"Rhyperior is unable to battle—Pikachu wins!"
The teacher acting as referee showed a flicker of surprise in his eyes, but still announced the result as it stood.
"No way!" Jiaozi froze, stunned, as she silently recalled her Rhyperior.
"Told you—theory can't decide everything!" Ash walked up to Jiaozi and flashed a huge, toothy grin full of youthful energy.
"Tch." Jiaozi turned away and walked straight toward Natsume.
"Natsume, that Pikachu's tail—what did you do to it!?"
Jiaozi wasn't taking the loss lying down. She was sure that if Natsume hadn't done something to that Pikachu, she would've won!
Natsume stood up, but didn't answer. He just tilted his head up toward the sky.
"Hey! Don't ignore me!" Jiaozi stomped her foot, but just then, a startled shout rang out from above:
"Natsume! I told you not to stir up trouble at my school!!"
Principal Jim descended from the sky, riding a Charizard, landing heavily right in front of Natsume.
His whole body trembled with fury. He raised his cane high and prepared to whack Natsume over the head.
THWACK!
Natsume quickly grabbed Jiaozi by the shoulders and used her head to block the hit.
"Ahhh! Jim, what are you doing!?"
"Oh dear! Miss Jiaozi, my apologies. Enjoying campus life, I hope?" Jim retracted his cane with an apologetic grin, then shot a sharp look at Natsume.
"I didn't do anything—it was her battling," Natsume deflected smoothly, lifting Jiaozi into the air as proof.
Wait... what's that smoke?
Natsume frowned. Only then did he notice a faint wisp of smoke rising from Jiaozi's head.
He flipped her around—her face was beet red.
"What are you staring at!? Put me down!" she yelled.
Natsume let her down and calmly ignored her death glare.
Jim tapped his cane on the ground and looked around cautiously. After making sure Natsume hadn't pulled any other stunts, he finally relaxed.
"Natsume, I've arranged your accommodations. I'll take you there now."
"Can it wait a bit?"
"No."
Jim smiled coldly, placing a firm hand on Natsume's shoulder.
He could hardly wait to lock Natsume down.
Ideally, he'd keep the man in his room until he left the next day. At most, he might blow up one building that way.
"Let's go, everyone!"
Jim turned to Ash and the others, planning to personally escort Natsume to his quarters—but behind him, Jiaozi spoke up:
"Jim, wait a minute!"
"Ah, yes, Miss Jiaozi, what are your instructions?" Jim turned around, giving a subtle look to his assistant: Keep an eye on him.
The assistant nodded nervously, drenched in sweat.
"Ahem—everyone, I'll show you the way from here."
"Whoa, it's a full-blown mansion! Natsume-bro, you really rate!" Ash exclaimed.
"This place is gorgeous! But why aren't there any other buildings around?" Misty wondered aloud.
"Yeah... and it looks like it was just cleaned up too..."
Thankfully, nothing exploded.
Behind them, the assistant wiped the sweat from his brow and quietly left.
The next day.
At the academy gates, early morning.
Natsume had been up early, jogging laps around the school's lake.
By the second lap, a Charizard landed nearby—Jim was riding it, keeping a very close watch.
Fortunately, after a free breakfast at the dining hall, it was time for Natsume and the group to leave.
At the front gate of the Kanto Pokémon Research Academy:
"Thank you for the hospitality, Principal Grandpa!"
Ash and the others bowed politely to Jim in unison.
"Haha, no need for thanks, no need! You three come visit again anytime!" Jim waved, wearing a very relieved smile.
But they didn't get far before stopping in their tracks.
Standing right in front of them was a small, doll-like figure—elegant and refined—with a travel backpack slung over her shoulders.
It was Jiaozi.
"Natsume," she looked at him with bright, eager eyes,
"I want you to be my teacher."
Natsume didn't respond. He simply reached out and grabbed her head like he was palming a volleyball.
Jiaozi: "?"
Rotate—her view shifted, and the academy gates filled her sight.
"Look. Your teacher's right there," Natsume said, pointing at Jim.
The old man seemed to realize something and immediately slammed the school gates shut.
Then he announced loudly:
"Ahem. Due to the damages caused during Miss Jiaozi's battle yesterday, she is hereby expelled!"
"What!? She got expelled for a battle? That's way too harsh!" Misty frowned.
"I'm so sorry, it's my fault. I got you expelled," Ash bowed apologetically to Jiaozi.
"Waaaahhh, that's what I'm saying! Now I've got nowhere to go!" Jiaozi covered her face, looking like she was sobbing.
"She's totally faking it," Brock muttered, leaning in to whisper to Natsume.
"I don't take weak students," Natsume said flatly.
In the next second, Jiaozi's fake sobbing vanished. She looked up at him, eyes full of determination.
"I like obedient, well-behaved students."
"Okay! Then tell me what to do!" Her eyes sparkled with hope at his apparent change in tone.
Natsume turned her around and tugged lightly on her backpack like winding up a toy.
"Then I order you to go back to school and attend your classes properly."
"Natsume!" Jiaozi spun around and fixed him with a cold stare, her expression returning to its usual icy sharpness.
"You're a researcher, right? And according to that old man Jim—you're short on cash, right?"
As she spoke, she pulled out a black credit card emblazoned with a Master Ball symbol.
"My family owns the largest pharmaceutical company in the Kanto region. Here—spend as much as you like!"
Natsume took the black card and tapped it against the back of his phone.
Hmm. Close to a hundred million.
"Whoa! So many zeroes! Natsume, we have to say yes!" Misty's eyes practically sparkled.
"Hmph! How's that!" Jiaozi said smugly, looking at Natsume.
Not even close... He thought. But I might consider a share of your family's company.
"No."
Natsume handed the card back to Jiaozi.
She blinked in disbelief.
"Do you even know how much money's on that card?"
"I do. It's already been transferred to my account."
Jiaozi: "???"
Before she could react, Natsume's expression turned serious. His presence shifted, becoming intense and overwhelming.
"I'll give you one chance." He held up a single finger.
"One month. I'll guide you for one month. If, in that time, you can produce a research report accepted by a top-tier journal—then we'll talk."
"That's impossible!"
Jiaozi puffed her cheeks angrily.
"One month isn't nearly enough!"
"I've already gathered most of the data. You just need to write it."
That made her pause.
"Alright... that's more reasonable."
Then she turned elegantly, and with uncharacteristic grace, gave Natsume a formal bow:
"Professor Natsume—please take care of me."
"…Mm." Natsume reached out and gently patted her on the head