ye nodded solemnly. "Something like that."
The driver chuckled. "An online date, maybe?"
Lu Ye blinked.
Are all Donghuang cab drivers this perceptive?
"Here's my card. If you want to escape, just give me a call," the driver said, with a knowing wink. "If she latches onto you, you'll need a getaway plan!"
Lu Ye calmly took the card and gave a cold smile.
Who's latching onto whom remains to be seen!
The outside air was stuffy, with travelers and Pokémon everywhere. But Lu Ye, with an Eevee perched on his head and a Haunter floating behind him, stood out.
"Eevee… maybe you should get down. My neck feels like it's cramping."
"Eevee!" The little one haughtily raised its head, clinging even tighter.
Haunter chuckled and cloaked Lu Ye in a shroud of dark mist. Lu Ye shivered despite the summer heat…
…
In first class, there was only one passenger.
Cynthia leaned against the window, her slender fingers supporting her temple, lost in thought.
"Donghuang Alliance… It's been a while."
I'll find Teacher Lu first… he should know the area well.
Suddenly, as she looked at the wing slicing through the clouds, a rare emotion fluttered through her.
Nervousness?
No, she hadn't felt this way even when she won the Sinnoh League.
"Must be exhaustion…" Cynthia rubbed her forehead. Thinking of tomorrow's match against Lance, her gaze sharpened.
She felt like she had grasped that fleeting emotion.
"Anticipation?" Cynthia smiled.
"Yes, it's time to enjoy a good battle!"
…
Lu Ye realized he'd underestimated the world of the rich. Only second-rate celebrities got hounded by paparazzi. Real elites either avoided them completely or staged their appearances.
He stood alone in a spacious VIP lounge with polished marble floors, flanked by 4 uniformed security guards.
The guards exchanged glances.
"Who's this bigshot arriving today?"
"No idea. All info is locked down. He's the only one here to meet them!"
They coughed awkwardly, their eyes now tinged with respect as they looked at Lu Ye.
Lu Ye felt embarrassed.
Maybe that "Welcome" sign wasn't necessary after all.
The guards' gossiping looks turned serious as the click of high heels echoed from the long corridor. Lu Ye felt a sudden wave of nerves.
Click, click—
Blonde hair that shone like sunlight.
A black trench coat paired with wide-leg pants and elegant black heels.
Her smile was warm yet slightly aloof.
The Sinnoh Champion.
Cynthia.
Click, click—
The rhythmic steps halted.
Cynthia looked up, her gray eyes meeting Lu Ye's in the center of the hall.
Silence.
"Teacher Lu?" Cynthia tilted her head gently.
Even the composed Lu Ye felt his heart skip a beat.
Before he could respond, Haunter made the first move.
"Haunter!"
Cynthia blinked in surprise.
Haunter took her handbag, handed it clumsily to Lu Ye, then eagerly began massaging Cynthia's shoulders with its claws.
"Haunter? (o≖◡≖)"
Cynthia chuckled. "Thank you, that does feel better."
"Haunter!! (/ω＼)"
Blushing furiously, Haunter shot off like a popped balloon, black mist trailing behind it.
Eevee clung tighter to Lu Ye's head, looking a bit anxious.
Lu Ye cleared his throat. "Professor Yamana asked me to come."
"Oh, you were the one at the lab last time?" Cynthia blinked.
Now she remembered why his voice sounded so familiar.
The Trainer of the Eevee… was Teacher Lu himself!
Lu Ye nodded.
"Why didn't you mention it then?"
"Who'd expect to be gaming with the Sinnoh Champion? Most people need a moment to process that!" Lu Ye sighed.
Cynthia nodded lightly, her gray eyes studying him from head to toe.
After a moment, she smiled. "I bet no one expected Teacher Lu to be this young."
Despite his age, Lu Ye's tactical understanding far surpassed that of ordinary Trainers. She was intrigued…
According to Professor Yamana, this young master had a keen interest in history and legends, too.
"I didn't expect my gaming buddy to be this beautiful."
Cynthia blinked.
"Thank you." A soft smile spread across her face. "But do you say that often?"
"This is the first—and the last time."
After thinking for a moment, Lu Ye added, "But if you want, I can say it more often."
"No need." Cynthia smiled. "Shall we go to your place first?"
If there were a system narrator, it would definitely shout sarcastically:
[It's Cynthia's turn to attack!]
Lu Ye froze, stammering, "That… so soon?"
"We need to diagnose Eevee."
Cynthia took a step closer, her scent a perfect blend of maturity and playfulness. They were now just inches apart.
Before Lu Ye could react, she gently took Eevee from his head, cradling it in her arms.
"This little one, right?" Cynthia smiled. "An Eevee with Anticipation?"
Curiously, though Eevee usually resisted being held, it now seemed completely drained of energy in Cynthia's embrace. It wriggled softly, its cries adorably weak.
"Eevee! (〃＞皿＜)"
Lu Ye exhaled in relief and nodded.
"Yes, let's go to my place first!"