The Musician successfully put the Scolipede to sleep, but he didn't move to catch it.
Instead, he brought his impromptu forest concert to a close. After bidding farewell to the gathered wild Pokémon, he and Jigglypuff set off once more.
It was clear he didn't have much interest in a Pokémon like Scolipede. Kashiwagi figured the guy probably only had eyes for Pokémon with musical themes...
Maybe a Kricketune?
Do those even show up in Unova? Kashiwagi wasn't entirely sure.
...
Watching the Musician breeze past Floccesy Ranch, Kashiwagi couldn't help but feel a pang of regret. In the games, you could find Riolu in these fields.
However, in the anime-influenced world of the simulator, it seemed that wasn't the case. Since the ranch was privately leased rather than being a wild area filled with tall grass, the Riolu were nowhere to be found.
Meanwhile, the Musician successfully arrived in Floccesy Town.
[You have arrived in Floccesy Town.]
[Driven by the strong rustic charm of the countryside, you head to the liveliest tavern in town to negotiate a performance with the owner.]
Kashiwagi watched as the Musician strolled boldly into a tavern—only to be shoved back out even faster.
[The owner sternly refuses you based on your age.]
[Hearing that "minors are prohibited from entering," you feel a bit dejected. Your idol, Roxie, is constantly invited to perform all over the region, yet you can't even land a gig in a rowdy tavern.]
"That owner... he's a good man!" Kashiwagi muttered.
It really wasn't appropriate for a minor to be hanging around a bar, even if his only intention was to share his music.
...
Denied entry to the tavern, the Musician didn't give up. He simply set up his guitar near the entrance, picked a catchy, upbeat tune, and started singing and dancing right there on the street.
The lively duo of the Musician and Jigglypuff quickly drew a crowd of passersby.
However, traveling Pokémon street performers seemed to be a common sight in Unova. While people were charmed by their performance, they weren't shocked. Many who enjoyed the set tossed coins into his guitar case.
[Seeing people drop money into your guitar case makes you incredibly happy. Although you aren't short on cash, you feel a sense of validation. You feel one step closer to achieving your dream.]
Listening to the groovy track and seeing the constant stream of "smile" icons popping up over the Musician's head, Kashiwagi started to wonder about the boy's background.
Given the expensive collection of instruments he owned, he likely came from a prestigious musical family. He could have easily made a name for himself in the world of classical music.
Yet, his journey didn't start in a grand concert hall or a private practice room. It started in a tiny storehouse, staring longingly at the underground stage of the punk-rock Gym Leader, Roxie.
And notably, his parents were nowhere to be seen.
Are they deceased? Or... did he have a falling out with them like the Chef did?
Kashiwagi suspected that if the Musician came from a classical background but worshipped an underground rocker, his parents probably wouldn't have been too thrilled—even if that rocker was a high-profile Gym Leader.
Of course, for now, that was all just speculation.
...
Back in the simulation, the Musician's performance outside the tavern eventually caught the owner's eye again. Unfortunately, he wasn't there to invite him in; he wanted him to move along.
[The owner asks you to leave, explaining that it would be hard to justify to Officer Jenny if she came by. ]
[Realizing you might actually be causing him trouble, you pack your bags with a heavy heart. However, hearing applause from the crowd before you leave reignites your spirits.]
The sky in the simulator was turning to dusk.
Surprisingly, the Musician didn't look for an inn in Floccesy Town. Instead, he headed back out into the wild to camp.
[You've heard that many great composers found their inspiration through nature, so you attempt to do the same.]
In the forest, the Musician set up his tent and started a campfire for dinner with practiced ease. Kashiwagi was genuinely impressed.
This guy wasn't some pampered rich kid who expected everything to be handed to him.
"That's a surprise..."
Such independence made Kashiwagi rethink his assumptions about the boy's character.
After a simple dinner, the Musician habitually took out his guitar. Despite playing all day, he still had the energy to keep going.
The [Healthy Physique] talent was no joke. Without superhuman stamina, he'd have collapsed hours ago.
But tonight, the performance changed. It wasn't the energetic duet from earlier. Instead of the upbeat tavern tunes, the music turned slow, soft, and gentle.
It was a piece meant for Jigglypuff's ethereal solo voice; his own voice wasn't suited for this style, so he stuck to the guitar.
"It actually sounds pretty good," Kashiwagi whispered.
Kashiwagi had originally treated the guitar strumming as mere background noise, but as he listened, he found himself completely relaxing. He eventually realized he was slumping back in a "Ge You Couch Potato" pose, fully immersed in the simulation. When he snapped out of it, he was genuinely shocked.
The emotional resonance of this music is incredible!
Is it an original? Or an existing piece?
He quickly memorized the melody and called over Porygon. While the Musician was still playing in the simulator, Kashiwagi had Porygon dive into his phone to activate the humming-based music recognition mode.
To be fair, this was the first time Porygon had tried something like this. Luckily, Kashiwagi had some musical talent to stay on key; otherwise, the AI wouldn't have stood a chance at identifying the tune.
"Pah-ree!"
Porygon chirped, signaling the search was complete.
Kashiwagi pulled the phone screen away from the light of the simulator and saw the result: it was actually a piece of classical music, simply rearranged for the guitar.
Not an original, huh...
He felt a twinge of disappointment. If the Musician had composed that himself, he'd be a prodigy on par with a young Beethoven. What a pity.
I wonder how many of those songs he was humming earlier were actually his?
Kashiwagi kept a mental note of it. When he looked back at the screen, he saw that the Musician was now surrounded by a crowd of wild Pokémon, all sleeping peacefully.
Evidently, they had mistaken the guitar and Jigglypuff's singing for a lullaby.
The Musician didn't seem to mind. He simply crawled into his tent with Jigglypuff and went to sleep.
"Kid's got guts, I'll give him that," Kashiwagi remarked.
The simulator began to speed up.
...
The next day.
The Musician kicked off his morning with a high-energy opening number. As the wild Pokémon began to disperse, one stayed behind.
"A Chimecho?"
Kashiwagi squinted at the screen. He was surprised to see a wild Chimecho in the Unova region.
The little bell-like Pokémon had likely been drawn in by the ethereal, soothing music from the night before—much like how wild Pokémon were often "captured" by fragrance expert's superb healing skills.
The Musician seemed thrilled to see Chimecho. A heart icon popped up over his head, a stark contrast to his indifferent reaction to the Scolipede.
[You have discovered a Chimecho, a species you have long been interested in. Known for its ability to produce seven different beautiful tones, it is the perfect traveling companion for someone with your musical dreams.]
The Musician didn't hesitate to send out Jigglypuff to attempt a capture.
Surprisingly, Chimecho barely put up a fight.
The process was incredibly smooth.
[You have caught Chimecho! A new member has joined the band.]
Band member?
Kashiwagi re-read the narration. It seemed that in the Musician's eyes, his Pokémon weren't just battle partners; they were bandmates.
If that was the case, his future team members would likely all have musical themes.
In Unova... maybe Maractus?
There's no way he gets a Meloetta, right? In the anime, Meloetta was a big deal... but then again, there was no proof only one existed. If there could be two Magearna, why not two Meloetta?
If the Musician actually managed to team up with a Meloetta, he might actually win the Vertress Conference or even take down a member of the Elite Four?
Kashiwagi was already daydreaming about the rewards, while the Musician arrived at the site of his first Gym—Aspertia City.
[You have arrived in Aspertia City. Located in the southwest of Unova at the foot of a mountain, its heights offer a panoramic view of the entire region.]
[Seeing the thriving city, you aren't in a hurry to visit the Aspertia Gym. Instead, you find a high-traffic area and begin today's performance with Jigglypuff and Chimecho.]
Despite being a new recruit, Chimecho followed the Musician's lead perfectly, blending its crystalline chiming into the guitar melody to accompany the singing.
From the frequent smiles on Chimecho's face, it clearly loved performing.
In reality,
Kashiwagi quickly hummed the new melody to Porygon. The AI didn't let him down—it found the source. Again, it was an ancient classical piece, rearranged for guitar with some added lyrics.
Another cover? Is he just a "musical tailor" who stitches old songs together?
No, that's not fair.
The Musician never claimed these were his originals. He wasn't even posting them online; he was just playing for the joy of it.
But a dream built on covers is a hard one to realize. In the music world, you usually need original work to truly leave a mark.
Still, Kashiwagi watched the coins pile up in the guitar case, curious to see where this path would lead.
...
...
Before long, his urge to perform satisfied, the Musician finally headed to the Gym.
The Gym Leader was, as expected, Cheren. The battlefield was located in the backyard of the Trainers' School.
[You have challenged Gym Leader Cheren of the Aspertia Gym.]
The pixel sprites took their positions.
Since this was the Musician's first badge, Cheren only used a Patrat and a Herdier. The Musician's battle style was exactly what Kashiwagi had anticipated:
He fought through music.
He didn't give a single verbal command. Instead, he used the tempo and rhythm of his guitar to tell Jigglypuff what to do and when to strike.
In a way, this was the ultimate expression of the [Soul Connection] talent.
Otherwise, there was no way Jigglypuff could understand complex tactical shifts just from a change in key. Music had become their bridge—a secret language that no one else could decode.
Cheren was clearly stunned. As his Pokémon were pushed back by Jigglypuff's relentless pace, an impressed expression appeared over the Gym Leader's head.
Finally, Jigglypuff unleashed two powerful back to back high-pitched Hyper Voices, taking down both Herdier and Patrat. The Musician struck his final chord at the exact moment the battle ended.
Performance complete.
Cheren, the sole audience member, broke into applause.
[You defeated Gym Leader Cheren and received the Basic Badge. Cheren deeply admires your musical talent and battling instincts, believing your future is limitless.]
[You happily thank Cheren.]
"A battle concerto... even Nando didn't pull it off quite like this," Kashiwagi mused. The "Double Blue" talent combo was proving to be extraordinary.
With this unique gift, the Musician might actually pull off something legendary.
After securing his first badge, the Musician started heading back. Curiously, he didn't head for the Virbank Gym next.
[You have decided to save your idol, Roxie, for your eighth badge challenge. You feel that only after earning her recognition will you be able to perform without any reservations at the Vertress Conference.]
"Ah, I see."
Kashiwagi nodded in understanding. He then watched the Musician return to his home in Virbank City. The boy carefully maintained his current instruments before pausing, then grabbing several more.
[During this short trip, you realized that while your old guitar carries your resolve, other instruments are necessary to better perform certain pieces.]
He stuffed a collection of instruments—clarinets, violins, and others Kashiwagi couldn't even name—into his Bag. The once-empty space was now packed to the brim.
However, he kept the guitar strapped to his back.
With his gear ready, he set out once more.
...
...
The Musician made a detour to Pokéstar Studios, located north of Virbank City. He made a point of watching several films starring Roxie's father before finally boarding the ferry to Castelia City.
As the ship set sail,
the Musician stood at the bow and blew a trumpet. The clarion call echoed far across the water, drawing the attention of countless passengers.
Back on his sofa, Kashiwagi shifted his position.
"Still no clues about his background... Is the simulator just not going to reveal it?" he muttered to himself.
The screen flickered.
The Musician had arrived at the Unova region's premier metropolis—Castelia City.
Skyscrapers stood shoulder to shoulder, a bustling landscape that marked it as the commercial and economic heart of the region. Even in pixel art, Kashiwagi could feel the sheer scale and grandeur of the place.
But it was the text that truly caught his eye.
[You gaze upon this city, both familiar and strange. You didn't expect to return so soon, but things have changed; what is lost can never be reclaimed.]
The simulator offered only this brief, cryptic hint before moving on.
In a break from his usual routine, the Musician skipped the street performances with Jigglypuff and Chimecho. Instead, he went straight to the Castelia Gym.
The Gym Leader, Burgh, was an artist—a painter who had held many solo exhibitions. In the Musician's eyes, Burgh was someone who had already "fulfilled his dream."
The Musician's envy was palpable. For this battle, he switched to the violin, playing a piece with a blistering, aggressive tempo.
Caught up in the fervor, Jigglypuff's combat prowess spiked visibly. Even Kashiwagi, watching from his couch, felt his blood pump, suddenly itching to find a Pokémon and pick a fight.
The sheer power of the "buff" was too much for Burgh's current lineup. He fell to the "Soprano" Jigglypuff.
Its Hyper Voice was terrifying. Even through the pixels, you could sense the raw power—sound waves that looked like they could vibrate the very earth.
[You defeated Gym Leader Burgh and received the Insect Badge.]
[During your exchange with Burgh, you realize he seems to have a slight memory of you. This causes you to flee in a panic, leaving the Castelia Gym as fast as your legs can carry you.]
The Musician practically bolted out of the Gym. After a quick check-up at the Pokémon Center, he hurried toward his next destination.
He didn't stop for Casteliacones, nor did he sing for the massive crowds. Despite having more potential listeners here than anywhere else, he didn't stop once.
Kashiwagi was now certain: the Musician's past was tied to Castelia. To the boy, this city was a place of heartbreak he couldn't yet face.
...
As if confirming Kashiwagi's theory,
the Musician's guitar playing on Route 4 was heavy with sorrow. Jigglypuff's singing shifted from a soaring soprano to a haunting, melancholic alto. Its vocal range was staggering.
Kashiwagi recalled the Pokédex mentioning that Jigglypuff has a range of over 12 octaves and can freely change its voice's wavelength. That supernatural vocal cord structure made it a born singer.
But not all Jigglypuff were equal—some were tone-deaf and only sang songs that induced sleep.
The Musician's Jigglypuff, however, was pitch-perfect.
The "Depression Waltz" ended by the campfire.
The next morning, the Musician woke up to find a cactus standing in front of his tent—a Maractus. Whenever it moved its body, it made a sound like maracas.
After listening to it for a while, the Musician's eyes lit up. He promptly "scammed" it into joining him.
[You caught Maractus! A new member has joined the band.]
Another percussionist secured? Kashiwagi nodded in approval and kept watching.
He noticed that while the Musician didn't choose Pokémon based on "battle viability," he was an exceptionally talented breeder and trainer.
At least the few trainers they met on the road were no match for his "new" captures. In the games, Maractus was often ignored due to its stats and typing, but under the Musician's care, it displayed extraordinary power.
Its Chlorophyll ability worked in perfect harmony with its movements.
Chimecho was the same. As a Psychic-type, it specialized in using invisible forces to strike. Often, as long as the Pokémon's attack frequency matched the rhythm of the Musician's playing, the enemy was easily overwhelmed.
[Your Pokémon are beginning to comprehend the music you play. Your bond has deepened.]
Watching this line of text, Kashiwagi felt a surge of optimism.
Maybe he actually has a shot at winning the championship?
It seemed likely. After all, the [Limit Break] talent hadn't even triggered yet. It was probably being saved for a climactic moment.
However, Kashiwagi noticed something odd. After cross-referencing the Musician's songs multiple times, he still hadn't found a single original piece. They were all world-famous classical masterpieces—melodies on the level of Oración.
It seemed the Musician was "modernizing" classics into pop arrangements.
It was strange. If Roxie was his idol, he should know plenty of modern rock and pop, yet he never played them.
...
Before long, the Musician reached Nimbasa City.
[You have arrived in Nimbasa City. It is as dazzling and brilliant as ever. You gaze toward the distant Musical Theater, a look of longing crossing your face. But you know that place is no longer somewhere you can go.]
The Musical Theater?
Kashiwagi watched the ellipses "..." popping up over the Musician's head. It seemed the kid had performed there before. He really did have a glorious—and likely tragic—past.
Just like in Castelia, the Musician didn't perform on the streets. He went straight to the Nimbasa Gym.
When he met the Gym Leader, Elesa, a dialogue box appeared.
[You greet Elesa. She asks where you've been all this time. You tell her you've decided to reclaim your dream—to forget the past and start from zero, beginning with becoming a strong Trainer and Musician.]
They clearly knew each other.
In fact, Elesa seemed genuinely concerned, as if he used to be someone quite famous.
Kashiwagi inexplicably felt like he was playing a detective game. He resisted the urge to look up spoilers; he wanted to see the mystery unfold.
Familiarity aside, Elesa didn't pull her punches. But the Musician, relying on his current trio, successfully conquered his third Gym.
[You defeated Gym Leader Elesa and received the Bolt Badge.]
[Before leaving, you stand near the Musical Theater for a long time. Finally, as if making a final farewell to your past self, you turn and walk away.]
The Musician strode across the Skyarrow Bridge (and later the Driftveil Drawbridge), and right in the middle of the bridge, he resumed his life as a street performer.
This time, the Pokémon he attracted was a Swablu.
Of course, rather than "passively" attracting it, the text suggested he had intentionally stayed on the bridge waiting for one. Its evolution, Altaria, was one of the few Pokémon capable of truly exquisite singing.
It was the perfect "harmony" vocalist.