"Cynthia, as I mentioned earlier, this is Luke from the Orient Region," I said to Cynthia, who came closer to the camera.
Gradually, the silhouette in the distance clarified. The familiar black trench coat I usually wore had been replaced by the pristine white coat of a researcher, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses now adorned my tall, narrow nose.
Without any makeup, her cherry-colored lips, along with her fair and delicate complexion, made her gray pupils appear incredibly deep. The stunning beauty with her waist-length, dazzling blond hair and the slim gold-rimmed glasses momentarily caught Luke off guard.
"This is... incredibly beautiful!" Luke thought to himself.
"Hello," Cynthia greeted with a slight smile. "The professor speaks highly of you."
Luke blushed slightly and responded, "Professor Rowan tends to exaggerate..."
"He doesn't praise people lightly," Cynthia replied, her smile still lingering. "Moreover, our research directions seem to align to some extent."
Cynthia herself was a legendary scholar in the Sinnoh Region, dedicating much of her efforts to studying the concepts of Time and Space. Encountering a fellow researcher and receiving personal praise from Professor Rowan intrigued her.
"You two go ahead and talk. I'll grab a cup of coffee," Professor Rowan interjected, rising from his seat and leaving Cynthia and Luke on opposite ends of the screen.
A moment of silence followed. Luke absentmindedly stroked his sleeping Eevee and lost himself in thought.
"This voice... it sounds so familiar," Luke pondered. "Where have I heard it before?"
Suddenly, a realization struck him like lightning. The Cynthia before him seemed to resemble the blonde girl from the game, and her slightly magnetic voice matched too.
Could it really be Cynthia? The wealthy woman who had been interacting with him, is she truly the Sinnoh Champion, his sugar mama?
Luke's expression shifted through a range of emotions.
Cynthia noticed his odd reaction and asked, "Is there something on my face?"
"No, it's just... I need a moment," Luke stammered.
A curious smile danced on Cynthia's lips, brief yet calming like ripples left by a Swanna on water.
"Have we met before?" Cynthia wondered.
Luke shook his head.
"Nothing?" Cynthia propped her chin on her hand, lost in thought. "Then why does your voice feel so familiar?"
Luke grappled with how to respond. Should he reveal that they've been playing games together? The serious academic context made it an awkward topic.
He frowned, hesitating on how to reply.
But revealing himself now? In this formal setting?
Just as he struggled with his thoughts, Professor Rowan returned with the coffee, ending the momentary tension.
Cynthia nodded, smiled at Luke, and said, "I'll take my leave for now," before her slender figure disappeared from the screen.
As Professor Rowan sipped his coffee, he suggested, "If it's possible, you could bring Eevee over sometime."
"Beyond that, there shouldn't be any issues, right?" Luke pondered.
"Are you considering joining our lab?" Professor Rowan raised an eyebrow. "Is that why you're asking?"
"No, it was just a thought," Luke replied, acknowledging to himself that while Cynthia's appearance stirred something within him, he couldn't let it sway his commitment to his original goals.
After thanking Professor Rowan, Luke ended the video call and settled Eevee into the soft cat litter. Observing his sleeping Eevee, Luke's mind was filled with contemplation.
"The wealthy lady is actually Cynthia... no wonder she's so rich."
"Hmm? Wait, was I courted by Cynthia?"
Suddenly, Luke coughed, cleared his throat, and continued,
"Let's stick to the plan...
"She's got the cash, and I won't be eating humble pie as Teacher Luke. Easy money!"
In the mere span of two months since the shift in the world line, Luke managed to tame both Haunter and Eevee.
With numerous bosses already defeated in his gaming group, now he had established a connection with Cynthia. This imbued Luke with a sense of enchantment and wonder.
However, being a professional, Teacher Luke soon accepted the reality that the wealthy lady was indeed Cynthia.
"It's no wonder she mentioned that the fees were reasonable," Luke commented wryly.
"After all, she's the Sinnoh Champion. Charging her a hefty sum per hour wouldn't be an exaggeration!"
After a brief period of introspection, Luke exhaled, allowing his emotions to settle.
"Calm down. Even Red's a fan of mine. It's no big deal to game with Cynthia."
"Charging for services remains the same; one shouldn't discriminate just because someone's attractive!"
Luke's mindset was straightforward.
Business is business. Offering a favorable price just because she's a Sinnoh Champion wouldn't be fair, right?
That's our very own Teacher Luke, unapologetically shameless!
His rationale was quite logically sound, and Luke couldn't help but appreciate his own wit.
"Planning to engage in night work?" Absolutely not!"
The night had fallen, and it was late.
After a full day of running around, Luke was thoroughly exhausted. He lay down on his bed, using his pillow to cushion his tired head.
In the pitch-black room, faint rustling sounds could be heard.
Eevee, fully recharged, opened its eyes cautiously, surveying its surroundings.
"Vui~?" (Are we doing something tonight?)
From the wall, an eerie grin emerged as Haunter nodded approvingly.
"Jie jie~!" (Exactly!)
"Vui~?" (What kind of training at night?)
"Jie jie~ jie jie~!" (You'll see soon enough!)
...
At Rowan Laboratory, Cynthia wrestled with her lingering impression.
"Where did I meet him?"
Speaking to herself, she continued, "Why does he seem so familiar..."
Internet-transmitted audio was often distorted, and considering her recent lack of gaming, the memory wasn't as vivid.
Professor Rowan was reviewing the case provided by Luke.
"An Eevee with the Anticipation Ability, but a rather temperamental nature..."
Smiling gently, Professor Rowan commented, "They certainly make for an interesting pair."
"The Eevee you just mentioned?" Cynthia inquired curiously.
"Yes," Professor Rowan affirmed, outlining the symptoms Eevee exhibited.
"I suspect it could be due to the stress of the new environment... it seems to have difficulty accepting transmission, which complicates matters a bit."
Cynthia grinned. "I'll pay that little one a visit. I was planning to head to the Orient Region anyway."
"Ah, is that in preparation for the latter half of the year's Master's League Tournament?"
Professor Rowan stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"Who will you be facing?"
"It's taking place in the Magic City, and I'll be up against the Dragon Tamer Lance from the Kanto Region."
Rubbing her eyes with her slender hand, Cynthia yawned, expressing her fatigue.
"That's why I keep saying that after this break, I won't have any free time at all."
Professor Rowan nodded. "Do you know anyone in the Orient Region? Would you like me to introduce you to some acquaintances?"
"That won't be necessary," Cynthia replied.
The image of the Tactical Master who employed the Perish Song Squad and a rather unconventional strategy popped into her mind.
"I've actually made a new acquaintance recently, seems like he's from the Magic City too."
Cynthia scratched her head.
"What was his name again... Teacher Luke?"