Night had already fallen when Chen Shi flew home across the dark Hoenn sky, seated on Dragapult's broad, gleaming back.
With Dragapult's new massive form, carrying him was effortless—smooth, swift, and stable.
Nothing like the old days, when he had to awkwardly borrow Steven's Skarmory just to fly anywhere.
Now, he had Dragapult, Charizard, and even Metagross for air travel…
Though realistically, riding Metagross was an option Chen Shi would only use under dire circumstances.
Cool in theory—
not very fast in reality.
He landed in front of the villa, pushed open the door, and stepped into the warm, familiar glow of home.
Grandpa and Grandma were at the table eating dinner.
The moment Grandma saw him, she nearly jumped up out of pure joy.
"Xiao Shi! You're home! Hurry, hurry, sit down!"
Chen Shi laughed, slipped into the seat beside her, and immediately Gardevoir floated over to place a bowl and chopsticks in front of him with elegant grace.
Grandma was already piling food into his bowl.
"You child… always coming home without warning! Grandma didn't make anything special tonight.
Next time call first—I need time to prepare something proper!"
"Prepare what?" Chen Shi waved her off.
"Grandma's cooking is always the best."
Grandma's eyes softened with relief the moment she saw him eating safely at home.
Then Grandpa asked the first question:
"Xiao Shi… did you really catch an Eevee?"
Chen Shi paused—then looked helplessly at the pink "Eevee" perched on his shoulder.
Mew blinked at Grandpa with the most innocent doe-eyes in existence.
Chen Shi sighed.
"Don't mind it. It just… follows me. To freeload."
That was the most polite way to put it.
This pink menace had flown all the way from Kanto to Hoenn glued to him like an unpaid intern.
He had no idea what malfunction triggered it, but Mew seemed determined to remain his long-term parasite.
Suddenly remembering something, Chen Shi turned to Gardevoir:
"Oh—Gardevoir, could you bring some of your favorite Pokéblocks? The sweet Psychic ones."
Gardevoir gave a gentle nod and teleported off.
Because Mew—despite all appearances—deep down was still a Psychic-type creature.
It had a massive sweet tooth.
The moment Chen Shi mentioned sweet Psychic Pokéblocks, Mew's dissatisfied expression instantly morphed into pure anticipation.
Gardevoir returned with several boxes floating by her side.
Mew immediately patted Chen Shi's head smugly—
like an emperor rewarding a loyal servant—
leaped down, ripped open a box, and began devouring the shimmering sweet cubes with starry-eyed bliss.
One taste—
and it was over.
These were even better than Togekiss's blocks.
Chen Shi knew instantly:
Great.
He was officially the permanent, lifetime food supplier of a mythical Pokémon.
Grandpa watched the scene unfold, frowning slightly.
"Xiao Shi… that Eevee is… unusual."
"Don't worry about it," Chen Shi deflected smoothly.
"Just let it eat."
He cleared his throat.
"Anyway, Grandpa, Grandma—I have something big to tell you."
Both elders looked up.
Chen Shi smiled.
"I became a Senior Researcher."
Grandpa snorted.
"We already know! We've been watching the forum!
Your papers caused such a ruckus the entire Alliance was talking about it!
Tell us something new."
Chen Shi scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"…Then here's the real news."
"I acknowledged Professor Oak as my teacher."
Grandpa blinked.
Nodded slowly.
Paused.
Then—
"—WHAAAAAT?!"
His shout shook the table.
Grandma jolted so hard her chopsticks almost flew.
"You—you—you're telling me Samuel Oak—the Samuel Oak—is your teacher now?!"
Chen Shi nodded earnestly.
"Yes. He accepted me."
"Good… GOOD! GOOD!"
Grandpa slapped the table so hard even Mew paused mid-bite.
To most people, Professor Oak was a legendary researcher.
To Grandpa…
He was the former Champion of Kanto, a titan with unfathomable power and influence.
And now this titan was Chen Shi's teacher.
Which meant—
No one in the League would ever dare touch him again.
Chen Shi then told them about everything in Kanto:
His research breakthroughs
Professor Oak's guidance
The parent–child summer camp
The kids' antics
The secret treasure vault
And the three unbelievable gifts Oak gave him:
The Moltres Origin Tail Feather
The Registeel Body Fragment
And the High-Grade Secret Realm Core Fragment
The elders nearly dropped their bowls.
They had struggled half their lives to acquire the Dragonblood Crystal.
Oak?
Oak casually threw out three treasures that all surpassed it.
As if they were spare buttons.
Dinner rolled on in laughter as Chen Shi recounted stories of the chaotic children and Pallet Town's lively summer camp.
Later that night, washed and relaxed, he collapsed onto his bed.
Leafeon curled up in her leaf nest.
Togekiss had already claimed the space beside him like a giant feathery pillow.
Gardevoir returned to her room.
Swampert had gone to visit his parents.
Dragapult returned to Salamence's den.
Charizard and Metagross—massive as they were—stayed inside their Poké Balls.
Chen Shi finally let out a relieved breath—
Until a voice echoed in his mind.
[Xiao Shi, move. This bed belongs to Lord Mew too.]
Chen Shi groaned into his pillow.
Of course.
Of course the pink menace wasn't done freeloading.
He grudgingly scooted aside as the "Eevee" reverted to its true form—a pink, floating delight of chaos—and flopped down beside him like it owned the place.
Mew stretched comfortably… then rolled over to face him.
[Xiao Shi, massage me.]
A vein popped visibly on Chen Shi's forehead.
If this weren't his first night back home…
if he weren't in such a good mood…
This little cosmic parasite would've been thrown out the window.
But he swallowed all his frustration, forced out a smile—
And started massaging the smug mythical brat.
"Like this?"
"Mewwww~"
Mew melted into the blankets, purring like a spoiled kitten.
Chen Shi sighed.
Truly…
A black-hearted cat.
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