[Simulation Begin]
Amidst the pixelated backdrop, an old manor nestled within a sprawling, beautiful garden slowly came into view.
In the garden, numerous Pokémon wandered about—mostly Grass, Bug, and Normal types, the kind commonly found in the wild.
The camera panned to the entrance of the manor.
A young woman in a pink shirt and white skirt walked out, followed by a Roselia that barely reached her knees.
"Who is... this 'big sister' character?"
Kashiwagi blinked, failing to recognize which NPC model from the games this appearance was based on.
He had to categorize her simply as a generic "Big Sister" for now.
The text appeared:
[At eighteen, you decide to follow a friend's advice and set out on a journey to see more Pokémon, aiming to verify and improve your research results.]
"Research results?"
Kashiwagi looked at the pixel figure with surprise.
If she were a Researcher, she shouldn't be dressed like that.
This simulation subject's profession was getting more mysterious by the second.
But he didn't have to wonder for long.
The pixel character walked up to a Zigzagoon that was wobbling unsteadily with a blue "bad mood" icon over its head. She pulled out a strange small bottle and waved it under the Pokémon's nose.
In an instant, the Zigzagoon perked up, running joyfully around her. A moment later, more Zigzagoon popped out of the tall grass to play with their friend.
[Watching the recovered Zigzagoon, you smile happily. It is precisely because of these adorable Pokémon that you have spent years working hard to develop various aromatic essences.]
"Aromas!"
Kashiwagi realized who she was—an Aroma Lady!
In the games, these trainers usually used Grass-types and were often surrounded by sparkling light effects symbolizing fragrance.
Right, managed to remember the class name. Not bad, he muttered to himself.
He was curious, though: why would an Aroma Lady focused on research challenge Gyms? If she didn't aim for the League, would there be no rewards?
He doubted it.
Since she was a simulation subject, she would likely be pushed toward the Gym circuit eventually or has the simulation type changed?
The screen showed the Aroma Lady and Roselia heading into the forest.
She moved with practiced ease through the mountains, clearly a frequent visitor to the wilderness. She seemed to be searching for something specific.
Suddenly, she knelt under a tree.
[You have obtained a five-year-old medicinal herb. This makes you very happy.]
"Medicinal herbs?"
Kashiwagi watched her and Roselia busily scurrying about the forest like diligent Combee.
He understood now; she was gathering raw materials for her fragrances.
But he soon noticed she wasn't just harvesting; she was also treating injured Pokémon. She seemed to know exactly where wild Pokémon went to lick their wounds or recover from illness.
She could find nests with ease, coaxing the inhabitants out to heal their injuries.
She treated everyone equally—from Oddish and Seedot to more difficult species like Arbok and Dustox. She either used medicine or incense to lift their spirits.
Occasionally, when a patient refused to cooperate, Roselia would step in, using Grass Knot or Leech Seed to pin them down until they behaved.
[You discover an injured Arbok. You treat its wounds, and in gratitude, it offers you Berries. You smile and decline.]
"An... an angel!"
Kashiwagi couldn't help but marvel.
She was like a "barefoot doctor" of the Pokémon world, healing as she traveled. And her medical skills were top-tier; so far, the text hadn't mentioned a single failed treatment.
If Brock saw this 'Angel Sister,' he'd probably burst into tears and propose on the spot, Kashiwagi thought.
On the screen, the Aroma Lady continued her journey, using raw materials found in the forest to craft her remedies.
Of course, she didn't work entirely for free. When she encountered certain Grass-types, she would collect small amounts of fluid or pollen—the primary ingredients for her high-end essences.
Before long, she had crossed the vast forest and arrived at a town that looked remarkably "old-fashioned".
Most of the buildings were traditional Japanese-style structures, with only a few modern concrete ones. It gave Kashiwagi the feeling of looking at a world from many decades ago.
The timeline for this simulation was definitely early.
[You arrive in Lavaridge Town. Your longing for the hot springs, rumored to cure a hundred ailments, prompts you to contact a friend immediately.]
She waited by the street until a vintage beetle-style car pulled up. A woman in a sundress stepped out to pick her up.
Kashiwagi nearly spat out his cocoa.
A black beetle car?!
What year is it?!
This was by far the earliest simulation he'd seen.
Is there even a Pokémon League in this era?
There had to be. Flannery's grandfather had been a member of the Elite Four before retiring, so the League must have existed in some form.
In Lavaridge Town, the Aroma Lady enjoyed the hot springs at her friend's invitation. Naturally, the conversation turned to the Gym.
[You hear from your friend that Lavaridge Town has a very powerful Gym. She strongly recommends you challenge it, mentioning that the Leader possesses Pokémon not native to the Hoenn region.]
[You are very interested in this.]
The scene shifted.
The Aroma Lady found the Lavaridge Gym and knocked on the door. A young man walked out. Upon seeing her, several text boxes appeared over his head.
[You learn from the Leader that to challenge the Gym, you must possess at least three Pokémon. You feel a sense of regret, as you only have Roselia.]
[You ask to see his Pokémon instead, but the Leader refuses.]
"The Leader! Mr. Moore!" Kashiwagi stared at the young pixel figure.
This was indeed Flannery's grandfather. This timeline was likely fifty or sixty years in the past.
The Aroma Lady left with a look of disappointment, but she clearly wasn't the type to give up.
She immediately headed to the nearby woods to find Pokémon to catch. Her decisive action was truly impressive.