Chapter 0668: Serena and the Pokémon Short Films

July 18th, Sunday.

Kalos Region, Vaniville Town.

A baby-blue sky cradled drifting clouds as a Fletchling flitted from the windowsill to the flower-filled front yard. A Rhyhorn dozed beside dew-kissed blossoms, its back fitted with riding gear—clearly the mount of a "Rhyhorn Rider."

The window slid open. A young woman with short hair leaned on the sill, smiling at the garden below.

A window slid open. A young woman with short hair leaned against the sill, gazing at the garden with a smile.

"Lovely weather today… Fletchling, go wake Serena."

"Chirp-chirp~!" The Fletchling fluttered its tiny wings, arrow-shaped tail bobbing, before darting inside and weaving expertly toward the bedroom.

Slipping through the bedroom door, it landed atop a flaxen-haired girl’s head and pecked her forehead. "Chirp~!"

"Ow…"

The girl clutched her head as she sat up, messy hair sticking out in all directions.

"How many times do I have to say it? Don’t wake me up like that!"

"Chirp!" The Fletchling hopped cheerfully across the blankets.

"Serena, hurry up! Morning training!" her mother called from downstairs.

"Ugh…"

Serena sighed, tying a bow around her hair before shouting out the window, "I’m coming!"

She’d stayed up late last night scrolling through Pokémon Short Film updates, losing track of time until dawn.

The Pokémon Short Film website allowed Trainers to upload MVs, vlogs, and other clips featuring their partners. Each week’s top ten films were showcased in Pokémon Centers. Performers even used them to promote their Pokémon Showcases.

Though she didn’t have her first partner yet, Serena had always admired the glamorous Performers.

"This week’s top film was Nessa and Milotic’s aquatic photoshoot… So beautiful…"

Recalling last night’s viewing, she rolled over and grabbed the tablet from her bedside table.

"One last rewatch before heading down!"

Any Trainer could upload videos to the site, where audiences could like, follow, and vote for their favorites. Raihan, a selfie and vlog enthusiast, was a regular on the popularity charts.

Clicking into the "Top 3 Most Popular" rankings, Serena blinked in surprise.

"Miss Nessa… isn’t in first anymore? The new top spot is… Natsume-sensei?"

The leading film was titled Meloetta’s Sparkling Concert, uploaded by Natsume-sensei, Are You Serving Dinner Tonight?

The co-uploader’s profile picture was a Rotom Pokédex, username: Spin Rotom.

(Natsume privately thought Little Rotom sounded cuter, but since Rotom handled the editing… he’d let it slide!)

"Serena! It’s already noon—get up!"

"It’s only nine in the morning!"

Shouting back out the window, Serena tapped the video and murmured,

"Overtaking the top spot overnight… Isn’t that a little too crazy?"

But the moment Meloetta’s gentle singing began, her doubts melted away.

In the film, golden light wove into streams, fruit trees, and meadows as Meloetta’s voice filled the air.

On this breathtaking stage, a handsome black-haired young man harmonized with a Grass Whistle…

Chat messages flooded the screen:

"Natsume-sensei!!? Shouldn’t you be making tutorial videos instead of slacking off here?!"

"Kinda hot though. No regrets following this guy."

"Oh no—the chef is showing off again!"

Pokémon Short Films celebrated "Bonds," whether through music, dance, or food.

And Natsume-sensei’s film had everything: a Mythical Pokémon, Meloetta, Relic Song!

This was exactly the kind of content he excelled at.

"Everyone, type ‘awesome’ in chat!"

"Why am I suddenly wearing a tuxedo?"

"Just saved Unova and already onto the next stunt? Never change, Natsume-sensei!"

"Vote! We need Meloetta and Sylveon at the Pokémon Showcase—or I’ll beg on my knees!"

Serena stared, mesmerized.

Meloetta’s song and Natsume-sensei’s accompaniment elevated beauty and artistry to new heights.

If not for Pokémon Showcases being limited to Kalos’s female Trainers… this film’s popularity alone might’ve secured him the title.

By the time the performance ended, only one thought remained:

"That was… amazing," Serena whispered.

Perhaps only Hoenn’s Top Coordinator Wallace could rival Natsume-sensei.

And from what she knew… Natsume-sensei’s main identity was a Champion Trainer!

Yet here he was—a Champion who’d won Meloetta’s favor, sharing its melody with the world.

Admiration bubbled up, alongside a twinge of envy.

After all… Meloetta was the dream partner for any artistically driven Trainer.

The film was only six minutes long, and her mother’s voice carried upstairs again:

"Serena! Now!"

"Okay, okay! I’m coming!"

As the credits rolled, Natsume pressed a hand to his chest while Meloetta curtsied gracefully.

The chat exploded with "AWSLs."

Then, the camera cut to Cynthia applauding in the audience. She glanced at the lens with a gentle smile.

The chat turned lemon-yellow with envy.

"Rename this: Psychic-Type Elite Four Working Overtime."

"More! This is exactly my taste!"

About to close the video, Serena froze at a passing frame.

"Wait—"

She rewound, eyes locking onto Ash’s grinning face in the crowd. A flicker of recognition lit her gaze.

……

After the concert, Natsume noticed Meloetta had grown even closer to him.

For example, during lunch now, instead of sitting at the table, Meloetta perched on his shoulder, swinging her legs as she nibbled on a Berry.

"Meloetta~(^▽^ )"

"Sylveon… (▼ヘ▼#)"

Sylveon’s long pink ears twitched as she fixed Natsume with an intense, baby-blue stare.

Stare—

Natsume: "……"

Normally, Sylveon wouldn’t harm her Trainer—

But the possibility wasn’t zero!

"Victini~!"

Victini floated over to Togepi, curiously watching it play a game.

"Togepi doo-ee~ヾ(≧▽≦*)o" Togepi tilted the screen and handed a controller to Victini.

"Victini!!"

Victini’s eyes widened, tiny hands trembling as it clutched the controller, utterly moved.

It… it shared its controller with me!

A goofy grin spread across Victini’s face.

Natsume observed that Victini, despite having lived in Eindoak Town for centuries, still acted like an excitable child.

He imagined the chaos if Mew, Victini, Togepi, and the other little ones all played together in the café. It’d be… lively.

"Pupitar…"

Pupitar leaned gloomily against the corner, side-eyeing a nearby Spiritomb.

"Spiritomb~~"

Spiritomb stretched its keystone face and patted Pupitar’s head.

Pupitar glanced at it, sensing a kindred spirit.

And so, the two remained in the corner—one cosplaying as a rock, the other as a potted plant—

Natsume watched the bizarre interaction, eyebrow twitching.

The weirdness just keeps growing.

Spiritomb was shy by nature but oddly perceptive of others’ moods.

His Pupitar was in its rebellious phase, so having a reliable senior around might help guide it.

"No need to rush evolution…"

Natsume mused. "Tyranitar’s Sand Stream would wreck the indoors. Gotta figure out a solution first."

In the mansion arranged by Butler Jervis, Ash and Iris had settled in, preparing to travel with Natsume-sensei and the others to Lacunosa Town.

Champion Alder was already there, setting up for the Youth Tournament of the World Championships.

Another guest commentator had also been invited—the blonde, drowsy… Caitlin.

As the final stop of their Unova journey, Natsume-sensei packed his luggage and boarded Cynthia’s private jet to Lacunosa Town.

Gazing out the window at the familiar Sword of the Vale tower, Natsume sighed.

"Back here again."

"Victini~!"

Victini pressed its tiny paws against the glass, eyes shimmering.

"Pikachu and I are ready to go!" Ash declared.

"Hmph. Dragonite and I won’t lose either," Iris countered.

Watching their rivalry, Cynthia smiled softly and closed the book on her lap.

"After the Youth Tournament… the Unova League starts in two weeks. Ash, you’d better prepare."

"Iris isn’t joining?" Ash asked.

"I’m a Gym Leader. Obviously, I don’t need to compete," Iris said, hands on her hips.

"Alright… I’ll win this League for sure!" Ash pumped his fist, eyes blazing.

Natsume exhaled slowly.

Who taught you to jinx yourself like this? …Don’t tell me it was Blue Oak.

At the opening ceremony, Natsume had an exhibition match scheduled—

(There was a non-zero chance he’d fight Caitlin and make her cry again… [REDACTED]

But it depended on the organizers. After all, he was here as Alder’s guest.)

If I remember the original plot, Ash is supposed to battle Trip…

Scratching his head, Natsume finally said:

"Ash."

"Huh?"

"If you lose to Trip, just quit the group chat."