Lu Ye carefully recalled the details about Mina from the anime.
This Alolan girl had the unique ability to connect with Pokémon on a deep level... and later became the Fairy Z Captain of Alola.
However, in this timeline, she was merely a wandering street artist in the Donghuang Region.
"Team Rocket's headhunting agency truly lives up to its name…" Lu Ye sighed. "Every recommendation they send is comparable to a Gym Leader!"
While the Alolan Captains were generally weaker, their role was effectively equivalent to that of a Gym Leader. Thinking about it, Lillie and Lana were probably still attending Trainer School in this world...
As evening fell, the little girl packed up her art supplies and obediently followed behind Lu Ye.
"Aren't you going home?" Lu Ye asked, eyes wide.
"I don't have any money," Mina said softly. "I spent last night in the tourist hall… and missed my ferry again this morning."
Lu Ye slapped his forehead.
Did I just hire someone who isn't the brightest bulb in the box?
"I'll assign you the illustration tasks and pay you an advance," Lu Ye said with a sigh. "Use the money to get some food and rent a better place to stay."
Mina looked bewildered for a moment, then bowed deeply. "Thank you, Boss!"
Lu Ye's expression turned strange.
Although sixteen was indeed legal… why did it feel like he had just hired a child laborer?
Taking another glance at Mina's pale, malnourished face, Lu Ye shook his head.
"How about I take you out for a meal first?"
Mina hesitated, licking her lips before replying softly, "Wouldn't that be too much trouble…"
---
Five minutes later.
At a buffet restaurant.
"Haunter!" Haunter floated around the buffet area, plate in hand, excitedly eyeing the dishes.
Squirtle adjusted his sunglasses and used Aura to inspect each dish.
Hmm… No poison detected. Safe to eat!
Dressed in ripped jeans and carrying her art board, the dirty-faced girl devoured her meal. She chewed hurriedly while coughing, mumbling, "Th-thank you, Boss!"
Resting his chin on his hand, Lu Ye looked on with a helpless expression.
"You're really teaching your boss a lesson here!"
Eevee strolled over to Granbull, baring its teeth as if to assert dominance.
"Vee!" (▼皿▼#)
Granbull, munching on berries, froze with a half-eaten Wenju Berry hanging from his mouth. Quickly crouching on the floor, he wagged his tail and whimpered, "Gr-gran…"
Eevee knocked on Granbull's head with his paw, his face flushed.
"Vee!" (Show me how you beg again!)
Granbull looked conflicted.
So many people are watching… don't I have any dignity?
"Vee!" (〝▼皿▼)
Granbull immediately jumped aside, placing his forelegs on Mina's knees. With tearful eyes, he let out a low purr.
"Eevee…" Satisfied, Eevee nodded thoughtfully.
He then lightly leapt onto Lu Ye's lap and nudged Lu Ye's stomach with his head to get his attention.
Lu Ye came to and patted the little guy's head, smiling.
"Not to your liking?"
Makes sense… this group's taste has become quite picky.
They're used to eating those Perfect Energy Pokéblocks that cost tens of thousands each day... A buffet wouldn't exactly suit their palates!
"I'll make you a late-night snack when we get back," Lu Ye muttered.
"Eev… eevee!"
Eevee, seemingly shy, raised his head, blinking as if trying to force tears out.
Lu Ye was taken aback.
Eevee's round, glistening eyes were filled with an almost theatrical sorrow. Flushing slightly, he shook Lu Ye's knee with his small paws.
"Eevee! Eevee"
After two seconds, as if realizing the act wasn't working, Eevee drooped his ears dejectedly and sulked in the corner.
Not even a little effect!
Lu Ye rubbed his chin.
"Are your eyes bothering you?"
"Eevee! (〃＞皿＜)"
Flushing with embarrassment, Eevee turned and darted at Lu Ye, only to be caught by the scruff of his neck.
"Alright, I get it. You're adorable; no need for daily affirmations from me," Lu Ye teased. "I already tell myself that every morning when I wake up. Too much praise gets annoying."
"Eevee…" Eevee let out a soft whimper, lazily swinging his legs.
Mina pursed her lips.
"Mister… you have such a great bond with your Pokémon."
A Trainer's attitude toward their Pokémon speaks volumes about their character.
This guy... He's a good man.
Lu Ye sighed deeply.
"You have no idea how they treat me…"
The image of the massive hole left in his house made him clutch his chest and gasp.
"Squirtle!" Squirtle chuckled awkwardly, scratching his head.
What's the big deal about learning how to Dig? You don't have to keep praising me—it's embarrassing!
Placing the dazed Eevee on his shoulder, Lu Ye handed a notebook to Mina.
"These are the basic requirements for the illustrations. It's straightforward; just accurately depict various ores. If you ever return to Alola, we can still collaborate remotely."
Swallowing a mouthful of curry rice, Mina pouted.
"Mister, you're underestimating me!"
Lu Ye's chest tightened, and he gritted his teeth.
"The base salary is ten thousand. Bonuses depend on the quality of the work…"
"And calling me 'Mister' will cost you 500 Pokedollar per time!"
Mina froze momentarily, glancing up at Lu Ye, hesitant to speak.
"Understood, Boss!"
---
After wrapping up the art brief, Lu Ye prepared to leave.
Still, considering Mina was alone and far from home, he booked her a hotel and a ferry ticket for three days later.
"It's in three days! Don't oversleep!" Lu Ye cautioned like a father.
Mina bowed slightly, "Thank you, Mister!"
"Minus 500 Pokedollar," Lu Ye muttered, twitching an eyebrow.
"When you get home, try not to travel so much. It's dangerous out there."
Mina shook her head resolutely, lifting her paint-streaked face.
"I want to be a painter… It's the dream I share with my Pokémon."
"Just like you and your Pokémon, striving for the Pokémon Master title!"
Lu Ye waved her off immediately.
"Minus 1000 Pokedollars! See you tomorrow!"
In her clean and tidy hotel room, Mina carefully tucked in the pristine sheets, mumbling, "I wonder if Mister has Fairy-type Pokémon… If so, I could share my insights."
Lifting her paint-stained face, Mina solemnly retrieved today's oil painting and set it on the easel to finish.
Amid the golden hues of a sunset-covered harbor, a tall man stood in thought.
On his head perched an Eevee, baring its little fangs as it gazed at the orange-red horizon.
---
With the art for "Gold Miner" settled, Dayou could now handle the framework.
If everything went smoothly, the game would launch on ORAS by week's end.
Lu Ye stretched with a yawn, ready for a nap on the couch when his phone buzzed.
[Red: Teacher Lu, your address in Modu hasn't changed, right?]
Lu Ye froze momentarily, a sense of foreboding creeping in.
[Lu Ye: What's the matter?]
Red laughed.
[Red: Nothing much. An old friend of mine is planning to visit you.]
Lu Ye looked up at the sky.
An old friend of Red's… Surely, they're not coming to shank me for my kidneys?
Teacher Lu chuckled.
[Lu Ye: Of course! Just give me his number, and I'll treat him well!]
Red corrected him.
[Red: It's not him. It's her… You should know her—Professor Erika from Celadon University in Celadon City.]
Erika?
That elegant woman in the kimono?
But something felt off to Lu Ye.
[Lu Ye: When is she coming?]
[Red: Next week.]
Lu Ye pondered briefly.
With "Gold Miner" launching next week, he'd have time to host.
[Lu Ye: No problem, just make sure she doesn't bring any gifts. We're all friends; there's really no need!] he replied with a smile.