Eevee returned home victorious but battered after defeating Growlithe, just as Natsume arrived back.
Seeing Natsume, Eevee seemed excited, though its little face showed signs of exhaustion.
Natsume picked up Eevee, smoothing the fur on its head, his expression complicated. "You beat up the landlord's Growlithe?"
Eevee tilted its head to avoid Natsume's hand, its face showing a thoughtful expression before its eyes lit up.
"You're so confident about it!" Natsume said with a bitter smile.
"We might get kicked out by the landlord tonight!"
While Eevee didn't wreck the house…
This situation seems even worse than that!
Offending the landlord—am I going to end up sleeping on the streets tonight?
"I'm not praising you! Why are you acting shy now?!"
Natsume sighed softly.
This was indeed his fault as a Trainer. Besides educating Eevee, he needed to reflect on his own actions.
I get it now—I can't leave you guys alone at home anymore!
Haunter laughed gleefully, clearly enjoying the situation.
"What are you laughing at? You're not much better!"
Natsume rubbed his temples, sighing in exhaustion.
These two Pokémon—one trained its moves at home and nearly burned the house down.
The other snuck out to battle and beat up the landlord's Growlithe?
Are you trying to level up on your own?!
Then what's the point of me being a Trainer?!
Suddenly, a lightbulb went off in Natsume's head.
"It's not that I don't want to be a Trainer…"
"It's that being one is useless!"
The logic was so airtight that Natsume nodded in agreement.
Looking down at Eevee.
The little one had many small scratches, some still bleeding.
Natsume gently patted Eevee's head and smiled helplessly.
"Let's go to the Pokémon Center later and get your wounds treated."
Eevee lowered its head, letting out a weak cry.
Natsume felt like a parent cleaning up after a mischievous child.
Arriving at the Pokémon Center, he first apologized sincerely to the landlord and offered to cover the medical expenses.
Finally, Natsume said with genuine embarrassment:
"Misaki-neesan, I'm really sorry for causing so much trouble…"
"If you're thinking of finding a new tenant, give me a day, and I'll pack up my things."
First, he nearly burned the house down, and now he sent her beloved pet to the hospital…
Natsume couldn't think of a single reason why the landlord wouldn't kick him out.
"These are small matters."
Misaki-neesan shook her head. "Besides, all the nearby rental properties are mine anyway, so you might as well stay."
Natsume was touched at first, but the more he thought about it, the more something felt off.
Listen to what you're saying—is that even human?
"I shouldn't have let Growlithe off the leash either, so I won't take the medical fees."
Misaki-neesan smiled. "I'm making soup at home. You can bring the little one over for dinner tonight."
"Don't worry, Misaki-neesan, I'll definitely come!"
Eevee's injuries were mostly superficial.
Notably, the doctor treating Eevee was the same one who had nearly been poisoned by Gastly last time.
The doctor panicked: "It's you again!"
Natsume scratched his head awkwardly.
"Sorry, Doctor, I'll have to trouble you again."
During the examination, the doctor sustained three scratches from Eevee and finally wrote the diagnosis with a trembling, bandaged hand:
"Nothing serious, just spray some Potion. Oh, and next time, don't book an appointment with me… I'm not really qualified."
"Next time for sure, next time for sure."
Carrying Eevee back home.
Eevee immediately wriggled out of Natsume's arms, landing lightly on the floor and shooting him a sideways glance.
I was just giving you face outside.
You think you can hold me at home?
Natsume then grabbed Eevee by the scruff of its neck, placing it on the newly bought cat bed. After spraying Potion, he finally relaxed.
"Other people catch Pokémon as friends or comrades."
Natsume's expression turned strange.
"Why does it feel like I've brought home a little tyrant?"
Complaints aside, Natsume prepared high-quality Oran Berry Blocks for the two Pokémon's dinner.
While Eevee and Haunter ate and playfully fought.
Natsume finally found some time to check his notifications.
The class group chat was filled with shock over Natsume making it to the finals.
The fan group was furious that the streamer hadn't gone live yet, complaining that the cafeteria was running out of food.
In the master group, Red, who had been lurking for a while, finally appeared.
"I've been training at Mt. Silver recently."
Red said, "Natsume-sensei, you caught an Eevee?"
Natsume happened to want to consult Red.
"Red, my Eevee is quite aggressive. Do you have any advice?"
Red thought back to what Eevee was like before it evolved and smiled.
"Vee was also quite aloof before, but after evolving into Espeon, it became very affectionate."
Red's Eevee had been subjected to live experiments by Team Rocket.
It could freely switch between Fire, Water, and Electric forms, but this caused it immense pain, making it highly aggressive.
Later, this Eevee evolved into Espeon, and its form stabilized, becoming relatively gentle.
Natsume stroked his chin.
Friendship Evolution, huh…
That leaves only Espeon, Umbreon, and Sylveon as possible forms.
At least they don't cost any money.
I'll print out pictures of the three forms and let Eevee choose which one it wants.
"For specific evolution methods, you can consult Professor Rowan from the Sinnoh Region. He specializes in evolution research."
Red added, "As for his contact info, let me ask Professor Samuel Oak."
"Ah, that won't be necessary. I already have his contact."
Red pondered for a moment and nodded.
As a Master-level Trainer, it's not surprising that Natsume-sensei would know other regional Pokémon Professors.
"That's even better."
Closing the chat interface, Natsume dug out Professor Rowan's business card from his drawer.
"I wonder if he'll answer…" Natsume muttered to himself.
To Natsume's surprise, the call was answered almost immediately by Professor Rowan's serious voice.
"This is the Rowan Research Institute. Who's calling?"
"Professor, this is Natsume from the Touran Region. You left your card when you visited… I have some questions I'd like to ask."
Professor Rowan thought for a moment, recalling the young man with both knowledge and refinement, and replied with a smile.
"Natsume, right? I remember you. Have you considered coming to work as a researcher here?"
"Not exactly, it's about something else…"
Natsume described Eevee's personality and Ability.
"I want to know if this will affect Eevee's evolution."
Despite having the Anticipation Ability, Eevee is even more reckless than Haunter.
To be cautious, Natsume decided it was best to consult the experts.
"An aggressive Eevee? That's quite rare." Professor Rowan mused. "Would you be able to transfer Eevee here?"
Natsume glanced back at the napping Eevee and coughed lightly. "I just caught it, and it's quite shy. Transferring might be difficult."
Professor Rowan nodded. "If it's convenient, let me observe the little one over video."
Turning on the video, the dignified, white-haired man with a mustache nodded. "It's been a while, Natsume."
"My invitation still stands. I hope you'll consider it seriously."
Natsume nodded, carrying the drowsy, bandaged Eevee into view.
"These are the injuries from today's fight… and it was the one who started it…"
Professor Rowan stared at Eevee's twitching ears for a while and let out a soft sound of surprise.
"This Eevee has the Anticipation Ability, yet it actively challenges other Pokémon…"
Professor Rowan couldn't help but nod. "It has a strong competitive spirit!"
"Professor, will this have any negative effects on it?"
Professor Rowan stroked his beard and smiled. "Not only will it not, but you should actually be glad. You've caught an exceptional Pokémon."
"Perhaps your emotions have inspired it, driving it to strive to become stronger."
Natsume's expression turned strange.
There's actually such a thing?!
"Professor, I didn't plan to be a Trainer…"
"Hahaha, I know!" Professor Rowan laughed. "But this might be what you'd call a happy accident!"
Looking at the sleeping Eevee, Natsume couldn't help but pat its head.
It never shows affection for Natsume openly.
Instead, it chooses to express its gratitude by constantly striving to become stronger.
Haunter floated over and poked Eevee's sleeping face, giggling quietly.
"You two share a deep bond," Professor Rowan remarked.
Natsume coughed lightly, about to say something, when a flash of gold caught his eye on the screen.
"Professor, the inscriptions have been deciphered."
A slightly hoarse voice spoke, one that felt familiar to Natsume, though he couldn't quite place it.
A tall woman with cascading golden hair appeared, giving Natsume a strong sense of déjà vu.
Suddenly, Natsume's eyes widened in realization.
The Sinnoh Champion, Cynthia!
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