Erika, dressed in a kimono and wearing wooden sandals, drew quite a bit of attention.
Although the gift she brought made Natsume-sensei's heart tremble and he felt like turning around and running away, this was, after all, on behalf of Red.
In the future, he might still need Red's help to compete with Mr. Steven on the leaderboards.
"I heard from Red that you're here in the Touran Region for a trip?" Natsume asked, his tone tinged with envy. "Celadon University must have covered quite a bit of the expenses, right?"
"That's only part of it."
Erika smiled softly, revealing a small dimple.
"The other reason for this trip is to invite you to become a mentor at the Trainer Academies."
Natsume, who was leading the way, suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"A mentor at the Trainer Academies?"
"Exactly," Erika nodded. "It's a Trainer Academy affiliated with Celadon University, located near Viridian City in Kanto."
Natsume's expression turned strange.
Last time, Professor Rowan from Tokyo Metropolitan University invited me to pursue a graduate degree at Celadon University...
And now, in less than three months, I'm being offered a teaching position?
If I wait another three months, will I be promoted to professor directly?
"This... is the first time I've heard of this," Natsume scratched his head. "Red didn't mention anything about it!"
Erika smiled gently. "I thought it would be more sincere to extend the invitation in person rather than over the phone."
Natsume's expression grew complicated.
The sincerity is definitely there, especially with the secret Energy Ball manual...
But why does my heart feel so cold?
Natsume sighed. "Miss Erika, there's no need to be so formal. Just call me Natsume."
Erika had been using humble language to refer to herself.
"Alright."
Erika tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and said softly, "In any case, inviting you to become a mentor is the main purpose of my visit."
"If it's alright, may I trouble you to host me at your place so I can explain the details of the position?"
Natsume-sensei stroked his chin.
First, it was Matori, then Mina, and now Erika...
The system didn't give me a Sweet Scent buff or anything.
Why does my house feel like a guesthouse now?
"Could it be... that I'm just too handsome?"
"Hmm?" Erika tilted her head slightly, indicating she hadn't caught what he said.
"Nothing."
Natsume pondered for a moment. "It's fine to stop by for a bit. I'll treat you to lunch as well."
"Thank you for your hospitality."
"Card or cash?"
"Huh?"
"Just kidding, haha."
Natsume-sensei forced a laugh, his eyes gleaming. "Mobile payment works too!"
...
Natsume was indeed broke.
When he finally had the chance to host a league friend, he had to resort to calling a "Doduo Express."
Looking at the app on his phone, Natsume muttered, "Shouldn't this thing be called JapanTaxi or something?"
Erika hadn't visited Tokyo often, but she carried herself with grace, quietly following by his side.
A moment later, a taxi honked twice.
The driver rolled down the window, lowered his sunglasses, and said in surprise, "Hey, kid!"
"Huh?" Natsume was slightly taken aback. "The driver from the airport last time?"
The driver clicked his tongue. "Second one? That fast? Another international romance?"
Erika tilted her head, looking puzzled.
"Friends, just friends!" Natsume corrected.
The driver gave him a knowing look.
Who hasn't been chased down the street by a girl with a hatchet in their youth?
Natsume-sensei, the Old Scumbag
The security guard at the neighborhood station, an old man, spotted them from afar and grinned.
Pulling out a notebook and putting on his reading glasses, the old man scribbled: "August 23rd, sunny. Resident Natsume has brought home his fourth girlfriend. She's got a great vibe. Congratulations."
Natsume was no stranger to such situations.
Besides, Erika was clearly well-off, so he could milk this opportunity...
Natsume thought to himself, isn't this just experiencing the local culture of Tokyo?
"Excuse me."
Erika placed her wooden sandals at the entrance and stepped inside in her white socks.
Seeing Erika's breathable sandals, Natsume breathed a sigh of relief.
Matori, take notes!
"Haunter!"
Haunter grabbed a kettle to boil water, created a Substitute to prepare tea, and another Substitute to clean the room...
Erika looked surprised. "Haunter... doing household chores?"
And with two Substitutes no less?
"Oh, just the basics."
Natsume picked up his teacup, blowing on it to cool it down. "This is also part of Substitute training."
"Haunter! (????????????)"
"I see," Erika nodded thoughtfully.
Looking around the simply yet neatly furnished room, it was clear that Natsume-sensei was a Trainer who took life seriously.
As a mentor, he would surely be very responsible.
Erika smiled. "In any case, let me explain the details to you."
"As a mentor in the Battle Department of the Trainer Academies, you'll be eligible for a position at Celadon University. This would greatly benefit your path as a researcher."
"Additionally, the annual salary for the position is no less than 3 million Pokémon Coins, with various subsidies and bonuses."
Natsume nodded slightly.
The salary wasn't exceptionally high, but it was on par with a professor's income.
However, Natsume knew his limits.
He was good at gaming, but when it came to Gym-level battles, his little ones weren't quite ready yet.
Just as Natsume was about to speak, Erika cut in, "There's no need to give an answer right away."
"The new courses will start next semester. If you plan to challenge the Kanto League, it'll coincide with the opening of the Indigo Plateau Conference."
Erika smiled. "For a Trainer, this is a rare opportunity."
Natsume smirked.
You're talking about the Indigo Plateau Conference? I'm still stuck on the Touran Conference!
I can't even afford to raise six Pokémon, let alone compete in a league conference!
"Please take your time to consider it."
Erika held her teacup and glanced at Eevee.
"Eevee?" Eevee, lying on the dining table, blinked its eyes.
"I believe... this is also the wish of your Pokémon," Erika said.
Natsume was slightly taken aback.
He reached out to Eevee, who happily jumped into his arms, wagging its tail uncontrollably.
"Eevee! o(｀^｀)o"
Natsume-sensei's dream was to be a content creator, livestreaming and making easy money.
Even though his debts kept piling up, his love for Pokémon was undeniable.
Becoming a Battle Department teacher in the Kanto League—
That wasn't something Natsume had considered yet.
"I'm afraid I must decline."
Natsume shook his head. "The truth is, I only have these three Pokémon... I don't want anything to happen to them."
"Eevee?"
Eevee, nestled in Natsume's arms, blinked its big, dark eyes.
Erika nodded.
She could understand Natsume-sensei's feelings.
Even strong Trainers like Alder and Blue Oak had faced unexpected challenges with their Pokémon.
But avoiding everything to prevent an ending... might also mean ignoring the wishes of the Pokémon themselves.
Erika stared at Eevee for a long time before suddenly looking up, her gaze sharp. "Natsume-sensei, let's have a battle."
"Huh?"
"Instead of being stuck in indecision, why not have a Pokémon battle?"
"That way, everything will naturally fall into place."
Erika tilted her head and smiled. "Isn't that the way of a Trainer?"
Natsume immediately coughed.
Who are you calling a Trainer?!
Besides, Erika is a top contender in Kanto.
Her strength is enough to take down three or four Haunters!
"I'll use my newly caught Pokémon."
Erika pulled a Poké Ball from her sleeve, pressed the button, and held the enlarged ball in her palm, saying softly, "If you win, will you consider taking the mentor position?"
Natsume was slightly stunned.
Shouldn't the loser be the one to take the position?
What kind of forced recruitment tactic is this?!
Did you learn this from Giovanni?!
"Don't worry, I won't go easy on you."
Erika glanced at Eevee and smiled. "This is just to show you the determination of Pokémon."
Natsume was taken aback.
Indeed...
Pokémon have their own convictions.
Instead of being stuck in indecision, it's better to trust your Pokémon.
Natsume's expression grew complicated as he looked down at Eevee and cleared his throat. "Later, let's save some face... if we need to surrender, just surrender. There's no need to win!"
"Eevee! ψ(｀ー｀)ψ"
Eevee licked its paw, its dark eyes gleaming with a dangerous light.
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