Night fell. Sandgem Town was silent.
Cynthia sat cross-legged on the sofa, gripping a game controller with intense focus.
On-screen was Plants vs. Zombies. Cynthia strategically placed four "potato" Seedots around her "landmine" Exeggcute.
A classic four-protect-one strategy—taught to her by Natsume.
Natsume leaned against the adjacent sofa, flipping through Professor Oak's senryū collection with one hand while stroking the Sylveon in his lap.
"Sirfetch'd is still practicing its sword swings this late."
Cynthia glanced over curiously. "Training a new move?"
"Hard Style." Natsume sighed. "Sirfetch'd has always been this diligent."
Cynthia nodded thoughtfully.
Natsume reminded her, "Use Morelull for night maps. Sunkern won't cut it."
『A huge wave of zombies is approaching.』
Cynthia narrowed her eyes, radiating lethal intent as she deployed her elegant Lilligant. A dazzling Leaf Blade sliced the Cofagrigus clean in half.
Natsume observed Cynthia's white-knuckled grip on the controller with quiet amusement.
Yet another adorable quirk discovered.
After a few more rounds—this time with an "ice team" composition that failed to freeze even once—Natsume mused to himself:
"Turns out, beyond the law of conservation of luck... there's also such a thing as innate luck ceilings."
Exhausted from travel, Cynthia retired early.
Natsume, who'd planned to contact International Police the next day, was surprised by an incoming call from "Handsome."
Staring at the caller ID, Natsume blinked.
"When did I save his number?"
Probably during the Silver incident last year... Scratching his head, he answered.
"I can hear you. Please speak."
The aged man in a brown trench coat—Investigation Chief 'Handsome'—got straight to the point:
"Mr. Police Consultant… We may require your assistance for this operation."
Handsome still remembered his first meeting with Natsume.
Back then, he had been the one to invite Natsume to join the organization… Yet within a year, the man had become his direct superior.
Handsome felt a delicate mood, but his attitude remained optimistic.
After all, the police consultant's strength was undeniable. If he joined the mission, the success rate would skyrocket!
"What's in it for me?" Natsume's interest was piqued.
"Uh…" Handsome hesitated before replying, "Our investigation suggests this volcanic eruption is linked to the destabilization of the Volcano Crest."
He continued, "Headquarters has increased the mission's reward and designated it as a Second-Class Merit… It could aid in promotions."
'A promotion in the International Police…'
Natsume stroked his chin.
Police ranks didn't matter much—Team Rocket was a legitimate organization now. Still, having extra connections never hurt.
Lance also held a title in the International Police… Maybe he could recruit a few more Officer Jennys under his wing.
But… this incident was likely tied to Heatran. Caution was necessary.
"Flint's part of this operation too, right?" Natsume recalled Cynthia's words and asked.
Handsome stiffened slightly, further impressed by the police consultant's intel.
"Correct. The mission team currently consists of myself and Elite Four Flint. What are your thoughts…?"
Maybe I'll let Flint take the frontline while Blastoise snipes from the back?
After a moment's consideration, Natsume said, "I do have time lately… But shouldn't we request more funding?"
"Huh?" Handsome was taken aback.
"Not for myself, of course. But I must consider my subordinates."
Natsume spoke solemnly, "Besides, Elite Four Flint is a genius Trainer who conquered the Champion League! Adequate funding is only logical, don't you agree?"
Handsome vaguely sensed something amiss but nodded anyway.
"Absolutely…"
"I don't need it. As a Trainer, upholding justice is my duty."
Natsume waved dismissively. "But you—and Elite Four Flint—are top-tier experts!"
"You get what I mean?" Natsume said gravely.
"No need to explain further."
Handsome was deeply moved. "I'll clarify the stakes to Finance. This isn't personal greed—it's to resolve the crisis swiftly!"
Natsume nodded in satisfaction. "Oh, and I'll handle the funds. My Rotom's good with accounting."
"Understood!"
The request was reasonable. After all, Natsume was only a part-time consultant.
With a Champion and an Elite Four participating, the International Police should show their appreciation.
As for positions…
Natsume recalled that former Frontier Brain Lila, who later joined the International Police due to amnesia, even became Countermeasures HQ Director.
As for 'Handsome'… From Diamond and Pearl all the way to Sun and Moon, he remained active—yet his rank never budged.
But Handsome himself never complained.
He was an officer who ceaselessly pursued justice, never faltering even after losing his partner…
In that regard, he shared similarities with Lance and Alder.
"A perfect tool… no, a perfect subordinate!" Natsume mused.
According to Handsome, the mission would begin tomorrow afternoon.
By then, Moe-Moe! would also return to the Sinnoh League, relieving the overworked Lucian.
"A two-day weekend, but a full day's wasted on travel."
Natsume sighed. Such was the plight of commuting.
Knock knock knock—
Cynthia aggressively rapped on the headboard. Natsume glanced up at the ceiling.
"Are you cosplaying Eromanga-sensei…?"
In a delicate mood, Natsume texted: "What do you want for a midnight snack?"
Silence. The room above stayed quiet.
Cynthia sat cross-legged on her bed, arms folded, her brow furrowed in indecision.
Perfect. No more disturbances. Excellent!
Natsume mentally applauded his own quick thinking.
Still, he headed to the kitchen, muttering:
"Spoiling you… No glowing cuisine tonight. Instant noodles it is!"
"Gengar~!" The purple fatty sprawled across the counter, its chubby Doduo-like cheeks begging to be pinched.
"You want some too?" Natsume side-eyed it.
"Gengar! (≧ω≦)/"
"Make it yourself."
Natsume grinned. "And while you're at it, whip up a portion for me too. With egg and sausage."
"Gengar~ (○｀ 3′○)"
...
The next morning.
Pushing open the door to the living room, Natsume was greeted by the chaotic electronic sounds of a game. Cynthia sat on the sofa, controller in hand:
"Morning," she said, glancing back.
Natsume gave a slight nod, then sniffed the air curiously. "What's that smell?"
"Toast."
"You made it with Rotom?"
A faint blush colored Cynthia's cheeks as she nodded lightly.
Natsume's eyes widened as he walked to the dining table.
On a pristine porcelain plate lay perfectly golden slices of toast, accompanied by a jar of jam.
It's not burnt?! Natsume was genuinely shocked.
"Try it," Cynthia said, twisting around on the sofa to rest her arms on the backrest, a small smile playing on her lips.
Natsume: (￣～￣)
"How is it?"
He chewed slowly, a touch moved.
This toast… tastes exactly like toast should!
"Honestly," Natsume said, "I regret eating this."
"Oh?" Cynthia murmured.
"Because I might never taste toast this magnificent again."
"Magnificent?" She tilted her head at the odd praise.
"Bravo! Subarashii! A masterpiece!" Natsume clapped.
Cynthia rolled her eyes and turned back to her game.
"Togepi doo-ee~︿(￣︶￣)︿ "
Togepi sat beside her, clutching a handheld console, a giant bottle of cola and a bag of chips within reach.
"It really is good," Natsume said with a smile.
Cynthia's lips curved faintly, though she said nothing.
Settling at the table, Natsume munched on the toast and idly opened the chat group.
The morning crowd was sparse. Clair, who hadn't spoken in ages, had posted:
"@Lance, a Dragon-type Trainer from Unova showed up at Blackthorn Gym today. Seriously skilled."
Lance, clocked in at 8 AM sharp in his cape, sipping tea, replied:
"Unova does have its share of Dragon specialists… What about it?"
"Nothing," Clair said. "Just thought you should know."
"Ah." Lance nodded to himself. "Trainer's their name?"
"Iris," Clair answered promptly.
The chat fell silent again.
Clair gritted her teeth, cursing her cousin inwardly—This guy, can't he even keep a conversation going?!
Ash, seizing the gym challenge topic, suddenly burst in:
"I made it to Sunyshore City this morning!"
"If things go well, I'll get the Beacon Badge today! Let's do our best, Pikachu!"
"Pikachu~!"
A voice message played Pikachu's cheerful cry. Natsume typed:
"Good luck."
"Speaking of which~" Fantina tapped her chin. "I just got back from Sunyshore yesterday… Rumor has it Flint of the Elite Four is there too."
Ash's excitement was palpable: "Does that mean I can battle both of them?!"
Old Man Wattson laughed heartily:
"Ash, my boy, Volkner's no pushover. That Electric-type master makes even this old man admit defeat!"
"Tch." Lt. Surge scoffed. "They say he's Elite Four-level. The rumors get wilder every year. Ash, rookie, make sure to wipe that smirk off his face!"
Ash scratched his head awkwardly. "I'll, uh, do my best… haha."
Natsume's brow arched.
I don't think Lt. Surge would lose to Volkner…
But Volkner does have Elite Four-caliber skill. He and Flint are close, yet Flint—a Fire-type specialist—can't even gain an edge against him.
Then again, Volkner's notoriously lazy. Weak Trainers bore him, so he hands out badges for free. Newbies actually have a better shot at the Beacon Badge.
"Which means I'm guaranteed to win!"
Natsume smirked to himself. My battle footage with Bruno's still trending. He wouldn't dare insult me by just handing me a badge, right?
Unless he plans to mail it to me!?
His grin widened.
Meanwhile, Ash stepped into the Sunyshore Gym, spotting Beacon Badges carelessly strewn about.
Flint, his red afro bouncing, blinked in surprise. "Hey, a challenger right as I was about to leave!"
Volkner—bearing an uncanny resemblance to a certain fourth-gen protagonist—slouched in his chair, arms draped over his knees. He lifted his head lazily.
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town!" Ash declared. "I want a full-power battle!"
Volkner's eyes flickered with interest before a smirk tugged at his lips.
"Not bad. That's a good look in your eyes."
Flint, hands stuffed in his pockets, grinned broadly.
"Once this gym match wraps up… I'll meet up with the International Police. Plenty of time!"
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