During dinner, Erika chatted softly with the five sisters, and the atmosphere was very relaxed and pleasant.
Natsui didn't listen to what they were talking about. He just focused on eating the food in front of him, neither looking up nor participating in their conversation, using it as a way to avoid Tamao's gaze.
The other sisters, unaware of what had happened, didn't notice his strange behavior. They just assumed it was his personality and that he disliked such social gatherings.
It was only when the youngest sister, Lily, who was sitting beside him, suddenly remembered something and asked the two, "By the way, Mr. Natsui, Miss Erika, since you're also from Kanto, I was wondering if you know Ash and Misty?"
"Of course, we do." Unable to continue feigning indifference upon hearing the familiar names, Natsui smiled. "They're like a little brother and sister to me, we're very close. Why, do you know them too?"
Lily nodded. "We met at a pastry shop before. They came to our tea party with Brock, and later we fought off Team Rocket together. The three of them are very easy to get along with, and we became friends. Oh, and I remember Misty once said she has an older sister with the same name as me!"
Natsui wasn't surprised that Ash and his friends were also on good terms with the five Kimono sisters.
After all, with their personalities and auras, plus Team Rocket's assistance, they could become friends with anyone.
"That's right," Natsui smiled. "And the Lily I know is not only a Gym Leader but also an expert in synchronized swimming. Their shows are very popular in Cerulean City. If I had to make a comparison, they're as beloved by the locals as you all are here!"
Satsuki and the other sisters exchanged glances, a hint of surprise in their eyes.
"A Gym Leader's synchronized swimming show? That must be wonderful. If we have the chance, we must go and see it!"
Just then, an Eevee ran in from the entrance hall. It scampered on its little legs, stumbling its way towards them, and almost knocked over Natsui's small table.
The bowls and cups rattled, and sake splashed out of the cup.
With quick reflexes, Natsui reached out and steadied the table. Looking closely, he saw it was the same Eevee he had encountered last night at the Ecruteak Dance Theater!
"Eevee! Why did you run out?"
Sakura got up and hugged it, saying apologetically, "Please don't mind it. This Eevee is actually very lively, but it gets scared easily, which is why it seems a bit too rash."
Remembering how it had been running around in a panic last night, Natsui understood. But before he could say anything, five more Eevee of different types ran in from the door.
A Flareon, a Vaporeon, a Jolteon, an Espeon, and an Umbreon—they were the partners of the five sisters from last night's stage performance!
In an instant, the entire room was filled with Eevee scampering about.
"So... lively..."
"Please excuse them," Satsuki sighed helplessly. "These little ones are full of energy. With them around, it's hard to have a quiet day."
Erika shook her head. "Not at all. Actually, we have Eevee too, so we understand how you feel."
She was right. No matter the type, Eevee seemed to be quite restless. Their abundant energy often exhausted their trainers. Besides, Erika's gym was home to dozens of Grass-type Pokémon. Although Grass-types were mostly quiet, when they started to play, they could be just as noisy and bothersome.
"Oh?" Tamao's eyes lit up. "So you have Eevee too? What types are they?"
The two took out their Poké Balls and released their Pokémon. As the blue light flashed, a yellow and a green Eevee appeared before the five sisters.
The yellow one was, of course, Natsui's Jolteon, and the grass-green one was Erika's Leafeon!
Seeing these two Eevee, the others instantly surrounded them.
They sniffed each other and let out happy cries, as if they were conversing.
Since Satsuki also had a Jolteon, and Jolteon was a very common form, Natsui's didn't attract too much attention. However, Erika's Leafeon captured the girls' gazes.
"It's a Leafeon!"
"So cute!"
"It's yellow and green, and I think I can even smell the fragrance of fresh grass!"
While the other sisters focused their attention on Leafeon, only Satsuki, also a Jolteon trainer, carefully examined Natsui's Jolteon.
"You've raised this Jolteon very well!" she praised as she looked it up and down. "Its fur is stiff, its body is slender and well-proportioned, and its limbs are strong. I can tell its power must be immense!"
Before Natsui could reply, Tamao chuckled.
"Of course, sister. After all, it was raised by a champion. How could it be a weak Pokémon!"
Hearing her put special emphasis on the word "champion," Natsui felt a strong sense of tension. He frowned, not understanding what she meant.
After meeting Natsui's gaze, Tamao said coolly, "Champion, battle me."
"What?" Natsui was taken aback.
Tamao repeated, "I said, battle me. Using our Eevee!"
"Well..."
"I assume you won't refuse, right?"
Natsui knew that Tamao was definitely doing this on purpose, to get back at him for his earlier words!
So she did hold a grudge over what I said!
So petty!
Hearing that the two were going to battle, Satsuki, Tamao, and the others looked at each other, not understanding why Tamao would suddenly want to battle Natsui.
They looked back and forth between the two with suspicion, guessing that some conflict must have occurred between them without their knowledge.
They wanted to intervene, but among them, Tamao had the most stubborn personality and always did as she pleased. Once she made up her mind, any attempt to persuade her would be futile.
Even Erika gave Natsui a look that said, "I can't help you."
"Alright, I understand."
Natsui sighed deeply but couldn't explain anything.
Knowing this matter had to be settled, he had no choice but to stand up. With a soft whistle, his Jolteon leaped back to his side.
Seeing that Natsui didn't back down, Tamao let out a chuckle, a meaningful smile on her face that made her look even more coolly beautiful.
With a wave of her hand, her Umbreon returned to her side as well.
As if sensing their trainers' fighting spirit, Jolteon and Umbreon also faced off, sparks flying from their gazes as they looked at each other!