Natsu sat on the couch, his head in his hands.
He looked utterly dejected, as if he had just watched a house with wings fly away.
Green's suggestion had only added to the financial strain on his already struggling household.
Natsu let out a long sigh.
"With just three Pokémon, we're already barely scraping by..."
"If I were a real Trainer, wouldn't I be completely ruined?"
It was impossible not to feel conflicted.
The sheer cost of being a Trainer was evident.
But Squirtle, like Eevee and Haunter, had already beco a part of the family.
If he turned a blind eye... Natsu would feel guilty toward Squirtle.
Besides.
If Natsu-sensei worked hard and earned enough money, he could eventually pay off the debt...
Natsu took a deep breath, his confidence surging once more.
"It's just another million Pokémon Coins," Natsu said with a cold laugh.
"I refuse to believe that with so many gas to draw inspiration from, I can't pay off a asly six million Pokémon Coins!"
Natsu thought of Red's Snorlax, which cost 200W Pokémon Coins a month to maintain, and felt a slight sense of relief.
If he thought about it that way... it almost seed like a small win?
"Thank goodness I'm not a Trainer."
Natsu nodded optimistically. "If I take it slow... I can definitely climb out of this financial hole!"
...
Natsu made a quick call to Wilds Group.
The last ti he had custom-ordered Eevee's Power Anklet, he had spent over a million Pokémon Coins and received a lifeti VIP card in return.
With the VIP installnt plan, the down paynt was only 10W Pokémon Coins.
Gritting his teeth, Natsu used the money he had earned from playing gas with Cynthia last night to cover the down paynt.
"Next month, I should have so inco from the ga," Natsu muttered.
"Why do I feel like... this is a one-way road?"
That afternoon, a delivery company arrived at Natsu's house with the items.
Accompanying them was a well-dressed manager, who said respectfully:
"You have a great eye. Only seasoned Trainers co to us for orders!"
Natsu was taken aback.
"This is only my second ti..."
"Where there's a second ti, there's bound to be a third," the manager said cheerfully.
"You have the look of a champion, destined for greatness."
"Next ti you order from us, I'll give you a 10% discount!"
Natsu imdiately shut the door. "Haunter, see them out!"
The manager, left standing outside, continued to call out:
"I can give you 20% off! Let's talk this over!"
Natsu clenched his teeth as he placed the package on the coffee table.
"There won't be a next ti... I swear on Eevee's running wheel!"
"Eevee?!"
Eevee jumped up, trying to bump Natsu's knee, but Natsu easily grabbed it by the scruff of its neck.
"Nice try," Natsu said with a smug grin. "You're still too green!"
"Eevee! (〃＞皿＜)"
Seeing Natsu with another package, Haunter floated over, drawn by the scent.
"Haunter! （ˉ﹃ˉ）"
Squirtle also approached.
Although it felt like it was too new to the family to be the recipient, Squirtle still looked on with curiosity.
"Don't just stare, it's for you," Natsu said to Squirtle.
"Squirtle?!" Squirtle was stunned.
"Your big brother and big sister already have theirs. This ti, it's your turn."
Natsu unwrapped the package, and a cool mist rose from the exquisite wooden box.
Inside was a small glass vial containing 5ml of Mystic Water, shimring with a beautiful, watery glow.
It was said that naturally ford, solid-state Mystic Water was even more expensive, starting at six figures.
Natsu couldn't help but shiver.
The remaining items included powdered Water Stone and Water Gems to improve water quality.
All of them would significantly benefit Squirtle's growth.
"Squirtle..."
Squirtle's eyes widened, unsure of how to react.
"Haunter!" Haunter chuckled, nudging Squirtle forward.
Squirtle looked up at Natsu, hesitated for a mont, and then scratched its head sheepishly.
"Squirtle? (????ω????)?"
A goofy, blushing expression appeared on its face.
Natsu smiled softly.
Forming bonds with Pokémon was all about eting their expectations, after all.
Haunter's Dusk Stone, Eevee's Power Anklet... it was the sa.
They were all family, and Squirtle deserved no less.
Even if it ant stretching himself thin...
It was just six million Pokémon Coins, right?
Natsu-sensei could handle it!
"With these, hopefully, it'll stay quietly in the tank at night..."
Natsu muttered to himself. "I really went all out for this!"
Squirtle's eyes grew moist.
Even at the Tokyo tropolitan University Pokémon Day Care, it had never felt this kind of warmth.
Even though Eevee kept beating it up...
Squirtle knew it was to help it learn Iron Defense faster.
And Haunter... it was teaching Squirtle to be cautious in a dangerous world.
Though the Trainer seed stingy at tis, he had bought such precious items for it...
"Squirtle! /(ㄒoㄒ)/~~"
I'll work hard too!
...
Natsu poured the Mystic Water into the tank and scattered the Water Gems at the bottom.
The water shimred, resembling the colorful stones at the bottom of an aquarium.
Admittedly, what was once a plain rectangular tank now looked more and more like a proper fish tank...
Squirtle cautiously circled the tank twice, testing the water temperature with its paw.
Then it flipped over the edge and subrged itself in the clear liquid, imdiately closing its eyes in contentnt.
"Squirtle! (o???)"
Blowing a few bubbles, Squirtle withdrew into its shell and slowly sank to the bottom of the tank.
This is so comfortable!
According to Green, this formula could enhance Squirtle's Water-type affinity, thereby increasing the power of its Water-type moves.
But that was secondary.
What mattered more was that it also helped with Squirtle's recovery from injuries.
Tapping the tank gently, Natsu said softly:
"Getting stronger is important, but getting hurt isn't worth it."
Squirtle's drive to improve was slightly different from Eevee's and Haunter's.
Haunter had a strong sense of self-discipline.
Eevee was motivated by its desire to Return.
Squirtle, with its careful nature and severe paranoia, sought to constantly increase its strength.
This might have been due to the competitive environnt at the Tokyo tropolitan University Pokémon Day Care...
But for Natsu, in this new environnt, Squirtle didn't need to be so cautious anymore.
"With around, no one will bully you," Natsu said with a smile.
"Just do what you want to do!"
Squirtle poked its head out of its shell, pressing its face against the glass of the tank and blowing a stream of bubbles.
"Squirtle ヾ(?■_■)"
Squirtle nodded seriously.
The reason it had chosen to follow Natsu was because Natsu had recognized its strength.
This was a debt of gratitude.
To fulfill its value for Natsu was what Squirtle truly wanted to do.
Even though the outside world was dangerous...
As long as I play it safe, I can definitely achieve my Trainer's dreams!
The aura of Natsu's sincere emotions reached Squirtle.
Squirtle narrowed its eyes, a glint of determination flashing within.
Your grand ambitions... I'll make them a reality with my own hands!
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