"Cynthia, this is Natsume from the Touran Region that I mentioned to you earlier."
Cynthia approached the camera, her figure gradually coming into focus.
Her usual black coat was replaced by a researcher's white lab coat, and her tall nose was adorned with a pair of gold-rimmed glasses.
She wasn't wearing any makeup, her cherry-colored lips, fair and delicate complexion, and those deep gray eyes made her look stunning.
Her dazzling golden hair reached down to her waist, and the beauty with thin gold-rimmed glasses left Natsume momentarily stunned.
She's… too beautiful!
Cynthia nodded, offering a faint smile. "Professor Rowan speaks very highly of you."
"Professor Rowan is too kind…" Natsume said, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"The Professor doesn't praise people lightly."
Cynthia smiled. "Besides, your research interests align somewhat with mine."
Cynthia herself was a mythology scholar from the Sinnoh Region, having dedicated much effort to the study of time and space-related legends.
Rarely encountering a peer, especially one praised by Professor Rowan, piqued Cynthia's interest.
"You two chat for a bit. I'll go get some coffee."
Professor Rowan stood up as he spoke, leaving Cynthia and Natsume on opposite ends of the screen.
The conversation fell into a brief silence.
Natsume stroked the sleeping Eevee, lost in thought.
Her voice sounds so familiar…
Where have I heard it before?
Suddenly, a flash of realization struck Natsume.
The Cynthia before him seemed to overlap with the golden-haired girl from the game, and the slightly magnetic voice from the team chat matched perfectly.
It was as if a thunderbolt had struck, leaving Natsume frozen in place.
Wait, is she really Cynthia?
The wealthy patron I've been playing games with is actually the Sinnoh Champion?!
Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap!!
Natsume's expression was a mix of shock and disbelief.
Cynthia looked puzzled. "Is there something on my face?"
"You're just really good-looking… I mean…"
Natsume wiped his face. "Give me a moment to process this."
Cynthia was slightly taken aback, a small smile tugging at her lips.
The smile bloomed briefly before fading, like ripples on water left by a graceful Swanna.
Cynthia said softly, "Have we met before?"
Natsume shook his head.
Cynthia rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought.
"Then why does your voice… sound so familiar?"
Cynthia genuinely couldn't remember where she'd heard it before.
After all, a Champion's schedule was incredibly busy, not to mention her mythology research.
The fact that Cynthia even found time to play games was a rarity.
Natsume's expression turned awkward.
How am I supposed to answer that?
I'm the one who's been playing games with you?
Is this really the right time to bring that up in such a formal academic setting?
No, if she asks who Natsume-sensei is, things could get really awkward.
This isn't the right time to come clean.
Natsume replied vaguely, "Maybe you're just mistaken."
Cynthia scratched her head in frustration.
Just then, Professor Rowan returned with the coffee.
Cynthia nodded, offering Natsume a faint smile. "Excuse me."
Her graceful figure disappeared from the screen.
Professor Rowan took a sip of coffee and said, "Anyway, if it's convenient, you can transfer Eevee over in a while."
"Other than that, is there anything else you need?"
Natsume thought for a moment.
"Are you still hiring at your research institute?"
"Huh?" Professor Rowan's eyes widened. "Are you thinking of joining us?"
"No, just asking out of curiosity."
Natsume had to admit.
Seeing Cynthia had shaken his resolve a little.
But as a responsible young man of the times, staying true to his principles was Natsume's foundation.
If he said he wouldn't become a researcher, then he wouldn't. That's just how committed he was.
After thanking Professor Rowan.
Natsume ended the call and carried Eevee to its soft cat bed.
Staring at the curled-up, sleeping Eevee that occasionally shifted in its sleep.
Natsume fell into deep thought.
"My wealthy patron is actually Cynthia… no wonder she's so rich."
"Huh? Now that I think about it, does that mean I'm being supported by Cynthia…"
Natsume suddenly coughed, swallowing hard before saying:
"Let's just stick to the usual…"
"She's rich, sure, but I, Natsume-sensei, am not someone who eats soft rice!"
In the short span of two months since the worldline shifted, Natsume had caught Haunter and Eevee.
The group chat had gained so many big shots, and now he was connected to Cynthia.
It all felt incredibly surreal to Natsume.
But Natsume-sensei was a professionally trained individual, and he quickly accepted the reality that his wealthy patron was Cynthia.
"No wonder she said her rates were cheap," Natsume lamented.
"The Sinnoh Champion—charging her tens of thousands of Pokémon Coins per hour wouldn't be unreasonable!"
After a round of intense self-reflection, Natsume let out a sigh, his mood gradually calming down.
"Stay calm. If even Red is my follower, playing games with Cynthia isn't that surprising."
"I should still charge her the usual rate. I can't give her special treatment just because she's pretty!"
Natsume's reasoning was simple.
Business was business. Just because she's the Sinnoh Champion doesn't mean she gets a friends-and-family discount, right?
Otherwise, wouldn't I, Natsume-sensei, lose face?
The logic was self-consistent, and Natsume couldn't help but give himself a mental pat on the back.
"Want to freeload? Not a chance!"
The night had grown late.
After a long day of running around and the mental shock he'd just experienced, Natsume was exhausted. He collapsed onto his bed and fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.
In the dark room, faint rustling sounds could be heard.
Eevee, fully healed, opened its shiny black eyes, alertly scanning the surroundings.
"Eevee?" (Mission tonight?)
A sinister face slowly emerged from the wall, Haunter grinning wickedly as it nodded.
"Eevee?" (What are we training tonight?)
"Haunter!" (You'll know when we get there!)
At the Rowan Research Institute.
Cynthia was still puzzling over the vague impression she had.
"Where have I seen him before?"
Cynthia murmured. "Why does it feel so familiar…"
Voices over the internet could often sound distorted.
Plus, Cynthia hadn't had time to play games recently, so she couldn't quite place it.
Professor Rowan was busy jotting down the case details Natsume had provided.
"An Eevee with the Anticipation Ability, yet so aggressive…"
Professor Rowan couldn't help but smile. "What an interesting pair."
"The Eevee from earlier?" Cynthia asked curiously.
"Yes." Professor Rowan nodded, recounting Eevee's symptoms.
"I think it might be related to stress from adapting to a new environment… but it refusing to be transferred is a bit troublesome."
Cynthia chuckled. "I'll go see this little one myself. I'm heading to the Touran Region soon anyway."
"Oh, for the Master League later this year?"
Professor Rowan stroked his beard.
"Who are you battling?"
"It's being held in Tokyo. I'll likely be facing Lance from the Kanto Region."
Cynthia covered her mouth as she yawned, looking tired.
"That's why I said, after this break, I won't have any free time at all."
Professor Rowan nodded. "Do you know anyone in the Touran Region? Should I introduce you to some friends?"
"That won't be necessary."
Cynthia's mind drifted to the Strategy Master who specialized in Perish Song teams and had some rather… unconventional strategies.
"I've recently met a friend who's also from Tokyo, I think."
Cynthia scratched her head.
"His name was… Natsume-sensei?"
Let me share some results.
First-month subscriptions reached 21+ members, a success that left NovelExplorer stunned.
Turns out... everyone is as handsome and relatable as Natsume-sensei!
A huge thanks to my translation editor (Starry Night).
As for my mindset, I'm trying to stay steady.
Feeling a bit anxious, the pressure is mounting, and I couldn't sleep last night...
But if I can maintain this success, there are only two words to describe it:
Woo-hoo, we're taking off!
A massive thank you to all the supportive readers!
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