My Pokemon Turned into Girls?!

"I'm really worried about that kid…" As Ash's figure gradually faded into the distance, the crowd in front of the research institute mostly dispersed, leaving only Kazuki, Hanako, and Professor Oak standing there.

"Don't worry too much, Hanako. Ash may be a bit reckless, but he can take care of himself," Professor Oak stepped forward, patting Hanako's shoulder reassuringly.

"By the way, Kazuki, are you here to pick your starter Pokémon too? Unfortunately, I'm all out of Pokémon here. You'll have to wait until next time…"

"Professor, I'm just out for a walk and thought I'd drop by to see you," Kazuki replied quickly, not showing any sign of being intimidated by the person in front of him.

"Ah, right. I forgot you said you didn't want to be a trainer," Professor Oak chuckled warmly. "Though I've always thought it's a waste of your talent not to become a trainer… but to each their own. I won't push you."

"Huh? Kazuki, you're not going to be a trainer?" Hanako, who had been listening to their conversation, suddenly looked surprised and quickly pressed further. "Why not? Your love for Pokémon shouldn't be any less than anyone else's. Besides, when you were little, you even said…"

"Hanako, sis! There's no need to bring that up!" Kazuki interrupted her hastily, even resorting to calling her "sister" to stop her. After all, this was related to a painful memory from his naive childhood.

The story was quite simple. Everyone probably had a time in their childhood when they needed their parents to tell them stories to fall asleep. In Kazuki's case, it was his father, Genta, who took on this duty. And the story his father told most often, and most vividly, was one about a fox repaying a kindness:

Legend has it that in ancient times, a scholar wandering through the mountains accidentally discovered a Vulpix trapped in a hunter's snare. Moved by compassion, he freed the fox from the trap and spent several days tending to its wounds before releasing it back into the wild. Grateful for his kindness, the fox grew nine tails, shed its fur, and transformed into a human to find the scholar, eventually marrying him and leaving behind a beautiful tale.

This story left a deep impression on young Kazuki. Even after all these years, whenever he recalled this memory, he couldn't help but tear up and lament, "I was so stupid… really… how could I have believed that old man's nonsense back then!"

In any case, inspired by the ancient scholar, young Kazuki volunteered to help out at Professor Oak's research institute in town. Through this opportunity, he also met Professor Oak's grandson, Gary, and Ash, the son of Hanako, who was then the professor's assistant.

Fueled by his belief, young Kazuki endured hardships that even adults would find unbearable. In his eyes, those baby Pokémon weren't just creatures to be fed and cared for—they were his future wives! ( ;-; )

Kazuki's beautiful dream was shattered during a town gathering. When the boy proudly declared in front of countless adults and peers that he would one day find a Pokémon girlfriend, the cold wind, the equally cold and awkward crowd, and his father's face—trying not to laugh—were forever etched into his memory.

No one knows what kind of night Kazuki had after the gathering, when Professor Oak used his lifelong knowledge of Pokémon to explain to the boy that Pokémon couldn't turn into humans. In any case, the next day, everyone who saw Kazuki felt like he had aged several years overnight.

Seeing Kazuki's pained expression as he recalled the memory, Professor Oak couldn't help but shake his head. What a fine young man. It's such a shame, though I did have a good laugh that day…

Suppressing the urge to smile, the professor cleared his throat and pulled out a red device from his pocket, handing it to Kazuki.

"This is a Pokédex. Even if you don't plan to become a trainer, you'll likely travel someday. Consider this a gift for when that time comes."

"Thank you, Professor Oak," Kazuki didn't refuse. Although he had learned a lot from the professor, his knowledge couldn't compare to the collective wisdom and experience stored in the Pokédex. It would definitely come in handy someday.

After chatting for a bit longer, Kazuki bid farewell to the two and headed home.

---

As soon as he reached his doorstep, Kazuki saw his father, Genta, walking toward him with a fishing rod on his back and an empty bamboo basket in hand.

Before the two could exchange a word, the door was flung open, separating father and son with the door panel. A woman with deep purple hair darted out.

At that moment, a strand of hair on her head stood up like some kind of radar, and without even acknowledging her own son, she leaped into the arms of the middle-aged man.

"Honey~ Welcome home!"

Shiya happily nuzzled Genta's cheek, completely unfazed by his prickly beard.

Witnessing his parents' affectionate display, Kazuki felt goosebumps all over. They've been married for so long, yet they're still acting like this? It's so… cringy!

It was strange, though. His parents' relationship was almost unnaturally good. Not only were they always lovey-dovey, but in the past ten years, Kazuki had never seen them argue—not even a single quarrel.

His mother was clumsy and couldn't do anything right, whether it was housework or her job, so everything fell on his father. As a result, Genta was already graying in his middle age (though Kazuki suspected that wasn't the main reason). Was this the result of a hardworking, capable man marrying a ditzy beauty?

Ugh, if my future girlfriend could be as beautiful as my mom, I wouldn't mind doing all the work. But thanks to my bold declaration as a kid, no girls my age want to get near me…

Kazuki had every reason to complain. He inherited his mother's looks and his father's black hair—his conditions were far from bad. It was all because of his stupid father that the girls in town now saw him as a weirdo.

Noticing his son's glare, Genta calmly let go of his wife and ushered everyone inside.

---

"What?! You're not going to be a trainer? Are you serious?"

In the living room, Genta, wide-eyed, was facing off against Kazuki, who was lazily sprawled on the couch. Meanwhile, Shiya leaned against the wall, quietly eating fruit—weak, helpless, but with a big appetite.

"Even the little girl next door set off today to become a trainer. Do you realize you're already falling behind?"

However, seeing his father's beard practically bristling with anger, Kazuki just shook his finger and began a serious analysis.

"Dad, I need to correct a misconception of yours. Being a trainer isn't some glorious career. Do you know how many rookie trainers have left Pallet Town alone? And with so many towns, countless ten-year-olds become trainers every year. They have to go through various tournaments and competitions before they can even qualify to challenge the Pokémon League."

"Forget about becoming the League Champion or one of the Elite Four—those positions hardly change over decades. Even becoming a Gym Leader—how many spots are there? Think about how competitive it is. Pokémon battles aren't a game where you can win just by memorizing type matchups and moves. Raising a strong Pokémon requires an unimaginable amount of resources, and a good trainer needs at least a full team of them, right?"

Kazuki didn't continue, but the look on his face— you know our family's situation, so you figure it out— made Genta immediately understand.

"Then if you're not going to be a trainer, what do you want to do?"

"A Pokémon breeder or researcher," Kazuki answered without hesitation. "Not only is the competition less intense, but I've also worked at Professor Oak's lab. I have the knowledge and connections, so it's like I've got a head start."

"You little rascal always have a bunch of excuses…" Genta let out a heavy sigh. After a moment of silence, he walked back to his room and soon returned with several red-and-white spheres, tossing them to Kazuki.

"Here, five Poké Balls. That should be enough for you."

"Wait, I didn't say I was…" Kazuki tried to protest, but Genta cut him off.

"Not being a trainer is one thing, but even if you want to be a researcher or breeder, you can't just stay home and theorize all day."

Then, he pulled out a map and a letter. "I have an old friend in Cinnabar Island. Go deliver this letter to him. The map has the route I've planned out for you."

Well, if it wasn't about forcing him to be a trainer, Kazuki didn't mind going on a trip. Taking the map and letter, Kazuki frowned slightly as he opened the map.

Great… his father's planned route conveniently passed through every town with a Pokémon Gym. His intentions were obvious.

But Kazuki couldn't be bothered to complain. Passing by a Gym doesn't mean I have to challenge it. What are you going to do, stop me?

"As for your starter Pokémon, no need to trouble Professor Oak." Genta waved his hand, and Hei trotted over, though its four little legs were still trembling, clearly not fully recovered from the morning's events. Genta ruffled the gray fur on its head, a hint of reluctance in his eyes.

"Take Hei with you. It'll save you the trouble of bonding with a new Pokémon. I've also packed your travel gear in my room. Check if there's anything missing, and then you can set off."

Kazuki nodded and went into his father's bedroom. After confirming everything was in order, it was time to say goodbye.

As the sun set, its lingering rays fell on the figures of a boy and a small dog. The boy with a huge backpack and the gray-black puppy gradually disappeared into the distance, but the man's gaze remained fixed on them for a long time.

"Don't worry, dear. Kazuki promised to send us messages from every town he visits. We'll see him again soon," Shiya comforted him, though her shimmering eyes betrayed her own unease.

"Yeah, you're right…" Genta let out a long sigh, straightened his collar, and turned around. "Let's go back. That brat can do whatever he wants! Hmph, a Pokémon researcher? What's so great about that…"