December 9th, Wednesday.
The preliminary rounds of the Inter-School Exchange Tournant had co to an end.
Nearly every viewer who had watched the matches was left in awe of Celadon School's overwhelming dominance.
And the one who shone brightest? None other than Natsu-sensei, who led his team to a crushing victory over Rustboro School.
On one hand, a Instructor's strategy and lineup could determine more than half the outco of a match.
On the other… this particular Instructor also happened to be terrifyingly strong himself.
He hadn't even needed to warm up before utterly dismantling Rustboro City's Gym Leader…
Talk about slacking off and casually clearing a Gym at the sa ti!
Night had fallen over Jubilife City.
The iconic screen atop the downtown radio tower replayed the highlights of that morning's duel.
"A shutout—another shutout!" The comntator's voice echoed excitedly. "This is the most one-sided match in recent history!"
Passersby paused to glance up at the footage.
"Celadon School is insane this year."
"Is it because of their new Instructor?"
"That Sylveon was so cute!"
anwhile, Natsu-sensei and his three students walked through the streets, heading toward a private villa.
To avoid recognition, Natsu tugged his cap slightly lower.
Suddenly, it hit him.
So this is why Red always adjusts his hat before doing sothing cool.
This… feels way too intentional!
"Maybe I should get a custom hat too…"
He rubbed his chin, lost in thought.
The temperature difference in Jubilife City was brutal after sundown.
Gladion exhaled a visible breath, glancing back at Wally.
"You good?"
Wally shook his head with a smile. "Still hyped from this morning's match."
"We get to… uh, have another friendly battle tomorrow."
Natsu cleared his throat. "Which school advanced on the other side?"
Giselle checked her phone. "Jubilife School lost… Tomorrow's match is against Striaton City's Trainer Academy."
"Ah." Natsu vaguely recalled the place.
Ho to Unova's first Gym, a renowned Trainer Academy, and the somlier Cilan.
In Black and White 2, Unova's first Gym had relocated to Aspertia City, with Cheren taking over as its Gym Leader.
Much like Roxanne, Cheren had beco both a Teacher and Gym Leader at a young age.
Natsu's mood turned complicated.
So I'm here for a Baby Cup and sohow collecting Gym Badges on the side?
At least Erika would be returning tomorrow to take charge as the team's leader.
With her around, the risk of getting backstabbed dropped significantly.
"No big deal." Natsu coughed. "Let's head back—I'm treating you all to late-night snacks!"
Sinnoh, Jubilife City.
The soft glow of a chandelier bathed the room in warm orange light, catching the gold in Cynthia's hair as she lounged on the sofa, absorbed in a book of mythology.
Then—ding-dong—the doorbell rang.
The villa's Butler Indeedee, after receiving permission, gracefully opened the ornate door.
A rush of warmth and a faint, pleasant fragrance greeted Natsu as he stepped inside.
His three students, however, froze at the sight of the lavish interior.
Gladion handled it best—after all, he was the young master of the Aether Foundation.
Wally stamred, "D-Do we need to take off our shoes?"
Natsu chuckled. "Relax. Make yourselves at ho."
Giselle's sharp eyes, however, imdiately locked onto the pair of sleek black high heels by the shoe rack.
Crack.
She could hear her heart shattering.
"Gengar!" Excited, Gengar darted straight for the living room.
A mont later, the sound of soone standing up reached them.
All three students held their breaths.
Golden hair cascaded over pale shoulders, framing a face both elegant and gentle.
Deep gray eyes shimred with quiet amusent.
"Welco," Cynthia said with a soft smile.
For a long mont, none of them could form a coherent sentence.
"Ch-Ch—"
"Cynthia. Sinnoh's Champion." Natsu raised an eyebrow. "You do know her, right?"
Of course they did!
That was exactly why they were speechless!
This was Cynthia, the Sinnoh Champion!
And then—
Gladion's gaze flickered between Natsu and Cynthia.
Ah. It all makes sense now.
With Natsu-sensei's looks… this wasn't surprising.
Crack.
If Giselle's heart had only been fractured before, it was now in pieces.
So… this is the lady of the house.
I never stood a chance.
After three full seconds of ntal reboot, Wally was the first to recover.
"Hello, Mrs. Sensei!" He bowed deeply.
Holy—!
Natsu's heart nearly stopped.
Kid, you're playing 4D chess with your life choices!
"Gengar?! ∑(°Д°;)"
Gengar blinked, tilting its head in confusion.
For a brief mont, the golden-haired beauty looked startled—then she simply laughed, waving them in.
"Co in and sit down."
Just a misunderstanding.
Besides, she often hosted Caitlin and others here anyway.
Cynthia remained outwardly calm—until—
"Hello, Mrs. Sensei!" All three students bowed in unison.
"Ahem." Cynthia's gaze imdiately sliced toward Natsu.
Did you rehearse this?!
Natsu shrugged.
The kids just see the truth!
With a defeated sigh, Cynthia relented. "There are three guest rooms. Indeedee will show you the way."
"Thank you, Mrs. Sensei!"
"You can just call Cynthia—"
"Got it, Mrs. Sensei!"
She shook her head, though a faint smile tugged at her lips.
Fine. Whatever.
Giselle had already accepted her total defeat.
At least…
The villa's soundproofing was excellent.
No risk of additional heartbreak tonight.
Wally and Gladion, however, were still trying to decipher Natsu and Cynthia's relationship.
Friends? Didn't seem like it.
Romantic? They weren't that close.
"I've got it!"
On the way to their rooms, Gladion smacked his fist into his palm.
"What?" Wally asked.
"Natsu-sensei is trying to woo his landlord!"
"???"
...
With the three "lightbulbs" settled in their rooms, the living room was quiet again—just Cynthia and Natsu.
Sylveon, no longer wary of Cynthia, nestled comfortably as she gently stroked its fur.
Togepi toddled up to Lucario, waving eagerly.
"Togepi!" (Play with !)
Play?
Lucario crossed its arms, expression cool.
I have no ti for such things.
For the first ti in its life, Togepi was rejected.
Its eyes welled up instantly, tears trembling like a dam about to burst.
"TOGEPI DOO-EEEE!!!"
The floodgates opened.
Whoosh— Every pair of eyes in the room locked onto Lucario with lethal intensity.
"Garchomp."
In one swift motion, Garchomp's scythe-like fin pressed against Lucario's throat.
Play. With. It.
Lucario stiffened, then slowly reached down and lifted Togepi into the air.
"Lucario!" (Up you go!)
"Togepi doo-ee~(≧▽≦)"
"They get along so well," Cynthia mused, stretching her legs on the sofa with a smile.
"So do we."
"Not that well."
"How well, then?"
Cynthia tilted her head, pretending to think.
"All-nighters together."
Oh no.
Countered.
"Gaming!" she added, grinning.
"O-Oh…"
"Why do you look so disappointed?"
"No reason." Natsu sighed. "Big match tomorrow. We should rest."
As he stood, he pulled out two Trainer Cards from his pocket.
"Promised you these."
The cards depicted Cynthia, radiant as ever, with Garchomp standing tall beside her like an indomitable warrior.
For a mont, Cynthia just stared—then a brilliant smile lit up her face.
She took one and held it out to him.
"For you."
"You can't just regift sothing I gave you."
"Take it or leave it." Her voice turned icy.
"Taking it!"
...
The night deepened, the wind gentle outside.
Exhausted, Cynthia had curled up on the sofa, her golden hair spilling over her waist as she breathed softly in sleep.
Natsu closed his book, bemused.
Was my mythology storytelling that boring?
Even asleep, she was breathtaking—like so regal, lazy feline.
After watching for a while, he finally chuckled.
"Lucario, mind helping out?"
"Lucario!" It nodded, moving to carry Cynthia to her room—
Then paused.
Wait. Why am I listening to this guy?!
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