It took a full hour after paying the electricity bill before the lights ca back on.
Staring at the exorbitant bill, Natsu felt his wallet cry out in pain.
With this much power consumption, people would think I'm raising an Electivire!
But considering it was New Year's Eve,
Natsu-sensei still diligently prepared for the major cleaning and tonight's feast.
In the chat group, everyone was aware of the special occasion.
"Happy New Year, Natsu-sensei!" Green said cheerfully. "Don't forget the red envelopes!"
Natsu-sensei: "@Steven."
[Group mber 'Steven' has sent a group red envelope! Grab it fast!]
Maylene: !
Yellow gasped: "That's more than my weekly allowance!"
Sophia: "Thank you, Steven!"
Natsu stared blankly for a long mont.
I just randomly tagged him... and so big spender actually sent one?!
Gold: "@Red @Blue Oak @Lance @Lorelei..."
Gold: "Let try too!"
[Group mber 'Gold' has been removed by admin 'Blue Oak'.]
Natsu blinked.
Is this what they an by "try and die"?
Silver: "...Couldn't afford one, could you?"
[Group mber 'Blue Oak' has sent a group red envelope! Grab it fast!]
See?
This is the difference between low EQ and high EQ!
Lt. Surge gave a thumbs up: "Kicking out the hedgehog boy first? Nice attention to detail!"
Natsu approved Gold's rejoin request and comforted him:
"Don't worry, I only got 10 Pokécoins."
"How much did Yellow get?"
"...Over ninety Pokécoins."
"Pfft!"
"One more word and you're muted for 24 hours!"
On this New Year's Eve, Ash was still working hard at the Battle Frontier.
His progress had been remarkable - in just a few days, he'd reached the third facility, the Battle Do.
"Who's the Do Leader?" Brock asked curiously.
"Tucker," Ash scratched his head. "If I can beat him, I'll get my third Tactics Symbol!"
"Then go ask Natsu-sensei for advice," Blue Oak said. "With his guidance, you should clear it quickly."
Ash nodded vigorously: "Please, Natsu-sensei!"
Natsu-sensei: "No problem. When are you paying tuition?"
"Huh?"
Jokes aside, Natsu rembered Tucker's team composition was Arcanine and Swampert.
*A Swampert with 4x Grass weakness? Sceptile's Leaf Blade would one-shot it...
...provided Swellow can set up Tailwind first to guarantee Sceptile's move priority.
If Tucker switched mid-battle... given Ash's proficiency with Flying-types, Swellow and Charizard could still sweep easily.
After the private coaching session, Ash had an epiphany.
"Thank you, Natsu-sensei! After I beat Tucker, I'll send you gifts!"
Natsu nodded approvingly.
This kid's got potential.
As evening approached,
After calling his parents to reassure them, Natsu looked around.
The little ones were "cleaning" the house - which mostly ant roughhousing.
"Blastoise!" Twin water jets shot from its cannons, instantly flooding the entire living room.
"Sylveon~(*≧▽≦)" Sylveon splashed around in the new pond, getting water everywhere.
"Togepi doo-ee~" Togepi seriously swept with a broom twice its height.
"Gengar!" Gengar kicked over the Rotom-powered cleaning robot.
Try stealing my chores? Not happening!
The Rotom-bot lay upside down, helpless.
"System Overload, Rotom! o(TヘTo)"
Slackers Natsu-sensei and Sirfetch'd stood by awkwardly.
"Maybe... we should go prepare the ingredients?" Natsu suggested.
"Sirfetch'd! " (Great idea!)
Though called a New Year's feast, it was really just a simple dinner for two...
Plus each Pokémon's favorite dishes.
A perfectly fine way to start the new year.
"Would a battery count as a main course?"
Natsu examined the "dinner" he'd prepared for Rotom,
Suddenly rembering the battery bento from Bicentennial Man.
"Adding so motor oil should improve the flavor..."
By 5 PM, the ingredients were prepped.
Evening sunlight stread through the sparkling clean windows...
Natsu: "HOW DID IT GET SSIER AFTER CLEANING?!"
Instant chaos erupted - howls, Sylveon cries, and water everywhere.
Rubbing his temples, Natsu couldn't help but smile.
Surrounded by Pokémon, he felt truly at ho.
"Alright, let's all clean up together properly!"
...
Night fell as light rain drifted outside.
Natsu turned on the long-unused living room TV, filling the house with festive New Year's programming.
"Togepi, don't sit so close to the screen!"
"Togepi~" It wobbled back to the table... then scampered right back when Natsu wasn't looking.
"Snow probability tonight: 99%, Rotom!" Rotom reported.
"A tily snow promises a good harvest year."
Natsu smiled - then suddenly sensed a familiar aura.
The lock clicked. Rotom imdiately flew to the security cara feed. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel⦿fire
"Suspicious target detected!"
"Beep... 99% probability it's Garchomp! Recomnd safety protocols, Rotom!"
"Co back."
Natsu coughed. "That's Cynthia's Garchomp."
"Cynthia, the Sinnoh Champion? Beep—System Overload, Rotom!"
Snowflakes swirled in as a statuesque golden-haired beauty entered, brushing frost from her black fur collar.
"Garchomp!" Garchomp sniffed the air and grinned.
Finally getting to taste his cooking!
"So tired," Cynthia complained softly.
Natsu's gaze dropped to her black-stockinged feet.
"Need a foot rub?"
Twin icy glares from Cynthia and Garchomp - plus Sylveon's disgusted "Sylveon!" - answered him.
Natsu crossed his arms defiantly.
What's wrong with a man appreciating beauty?
"You ca all the way from Sinnoh after my call?" he asked.
"I was already on my way before you called," Cynthia smiled. "My mory isn't that bad."
Natsu nodded thoughtfully.
"You can shower first. Dinner will be ready soon."
"Alright."
She agreed softly, then fixed him with a warning look. "You know what I'm going to say."
"Don't worry, I'll just stand outside the bathroom door."
"Absolutely not."
"That's asking too much of human nature."
Blushing, Cynthia tilted her chin up, golden hair veiling her face.
"...You may peek. But no details until I say so. Understood?"
"Understood." Natsu nodded solemnly.
A small tactical victory today, a major strategic advantage tomorrow!
...
Fabric rustled in the changing room.
Then ca the sound of running water.
With his heightened sensitivity,
Natsu realized just how useful aura detection could be in these situations.
Later, a barely audible whisper ca through the steam:
"C-co in."
"Louder?"
"..."
"Then I'm coming in."
"...Fine."
He stepped into the misty bathroom, barely making out the silhouette in the tub.
The golden-haired beauty's face was flushed crimson, only her bubble-covered head visible above the water.
"S-see enough?"
"Almost."
"Get. Out." Her sweet smile contrasted with the arctic tone.
"Don't soak too long - you'll get dizzy."
He gently closed the door, tapping the glass. "The New Year's feast will be ready soon."
A soft "hmph" was her only reply.
"...Mm."
Back in the living room,
Natsu contemplated firing his resident "Holy Knight."
Since when did my house have a paladin?!
"Sirfetch'd?" Sirfetch'd gave him a sidelong glance - then suddenly shuddered.
"Sirfetch'd!~(?﹏?)σ"
That's the sa look he gives ingredients!
As Natsu arranged the dishes,
The hair dryer humd from the changing room.
Fireworks blood outside, their colors blending with the TV's festive program.
Garchomp paws crept toward the food.
Natsu tapped his chopsticks. "Wait until everyone's ready!"
"Garchomp..." Garchomp reluctantly retracted its scythes.
Then paused.
Wait—why am I listening to him?!
"Garchomp!" It settled down anyway.
...Fine. The hungrier I am, the better it'll taste!
Cynthia erged, toweling her golden hair.
Seeing the lavish spread and gathered Pokémon, her eyes sparkled with amusent.
"Let's eat."
"Enjoy the al."
Outside, snow swirled as the New Year's countdown approached midnight.
What will the coming year bring?
Natsu glanced at Cynthia's radiant face,
Then at his assembled Pokémon:
Sylveon and Garchomp wrestling over food.
Blastoise and Lucario ditating together.
Gengar and Rotom fighting over cleanup duty.
Togepi giving New Year's blessings to w.
Arcanine zooming around excitedly. Sirfetch'd contemplating duck philosophy.
As long as Trainers and Pokémon walk together, the future will be bright.
He smiled - eting Cynthia's gaze.
Her shimring gray eyes held endless warmth.
"After the holidays... Sinnoh?" he said.
"Take your ti," she smiled. "I'll wait."
Natsu scratched his cheek.
"There might be loose ends to tie up... or rookies to ntor. But it won't take long."
Cynthia simply listened, smiling silently.
Midnight struck.
"Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year."
Fireworks exploded outside, painting the snow in brilliant colors.
Countless household lights glowed warmly across the city.
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