Chapter 113. The Fish Has Taken the Bait~
"Benares?!"
"Won't that be too hard for players?"
Hearing Xander bring this up, Kaguya and Bronya were a little surprised.
Benares, a legendary Pokémon said to have the ability to absorb and dispel natural disasters.
In its initial state, it is Dragon-type.
When it enters battle, it will change—based on the attacks it receives—into one of three forms: Dragon + Fire, Dragon + Electric, or Dragon + Ice.
Each of the three forms has its own exclusive move set, and even among legendary Pokémon, it belongs to the very powerful tier.
"Relax.
We'll lower the level a bit.
This might be the easiest chance players ever get to capture a Tier-1 legendary-class Pokémon, so think of it as a launch-day benefit for everyone."
As he said this, Xander faintly looked forward to something happening.
Of course, the odds of that were way too small, so it could only stay as a thought.
He couldn't possibly jump in and help someone cheat.
Glancing at the clock—almost quitting time—Xander simply shut down his computer, reclined in his chair, and started teasing the little secretary in his arms with both hands.
As the saying goes, "If there's work, the secretary does it.
If there's nothing… cough, cough, right?"
Now that the boss was idle, naturally the secretary had to get busy.
If she didn't provide the boss with some emotional value, did she still want to pass probation?!
Of course, nothing over the line could happen in this situation.
At most, like playing with a doll—pinching her cheeks, patting her legs, lowering his head to breathe in the fresh scent between the girl's hair.
Seele also straightened her back, doing her best to match his movements.
"Tsk, we're still in the office."
This scene made Bronya click her tongue.
She couldn't help but speak up.
"Want me to bring you in?"
"Get lost!"
"What a pity."
As expected, the soft and obedient Seele was still the best.
On the way back, Xander suddenly noticed the interns gathered downstairs in twos and threes, their eyes bright with a certain clear, silly innocence.
At once he remembered something.
Judging by the timeline, weren't his three good workhorses about due to come here for their internship?
Turning his head to look at the little secretary glued to his side, Xander asked, "Seele, can you check the files for the interns who joined today?"
"Hm? I can.
What does Big Bro need me to look up?"
"What do you want intern files for?
Did you set your eyes on some newly arrived cutie?"
His voice drew Bronya's and Kaguya's curiosity as well.
Bronya scooted closer to him and joked with a smile.
"What are you thinking?
In my heart, you two are the most beautiful."
"Smooth talker."
She shot Xander a look, but the smile on Bronya's face clearly deepened.
Who doesn't like being praised by their lover?
"Can't I even speak the truth?
That really hurts my feelings."
He deliberately put on a downcast look, but it was so fake that both Bronya and Seele gave him a light smack.
Dropping the act, he explained, "It's for my three friends—remember them?
The three from high school."
"They came to Anti-Entropy for their internship?"
"Yeah.
Before we left last year, I gave them three recommendation slots under the Anti-Entropy × St. Freya joint training program.
By now, they should have already reported to one of Anti-Entropy's subsidiaries."
While he was talking, Seele had already taken out the tablet she carried with her, her small hands tapping rapidly across the screen.
Very soon, her eyes lit up and she hurriedly said, "Found them."
"Where?"
Under three pairs of eyes, Seele turned to the three files she had pulled up.
When she noticed the name of the company, she froze for a moment, then couldn't help but smile.
"What a coincidence.
They're interning at ME Corp right now."
"ME Corp?!"
"The one where Mei's dad is the chairman?"
"Mm."
Seele nodded.
"That ME Corp.
They just reported in a few days ago and are still rotating through departments."
"That makes it easy.
Seele, have HR contact ME Corp and transfer them to Gensokyo Company.
As the owner of the Pokémon IP, ME Corp will give us some face."
Then Xander suddenly smiled a little mischievously and winked at Seele.
"Or you could just drop Mei's name.
'Daughter of the chairman' should work wonders~"
Thud.
Bronya rapped Xander on the head.
She shot him a glare, then took Seele's arm.
"Ignore him.
Just handle it through a proper written request.
It's not even a difficult matter."
After that, she pulled Seele along at a quicker pace, and the two soon walked ahead of Xander.
Turning his head, he spread his hands to Kaguya in mock helplessness.
Seeing the laughter in the girl's eyes, he reached out with a smile.
"My hands suddenly feel empty.
If someone could hold them, that would be nice.
What do you think, Kaguya?"
With practiced ease, Kaguya stepped left and wrapped herself around his arm.
Tilting her head slightly, she leaned on him, her voice soft and gentle.
"Delighted~"
...
Back home, before Xander could lie down on Kaguya's lap pillow and enjoy it for a while, he heard the sound of running footsteps coming over.
Patter—patter—.
Opening his mouth to eat the grape Kaguya had peeled and fed to him, a pair of tight, full thighs drew near the sofa before his eyes.
"Seele, what is it?"
He didn't even need to look up to tell who it was.
Soon he heard her reply.
"Big Bro, ME Corp replied."
"Mm.
Then we'll handle the procedures tomorrow."
"Eh?
Seele hasn't even said what they said yet.
How did Big Bro already know they agreed?"
Lifting his head and seeing the doubt and curiosity in Seele's eyes, Xander waved his hand and said confidently, "Don't underestimate our influence within the Anti-Entropy Group.
They'll definitely agree to something this small.
In fact, I'm guessing they didn't even raise a single condition, right?"
Just as Xander was feeling smug about himself, one line from Seele made him freeze.
"No.
They said, if you have time, they'd like to invite you to a meal."
"..."
Pinching Seele's thigh in shy annoyance—trying to physically discipline the little secretary who didn't read the room—he then heard Bronya's laughter.
Fresh out of the shower, Bronya sat on the sofa wearing only hot pants and a sports bra.
Her fair feet stretched out, kicked his hand away from Seele's thigh, then settled on his stomach to gently tread.
"By the way, where do you plan to assign those three friends later?
The Scarlet Devil Mansion group has already filled all fifty spots.
Should we put them in Hakugyokurou to form a second team?"
"No rush on that."
Catching Bronya's foot, his fingers kneaded the slightly flushed sole.
While eating Kaguya's unceasing hand-fed grapes, he looked at Seele.
"If I remember right, St. Freya's Mini-Game Festival got moved up to the first half of the year, didn't it?"
"Yep.
It's because of Pokémon.
This time the St. Freya Mini-Game Festival will be held in mid-April."
"Because of Pokémon?"
Sensing the doubt in Bronya's eyes, Seele explained, "Did you forget, Bronya?
The first Pokémon World Championships will be held at St. Freya Academy later this year.
Since that's in the second half, after discussion they decided to move the Mini-Game Festival up."
"I see~"
Bronya suddenly looked a bit enlightened, but then said with some confusion, "Even if the time changed, that's not a big deal, right?"
At that, Xander's smile suddenly turned a little wicked.
"Is there a possibility that Gensokyo Company hasn't actually hit the two-year mark since its founding?"
"So what if it hasn't…"
Halfway through, Bronya suddenly remembered the exhibitor requirements for the Mini-Game Festival.
Her eyes widened as she stared at him in disbelief.
"You're not thinking…"
He arched a brow at her and smiled.
"That's exactly what I'm thinking.
We've been busy for a year, and we probably won't have any big moves before we enroll at St. Freya.
The Scarlet Devil Mansion folks have been studying on the Pokémon team for a year—it's time to let them split off and show their results."
"But…"
Isn't that a bit too bullying?
Bronya didn't say it out loud, but that was the gist between the lines.
Their Pokémon had already rocketed into the front ranks of the world's IPs.
How was this guy still eyeing that Mini-Game Festival?
Please, give those newbie game designers a little breathing room!!
"Don't say that.
Are you and Kaguya really satisfied about losing to me at the Mini-Game Festival back then?"
Xander started some goading.
"We're satisfied."
"We're satisfied."
The prompt, unhesitating answers left Xander at a loss.
He looked at the two calm-faced girls, a bit speechless.
"You were supposed to say you're not satisfied!"
How was he supposed to follow up now?
Honestly.
"Oh, then we're not satisfied."
"We're not satisfied."
Hearing that, Xander snorted and smiled.
"Heh, I knew you weren't satisfied!"
"..."
Why do I feel like hitting someone?
Forget it.
They're the people I like, after all.
I'll endure it.
"I won't bully you two.
Those three guys are under my—cou— ahem, under my charge.
You two take the Scarlet Devil Mansion team.
We'll each make a small game according to the rules and compare the final rankings.
Think of it as a little pastime for the next few months.
How about it?"
At that, Kaguya's and Bronya's eyes lit up.
"You're sure?"
"Of course.
With such a big advantage, you're not scared, are you?"
After a beat, Xander added, "Let's add a wager.
The winner can ask the loser to do one thing that isn't excessive.
Deal?"
"Deal!!"
"This concub— ahem, I have no objections!!"
Bronya's and Kaguya's voices were a touch impatient, and then all three of them laughed.
"Sure enough, the fish has taken the bait," Xander thought.
"We've got this one in the bag!"
Bronya and Kaguya exchanged a glance.
Everything went without saying.
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