Splat! Splat! Splat!
Raindrops gathered on the eaves and slid off one after another.
The howling wind added an extra layer of restlessness to this already unusual night.
It wasn't until the latter half of the night that the swaying trees and flickering shadows finally began to settle…
[Ding! Successfully became a confidante with Delia and established a special intimate relationship.]
[Mission Reward: Elementary Aura Power has been issued.]
The system's notification chimed in Yuuto's mind.
Yuuto held the warm, soft Delia in his arms and took a small sip of the boiled water.
He let out a long, satisfied sigh and looked down at the sleeping beauty nestled against him—her lips still curved in a faint smile even in sleep.
Delia's face was flushed, tears still clinging to her long lashes, yet she slept exceptionally sweetly.
Clearly, she was completely exhausted.
Yuuto set the cup aside, not in any hurry to sleep.
With a thought, he immediately turned his attention to the newly acquired Aura Power.
"Aura Power…"
Yuuto closed his eyes and focused.
A marvelous sensation instantly spread through him.
It was as though a third eye had opened in his mind, revealing the world in an entirely different way.
It wasn't sight, nor hearing.
It was a complete, all-encompassing "perception."
Concentrating his mind, the invisible Aura began to extend outward.
Soon, Yuuto "saw" a warm life force curled up on the sofa in the living room downstairs.
It was Eevee.
The little Pokémon was sleeping soundly, ears twitching now and then, breathing steady and even.
Its Aura outline was clear and distinct; he could even vaguely sense the faint flow of energy circulating inside its body.
"Impressive…"
Yuuto praised inwardly.
This was only the elementary level.
And it could already do this much.
If he continued to upgrade it, wouldn't he eventually be able to fight, scout, and even communicate heart-to-heart with Pokémon using Aura—just like in the movies?
Yuuto tried extending the Aura further.
Ten meters… twenty meters… when it reached roughly a hundred meters, he started to feel the strain.
His perception grew hazy and indistinct.
"Elementary level does have its limits."
Yuuto withdrew the Aura, but he already had a rough idea of how to use it.
Exploring hidden areas, locating rare Pokémon, sensing danger ahead… it was practically a divine tool for any journey.
Yuuto thought as he pulled Delia a little closer into his embrace.
With warm fragrance and soft jade in his arms, and now Aura Power flowing through his body,
he closed his eyes contentedly and soon drifted into deep sleep…
The next morning.
The rain had stopped; the sky was clear and bright. Sunlight slipped into the bedroom through gaps in the curtains.
Delia stirred slightly in Yuuto's arms and drowsily opened her eyes.
What greeted her was Yuuto's sleeping profile, so close she could count his eyelashes.
Seeing him from this distance, Delia's face flushed red again.
She shifted her body a little—and immediately felt it.
But strangely, it wasn't uncomfortable.
Instead, there was a… refreshing kind of fatigue.
Like after a good, intense workout: tired, yet the whole body felt pleasantly alive.
Last night… really wasn't a dream.
Delia murmured softly to herself, reaching out to gently trace Yuuto's cheek.
The real warmth of his skin met her fingertips.
It was real.
She had really done it with Yuuto…
Thinking back on last night, Delia buried her face in his chest and smiled secretly.
Her heart felt as sweet as if she'd swallowed pure honey.
In twenty-eight years, she had never been this happy.
Yuuto is truly amazing.
"I waited all these years… it was worth it."
Delia thought contentedly, rubbing her cheek against his chest again.
But the next second, she suddenly froze.
"Ah!"
A small cry of surprise escaped her.
Yuuto jolted awake. Before his eyes were fully open, his hand instinctively gave a gentle squeeze.
"What's wrong? Is it raining again?"
He asked groggily.
Delia lightly swatted his hand.
"Hmm? Oh my~ stop being so naughty~"
Delia sat up from his arms, face burning.
"Today is the day you receive your Pokémon!"
"Quick, quick, quick~ get up!"
Yuuto finally woke up fully.
Today was the day the new Trainers from Pallet Town would set off.
As tradition went, Professor Oak would distribute the starter Pokémon at his laboratory.
"What time is it?"
Yuuto sat up, revealing his lean, powerful upper body.
Delia stole a glance, and her heart rate spiked again.
"It's almost eight! The Professor usually starts at nine. If you're late, the good Pokémon will be taken!"
Delia said urgently, no longer caring about her shyness. She threw off the quilt and tried to get out of bed.
The moment her feet touched the floor, her legs buckled.
She nearly fell.
"Careful."
Yuuto reached out and caught her.
"It's… it's all your fault…"
Delia glared at him with a scarlet face, but her eyes were brimming with affection.
She steadied herself and quickly gathered the scattered clothes from the floor.
Yuuto's pajamas, her nightgown, and… that pair of pink lace panties that had mysteriously vanished last night.
"Get up quickly! I'll go make breakfast!"
Clutching the clothes, she scampered out of the bedroom like a startled deer.
Yuuto stretched lazily, glanced at the changed bedsheets in the corner—now sporting a faint red stain—and smiled with satisfaction.
He got up slowly and began to dress.
The Trainer outfit Delia had prepared for him last night was neatly laid out on the chair.
While buttoning his shirt, Yuuto thought about his next steps.
Familiar with the original plot, his goal was never the three standard starters.
Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle.
They were all excellent, no question.
But Yuuto had a better choice in mind.
So there was no rush.
Yuuto tied his shoelaces. A tall, handsome young man appeared in the mirror.
Over 1.8 meters tall, well-proportioned and powerfully built, with sharp, confident eyes.
Dressed like this, he truly had the aura of a Trainer.
He left the bedroom and headed downstairs to the kitchen.
Delia was already busy.
She had changed into a simple house dress with an apron tied around her waist.
Her long hair was pulled into a casual ponytail, exposing the fair skin of her neck.
A few faint red marks dotted it.
Hearing footsteps, Delia turned around. When she saw Yuuto in his full Trainer outfit, her eyes lit up.
"So handsome~"
The words slipped out before she could stop them. She quickly lowered her head in embarrassment and went back to frying eggs.
"Sit down quickly—breakfast will be ready soon."
Yuuto took a seat at the dining table.
Soon a hearty breakfast appeared in front of him.
Fried eggs, bacon, toast, vegetable salad, and a tall glass of hot milk.
"Eat plenty."
Delia sat across from him, hands on her chin, watching him eat.
Her eyes were filled with tenderness.
Ever since Yuuto had "claimed" her last night, it was as though a certain switch had flipped inside her.
Virtuous Wife Mode: fully activated.
Everything she did now revolved around Yuuto.
"You eat too."
Yuuto pushed the salad toward her.
"I'll eat later. You eat first."
Delia shook her head, continuing to gaze at him.
The more she looked, the more satisfied she felt.
So handsome, so strong, so manly… simply the perfect boyfriend.
No—he was the perfect husband now.
Delia thought happily to herself.
But soon anxiety crept in again.
"Eat faster! You need to get to the lab as soon as possible."
"What if you're late and the good Pokémon are already taken?"
Yuuto ate his toast unhurriedly.
"No rush. Let them pick first."
"Don't you want Charmander? It can evolve all the way into Charizard!"
Delia was genuinely worried.
Though she wasn't a Trainer herself, she knew how powerful and popular Charizard was.
One of Kanto's signature Pokémon.
Yuuto smiled but didn't explain.
Of course he knew Charizard was strong.
But compared to Charizard, he wanted that one far more…
"Alright, I'm done."
Yuuto set down his glass and stood up.
Delia immediately followed.
She walked him all the way to the courtyard gate.
"Be careful on the road. Stay safe."
Yuuto looked at the concerned Delia and suddenly reached out to catch her wrist.
"Aren't you coming with me?"
Delia was stunned for a second, then blushed deeply.
"I won't go. Once you get your Pokémon, you'll set off on your journey. I still have to clean up the… 'mess' you made last night!"
As she spoke, her voice grew smaller and smaller.
"Mopping the floor, washing underwear, washing bedsheets…"
"Um… speaking of which… can those kinds of marks even be washed out…"
By now Delia's face was burning hot.
"Oh dear, oh dear—go get your Pokémon first!"
"I'll tidy up the house and pack our luggage too. We'll meet up later."
She pushed Yuuto gently toward the gate.
But Yuuto pulled her into his arms instead.
He lowered his head and kissed her.
"Mmph…"
Delia made a token struggle before melting completely into him.
The kiss was gentle and lingering.
It wasn't until Delia was nearly out of breath that Yuuto finally released her.
Yuuto ruffled her hair affectionately, then turned and walked toward the edge of town.
Delia stood rooted in place, staring blankly at his retreating figure.
The sensation still tingled on her lips.
Yuuto's warmth still lingered on her body.
She stayed dazed for a full three seconds.
Only when Yuuto was far down the road did she snap out of it.
"Honestly…"
Delia touched her burning cheeks. Her legs unconsciously pressed together as she shifted slightly.
It was still a little sore down there.
But her heart was so sweet it felt ready to overflow.
Humming a cheerful tune, she happily turned back inside to start cleaning.
She had to wash the bedsheets quickly.
And her own underwear… hmm, those pink lace ones definitely needed a careful hand wash…
Yuuto walked along the quiet paths of Pallet Town.
The air after the rain was fresh and clean. Caterpie and Weedle occasionally poked out from the roadside grass.
Pidgey chirped from the treetops.
A scene of perfect peace and harmony.
Yuuto headed toward Professor Oak's Laboratory according to the layout he remembered.
Though he'd never been there before, it wasn't hard to find.
Pallet Town wasn't large.
The lab sat at the edge of town, near the back mountain.
From a distance, Yuuto spotted a sizable building.
White outer walls, blue roof.
A sign hung at the entrance: Oak Laboratory.
It was surrounded by large courtyards and grassy fields, all enclosed by fences.
Many Pokémon could be seen moving about inside.
Nidoran♂, Nidoran♀, Rattata… even a Growlithe patrolling the grounds.
Yuuto walked closer, feeling a touch of emotion.
Samuel Oak.
The Pokémon Professor of the Kanto region.
First-generation League Champion.
Though he had retired from the front lines to focus on research, his strength and prestige remained unshaken.
His connections spanned the entire Pokémon world.
Just look at this laboratory.
In a small place like Pallet Town, to maintain such a large facility and house so many Pokémon—
his background was clearly extraordinary.
And… Yuuto glanced at the wide-open gate and raised an eyebrow.
The laboratory gate was simply left open like that.
Rare Pokémon roaming freely inside.
Yet Professor Oak showed no concern about theft whatsoever.
What kind of confidence was that?
Then again—who would dare steal Pokémon from Professor Oak's lab?
Team Rocket? Pokémon poachers?
They'd probably be targeted by Oak's old friends the moment they set foot in Pallet Town.
Not to mention Oak himself.
Though he now looked like a kindly old man in a white lab coat, spending his days on research,
with no obvious battle Pokémon at his side,
who could guarantee he wouldn't pull out a champion-level Dragonite from under that coat the next second?
The foundation of a first-generation champion was no joke.
Yuuto shook his head and stopped speculating.
He stepped toward the laboratory gate.
Just as Yuuto was about to enter,
a burst of noisy voices suddenly came from the other side.