Chapter 0728: Steven, Say Something, Steven!(Two-in-One)

When Natsume returned to the party hand-in-hand with Cynthia, Bonnie and all the little ones broke into cheerful teasing.

“It’s Mrs. Sensei!” Bonnie laughed.

“Gengar~” Gengar grinned, baring his teeth, with Dedenne perched on his head, clutching his belly in laughter.

Dedenne’s face turned pale from fright; it didn’t dare move a muscle. “Dedenne…”

“Bonnie, mind your manners,” Clemont quickly said.

“Miss Cynthia… so beautiful!” Serena murmured dreamily.

Cynthia took her seat gracefully, her lips curved in a gentle smile as she patted Bonnie’s yellow hair.

“Hehe~” Bonnie scratched the back of her head in delight.

Alcremie nervously offered a tray with a cup of frosted ice cream.

It was topped with cherries, strawberry flavor, colorful and tempting.

Cynthia’s beautiful eyes sparkled, a faint smile at the corner of her lips:

“This looks delicious! Thank you for your hard work, Alcremie~”

“Alcremie…” Alcremie’s face flushed red and she hurried back to the kitchen.

Cynthia’s charm was hard for even Pokémon to resist.

Natsume nodded quietly.

She really could give me a run for my money!

With Cynthia joining the party, the atmosphere became even livelier.

Princess Diancie’s eyes curled into a half-moon:

“Nice to meet you, Miss Cynthia! I’m happy to meet you for the first time!”

“Hello, Diancie.” Cynthia rested her chin on her hands, smiling gently. “You’re very cute.”

“Thank you, Miss Cynthia!” Princess Diancie was immensely pleased.

“Natsume, Steven, they didn’t do anything weird to you, did they?” Cynthia asked.

“Weird? Like what?”

“For example, asking for diamonds, or secretly taking pictures of you,” Cynthia sighed.

Princess Diancie covered her mouth, looking confused, and glanced at Natsume and Steven.

Natsume: “……”

Oh no, she actually guessed it right!

But Steven surely wouldn’t…

Natsume glanced at Steven, who was holding a knife and fork.

Steven was slicing steak; his elegant, pale hands tensed with veins as he set down the cutlery, coughed lightly into his napkin:

“Ahem.”

Inside his Pokémon Navigator, there really was a picture of Princess Diancie’s Mega Form!

Natsume: “……”

So that’s the kind of person you are, Steven Stone!

Cynthia’s gaze swept over the two of them, and she shook her head softly, turning to Diancie and Bonnie with a smile:

“Is there anything you’d like to eat?”

“Don’t be shy. Natsume can cook anything!”

Natsume: ?

Cynthia glanced at him sideways.

Natsume: “Uh, I’ll learn anything on the spot!”

“I want to eat Alcremie!” Bonnie cheered.

“Alcremie?!Σ(っ °Д °;)っ” Alcremie happened to walk out of the kitchen, and the tray in her hands shook with fear.

“That’s called Alcremie Cake, not Alcremie, Bonnie!” Clemont said helplessly.

Alcremie let out a sigh of relief, but still felt something was off. “Alcremie…”

Serena put both hands on her knees, mustered her courage, and said:

“If it’s possible… I’d like to ask Natsume-sensei for advice on making deluxe Poké Puffs.”

“That way, I might strive for an even greater Performer’s stage!”

“Is your dream to become a Pokémon Performer?” Cynthia asked in surprise.

Seeing Serena nod, Cynthia rested her hand elegantly on her cheek and smiled. “That’s quite different from Ash!”

“Of course! I’m going to win the Lumiose Conference Champion with Pikachu!” Ash shouted, chewing a macaron.

“Victini!” Victini sweated nervously.

“Oh, is this yours? Sorry…”

“Pikachu!” Pikachu shared his macaron with Victini, smiling.

Serena grew a bit nervous in the face of Cynthia’s questions.

Because, because…

Because I want to stand on the highest stage together with Ash, and Pokémon Performer is my chance!

Serena’s face blushed, unable to express herself fully.

Cynthia’s gaze lingered on Serena’s waitress uniform as her thoughts wandered.

Strange… why would Natsume have something like that in his shop…

Natsume sipped his tea, trying to look calm, when he suddenly felt a murderous intent. A chill ran down his spine.

He looked over. Cynthia’s beautiful, delicate face wore a faint smile.

Danger!

Natsume’s thoughts raced.

Could it be she figured out I shared a tent with Steven?

“The waitress outfits?” Cynthia said in a low voice.

Natsume froze.

The waitress uniforms had been ordered by Matori when the café was set up. Every size, fully stocked, even for Pokémon.

Naturally, there was also one for Moe-Moe.

As for asking Cynthia to wear the waitress outfit—

That would be Natsume’s death sentence. He’d have to go beg Arceus for forgiveness.

“Professor Sycamore recommended it—said it fits the local customs.”

Natsume tried to push the blame. “People in Kalos love flamboyant things.”

Cynthia’s eyes flickered thoughtfully.

She’d heard some stories about Professor Sycamore. It did sound like something he’d suggest…

“Sirfetch’d!” Sirfetch’d’s eyes sparkled as Alcremie brought out his favorite dish.

Grilled leek, slightly charred, wonderfully fragrant!

Sirfetch'd: “Sirfetch’d!( -'`-)”

Delicious!

Night was falling outside, but inside was a warm, focused energy, enjoying the peace after battle.

The large round table was covered with all sorts of dishes.

Diancie sat at the rounded left end, with Steven beside her on the left, and Natsume and Cynthia sitting side by side.

“How was your journey?” Cynthia asked curiously.

Ash tore into a skewer, his mouth covered in oil. “Natsume-sensei… totally smashed Yveltal!”

Natsume: “……”

Well, that’s the classic #1 “land guy” phrase!

“It was incredible,” Clemont recalled, pushing up his glasses. “Gengar’s Darkinium Z move was strong enough to fight a legendary Pokémon…”

Cynthia glanced at Natsume.

Natsume: ︿(￣︶￣)︿

Even Pikachu with a Z-move can knock down an Ultra Beast—what’s wrong with Gengar Dark Void Z taking out Yveltal?

Bonnie tilted her head, thinking. “We went to Diancie’s country and met lots of Carbink…”

“And we went camping! Natsume-sensei caught so many Magikarp!” Bonnie clenched her fists, eyes sparkling.

“And then?” Cynthia found herself listening closely.

This Champion had a natural affinity and could always connect well with Pokémon and children.

“And then, I wanted to share a tent with Natsume-sensei, since the Gigantamax Gengar tent was really cute…”

Bonnie stuck out her tongue. “But it ended up being Mr. Steven who slept in the same tent with Natsume-sensei!”

Cynthia: ?

Steven: “Ahem!”

Natsume: “…Kids say the darndest things! It’s just innocent talk!”

Right now, Cynthia’s mood was like discovering her boyfriend told her to work overtime and then went on an adventure with his bros.

Even I never got to share a tent with him…

Cynthia tucked back a lock of golden hair, her eyes sharp, and softly smiled:

“Let’s have a Pokémon battle, Natsume-sensei~”

Her voice was sweet, but chilling.

“My…uh, Gengar just got seriously injured, not fit for battle.” Natsume said.

“Gengar?⊙▾⊙” Gengar looked at Natsume in confusion.

Suddenly!

Gengar frowned, clutching its chest and looking stricken. “Gengar…”

“Pikachu! Σ( ° △ °|||)︴” Pikachu was shocked.

Such skill—something worth learning!

Cynthia smiled slightly, her expression fierce: “When Trainers lock eyes, you can’t refuse to battle.”

“Ugh! I’ve wanted to see a battle between Natsume-sensei and Champion Cynthia for ages!” Ash swallowed his food.

Natsume’s face shifted.

So much good food, but it can’t shut you up, silly boy!

Natsume looked at Steven.

Steven slowly sliced his steak, savoring the juice like a food critic, nodding slightly in admiration.

This steak is cooked perfectly…

“Garchomp’! (〝▼皿▼)”

Facing Garchomp’s sharp gaze.

“Metagross… (⊙x⊙;)”

White Metagross looked up at the ceiling, supercomputer-level brain calculating pi.

Natsume wore a complex expression.

Steven, say something. Say something, Steven!

Domestic violence, in the end, never fell upon Natsume or Gengar.

Natsume’s excuse was that he needed to prepare for Touran’s Victory Road, so he had to stay in peak condition.

That was a pretty solid excuse.

Night fell softly. The Tree of Beginning radiated glimmers of green light, like fireflies. All was still; not even a breeze disturbed the world.

Cynthia folded her arms, her profile shining like a dazzling star as she gazed at the flickering glow.

“You obtained the Pixie Plate?” Cynthia asked, a bit surprised.

“Yeah.” Natsume nodded.

Judging from the canon timeline, the Hoopa movie takes place about three months from now, when Ash is set to attend the Lumiose Conference.

“They’re giving me three months with the Plate, then I’ll have to return it to Arceus.”

“Only three months… That’s plenty, considering it’s the most powerful item among legendaries.”

Cynthia mused, “If we use these three months well, Sylveon may be able to break into Champion tier and beyond.”

Natsume nodded gently.

For the past year and a half, it wasn’t just Natsume who’d been growing.

Steven, Cynthia, Leon—this generation of Champions was constantly becoming stronger.

Right now, Leon might still be unable to take on Eternatus.

But in a few years, when faced with Gigantamax Eternatus, Leon could hold it back with nothing but his Charizard.

That’s a regular Charizard at ‘Battle Legend’ standard—a Gigantamax condition Charizard, almost cheating in strength.

And Cabbage’s Garchomp.

Natsume hadn’t battled Moe-Moe! yet, but post-Mega Evolution, she’d have Battle Legend-level power too.

“Seems like I still can’t escape a beating after all…” Natsume muttered internally.

“When is Touran’s Victory Road?” Cynthia asked.

“It opens in October and lasts until January of next year—about three months in total,” Natsume answered.

“Indeed… less than half a month from now. Best to stay focused on training.” Cynthia nodded softly.

Natsume-sensei breathed a sigh of relief.

No need to fight super Garchomp after all!

Both Gengar and I dodged a bullet!

“I’m planning to visit Tokyo City next week. Before that, I’ll expand the café and take on more employees,” Natsume said.

Every time he hired new staff, it felt oddly like drawing from a gacha.

Hopefully I’ll get an SSR Gardevoir as a waitress!

“Things are finally getting on track,” Cynthia remarked.

She glanced back toward the front hall, the café glowing orange in the night.

“Alcremie’s cooking has improved, but guests did complain to me that her curry rice is always sweet…”

“Sweet curry rice?” Cynthia was surprised.

Natsume nodded. “Like berries, curry rice has five flavors: sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, and astringent.”

“There are five grades total. I’m a top ‘Charizard’ chef. Alcremie is still stuck at level 3, the ‘Fresh Milk’ chef.”

“That sounds complicated…” Cynthia remarked.

Natsume shrugged. “Honestly, Sirfetch’d is pretty skilled at cooking, but it’s naturally terrified of the kitchen.”

The Premier Ball on his belt trembled.

“Sirfetch’d! (′︿‵)”

If you were in my shoes, you’d be scared too!

……

Night deepened.

Natsume and Cynthia stood out in the gardens for twenty minutes.

By the time they returned to the front hall, the once-messy table had been cleaned.

Cynthia gave Natsume a glance.

“I cook, Gengar does the washing… clear division of labor,” Natsume said.

Princess Diancie rose and bid farewell to Natsume and the others.

“I’ll see Diancie home,” Steven offered.

“Thank you, Mr. Steven.” Princess Diancie replied with a soft smile.

Ash yawned and got ready to crash at Clemont’s gym, bidding goodnight with Serena.

In short order, only Natsume, Cynthia, and the stuffed little ones were left in the shop.

“How long’s your vacation?” Natsume asked.

Cynthia folded her arms, considered a moment, and said, “Depends if there’s any emergency job…”

“And if there isn’t?”

“I trust Lucian can handle the daily responsibilities,” Cynthia replied seriously.

Natsume: “……”

A World-Famous Painting: “Lucian Pulling Overtime”

Now and then, Natsume’s journal would include classic dry jokes, just to riff on them during livestreams.

For example: “Diantha On Set,” and so on.

Here’s today’s classic joke:

[A certain villainous team member posts online: “I’ve never seen a Champion with such dirty tactics!”

The International Police arrested him for leaking classified info.

The villain protested: “I never said which Champion.”

“Cut the act!” roared an agent. “I’ve been with the International Police three years. You think I don’t know which Champion fights dirty?”]

……

The journey to Touran was loosely planned for next week.

Before that, Natsume intended to slack off in the café and reevaluate his team rankings.

Touran’s Victory Road wasn’t just about winning the “Touran Champion” title.

It was also Arcanine’s chance to receive inheritance and hone “Precipice Blades” and “Geomancy.”

Victory Road would take around three months—not that long, really. After all, the Elite Four’s selection and the Champion’s trial both took time.

On Victory Road, there might even be a chance to meet ‘Battle Legend’ Mustard, who also hailed from Touran…

Natsume recalled that Touran’s Champion post was currently between hands.

What he found online was always about the outgoing champion; the new champion hadn’t been officially announced yet.

Rumors were everywhere, but the public reveal was a matter of time. The internet was already abuzz with speculation.

Natsume messaged Matori, who knew a little about such things, asking:

“Any news on the current Touran Champion?”

“Ryo Champion,” Matori replied blandly.

“I meant current, not former!”

“The current Touran Champion’s name is literally ‘Ryo’ Champion.”

Matori answered patiently: “Ryo from the Elite Four just defeated the former champion and is now officially Champion!”

Natsume: “……”

Now that’s a real tongue-twister!