The weather was clear, with wisps of clouds drifting across the blue sky. Early-rising Caterpie had already been eaten by Pidgey, and the players who had stayed up late grinding were still fast asleep.
Natsume let out a yawn and pulled Eevee out from under the covers. The little one let out a drowsy murmur.
Hmm… I guess buying that cat bed wasn't really necessary after all.
But sneaking out at night and then coming back covered in mud? That's just not right, is it?
Natsume sighed, got up, and went to wash his face. He cupped a handful of water and splashed it onto his face.
Droplets of water dripped down from his hair. Natsume touched his chin and couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.
"Another day waking up to my own handsomeness."
Today, he was going to pick up the Sinnoh Champion's flight. Even the usually carefree Natsume-sensei had taken the time to spruce himself up a bit.
He wore a slightly oversized white T-shirt, his black hair neatly styled, giving off a clean and simple vibe.
Though his mind might be a bit twisted and his strategies a bit dirty, Natsume-sensei still radiated a sunny aura.
After all, it's easier for readers to relate to a good-looking protagonist. Ugly main characters just don't cut it these days.
"Haunter, time to go out and greet our guest!" Natsume called out.
"Haunter?" Haunter woke up from its nap, scratching its head groggily.
I thought I'd already finished all my courses yesterday!
After preparing breakfast for the two little ones, Natsume sipped on some orange juice and sent a message to Cynthia.
"I'll be there soon!"
"No rush, I can wait."
Natsume hailed a taxi and headed to Tokyo Airport, feeling unusually nervous.
The driver, gripping the steering wheel with one hand, glanced at the rearview mirror and teased, "Picking up your girlfriend?"
Natsume nodded seriously. "Something like that."
The driver burst out laughing. "Don't tell me it's an online romance meeting in real life!"
Natsume was slightly taken aback.
Are all the drivers in the Touran League this sharp?
"Here's my business card. If you want to bail when you meet her, just call me right away."
The driver threw Natsume a knowing look. "Once you're caught in their web, it's hard to get out!"
Natsume calmly took the card and smirked coldly.
Who's catching who? That's still up in the air!
Outside, the air was stiflingly hot. Travelers carrying luggage were everywhere, and Pokémon weren't a rare sight either.
But someone like Natsume, with an Eevee perched on his head and a Haunter floating behind him, was definitely an uncommon sight.
"Eevee… could you get down? I think my neck's about to snap…"
"Eevee!" Eevee tsundere-ly lifted its head, its little paws gripping even tighter.
Haunter chuckled mischievously, enveloping Natsume's head in a dark mist.
Natsume's face paled. Despite it being summer, he couldn't help but shiver…
In the first-class cabin, there was only one passenger.
The reflection in the window showed a side profile. Cynthia leaned against the window, her slender fingers resting on her temple, lost in thought.
"The Touran League… it's been a while since I've been here."
I'll go see Natsume-sensei first… he should be more familiar with the place.
Her gaze shifted to the plane's wing cutting through the clouds. Cynthia felt a rare emotion flicker through her heart.
No, even when she reached the pinnacle of the Sinnoh League, she had never felt this way.
Cynthia rubbed her temples, thinking about tomorrow's match against Lance. Her eyes gradually sharpened.
She felt like she had grasped that fleeting emotion.
"Anticipation, perhaps…"
Cynthia smiled softly.
"Indeed, it's time to enjoy a good battle!"
Natsume realized that he had still underestimated the world of the wealthy.
Only second-rate celebrities get caught by the paparazzi, or else it's all just a deliberate publicity stunt.
Like the VIP aisle Natsume was currently in.
The marble floor was so polished it could reflect his image, and the vast arrival hall was empty except for him, flanked by four burly men in uniform, their eyes sharp and vigilant.
The security guards stood with their hands behind their backs, exchanging subtle glances.
'What kind of big shot are we expecting this time?'
'No idea, the information's completely sealed. He's the only one here to pick them up!'
The guards coughed in unison, their gazes shifting to Natsume with a hint of reverence.
Natsume felt a bit awkward.
He had considered making a pick-up sign, but it really wasn't necessary!
Suddenly, the guards, who had been eyeing him with curiosity, straightened up, their expressions turning serious.
From the long corridor behind them came the crisp, steady sound of high heels.
Natsume felt a twinge of nervousness.
A dazzling head of golden hair.
A black trench coat and wide-leg pants, paired with exquisite black high heels.
Her face bore a smile that was as refreshing as a spring breeze, yet carried a hint of aloofness.
The Champion of the Sinnoh League.
The sound of the high heels, which had momentarily stolen his breath, came to a halt.
Cynthia stopped, her deep gray eyes lifting to meet Natsume's in the center of the hall.
"Natsume-sensei?" Cynthia tilted her head slightly.
Even Natsume, who had undergone rigorous training, felt his heart skip a beat.
Natsume was about to speak.
But before he could, Haunter, with a sinister grin, moved first.
Cynthia was slightly taken aback.
Haunter first took the bag from Cynthia's hand and handed it to a flustered Natsume, then extended its claws to eagerly massage Cynthia's shoulders.
Cynthia chuckled, "Thank you, that does feel much better."
Haunter's face turned red, steam seemingly rising from its head as it flew around the hall like a deflated balloon.
Meanwhile, Eevee clung tightly to Natsume's head, as if holding onto something irreplaceable, its little face tense with nervousness.
Natsume cleared his throat, "Professor Rowan asked me to come as well."
"So it was you at the research institute last time?" Cynthia blinked.
She suddenly remembered why his voice had sounded so familiar.
The Trainer of Eevee and Natsume-sensei were one and the same!
"Then why didn't you mention it last time?"
"Playing games with the Sinnoh Champion isn't something a normal person can process right away!" Natsume sighed.
Cynthia nodded slightly, her deep gray eyes carefully scanning Natsume.
After a moment, she smiled softly.
"Others probably wouldn't expect... Natsume-sensei to be this young."
Though young, Natsume's understanding of battles far surpassed that of an ordinary master trainer.
Cynthia was curious...
According to Professor Rowan's evaluation.
This young master seemed to have knowledge of historical legendaries as well?
"I didn't expect... the person I was playing games with to be so beautiful."
Hearing Natsume's words, Cynthia was momentarily stunned.
A faint smile blossomed on Cynthia's face, "But do you often say things ?"
"This is the first time, and the last."
Natsume thought for a moment, then added, "If you want to hear it, I can say it a few more times."
"That won't be necessary."
Cynthia laughed, "Shall we head to your place?"
If the system had a narrator function, it would surely sarcastically announce:
[It's now Cynthia's turn to attack!]
Natsume was taken aback, stammering, "So... so soon?"
"First, we need to diagnose Eevee."
Cynthia pondered, then slowly walked towards Natsume.
A gentle scent, a perfect blend of maturity and vivacity, filled the air.
The distance between them was now mere inches.
Natsume hadn't even reacted.
He looked down in confusion, her straight nose and cherry-colored lips coming into view.
Cynthia reached out and took Eevee from Natsume's head, cradling it gently in her arms.
"This is the little one, isn't it?"
Cynthia smiled, "An Eevee with Anticipation?"
Strangely, Eevee, which had seemed so resistant, lost all its strength the moment Cynthia touched it.
Eevee struggled in Cynthia's arms, but its cries were soft and endearing.
Natsume breathed a sigh of relief, nodding with difficulty.
"Yes, let's head to my place first!"
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