At this moment.
The Handsome Guy was leading Natsuhiko toward the detective agency he'd set up back then, the Handsome Guy Detective Agency.
This should be their base of operations in Miaole City for the foreseeable future.
Even though Natsuhiko guessed Flint probably owned at least a few villas in Miaole City, since it was just him alone, he didn't like living in places that were that big and empty.
"We're here, this is the place."
The Handsome Guy let out a long breath, looking at the detective agency whose doorway had already gathered a layer of dust, his expression complicated.
If Machael were still around, there's no way the detective agency would be this dusty.
"Take a look around first, pay attention to the details for the investigation. I'm going to walk around nearby." Natsuhiko said casually.
"Alright."
The Handsome Guy didn't turn him down. After all, he had no idea what kind of state the detective agency was in now. With Natsuhiko, his superior, coming over, if the inside was a mess, that'd be a bit embarrassing.
"Thanks for the trouble."
Natsuhiko patted his shoulder.
Even though the Handsome Guy was older than him, Natsuhiko was still his boss, and their private relationship was decent enough, so the Handsome Guy didn't mind.
The streets of Miaole City were a tangled maze.
But Natsuhiko wasn't just aimlessly wandering around; he wasn't that free.
He held up his phone, following the navigation.
He arrived at the relatively bustling southern streets of Miaole City.
The foot traffic here was pretty heavy.
There were lots of shops lined up here, the most famous being Rising Sun Cafe, a rather stylish little coffee shop.
As a coffee lover, Natsuhiko could smell the strong aroma of coffee from afar.
But he didn't go inside. He only glanced through the doorway to confirm that the two people he was looking for weren't in the cafe, then continued on toward his own destination.
Blatano Research Institute.
The signage was plain and unpretentious, yet the place held a pivotal status in Miaole City.
Natsuhiko stopped at the entrance of the institute, lingered for a second, then pushed the door open and walked in without hesitation.
Clunk—
The sound of the door opening wasn't quiet.
The Researchers inside, all busy in their white lab coats, paused when they heard it, turning in mild surprise toward the man who'd appeared at the door, wearing a sharp black suit and a round black hat pulled low over his eyes.
However.
No one came over to greet him, and nobody asked what Natsuhiko was here for.
They just glanced at him in brief surprise, then went back to their own work.
Of course, a few of them, after turning away, had faint confusion flicker in their eyes and on their faces.
This guy.
Looks kind of familiar, honestly.
These were all professional Researchers, and aside from research they didn't pay much attention to anything else—like those study-obsessed brickheads who don't understand social niceties.
But this was still Dr. Blatano's institute; there's no way someone as conspicuous as Natsuhiko could walk in and really have nobody notice him.
"Excuse me, sir."
A boy in a white lab coat, with glossy black hair, walked over quickly.
He looked at most thirteen or fourteen, maybe a bit older, but his face was all seriousness and focus as he came to stand in front of Natsuhiko.
"This is Dr. Blatano's research institute, may I ask wh-what, wh-what, wh… Natsuhiko?!"
Halfway through his serious line, the boy got close enough to finally see Natsuhiko's face under the hat, and his eyes went wide as he cried out.
While the boy was taking stock of Natsuhiko, Natsuhiko was, naturally, observing him too.
Though he looked a bit different from his future appearance—none of that cool, handsome aura yet—Natsuhiko still recognized him instantly.
Isn't this Ailan?
Ash Ketchum's rival after he arrived in the Kalos Region.
His signature Pokémon is that Charizard with the "Water Storage" trait, the one that can tank multiple shots of 100,000 Volts and Golden Water Shuriken like it's nothing, the "True Master of Reverse Attribute," totally a writer's favorite kid!
Of course, as the "True Favorite Child," it's understandable that Charizard gets this kind of treatment.
But as soon as Ailan shouted out Natsuhiko's name, the Researchers in the institute finally put down their research projects they were "reluctant to part with" and stared at Natsuhiko in shock.
The Researchers whose eyes had flashed with confusion earlier now showed looks of realization.
No wonder he'd seemed familiar.
Isn't this the rising superstar of the league's research community.
Natsuhiko, the "Father of Fairies"?
Why would Natsuhiko suddenly show up at Blatano Research Institute?
The questions in their heads didn't get answered, because Natsuhiko just smiled and said:
"Hello, is Dr. Blatano here? I just arrived in Miaole City today and thought I'd drop by for a visit, if that's not too presumptuous."
"The Doctor, the Doctor is, is, is…" The usually cheerful Ailan was actually stammering.
Mainly because Natsuhiko's appearance was just too unexpected.
Watching Ailan stutter, Natsuhiko chuckled softly and didn't rush him.
He waited for Ailan to calm down.
And at the same time, he couldn't help sighing inwardly.
Looks like my reputation in the Pokemon Realm has finally taken shape; I guess I'm half a celebrity now.
Tsk, tsk…
"Ailan, what's wrong?"
Just then, a scruffy-looking middle-aged man with stubble came out from the inner rooms.
Though he seemed a bit unkempt and sloppy, it still couldn't hide his handsomeness.
If Natsuhiko had to describe him, the word that came to mind would probably be "edgy hobo chic."
Among all the Doctors and Researchers he'd ever seen, Blatano was definitely the most handsome one.
"Dr. Blatano!" Seeing Blatano appear, Ailan finally exhaled and snapped out of it.
"Hm?"