Chapter 130:
Hayashi Kaede picked up the Eevee. "It got caught in the rain and has a slight fever. After drying its fur, it's recovered. Also, bring the other two missing Eevee over. This little guy seems worried about not seeing the others."
"Okay~"
Hearing the familiar tone, Fang Yūji instinctively nodded in agreement. He then walked over to the Eevee breeding area, picked up an Eevee in each hand, and brought them over.
But halfway through, he felt something was off.
When he was little, he thought Hayashi Kaede was amazing and incredibly knowledgeable about Pokémon. When they watched Pokémon battles in the Battle Park together, Hayashi Kaede could always clearly explain the various moves each Pokémon used.
You have to remember, that was knowledge only taught in high school, but back then, Hayashi Kaede could do it effortlessly.
So, he admired Hayashi Kaede.
But now it was different.
He had learned high school material, traveled to two regions, and competed in two league-level tournaments.
He even reached the top 16 in a regular tournament in one region. He was definitely an exceptional Trainer!
And Brother Kaede... Hayashi Kaede, is just a high school graduate.
So why should he be "afraid" of him?
Thinking this, Fang Yūji's back suddenly stiffened.
But before he could say anything, Hayashi Kaede over there held up the Eevee and said, "See? Your two friends are just fine."
Yūji immediately reconsidered his tone, coughed twice, and said in a somewhat suppressed, deeper voice, "Kaede, have you inherited Uncle Kaede's Breeding House and become a Breeder?"
"Huh?"
The change in address made Hayashi Kaede look over, but he didn't comment, just nodded, "That's right."
Yūji's chatty nature was piqued at once. He expressed surprise with a hint of "disappointment" in his tone, "Kaede... little Kaede, this isn't like the fighting spirit you had as a kid. Back then, you said you were determined to make a name for yourself in the Regional League Championships!"
"Look at me. Over the years, I've traveled through Kanto first, then Johto, and I've achieved quite a bit. You wouldn't believe it, I made it to the top eight in the Indigo Plateau Conference.
The battles between Trainers were fierce. Just before the Indigo Plateau, for example, I met a Trainer named Red. Our battle was an intense, earth-shattering clash, but unfortunately, my Flareon was ultimately taken down by a single move..."
He eloquently recounted the glorious experiences of his travels, oblivious to Hayashi Kaede's increasingly strange expression.
A 50-50 match with Red?
Seriously?
That Flareon just barely scraped past the Elite Four level...
As expected...
men and their damned tendency to show off never change.
"Hey, Brother Kaede, you didn't even ask why I came back this time! I heard that Champion Ryō Fū will be attending this Horizon Cup. I'm back to win the championship and then challenge him!"
Hayashi Kaede cupped his hands politely. "Hmm, is that so? Good luck then."
The Horizon Cup allows participants to challenge the reigning Champion every three years. Doing the math, this year is the third year.
Over there, Yūji, who was talking with great enthusiasm, suddenly paused as if struck by a thought. "Alright, Brother Kaede, I'll stop chatting. Eevee's been found! I need to tell my dad so he stops searching outside. I'll come visit you when I have time."
"Okay."
Hayashi Kaede didn't waste any time and immediately had Rotom end the video call. He was also secretly complaining.
This brother...
even now that he's grown up, his boasting habits haven't diminished one bit.
Shaking his head, Hayashi Kaede looked at the Eevee in his arms.
"Eevee?"
Seeing that its friends were safe, the Eevee finally relaxed and cautiously looked at the human before it.
Back at the Eevee Breeding House, it hadn't particularly liked the humans there.
They might come and take one of its companions away at any time.
Later, it vaguely learned that the Eevee chosen by humans would get their own Trainers.
"No one will come to pick you up until the rain stops, so you'll have to stay with me for now."
Hayashi Kaede was pleasantly surprised by this thought.
This was the stuff of childhood dreams. Seeing Eevee show no resistance, he simply picked up its two front paws and, while it stared in a daze, buried his face in its fluffy belly.
"Woohoo! So soft and comfortable!"
With the cooler weather, Alolan Vulpix's cool belly wasn't as pleasant to pet anymore.
Having an Eevee around at a time like this was perfect.
Especially the fluffy ruff around its neck—soft and cozy, providing immense comfort.
"Eevee..."
Seeing Hayashi Kaede so close, the Eevee, which had previously resisted even its caretakers, felt no aversion this time. Instead, a strange sense of comfort washed over it.
So, were all human Trainers this kind?
This human not only saved it but also assured it that its friends were safe because of him.
And...
his scent was so nice...
Just as it couldn't help itself and was about to reach out and hug Hayashi Kaede, a slightly huffy sound came from nearby, interrupting the intimate moment between Hayashi Kaede and the Eevee.
Hayashi Kaede instinctively let go of the Eevee and looked down to see Vulpix, the Alolan Vulpix he had placed on the sofa, pouting at him for holding the new Pokémon. It puckered its lips resentfully, tugging at Hayashi Kaede's trouser legs with its paws.
It looked utterly wronged, clearly in a sour mood—jealous.
"Vulpix!?" (Why aren't you holding me?)
"Alright, alright, I'll hold you, I'll hold both of you!"
Hayashi Kaede had no choice but to place Eevee on his left knee and then Vulpix on his right knee.
He rested one hand on each Pokémon's back and gently stroked them.
Vulpix was content, while Eevee fidgeted a little.
The next second, a series of "gurgling..." sounds came from Eevee's stomach. It felt even more embarrassed and buried its face in Hayashi Kaede's knees.
Looking at the flustered Eevee, Hayashi Kaede laughed out loud, "Let's see if you dare run off again! Wait here, I'll make you something to eat!"
"Eevee..."