The night gradually deepened, the forest quiet except for the chirping of a Kricketune.
Ash and Paul's first battle had come to an end.
It seemed Ash had chased after Paul, heading deeper into the woods.
"He was just here a second ago, and now he's gone."
Natsume glanced around, trying to spot Ash, then gritted his teeth.
"No way. He's gotta pay for my bike!"
The bike Moe-Moe! gave him hadn't even lasted three days before Pikachu's Thunderbolt fried it.
Damn vehicle destroyer!
"Gengar~ (￣▽￣)／" Gengar tugged at Natsume's sleeve, pulling out the [Damaged Bike] from his pocket.
Natsume turned to see Rotom's screen flickering with data, analyzing the situation matter-of-factly.
"Scanning… Repair success rate estimated at 99%, Rotom!"
"That's way too low?!"
Natsume's face darkened. "Maybe I should use another bike as a backup first, then fix Moe-Moe!'s later?"
As everyone knew, using lower-tier items as fodder before an upgrade increased the chances of success.
The [Rotom Bike] was at least a +12-tier item… What if the repair failed and it got wrecked even worse?
"Guess there's only one option."
Natsume muttered to himself. "I'll have to ask Togepi to run the errand for me…"
He glanced once more at the charred remains of the bike.
Then, scanning the empty surroundings, his eye twitched.
This wasn't just a hit-and-run. This was a full-on felony hit-and-run!
Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you are good at physique, you reckless idiot!
Opening the Chat Group and setting up a small black room for Ash.
But just then, Ash and Pikachu's voices called out from the distance. "Natsume-sensei!"
"Pikachu~!"
Natsume remained expressionless.
His gaze flicked to the bike at his feet, the message clear.
Ash stiffened, breaking into a nervous sweat.
"Uh… s-sorry, Natsume-sensei!"
He immediately bowed.
"I'll call my mom and have her send the money!"
Battles between trainers sometimes involved wagering pocket money.
Ash, despite being perpetually broke, had a decent stash of allowance saved up with Delia.
"Should've said so earlier!" Natsume sighed in relief—thankfully, he still had the receipt. He handed it to Ash.
"Here. It's not too expensive. Just this much."
Ash took the receipt, scanned it, and broke into a cold sweat.
"Uh…"
Natsume had expected this. His heart sank.
Realistically, he couldn't actually march over to Delia's and demand repayment.
For now, a 24-hour chat ban and forcing Ash to copy type charts would suffice.
Next time, though… He'd drag the kid's mom into this personally!
"Wait!"
A realization struck Natsume. "I can just get Meowth and the others to fix the bike!"
With those three around, no piece of tech was beyond saving.
Luckily, he still had their contact info.
Repair costs? Slashed to zero!
Natsume nodded, satisfied.
"Natsume-sensei…?"
Ash watched his suddenly cheerful teacher with unease.
"Nothing."
Natsume smiled, most of his anger already dissipated. He patted Ash's shoulder.
"Let's hit up the Pokémon Center first and get Pikachu patched up."
Ash nodded, hesitating before speaking again.
"Actually… I caught one of the Pokémon that guy released…"
"Huh?" Natsume blinked in surprise.
Wait, had Chimchar already joined the team?!
This was Ash's future Sinnoh ace—the one that would sweep three opponents in a row!
"Yeah, this Chimchar."
Ash tossed a Poké Ball, and out emerged a small, scarred Chimchar, peering nervously at Natsume.
That look instantly reminded Natsume of the wild Eevee he'd caught long ago.
Back then, the lonely little Eevee had found a new life.
And so had he.
"Here."
Natsume crouched, handing Chimchar an Oran Berry Pokéblock. He patted its head with a smile.
"You're gonna grow up real strong, you know."
"Chimchar?" It tilted its head, confused.
"Believe him, Chimchar!" Ash grinned. "Natsume-sensei's eye for talent is as good as the 'Breeding Prodigy's'!"
Natsume paused.
My eye for talent… Wasn't that just picking slackers?
Ah, well. Minor details.
Clearing his throat, Natsume smiled at Chimchar.
"I'll be waiting to see the day you become strong. And I bet it won't take long."
Chimchar froze. The flame on its tail flared, its eyes burning with determination as it nodded firmly.
Then it chomped down on the Pokéblock—and immediately stiffened.
"Chimchar! o(╥﹏╥)o"
What is this? It smells so good!
...
Thanks to Ash's chronic "get lost and stumble into plot" syndrome, Natsume kept a safe meter's distance, ready to bolt at the first sign of danger.
Ash could tank Legendary Pokémon attacks bare-handed—why worry about him?
The forest was silent, darkness thick around them, the exit glowing faintly ahead.
Ash absentmindedly crushed a twig underfoot before speaking quietly.
"Natsume-sensei…"
"Yeah?"
"I've been thinking… about what Paul said earlier."
Ash scratched his head, frustrated. "I think… he might've been right. My strategies are kinda childish."
"Maybe." Ash kicked a pebble, gaze flickering. "Maybe his way has some merit too…"
Natsume shrugged.
Diamond and Pearl was where Ash grew the most.
Beyond his supernatural durability, he was still just a teenager.
Having a rival with completely opposite ideals to push him forward wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
"Ash."
"Huh?"
Ash looked up, confused, at Natsume's broad back.
"All the strategies I've used so far have been cold, meta, ranked-climbing team comps."
Natsume watched a dozing Starly on a branch, picturing Paul studying battle footage obsessively.
His voice was calm but firm.
"IVs, EVs, base stats… Part of battling is about who has the Pokémon better suited for it."
Ash muttered, "That's… Paul's philosophy."
"But!"
Natsume turned, his gaze deep, like a teacher guiding a lost student.
"Follow Me Pachirisu, Shadow Tag Gothitelle, Feint Hitmontop… Even weaker Pokémon can make it to the World Championship finals."
"Becoming world champion with the Pokémon you love most."
Natsume smiled. "Isn't that the best thing?"
Ash turned, locking eyes with Pikachu for a long moment before shouting:
"That's why I'd never force Pikachu to evolve against its will!"
(Because Light Ball Pikachu has higher base stats than Raichu—)
Natsume internally facepalmed, coughing.
"Anyway, I'm planning to stream some new strategy videos soon."
"This time… I'll use Pokémon that seem weak at first glance, with low base stats."
He met Ash's eyes seriously.
"Hope it gives you and Paul something to think about."
In the quiet forest, even the rustling leaves sounded clear.
Ash's cheeks flushed slightly as he nodded hard.
"Got it, Natsume-sensei!"
Why are you blushing?! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
Don't think dressing up as "Satoko" will get you out of paying for my bike!
Just as Natsume's expression turned complicated, Ash clutched his stomach, grinning sheepishly.
"Heh."
"My place is nearby, not far from here."
Natsume sighed.
"Stay the night. You can challenge the gym tomorrow."
"Yes!"
Ash's cheer echoed through the trees.
Natsume-sensei's cooking… Finally, he'd get to taste it again! (ˉ﹃ˉ)
Natsume walked ahead, tone utterly deadpan.
"Come on. Tonight, I'm treating you to BBQ."
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