Chapter 0802: Natsume-sensei: I Want Jirachi to Stay(Two-in-One)

“Natsume-sensei, Nebby is awake!”

Hearing Ash’s shout, Natsume didn’t immediately rush to the front hall but instead turned his gaze to Jirachi.

Nebby’s energy wasn’t easy to restore. From their conversation on the flight, Natsume had guessed that it was thanks to Jirachi that Nebby had awakened.

Jirachi’s dark eyes shone as it looked at Natsume, hesitantly for a moment, then smiled brightly:

‘Let’s all play together!’

“Let’s play, let’s play!” Hoopa called, brandishing two cheerleading sticks it had conjured from who-knows-where, cheering enthusiastically.

Cynthia noticed Natsume’s expression, walked over to his side, and whispered softly:

“For a long-lived Mythical Pokémon, friendships are rare and precious things.”

“Jirachi wants to make more friends, so it keeps granting wishes for others, never considering itself,” she said.

Natsume mulled over Cynthia’s words and whispered:

“Jirachi can’t grant wishes from nothing—it has to use its own energy to help others. It just wants to play with friends…”

Cynthia nodded gently, her voice warm: “This kindness is sometimes taken advantage of by humans, leading to tales of sea monsters and beasts of the earth.”

“But Jirachi has done nothing wrong. It just wants…” Cynthia paused, then smiled, “It just wants to play with everyone.”

“I understand you now, Cynthia.” Natsume’s dark eyes shone slightly, “I know what Jirachi’s true wish is!”

To make friends, to have partners, even to find family.

What’s so normal and everyday for Natsume-sensei is incredibly precious for Jirachi, who can only awaken for seven days every thousand years.

“Besides Hoopa and Nebby… I’m going to help Jirachi meet more friends.”

Natsume said seriously, “Right in this café, I’ll hold a party so Jirachi can meet partners worth befriending!”

Cynthia watched Natsume, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear and smiling softly: “That’s what life is—encounters of life with life.”

“Your encounter with Jirachi, Jirachi’s encounter with Hoopa, and all the endless meetings and reunions… that’s the meaning of a bond.”

The Tree of Beginning in the gardens rustled in the breeze. Jirachi’s smile looked a bit tired, but it forced itself to keep up with the excitement.

Most likely, the time Jirachi had left was now much less than seven days.

Hoopa didn’t notice, still clinging to Jirachi, laughing and urging it higher on the swing: “Isn’t this fun? We can do this forever!”

In some ways, Hoopa and Jirachi were very alike—both lonely, both craving friends, both having met Ash and Natsume-sensei.

“Mhm!” Jirachi faced Hoopa’s invitation, crescent eyes curving as it nodded joyfully.

“I think…” Natsume said, “I think I want Jirachi to stay.”

Cynthia looked at Natsume in surprise.

“Jirachi slumbers inside a small meteorite. Hoopa could use its rings to keep the meteorite here in the garden.”

Natsume hypothesized boldly but spoke with caution: “And as for cosmic energy… if Galar’s Wishing Stars could recharge it, maybe Jirachi could awaken from time to time.”

“That’s quite a fanciful idea, hard to realize. After all, there’s no formal academic report about any connection between Galar Wishing Stars and Jirachi,” Cynthia said.

“You’re right.” Natsume sighed, shoulders sagging.

“But…”

Cynthia gave a gentle smile, and, seeing Natsume’s surprise, she said slowly:

“I’ll help you achieve that wish—let’s search for a way to let Jirachi stay, as long as Jirachi agrees to it.”

Natsume stared in amazement: “Cynthia…”

Hoopa and Jirachi were still on the swing, Sylveon idly pushing them along with its ribbons.

A rare case of “big sister Sylveon babysitting.”

“Come on.” Cynthia smiled, taking Natsume’s hand. “Let’s go see the awakened Nebby!”

……

The students gathered around the table.

“Natsume-sensei,” Kukui called, noticing the commotion, “Nebby is awake!”

“Ash already told me,” Natsume replied, “Which means taking Nebby to the Altar of the Sunne should be on our agenda.”

“No rush,” Kukui smiled, “Nebby still needs a full medical check-up first.”

Natsume nodded and looked at Nebby.

The Cocoon of the Stars resembled a metallic “eye,” its outer shell the blue of a starry night, and at its center Nebby’s face.

Nebby: (^▽^)

By some strange magnetic field, it hovered above the table, but could barely move at all.

“It really is Nebby…” Mallow craned her neck for a closer look.

“I can feel Nebby’s aura!” Lillie said earnestly.

Professor Burnet had predicted that Nebby would sleep longer.

Kukui scratched his chin, brows furrowed in thought: “Was it Jirachi’s power that helped Nebby wake up early…?”

“Natsume-sensei,” he said, turning, “I need to take Nebby back to Alola for a check-up.”

“I’ll come too!” Ash volunteered, echoed by several students.

The students shared a deep bond with Nebby, and with Kalos courses almost finished, it was fine to return to school early.

“I’ll need to stay in Kalos for a few days, to look after Jirachi,” Natsume smiled. “Before you all go back to Alola, let me make dinner for everyone.”

“Natsume-sensei cooks?!” the students chorused in surprise.

“What?” Natsume raised an eyebrow, pretending to roll up nonexistent sleeves. “I’m Touran’s Master Chef!”

Dinner was prepared smoothly with help from Steenee and Alcremie.

Delicious food flowed onto the table in a steady stream, the aroma making the students’ mouths water.

Mallow’s dream was to open her own restaurant. Right now, she came into the back kitchen to watch Natsume-sensei at work, her eyes alight:

“Natsume-sensei, could I help out at your place during vacation?!”

“What, don’t you want to help at your dad’s restaurant?”

“No, that’s not it.” Mallow stuck out her tongue. “I just think I could learn more cooking techniques here!”

Natsume laughed and said, “If your dad agrees, I’ve got no problem with it. I’m especially good with Berry Cuisine… I could also invite Mr. Siebold to teach you Kalos-style seafood.”

Mallow’s specialty was Alola flavors and Berry feasts; her partner Steenee was a master chef too.

Natsume noticed that chefs always had edible partners—Siebold with Clawitzer, Natsume-sensei with Sirfetch’d…

“I’ll study hard!” Mallow promised, beaming.

At the table, Professor Kukui lifted a spoonful of golden fried rice and tasted it.

A spark of inspiration struck—Kukui’s eyes widened, “It’s not greasy at all, and absolutely mouthwatering!”

Natsume, passing more dishes along, explained:

“I added sour Lum Berries… according to the Berry Pokédex, Lum Berries have a sourness level of 10. Mixing them into dishes gives a crisp, refreshing taste you’ll never forget.”

There are over 67 kinds of Berries in the Pokémon world—how to prepare and pair them is a basic skill for every Pokémon chef.

Jirachi technically didn’t need to eat, but at Victini’s eager insistence, picked up a Poké Puff, holding it in both hands like a cupcake.

The Poké Puff, decorated with chocolate and nuts, was a classic Kalos treat—Jirachi soon lost itself in the taste.

“Mmm~” Hoopa declared loudly, “Hoopa wants Alola cuisine!”

“I’ll make some for you!” Mallow volunteered.

“No! Hoopa wants food made by Natsume!” Hoopa pouted.

“Aww…” Mallow drooped, as Lana and Lillie rushed to comfort her.

The dinner was lively. The café clerks and everyone’s Pokémon joined in too.

Delibird glanced up at a Rowlet on the shelf. The round-headed Rowlet dozed, rolled off with a thunk, and saw stars.

Delibird: ┌(。Д。)┐

It fell by itself! Not my fault!

Mallow's Steenee discussed juice making with the café’s Steenee.

Alcremie delivered cakes to the table. Face reddening under everyone’s gaze, it fled back to the kitchen.

Nebby, cocooned, couldn’t eat, so it just floated silently at Lillie’s shoulder.

Tyranitar spied the Cocoon of the Stars, remembering the days as a pupating Pupitar.

“Tyranitar…” Tyranitar hurriedly tore open a large bag of chips and dumped them into its mouth as a distraction.

It was Jirachi’s first time attending a party—delighted, it ate to its heart’s content.

Hoopa clapped Jirachi on the shoulder, grinning mischievously: “Travel with Hoopa and Natsume, and you’ll always have great food!”

Natsume: “Don’t drag me into this.”

“No way!” Hoopa said righteously, “Without Natsume, Hoopa can’t eat well, either!”

The flight back to Alola was the next day.

The students stayed in the café’s back rooms, chatting late into the night about the day’s adventures.

Natsume, meanwhile, used the Power of One to reach Mew, Marshadow, Diancie, and Celebi.

To fulfill Jirachi’s wish—‘to play together’—

Natsume-sensei nodded in satisfaction.

He’d gathered the legendaries—now it was time for a Mythical Pokémon party!

……

Early next morning, Ash and his friends escorted Nebby back to Alola.

Before departing, Nebby thanked Jirachi for waking it up.

Jirachi smiled shyly, shaking its head.

It understood Nebby’s loneliness, so it did everything it could to help.

And once a wish was granted, Jirachi shared in the joy.

Truly an angelic cutie.

Natsume looked up at the sky.

After what happened before, it was best to ask Jirachi for help with wishes, and not trouble Hoopa Unbound…

“Natsume-sensei, Champion Cynthia, bye!!”

Ash and his friends waved, their figures growing smaller in the distance.

Natsume-sensei waved from the corner, the golden-haired beauty smiling, hand beneath her chin.

“Now you can tell me your wish, Jirachi, can’t you?”

Natsume turned.

‘I… I want to…’ Jirachi faltered, hesitant.

“To meet new friends, and play together?” Natsume asked.

Jirachi blinked, its black eyes glowing, and nodded vigorously: ‘Yes!’

“This afternoon, you’ll meet loads of new friends.”

Natsume smiled. “They’re all a lot like you. You’ll have lots to talk about together.”

Mew from the Tree of Beginning, Celebi of time travel, Marshadow of Mount Tensei, Diancie from the Diamond Kingdom.

They all have their missions, all live long lives, all have loneliness they can’t share.

But just as Jirachi wished, “to play together,” that loneliness could melt away in the warmth of this café.

They could even team up for a multiplayer game session…

There’d be enough for an epic board game night.

“Hoopa wants to meet new friends too!” Hoopa shouted.

Natsume: “Just don’t go into your Unbound Form and scare anyone…”

“Heehee, I promise I won’t!”

Natsume stared: “You learned double negatives?! Gengar must have taught you!”

Hoopa grinned: “Lue!”

That afternoon, the Tree of Beginning’s trunk spun like a portal, from which the pink, catlike Mew flew out.

Mew: “Mew~~☆(≧▽≦*)”

Princess Diancie arrived via a diamond-studded path, her smile demure:

“Greetings, Mr. Natsume, Miss Cynthia.”

Marshadow emerged from the shadows, eyes focused, bowing to Darkrai as a senior.

Darkrai, wielding a feather duster, glanced over coolly before continuing to tidy the café.

Celebi opened a time gate with ease, more skilled than even the Temporal and Spatial Dragons.

It gazed around the garden, wide-eyed, finding a row of the cutest Mythical Pokémon, and a grumpy, oversized Darkrai lurking in the corner.

Latias, the legendary Pokémon, perched on the rooftop, her red-and-white body shining like crystal in the sun: “La-ti~”

There was also a special guest today.

Steven, collector of Mega Stones on his Kalos trip, arrived right on time.

His leather shoes clicked on the café floor, a smile curving his blue-haired lips, eyes flickering like sapphires.

Princess Diancie or not, he barely paid notice.

His main reason for coming was to check in with Natsume-sensei and Champion Cynthia!