Natsume was taken aback by Crystal's sincere gaze.
It's well known that a newly hatched Pokémon's personality closely resembles that of its Trainer.
Take Gold, for example: his Togepi, which once soloed a Tyranitar; his Pichu, which dared to challenge Arceus.
In a way, this is also a sign of recklessness.
"Hatching a brave and kind Pokémon..."
Natsume muttered to himself, his expression turning strange.
So... does that mean I'm brave?
Crystal smiled gently. "Natsume-sensei, the fact that you're willing to be friends with Gold is already a sign of your bravery and kindness!"
Natsume was stunned for a moment, at a loss for words.
Gold is truly lucky to have such an understanding girlfriend!
(Meanwhile, far away in Johto, Gold sneezed out of nowhere.)
Gengar, curious, leaned closer to inspect the Pokémon egg in Crystal's hands, sticking out its tongue as if to taste it.
Natsume panicked and quickly stopped it, coughing awkwardly. "This isn't the kind of egg you make poached eggs with... I'll cook for you all later!"
"Gengar!" Gengar retracted its tongue, scratching its head sheepishly.
Crystal was also startled, looking down at the Pokémon egg in her arms.
Entrusting it to Natsume-sensei should be fine... right?
With a determined expression, Crystal handed the Pokémon egg to Natsume and bowed slightly. "Please take care of it, Natsume-sensei!"
Natsume had already agreed to Professor Elm's request earlier, so he couldn't refuse now.
Taking the still-warm Pokémon egg, Natsume examined it closely.
The white egg was adorned with red and blue triangular patterns, resembling a decorative item that would appeal to girls.
Natsume felt a sense of familiarity but couldn't quite place it. Curious, he asked, "Which Pokémon is this?"
"Togepi," Crystal replied with a smile. "It's the sibling of Gold's Togekiss."
Gold's Togepi had also been entrusted to him by Professor Elm as an egg, which later hatched.
But the personality it developed... well, it gave Professor Elm quite a headache.
As for Togepi's lineage, both of these Togepi were offspring of Jasmine's two Togetic. Jasmine, the Johto Steel-type Gym Leader.
Given its feat of soloing a Tyranitar, its potential was at least 6V.
For any Trainer, this Pokémon egg would be considered priceless.
But now, Natsume-sensei's expression was complicated.
Togepi?
Known as a symbol of 'good luck,' its shell is said to be filled with 'happiness,' and it's often referred to as a 'blessed Pokémon.'
Such an incredibly lucky Pokémon... would it really get along with me?!
Natsume licked his lips, glanced at the Togepi egg, and cleared his throat. "Could you give me Professor Elm's contact information?"
"Of course," Crystal said.
Natsume initiated a video call with Professor Elm, who answered shortly after.
"Oh, has the Pokémon egg been delivered?" Professor Elm squinted, recognizing Natsume beside Crystal, and smiled. "Well then, Natsume-sensei, I leave Togepi in your care!"
"Professor... maybe you should reconsider," Natsume said with mixed emotions. "I'm afraid I might corrupt this Togepi."
"Nonsense!" Professor Elm adjusted his glasses. "I've done my research. Professor Rowan speaks highly of you, and he's rarely wrong about people."
"Besides, it's not like you'll teach it to play cards or billiards like Gold did, right?" Professor Elm teased.
It feels like you're setting me up for failure, Professor Elm!
Crystal added softly, "After all... Natsume-sensei is a good person!"
Another 'good person' card received.
Natsume-sensei looked up at the sky.
Imagining a Togepi with a dark, scheming personality, playing strategic games... he couldn't help but shudder.
But every coin has two sides.
Maybe this little one could be an angel, capable of turning my bad luck around?
Besides, a rare Pokémon like Togepi—why would Professor Elm give it away so easily?
"Then, I'll transfer it to you after it hatches," Natsume said.
Professor Elm nodded, initially about to suggest that Natsume could just catch Togepi directly.
But then he reconsidered—bonding between a Trainer and a Pokémon takes time.
When the egg hatches, Natsume can make his own decision.
"Sounds good," Professor Elm said with a smile. "The payment is already prepared."
"Then, I leave it to you, Natsume-sensei!"
Natsume ended the call.
Looking down at the Pokémon egg in his arms, he felt a newfound sense of responsibility.
This was Natsume-sensei's first time hatching a Pokémon egg.
Like a new father, Natsume nodded cautiously.
I need to be careful...
I can't let Togepi turn out wrong!
"Gengar!" Gengar reached out its small hands, wanting to hold the Pokémon egg too.
"Huh? Are you sure you won't swallow it?" Natsume asked, eyeing Gengar suspiciously.
"Gengar! (??????)"
"Alright... but be careful."
Gengar carefully took the egg, making sure to control the temperature around it.
Staring at the patterns on the egg, Gengar's gaze deepened.
"Gengar! (??ω??)"
I hope you'll train hard too.
And shine brightly for our Trainer's championship dreams!
Natsume thought he saw the egg tremble slightly, but maybe it was just his imagination.
"Looks like you're getting along well," Natsume said with a faint smile. "It'd be great if it grows up peacefully!"
Crystal, observing Natsume's expression, nodded to herself.
Indeed, entrusting Togepi to Natsume-sensei was the right choice!
...
After completing the handover, Crystal prepared to leave.
Natsume offered, "Stay for a meal before you go."
"Eh, really? Is that okay?"
"Of course, as long as you pay."
Crystal: ???
Half an hour later, Crystal once again experienced the depth of Touran's culinary excellence.
Watching the 'Little Red Mushroom'Lying on the table, moved to tears.
Natsume nodded calmly.
It's the onions. I added onions!
"I have a flight to catch later," Crystal said, standing up and clearing her throat. "I should get going now!"
Natsume nodded. "Safe travels!"
In the night, the security guard, Old Man, saw the girl running out in tears and sighed, lamenting her misfortune and frustration.
"Natsume might be handsome, but he shouldn't be so heartless!"
Old Man snorted. "What a playboy!"
...
October 15th, night.
Natsume's home welcomed a new member.
A Togepi egg.
Natsume placed it on the sofa, and the little ones gathered around, curious.
Seeing Growlithe baring its fangs, Natsume's expression changed. "Growlithe, if you're not careful, I'll stew you tonight!"
"Growlithe~~⊙_⊙" Growlithe quickly closed its mouth, looking embarrassed.
Natsume sighed. "Squirtle, stop using Aura to test it. It's not an explosive!"
"Squirtle! ヾ(??■_■)" Squirtle adjusted its sunglasses cautiously.
You can never be too sure!
"Get some rest. We have the Top 32 matches tomorrow!"
After shooing the little ones away, Natsume looked at the egg, feeling exhausted.
Please... don't let this hatch into another problem child!
...
It was late at night.
Natsume-sensei was sound asleep in bed, his breathing steady.
Sylveon get into bed skillfully, using its ribbons to turn off the bedside lamp before comfortably resting its head on Natsume's arm.
In the darkness, a sinister face appeared, roughly rubbing Growlithe's head.
Enough nonsense! Come train with me tonight!
Growlithe was about to bark but, seeing Gengar's Mean Look, immediately wagged its tail and followed obediently.
Before leaving the house, Gengar glanced at the Togepi egg on the sofa, tilting its head.
Maybe... we should bring it along for training?
At the same time, the 'lucky charm' Togepi began to emit a faint glow.
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