"It's seriously huge..."
At the moment, Satoshi was standing in the school's largest training facility. This place basically gathered the strongest students from across the academy. As a top-ten finisher in the recent cup, he naturally had the qualifications to be here.
However, since cups were held monthly, there were actually quite a few students around. Among them, there were definitely some fillers, or rather, students who earned qualifications from cups that had nothing to do with battling at all.
For instance, this month featured the battle-focused cup—the Afro Buffalo Cup—while next month would host the Gear Cup, specifically for Coordinators and Performers.
Unfortunately, Satoshi had absolutely no interest in performance-type competitions, so he didn't pay much attention.
The number here was around 300 students, with many from the performance and breeding departments, meaning a considerable proportion weren't strong battlers at all.
Still, the range of training equipment gathered here was surprisingly extensive—Power Weights, Power Bracers, Power Belts…
Even the performance department had plenty of stuff: various outfits and frilly skirts…
It made Satoshi feel an unexpected urge to dress up himself and his teammates.
In XY, Sun/Moon, Sword and Shield, he'd spent entire days in stores, changing into nice-looking outfits.
But after enrolling at the academy in Paldea? Good lord, these uniforms were really too much!
Couldn't they at least give some cute or cool clothing? Even Gym Leader outfits like Brassius or Grusha would do!
Why was there nothing?!
Satoshi inwardly vented his frustrations.
As his gaze swept across the performance department's area, he noticed what seemed to be an actual blood-spraying stage prop.
In fact, when he passed by, large amounts of fake blood sprayed onto him, triggering a reflexive reaction from his recent battle with Team Rocket. He instinctively grabbed his Poké Ball.
But a girl with long brown hair suddenly shouted, "Calm down! It's just a stage prop!"
Satoshi gave it a tentative lick—sweet. Ketchup.
Yep, definitely a stage prop…
The performance department was really going way too hard~~
"Your equipment malfunctioned. Shouldn't you compensate for something?"
And it was Soyo who jumped forward to defend him, nearly getting into a fight.
As for why they'd gathered at the large training grounds today? Apparently, there was some big announcement coming.
Frankly, Satoshi couldn't care less. Compared to the boredom of listening to the principal or the board chairman drone on stage, he'd much rather have Pokémon battles with these trainers.
During the previous cup, there had been plenty of trainers he never got the chance to see. Now was the perfect time to check them all out.
First to arrive was the tenth-ranked newcomer—Ave Mujica!
From a duo at the last cup, they'd expanded to a five-member team. All wore masks to hide their identities, and it was said they'd accumulated enough points and achievements to qualify for the upcoming High School Pokémon League.
"Ave Mujica already has five members? They really grew quickly," Satoshi muttered, observing carefully.
Each of them radiated a battle aura surpassing even Anon—definitely not to be underestimated.
Especially the blue-haired and blonde-haired girls—the trainer presence they emitted greatly exceeded Anon's.
Anon: Why am I suddenly a unit of measurement?
"I really wanna battle that blue-haired girl named Ob-something..." Satoshi couldn't help but murmur aloud.
"But that's clearly Saki-chan, isn't it?" Soyo quietly complained, though she chose not to reveal it.
If her boyfriend found out that perverted masked girl was actually Togawa Sakiko, he'd probably invite her straight to a Pokémon "playdate."
To protect her boyfriend's chastity, Soyo absolutely couldn't let that slip!
Why is Satoshi staring right at me...?
So embarrassing!
Under the strange mask, Sakiko's cheeks flushed lightly, and she shyly lowered her head.
"That's Satoshi! Should I go say hi~? We could secretly film a short video together... If I'm seen with the hero who defeated Team Rocket and took down that Garchomp, my video views would definitely skyrocket~"
At this moment, a girl with short purple hair excitedly prepared to run forward—but Sakiko grabbed her collar.
"Don't, Yutenji Nyamu-san! Please refrain! You'll ruin Ave Mujica's worldview! Mind your behavior!"
"O-okay... Understood."
A terrifying aura like some kind of demon radiated from Sakiko, and Yutenji Nyamu shivered, immediately stopping in her tracks.
The school's champion team and friends, the Stage Girls, MYGO, Roselia, μ's, Kessoku Band, Rainbow Wing Student Council, Revival League Alliance, Service Club, Ave Mujica...
Almost everyone from last month's cup was already present. Participants from the previous battle cup had gradually arrived as well.
Like the Rainbow Wing Academy Idol Club, Afterglow, Poppin'Party…
Why were so many team names in Galarian? Oh wait~ our team MYGO is too, never mind then.
Wait, no. At least "MYGO" was simple—it just meant "Let's go!"
[Hey, Sato-babe There are so many girls here. Aren't you gonna flirt with a few? Now's the perfect time for handsome you to charm them and capture their hearts~]
To Furiko's temptation, Satoshi had only one thought:
I feel like… Pokémon battles would be better.
"I really wanna battle," Satoshi said, instinctively pulling out his Poké Ball after seeing so many trainers gathered around.
According to the school's schedule, it seemed there was plenty of free time left. Since that was the case, battling to kill time would definitely be the best choice—and a good way to improve his strength, too.
[Ugh, you battle maniac!]
"Satoshi, how about I help you check which trainers here are the strongest?" Anon timidly suggested, holding her phone shyly.
Ever since she saw Soyo secretly kissing Satoshi two nights ago, Anon hadn't known how to face him.
Soyo, however, had seemed oddly satisfied, even licking her lips afterward.
So shameless!
So improper!
And now Anon…
Wanted to experience it herself!
Did it really taste that good?
Anon's gaze drifted to Satoshi's lips, unconsciously showing a trace of longing, and she felt saliva involuntarily pooling in her throat.
"Mm, I'll leave it to you, Anon. Thanks~" Satoshi accepted her offer with a warm smile.
But unfortunately, Anon wouldn't get that opportunity. Since two days ago, Satoshi's fame had skyrocketed. Even if he didn't actively seek out battles, plenty of trainers now came straight to him.
The surrounding gazes were unusually numerous, making Satoshi feel somewhat uncomfortable.
After all, "the guy who destroyed the Team Rocket base" was now firmly stuck to his identity.
That meant whoever defeated Satoshi would also be seen as capable of fighting Team Rocket.
Many trainers held that idea—but most simply sought the fame, rather than actually wanting to challenge Team Rocket.
"Hey! You're the guy who appeared on TV two days ago, right? Battle me—I wanna see just how strong the trainer who took down Team Rocket members really is!"
A trainer who looked exactly like a typical Bug Catcher stepped forward, holding out a Poké Ball.
"No problem!" Seeing this, Satoshi enthusiastically extended his own Poké Ball without hesitation.
---
bonus chaps
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