"How about ramen?"
"Hmm... let me think..."
"Never mind, I'll choose for us."
Outside the window, a light drizzle pattered against the glass.
Cynthia sat by the small round table near the window, chin resting on her palm, slender fingers tapping thoughtfully as she agonized over the earlier decision.
"Seems like it rains often in Sinnoh."
Natsume set down two steaming bowls of aromatic tonkotsu ramen, glancing outside.
"The western regions are like this—rain actually makes it warmer. Up north, it's snow instead..."
Cynthia propped her cheek, smiling as she shifted to expert mode:
"That's why Gastrodon develops different color patterns on the east and west coasts, depending on moisture and temperature."
"Pokémon really are incredible creatures..." Natsume mused.
Cynthia chuckled softly, then froze as the rich aroma hit her. Her throat bobbed.
The ramen swam in fragrant broth, topped with chashu pork, a soft-boiled egg, and finely chopped scallions.
"It smells amazing..."
"Could've been better with proper stock. Had to use instant."
As a self-styled chef, Natsume had immediately inventoried the kitchen upon arrival.
The fridge held mostly convenience-store fare—curry roux, frozen fried platters... the kind of gifts NPCs loved handing out in Sword and Shield.
But with enough Berries (scratched out) and Natsume's skills, it still tasted decent.
"Thanks for the meal!" Cynthia clasped her hands, smiling.
"Make sure to pair the egg yolk with the chashu—and stop eyeing my bowl!"
Raindrops blurred the windowpane, their gentle rhythm faintly audible.
The warm room held only the clink of spoons against porcelain.
Cynthia ate quietly—a habit Natsume appreciated. He stood.
"I'll prep Pokéblocks for the others."
Cynthia's cheeks were flushed, her breath visible as she nodded, eyes slightly glazed.
Natsume smirked.
Pepper. I added pepper.
His new 3.0-model home came fully equipped—Berry Blender, display cases, potted plants.
He'd have Gengar "vomit" his storage later for unpacking.
"Rotom."
Natsume patted the Berry Blender.
"Hop in. Do your thing!"
"System Overload, Rotom! o(TヘTo)"
Yet Rotom obediently possessed the machine.
Rotom-Blender Form activated.
With Rotom's help, Natsume—already a Pokéblock Master—was shocked to discover further improvements in flavor and potency.
"Gengar! Taste test!"
He tossed a glistening Oran Berry Block.
"Gengar!" Chewing. "Gengar~(￣～￣)"
Then—an exclamation mark above Gengar's head!
"Gengar!"
Seemed effective...
Natsume rubbed his chin, then patted the blender:
"How do you feel about 996 work hours?"
"Rotom!?"
"Kidding. It's actually 007."
"System Overload, Rotom! o(TヘTo)"
"Relax, let's unpack."
Natsume grinned. "Brought an Electirizer... should keep you fed."
"Beep...Long live understanding, Rotom! (≧◇≦)"
In the living room, Pokémon devoured Pokéblock mountains under warm chandelier light.
"Now I see how you bred such a strong Arcanine," Cynthia observed, arms crossed.
"Ah, it's nothing special." Natsume scratched his head.
Her team—Garchomp, Lucario, Spiritomb, Glaceon—already knew him well.
Milotic had the rooftop pool; Roserade tended the garden.
Soon, though, Lawnmower Rotom and farming expert Blastoise would take over yardwork...
Post-dinner leisure:
"Sylveon~" It pranced elegantly on a hamster wheel.
"Glaceon~" Ice-blue fur brushed Sylveon's pink ears as it joined.
"Sylveon! (`皿´)"
"Glaceon!? Σ(°△°|||)︴"
Ribbons lashed out, bundling Glaceon off the wheel.
"Glaceon's female, right?" Natsume blinked.
"Yes. They get along wonderfully." Cynthia smiled.
In the corner:
Lucario meditated, sweating as a massive turtle shell beside it radiated intense aura.
"Lucario..." It wiped its brow.
Not that it couldn't win—but the erratic aura waves wrecked its focus!
"Blastoise? ヾ(■_■)" Blastoise peered over, smug.
Lucario gulped.
Best not provoke the Tree of Beginning's savior...
"Gengar! Help unpack!"
"Gengar~(～￣▽￣)～"
"Need any help?" Cynthia asked.
"Nah, you've got documents to sort through."
Cynthia nodded slightly with a smile:
"Then later tonight—"
"Let's game together!" Cynthia's eyes sparkled.
"Eh? Don't you have to leave for Sunyshore City tomorrow morning?"
"No big deal! Lucian can cover for me if I skip a day or two."
Natsume's mind conjured an image of the Psychic-type Elite Four member Lucian with his gleaming forehead.
I see!
This is her way of making Lucian stronger to improve the Sinnoh League's overall strength!
How touching—now that's what I call a proper Sinnoh Champion!
"But against Dialga and Palkia... she went alone." Natsume muttered.
"Hmm?"
"Nothing! Let's play tonight!"
...
In the study, the golden-haired beauty focused intently, thoughtfully touching her brow.
Meanwhile in the living room, Natsume was organizing his luggage.
"Garchomp?"
Garchomp stared drooling at the leek in the flowerpot.
Natsume: "That's not food! That's Sirfetch'd's leek!"
Garchomp immediately turned to Sirfetch'd, eyes shining:
"Garchomp!(°﹃ °)"
"Sirfetch'd!~(っ╥╯﹏╰╥c)" Sirfetch'd felt exhausted.
The leek's inedible, and Sirfetch'd isn't food either, you idiot!
Thirty years east of the river—don't bully the young—
Natsume interrupted the spellcasting, casually remarking:
"Garchomp knows Swords Dance too. You could learn from it, Sirfetch'd."
After all, every other little one on the team had their own opportunities.
Natsume noticed Sirfetch'd's determination not to fall behind...
As they say, Trainers and Pokémon resonate with each other.
Even if he never wanted to be a Trainer, helping Sirfetch'd grow stronger wasn't a bad thing.
"Sirfetch'd!?"
That's not what you said when you caught me!
I never wanted to be Champion!(っ╥╯﹏╰╥c)
"Garchomp!" Suddenly, Garchomp gave Natsume a strange look.
"This is the Rainbow Wing."
Natsume planted the Rainbow Wing in the flowerpot while explaining:
"Consider it a personal reward."
He casually cast Aura Pulse, nourishing the swaying Rainbow Wing.
Simultaneously—
Garchomp sensed the room's energy intensifying and was deeply moved—
Say no more! I approve this marriage!
Natsume studied the crimson feather pensively.
After battling Ash, the Rainbow Wing's energy seemed to have recovered slightly.
Perhaps... these intense, genuine emotions were the key to awakening it?
Natsume shrugged.
But ultimately, Aura Pulse was just more practical!
"One more—"
As Natsume extended his palm to release Aura Pulse, his heart skipped a beat.
"Garchomp!?"
The misfired Aura Pulse landed on the intimidating Garchomp!
Dead silence filled the living room.
Natsume stared blankly: (⊙-⊙)
"Garchomp?"
Garchomp blinked curiously, then suddenly changed expression.
A cold sweat trickled down Natsume's temple.
The next moment, Garchomp opened wide:
"Garchomp~~(′▽`〃)"
Felt like a full-body massage—so relaxing~
Natsume-sensei: ?
Aura Pulse works even on Champion-level Garchomp!?
But thinking carefully—all things possess aura. Sir Aaron's Aura Pulse could even heal the Tree of Beginning.
And the Tree of Beginning was the origin of all Pokémon life.
Thus, it's said "Aura Guardians" naturally earn Pokémon's favor.
No wonder Aura Pulse makes Pokémon feel comforted and friendly...
Natsume suddenly looked up.
No wonder it rivals Arceus' "Transcendence"!
Now it makes sense. If "Aura of Viridian" can make Pokémon instantly overpowered, and "Psychic" can be used to attack enemies...
Then "Aura of Ripple" being just a glorified flashlight? That's way too lame!
Natsume casually fired off another "Aura of Ripple," hurling it straight at Gengar.
"Gengar!! ヽ(≧◇≦)ノ"
Overexcited, Gengar lashed out with its crimson, whip-like tongue.
Natsume arched backward to dodge, heart pounding.
"This isn't 'Aura of Ripple'—this is a damn rejuvenating massage technique?!"
Wiping away cold sweat, Natsume grimaced.
Touran's "Divine Hands" title… feels like it's about to get revoked now…
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