Kalos, Laverre Gym
"Lady Valerie, are you preparing to depart for the Sinnoh Region?" A geisha asked softly.
Before her, glossy jet-black hair cascaded like a waterfall down to the woman's waist.
The woman's attire was strikingly eye-catching - resembling unfurled pink wings, yet blended with modern fashion elements like a kimono.
Valerie turned in her tall wooden sandals, her bright eyes peeking over her sleeve as she smiled: "Yes. Mr. Wallace has introduced me to a top Coordinator."
The geisha seemed to realize something and respectfully replied:
"Would that be Miss Fantina, the fashion designer from Hearthome City?"
Valerie gently shook her head, causing the long ear-like ornaments at her temples to sway: "It's Mr. Natsume from Alamos Town, whose reputation equals Mr. Wallace's."
Instantly, complete silence fell over Laverre Gym.
The young girls practicing musical pieces, all aspiring to become dazzling performers, simultaneously turned their gazes toward her.
Maintaining her faint, professional smile behind her sleeve, Valerie said:
"That Champion who faced the Temporal and Spatial Dragons... Natsume-sensei..."
A wave of hushed whispers rippled through the room.
Valerie's gaze swept across the girls' flushed cheeks - they were at that tender age when young hearts first begin to flutter.
His stunning performance at the Wallace Cup, his handsome appearance, his formidable strength...
Compared to the elegant and gentle Wallace or the dashing, wealthy Steven... Natsume-sensei enjoyed equally high popularity.
And among male fans, his self-made games and participation in fan tournaments made him seem more genuine and relatable.
Valerie suddenly found herself looking forward to meeting this legendary Natsume-sensei.
"Lady Valerie, your luggage is prepared," another geisha whispered.
Valerie nodded slightly and spoke in her delicate voice:
"We'll depart for Sinnoh first... then make a stop at Ecruteak City in Johto..."
The geishas who had come from Ecruteak City to Kalos would now have a chance, however brief, to return home and reunite with their families...
Though the time would be short, it was enough to fill the geishas with gratitude.
The kimono-clad girls rustled as they uniformly knelt and bowed toward Valerie.
Valerie maintained her faint smile, though her eyes flickered with emotion.
The weight I carry isn't mine alone.
It includes this Laverre Gym, my duties as a Fairy-type Leader, and the history of Ecruteak City...
...
April 4th, Sunday
The cherry blossom groves near Sandgem Town had bloomed, blanketing the area in swathes of pink.
Natsume adjusted his breathing as he jogged leisurely with Arcanine, exchanging greetings with townspeople along the way.
At a fork in the road, he encountered the silver-haired, stern-faced Professor Rowan - sporting a tank top that revealed his surprisingly muscular physique, with a towel draped over his shoulder:
"Morning run?" Professor Rowan asked.
Natsume blinked and nodded.
"Join me," the professor said, immediately increasing his pace to take the lead.
After a moment's hesitation, Natsume grinned:
"Don't say I'm bullying an old man!"
He instantly caught up to Professor Rowan, who widened his eyes in surprise before eventually giving up the chase.
"I-I can't... keep running!"
"Whaaat... did... you... say?" Natsume shouted from a hilltop a kilometer away.
Professor Rowan: "...No sportsmanship!"
By an old bus stop, a coach rumbled past.
As Professor Rowan wiped his sweat, he accepted the water bottle Natsume handed him: "Ah, thanks."
"No problem. Ask Gengar if you want more."
"Gengar! (￣▽￣)／" Gengar waved cheerfully, its arm elbow-deep in a vending machine.
Professor Rowan: "...Did you pay for that?"
"Did I?"
"You... didn't?" Professor Rowan sounded uncertain.
"You must be seeing a Substitute attack."
Professor Rowan nodded blankly, unscrewed the cap, and took a sip before asking:
"Have you finalized your paper for this Research Conference?"
"Nope, I'm not attending."
Professor Rowan looked surprised: "But I saw your name alongside Cynthia's in the group list."
Natsume: "..."
Professor Rowan patted Natsume's shoulder and chuckled:
"A young man's affairs, I understand... Besides, I was the one who brought you two together."
He even winked - a strangely unsettling sight on his usually stern, wrinkled face.
Natsume coughed: "You... knew?"
"I wondered why you suddenly came to Sinnoh," Professor Rowan snorted. "After ignoring all my invitations, the moment Cynthia went to Tokyo, you followed!"
"Do you really think I'm that kind of person?" Natsume said solemnly.
Professor Rowan paused, about to say it was a joke—
"Then your judgment is spot-on!" Natsume laughed.
Professor Rowan: "..."
As Professor Rowan turned to leave, Natsume called out:
"Professor, you're going the wrong way - the Research Institute is that direction!"
"How do you know the layout better than me?"
"I'm planning to train there this afternoon," Natsume said with a smile. "Could you put in a word with the Rangers...?"
Professor Rowan gave him a sidelong glance: "Just don't break anything."
Natsume thumped his chest: "No problem!"
The afternoon would be spent simulating the "Rain Perish Song" strategy.
With the new version update for Pokémon: Battle, Natsume hadn't yet tested his skills under the new Dynamax mechanics.
"Did Leon bribe Devon Corp? Instead of buffing Steven's invincible Mega Metagross, they supercharged Leon's Gigantamax Charizard?"
Natsume muttered, then suddenly realized: "Oh right... Leon's broke. Never mind."
Another possibility occurred to him.
Perhaps Leon had signed a sponsorship deal with Devon Corp to promote Pokémon: Battle in the Galar Region.
To help Galar trainers adapt, the first version update introduced the Dynamax strategy system.
And since a certain strategy streamer was neither the company heir nor accepting sponsorships...
Well, a minor nerf wouldn't hurt.
After all, Dynamax was a massive disruption to battle tactics.
Against it, all a Trainer's careful commands seemed futile - reduced to a raw clash of Pokémon essence.
This was why some Trainers disliked Dynamax, considering it inferior to Mega Evolution.
Natsume didn't particularly mind, though.
After all... G-Max Moves never miss, and Ally Switch still hasn't been patched out!
"I'll test the waters with Gold first, then resume streaming."
Natsume thought cheerfully: "The earnings might not match game development... but one shouldn't forget their old profession!"
This would be the perfect opportunity to promote his upcoming Pokémon title within Pokémon: Battle.
This move? Pure marketing genius - a top streamer endorsing a rival company's product!
...
Back at home
The plump Delibird was at his doorstep again, delivering mail.
The "penguin" glanced at Natsume before waddling away, sack slung over its shoulder.
Natsume scratched his head and unfolded the letter - a metallic object clinked onto his palm.
[Ancient Ruins Badge: Resembling three clusters of Will-O-Wisp, proof of victory at Hearthome Gym. (When Will-O-Wisp burns, ____)]
The letter explained that Fantina had been unable to attend the events in Alamos Town, but having heard of Natsume-sensei's deeds, sent both an apology and the long-overdue badge.
"Only... three badges left?"
Natsume frowned, an uneasy premonition rising in his heart.
Shaking his head, he stepped inside - just as his mobile phone rang with an unknown number.
"Is this Natsume-sensei?" A gentle female voice asked.
"Not interested in insurance, thanks."
The voice paused, then continued softly: "I'm from Laverre City, Kalos—"
"Not interested in real estate investments either." Natsume suddenly had an idea: "Actually, how about you lend me 100K Pokémon Coins? I'll return triple after appreciation!"
Click.
The sound of shattered expectations.
Valerie opened her mouth, unsure how to respond, her face turning red before she finally whispered:
"...Okay."