Sinnoh League, Canalave City.
Cynthia finished her work and lazily propped her chin with one hand, glancing at the schedule on her tablet.
"The thesis is done," Cynthia murmured to herself. "Next is attending the exhibition in Canalave City..."
Given Cynthia's additional identity as a mythology scholar, the Sinnoh League had proactively granted their Champion a three-day break during the academic summit.
Considering Grandma Bertha's advanced age, Flint and Aaron's playful nature, the most mature and reliable option among the Elite Four was the Psychic-type specialist Aaron.
The higher-ups had decided: after this rotation, they would definitely give Aaron a long vacation. Definitely!
Her slender fingers retrieved her phone as Cynthia looked at the screen, an unconscious smile appearing. Then she answered the call, adopting a serious tone: "The exhibition in Canalave City is next week. Don't be late."
"I might have a stomachache that day," Lu Ye said.
Cynthia's voice softened, familiar with Lu Ye's chronic condition, and she gently advised: "The academic exhibition only lasts three days... Avoid spicy food starting today, adjust your sleep schedule. I'll supervise you from today onward."
A sinister chuckle and eerie chill seemed to come from behind.
Lu Ye turned his head but saw nothing unusual. With a strange expression, he looked down to find Haunter peering up at him from within his shadow, blinking innocently.
"The traitor was Haunter all along!" Lu Ye pushed Haunter back into the shadow.
"Gengarrr~blub blub~" Haunter made drowning sounds, blowing bubbles as it slowly sank into the darkness...
"Haunter will supervise for me," Cynthia said cheerfully. "You have a whole week to recover. You'll definitely make it to the exhibition."
"Can I not go?" Lu Ye asked.
"No," Cynthia said firmly. "Because this is our joint achievement."
Silence fell between them, the atmosphere turning slightly ambiguous.
"Don't get any weird ideas," Cynthia said with a gentle smile that carried an icy undertone.
"Understood, I'll definitely be there!" Lu Ye thumped his chest emphatically.
Cynthia remained silent for a moment before quickly saying, "I-I'm hanging up now."
As the dial tone sounded, Lu Ye muttered, "After all this time together, she's still getting shy with me..."
"Weren't you drowning just now? How are you alive again?"
Haunter froze, then quickly closed its eyes and stuck out its tongue, playing dead: "Gengarrr~(✖_✖)"
Lu Ye ignored it, but Togepi came wobbling out, waving a Revival Root in its tiny hands:
"Togi togi~ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ"
Instantly, cold sweat broke out on Blastoise's forehead.
It pushed its sunglasses up, looking nervously toward the yard:
Gone! The Revival Root in the yard had been dug up!
The dejected Blastoise glanced at Togepi before squatting in a corner to draw circles in the dirt.
Maybe next time I should reinforce the yard with a fence...
Lu Ye comfortingly patted the turtle's shell, looking at the utterly defeated Blastoise: "We'll just replant it. I'll order you a Psyduck-shaped watering can online."
Blastoise turned to check its shell, confirming no cracks, then nodded solemnly.
The academic summit was next week.
Last year when Teacher Lu attended, he was just an ordinary finance student.
Aside from being handsome, an exceptional cook, witty, and having extraordinary charm... he didn't have many other virtues.
This time he'd be teaming up with Mengmengda, mainly playing a supporting role.
But it would be good to see old friends like Bill, Professor Oak, and Sonia... could treat it as a spring outing or team-building trip.
After finalizing his plans,
Teacher Lu went to the post office to pick up a package, while Haunter and Blastoise went out together.
"Gengarrr!(￣▽￣)／" (We're going to Professor Rowan's backyard!)
"Alright, be back for dinner."
Lu Ye paused, then added: "Take Ducklett with you. It's lonely staying home alone."
Sirfetch'd lay sprawled on the couch surrounded by chips and soda, watching dramas with Togepi.
In mid-chuckle, Sirfetch'd looked up confused as Blastoise approached with a serious expression.
Then Blastoise hoisted Sirfetch'd onto its shoulder, heading toward the research institute.
"Blas blas...ヾ(⌐■_■)"
Truly the Leek Mentor, keeping up with the team despite being a homebody.
I need to work harder too!
"Quack!(´థ౪థ)σ" Sirfetch'd waved its leek wildly while wriggling on Blastoise's shoulder.
Let go~ The detective was just about to reveal the killer!
This is too hard for a duck~!
Meanwhile, Teacher Lu rode his sturdy Arcanine on a leisurely stroll through town.
Arcanine trotted down a cherry blossom-lined path, sniffing at the hanging branches.
After a sneeze, it grinned dopily, happily strolling through the dappled shade.
"In the heart of a tiger, one finds the scent of roses," Lu Ye declared.
"Arf?(O_o)??" Arcanine tilted its big head.
"Means we should pick some petals to make sakura mochi later."
At the post office, a line of Delibirds stood holding a meeting, all turning to stare.
A crowd of Delibirds: (⊙ˍ⊙)
Lu Ye pointed at one: "I know you! You're the one who delivered my badges!"
The Delibird instinctively covered its forehead: "Deli!(ಥ﹏ಥ)"
It's him! The man with the painful forehead flicks!
"You're in a meeting today? No wonder you couldn't deliver to my place."
Lu Ye didn't dwell on it, retrieving his package cheerfully:
"Next time you come by, I'll treat you to something good."
The Delibird glanced at Arcanine's bared teeth and shook its head like a rattle:
I quit! No more deliveries! I resign!
The package contained a 'Choice Set' sent by Mallow—luxury items that enhanced battle performance.
Carrying the bag with flaxen-maned Arcanine beside him, Lu Ye walked slowly through the falling cherry blossoms.
"Arf!" Arcanine gazed up at the drifting petals, its normally fierce face full of tenderness.
Lu Ye admired the blossoms too, though his mind was on dinner's sakura mochi.
The warm spring sun coaxed a hidden Cherubi to peek at the handsome trainer from the branches, its leaves involuntarily closing as it blushed.
A sudden noise shattered the peaceful moment.
Lu Ye looked toward Professor Rowan's backyard.
Overlapping mountains framed a sky now thick with storm clouds, lightning flickering between them as if preparing for a downpour.
Lu Ye glanced at the sunny sky overhead, muttering: "Must be sunshowers..."
"Better get home to take in the laundry... cook dinner, challenge A-Jin, then start streaming!"
He patted Arcanine's mane and shouted:
"Charge ahead! Charge ahead!"
A flash of fiery red streaked down the blossom-lined path, stirring up a pink whirlwind.
As gentle sunlight returned, the Cherubis basked once more, peace restored...
Evening fell as Haunter and Blastoise returned home, followed by a sulky Sirfetch'd trailing behind like an aggrieved wife.
"Quack!(´థ౪థ)σ" Sirfetch'd was still traumatized.
Holy duck! That massive storm cloud was summoned by Blastoise?!
And you call this a slacker team?!
Too hard for a duck~!
Lu Ye asked Haunter: "How was training?"
"Gengarrr!(￣▽￣)／" Haunter waved its tiny hands with a toothy grin.
Lu Ye nodded slightly, deep in thought.
Did I just see construction trucks heading toward the research institute?
Hmm... probably unrelated to me.
After washing and pickling the collected petals, Lu Ye made sakura mochi with red bean paste, placing them in Rotom (Oven Form).
When the timer sounded, Lu Ye donned mitts to retrieve the steaming tray.
The aroma filled the room, making the little ones drool: （¯﹃¯）
Plated and arranged on the table,
the Pokémon gathered around, staring motionlessly at the beautiful treats.
Lu Ye asked curiously: "Why aren't you eating?"
"Gengarrr~ﾍ(; ´Д｀ﾍ)" Haunter teared up, unable to bring itself to ruin such pretty mochi.
"Arf!(ㄒoㄒ)" Arcanine shook its head,
"Too beautiful to eat, Rotom! o(TヘTo)"
Lu Ye shrugged: "What's wrong with you all... I'll try first!"
He picked up a warm mochi and took a big bite: (￣～￣) chew!
The others gulped audibly.
Suddenly, a pink ribbon sneaked under the table, swiping a mochi.
Lu Ye looked under the table to find Sylveon with its back turned, glancing guiltily over its shoulder:
"Good?" Lu Ye asked with a smile.