Pokémon: Trainers Returning from Monster Hunter

Oreki decided that he would definitely have to talk to Daigo when he had the chance.

It's one thing for your chat software to have a "read" function—after all, some software from the past had it too—but how come you can answer video calls so easily?

Where is the "Connect" button?

But that's a story for another time.

The most urgent task now is to ease the slightly awkward atmosphere immediately.

Oreki suddenly really wanted to know how Shin-chan adjusted her mindset...

Stop watching the news! Your trainer is in big trouble!

He paused, then forced a smile. "Um... good evening, Zhulan."

"Pfft—"

Seeing Oreki's unnatural expression, Takeran couldn't help but chuckle.

"Good evening, Oreki. Did I disturb you?"

No, not at all.

It has to be said that there's a reason why so many people liked bamboo orchids in their past lives.

Her slightly damp golden hair clearly showed she had just taken a bath, and her languid sitting posture, coupled with her playful expression of covering her mouth and giggling, would surely make Xiao Chunan completely infatuated!

Of course, this was not effective for Oreki, who had a strong will.

His embarrassment was simply because he wasn't mentally prepared for it at the moment!

"That's good. I went to 'Random Ruins' to verify your route during the day, and it really was unobstructed."

With a smile in her eyes, Zhu Lan softly explained her purpose.

"My grandma and I take this very seriously. We should have met with you in person, but we couldn't get away, so we can only video chat with you tonight."

Oreki hadn't expected Dr. Chikuran and Dr. Mustard to be so serious; it seemed the importance of deciphering the stone tablet inscriptions was greater than he had imagined.

He waved his hand, "Grandma would be the best if she could help you and Jie Zilan."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Lan's eyes flickered slightly, and she continued, "It's like this, because this discovery is quite significant, Grandma will be writing a paper for publication, and she needs your name as an author. She'd like to ask for your opinion."

"Of course, no problem."

Without much thought, Oreki agreed.

His original intention was to make a name for himself, and it would be perfect to have his articles published by Dr. Mustard, the most authoritative figure in the field of mythology and history!

"Yes, I'll give you the first author's work and communications when the time comes," Zhu Lan emphasized.

"Huh? You want them all for me?" Oreki was a little surprised. "Is this what Grandma Mustard's intention?"

You should know that Oreki was a graduate student in his previous life. He still remembers that there was an unwritten rule in the research group: as long as the paper was not written by himself, even if he did the experiment, he would at most be a co-first author.

As for the corresponding author?

Those must belong to the supervisor or the research group leader.

"Grandma doesn't care about these things anymore. After all, it was your discovery, and she's happy to help you."

Zhu Lan teased with a smile.

"Besides, you're already a tutor at the Rustboro Academy, so it's perfectly normal for you to be the corresponding author, right? If you ever get selected as a Pokémon Professor, don't forget to give me, your junior, a boost!"

"Stop teasing me." Oreki shook his head helplessly. "With your status, if you just asked, I'm sure many professors would be willing to lend their names to you."

"That's no fun. I'm not willing to be credited for research I didn't participate in."

Zhu Lan puffed out her cheeks, her feigned anger making her look both alluring and adorable.

So, what she was implying was—will I be allowed to mentor her in her research in the future?

Oreki couldn't help but have a slightly inappropriate thought.

Speaking of which, if we're going to sell cat food in the future, shouldn't we apply for a patent or something beforehand, and then find a company to partner with...?

Hiss, the dead memories suddenly began to attack.

Oreki quickly stopped thinking and replied half-jokingly.

"Then don't look down on me after I become a PhD."

"uh-huh."

Zhu Lan nodded noncommittally.

Logically, having achieved her goal, she should have ended the video, but after a brief silence, she inexplicably asked again.

"Oreki, are you still afraid of Pokémon?"

She regretted it as soon as she said it.

If the other person hasn't recovered yet, wouldn't this be like rubbing salt into a wound... no, it would be like tearing open a scabbed wound and rubbing salt into it?

"Um... I was just asking, don't take it to heart..."

"Don't worry, I'm fine now."

Oreki pressed the camera rotation button, and Shin-chan, who was intently watching TV, appeared on the screen.

"Look, this little guy is my newly tamed partner."

"This is... a new Leaf Cat from the Padia region... Huh? It's even a heterochromatic one?"

"Meow~"

(｡･∀･)ﾉﾞ

Upon hearing the trainer mention her, Newleaf Meow greeted them politely.

Nihaoya~

"So cute!" Cynthia couldn't help but smile. "She looks just like my Eevee."

As she spoke, she peeked out and called out, "Eevee, stop playing for a moment and come say hello!"

"Buyi!"

A clear cry rang out, and then Oreki saw a fluffy Eevee squeeze into the screen.

"Bu-i-bu-i!"

Although he couldn't understand Eevee's cries, Oreki still politely replied, "Hello, Eevee."

Cynthia naturally scooped up Eevee and used it as a body pillow, continuing, "As far as I know, there shouldn't be any Newleaf Meows in the Hoenn region, right?"

"That's right, it originally belonged to Dr. Odori's research institute, that day..."

Oreki briefly explained the origin of Shin-yomi.

Throughout the entire process, his tone was calm, as if he were talking about something trivial, but to Zhu Lan's ears, it was somewhat thrilling.

The opponent is a notorious Pokémon hunter!

As the Sinnoh League Champion, she has had a lot of dealings with Pokémon hunters over the past year.

Knowing that they will stop at nothing to achieve their goals, even elite trainers could stumble if they are not careful.

But even under these circumstances, Oreki managed to escape from the enemy and rescue Shin-chan?!

It's really quite unbelievable.

Knowing that Oreki wasn't injured, Takeran quietly breathed a sigh of relief and remarked, "It's been so many years, you've really changed a lot."

"Aren't you the same? You became the league champion without saying a word."

"I didn't say a word; you just didn't care at all."

"..."

Okay, I've hit the jackpot.

This conversation is going to die out.

"Alright, I know you've been doing research, otherwise how would you know the meaning of those stone tablet characters?"

Zhu Lan came to Zhe Mu's rescue and changed the subject.

"So, have you decided what gift you want?"

"Gift?"

"Yes, didn't we say yesterday that if the route map was correct, we would thank you properly?"

"This one—"

You blockhead, hurry up and think!

What would be the most appropriate thing to do at this time?

Pokémon Coins?

So tacky!

Tree fruit?

That's so embarrassing!

Move learning device?

This seems good, but what do I need? Should I further enhance New Leaf Cat's speed with "High-Speed ​​Movement"?

Or is "Triple Spin" preparing Magic Masked Cat's attack range?

Seeing that Oreki was deep in thought, Takeran pursed her lips and made a suggestion.

"How about I give you a Pokémon?"

"hiss--"

This seems like a good option. If you want to continue challenging gyms and collecting Hunter Certificates, assembling a team as soon as possible is the most important thing.

After all, Du Juan is an exception; most dojos start with 2v2.

However, before Oreki could agree...

Xin Ye Miao, who had been eavesdropping all along, was the first to call out.

"Meow meow!!"

No way! I disagree!!

……