Chapter 332:
"You are par... participating in the Pokémon League Conference?"
Takagi Megumi looked at Hayashi Kaede with disbelief.
"Yes." Hayashi Kaede nodded.
"No, I mean, the Pokémon League Conference? That's... that's..."
Takagi Megumi was almost tongue-tied.
The Pokémon League Conference was the biggest event in the Eastova League, the ultimate goal for all Trainers embarking on journeys!
Her own goal was to one day step onto the Pokémon League Conference stage with her Pokémon and win the championship!
But right now, she felt that stage was still so far away from her.
Hayashi Kaede found it strange. "What's wrong? Why are you so shocked?"
Takagi Megumi was also taken aback, then suddenly understood.
Right.
Why was she so shocked?
Although the requirements for the Pokémon League Conference were high, requiring challenges against eight provincial Gyms, at her current level, she couldn't even beat one yet.
But Hayashi Kaede was different.
Brother Kaede's Pokémon seemed incredibly powerful, one after another.
Even the Sprigatito, born just over a month ago, now had the qualification to challenge provincial Gyms.
Not to mention Gardevoir, Serperior, Blaziken, Alolan Ninetales... and those other Pokémon.
But speaking of requirements, Takagi Megumi suddenly remembered something.
"No, no, I meant, doesn't the Pokémon League Conference require challenging corresponding Gyms? Weren't you staying home every day, Brother Kaede?"
How could he challenge Gyms while staying home?
Hayashi Kaede looked pleased. "Heh, that's what you don't know. I have an internal slot."
Takagi Megumi was stunned. "Internal slot? What internal slot?"
The Pokémon League Conference was, after all, the highest-level competition the Eastova League held annually for the entire league.
Where would an internal slot come from, or who could authorize an internal slot?
"Don't ask so many questions. Hurry back and get Blastoise."
Hayashi Kaede wasn't foolish enough to tell this kid everything and changed the subject.
"Oh..."
Takagi Megumi pouted but didn't press further, turning around to fetch Blastoise.
Hayashi Kaede cheerfully turned around, planning to take Meowscarada back to prepare breakfast for everyone.
But when he looked back, the joy in Meowscarada's pink eyes following him was now completely unconcealable.
"Meowscarada~"
Looking at Meowscarada, who was only slightly shorter than him now, Hayashi Kaede placed his hand on its head and gently stroked it, but his eyes couldn't help but fall on the pink paw pads on its claws.
Those pads looked soft and glossy; they probably felt really nice to touch, right?
But for now, he could only say, "Alright, alright, Meowscarada, let's go home too."
...
As time passed slowly, schools in the city gradually let out for break.
The town saw more teenagers, around fifteen, sixteen, or seventeen years old, boys and girls, wandering around.
Coupled with some newly relocated residents—some young, some with families—the town inevitably became livelier.
When there are more people, and more young boys and girls gather, what do they love to do most?
That's Pokémon battles.
Although Hayashi Kaede rarely went out, word traveled around town, and he learned about these kids.
Now, the town had a few more lively figures.
Two second-year high school boys, Leo and Skyler, a first-year high school girl, Mona, and another first-year girl, Myra.
The first-year girl Myra didn't have her first Pokémon yet, but the other kids all had their first Pokémon.
Leo had a Bulbasaur, the most suitable for novice Trainers in the Eastova region.
Skyler's Pokémon was a Krabby.
As for Mona, she had two Pokémon: one was a Grass/Poison-type Roselia, the other was a Swablu.
She seemed pretty well-off.
The house they live in was quite nice too.
It even seemed tech-styled, something Hayashi Kaede didn't quite understand.
These three had all moved in recently.
On the other hand the girl named Myra was originally a native of the town.
But when she was eight, she moved with her parents to another city.
Somehow, she had chosen to come back for the New Year.
There were also more children, including middle schoolers, around the town.
Even near the forest, at the most remote edge of town where Hayashi Kaede lived, he could occasionally see them coming here to battle.
Often at times like these, the town's children would also gather around, cheering for one side or the other.
This was quite novel for Hayashi Kaede.
Although watching their battles felt like watching baby battles to him, the interesting part was that Takagi Megumi, for some reason, had also gotten involved.
This instantly gave her a sense of presence.
With Floragato and Blastoise, her two Pokémon dominating, she quickly became the "strongest" young Trainer in town.
Anyway, whenever Hayashi Kaede sat at the door watching their battles, the smile never left Takagi Megumi's face.
But soon, somehow through their chats, the new Trainers who had moved to town turned their attention to the Breeding House.
They had already seen most of the content on the video channel.
Sometimes, they couldn't help but glance frequently towards the Breeding House.
Hayashi Kaede was originally just observing. Since these kids showed up, he even had to find a new spot for his Pokémon's training.
He then found an empty new spot in the forest.
As the days to the Pokémon League Conference drew nearer, not only did Meowscarada train proactively, but Alolan Ninetales, Blaziken, Serperior... even Alcremie enthusiastically started practicing Metronome.
It should be said that, except for Gardevoir, everyone had gained a bit of motivation.
But this peaceful life was bound to be disrupted.
...
January 11th.
Two days before the Pokémon League Conference.
The villa's doorstep welcomed its first "guest."
That day, Hayashi Kaede intended to fertilize the vegetables planted in the trenches around the villa with some Fertilizer.
He also planned to clean up the mud on the cemented areas near the villa, caused by the Eevees and Alolan Ninetales running around outside.
But after stepping out, his Aura immediately detected a girl with a gradient blue high ponytail, wearing a sky-blue down jacket, standing outside the villa.
She showed no hesitation, as if her goal was clear from the start.
She rang the doorbell.
It was was Mona.
She was the only one among the three newcomers who had two Pokémon.
Hayashi Kaede thought for a moment and still walked to the front gate.
He greeted first, "Hello."
"Hello."
The girl outside also greeted upon seeing Hayashi Kaede approach.
Then, she stated her purpose, "I heard from Takagi Megumi that you are a very powerful Trainer, so I want to challenge you."