Natsume sat on the couch, his head in his hands.
He looked utterly dejected, as if he had just watched a house with wings fly away.
Green's suggestion had only added to the financial strain on his already struggling household.
Natsume let out a long sigh.
"With just three Pokémon, we're already barely scraping by..."
"If I were a real Trainer, wouldn't I be completely ruined?"
It was impossible not to feel conflicted.
The sheer cost of being a Trainer was evident.
But Squirtle, like Eevee and Haunter, had already become a part of the family.
If he turned a blind eye... Natsume would feel guilty toward Squirtle.
Besides.
If Natsume-sensei worked hard and earned enough money, he could eventually pay off the debt...
Natsume took a deep breath, his confidence surging once more.
"It's just another million Pokémon Coins," Natsume said with a cold laugh.
"I refuse to believe that with so many games to draw inspiration from, I can't pay off a measly six million Pokémon Coins!"
Natsume thought of Red's Snorlax, which cost 200W Pokémon Coins a month to maintain, and felt a slight sense of relief.
If he thought about it that way... it almost seemed like a small win?
"Thank goodness I'm not a Trainer."
Natsume nodded optimistically. "If I take it slow... I can definitely climb out of this financial hole!"
...
Natsume made a quick call to Wilds Group.
The last time he had custom-ordered Eevee's Power Anklet, he had spent over a million Pokémon Coins and received a lifetime VIP card in return.
With the VIP installment plan, the down payment was only 10W Pokémon Coins.
Gritting his teeth, Natsume used the money he had earned from playing games with Cynthia last night to cover the down payment.
"Next month, I should have some income from the game," Natsume muttered.
"Why do I feel like... this is a one-way road?"
That afternoon, a delivery company arrived at Natsume's house with the items.
Accompanying them was a well-dressed manager, who said respectfully:
"You have a great eye. Only seasoned Trainers come to us for orders!"
Natsume was taken aback.
"This is only my second time..."
"Where there's a second time, there's bound to be a third," the manager said cheerfully.
"You have the look of a champion, destined for greatness."
"Next time you order from us, I'll give you a 10% discount!"
Natsume immediately shut the door. "Haunter, see them out!"
The manager, left standing outside, continued to call out:
"I can give you 20% off! Let's talk this over!"
Natsume clenched his teeth as he placed the package on the coffee table.
"There won't be a next time... I swear on Eevee's running wheel!"
"Eevee?!"
Eevee jumped up, trying to bump Natsume's knee, but Natsume easily grabbed it by the scruff of its neck.
"Nice try," Natsume said with a smug grin. "You're still too green!"
"Eevee! (〃＞皿＜)"
Seeing Natsume with another package, Haunter floated over, drawn by the scent.
"Haunter! （ˉ﹃ˉ）"
Squirtle also approached.
Although it felt like it was too new to the family to be the recipient, Squirtle still looked on with curiosity.
"Don't just stare, it's for you," Natsume said to Squirtle.
"Squirtle?!" Squirtle was stunned.
"Your big brother and big sister already have theirs. This time, it's your turn."
Natsume unwrapped the package, and a cool mist rose from the exquisite wooden box.
Inside was a small glass vial containing 5ml of Mystic Water, shimmering with a beautiful, watery glow.
It was said that naturally formed, solid-state Mystic Water was even more expensive, starting at six figures.
Natsume couldn't help but shiver.
The remaining items included powdered Water Stone and Water Gems to improve water quality.
All of them would significantly benefit Squirtle's growth.
"Squirtle..."
Squirtle's eyes widened, unsure of how to react.
"Haunter!" Haunter chuckled, nudging Squirtle forward.
Squirtle looked up at Natsume, hesitated for a moment, and then scratched its head sheepishly.
"Squirtle? (????ω????)?"
A goofy, blushing expression appeared on its face.
Natsume smiled softly.
Forming bonds with Pokémon was all about meeting their expectations, after all.
Haunter's Dusk Stone, Eevee's Power Anklet... it was the same.
They were all family, and Squirtle deserved no less.
Even if it meant stretching himself thin...
It was just six million Pokémon Coins, right?
Natsume-sensei could handle it!
"With these, hopefully, it'll stay quietly in the tank at night..."
Natsume muttered to himself. "I really went all out for this!"
Squirtle's eyes grew moist.
Even at the Tokyo Metropolitan University Pokémon Day Care, it had never felt this kind of warmth.
Even though Eevee kept beating it up...
Squirtle knew it was to help it learn Iron Defense faster.
And Haunter... it was teaching Squirtle to be cautious in a dangerous world.
Though the Trainer seemed stingy at times, he had bought such precious items for it...
"Squirtle! /(ㄒoㄒ)/~~"
I'll work hard too!
...
Natsume poured the Mystic Water into the tank and scattered the Water Gems at the bottom.
The water shimmered, resembling the colorful stones at the bottom of an aquarium.
Admittedly, what was once a plain rectangular tank now looked more and more like a proper fish tank...
Squirtle cautiously circled the tank twice, testing the water temperature with its paw.
Then it flipped over the edge and submerged itself in the clear liquid, immediately closing its eyes in contentment.
"Squirtle! (o???)"
Blowing a few bubbles, Squirtle withdrew into its shell and slowly sank to the bottom of the tank.
This is so comfortable!
According to Green, this formula could enhance Squirtle's Water-type affinity, thereby increasing the power of its Water-type moves.
But that was secondary.
What mattered more was that it also helped with Squirtle's recovery from injuries.
Tapping the tank gently, Natsume said softly:
"Getting stronger is important, but getting hurt isn't worth it."
Squirtle's drive to improve was slightly different from Eevee's and Haunter's.
Haunter had a strong sense of self-discipline.
Eevee was motivated by its desire to Return.
Squirtle, with its careful nature and severe paranoia, sought to constantly increase its strength.
This might have been due to the competitive environment at the Tokyo Metropolitan University Pokémon Day Care...
But for Natsume, in this new environment, Squirtle didn't need to be so cautious anymore.
"With me around, no one will bully you," Natsume said with a smile.
"Just do what you want to do!"
Squirtle poked its head out of its shell, pressing its face against the glass of the tank and blowing a stream of bubbles.
"Squirtle ヾ(?■_■)"
Squirtle nodded seriously.
The reason it had chosen to follow Natsume was because Natsume had recognized its strength.
This was a debt of gratitude.
To fulfill its value for Natsume was what Squirtle truly wanted to do.
Even though the outside world was dangerous...
As long as I play it safe, I can definitely achieve my Trainer's dreams!
The aura of Natsume's sincere emotions reached Squirtle.
Squirtle narrowed its eyes, a glint of determination flashing within.
Your grand ambitions... I'll make them a reality with my own hands!
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