July 16th, Thursday.
With the help of templates, the progress on "Plants vs. Zombies" was astonishingly swift, and they managed to create demos even before the weekend arrived.
Damien's hairline had receded by another two centimeters, leaving some feeling sorrowful while others shed tears. However, at this point, it hardly mattered anymore. As long as you were willing to burn the midnight oil, sadness had no place!
Eevee playfully stepped over Luke's face, wearing a mischievous grin. Despite the cushioned comfort of its presence, this was hardly an ideal wake-up call.
Luke scratched his head, ruffled Eevee's fur, and addressed the two-eyed but still groggy Pokémon, saying, "Alright, I'll make breakfast right away!"
"Jie jie~! (*≧▽≦) " Haunter gleefully chimed in.
"Vui~! (▼ヘ▼#)" Eevee let out a somewhat vexed sound, clearly unamused by the unconventional wake-up method.
Heading to the refrigerator, Luke stealthily swiped a can of Moomoo Milk while Haunter glared at him with disapproval. Checking the news feed for a brief moment, Luke discovered that the Masters League Tournament would kick off in Magic City on Saturday, a topic that was buzzing in the group.
Gold: "Did they release the Contest Category? Any chance of winning?"
Green: "Unfortunately, I think the Contest Category is gone. Kanto Alliance's Dragon Tamer Lance is part of the red team, and his strength is quite something."
Yellow from Viridian Forest: "Mr. Lance is also from Viridian Forest. He's a good person (╹▽╹)"
Gold shivered, recalling the two formidable Dragonairs with exceptional weather control skills. Through clenched teeth, he muttered, "Where's Blue Team? I should stand a chance!"
Whitney: "Blue Team is Miss Cynthia. If you can win against her, there's no way you'd lose to anyone else!"
Brock took a more measured approach: "In theory, there's still a 10% chance."
Red chimed in: "Little Gold has made significant improvements... Though 10% is a bit on the low side, it's a decent chance!"
Blue added, "Agreed."
Gold couldn't help but shed a tear. Were they really speaking up for him? He was touched and thankful for their support!
Closing the chat, Luke scratched his head in confusion.
"Cynthia is coming to Magic City to participate in the games?"
"It makes sense; I haven't seen her playing for the past few days." Luke expressed some regret.
The loss of an extra source of income only made their already tight finances even tougher!
Yet, Cynthia was truly a Champion-level player.
Participating in the live event would certainly boost her recognition on a global scale.
"Om—"
His phone rang at that moment, prompting Luke to answer, "Hello, who's this?"
"Luke, I apologize for the early call. I hope it's not inconvenient for you. Are you available on Friday?" came a familiar voice.
"Professor Rowan?" Luke sounded a tad surprised. "Is there something you need?"
"Regarding the issue you mentioned about Eevee's Anticipation last time—does the symptoms still persist?"
Luke was momentarily taken aback, his gaze involuntarily shifting towards Eevee. Meanwhile, Haunter, who was ravenous, was sprawled on the wall, and Eevee was engrossed in a skirmish with its Substitute...
A clatter followed as a newly purchased enamel tea cup fell to the floor. Eevee blinked and shifted its gaze to Luke before hastily averted it, trying to act inconspicuous.
"Vui~! Σ(っ°Д°;)っ"
Caught in the act, Eevee turned away in an embarrassed manner as if it had been caught doing something wrong. It puffed up its fur and pawed at the fallen tea cup in a disgruntled manner...
Luke cleared his throat, prompting, "Professor Rowan, about that...I believe the symptoms are still present."
"Please don't worry too much; that's likely a normal reaction," Professor Rowan reassured. "My assistant will be coming to Orient on Friday as well. She will personally diagnose the situation."
Their relationship being amiable, Luke responded with enthusiasm, "Is there anything I can do to assist?"
"Actually, I was calling for exactly that reason." Professor Rowan's voice carried a hint of a smile. "She will arrive at Magic City Airport on Friday morning."
Concerned that she might struggle to navigate the unfamiliar city, Professor Rowan requested, "I worry about her navigating through the city. If it's not too much trouble, could you pick her up?"
"Of course, it's no problem at all. What's the name of your assistant? I'll make a pick-up sign."
"A sign won't be necessary; you should recognize her at a glance. She's the one you met previously," Professor Rowan informed him.
"She's the Champion of the Sinnoh Region. Her name is Cynthia."
"No problem at all!"
Luke readily agreed, but a sudden realization left his mind in disarray.
Could it be?
Is the Cynthia they're referring to... the same person?
She's truly stunning and possesses an enviable figure...
Who would have thought she'd be participating in the event in Magic City this weekend?!
"Thank you for your assistance!" Professor Rowan's voice resonated through the line before he promptly ended the call.
Luke was slightly startled but continued to drink the unfinished Moomoo Milk, only to realize he had forgotten to open his mouth.
Hovering beneath Luke in a state of distress, Haunter opened its large mouth to catch the dripping Moomoo Milk.
"Well... that makes sense," Luke muttered after a moment of befuddlement, each of them preoccupied with their own thoughts.
"Since someone is coming to help diagnose Eevee, I really should head to the airport to meet them..." Luke decided, noting Eevee's hungry behavior as it scratched at the wall.
With a tearful gaze, Haunter looked at the Moomoo Milk in Luke's hand, yearning for a taste.
If Luke wasn't going to drink it, then Haunter was certainly willing to help!
"Right away...right away!" Luke exclaimed as he snapped back to reality, planning to prepare breakfast. Just as he was about to get to work, his phone vibrated once again.
"This, this can't still be happening in the morning, can it?" Luke grumbled, growing exasperated as he checked his phone, his eyelid involuntarily twitching.
[100 kinds of Ice Cream: Can you talk?]
[Teacher Luke: Yes...]
Submissive, feeble, and helpless.
After a brief pause, Cynthia's call request appeared on the screen.
Luke accepted the call, and Cynthia's familiar magnetic voice greeted him.
"I'll be arriving in Magic City on Friday morning. If it's convenient for you, would you mind coming to the airport?"
Luke hesitated, and Cynthia added after a moment of consideration, "I know this is somewhat sudden. I'll invite you to play games another time."
"Wait a moment!"
Seeing Cynthia about to end the call, Luke hastily interjected, "I'm available! I'm very free!"
It appeared that Luke's initial request had sounded a bit presumptuous, prompting Cynthia to choose her words carefully.
"It's not familiar territory for me in Magic City..."
"You're the only friend I have in the Orient Region."
"I know."
"Then, would you be able to pick me up tomorrow?"
"Of course, who wouldn't come, especially when there's a beauty waiting!" Luke responded with enthusiasm.
A faint smile graced Cynthia's lips, her voice carrying a slightly hoarse quality that only added to its allure. Luke could even hear her breathing on the other end of the line, sending a shiver down his spine.
Cynthia said, "See you tomorrow."
Luke replied, "See you."
After ending the call, Luke heaved a long sigh of relief. Holding his hand to his chest, he muttered to himself, "Why is my heart racing like this?"
"Isn't it just an online meeting?"
"Could she be planning to spend the night at my place?"
Luke, having undergone rigorous professional training, soon managed to regain his composure.
Nonetheless, he found himself wrestling with a dilemma – in what capacity should he meet her?
"Is it as a fellow gamer? As the younger researcher? Or as the average student from Magic University?"
After much contemplation, Luke decided to simply be himself. There was no need to fabricate a persona. Cynthia could easily gauge his strength, and he had nothing to hide.
He would pick her up at the airport and then see her off to the designated hotel. After all, Cynthia's primary purpose...
Was to assess potential risks for Eevee.
An idea suddenly struck Luke, prompting him to muse, "Could Cynthia be playing the role of a tool?"
"Jie jie~!ﾍ(;´Д｀ﾍ)"
A starving Haunter turned a shade of blue as it expressed its hunger.
Meanwhile, Eevee bit into a napkin, its eyes brimming with teary frustration.
Luke scratched his head helplessly, "Alright, I'll head over soon!"