"Why are you two here?" Himeko was a little surprised. She froze for a moment, then invited them in.
"Sorry, kid. Just now, I didn't manage to help you with that matter." President Sun walked into the room, looking at Himeko with guilt on his face. As one of the members of the tournament committee, he hadn't expected Akio to bring people and pull something like this right under his nose—turning what should have been Himeko's guaranteed championship into something she couldn't simply take for granted anymore.
President Sun felt he had to bear part of the responsibility.
"I didn't expect my dad would actually agree to it either!" Teacher Moo Inoshishe bit her lip, anger and frustration in her eyes. She was certain that the Amano family had promised her father enormous benefits. Otherwise, how could her father have risked provoking public outrage—under that much criticism and pressure—and still nodded his agreement?
"You're still short three Pokémon for the tournament, right? At the Academy's Pokémon Breeding Center, there are quite a few newly hatched Pokémon that haven't been chosen by any Trainer yet," President Sun said as he sat down. "Moo-chan has done a pretty good job raising them. They're already at entry-level. Want to go take a look?"
President Sun and Teacher Moo Inoshishe had rushed over specifically to offer Himeko help.
"No need." Himeko shook her head and continued working in the kitchen, preparing berries for dinner.
"Entry-level won't help much. And with only three days, I don't have time to train three Pokémon from zero to perfection."
After she said that, President Sun and Teacher Moo Inoshishe exchanged a glance.
"So you're not planning to add any Pokémon to your team?" They could hear that implication in her words.
Himeko nodded. That was indeed her plan.
"You're not thinking of using three to fight six, are you?" President Sun and Teacher Moo Inoshishe both looked up at the same time, their pupils shrinking.
"Yes." Himeko didn't even lift her head, continuing to cut the berries in her hands into small cubes.
Sss—
They'd already guessed it, but hearing Himeko confirm it herself still made them flinch.
Three versus six…
Could a match like that really be winnable?
Akio had taken massive pressure and criticism on his head and still forced through a rule change—wasn't the whole point to guarantee his precious son a championship?
Teacher Moo Inoshishe and President Sun were sure of one thing: Joji's lineup had to be stacked, at minimum, with a full set of elite-level Pokémon.
Against a lineup like that, going in three versus six…
A faint trace of sorrow flashed through their eyes. To them, Himeko's decision to accept the challenge looked like pride and stubbornness—the kind youth refused to let go of.
It was almost impossible to win. Honestly, there was no need to fight at all.
"It's fine even if you lose. Your rating is S-rank—no question," President Sun said earnestly. "Even without the championship, I can guarantee this: whether it's the Military or a Pokémon university, wherever you want to go, I can recommend you there."
"I and Teacher Moo Inoshishe—on behalf of the Academy—can also provide some rewards and support in terms of items and resources."
President Sun looked at Himeko, his tone heavy with concern. Such a dazzling star, rising so rapidly—only to run into something this unfair at the very start of her Trainer career. He didn't know whether it might leave subtle effects on her mindset and future.
"Thank you." Himeko nodded, acknowledging the goodwill both President Sun and Teacher Moo Inoshishe were showing her.
The atmosphere in the room grew a little stifled.
"By the way—where's your Charmeleon?" President Sun noticed Lopunny and Kirlia both hovering around the kitchen helping Himeko, but he didn't see the Charmeleon they'd been thinking about.
"He's upstairs sleeping." Himeko's tone suddenly turned much heavier. The force of her knife hand increased too.
Thud, thud, thud—several loud, heavy chops.
President Sun and Teacher Moo Inoshishe both jolted.
Why such a big reaction? Could it be that Himeko was dissatisfied with Charmeleon?
They looked at each other in confusion. After sitting a bit longer, feeling they'd said what needed to be said, they stood up and left Himeko's house.
"Win or lose doesn't matter. Don't put too much pressure on yourself—just do your best," President Sun reminded her again at the door, speaking with careful sincerity.
After seeing them off, Himeko returned to the table and continued preparing tonight's meal.
Then, suddenly—
Himeko heard a high, ringing dragon cry from outside.
The sound was strangely familiar.
In the next second, she felt a gust of wind whip up around the house. Immediately after, someone knocked on the door—apparently, a new visitor had arrived.
Could it be…
Himeko had a faint guess.
"Hello, Himeko-san."
The moment she opened the door, she saw Aisa standing outside—along with the big, solid, honest-looking figure of Dragonite.
So it really was them.
"Are you going out to catch Pokémon? Want me to take you?" Aisa smiled at her. In her view, since Himeko had accepted this match, she would definitely want to add to her roster. The only way to quickly gain strong Pokémon was to go into the wild and catch them.
"No, I don't plan on doing that." Himeko shook her head, then briefly explained her plan to Aisa.
When Aisa heard that Himeko intended to step into a three-versus-six match, admiration visibly ignited in her eyes.
She was becoming more and more satisfied with Himeko.
A talent this outstanding—she fit the Military's needs perfectly.
"Well done, Himeko-san. As a Trainer, that's exactly the kind of spirit you should have!" Aisa nodded in praise.
"By the way, have you planned your future at all? Do you want to go to a Pokémon university, or the Military?"
"If you're willing to join the Military, I can guarantee—using my status as an Elite Four—that you'll receive the highest-tier treatment as a new recruit."
Aisa couldn't help trying to recruit her on the spot. A seedling this promising—she didn't want to hand her over to the universities for free.
"We'll talk about that after the match," Himeko said. Where to go and how to choose, she already had a rough plan in mind.
To deal with the catastrophic crisis that would arrive in the future, she'd laid out for herself a route that would let her become strong as fast as possible.
"Alright." Aisa nodded. "Good luck the day after tomorrow. Just do your best—don't cling too hard to wins and losses."
"Win or lose, the Military will always welcome you."
"Oh, right—where's your Charmeleon? I haven't seen him."
(End of Chapter)
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