A damp night breeze brushed against his face.
Jubilife City was shrouded in darkness, drizzling with light rain.
Cynthia walked ahead, her silhouette graceful, then turned her fair-skinned profile slightly, tilting her chin.
"Get in."
"This isn't the way to Jubilife City, is it?"
Inside the spacious car, Natsume glanced out the window and asked in surprise.
Cynthia rested one hand atop the steering wheel, tapping her fingertip lightly:
"Mmm... We're heading to Sandgem Town."
Jubilife City was a mountain town built atop mineral veins, its winding roads descending toward a quiet distant town.
Natsume let out an "Oh" and said, "No wonder it's getting more remote..."
"Wait." Natsume paused slightly. "Then where am I staying tonight?"
"My place."
Cynthia kept her eyes on the road, her tone tinged with curiosity. "Unless...?"
"I was planning to rent a hotel for a couple weeks first."
"No need for that hassle." Cynthia smiled. "If it were Jubilife City, I have an apartment there too... It should be enough for you and your Pokémon."
"An apartment might not work..." Natsume coughed dryly. "I'm afraid the neighbors and property management would complain."
"Then stay in Sandgem Town for now..."
Cynthia nodded slightly, glancing at Natsume through the rearview mirror with a faint smile:
"This way, you'll have a place too."
"Since I can't repay you, let me offer myself instead." Natsume said solemnly.
"Dream on."
Cynthia's lips curled, then she added as if suddenly remembering, "Actually, I do have some documents I need your help with..."
Natsume turned and locked eyes with Gengar sitting in the back.
"Wait." Natsume paused slightly. "Then where am I staying tonight?"
"My place."
Cynthia kept her eyes on the road, her tone tinged with curiosity. "Unless...?"
"I was planning to rent a hotel for a couple weeks first."
"No need for that hassle." Cynthia smiled. "If it were Jubilife City, I have an apartment there too... It should be enough for you and your Pokémon."
"An apartment might not work..." Natsume coughed dryly. "I'm afraid the neighbors and property management would complain."
"Then stay in Sandgem Town for now..."
Cynthia nodded slightly, glancing at Natsume through the rearview mirror with a faint smile:
"This way, you'll have a place too."
"I have nothing to repay you for, so please allow me to repay you with my body." Natsume said seriously.
"Dream on."
Cynthia's lips curled, then she added as if suddenly remembering, "Actually, I do have some documents I need your help with..."
Natsume turned and locked eyes with Gengar sitting in the back.
"Gengar?"
"Gengar, what do you think?"
"Gengar!" Gengar grinned, flashing a thumbs-up.
"Alright."
Natsume turned back and declared loudly:
"I'll reluctantly help you translate those documents!"
"Much appreciated." Cynthia smiled softly.
"If you're grateful, then offer yourself instead."
"No."
"Then... I guess I'll have to offer myself?"
"Do I really have to pick between these two...?" Cynthia sighed helplessly.
"GARCHOMP!!"
From the back seat, the previously silent Garchomp suddenly roared.
The black car speeding through the rainy night gradually melted into the darkness.
...
Sandgem Town, located in the outskirts near Jubilife City, was a coastal town famous for its beaches.
Professor Rowan, who specialized in Evolution research, had his institute stationed there.
Natsume rubbed his chin.
Memories surfaced of Professor Rowan personally inviting him.
"Never thought I'd end up in Sinnoh after all this time…"
Natsume mused.
But just as he'd told Ash—
In the Sinnoh Region, he might encounter new life and weave a fresh story…
Under the thick night sky, the trees lining the road blurred past.
Cynthia's villa stood not far from the shore.
As the car pulled through the gates, a dew-speckled lawn came into view.
"Could probably grow Energy Roots here… maybe even Revival Herbs." Natsume muttered.
"Hm?"
"If the lawn gets unruly, Rotom can handle it." Natsume said offhandedly.
The napping Rotom Pokédex jolted awake.
"I'm just a Pokédex, Rotom! Σ(°△°|||)︴"
"This pressure's too much~o(╥﹏╥)o"
Thud—
Closing the car door, the two-story villa loomed ahead.
"From the second-floor balcony, you can see Sandgem Beach."
Cynthia paused, then added: "When it's quiet, you hear the palms rustling."
"Sounds romantic."
"That's why I'm often here."
Cynthia smiled. "It's also close to Professor Rowan's lab. Convenient for research."
"Being Champion keeps you busy, huh…" Natsume remarked.
Cynthia sighed softly, fingers against her temple. "League duties mean crossing Mount Coronet to Sunyshore City."
"Round trips take days… so I leave minor tasks to Lucian."
"And the important ones?"
Feigning solemnity, Cynthia said: "Critical matters are handled personally by the Pokémon League Chairman."
"Classic you."
"Oh, stop." She chuckled.
Natsume studied the villa.
Smaller than his Kanto one, but clearly high-end.
The rooftop sported parasols—hot springs or a pool, perhaps.
Suddenly,
he found himself anticipating Cynthia's swimwear.
"Decision fatigue? Easy—I'll pick for her."
Click—
"Come in."
Cynthia pushed the door open, warm light spilling out.
Then, as if realizing something, her cheeks pinkened.
"Um…"
Natsume scanned the living room's chaos:
Books piled haphazardly, crumpled drafts, toppled coffee cans.
"Wait outside a moment…"
Cynthia whispered, flushed. "Let me clean up first."
Buried in research, she'd asked her butler not to disturb.
Only now, fetching Natsume from the airport, did she notice the mess.
"No need for that."
Natsume tossed a Poké Ball: "Gengar, Rotom—assist!"
"Gengar!" Its eyes lit up at the disaster zone.
Perfect for practicing Double Team!
Poof! Multiple Gengars materialized, dusting and scrubbing in unison.
"Careful with the papers and books!" Natsume called.
"Gengar!" Psychic energy levitated the tomes into neat stacks.
"Ready to clean, Rotom—"
Rotom's mop-drone form was promptly kicked aside by Gengar.
It flopped over, defeated.
"Beep…System Overload, Rotom! o(TヘTo)"
Cynthia tilted her head, intrigued.
"Maybe I should train Lucario in housework…"
"What?"
Shaking her head, she admired the tidied room and gasped:
"I still need to prepare your bedroom!"
"Don't bother. We can share."
"Then you're on the sofa." Cynthia grinned.
Natsume feigned distress: "I'm traditional, but if you insist—"
"Catch!"
"Huh?"
A heavy book sailed toward him, a slip of paper fluttering out.
With reflexes worthy of a "Super Tokyoite," he snatched both.
The paper bore strange symbols.
"Legends of Palkia and Dialga?"
"Seems so."
Cynthia nodded with a smile. "These are rubbings from a Plate recently unearthed in Eterna City."
"So tonight's job is translating these?" Natsume waved the paper.
"Mhm..."
If deciphered... Cynthia's gaze shimmered.
This could even win gold at this year's Research Conference.
Not that she needed the accolade herself.
But with Natsume's expertise, he could easily become a leading professor in Ancient Language studies.
This conference might be his perfect opportunity.
As a collaborative project,
her mythology research would now permanently bear a second name...
"Done."
In what seemed like seconds, Natsume slid the translated notes across the coffee table.
Cynthia snapped back to reality, eyes widening. "You didn't even... consult reference materials or other Plates?"
"Just needed hands."
Natsume cleared his throat. "Can't guarantee accuracy though—"
Her eyes danced across the text, alight with realization.
His modesty was clearly false.
More importantly—
these translations solved research hurdles that had stumped her for days.
"What would you like to eat?"
Cynthia rose, beaming. "I'll whip up some midnight snacks!"
Natsume froze. Beside him, Gengar mirrored his horrified expression.
"Gengar! Σ(°△°|||)︴"
"Don't move—leave this to the professionals!"
--------------------------------------
Enjoying the story? Get early access to 420+ Advanced Chapters!
👉 Support now: patreon.com/PokemonStoryWeaver
--------------------------------------