Hilona skillfully navigated to the official league website and arrived at the Pokémon research section.
She had once served as Dr. Yamanashi's assistant and contributed to some of his research, so she was quite familiar with this part of the website's process.
Then she turned the computer around.
She showed the interface to Flint.
"Look, the popularity of this thesis post is still very high, second only to a few well-known doctors."
Hilona quickly found the post about theories on Eevee's evolutionary types and opened it to show Flint.
"Hmm..."
Flint moved closer to the screen and examined it carefully.
Gradually, his eyes grew brighter.
The content really brought him quite a few surprises.
It's not that the thesis on Eevee's evolutionary types taught him something new; it was just the remarks about the friendly bond and momentum between Pokémon and Trainers that caught his attention.
Pokémon and Trainers don't exist solely for one-sided purposes; it's a process of mutual cooperation, creating momentum, forming bonds, affecting and helping each other.
Just from the text, he could see that the author of the thesis must have a deep connection and bond with their Pokémon, or they wouldn't have made such a guess and gained such widespread recognition.
But.
As he kept scrolling down and saw the first comment from Researcher Sakuragi, he was stunned for a moment.
"What's wrong?" Hilona noticed Flint's pause and asked.
Flint's expression stiffened for a moment, pointing at the screen, he said to Hilona: "Why does the username replying to Researcher Sakuragi appear as 'Me' here?"
"Hmm?"
Hilona was also stunned for a moment before she quickly turned the computer to look at the comments below.
It read:
[Me: Thank you for the acknowledgment, I also hope to engage in ... in-depth discussions with Researcher Sakuragi.]
Hilona and Flint exchanged glances, seeing surprise in each other's eyes.
Then they turned their heads towards Natsuhiko.
Natsuhiko's expression was even more awkward than theirs.
He hadn't expected Hilona would read his thesis too.
Has this thesis gained such a wide impact?
He had just casually remembered Hilona had a Glaceon and gave a suggestion.
Who knew the topic would boomerang back to him.
He turned his head "Uh, hmm, well then, the weather's nice today..."
Their gazes grew sharper.
"Alright."
Natsuhiko raised his hands in surrender.
If there's blame, blame the league for developing such an auto-login system.
"Are you 'Dodo'?" Hilona couldn't help but be astonished this time.
It was the first time Natsuhiko saw her lose composure.
He nodded silently.
Since he was exposed, there wasn't much to explain.
From the moment he decided to write theses to make money, he knew the nickname "Dodo" wouldn't remain hidden for long with more theses to come.
He just didn't expect today would come so soon.
"So Natsuhiko is 'Dodo'..." Flint thoughtfully adjusted his bowtie.
Initially, he was unaware of the thesis but knew the league's researcher site had only well-known Pokemon Researchers and even Doctors.
Publishing sensational theses on it was not uncommon.
Yet Natsuhiko's thesis managed to earn unanimous praise on such a prestigious site, as evidenced by the comment and view count indicating its impact within the Pokemon Research Community.
Flint even found comments from several renowned PhD researchers below.
From that alone, it was clear Natsuhiko's thesis had practical reference value, rather than mere speculation.
Most importantly, he saw Natsuhiko's genuine emotions for Pokémon in the thesis.
"Natsuhiko's ties with Beedrill and Abra must be truly sincere..." thought Flint.
This raised his perception of Natsuhiko.
From merely "an outstanding Trainer," now there's also "an outstanding Researcher" title added.
Hilona's feelings ran deeper than Flint's.
Because she worked as Dr. Yamanashi's assistant, she knew very well how difficult it was to write theses making contributions to the research community.
In almost an instant.
Natsuhiko's status rose significantly in the eyes of these future champions.
Yet soon, Hilona showed a puzzled look, "Natsuhiko, but you don't have an Eevee, do you?"
"Correct." Natsuhiko folded his arms, candidly replying from across them.
"Then you...."
"If I had an Eevee, it wouldn't be just theories and assumptions in the thesis—I would provide more convincing data to substantiate my hypotheses. But unfortunately...."
He shrugged.
Eevees aren't cheap, especially outstanding ones.
Although Eevee seems delicate and unsuited for battle, its myriad evolution types present great potential for this Pokémon, gaining several enthusiasts awaiting expectations.
On top of that.
Eevee is just too cute, which many wealthy families and young girls particularly adore.
Hilona happens to be one of them.
"What did you base the assumption on then?" Hilona inquired further.
"I'm a sparring partner, and I've seen many clients, mostly wealthy, having contacted several Trainers with Eevee while engaging in deep understanding and discussions, they inspired me." Natsuhiko replied frankly.
It's not wholly fabricated.
He indeed interacted with several clients using Eevee as their Pokémon.
"So that's it..."
Flint and Hilona showed realizations.
"Can just interactions yield such understanding?"
"Then... Natsuhiko, can you take a look at my Eevee?" Hilona requested with a hint of asking.
"This..."
Natsuhiko glanced outside the courtyard seeing Eevee ridden by Abra playing knight games.
His mouth twitched.
You certainly look happy....
He helplessly nodded.
"Eevee." Hilona gestured toward Eevee.
"Buyi?"
Eevee tilted its head before running to Hilona.
Natsuhiko wore a darkened expression while lifting Abra off the enthusiastically ear-grabbing Eevee's back.
Can't you ride secretly?
Why flaunt it in front of folks, how awkward.
"Abra?" The confused Abra was being carried off.
What's up? I've already bonded with them.
There was even slight pride in its face.
"Come on, Eevee." Hilona patted the table.
"Buyi?" Eevee jumped onto the table with curiosity.
Hilona stroked Eevee's fur and said to Natsuhiko: "Sorry for the trouble."
After some hesitation, Natsuhiko said slowly: "Hilona, your Eevee has smooth, excellent-quality fur, well-developed muscle groups, sensitive hearing, responsive actions... Most importantly, there's trust between you and Eevee, high affinity....
Couldn't help but say, Hilona, you're indeed an exceptionally outstanding Trainer."
"Natsuhiko, do you understand breeding too?" Flint raised an eyebrow.
"Just a little, just a little...."
"Oo—"
Black lines appeared on Natsuhiko's forehead.
What's with those sudden realizations from you two?
This time he meant it honestly, breeding is indeed just something he only slightly understands, still exploring.
Following this.
Natsuhiko's status rose another notch in their eyes.
An outstanding Trainer, an outstanding Pokémon Researcher, an outstanding Breeder.
Neatly fitting, not abrupt at all.
——————
The books of several friends have died from neglect, and I've been passed on anxiety... It's distressing... Considering my decent update rate, please continue following!