December 24th, Christmas Eve.
The snow fell heavily outside, swirling in the glow of streetlights.
Natsu glanced at Cynthia, her cheeks flushed pink in the cold, looking particularly charming.
As they reached the warmly lit doorstep, she stepped ahead, turning with a bright smile.
"I've already decided on the nu for later!"
"That fast?"
"Mhm." She looked pleased with herself.
Her playful mood was infectious. Natsu followed her inside.
"What were you doing out there earlier?"
"I saw you all having a snowball fight from the balcony and couldn't resist joining."
"You could've played too—though no Glaceon. That'd be cheating."
"What about Garchomp?"
Natsu made a conflicted face. "...Let think about it."
Cynthia watched him, exhaling a soft cloud of breath, her heart fluttering. "It feels... different," she murmured.
"Hm?"
She shook her head, tucking golden hair behind her ear, eyes crinkling.
"Nothing... Let's have another snowball fight later!"
"Or we could stay in and play board gas," Natsu muttered.
Cynthia's eyes sparkled. "Then let's ga~"
...
Inside, warmth enveloped them.
Natsu released his Pokémon, preparing to give them a warm bath.
Like humans, Pokémon could catch colds—Pikachu's cheeks would discharge abnormally as an early symptom.
Brock, for one, was well-versed in Pokémon dicine.
As the red light faded, the little ones scampered around, still buzzing from their snowy antics.
"Togepi doo-ee~" Togepi toddled eagerly toward the door.
Natsu scooped it up. "No going outside after sweating. You'll get sick."
"Togepi!" It nodded solemnly—only to dart for the door again the mont it was set down.
After three rounds of this, Togepi giggled, treating it like a ga.
Cynthia watched from the couch, amused.
"Go shower first. I'll keep an eye on Togepi," she offered.
Natsu nodded, picking up Sylveon, who drowsily nuzzled his shoulder.
Post-bath, Sylveon shook moisture from its ribbons and yawned.
Cynthia was nowhere in sight.
Upstairs, Natsu spotted her outside on the balcony, gleefully trading snowballs with Togepi.
He sighed, smiling. "Dinner's ready!"
Cynthia looked up, breath misting, cheeks pink with embarrassnt.
"Togepi doo-ee~Ｏ(≧▽≦)Ｏ"
Though reluctant, Togepi let Cynthia carry it inside.
"I'll give Togepi a bath."
"Can I join?"
Cynthia's eyes glinted teasingly. "Next ti?"
Natsu stared at the ceiling.
...
The sound of running water filled the air.
Leaving Lucario on guard, Natsu headed to the kitchen.
Tonight's nu: "Chariben Steak Donburi."
Fragrant shallots sizzled in the pan as he prepared a red wine reduction.
The steak, marinated in honey for tenderness, seared to perfection before being laid over pearl rice, topped with golden crispy shallots.
Even by professional standards, this was "Tang Niu"-level cooking.
"Sirfetch'd…" The duck knight eyed Natsu warily, shielding its precious leek.
"Relax," Natsu said. "I'll just trim the new growth from your potted leek."
"Sirfetch'd! (??????????????)"
So you're STILL after my leek?!
Since Cynthia preferred sweeter flavors, Natsu adjusted the sauce accordingly.
With the main course done, he moved to her requested side: "Karaage Chicken"—crispy, juicy bites atop fresh lettuce, paired with ice-cold cola.
Pleased with the presentation, Natsu carried the dishes to the dining table, where eager Pokémon waited.
Cynthia, now in a simple black coat, her hair loose, took her seat.
The aroma was intoxicating.
She bit into a chicken piece—and her face lit up.
"Gengar…" Gengar rubbed its eyes.
Did that chicken just... glow?
Despite devouring the steak rice with speed, Cynthia's manners remained impeccable.
Natsu watched, amused, as she finally set down her chopsticks, exhaling happily.
"Your cooking's improved again," she said, cheeks pink.
Well, it's evolved from Master Chef to Food Wars!
"The secret ingredient is heart," Natsu said. "Cooking with the wish to bring joy makes it tastier."
"Gengar~! (*⊙~⊙)" Mouth still full, Gengar shoved its bowl forward.
More, Trainer!
The long table buzzed with clinking dishes and contented munching.
"Garchomp!" Garchomp speared steak with her scythe, chewing ungracefully.
Lucario eyed Squirtle's aura, then its own al, deep in thought.
Maybe... this human isn't so bad for our Trainer?
"Heart... makes food better?"
Cynthia recalled her own disastrous cake attempt, flushing.
Then why was mine so awful? I tried so hard—
"I have a Christmas gift for you," Natsu said suddenly.
He returned with a guitar, tuning it briefly before strumming.
"A song I heard from a wandering musician. Hey Jude."
Outside, snow swirled around a flickering Christmas tree. Delibird hopped by, sacks ready for deliveries.
The gentle chords seed to lt the winter chill.
[Hey Jude, don't make it bad...]
[Take a sad song and make it better...]
The lody filled the room. The Pokémon listened quietly.
"Sylveon~" Its ribbon curled around Natsu's arm, watching him thoughtfully.
Togepi, nestled in its shell on Arcanine's warm back, snoozed peacefully.
As the last note faded—
"Garchomp~!" Tears welled in her eyes.
Damn sand... got in my eyes!
In the cozy silence, Cynthia's gray eyes glead.
"Who was the musician singing about?"
"Maybe his child. Or his lover..."
Cynthia interrupted softly. "Then he must've loved Jude very much."
Natsu t her gaze and nodded.
She smiled. "I loved it."
" too," he said.
"I... also prepared sothing."
Rare shyness colored her cheeks as she pulled a small USB drive from her coat.
"For Sylveon. It's not as strong as Hyper Voice, but it'll help master Fairy-type moves..."
"Wh-what is it?" Natsu's voice trembled with emotion.
"Moonblast." Her smile was radiant. "Best trained under a full moon."
Natsu's lips pressed together.
With mixed feelings, he took the USB.
"Th-thank you!"
"I'm glad you like it." Cynthia's lashes lowered.
Compared to what you've given ... this is nothing.
Natsu took a deep breath.
So this is growth.
...
December 25th, Christmas Morning.
Natsu yawned, shuffling out in Gengar-thed pajamas.
In the living room, Cynthia sat on the couch, swaying side to side, the ornants on her hat tinkling.
"My turn."
Natsu tugged his hood's drawstring—Gengar's ears perked up.
"This is embarrassing to admit..."
Cynthia smiled. "But I like Pikachu more."
"WHAT?!" Natsu clutched his chest.
"Gengar?"
Gengar peeked out from behind him—wearing Pikachu pajamas.
Cynthia's eyes sparkled. "Co here. Let pinch those cheeks."
As Gengar floated over, it shot Natsu a thumbs-up.
I'll order Pikachu pajamas ASAP!
Breakfast was Natsu's domain—rich coffee, sizzling ham and eggs, toast popping up with a ding.
"Mmm..." Cynthia nibbled toast while playing Pokémon Auto Chess on her cloud PC.
Natsu peeked.
Five synergies active. Just needs the chosen one!
Post-breakfast, he called Oleana to outline Pokémon Company's next project.
"Hold off on Unova's expansion. Focus on PTCG's online version first."
Though young, Pokémon Company had already produced hit gas.
But to rival giants like Ga Freak or Nintendo, they needed a flagship live-service ga.
Oleana suggested a Hearthstone-inspired PTCG adaptation—easy to learn, with card packs and pre-orders driving engagent.
"What should we na it?" Oleana asked.
"Pokémon Legendary?"
"Sounds like a cheap mobile ga," she deadpanned.
"Naming's not my forte. But content is king!"
Besides, Natsu thought, no "Golden Legendary" = no soul.
"Oh, and give everyone the day off. Save their hairlines."
Oleana touched her own hair, sighing.
"With the overti pay you offer, not working is the issue."
Natsu blinked.
So... generous pay negates work overti complaints?
Back in the living room, Cynthia sat reading, her glasses perched delicately.
She looked up, smiling.
"Keep reading. Don't mind ," Natsu said.
"Sinnoh's mythology. Just revisiting it."
"Streaming later," he said. "Promised fans after the tournant. Then Oak's lab for the party..."
Cynthia's eyes lit up. "Can I watch you stream?"
"You can co-host. I'm a skill-based strear now—no face cam. Just don't talk much."
"Viewers co for gaplay, not cute girls."
Cynthia nodded solemnly. "Don't worry. I'll be quiet!"
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