Steven's villa perfectly reflected the personality of this rich second-generation heir.
The minimalist black-and-white furnishings, with walls that gleamed with a metallic silver sheen, gave the place a sleek, modern feel. Display cases lined the room, each filled with an assortment of rocks and stones.
"Buying a house just to display rocks... Is this what the world of the wealthy is like?" Natsume mused, stroking his chin.
Haunter was busy hauling luggage back and forth, while Growlithe wagged its tail excitedly, bouncing around the room.
Once the luggage was settled, a knock suddenly echoed from the entrance.
Opening the door, Natsume was greeted by the sight of a tall, elegant figure with golden hair.
"I thought you went home?" Natsume asked, surprised.
Cynthia smiled and waved the game controller in her hand. "I can stay a bit longer."
Natsume chuckled and stepped aside, welcoming the self-proclaimed gaming addict inside.
"Make sure to rest early. You have the conference tomorrow."
"Don't worry, I'll just play for a little while."
This was Cynthia's first time visiting Steven's villa. She glanced around and remarked, "Definitely Steven's style..."
"Take a seat for now," Natsume said, already slipping on an apron. "You haven't eaten yet, right? Adding an extra set of chopsticks is no trouble. Dinner's on me tonight!"
Cynthia blinked, then smiled. "Then I'll trouble you."
Natsume waved it off as he headed to the kitchen. "No need to be so formal between us!"
Cynthia turned her attention to her Pokémon, who were resting in the living room. "Everyone, take a break."
A red light flickered, and Cynthia's Pokémon materialized in the living room.
Glaceon glanced around, its gaze settling on Sylveon, who was napping on the floor. Quietly approaching, Glaceon mischievously extended a cold, icy tendril toward Sylveon.
"Sylveon!" Sylveon suddenly opened its bright blue Baby-Doll Eyes and chomped down on the tendril.
Sylveon held on tight, grinning smugly. "Sylveon!"
Glaceon's face turned red as ice crystals scattered around it...
Meanwhile, Cynthia had already connected the console to the flat-screen TV. As the game's BGM started playing, the Pokémon gathered around curiously.
Sylveon released the pink ribbon it had tied around Glaceon's slender body.
"Glaceon..." Glaceon let out a soft sigh.
Sylveon gracefully leaped onto Cynthia's lap, finding a comfortable spot to lie down.
Cynthia smiled softly, gently stroking Sylveon's snow-white fur.
At the same time, in the kitchen.
Natsume-sensei was busy preparing tonight's meal.
The rich, spicy aroma of curry filled the air, its vibrant color a testament to Natsume's [Cooking Lv4] skill, which rivaled even the top chefs of the elite culinary world.
Satisfied, Natsume carried the pot out of the kitchen, only to pause in surprise.
In the living room, Cynthia sat with her legs crossed, fully engrossed in the game. Her deep gray eyes reflected the flickering screen. One of her black high heels dangled from the tip of her stockinged foot.
Seeing Natsume, Cynthia's eyes lit up, and she held out the second controller.
"Wanna play?" Cynthia asked.
No one could refuse such an invitation!
"Let's do it!" Natsume-sensei declared with utmost seriousness.
Cynthia said seriously, "This is the final boss!"
"Sylveon..." Sylveon lazily yawned.
Just as they were about to reach the climax, another knock came from the door.
Natsume clearly saw a vein twitch on Cynthia's forehead.
"Is Natsume-sensei there?" a loud voice called out. "Aaron and I are here to visit!"
"Natsume-sensei, we've come to seek your advice!" another, slightly younger voice added.
Cynthia frowned, her hands slipping on the controller, causing her character to die at the hands of the boss.
"Tch..." Cynthia pursed her lips tightly.
Natsume felt the anger radiating from her.
"Aaron and Flint... Could it be those two?" Natsume asked cautiously.
"Yeah... The Bug-type Elite Four and the Fire-type Elite Four..." Cynthia replied, trying to stay calm.
She set down the controller, stood up, and smiled. "I'll get the door."
Natsume's expression turned strange.
On the surveillance screen, Aaron and Flint's cheerful faces were marked with a glaring "DANGER" sign.
"It should be Natsume-sensei, right?" Flint scratched his fiery red spiky hair. "I definitely saw someone earlier."
"Seems like no one's home..." Before Aaron could finish, the door suddenly opened.
Seeing the tall figure, Aaron stammered, "C-Cynthia?!"
"What are you doing here?" Flint asked, surprised.
"Same as you," Cynthia said coldly. "Here to seek advice from Natsume-sensei."
If only they'd come earlier, Cynthia thought, I wouldn't have been stuck on this level for so long!
Aaron and Flint exchanged wide-eyed glances.
Natsume-sensei's strength was enough to warrant a personal visit from the Champion?
"H-How did it go?" Aaron stammered.
"Almost won," Cynthia said, taking a deep breath.
Almost cleared the level!
"It's all your fault!"
A drop of cold sweat rolled down Flint's forehead.
Over the years, Flint had challenged Cynthia multiple times in the Champion League.
Every single time, he had lost.
The worst time, he was nearly wiped out by Garchomp...
As the Fire-type Elite Four, Flint knew all too well how terrifying Cynthia could be.
"Almost won," Flint muttered, his eyes filled with awe. "Which means..."
Cynthia lost to Natsume-sensei?!
In a game, sure, but this was a real-life challenge!
Natsume-sensei could actually beat Cynthia in a real battle?!
Flint and Aaron exchanged a bitter smile.
"Now I know why Lucian didn't come with us," Aaron whispered.
"That guy must've known something. So sneaky!" Flint gritted his teeth.
Cynthia crossed her arms and looked at the two, her voice icy. "If you two want a challenge, how about I take you on first? What do you say?"
The two Elite Four members' expressions turned complicated.
That was just asking for a beating.
It wasn't a question of whether she was strong or not.
With Garchomp by her side, she was practically unbeatable!
And yet, this Sinnoh Champion seemed to have lost to Natsume-sensei...
Flint scratched his fiery red hair and laughed nervously. "N-No need!"
Aaron shook his head like a rattle drum. "We're just here... to get Natsume-sensei's autograph!"
"Yeah, challenging you would be too much, hahaha!"
At that moment, Natsume walked to the entrance and glanced at the two.
"You two... want to come in?"
Having two Elite Four members show up at his doorstep...
Natsume's mood was a bit complicated.
I'm just a rookie here.
Besides these two, there's still Red eyeing me from afar...
Looking at Natsume-sensei, Flint was momentarily stunned.
He beat Cynthia and still looks so calm...
Natsume-sensei must still have more up his sleeve!
Aaron's cowlick trembled as his survival instincts kicked in. "We're just here to get your autograph! We'll leave right after, won't disturb you any further!"
Natsume found it odd and glanced at Cynthia.
She stood with her arms crossed, seemingly waiting for Natsume's decision.
Natsume scratched his head, signed the autographs, and the two Elite Four members let out a long sigh of relief.
Flint stuffed his hands in his pockets and scratched his head. "Hahaha, it's getting late. Natsume-sensei, you should rest early!"
Aaron, feeling like he'd just been granted a pardon, bowed deeply. "Thank you so much, Natsume-sensei!"
In the night, watching the two Elite Four members hurriedly leave, Natsume asked curiously, "Are all Sinnoh's Elite Four... this eccentric?"
Cynthia thought for a moment and said, "They probably learned it from me."
Natsume was surprised to hear the Sinnoh Champion crack a joke.
"Haha, you're really funny," Natsume said.
Cynthia nodded slightly, her golden hair swaying in the night breeze.
She seemed to be holding back a smile, her lips curving upward.
"Let's go," Natsume waved. "Let's finish the last level."
Cynthia's eyes lit up. "Coming!"
Lucian had just finished calling the Pokémon Center when he saw the two rushing back. "You two are okay?"
"Almost weren't!" Aaron panted.
Remembering Cynthia's words, Flint shivered. "Natsume-sensei... is terrifying!"
Lucian, who had expected this, cheerfully poured them a glass of water.
"Too bad, I even called an ambulance for you two."
"So, after barging in like that, aren't you going to prepare a gift?" Lucian leaned against the window, opening a hardcover book.
That reminded the two.
In other words, giving Natsume-sensei a gift would be a good way to build a connection.
Flint stroked his chin, deep in thought. "What should we give him?"
"Money's too tacky," Aaron squatted on the floor, tapping his head. "Natsume-sensei... doesn't seem to have any Bug-type Pokémon, so we can't cater to his preferences."
"You just reminded me... I remember Natsume-sensei has a Growlithe," Flint nodded. "When it comes to Fire-type moves, I'm pretty confident!"
Flint stroked his chin, deep in thought.
Then I'll prepare a manuscript on [Flamethrower] as a gift for Natsume-sensei!
Hearing Flint's idea, Lucian closed his book and nodded slightly.
"I think Natsume-sensei will be quite pleased."
A crescent moon hung in the clear sky above Canalave City.
Cynthia covered a yawn with her hand, resting her head on Glaceon. Her golden hair spilled over her face, revealing a small part of her cheek.
"What time is the conference tomorrow?"
Natsume, also resting on Sylveon, turned to face her. "7 a.m."
"I'm afraid I won't wake up."
"But I still have so many games I want to play..."
"Then let's pull an all-nighter," Natsume nodded. "By the way, I recently made a new game... To be honest, it's pretty addictive."
Cynthia's deep gray eyes slowly lit up with interest.
"So, you're staying over tonight?" Natsume asked.
Cynthia smiled and nodded without hesitation.
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