Monday, November 23.
Under the veil of the gray night, the mist from the hot spring ascends, allowing glimpses of starlight.
"After you're done soaking, let's catch a movie."
Red gestures farewell.
"Until then."
"Y-yeah... until then," Yellow responds with a muffled voice.
The hot spring facility is split into two baths, and Pokémon are allowed to join in.
Teacher Luke naturally brings along all the Poké Balls.
In the changing room, Red removes his shirt and grins, saying, "Snor, I enjoy hot springs too."
Luke is briefly taken aback. "I recall, Snor means..."
"Yeah, it's short for Snorlax."
...
Dong!
Snorlax plunges into the hot spring, creating a surge of water that takes a moment to settle.
"Snor..."
Snorlax lets out a contented sigh, placing a bath towel on its head and leisurely napping in the hot spring.
"This guy never changes," Red chuckles.
The water level in the entire hot spring has noticeably risen.
Bubbles suddenly surface on the hot water.
"Jie jie~!" Gengar releases bubbles, emerging from the water and starting a playful butterfly stroke.
On the edge of the hot spring, Squirtle gazes at the peacefully resting Venusaur with a touch of awe.
The friends of his lord... they all possess such strength!
A glint appears in Squirtle's eyes.
We must continue to grow steadily!
Even though it's a Fire-type, Growlithe paddles through the hot spring, carrying Togepi, resembling a playful dog.
Teacher Luke persuades the reluctant Sylveon and runs a comb through its soft, white fur.
"Vui~..." Sylveon's ears quiver, showcasing its adorable nature.
"The atmosphere is so harmonious."
Red has a Pikachu resting on his stomach.
"Because we've been through a lot together," Luke sighs.
Sylveon's ears droop, and it dips its head into the hot spring, revealing only its clear blue eyes and emitting bubbles.
A Trainer's strength is far from a Pokémon's level alone.
Perhaps, by observing a Trainer's attitude towards Pokémon, one can discern a thing or two.
Emotions, connections, and the bond between people and Pokémon might be the true strength of a Trainer.
With these thoughts, a smile graces Red's face.
...
The hot spring's surface is veiled in mist, with wooden plates of fresh fruits gently floating on it.
Gengar, Squirtle, and Togepi are lined up from largest to smallest, sporting bath towels on their heads while their little feet dangle by the hot spring.
Red strains to pull Snorlax out of the hot spring.
"Don't doze off, Snor, I'm heading out!"
"Snor..." Snorlax lets out a lengthy yawn.
Observing Snorlax being dragged ever so slightly, Teacher Luke can't help but be surprised.
Is this really the physique of a human?
Eventually, Teacher Luke takes a pot of Pokéblock from Gengar's four-dimensional treasure chest and places it at the hot spring's exit.
Opening the lid releases a delightful fragrance.
Snorlax's eyes widen, and a dangerous red light glows in them.
"Snor!!!"
Bang!
Snorlax's body smashes through the hot spring's door.
Red blushes, saying, "Thanks, Teacher Luke."
"It's nothing."
...
Upon hearing the commotion, Yellow rushes over.
"What's happening?"
"Nothing..." Red begins to respond, slightly startled.
Yellow of Viridian Forest ties her high yellow ponytail, which cascades down her shoulders and emits a pleasant fragrance.
"Red, Senior Red?" Yellow of Viridian Forest blushes and whispers.
"Caught you looking silly," Luke teases Red with an elbow nudge.
"I just realized..."
Red scratches his head and suddenly says, "Yellow is a girl!"
Teacher Luke: ???
Is this a compliment for The Fighter?
Yellow seems accustomed to it and smiles shyly.
"Pika!" Red's Pikachu, holding its daughter-in-law, gazes at its master.
On this level?
Teacher Luke changes into a cardigan and slips on clogs, preparing to leave the space for the two to be alone.
Unexpectedly, his phone rings.
Luke is slightly startled, answers the video call, and Cynthia's delicate face appears.
"Sinnoh is covered in snow," Cynthia says. "It's the first snowfall."
Luke looks at the sky, which is gray, and can't see a patch of Icirrus.
"When I arrive there, I'll give you a call too."
"Sure."
Yellow and Red stand by, their mouths forming 'O' shapes.
"Red, Senior Red!"
Yellow stammers and whispers, "This is!"
"Sinnoh Champion, Cynthia." Red is also somewhat shocked and nods.
"Is someone with you?"
"We have a World Champion and his girlfriend."
Luke thinks that he might be considered one of his girlfriends.
Girl, girlfriend!
The faces of Red and Yellow of Viridian Forest turn red instantly.
"Red?"
Cynthia's voice carries a hint of astonishment.
"How's his hand injury?"
Luke turns the camera.
Red politely greets, "Hello."
Cynthia smiles and nods, "Long time no see, how have you been?"
"I'm still recovering."
"Well..."
The two exchange a few words, and Cynthia says, "Teacher Luke has taken care of you during this time."
"Where's that!" Red blushes with embarrassment.
In terms of rank.
It seems that I'm far from Teacher Luke...
Cynthia called due to boredom from staying in the hotel and the early snowfall in Sinnoh.
"I have nothing else to do," Cynthia says.
"I still do."
"What?"
"You look very cute today." Luke says firmly.
Cynthia is slightly startled and immediately hangs up.
...
After the incident, Red and Yellow head out to watch a movie.
The street is illuminated, and a black and white movie is being shown in the town's open square.
The two walk side by side, and Yellow suddenly says:
"What do you think about the relationship between Teacher Luke and sister Cynthia?"
Red shakes his head, feeling some emotion.
"Teacher Luke is amazing..."
After a pause, Red adds, "In various senses."
Yellow is somewhat silent, like whispering to herself, softly saying:
"We might be thought of by others as having that kind of relationship..."
"What?"
"Nothing!" Yellow quickly shakes her head.
Red ponders for a moment, then suddenly claps his hands.
"When I think of it, I have to contact Mr. Blaine for Teacher Luke!"
"Eh?"
"Teacher Luke, aren't you challenging the Gym?"
Red searches for Mr. Blaine's phone number. "If we can't find the Gym Leader, it will be troublesome."
"Contact him in advance and have Mr. Blaine locate him. There won't be as many troubles."
"That makes sense..." Yellow blinks.
"It should be this number."
Red dials the phone and explains the situation.
"Now, let's go to the hotel to find him?" Red says with a smile.
"Of course, no problem. With Teacher Luke's strength, you must give it your all!"
...
Having sent away the two companions, Teacher Luke, left alone in the hot spring hotel, found himself with nothing to do.
Aunt Lorelei discreetly approached Teacher Luke to inquire about any juicy gossip.
"How's everything going?"
"It's fine; I sent them to the movies."
"What a shame," Lorelei sighed. "There's another unfortunate soul on the Seafoam Islands."
"Who else is on the Seafoam Islands?"
"I'm here with Misty… Would you like to tell Red?"
Teacher Luke looked puzzled.
Is it the White Album season again?
Option 1: Go to the open-air movie.
Option 2: Head to the Seafoam Islands.
Teacher Luke felt a headache. "Let's forget it..."
"It's obvious that Misty arrived first!"
"Ah, this..."
"So, Red is too forward."
Lorelei took off her glasses, wiped the lenses, and sighed.
"What a shame, childhood sweethearts can never beat the true couple…"
Teacher Luke: "Why do you know so much, Aunt Lorelei!"
Oh, Aunt?!
Lorelei's forehead twitched. "Don't think just because you can beat Lance, you can beat me!"
Teacher Luke thought to himself, I can't beat Dragon Tamer Lance either.
"Then, um, contact me next time!"
"I've noted it down!"
After hanging up the phone, Teacher Luke fell into contemplation.
Could it be that I've been influenced by Gold recently?
Even someone as cautious as me has started to become death seeker!
Although the excuse for sending the two out was to challenge the Gym, collecting Badges is out of the question.
Luke doesn't even know where Cinnabar Gym is.
Yawning, Teacher Luke was about to rest when Growlithe at the door suddenly barked.
Luke opened the door, and before him stood a tall man with a long build, sporting sunglasses, a wig, and a very noticeable fake mustache.
"What's the matter?" Luke looked at the man and felt a sense of familiarity.
"The damaged building at the hot spring just now..." The man hesitated.
Luke blushed with embarrassment. "I'm sorry... I'll pay for it!"
"Ah, that's not necessary." The man twirled his mustache. "Come and battle with me. That's all!"
Luke was taken aback for a moment.
Don't people in the Pokémon world just pay pocket money? Now they're paying for decoration too?!
As if realizing something, Luke's expression gradually became complicated.
"You... couldn't be." Teacher Luke probed, "Mr. Blaine?"
"Why, how could it be!" The man panicked with his wig. "Such subtle pretending, how did you foresee it!"
Teacher Luke was speechless for a while.
"The tourist brochure says that the boss of this hot spring hotel is called Blaine..."
Blaine was taken aback, took the wig off his head, and fanned himself with it.
"I forgot about that..."
"Oh, whatever!"
Blaine clenched his fist and coughed. "Red asked me to come; he said you're also looking for Cinnabar Gym."
"Let's go; let's have a contest to unravel the mystery!"
Despite being quite old, Blaine clenched his fist, and it seemed like he was on fire.
"I decline."
"Huh?" Blaine froze for a moment.
"I'm not going to challenge the Gym." Luke shrugged.
"Okay, okay… It's not like you can refuse."
After being rejected, Blaine walked out the door with a flushed face, feeling that his trouser legs were caught.
Growlithe's eyes sparkled, and his tail wagged excitedly.
Last time at Saffron Gym, I didn't perform well...
This time, I must prove myself to the owner!
"ao wu ~~(｀0´)"
Luke's complexion changed slightly.
Your Pokémon's thoughts have been conveyed to me.
Blaine pushed up his sunglasses, and his bald head shone brightly.
"Let's have a fierce battle, young man; youth is all about burning brightly!"
Growlithe stuck out his tongue and looked at Luke with eager eyes.
Since joining the team, it seems I've never made the owner happy.
Every time I trouble the owner, I don't let him worry about it every time.
But, like Gengar, I also want to make the master smile with satisfaction.
"ao wu!!"
This is the time to prove yourself!
If I win the Gym battle, the owner will surely be very happy too!
Luke looked into Growlithe's black eyes, slightly startled.
Without Legendary Pokémon, Blaine's strength can only be considered second-rate, a peak Gym Leader at best.
After all, he's also a research scholar, and there's still a gap between him and Sabrina.
Even more so... and Squirtle with a type disadvantage as the bottom line.
Luke sighed deeply.
As a Trainer, sometimes I also need to respond to Pokémon...
"I understand."
Luke recalled Growlithe into the Luxury Ball, took a deep breath, and his eyes exuded determination.
"Mr. Blaine, please battle with me!"