Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit

Thursday, July 16th.

Thanks to the existing templates, the progress on Plants vs. Zombies was moving swiftly, and a demo could be ready before the weekend.

Kazuya's hairline had receded another two centimeters, a sight that would bring tears to anyone's eyes, but it didn't matter anymore.

As long as you stayed up late enough, there was no room left for sorrow!

Eevee stomped across Natsume's face with its usual carefree attitude. Though its soft, plush paws were comfortable, being woken up like this wasn't exactly ideal.

Natsume scratched his head and reassured the two eagerly waiting Pokémon, "Alright, alright, I'll make breakfast right away!"

"Haunter! (*≧▽≦)"

"Eevee! (▼ヘ▼#)"

Natsume opened the fridge and, under Haunter's resentful gaze, shamelessly stole a can of Moomoo Milk.

He took a sip while scrolling through his feed.

The Master League was set to kick off in Tokyo this Saturday, and the group chat was buzzing with discussions about it.

Gold: "Has the bracket been released? Is there anyone I can actually beat?"

Green: "Unfortunately… probably not. The Red Corner is Lance from the Kanto League. You've experienced his strength firsthand."

Yellow: "Mr. Lance is from Viridian Forest too. He's such a nice person! (?▽?)"

Gold shuddered, recalling the two Dragonair that excelled at weather manipulation. He gritted his teeth and asked, "What about the Blue Corner? I should at least have a 10% chance of winning, right?"

Whitney: "The Blue Corner is Miss Cynthia. You've got no chance in hell!"

Brock, however, spoke with a serious tone, "Theoretically, a 10% chance does exist."

Red: "Gold's strength has improved quite a bit… 10% might be a bit low, but it's not entirely impossible!"

Blue Oak: "True."

Gold was in tears.

"Are you guys really trying to cheer me up?"

"Thanks a lot!"

Closing the chat interface, Natsume scratched his head.

"Cynthia's coming to Tokyo for the match?"

"No wonder she hasn't been gaming lately," Natsume muttered, feeling a bit disappointed.

Losing that extra income was like adding salt to an already struggling household!

But Cynthia was, after all, a true Champion-level trainer.

Going to the match to broaden his horizons wouldn't be a bad idea.

"Buzz—"

The phone rang at that moment, and Natsume answered.

"Hello, who's calling?"

"Natsume, I apologize for calling so early. I was wondering if you're free this Friday."

"Professor Rowan?"

Natsume was surprised. "What's the matter?"

"Last time, you mentioned something about Eevee's Anticipation. Are the symptoms still present?"

Natsume paused for a moment, then turned to look at Eevee.

Haunter was so hungry it had no energy left, slumped against the wall, while Eevee was busy playing with its Substitute…

Clang!

The newly bought enamel teacup fell with a loud crash. Eevee blinked, glancing sneakily at Natsume.

"Eevee! Σ(っ°Д°;)っ"

Locking eyes with Natsume, Eevee looked like it had been caught red-handed. It awkwardly turned away, puffed out its cheeks, and angrily swatted at the fallen teacup…

Natsume's eyebrow twitched, and he cleared his throat. "Professor Rowan, um… I think the symptoms are still there…"

"Don't worry too much. It's probably a normal reaction."

Professor Rowan continued, "My assistant will be visiting Touran this Friday. She'll come by to diagnose it."

"That's great," Natsume said cheerfully.

"Do you need me to pick her up?"

"That's actually why I called," Professor Rowan replied with a chuckle.

"She'll be arriving at Tokyo Airport on Friday morning."

"I'm worried she might get lost trying to find your place. It would be great if you could meet her."

"No problem! What's your assistant's name? I'll make a sign for her."

"No need for a sign. You'll recognize her right away. You've met her before."

Professor Rowan added, "She's the Champion of the Sinnoh Region, Cynthia."

"No problem!"

Natsume agreed without hesitation, but then his brain froze.

Wait, what?

Are we talking about the same Cynthia here?

The stunningly beautiful, incredibly talented Cynthia who's coming to Tokyo for the match this weekend?!

"Thank you for your help!"

Before Natsume could fully process it, the ever-efficient Professor Rowan had already hung up.

Natsume stood there for a moment, then absentmindedly took another sip of the Moomoo Milk… except he forgot to open his mouth.

Haunter, feeling sorry for the wasted milk, floated underneath Natsume and opened its mouth wide to catch the dripping milk.

"Hmm… this makes sense."

After a long pause, Natsume nodded to himself.

"She's coming to diagnose Eevee, so it's only right that I go pick her up…"

"Eevee!" Eevee was now scratching the wall in hunger.

Haunter, still staring longingly at the Moomoo Milk in Natsume's hand, was on the verge of tears.

If you're not going to drink it, give it to me!

Who drinks bottled milk without opening their mouth?!

"Just a second… just a second!"

Natsume snapped out of it and was about to start making breakfast when his phone vibrated again.

"Darn it, can't I catch a break this morning?!"

Natsume angrily picked up his phone, only for his eyelids to twitch.

[Cabbage Ice Cream: Can you talk?]

[Natsume-sensei: Yes…]

Small, weak, and helpless.

A moment later, Cynthia's call came through.

Natsume answered, and that familiar, magnetic voice filled his ears.

"I'll be arriving in Tokyo on Friday morning. If it's not too much trouble, could you meet me at the airport?"

"I…"

"It's fine."

Hearing Natsume's hesitation, Cynthia paused for a moment.

"It was a bit sudden of me. We can arrange a game another time."

"Wait!"

Just as Cynthia was about to hang up, Natsume shouted.

"I'm free! Totally free!"

Perhaps realizing her request might have been a bit forward, Cynthia carefully considered her words.

"I'm not very familiar with Tokyo…"

"You're the only friend I have in the Touran Region."

"I know."

"So, will you pick me up tomorrow?"

"Of course! I'd be a Growlithe if I didn't!"

A faint smile spread across Cynthia's face.

Her slightly husky voice, carried by the currents across the strait, made her tone even more magnetic.

Natsume could hear Cynthia's breathing.

The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.

Cynthia said, "See you then."

Natsume replied, "See you tomorrow."

…

After hanging up, Natsume let out a long sigh.

He clutched his chest and muttered, "Why is my heart beating so fast?"

"It's just meeting an online friend…"

"It's not like she's going to stay over, right?"

Natsume had undergone rigorous professional training.

This little situation was nothing, and he quickly calmed down.

However, there was one thing that bothered him…

"What identity should I use when meeting her?"

Natsume's expression turned strange.

"A gaming buddy? A researcher's junior? Just an ordinary student from Tokyo Metropolitan University?"

In the end, Natsume decided to play it by ear.

There was no need to lie. Cynthia would see right through him, and Natsume had never hidden anything from her anyway.

He just needed to pick her up and take her to her hotel.

So, in the end, Cynthia's only purpose…

Was to help diagnose Eevee's potential issues.

Natsume paused. "Wait, so Cynthia's just a tool?"

"Haunter! ?(;′Д｀?)"

Haunter was now so hungry it was turning pale.

Eevee silently chewed on a napkin, tears in its eyes.

Natsume scratched his head helplessly.

"Alright, alright, I'm coming!"

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