Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit

December 9th, Wednesday.

The preliminary rounds of the Inter-School Exchange Tournament had come to an end.

Nearly every viewer who had watched the matches was left in awe of Celadon School's overwhelming dominance.

And the one who shone brightest? None other than Natsume-sensei, who led his team to a crushing victory over Rustboro School.

On one hand, a Instructor's strategy and lineup could determine more than half the outcome of a match.

On the other… this particular Instructor also happened to be terrifyingly strong himself.

He hadn't even needed to warm up before utterly dismantling Rustboro City's Gym Leader…

Talk about slacking off and casually clearing a Gym at the same time!

Night had fallen over Jubilife City.

The iconic screen atop the downtown radio tower replayed the highlights of that morning's duel.

"A shutout—another shutout!" The commentator's voice echoed excitedly. "This is the most one-sided match in recent history!"

Passersby paused to glance up at the footage.

"Celadon School is insane this year."

"Is it because of their new Instructor?"

"That Sylveon was so cute!"

Meanwhile, Natsume-sensei and his three students walked through the streets, heading toward a private villa.

To avoid recognition, Natsume tugged his cap slightly lower.

Suddenly, it hit him.

So this is why Red always adjusts his hat before doing something cool.

This… feels way too intentional!

"Maybe I should get a custom hat too…"

He rubbed his chin, lost in thought.

The temperature difference in Jubilife City was brutal after sundown.

Gladion exhaled a visible breath, glancing back at Wally.

"You good?"

Wally shook his head with a smile. "Still hyped from this morning's match."

"We get to… uh, have another friendly battle tomorrow."

Natsume cleared his throat. "Which school advanced on the other side?"

Giselle checked her phone. "Jubilife School lost… Tomorrow's match is against Striaton City's Trainer Academy."

"Ah." Natsume vaguely recalled the place.

Home to Unova's first Gym, a renowned Trainer Academy, and the sommelier Cilan.

In Black and White 2, Unova's first Gym had relocated to Aspertia City, with Cheren taking over as its Gym Leader.

Much like Roxanne, Cheren had become both a Teacher and Gym Leader at a young age.

Natsume's mood turned complicated.

So I'm here for a Baby Cup and somehow collecting Gym Badges on the side?

At least Erika would be returning tomorrow to take charge as the team's leader.

With her around, the risk of getting backstabbed dropped significantly.

"No big deal." Natsume coughed. "Let's head back—I'm treating you all to late-night snacks!"

Sinnoh, Jubilife City.

The soft glow of a chandelier bathed the room in warm orange light, catching the gold in Cynthia's hair as she lounged on the sofa, absorbed in a book of mythology.

Then—ding-dong—the doorbell rang.

The villa's Butler Indeedee, after receiving permission, gracefully opened the ornate door.

A rush of warmth and a faint, pleasant fragrance greeted Natsume as he stepped inside.

His three students, however, froze at the sight of the lavish interior.

Gladion handled it best—after all, he was the young master of the Aether Foundation.

Wally stammered, "D-Do we need to take off our shoes?"

Natsume chuckled. "Relax. Make yourselves at home."

Giselle's sharp eyes, however, immediately locked onto the pair of sleek black high heels by the shoe rack.

Crack.

She could hear her heart shattering.

"Gengar!" Excited, Gengar darted straight for the living room.

A moment later, the sound of someone standing up reached them.

All three students held their breaths.

Golden hair cascaded over pale shoulders, framing a face both elegant and gentle.

Deep gray eyes shimmered with quiet amusement.

"Welcome," Cynthia said with a soft smile.

For a long moment, none of them could form a coherent sentence.

"Ch-Ch—"

"Cynthia. Sinnoh's Champion." Natsume raised an eyebrow. "You do know her, right?"

Of course they did!

That was exactly why they were speechless!

This was Cynthia, the Sinnoh Champion!

And then—

Gladion's gaze flickered between Natsume and Cynthia.

Ah. It all makes sense now.

With Natsume-sensei's looks… this wasn't surprising.

Crack.

If Giselle's heart had only been fractured before, it was now in pieces.

So… this is the lady of the house.

I never stood a chance.

After three full seconds of mental reboot, Wally was the first to recover.

"Hello, Mrs. Sensei!" He bowed deeply.

Holy—!

Natsume's heart nearly stopped.

Kid, you're playing 4D chess with your life choices!

"Gengar?! ∑(°Д°;)"

Gengar blinked, tilting its head in confusion.

For a brief moment, the golden-haired beauty looked startled—then she simply laughed, waving them in.

"Come in and sit down."

Just a misunderstanding.

Besides, she often hosted Caitlin and others here anyway.

Cynthia remained outwardly calm—until—

"Hello, Mrs. Sensei!" All three students bowed in unison.

"Ahem." Cynthia's gaze immediately sliced toward Natsume.

Did you rehearse this?!

Natsume shrugged.

The kids just see the truth!

With a defeated sigh, Cynthia relented. "There are three guest rooms. Indeedee will show you the way."

"Thank you, Mrs. Sensei!"

"You can just call me Cynthia—"

"Got it, Mrs. Sensei!"

She shook her head, though a faint smile tugged at her lips.

Fine. Whatever.

Giselle had already accepted her total defeat.

At least…

The villa's soundproofing was excellent.

No risk of additional heartbreak tonight.

Wally and Gladion, however, were still trying to decipher Natsume and Cynthia's relationship.

Friends? Didn't seem like it.

Romantic? They weren't that close.

"I've got it!"

On the way to their rooms, Gladion smacked his fist into his palm.

"What?" Wally asked.

"Natsume-sensei is trying to woo his landlord!"

"???"

...

With the three "lightbulbs" settled in their rooms, the living room was quiet again—just Cynthia and Natsume.

Sylveon, no longer wary of Cynthia, nestled comfortably as she gently stroked its fur.

Togepi toddled up to Lucario, waving eagerly.

"Togepi!" (Play with me!)

Play?

Lucario crossed its arms, expression cool.

I have no time for such things.

For the first time in its life, Togepi was rejected.

Its eyes welled up instantly, tears trembling like a dam about to burst.

"TOGEPI DOO-EEEE!!!"

The floodgates opened.

Whoosh— Every pair of eyes in the room locked onto Lucario with lethal intensity.

"Garchomp."

In one swift motion, Garchomp's scythe-like fin pressed against Lucario's throat.

Play. With. It.

Lucario stiffened, then slowly reached down and lifted Togepi into the air.

"Lucario!" (Up you go!)

"Togepi doo-ee~(≧▽≦)"

"They get along so well," Cynthia mused, stretching her legs on the sofa with a smile.

"So do we."

"Not that well."

"How well, then?"

Cynthia tilted her head, pretending to think.

"All-nighters together."

Oh no.

Countered.

"Gaming!" she added, grinning.

"O-Oh…"

"Why do you look so disappointed?"

"No reason." Natsume sighed. "Big match tomorrow. We should rest."

As he stood, he pulled out two Trainer Cards from his pocket.

"Promised you these."

The cards depicted Cynthia, radiant as ever, with Garchomp standing tall beside her like an indomitable warrior.

For a moment, Cynthia just stared—then a brilliant smile lit up her face.

She took one and held it out to him.

"For you."

"You can't just regift something I gave you."

"Take it or leave it." Her voice turned icy.

"Taking it!"

...

The night deepened, the wind gentle outside.

Exhausted, Cynthia had curled up on the sofa, her golden hair spilling over her waist as she breathed softly in sleep.

Natsume closed his book, bemused.

Was my mythology storytelling that boring?

Even asleep, she was breathtaking—like some regal, lazy feline.

After watching for a while, he finally chuckled.

"Lucario, mind helping out?"

"Lucario!" It nodded, moving to carry Cynthia to her room—

Then paused.

Wait. Why am I listening to this guy?!

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