August 17th, Tuesday
The gaping hole in the living room still hadn't been fixed.
Natsume held Eevee in his arms, staring at the hole connecting the two floors, and sighed deeply. "I'm such an idiot, really… I only thought to guard against Dig, but I never expected Squirtle to train even in its dreams…"
That's just how practical Aura is.
Whether it's healing, detecting, or even training, as long as Aura is involved, a Pokémon's strength can improve at an astonishing rate.
"It's already this strong now…" Natsume's expression shifted slightly.
"If it evolves into Blastoise, what then?!"
"Squirtle! (/ω＼)"
"I'm not praising you, you know!"
Natsume shook his head helplessly, grabbing Eevee by the scruff of its neck and placing it on the couch.
He headed to the kitchen, prepared some Pokéblocks for the three little ones as breakfast, and then chugged a can of Moomoo Milk.
In the sweltering summer heat, only chilled milk could bring a sliver of comfort to Natsume-sensei's heart…
"Haunter! Stop drinking cola for breakfast! It's bad for your stomach…" Natsume's expression turned odd.
"Wait, do you even have a stomach?"
"Haunter! (≧≦)??"
Haunter let out a satisfying hiss as it opened the soda, followed by a contented sigh.
Today's plan was to meet the graphic designer that the Headhunting Agency had recommended to Natsume.
The manager was already waiting at the café. When Natsume arrived, he respectfully handed over a resume and explained, "The artist we're introducing to you is from the Alola Region… her style is quite unique!"
"Alola?" Natsume took the resume, slightly surprised.
"That's quite far from Tokyo, isn't it?"
"Every artist has their own pursuits," the manager said with a smile. "She's even traveled to Vermilion Port in Kanto just to sketch the sunset there."
As he handed the resume to Natsume, the manager added, "She's here in Touran partly for work and partly for travel… and apparently, she's also a Trainer."
Natsume was momentarily stunned.
An artist from Alola who's also a Trainer…
Why does that sound so familiar?
Taking the resume, Natsume-sensei examined the photo and fell into deep thought.
The girl in the photo had chestnut hair and a cold expression, carrying a canvas on her back. Her hair, dress, and even her face were smeared with colorful paint.
Mina…
Wasn't that the name of the Alola Region's Captain who oversaw Fairium Z?
But in the anime, that Captain was clearly an adult.
Looking at this girl, who was barely developed and just sixteen years old…
Natsume looked up at the sky.
It seems the timeline of this world… is still before Sun and Moon!
Wait, if characters from the TV series are appearing here…
Does that mean Ash Ketchum is just starting out in this world?!
Natsume was stunned for a moment, then shrugged.
"It's not really my concern… my goal isn't to become a Pokémon Master!"
Regardless, Mina's skills as a graphic designer were reliable.
After all, in the Sun and Moon anime, three years later, Mina was considered Alola's top artist.
If he could recruit her to join the studio, it would undoubtedly be a great gain.
"Is her monthly salary… based on the number of illustrations she produces?" Natsume asked.
"That's something you can discuss with her directly," the manager replied apologetically. "She's quite eccentric. We promised to help her find an employer, but the truth is, she never stays at a job for long…"
"It's understandable for artists to be a bit quirky."
Natsume nodded.
"As long as she's good at what she does!"
Currently, the studio only had Natsume and Kazuya as coders.
As for a secretary… while they could borrow Matori from Team Rocket, it wasn't right to keep freeloading off them.
If they were to start a company in the future, they'd need to take the secretary role seriously…
Natsume stayed at the café until sunset, then headed to the address the manager had given him to visit Mina.
On the street, a live band was setting up their sound system, Magnemite buzzing with excitement, and flocks of Pidgey flew past under the setting sun…
Natsume grumbled inwardly.
Back when I played the games, I hated these band members the most, with their Sturdy Magnemite and Thunder Wave spamming!
With Eevee perched on his head, Natsume-sensei arrived at Tokyo Urano-machi's port.
The river and silt formed a golden delta, Wingull flying through the twilight, white sails faintly visible in the distance…
Further out was the Tokyo Skytree Arena, its neon lights gradually flickering on, creating a scene reminiscent of a Monet painting.
"No wonder she came here to sketch," Natsume murmured, stroking his chin.
"Can you hold that pose?"
A crisp voice suddenly called out from behind.
Natsume turned to see a chestnut-haired girl, her face smeared with paint, testing the perspective with her brush.
"Please hold that pose."
Mina's voice was calm but firm. "This scene is beautiful."
Natsume was momentarily taken aback.
I came here to recruit you, and you're using me as a model?!
"I can pay you a modeling fee!" Mina exclaimed.
Natsume-sensei immediately struck a thoughtful pose.
"Is this okay?"
Mina nodded quickly, her brush flying across the canvas. After a few swift strokes, she captured the essence of the scene and let out a long sigh. "Thank you for your time."
Curious, Natsume leaned over to look at the painting, stroking his chin as he commented.
"Hmm… I can't really tell what this is."
The impressionist style only vaguely depicted a figure with Eevee perched on its head.
"Eevee?" Eevee also peeked out curiously.
Mina twisted her hair nervously and said softly, "What's in the painting isn't important… as long as the emotions between the person and the Pokémon are genuine, my brush can capture it."
Just then, a Cutiefly, resembling a hummingbird, flew by and landed on Mina's narrow shoulder, nuzzling her cheek affectionately.
"I'm Mina."
The slender girl extended her hand, then quickly pulled it back upon noticing the paint stains.
Natsume: "I know. I'm here to recruit you."
Mina was slightly surprised and apologized, "I'm sorry… I've already decided to return to Alola."
Natsume nodded understandingly.
The girl was petite, just sixteen years old… it must be tough for her to be wandering abroad.
Natsume smiled. "It's fine if you don't agree… just make sure to pay me my modeling fee."
Mina hesitated.
"I… I don't have any money left…"
"No money?!"
Natsume's eyes widened.
"Then why did you waste half an hour of my time?!"
Perhaps Natsume's voice was a bit too loud.
The girl looked up, tears welling in her eyes.
"I… I need to save money for a boat ticket home."
Mina wiped her cheek, smearing the paint further, and sniffled, her eyes red.
"I've already missed several boats… I can barely make ends meet by taking odd jobs!"
Natsume let out a soft "huh" and took a closer look at Mina.
She only came up to his chest, her chestnut hair streaked with paint, her dress a cheap, basic design, bleached and stained…
Mina trembled like a helpless little animal, wiping her eyes vigorously.
"Fine, I'll give you this painting!" the little girl said resentfully.
Natsume-sensei stroked his chin.
Why do I feel like I've become the villain here?
"Alright, I was just joking."
Natsume said helplessly.
"Anyway, the morning boat to Alola isn't for another three days… how about taking on one more job?"
The little girl looked up in confusion.
"Eevee!" Eevee wagged its tail affectionately, offering a friendly smile.
Mina's voice trembled. "How much… how much does it pay?"
"Ten thousand Pokémon Coins?"
Natsume hesitated. "Is that enough?"
After all, Mina would become Alola's top artist in the future…
Even if her skills were still developing, investing in her early wouldn't be a mistake.
This painting might one day be titled "Sunset with Natsume-sensei" and hung in an art gallery for sale!
"I'm really something!" Natsume smacked his forehead.
No one else has this kind of business sense!
"T-ten thousand Pokémon Coins?!"
The little girl sniffled, her eyes red, and said resentfully, "That's… that's not much!"
Your eyes were practically in the shape of ?? just now!
"Alright, you can head back now."
Natsume said helplessly. "In three days, I'll buy your boat ticket and make sure you don't miss your flight."
Mina looked up in confusion.
Even though she shouldn't trust strangers easily, the bond between this man and Eevee spoke volumes.
This man… is a good person!
Pulling out a Poké Ball, Mina released a Granbull and hugged the pink-furred bully dog excitedly.
"Granbull, we can go home!"
"Granbull…"
Granbull let out a whimper, rolling on the ground and playfully begging for attention.
"Good boy… we can finally have some proper food…"
Mina stroked Granbull's belly, tears welling up as she accidentally let slip her true feelings.
Natsume's expression turned odd.
I know artists are usually poor…
But not this poor!
Is it really okay to hire such a down-and-out artist as a graphic designer?!
Natsume crossed his arms, deep in thought.
"Could it be… that she's this poor because she's not very skilled?"
Eevee, perched on Natsume's shoulder, watched Granbull's antics with a hint of envy.
Stealing a glance at Natsume's profile, Eevee's face turned slightly red, and it turned its head away with a huff.
I'm not going to beg for attention from him!
But…
Stealing another glance at Natsume's thoughtful expression.
Eevee pulled its ears down, covering its flushed cheeks.
Maybe it's okay to act spoiled…
Just once in a while?
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