After struggling so hard to beat a level, did I just breeze through it?
Cynthia was a bit stunned.
Are we even playing the sa ga?
Natsu's voice ca through the team chat: "Boss, co quick! I just got so rare materials!"
Cynthia paused for a mont, her eyes lighting up. "Don't move, I'm coming!"
...
Outside the window, the twilight sun cast its golden glow, and the chirping of Pidgeys returning to their nests filled the air.
The voice coming through the headphones sounded tired, with a hint of laziness, like a yawn.
"I'm logging off."
"Alright."
Natsu let out a yawn. "Next ti, rember to book in advance. My schedule's pretty packed."
Cynthia thought for a mont.
A Master-level Trainer like him probably didn't have much free ti. She couldn't always expect him to be available on a whim.
"Alright."
Cynthia nodded obediently, brushing a strand of golden hair from her forehead as she spoke seriously.
"I'll book in advance next ti."
Natsu chuckled. "By the way, why do you always use Garchomp?"
Cynthia was montarily taken aback, about to answer, when Natsu teased.
"Don't tell you're one of Cynthia's fans too?"
"Well..." Cynthia hesitated.
The Sinnoh Champion, constantly pestering soone to play gas? How would that look?
Not to ntion whether the opponent would believe her, revealing her identity online was just plain foolish.
Cynthia smiled faintly and countered, "Are you a fan of Cynthia?"
"Yeah, I really like her."
Natsu sounded nostalgic. "I've been a fan since I first watched Diamond and Pearl."
"What's Diamond and Pearl?"
"Ah, it's nothing, just another na for the Master League Tournant."
Cynthia's tone remained calm. "You could always challenge her at the Master League."
"Nah, I don't want to be a Trainer."
Natsu glanced at the Haunter beside him, who was rubbing its stomach with teary eyes, clearly unhappy.
"Haunter..."
Hurry up and feed it! Look how hungry Haunter is!
Natsu laughed. "I'm logging off. Let's catch up next ti!"
Cynthia wanted to say sothing, but in the end, she just softly replied, "Alright."
"One more thing."
"What?"
"Have you ever heard Primarina's song? I think it sounds a bit like your voice."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Cynthia's lips.
"Thank you."
Natsu grinned. "See you later!"
The opponent had already logged off.
In the room, an elegant Glaceon leaped onto Cynthia's lap, curling up gently on her chest.
Cynthia tucked a strand of golden hair behind her ear, gently stroking Glaceon as she murmured to herself.
"A Strategy Master who doesn't want to be a Trainer...?"
A subtle curve ford on Cynthia's delicate face, eventually blossoming into a stunning smile.
"Quite interesting."
...
Natsu took off his headphones and let out a long sigh.
"I told myself... there's no way it could be Cynthia."
Because of Garchomp, Natsu had started to doubt again.
So, he had tentatively probed the opponent's identity, even bringing up Cynthia on purpose.
But the opponent's tone didn't change at all, even acting like they were just fellow fans.
"I must have overthought it."
Natsu shook his head. "A League Champion wouldn't have the ti to play gas every day, right?"
But no matter who this wealthy patron was, they were definitely generous.
Even if they weren't much to look at in real life, their voice alone was enough to spark so imagination.
Natsu suddenly slapped his cheeks hard.
"You've got big dreams to chase!"
"Even if it's tempting... you can't rely on your looks to get by!"
His phone buzzed.
[Cabbage Ice Cream: Don't forget to send the bill. I might forget.]
[Natsu-sensei: Got it.]
Haunter, who had been floating nearby and witnessed the whole scene, gave Natsu a sidelong glance.
"Haunter?" (That's it?)
"Being a playmate... doesn't count. It's a skill-based job... can you call that freeloading?" Natsu argued.
What followed were so incomprehensible remarks, like "Pokémon expenses are huge" and "I really don't want to be a Trainer."
"Haunter~!! o(*≧▽≦)ツ"
Haunter burst into laughter, filling the room with a lively atmosphere.
...
Ti flew by, and Natsu's review week arrived as scheduled.
The first episode of "Natsu-sensei's Night Kitchen" was currently ranked third in the Lifestyle Category, with the top spot being Professor Samuel Oak's Backyard Docuntary.
Speaking of Professor Samuel Oak, while he didn't personally appear on Nico Dou, he had a dedicated team managing his account.
Every day, they used high-definition caras to docunt the living conditions of the Pokémon in his backyard.
"Pancham is so cute~~!"
"Whoa, a Tauros herd!"
"Forty thousand square ters, and you call that a backyard?"
Natsu watched half an hour of Pancham footage, satisfied, and gave the video a like.
Lunch was bacon with a poached egg.
Haunter, ever the aristocrat, laid a napkin for itself and elegantly cut the bacon with a knife and fork.
Natsu raised an eyebrow. "Rember to grab the luggage later. We're heading back to our hotown!"
"Haunter?"
Since he wasn't planning to go ho for the sumr, Natsu decided to take advantage of the review week to visit his parents.
His hotown was a small village nestled between mountains and rivers, about two hours from Tokyo.
After packing his luggage and preparing gifts for relatives and neighbors, Natsu boarded the high-speed train.
After another half-hour bus ride, the earthy scent of the suburbs greeted him. The sky suddenly felt clearer, and the sound of a flowing river filled his ears.
"Be careful later. Don't scare anyone!"
"Haunter!"
Haunter, carrying a large bag of luggage, nodded confidently.
As they reached the village entrance, a little girl with pigtails was riding a scooter. When she saw Natsu, she imdiately dropped the scooter and ran over excitedly.
"Big brother Natsu!"
The little girl flashed a toothy grin, her baby teeth still growing in, and threw herself into Natsu's arms.
Natsu smiled and ruffled her hair.
"Natsumi, did you miss ?"
"Mom said you'd definitely bring gifts!" Natsumi said shyly.
"Little rascal! Here, take this."
Natsu pulled out a minimized Poké Ball from his pocket and handed it to her. "Your gift!"
"...A Poké Ball?"
Natsumi stamred, swallowing hard. "Big brother, isn't this too expensive?"
Poké Balls cost 500 Pokémon Coins on the market, so it was no wonder Natsumi hesitated.
"Your mom said you've always wanted to catch a Pidgey. I'll take you up the mountain this afternoon," Natsu said with a smile.
Natsumi's eyes lit up, and she threw her arms around Natsu's neck, planting a big kiss on his cheek.
"Thank you, big brother!"
Haunter, mimicking her, floated out from behind Natsu and poked its own cheek with a grin.
Natsumi froze for a mont, then stiffened and burst into tears.
"Mom, there's a ghost!"
Haunter looked flustered, fumbling to pull out a napkin from the luggage, but the little girl had already run off crying.
"Haunter..."
Haunter's head drooped in disappointnt, its face turning a pale gray.
Natsu patted Haunter comfortingly. "How about I give you a kiss instead?"
Haunter shot Natsu a disdainful look, then floated ahead with the luggage, looking utterly defeated.
Natsu felt a pang of sadness.
You've changed... You weren't like this before you evolved...
As Natsu was lost in thought, Haunter had already floated far ahead, almost reaching the village entrance.
Natsu shouted, "Wait for ! Don't go scaring any more kids!"
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