Chapter 0820: No One Really Likes Being Alone—We Just Don’t Like Disappointment(Two-in-One)

When everyone woke up, their faces were painted with Jigglypuff’s trademark doodles.

Gengar’s chubby cheeks had thick black circles drawn on them. Drowsy-eyed, he made eye contact with Natsume. “Gengar?”

Natsume let out a cheerful laugh, the heaviness of impending departure lifting a bit from his heart.

“It really was Jigglypuff, huh?” Ash squatted beside Jigglypuff, poking at her pink, round cheek.

Jigglypuff, busy excitedly holding Komala’s little hand—thrilled to have made a new friend—puffed up her cheeks at Ash’s obtuse interruption, looking like an angry red balloon. “Jigglypuff! ?(`^′)”

But since she’d crashed the party uninvited this time, Jigglypuff deflated, glancing sideways at Ash and then closing her eyes with a sulky sigh. “Puff…”

“All right, Jigglypuff, apologize to everyone and then let’s have some cake!” Mallow said, holding out a plate.

“If you don’t say sorry, you’re not getting any dessert,” Lana added, dead serious.

“Did she get upset because no one invited her to the party?” Lillie whispered.

“Probably,” Ash scratched his head. “Even Bewear got an invite… but this guy just pops up out of nowhere. Still, she started it.”

“She just wanted to make friends,” Kiawe’s eyes softened, “and…she’s kinda adorable.”

“Ew,” Sophocles shot Kiawe a weird look.

“What, boys aren’t allowed to think Jigglypuff is cute?” Kiawe shot back.

Jigglypuff made a brave effort to ignore the luxurious Poffin’s delicious aroma and glanced first at Komala, then at all the Trainers gathered there.

Natsume tried to look stern, but deep down he felt a stab of empathy.

Jigglypuff had finally found someone who would listen—Komala. Here in Alola, she’d fulfilled her lifelong wish.

“Jigglypuff!” Jigglypuff gave a sincere bow.

The students shared a smile as Mallow said brightly, “These Poffins got cold…I’ll whip up another batch just for you!”

Jigglypuff’s eyes lit up, and she nodded excitedly. “Jigglypuff! (≧▽≦)?”

……

After the party—

“Jigglypuff~o(*≧▽≦)ツ”

Jigglypuff puffed out her cheeks and let the sea breeze sweep her away, vanishing down the moonlit coastline like a rolling tumbleweed.

The students waved after her, smiling. She had her own life—restless, free, a happy wanderer.

Sometimes she’d drop in for hijinks with Team Rocket or Ash’s group; other days, she’d show up at Natsume’s café, performing for an audience that never quite gave the applause she hoped for.

Natsume thought Jigglypuff’s personality must be “afraid of loneliness”—people who fear loneliness only get used to being alone because they’re even more afraid of disappointment.

No one really likes being alone. We just don’t like being let down.

He had no desire to catch Jigglypuff. Just giving her a place to land was enough.

A little tipsy, Natsume wandered down the breezy evening beach, hands in his pockets, saying goodbye to friends as he went. Moonlight shimmered over the endless sea, palm trees whispered in the wind, and the cries of Noctowl drifted through the night. Behind him trailed a swaggering Gengar, an elegant Sylveon, and a wary Blastoise…

Before he realized it, the familiar beach was gone, replaced by a completely unfamiliar stretch of shore. He must have gotten lost.

It was a breathtaking bay.

The moon hung low over the waves, casting a silver veil over the water. Foam lapped at the cliffs, and little flying fish leapt through the moonlight before splashing back down.

Alola’s famous Kala’e Bay.

Even though he’d lived above these cliffs for three months, it was his first time seeing it—accidentally, after getting lost.

Natsume gazed at the moon, cool sea breeze bringing him fully awake, his shirt a little thin for the night air. Suddenly, warmth pressed against his side.

He looked over—Arcanine’s broad frame stood like a lion shielding him from the wind. Its mane danced on the breeze as it turned towards him and bared its teeth in a gentle grin. “Arcanine!”

A cool touch on his right hand—he looked down to see Sylveon’s ribbons twining gently around his arm, though the little one stared out over the waves, blue Baby-Doll Eyes quietly watching the sea. “Sylveon…”

“Gengar! (*⊙~⊙)” Gengar hovered overhead, munching noisily from a giant bag of chips.

Tyranitar’s face blanched in horror. “Banji…”

That’s the bag of chips I stashed in my backpack before we left!

Tyranitar glowered and squatted on the sand, sulking as he built little castles.

Waaah—I’m gonna chug all of Gengar’s cola out of the fridge while he’s not looking…

Suddenly, one silhouette rose up and soared from his side.

Kartana raised his blade up to the silver moon, then glanced at Natsume and nodded silently.

Then he drew his sword and sliced a sliver of light, opening a tiny Ultra Wormhole in the sky.

Kartana shot up and disappeared into it, his glow fading from view.

I will always remember what happened in Alola.

I’ll keep fighting for the bond between humans and Ultra Beasts.

“Sirfetch’d…” Sirfetch’d stood dazed.

He left.

A partner he’d trained, sliced cabbage with, snuck bites of Natsume’s cooking with—gone.

The breeze ruffled the pale feathers of Sirfetch’d, his proud brow furrowed in thought.

Whether you’re a Pokémon from Earth or an Ultra Beast from space…

Everyone is doing their best, huh…

Even Arcanine—who always seemed to get blasted—earned his legendary moment.

So what about me…?

But Sirfetch’d quickly shook off the thought.

Nope, too risky!

Besides, the stronger the team gets, the easier it is for me to slack off…

Natsume interrupted Sirfetch’d’s musing. “Once we get back, it’s time to train—we’ve got to prepare for the World Championship!”

Immediately, the night filled with wailing: Sirfetch’d screeched, Victini set off fireworks, Meloetta burst into song.

Sirfetch’d clutched his leek in despair. “Sirfetch’d! (′︿‵)”

This is way too much… You’re rolling my leek in pancakes now!

Natsume: “Best performers get a special bonus—maybe a Galar leek, fresh from the source.”

“Sylveon~” Sylveon shot Natsume a suspicious glance.

Yeah, right. The chef is just looking for higher-quality ingredients!

Sirfetch’d perked up, grateful. “Sirfetch’d!( -'`-)”

Hey, thanks, Trainer!

……

April 18th, Monday.

With Ultra Necrozma gone, peace returned to Alola.

Exeggutor stretched its long neck in the sun; Drampa gently played with children; Passimian shot hoops with adults.

Cutiefly fluttered through a bed of flowers, its tiny wings carrying it toward a sunlit treehouse. Peeking through the open window, it watched Natsume-sensei teaching class.

“Today is my last lesson,” Natsume said, leaning both hands on the table and smiling, “It’s only been three months, but getting to meet you all and watching you grow… has been a true privilege.”

The students sat at their desks, hands folded, eyes bright and lips pressed tight as they listened.

“Your journey’s just begun—the Ultra Defense Team, the Alola League Tournament, the roads you’ll each travel…”

“All of it, you’ll experience firsthand, and make your own choices along the way.”

Looking at their faces, Natsume smiled. “I don’t like goodbyes, because journeys always continue—people always meet again. I’ll treasure these days we shared, and I hope… you’ll remember me too, at least a little bit.”

He bowed his head.

“Gengar! (￣▽￣)／” In the shadows, Gengar’s face popped out, waving big from the blackboard.

“And, of course, Teacher Gengar,” Natsume added with a smile.

“I’ll never forget you!” Mallow shouted.

“Me too… Me too…” Kiawe choked up, clenching his fists.

The first one to cry was Kiawe—much to Natsume’s surprise, since he’d always tried to play the tough guy.

“Natsume-sensei!” Lana called, standing up, “We have a gift for you!”

“We picked the flowers ourselves from the field—had to beat the local boss Pokémon and even fought off Team Rocket!” Lillie said.

“They wanted to pick some Gracidea too,” Ash scratched his head.

Natsume blinked. “Gracidea?”

Realizing his slip, Ash blushed as the students shot him an annoyed glare.

“I’ll go get it!” Lana hurried to the storeroom in the back, returning with a carefully hidden basket of flowers.

Inside the basket was a cluster of beautiful Gracidea.

Natsume recognized it at once: the symbol of Shaymin, with “gratitude” as its meaning.

Staring at their expectant faces, Natsume broke into a helpless grin.

Now I get why they ran into Team Rocket out there.

No doubt those three wanted Gracidea for someone special, too—let’s hope it's me, Natsume thought, or else they'll be sorry.

“Gengar~” Gengar tiptoed up, taking in the scent with a dreamy, blissful look.

Natsume pressed Gengar’s head down, gazing at the flowers as memories of his time with these students flashed through his mind.

Shouting commands to Kiawe’s Firium Z; Lillie growing from timid girl to Trainer; fishing for Kyogre with Lana; home visits with Sophocles…

Meeting Gladion, cooking with Mallow, Ash the “No. 1 Fanboy” in the group chat…

Just like Cynthia always said,

Every encounter between people is bound to spark something precious—something called ‘bond.’

“Thank you all,” Natsume said, nodding hard. “I accept!”

Smiles broke out across the class.

“In return, I’ll give you all a gift too… one that’ll help you on your journeys as Trainers.”

“Huh?”

“Ash, invite everyone to the group!”

“On it!”

“Now’s the time to say ‘Received!’”

“Beep… Received, Rotom~!”

Rotom’s Pokédex arms whirred, snapping a picture of Natsume and the students together. “CRACK”—the moment was saved forever.

Unlocked: new Trainer group photo! (×)

Unlocked: key Sun and Moon CG scene! (√)

……

Inside a tree hollow—Team Rocket’s secret base.

“I’ve received the report on Ultra Necrozma,”

Giovanni sat with legs crossed, face hidden in shadows, voice low,

“You three did well… I’m impressed.”

“Yes, sir! ∠(°ゝ°)” The Trio saluted in unison.

Though honestly, we didn’t actually do much…

“In light of your performance, I’m granting another month of vacation in Alola.”

Giovanni’s tone sharpened, “After that, there’s a special mission.”

“What mission?”

“You’re headed to the Galar Region…”

A cold light flashed in Giovanni’s eyes.

“To investigate the legendary phenomenon known as ‘Darkest Day!’”