Three million Pokémon Coins? As long as "Plants vs. Zombies" hits the market, it should be easy to make that back.
But compared to these material things, there's no way I can let my Pokémon down!
Once you've caught a Pokémon, you have to take responsibility for them, dammit!
Even though his chuunibyou spirit was burning fiercely, Natsume couldn't help but feel like slapping himself.
Natsume-sensei was vividly demonstrating what it means to bite off more than you can chew.
Who would have thought that the traitor would be Cynthia!
Training Pokémon is one thing, but she even planned out the step of borrowing money...
Was this all part of your calculations?!
Natsume rubbed his temples, gritting his teeth in his heart.
There's absolutely no way there'll be a next time!
I, Natsume-sensei, will never become a Trainer in this lifetime!
"Haunter! o(*≧▽≦)ツ"
Haunter was overjoyed, flying around the room, eagerly rubbing against Cynthia.
Even though I was the one who paid, and I even bought the Dusk Stone for you, how come...
"Ah, and then there's Eevee..."
Cynthia glanced at Eevee, who was napping peacefully with a serene expression. "I suggest you get custom-made training equipment."
"For Eevee's size, it shouldn't cost more than a million Pokémon Coins."
Cynthia tucked a strand of golden hair behind her ear and sighed softly. "It's been training way too hard..."
"Custom equipment can adjust its posture and prevent any long-term damage to its bones."
Natsume-sensei, who had just sworn off being a Trainer, was momentarily stunned as he glanced at Eevee rolling around in its sleep.
"Buy it..." Natsume's heart was bleeding.
"All together, it should come to around five million Pokémon Coins."
Cynthia smiled gently. "It's actually quite cheap."
Natsume's expression was complicated.
Do we have different definitions of "cheap"?
Oh right, for Cynthia, this is probably just the cost of a 6V6 battle...
But the amount she spends on her Pokémon must already be in the hundreds of millions...
Cynthia tossed a card to Natsume, who hurriedly caught it.
Even though five million Pokémon Coins meant nothing to Cynthia, and she didn't even ask for an IOU...
Borrowed money was different, and Natsume still planned to pay it back slowly.
He hadn't even become a Trainer yet, and he was already saddled with a five-million Pokémon Coin debt.
Natsume sighed, feeling utterly drained.
Strategy, it's all about strategy!
"Don't worry, I'll pay you back as soon as possible."
Natsume was confident in the success of "Plants vs. Zombies," so this was more of an early investment.
"No rush," Cynthia said with a smile. "Your Pokémon training is more important right now."
Cynthia wasn't worried about the five million Pokémon Coins.
With his advanced Pokéblock crafting skills and his mastery of Pokémon Contests, would Natsume-sensei really be short on money?
This was just a temporary setback.
Helping Natsume-sensei out brought a slight smile to Cynthia's lips, and she felt rather pleased.
"Repayment date?" Natsume asked.
"Whenever," Cynthia yawned. "Just write whatever."
Natsume's lips twitched.
Why does it feel like you're looking down on five million Pokémon Coins?
I feel like I'm being insulted here!
Complaints aside, Natsume still solemnly wrote out the IOU, made two copies, and handed one to Cynthia.
Cynthia took the IOU, smiled faintly, and said nothing.
From Haunter's excited demeanor, it was clear.
The most attractive moment for a Trainer is when they're spending money.
Even though Eevee was still unaware, from a health perspective, professional training equipment was indeed necessary.
Spending over three million Pokémon Coins to make Haunter happy, and over a million to reduce Eevee's risk of injury...
Clutching the five-million Pokémon Coin IOU, Natsume took a deep breath, feeling a pang of pain:
"This round isn't a loss!"
...
Night gradually fell.
As the city lights came on, a drowsy Eevee opened its eyes from its nap.
In front of it was a fresh bowl of Oran Berry Pokéblocks.
In the distance.
Haunter was holding a printed copy of the "Shadow Ball Training Method" that Natsume had given it, looking deep in thought.
Natsume was curled up on the couch watching TV, while a gentle golden-haired beauty was fully absorbed in playing a game.
The little one shook its head and let out a soft cry.
A month felt like an eternity, as if a whole lifetime had passed.
If this is a dream, please don't let me wake up...
Eevee smiled sweetly, shifted into a more comfortable position, and fell asleep on its Silk Scarf.
Natsume suddenly pulled out a DSLR camera from who-knows-where.
"Eh, really?" Cynthia blinked in surprise.
"Just say a slogan."
"What slogan?"
"'Plants vs. Zombies is so much fun' will do."
"That feels a bit embarrassing," Cynthia said, her cheeks slightly red.
"Then I'll ask you to be the game's spokesperson later."
Cynthia sighed in relief and nodded with a smile.
After the Master League and inexplicably ending up with a five-million Pokémon Coin debt, Natsume was utterly exhausted.
Yawning, Natsume waved his hand. "Let's call it a night."
With that, he picked up Eevee, cradled it in his arms, and nestled into the couch, pulling the blanket over himself.
Cynthia nodded, then suddenly asked, "What are your plans for tomorrow?"
Natsume popped his head out from under the blanket. "Go out?"
"The flight's at 10 PM."
"That works," Natsume smiled. "I know the area pretty well."
"Won't it be too crowded?"
"Then we'll go somewhere less busy," Natsume teased.
"Or, can't you just rent out the whole street?"
Cynthia nodded seriously. "I'll call and see if that's possible."
Natsume's expression turned strange.
Is this how rich people think?
Could she really rent out Tokyo's commercial district?!
...
Tokyo City Pokémon Association.
The fact that Cynthia had invited Natsume to her guest panel had already left President Shoya utterly shocked.
And from the surveillance footage, Natsume had fought a friendly match with Lance and ended up with a draw?
Shoya rubbed his temples, feeling more and more that Natsume's strength was unfathomable.
No wonder he displayed master-level command skills during the Piplup tournament...
"Someone like him actually thought of coming to a rookie event to crush newbies."
Shoya shook his head with a bitter smile. "The world is full of surprises!"
Just then, a call from his secretary made Shoya frown slightly.
"Cynthia? Who's she out shopping with?"
Hearing Natsume's name, Shoya was momentarily stunned before it clicked.
Even if they weren't old friends, judging from the current situation, Cynthia had already spent two days at Natsume's place.
No matter what, Natsume was from the Touran Region, and having him on good terms with Cynthia was definitely beneficial.
"The guy's pretty good-looking too," Shoya mused, stroking his chin. "I wonder... if he could win Cynthia over?"
He had never heard of Cynthia being this close with a member of the opposite sex before.
Shoya tapped his fingers on the desk, then made a call, saying:
"Clear the streets for their outing. If possible, try to get them even closer!"
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