The leader of the interior decoration team, recognizing Luke, appeared surprised and remarked, "Sir, if I remember correctly, we only met last month?"
"Actually, it was just last week," Luke sighed, "I might need your services again in the future."
"Of course, don't hesitate to call us anytime," the interior decoration team leader replied with a reassuring smile.
Inwardly, the leader considered the performance of this tenant. It nearly accounted for half of the community's renovation business. Perhaps starting another decoration company in the area was a good idea? Decorating wasn't troublesome, it just meant repainting.
The expenses for the renovation were deducted from Haunter's salary card. The new bricks repaired the large hole on the second floor, leaving no trace from the outside. Once the repairs were complete, the construction team left.
Luke looked at the two culprits, placing his hands on his hips, and Growlithe wondered with a "ao wu? (◑▽◐)" while scratching his head with his feet. Meanwhile, Haunter poked his fingers and smiled with a "jie jie~."
Luke smacked his lips, reflecting on how Haunter paid for the renovation, and Growlithe learned Flame Wheel. It seemed that nothing had been lost at this point. However, he felt the need to assert his authority.
Nodding, he turned to Growlithe and pressed him to the ground, playfully rubbing his head and saying, "Apologize to your master!"
"ao wu!" Growlithe complied, showing a sense of surrender.
Luke was slightly surprised, puzzled by the wise look in Growlithe's eyes. Then he turned to the disheartened Haunter, patted his head, and announced with a smile, "Alright, let's tidy up. I'll make dinner."
Haunter blinked, briefly shocked, and then grinned, his tongue darting out to lick his own face.
After dinner, Luke sat on the sofa with Sylveon, playfully tying the ribbon into a bow. Sylveon, not too pleased, shook its head, unraveling the bows on either side of its ears.
Luke decided to ignore the small rebellion and, watching Growlithe energetically gnawing the sofa, he said in exasperation, "I didn't take you out today; there's no need to be so energetic!"
Growlithe's wide-eyed reaction indicated his bewilderment before he returned to his enthusiastic chewing.
"You..." Luke exclaimed, half in jest, half in despair. "Alright, there's no point in competing with you, Growlithe."
With his head buried in Sylveon's fluffy fur, Luke breathed a sigh of relief. In a world full of betrayal, only Sylveon's affection could calm his wounded heart.
"vui~ ... (๑•▵•)੭₎₎," Sylveon replied, gazing at Luke.
The soft ribbons on its head reached out to stroke Luke's hair, and the fatigue from a few restless nights weighed on his shoulders.
"Um... you're so fragrant..."
With Sylveon resting on his pillow, Luke gradually slipped into a drowsy dreamland.
On the other side of the room, Haunter took out the handwritten Secret Records for [Ice Punch] from the package.
"Jie jie~?"
At first, Haunter appeared baffled, tilting his head to the side. But after glancing at the peacefully sleeping Luke, Haunter realized something: this was a new challenge for his master!
"Jie jie~!" Haunter cackled with mischievous delight.
Covering Luke with a blanket, Haunter couldn't wait to examine the manuscript.
Sun Huaian started with [Ice Punch], and its Secret Records are quite intricate, which tests a Trainer's perception. However, Haunter can even comprehend Koga's [Toxic experience], so a mere [Ice Punch] seems like a simple 1st Step to mastering the 'Farmer's Three Punch.'
"Jie jie~ …" Haunter chuckled as he licked the manuscript, looking thoughtful before nodding.
Since Haunter had already learned Shadow Punch, Haunter had a unique preference for boxing moves. After all, even though the power of [Ice Punch] was modest, the key to a successful battle often relied on strategies rather than brute force.
Haunter floated toward the wall, grinning as his fist gradually formed faint ice crystals. The room temperature dropped significantly as Haunter slammed the fist against the wall, eliciting a "jie jie~ !(σ;*Д*)=3⁼³₌₃⁼³₌₃⁼" from the mischievous Ghost-type Pokémon.
Teacher Luke had a nightmare. In his dream, he struck an embarrassing pose, flicking his fingers to summon Gengar from behind. The grinning Gengar shook its fist, creating a howling wind that intertwined into an afterimage.
"Even JOJO is here…" Luke mumbled, rubbing his stiff neck. "Gengar isn't a physical attacker either!"
The next moment, Teacher Luke opened his eyes.
"Jie jie~! (*⊙~⊙)" Haunter was engrossed in the manuscript, enjoying a Pecha Berry as he moved back and forth, expressing keen interest.
Luke looked puzzled.
He hadn't taught Squirtle [Ice Punch]. It was Haunter!
"I must be having a nightmare…" Luke sighed, raising his forehead as he got up to change the water in the bedroom's fish tank. Squirtle sat at the bottom, gazing at the blue, drop-like crystals, lost in thought.
Upon calling Squirtle and receiving no response, Luke scratched his head and said, "I'm going out with Growlithe. Do you want supper?"
Squirtle finally snapped back to reality, shaking its head hesitantly.
Luke chuckled softly, "I almost forgot... you're probably afraid of being poisoned!"
Exiting the bedroom, Luke checked the wall clock; it was only 7 o'clock. Sylveon lay lazily on the sofa, seemingly too lethargic to move.
Luke grabbed the leash and took Growlithe for a walk, receiving attention from various people. As they passed by, they overheard whispers from bystanders.
"He's so handsome..."
"Is that the rich second-generation? Even his Growlithe looks posh..."
"Luke, Teacher Luke?!"
Their destination was a department store, and Luke led Growlithe to the musical instrument mall on the second floor. People looked on curiously as he asked the shopping guide if he could try out the instruments.
The shopping guide agreed, and Luke soon found himself in front of a matte black piano adorned with a silver Swablu carving.
Seated on the piano bench with Growlithe in his lap, Luke began to play, testing his newfound [Playing Lv3] Ability. As the beautiful melodies filled the air, onlookers recorded the performance on their mobile phones.
Luke marveled at how easy his new Ability was to use but was slightly irked by the system's lack of restraint. He mumbled to himself, "You also said this isn't the anchor system?!"
The system remained silent, and Luke proceeded to speak with the shopping guide about purchasing multiple instruments. Luke explained that he needed them for various purposes, including teaching children.
Amused, the shopping guide offered a discount if Luke wanted to buy one or register for classes. Luke declined and clarified that he needed them all. The shopping guide, now understanding Luke's intentions, complied.
With Luke's new knowledge of musical instruments granted by [Playing], he was prepared to avoid any potential rip-offs. He chose drums, a piano, a guitar, and a bass. Luke requested Dodrio to deliver them to his address.
The delivery process was fast, and by nearly 10 PM, all the musical instruments had been arranged in his home. Luckily, his rented house was spacious enough to create a small music studio. The curious Pokémon observed the Machokes, who were moving the instruments in and out of the house.
Approaching 11 PM, the set-up studio transformed into a music room. Luke sat on the piano chair with Sylveon on his lap. He switched on the camera and began recording the storyboard for a music video.
At the end of July, Luke had gone on a date with Cynthia for the first time, and he planned to cover the song from that date.
Despite the familiarity of the tune, the lack of music theory knowledge made it challenging to create a melody. Nevertheless, Luke's fingers danced on the keys, and the results were extraordinary.
The lovers look at the blue coastline on the dying summer night.
The fireworks rising into the sky are gorgeous, and the gentle evening breeze blows…
"Uchiage Hanabi", literally translated as "fireworks".
People are more accustomed to calling it, "Uchiage Hanabi".
I stretched my waist and glanced at the various musical instruments placed in the corner, waiting for my luck.
The corners of Luke's mouth raised slightly.
I,Teacher Luke, is a one person band!