Chapter 0615: Announcement of Relationship(Two-in-One)

Boom! Boom!

Vibrant fireworks still illuminated the arena sky as deafening cheers celebrated the Champion League victor.

The jumbotron displayed the black-haired young man's unwavering smile while his Gengar floated beside him, stretching its mouth wide and waggling its tongue at the screen. "ReoReo~"

The crowd erupted in good-natured laughter.

"Bro! Natsume-sensei's flexing hard!"

"Since when does your Gengar have Levitate?!"

"Is he aiming for the Sinnoh Champion title next?!"

Amid the roaring stadium, Lucian adjusted his wine-red slacks with one hand, giving Natsume a questioning glance.

By Champion League rules, the winner could immediately challenge the reigning Champion—just like Red battling Blue Oak after defeating Lance in FireRed, creating the infamous "shortest-reigning Champion" record.

Yet typically, the League granted winners days to recuperate—only the supremely confident (or overpowered) would challenge the throne immediately.

"Not for the Champion title..." Natsume chuckled wryly. "But it might be challenging nonetheless."

Lucian pushed up his glasses knowingly. "Then I shall take my leave."

The crowd gave the elegant scholar a standing ovation—his wine-red suit and leather-bound book as impeccable in defeat as in victory.

As Lucian retreated toward the tunnel, he exhaled imperceptibly.

Finally... rest.

Then—

"YOU Earthquake'd the field! Don't blame me!" Natsume's voice echoed.

Lucian stumbled mid-step before forcing out: "Ahem. I'll handle repairs... rest assured."

His figure seemed to age ten years as he trudged away.

Natsume watched him go, muttering: "Thank Arceus I'm not taking his Elite Four spot..."

The commentator announced: "Post-match ceremonies conclude! Next—an exclusive interview with Natsume-sensei!"

At the central dais, where the Eternal Flame burned before a crimson-carpeted stairway leading to the Champion's throne, Natsume gazed pensively at the vacant seat.

"Gengar~" Gengar snickered beside him.

Seeing Natsume showed no intention of leaving, the livestream exploded—viewership surpassing even the battle's peak.

"HOLY SHIT IS HE CHALLENGING THE CHAMPION?!"

"Back-to-back Elite Four AND Champion fights? Madman!"

"Whoever wins—Natsume or Cynthia—Lucian loses hardest LOL!"

Gold squinted under his black bangs. "Huh? What's happening?!"

"Natsume-sensei... might be challenging the Sinnoh Champion!"

Bruno crossed his arms, eyes gleaming. Such confidence! Such valor! The warrior's spirit incarnate!

"I think..." Green hesitated. As the most perceptive of the Kanto trio (having first realized Yellow was a girl—and her crush on Red), she sensed something else entirely. The mood feels... different.

By the second-floor windows, Aaron and Flint turned to Cynthia.

"Will 'Sylveon Sister' accept?" Aaron whispered.

"Idiot!" Flint hissed. "Fighting now while he's weakened is her best shot!"

Granny Bertha sipped tea, wrinkles creasing into a smile. Youth. So oblivious.

Cynthia's gaze never left Natsume. Draped in a black trench coat, one arm crossed, her other hand resting elegantly against her chin—

Click. Clack.

Her heels tapped marble as golden hair swayed at her waist. Turning, she walked toward the Champion's throne.

"I'll be back shortly."

……

The main stage buzzed with excitement.

Meowth wiped away tears, gritting his teeth. "Why aren't we the ones taking Executive's photos, meow?!"

"Because everything happened too suddenly - we didn't have time to disguise ourselves..." James sighed.

Jessie clenched her fists. "That hostess isn't even as pretty as me!"

James & Meowth: "......"

Jessie shot them a cold glare.

James: "Ahaha, yes, Jessie's absolutely right!"

Meowth: "With some makeup, Jessie could be a real beauty, meow~"

Jessie crossed her arms and turned away proudly as Wobbuffet popped out of its Poké Ball with a "Wobbuffet!"

The hostess and her cameraman approached Natsume, microphone in hand. After routine questions, she asked: "Are you planning to take the Sinnoh Elite Four position?"

Natsume: "No... that's not my intention."

The jumbotron showed Natsume's response, causing murmurs through the arena.

The hostess's eyes sparkled as she asked excitedly: "Then... does that mean you'll be challenging the Sinnoh League Champion?!"

The arena fell silent, awaiting Natsume's answer.

Having just shut out Sinnoh's strongest Elite Four in the region's most prestigious tournament, Natsume had already demonstrated Champion-level strength, strategy, and presence.

As Natsume prepared to respond—

The arena suddenly erupted with uncontrollable cheers.

"Champion Cynthia is making her entrance!!"

Natsume paused, looking up at the long, red-carpeted Champion's staircase.

Cynthia descended gracefully from her throne, her golden hair flowing in the wind. With a sweeping motion, she released a Poké Ball.

"Garchomp!"

Her Garchomp emerged, crimson eyes blazing with intensity, white bone spikes glinting menacingly as it extended its scythe-like arms. Garchomp followed closely behind Cynthia as she approached the main stage.

The entire platform had transformed into a natural battlefield.

Whoosh!

The sacred flame in the silver brazier burned brightly.

The audience held their breath, the air itself seeming to freeze under the palpable tension.

"This pressure... it's completely different from before," Silver muttered, a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead.

Jasmine lowered her flushed face, whispering in awe: "This is... Champion Cynthia..."

The hostess and cameraman stood frozen, momentarily forgetting their duties as they stared at Cynthia.

"Do you... have any other questions?" Natsume gently reminded them.

"Huh?" The hostess blinked.

Looking around, she realized she and her cameraman had become unnecessary obstacles between Natsume and Cynthia, blocking the audience's view.

Flushing with embarrassment, she was relieved when Natsume smiled warmly. "Let's continue the interview later—"

He looked up at Cynthia, whose eyes held a knowing glint.

"Ahem. There's something more important right now."

"Ah! Th-thank you!" The hostess bowed gratefully before hastily retreating with her partner.

"Champion Cynthia has entered the battlefield!" The commentator roared excitedly. "Could this mean a second round after the Champion League?"

Though not a Pokémon battle, it was a battle nonetheless—

After all, love is war!

Every eye in the packed arena focused on the central stage.

"Garchomp!" Garchomp stood imposingly behind Cynthia.

"Gengar~" Gengar floated mischievously behind Natsume, grinning widely.

Despite the summer heat, a cool breeze swept through as Cynthia tucked a strand of golden hair behind her ear.

Rotom amplified her voice throughout the arena.

"Isn't there something you should say?"

Cynthia's gray eyes shimmered beneath her golden locks as she asked calmly.

The arena fell deathly silent.

Gold turned to Silver: "Pre-battle trash talk?"

Silver maintained his stoic expression, offering no response.

The jumbotron showed Natsume's unusually serious expression.

Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, his throat dry. His heart pounded harder than when he'd faced Arceus.

Yet there were words he needed to say—feelings he needed to convey.

As the Sinnoh League reached its climax, his voice rang clearly through the arena:

"Cynthia, I love you."

Natsume's clear eyes and resolute expression were framed by his wind-tousled black hair.

Memories flashed through his mind—their first meeting under fireworks, the spacetime turbulence in Alamos Town, their embrace in Michina's wilderness.

Like the radiant glow of "The Power of One," their hearts had long been connected.

Not a sound could be heard in the arena.

Cynthia's gaze met his, calm as rippling water.

Words failed him as an inexplicable loneliness washed over him. Standing at the center of everything, Natsume repeated:

"Please be with me."

The livestream chat froze for three full seconds.

It was as if someone had grabbed the entire audience by the throat.

The silence stretched endlessly—until the arena finally erupted.

Cynthia closed her eyes slightly, a faint smile playing at her lips as she rested one hand on her black trench coat's waist, her gorgeous golden hair dancing in the wind.

Every encounter between lives creates precious bonds.

I love you too... as clearly as diamonds and pearls shining brightly.

"Okay," she whispered.

A gentle breeze passed through the momentary silence before both the livestream and arena exploded.

"OHHHHHHH!"

"Official couple announcement kibble?!"

"I object to this marriage!"

"This isn't kibble - it's Acid Bomb attack!"

Amid the shocked, confused and excited crowd, Lucian calmly took the commentator's microphone.

"The two Trainers are currently in a relationship... Whether there will be a Champion challenge will be announced later."

"In other words—" Lucian sighed, "—you can stop speculating about Natsume-sensei and Champion Cynthia's relationship now."

The audience stands erupted in hisses, the arena practically dripping with lemon-scented envy.

"I thought this was a battle feast, but it turned out to be a kibble buffet!"

"Moe-moe! With Cynthia?!"

"Natsume-sensei has really made it big!!"

In the roaring arena:

"Garchomp!" Garchomp displayed mixed emotions, looking like someone had stolen its precious cabbage.

"Gengar~~" Gengar floated midair, grinning triumphantly.

Watching the livestream, Carolina tapped her cane and snorted coldly.

Young people's matters should be left to young people to handle!

In the group chat:

Wallace laughed: "I knew they'd make it official at this moment."

Sapphire suddenly recalled her own confession to Ruby, cheeks burning red.

Lance teased: "Was this Natsume-sensei's real purpose for joining the Champion League?"

"Maybe... his purpose for challenging the entire Sinnoh League," Misty added.

Ash scratched his head: "So will the battle continue later?"

Red chimed in: "Having just defeated Lucian, Natsume-sensei should recover his Pokémon's condition first."

Bruno agreed: "Makes sense..."

"That's not the point at all!" Green interjected.

"What are you all talking about?" Lorelei scrolled up the chat log, still confused. "What announcement?"

"What? Sister Lorelei didn't know?!" Whitney exclaimed.

"I forgot to tell Sister Lorelei earlier..." Misty apologized.

Gold: "Hahaha! Don't tell me Auntie Lorelei was the last to know!"

[Group member 'Gold' has been muted for 3 days by Admin Lorelei]

Lorelei smiled sweetly: "Whoever unmutes Gold next, I can't promise I won't use Mr. Rime..."

Red froze momentarily before silently lurking again. Few things could intimidate Red - Lorelei's Mr. Rime was definitely one of them!

Steven kindly explained: "Natsume-sensei and Champion Cynthia have made their relationship public."

"Eh?"

Lorelei blinked.

"You all knew already?"

The chat went dead silent.

Lorelei: "......"

Lorelei: (;´Д`)

So I was the last to know!

Many fans had speculated about the two Champions' relationship before. The Champion League victory provided the perfect opportunity for the announcement.

During her Undella Town vacation, Cynthia had already hinted about this to Caitlin and Shauntal.

Watching the screen showing the couple smiling at each other:

Caitlin buried her face in her pillow, hugging it tightly with bitter sweetness.

Caitlin: (つ﹏⊂)

With the Champion League just concluded, the Pokémon needed recovery time.

As the relationship announcement settled, the arena gradually emptied - though many viewers still looked dazed.

"W-wait, they're really together now?"

"Dammit! Natsume-sensei showing off again!"

"The chef stopped serving rice... now he's force-feeding me lemons!"

That afternoon:

Natsume-sensei officially declined the Sinnoh Elite Four position and withdrew from challenging the Sinnoh League Champion title.

Viewers weren't surprised, tearfully offering congratulations:

"Let's congratulate the Champion couple!"

"Challenging the Champion by day, being challenged by Champion at night!"

"When Bisharp removes its mask, it cries..."

The Sinnoh League journey had reached its destination.

That evening:

Cynthia appeared on Natsume-sensei's personal livestream, playing games together.

Fans watched the perfect match with mixed joy and sorrow:

"Natsume-sensei got himself a moe-moe! My youth is over!"

"Male fan over there, return the controller to the streamer!"

"I'm going home to burn the fortune teller's stall and steal my Yamper's kibble to end it all!"

"My cabbage! My precious cabbage! o(╥﹏╥)o"

"That's our Natsume-sensei for you!"