If looks could kill, Lu Ye would have been struck down by the security guard a dozen times already. Cynthia's striking golden hair drew endless attention on the street.
Given her tall figure, walking beside Lu Teacher, who was over 1.8 meters tall, they naturally turned heads.
“How did you usually go out before?” Lu Ye asked Cynthia, who was wearing sunglasses.
“I’d rent out the street,” Cynthia frowned, “or buy a whole street just for shopping.”
“Sorry for bothering you.”
When Cynthia arrived in the Donghuang Alliance, she was supposed to be welcomed and escorted by Pokémon Association officials. But she disliked such formality, and since Lu Teacher happened to be in Modu City, she had him pick her up instead.
“Shall we ride a Flying-type Pokémon?” Cynthia asked curiously by the roadside.
“No, we’ll take a taxi.”
Cynthia assumed Lu Ye didn’t have a flying Pokémon. “I could give you a lift.”
Flying openly in Modu City? That would end badly!
Cynthia nodded thoughtfully. “I almost forgot Modu has airspace control.”
“No, you can fly along Mt. Coronet and the Silver Mountains all the way to Kanto.”
“That sounds nice.” Lu Ye was intrigued. “Saves on airfare!”
Cynthia smiled faintly.
What she didn’t say was:
She didn’t need plane tickets—she had her own private jet.
Lu Ye called the driver who had given him a business card earlier. The driver thought Lu Ye was trying to skip town and rushed over, only to be stunned by the scene before him.
That was the only word to describe the driver’s expression.
Cynthia, her Chinese not very fluent, gazed quietly out the window, gently stroking the napping Eevee. Strands of her golden hair brushed against Lu Ye’s hand.
The driver asked, “Foreigner?”
The driver grew melancholic. “Being from different countries isn’t the problem! If you can’t hold onto love, you can’t even hold a Poké Ball!”
Every driver had countless stories. But just as he slapped the steering wheel, ready to pour his heart out, they arrived at their destination.
“Ah...” The driver looked disappointed.
“There’ll be another chance,” Lu Ye patted his shoulder.
As they drove off, the driver shouted, tears in his eyes, “You two be happy!”
“What did he say?” Cynthia asked.
“In Donghuang, you don’t usually tip. You tipped too much.”
“I’ll get reimbursed later.”
The area was shaded and quiet, but the buildings were old—a vintage neighborhood.
“You live here?” Cynthia looked around.
“‘Hidden in plain sight.’ Professor Yamana mentioned that saying to me.”
“If that’s how you want to see it, I can’t stop you...”
Haunter eagerly phased a hand through the door to unlock it. Cynthia stepped into Lu Ye’s home.
Lu Ye glanced at her high heels, a hint of regret in his voice. “No need.”
To diagnose Eevee’s stress reaction, Cynthia first ruled out environmental factors. She had just scanned the area and saw no Eevee predators nearby.
In fact, Eevee’s omnivorous nature meant it was the native Pokémon that should be worried.
“Don’t worry, it’ll be fine soon.”
Cynthia took a portable stethoscope from her bag and placed it on Eevee’s chest. The little one blushed, clearly unhappy about lying down.
You never let me touch your belly. But now that she’s here, you’re okay with it?
“Lu Teacher, I’ll leave my other Pokémon with you for now.”
“Oh... huh? What Pokémon?”
Lu Ye was confused until realization hit—and his face paled.
Red light flashed, and suddenly, the narrow living room was full.
Garchomp, eyes crimson and brimming with menace.
Lucario, arms crossed and gaze icy.
The two imposing Pokémon flanked Lu Ye, scrutinizing him with judgmental eyes.
“Gengarrr?! Σ(°△°|||)”
Haunter looked terrified.
These two big bosses look tough! What do we do? My trainer’s about to be eaten—help, urgent!
But Lu Ye was somewhat prepared. After a moment of hesitation, he took a jar of shimmering, jewel-like Pokéblocks from the cabinet. Carefully moving the scythe inches from his face, he wiped his cold sweat. “Want some candy, big guys?”
Garchomp and Lucario exchanged glances.
Then, with stiff necks, they both nodded.
“Well-behaved,” Cynthia said with a smile, brushing her golden hair back as she petted Eevee on her lap.
Eevee wagged its tail, then decided against it and buried its head between Cynthia’s knees.
“It’s very healthy. Its Anticipation ability even boosts its reflexes.”
Cynthia spoke softly, “You’ve trained it well...”
Even Cynthia couldn’t immediately gauge Lu Teacher’s skill. Tactically, he was on par with her. His Pokémon were weak, but his nurturing and training techniques were top-notch.
His methods for raising Haunter were reminiscent of Grandma Agatha’s. And Eevee bore a subtle resemblance to Red’s Espeon.
Considering Lu Ye’s disinterest in being a Trainer...
“Interesting,” Cynthia smiled.
As she pushed back her hair, she finally noticed her Pokémon acting strangely.
Garchomp, usually aloof, was laughing alongside Haunter, its image in tatters.
Lucario, usually icy, was shoveling Pokéblocks into its mouth at lightning speed.
In no time, the jar was empty.
I buy you Pokéblocks all the time, and you never enjoy them this much!
Gastrodon, slimy and stubborn, crawled along the ceiling. Lu Ye screamed, “No! I just painted that!”
Gastrodon gave him a disdainful look and kept going, leaving deep corrosion marks on the wall.
Lu Ye could almost hear his wallet shrinking.
“It’s fine... I’ll reimburse you,” Cynthia said, kneeling to pick up fallen Pokéblocks.
The gleaming Oran Berry Blocks looked like blue gems, shimmering in the light.
A flicker of surprise crossed Cynthia’s eyes. “Perfect-quality... Pokéblocks?”