March 18th, Thursday. Sunny.
The temperature was gradually rising, and spring was in full bloom. The mountains of Sandgem Town were adorned with cherry blossoms.
Natsume slung his backpack over his shoulder and dialed [Cabbage Ice Cream], mentioning his return to Kanto.
"You can keep staying at that villa in Saffron City."
Cynthia rested her chin on her hand, her golden hair spilling across the desk. A beam of sunlight fell on her delicate profile.
"After all, you already have the key."
"Won't be long," Natsume said. "Once filming wraps up, I'll be back in about three or four days."
"Then… let's go to Sandgem Beach for a vacation."
"But I still have work."
"Lucian can cover for you." Natsume coughed dryly. "It's not like he's got much hair left to lose anyway…"
Cynthia's lips curled into a faint smile. Her smooth, fair arm rested on the desk, her slender fingers pressed against her temple.
"See you in Eterna City, then."
"Swimsuit. Absolutely mandatory."
"Fine."
"!!!" Natsume was stunned for a full year.
Cynthia wore a soft smile.
By then, they could even reserve Sandgem Beach entirely—no outsiders around.
Natsume's flustered expression only made Cynthia look forward to it even more.
"Come back soon," Cynthia said.
A flicker of anticipation rose in Natsume's chest, like cottonwood seeds levitating in spring, or the warm breeze brushing the lakeshore at three in the afternoon.
But Cynthia's next words left Natsume frozen.
"There's also a research conference in early April," Cynthia said with a smile.
"I didn't join Professor Rowan's team, though?"
"Not his team. My team—just you and me."
Cynthia smiled as she explained. "The research papers I had you translate were part of it."
Natsume suddenly understood.
Cynthia had mentioned this before, but Natsume hadn't paid much attention at the time.
Still… the long-dormant System mission seemed related to this research conference.
Natsume's expression turned odd as he glanced at the task list.
[Objective: Win the Gold Award at the Canalave City Research Conference.]
[Progress: (0/1)]
[Reward: Gengar Mega Stone ×1]
Wait, I had this mission all along?!
Moe-Moe! What did she just say? She signed me up for this conference?!
Natsume's face stiffened, his lips pressing together dryly.
Mega Evolution was the power of bonds—a surge of energy drawn from the resonance between Trainer and Pokémon.
But because it relied on the Trainer's Inner Focus and the Pokémon's HP, Mega Evolution couldn't be sustained indefinitely.
In fact, it was exhausting—both mentally and physically. More draining than entertaining ten Wealthy Patrons combined.
Last time, after Blastoise's Mega Evolution, Natsume-sensei needed two weeks to recover.
Given the bond between me and Gengar… if we triggered Mega Evolution…
Wouldn't I just dehydrate on the spot?!
Natsume: "It's… already confirmed?"
"The conference is in April. We should make it in time," Cynthia said with a smile.
Natsume's expression was complicated. He forced a dry laugh. "Thanks for the effort, but I might not have time for more translations lately…"
"That's fine." Cynthia smiled faintly. "I've already gathered plenty of valuable case studies."
Cynthia's research focused on Sinnoh's legendary Pokémon.
So far—Unown in Solaceon Ruins, the twin dragon legendaries, Regigigas's revival…
With these cases, winning Gold wasn't out of reach.
Natsume nodded slightly.
Just the two of them—him and Moe-Moe!—standing against teams led by Professor Samuel Oak and other elite researchers…
Yeah, pulling off a Gold Award would be tough.
But he'd support Cynthia's push for the conference.
After all, the odds of actually getting the Mega Stone were practically zero!
Natsume chuckled cheerfully. "Good luck! I'm rooting for you!"
Cynthia smiled. "Mm-hmm~"
After hanging up, Natsume continued packing for his return to Kanto.
This trip was for filming—an MV starring Ash as the protagonist.
Locations included familiar classics like Pallet Town and Viridian City, along with iconic figures like Joy and Jenny.
Natsume-sensei had already coordinated with Joy from Saffron City and Jenny from Celadon City—two professionals he knew fairly well.
"Jenny from Celadon City… wasn't she the one from the Beat Up training exercise?"
Natsume's lips twitched.
"And Joy from Saffron City… is, uh, kind of a yandere?"
No way!
There's no such thing as a scheming Joy! Just like Natsume-sensei never uses Ally Switch!
"Gengar~!" Gengar stood at the door, a small travel bag slung over its shoulder, pulling a tiny suitcase as it waved at Natsume.
Natsume: "This is a work trip, not a spring outing!"
"Blastoise ヾ(■_■)" Blastoise crouched down, arms wrapped around its fish tank, muscles bulging as it gave Natsume a questioning look.
"No, you can't bring the fish tank!"
"Sylveon~!" Sylveon wobbled left and right, rolling its hamster wheel forward with its front paws.
"And the hamster wheel is… fine, fine, bring the hamster wheel!"
Natsume cleared his throat and opened the chat group, sending Ash a quick message.
"If you're ready, let's head out."
"Got it! Pikachu and I are all set~!"
"After you finish filming," Gold rubbed his hands together with a grin, "can I swing by for another feast?"
"Absolutely! You're definitely invited!" Natsume replied enthusiastically.
Gold blinked, scratching his head in confusion.
Something felt off…
But with Natsume-sensei's cooking skills, how could he refuse?!
"About the location shooting… can we not do Vermilion Gym?"
Lt. Surge pleaded pathetically. "It's only been three months since the last renovation. Some areas still aren't finished…"
"Relax, it's just filming. Not demolition," Natsume said.
Sabrina's icy expression wavered slightly.
That's what you said last time—just training, no gym destruction!
Hmph. A man's words are as deceitful as a Zoroark's illusions!
"If you have time, drop by Celadon School," Erika said with a smile. "The students miss you."
"Will do." Natsume felt a pang of nostalgia.
Somehow, without realizing it, he'd taken on so many roles.
This might even be a chance to challenge some students to a few Pctg matches…
And win back those UR cards he'd given away!
...
The meeting time with Professor Oak was confirmed.
Natsume led the Trio and Ash aboard the flight back to Kanto.
The Trio and Ash bickered the entire way, their glares practically sparking flames.
Even after working together across generations, they still couldn't escape the whole "frenemies" dynamic.
Natsume gave a small nod.
After all, Team Rocket just wasn't Team Rocket without getting blasted off by Pikachu! (Alola Region excluded.)
Night fell after a full day of travel, and the flight touched down in Saffron City—a familiar sight to Natsume.
As a bustling metropolis, Saffron City's skyline glittered with neon, the terminal building's red lights blinking in the distance.
"Tomorrow, we'll get Professor Oak on camera, then record the battle scenes."
Natsume glanced at his memo, eyes lingering on a small note that read: "Date with Moe-Moe! (Swimsuit)"—before coughing awkwardly.
"Time's tight, so we start first thing in the morning!"
"Eh? That soon?"
"Of course! But don't worry, I've already got the script ready. Just follow it."
In Natsume's memory, the original series' opening wasn't just about classic appearances from Charizard and Pikachu.
There was also one of Ash's most reliable early partners—a hardworking MVP who later got… released.
Pidgeot.
Ash's exact words back then were: "I'll come back for you once I'm done."
And then the anime went on for twenty whole years, with Pidgeot's return nowhere in sight!
Natsume could've cried for Pidgeot.
Now was the perfect chance to remind Ash of his… neglectful promise.
"Ash, we've got an aerial battle to film tomorrow. First, we're making a stop at Professor Oak's backyard."
"Huh?"
Ash scratched his head in confusion. "What for?"
Natsume shot him a look.
"We're going back to pick up Pidgeot!"