The seven-star hotel's free-meal doubles battle ended in a crushing victory for Professor Natsume and Jasmine.
Jasmine, finally full for once, walked in the cool night breeze and let out a tiny, involuntary burp.
Instantly, the twin-braided girl's face burned red as she frantically glanced around.
After confirming no one had noticed, she exhaled in relief.
Nearby, Natsume was consoling a dejected Ash.
"Third place still gets a prize~!"
Ash sighed. "Senior Yellow was just too strong... Her Butterfree's Sleep Powder never missed!"
To think he would one day be called "Senior" by someone.
Yellow clasped her hands behind her back, giggling sheepishly. "L-Luck, just luck!"
Blessed by the Viridian Forest itself, Yellow's luck—while no match for Togepi—still far surpassed ordinary humans.
With tomorrow's fishing competition in mind, Natsume decided to head back to the hotel early.
"By the way, how'd your Gym battle with Fantina go?" he asked.
"I won!" Ash's eyes lit up—but then he hesitated, scratching his head.
Fantina had specifically told him not to mention that she'd planned to just hand the badge to Natsume.
This was a gift—a surprise recognition from Fantina herself!
Natsume simply nodded, not pressing further.
Probably Fantina went easy on him. Or Ash's Counter Shield countered her Drifblim's sleep strategy.
The former was more likely—Ash's Sinnoh team was still new and far from its peak.
"Natsume-sensei, won't you be judging tomorrow's exhibition match?" Jasmine asked softly.
"Taking a break. Save Contesta from scowling at me again."
Jasmine covered her mouth, remembering the head judge's face today—outvoted three to one on perfect scores.
"Serves him right!"
Green scoffed, then gasped. "Oh! I still have merchandise to sell!"
Curious, Natsume asked, "What's tomorrow's product?"
"Sylveon plushies!" Green declared proudly. "With your amazing performance, they'll sell like hotcakes!"
Natsume's expression turned odd.
Should I tell her the Team Rocket trio already claimed that niche?
...Nah. Even if Green lost money, someone would bail her out.
The night deepened, wind rustling through the lakeside trees.
A crescent moon shimmered over Lake Valor's rippling surface.
After parting ways with Ash and the others, Natsume arrived at the luxury lakeside hotel, using Matori's complimentary voucher.
The voucher bore no mention of his Executive status.
The staff merely treated him as a lucky guest, leading him to the presidential suite atop the building.
The lavish room boasted floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the hazy nightscape.
Natsume checked his chat group.
Lucian—who'd dropped off a Pokémon egg for him earlier—had already rushed off to another work assignment.
A complicated feeling welled up in Natsume's chest.
No wonder the Sinnoh League slacks so much...
Lucian's out here carrying Aaron and Flint's workload!
"Gengar~!" Gengar floated to the window, pressing its face against the glass.
Bored, it phased through the pane, hovering outside in the moonlight.
Sticking out its tongue, it made faces at Natsume through the window.
Natsume chuckled.
"Gengar! (～￣▽￣)～"
Gengar leaped in and out of the room, thoroughly amused.
Natsume couldn't even scold it. Then, he remembered—
"Hand over the incubator."
A few hours shouldn't be enough to corrupt the egg with slacker philosophy... Probably.
"Gengar! (￣▽￣)／"
After rummaging in its pockets, Gengar passed the transparent incubator through the glass.
According to Aura of Ripple, the egg still had a long way to go before hatching.
Natsume sighed in relief.
Plenty of time for Sirfetch'd to teach it the art of strategic laziness.
The suite's spacious floor allowed Arcanine to roll around majestically on the carpet.
"Arcanine"
Natsume rubbed its warm belly. Arcanine—zero dignity intact—grinned goofily.
"Couldn't you at least emulate Blue's 'Lion King' vibe?" Natsume sighed.
"Arcanine(O_o)?"
"...Never mind. Enjoy yourself."
"Sylveon~ o(′^｀)o"
Sylveon lounged on the sofa, its pastel ribbons twitching lazily.
Whether tired from battle or just bored by weak opponents, it yawned dramatically.
With Sirfetch'd's egg-sitting duties in mind, Natsume decided to craft Pokéblocks using the newly acquired Lansat Berry.
Luckily, Gengar had brought the berry blender from home. Rotom could power it directly—
"System overload, Rotom~ o(TヘTo)"
"Hurry up. Ampharos will charge you tomorrow."
"Long live understanding, Rotom! （`▽′)"
The Lansat Berry Pokéblocks gleamed with crystalline perfection, their flavor intriguing.
"Hmm..." Natsume swallowed hard but resisted taste-testing. He handed one to Gengar instead.
"Gengar~( ╯▽╰)" Gengar's review: Highly approved.
A dash of leek juice would perfect Sirfetch'd's version...
After adjustments, Natsume presented the final product to Sirfetch'd.
"Sirfetch'd?" Sirfetch'd blinked, pointing at itself.
"Made just for you." Natsume said solemnly. "Not even Togepi gets any."
"Sirfetch'd! (′?`)σ"
Tears welled in Sirfetch'd's eyes.
All this time... I thought Trainer saw me as emergency rations!
I misjudged you!!
"Sirfetch'd~~
The Lansat Berry block's critical-hit-boosting properties harmonized with Sirfetch'd's Meteor Assault, making its leek blade gleam lethally.
Suddenly, Sirfetch'd stood taller, eyes blazing with determination.
If I climb the ranks in team battles...
I could earn more of these delicious blocks!
It felt unstoppable.
"Actually... I need a favor." Natsume scratched his cheek.
"Sirfetch'd!" It brandished its leek. Name it!
Natsume nodded, retrieving the warm egg from the incubator and placing it in Sirfetch'd's care.
"Gah?!"
"You're on egg duty now. Don't sit on it."
"Sirfetch'd! (′?`)σ"
Devastation.
A knight... reduced to babysitting?! Galarian Farfetch'd never submit!
"I'll make more Lansat Berry blocks tomorrow."
Sirfetch'd's posture straightened instantly.
...The blocks are irrelevant! I simply wish to serve my Trainer!
As if sensing the team's harmony, the gray-green egg wobbled faintly.
Everyone held their breath—
But it stilled.
"Probably months until hatching..." Natsume mused.
Gengar embodied dirty tactics, Blastoise caution, Sirfetch'd efficiency through laziness...
If this egg's hatchling took after its trainer—
What kind of monster would emerge?
Shaking his head, Natsume opened the system screen.
[Claim 'Random Poké Ball ×1'?]
[Yes / No]
"Yes."
[Ding! Obtained 'Heavy Ball ×1'!]
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