Natsuhiko waved his hand to stop Beedrill's continuous actions.
Although Beedrill was fighting with great enthusiasm, upon hearing Natsuhiko's command, it flew back.
He gently touched the wound on Beedrill, brushing off the remaining ice shards, then patted it as a gesture of comfort.
"Buzz."
Beedrill just buzzed to signal it was fine, and the opponent was more seriously injured.
On the other side.
Having heard the sound, Lapras also stopped its attack, glared angrily at Beedrill, and swam towards the shore.
Very soon.
A woman with long red hair, wearing a black top and a light purple pencil skirt, with red-framed glasses, appeared in view.
Seeing this outfit and that powerful Lapras, Natsuhiko naturally guessed the identity of the newcomer.
But precisely because he guessed it, he felt even more trouble brewing.
He returned to Sharpedo's back, signaling it to go back.
When Natsuhiko stepped onto the beach, the woman with glasses, whose expression gave nothing away, also came up to him.
'It really is her...'
Natsuhiko knew the newcomer, one could even say he was "familiar" with her.
Because she was none other than Kona, the future Ice-type Elite of the Kanto Region, and one of the reasons Dragon Master Lance could never become champion after Uncle Liu.
And Big City on Little Orange Island was the first place where Kona went to further her studies after leaving the Seven Water Islands, holding deep feelings for it.
Even after becoming an Elite, she would always come back during holidays to teach Pokemon School students about practical Pokemon combat.
Natsuhiko knew he was at fault.
But he thought, no normal Trainer would not be tempted after seeing such an excellent, and alone, Lapras, right?
With this thought.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, Natsuhiko spoke first:
"I apologize, I didn't know this Lapras had a Trainer."
Regardless of whether it would come to a fight or compensation later, clarifying the situation first.
Hearing Natsuhiko's words, Kona paused, opened her mouth, unsure what to say at the moment.
And then...
Then Natsuhiko saw Kona standing there, apparently lost in thought.
Her eyes lost focus.
Natsuhiko: "..."
He remembered.
Though Kona was powerful, much like how Hilona has a hard time making choices, Kona had her quirks.
She often got absent-minded and reacted slowly to things.
However, although she appeared absent-minded usually, she did not show this trait during battles.
So she was often described as "like flowing water usually, but turns into hard ice in battles."
Helplessly, Natsuhiko waved his hand in front of her.
In fact, Natsuhiko had considered sneaking away while Kona was lost in thought, but he decided against it.
They still had a chance to explain, but sneaking away would make it inexplicable once she snapped out of it.
After all, there was still an angry Lapras beside.
Noticing the movement in her vision, Kona blinked and snapped back to reality.
Looking at Natsuhiko, there was no anger in her eyes. After all, it really wasn't entirely Natsuhiko's fault, if she thought about it, she might have done the same.
After realizing this, she suddenly bowed to Natsuhiko.
"I apologize, it's also my responsibility. I spaced out a bit when I let Lapras out to play earlier, it probably came over thinking there's plenty of food here, causing an unnecessary misunderstanding."
Is this what you call "a bit" spaced out?
And this sincere apology.
Made Natsuhiko speechless.
Is this what it's like to have the qualities of a Trainer with a high level of education?
Yesterday he was dealing with pirates like Pates and Bounty Hunters like Lai Le, where it was life or death at the slightest disagreement. Suddenly meeting someone so cultured and polite, he felt a bit unadjusted.
"Woo——"
Beside them, Lapras lowered its head, nuzzling against Kona, softly whining.
Lapras had borne Beedrill's attack, and the injuries weren't light.
Natsuhiko could also see Lapras' complaints, smiling awkwardly he said: "No, the main responsibility is on me. These injuries on Lapras, leave them to me."
Encountering someone polite and cultured, Natsuhiko naturally had to be polite too.
This teaches us one thing, dealing with people and affairs, as long as you have a sincere attitude, and are cultured enough, it becomes hard for the other party to nitpick.
However.
While waiting for Kona's response, she got lost in thought again.
Natsuhiko: "..."
After quite a while, Kona responded politely: "Then I'll leave it to you."
Natsuhiko pursed his lips.
Despite seeming absent-minded, Kona was a top student at Pokemon School, not just among the top, but solid first place, and her thinking during battles was clear, tactics excellent, otherwise she wouldn't be able to slightly outshine Lance in the future.
But calling her clever, she frequently got lost in thought and dazed.
Rubbing his temples, he looked at Lapras to seek its opinion.
Lapras glared at Natsuhiko, but given Kona's words, it could only accept.
Soon, Natsuhiko treated both Beedrill and Lapras' injuries.
Although Beedrill and Lapras still had some animosity, since their Trainers made no move, they didn't continue fighting.
However, they say not fighting means not knowing each other, each recognizing the other's strength.
"Your Beedrill seems quite strong, do you know about breeding?" Kona suddenly spoke.
"Just know a little, just know a little."
Natsuhiko spoke the truth, but Kona, considering his previously proactive apology, thought he was being modest.
"I'm Kona, a student from the Silver Academy in the Kanto Region." Kona introduced herself.
Extending her hand.
At this moment she wasn't dazed, speaking smoothly, paired with an extraordinary attractive appearance, and that typical top student aura, she actually was a beauty.
If Hilona is the kind of goddess who is unreachable, Kona is the kind of gentle, friendly-sounding next-door sister.
Each has their own characteristics.
Perhaps this is the common "flaw" of geniuses.
When God opens a door for you, He might also open another window.
Strength and looks coexist.
The Silver Academy she's talking about, is naturally the highest institution located at the foot of Silver Mountain next to the Alliance Headquarters.
"Natsuhiko." Natsuhiko also extended his hand politely to shake hers, then asked: "Don't you have school? This place is miles away from Silver Mountain."
"It's winter break."
Natsuhiko realized.
So that's it.
The students here also have a winter break, that's really nice.
Considering the current season, Silver Mountain should already be covered in snow.
Having a break, plus Kona likes Little Orange Island where her alma mater is, meeting her here seems reasonable.
"Woo——"
As Lapras, receiving Natsuhiko's treatment for injuries, moaned, softly whispering in Kona's ear.
Laprases are very intelligent Pokémon, and a few can even communicate with humans via telepathy. Clearly, Kona's Lapras was one of them, telling Kona something.
After a while.
Natsuhiko clapped his hands, wiping the sweat off his forehead.
"All done, a bit of rest and it should recover."
As he raised his head, he met Kona's gaze.
Only to hear her say calmly: "Lapras says Beedrill was very strong, they hadn't finished, do you want another battle?"
Natsuhiko: "..."
He looked at the proud Lapras, and then at Beedrill beside him, one-on-one, Beedrill's winning odds weren't high.
Waving his hand.
"Forget it, it was just a misunderstanding, actually we don't like fighting at all."
"Togeprrri!" Togepi nodded in agreement.
Yes, really don't like fighting at all!