Advancing to the Top 32 in the Tokaido Region was already an impressive achievement.
The members of the Tokyo Metropolitan University School team all called to congratulate Natsume.
Curious, Natsume asked, "Coach Takashi, how many from our school made it through?"
Tokyo Metropolitan University was a key training ground for Pokémon Trainers, and every year, many of its students secured spots in the Touran Conference.
The Tokaido Region was no exception. In last year's regional tournament, Tokyo Metropolitan University had claimed a quarter of the Top 16 spots.
Given Natsume's outstanding performance in the "Baby Cup," it was only natural that he was drawing attention.
Coach Takashi thought for a moment before replying, "Out of the Top 32, you're the only one from our school who advanced this year."
"Among the third and fourth-year seniors, only four made it... You're the sole second-year representative."
"Oh, and since this is a matter of bringing honor to the school... You should go see the Former Principal. He might have some goodies for you."
"Hahaha, I'll let you go now, Coach!"
Natsume hurriedly ended the call.
"Really, that kid is so shy..."
Coach Takashi chuckled and shook his head.
Since Natsume was too embarrassed to ask, Coach Takashi decided he would approach the Former Principal on Natsume's behalf.
Manuals, resources, Pokémon... Whatever it was, given the Former Principal's generosity, Natsume was sure to be pleased!
Natsume took the warm Pokémon egg out of his bag and cradled it in his arms, gently stroking it.
"I hope you grow up well and don't disappoint your father's earnest teachings!" Natsume said solemnly.
The Pokémon egg wobbled slightly before settling down.
Sylveon puffed out its cheeks, wanting to snuggle into Natsume's arms as well.
Natsume pulled Sylveon into his embrace, playing with its pink bow as he pondered.
From today's battle performance, it was clear that Growlithe had made significant progress.
With its weight advantage, training it to use "Body Slam" seemed like a natural next step.
Even though he had won another match, Natsume knew he'd have to wake up early next week for the next round.
Still, he wanted to reward his little ones for their efforts.
It was already late in the evening.
Natsume tied on an apron. "Alright, what do you guys want to eat tonight? I'll cook!"
Gengar tilted its head, then handed Natsume a Petaya Berry from the cupboard.
Natsume thought for a moment.
"Well... It's getting colder, so something spicy sounds good."
Squirtle and Growlithe, the two little ones, had no objections.
As for Sylveon, Natsume smiled. "What do you want? I'll make something special for you."
It was already 8 PM, and the city lights were beginning to glow as households turned on their lights.
Natsume set up his camera, started a live stream, and titled it: Natsume-sensei's Late-Night Kitchen.
Fans eagerly flooded into the stream, only to be met with confusion.
"Wait, Natsume-sensei is actually cooking?!"
"You thought Natsume-sensei was a master Trainer, but he's really a chef."
On screen, Natsume-sensei's slender fingers deftly handled the tofu, his knife spinning twice in his hand as he expertly sliced it.
"Whoa, that's so professional!"
"I used to do that too... before I lost my hands."
"Those knife skills! Even a Bisharp would be impressed!"
It was only then that everyone remembered.
Natsume-sensei... was also a late-night food content creator!
"I was too hasty clicking into this stream!"
"I already have the title for the next video!"
"Touran cuisine—Mapo Tofu."
Natsume explained, "For seasoning, I added Lao Gan Ma and chili peppers. It's about Charizard-level spiciness."
As the bright red chili peppers hit the pan, the flames illuminated Natsume's handsome face.
Everyone watching collectively gulped.
In the sizzling oil, the chopped chili peppers glistened, the fermented bean paste added depth, and the Sichuan peppercorns crackled.
Natsume added minced beef, stir-frying it until it released a rich aroma that seemed to waft through the screen.
He poured in water, and the pot hissed as the broth turned a fiery red.
"My Farfetch'd suddenly doesn't taste as good anymore."
"Did the streamer used to be a chef?"
After seasoning, Natsume-sensei added the sliced tofu, flipping the wok as he chatted. "My long-time fans already know this, but before I became a streamer, I was actually a chef..."
"Last time you said you were a street performer under a bridge!"
"Three hundred and sixty professions, and Natsume has done them all."
Once the tofu had absorbed the flavors, Natsume thickened the sauce with a cornstarch slurry, making it rich and glossy.
Gengar sniffed the aroma, its tongue flicking around its mouth.
Growlithe was panting, drool pooling on the floor.
Soon, Natsume turned off the heat and plated the dish, serving it in a pristine white bowl.
He sprinkled finely chopped green onions over the steaming Mapo Tofu, the red oil still sizzling.
The aroma seemed to seep through the screen.
The fans collectively swallowed hard.
"You thought Natsume-sensei was just here to entertain, but he actually served up a meal!"
"Natsume-sensei is really something else!"
"Old man! How dare you stream when I haven't had dinner yet!"
As one of the most beloved Touran dishes (much to Kirei Kotomine's chagrin), Natsume-sensei's Mapo Tofu was on par with a Master Chef's level.
Though it didn't glow, the flavor was almost there.
Amid the collective lamentations, Natsume ended the live stream.
He brought the Mapo Tofu to the dining table, where the little ones looked on with grave expressions.
"Why are you all staring at me?"
Natsume sat down, scooping up a spoonful of tofu mixed with red oil and minced meat. He blew on it and muttered, "Ouch... so hot!"
The tofu melted on his tongue, smooth and delicate, while the spiciness exploded on his taste buds, the heat tempered by the richness of the oil.
Natsume's face turned red, and for a moment, he imagined a Charizard soaring through the sky, unleashing a blazing Fire Blast.
The lava was scorching. One more bite, and he might start hallucinating Groudon!
With a hiss, Natsume quickly opened a can of cola, took a big bite of rice, and gulped it down.
Mapo Tofu really was the perfect dish to pair with rice!
Seeing Natsume's reaction, Gengar reached out a trembling hand, picked up a spoon, and licked the red oil at the bottom.
Its eyes widened, and it quickly shoveled the tofu into its mouth.
Gengar's face turned red as it poured the Mapo Tofu over a bowl of pearl rice, chopsticks moving furiously.
Natsume was startled as Growlithe buried its face in its bowl, tail wagging furiously!
"Squirtle..." A drop of sweat rolled down Squirtle's forehead.
The next moment, Growlithe lifted its head, mouth wide open.
A small flame gathered in its mouth, and under the influence of the Petaya Berry, a Flamethrower was ready to burst forth!
Natsume's expression turned strange.
It couldn't learn the move after a month of training, but it mastered it after one meal?
If Flint found out, he'd be furious!
Way to go, Growlithe!
At the critical moment, Squirtle aimed a Water Gun at the tiny flame.
Natsume stared blankly at Growlithe, who had been sent flying, the hole in the wall, and the chaos.
Squirtle adjusted its sunglasses cautiously.
Good thing I was prepared!
Natsume wiped his face, visibly moved.
"A Water Gun would've been enough, really. No need for a Hydro Pump."
Natsume nodded. "But still, thank you, Squirtle!"
Squirtle scooped up some Mapo Tofu, blowing on it gently.
If it had used Hydro Pump... things might have gotten out of hand...
Meanwhile, Growlithe, now built like a tank, stood up and shook its round body, water droplets flying everywhere.
Growlithe let out a triumphant howl, feeling proud.
I mastered a new move so easily!
"Hello? Yes, the same place as last time."
Natsume made a call, his expression calm. "Thanks for your help!"
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