Mid-May brought a sudden surge of heat, even affecting the perpetually snowy Sinnoh region.

Grey rain clouds loomed overhead, the humid scent of impending rain hanging heavily in the air.

Lu Ye had just finished grocery shopping, carrying bags as he walked home, glancing up at the sky.

"Should cool down a bit after the rain."

Delibird strutted beside Lu Ye, shouldering its pack with an arrogant expression: "Ooo!"

In weather like this, one Blizzard from me would easily drop the temperature!

Delibird had already stayed for three days and two nights... but that wasn't the main issue.

The real concern was Lu Ye worrying that Liu Bo might suspect him of kidnapping his giant penguin.

At any rate, Blastoise had mostly mastered Ice-type techniques by now.

Time to send this big penguin home today!

"I really do prefer the postal penguin more," mused the 'scumbag trainer' Teacher Lu.

The relentless summer heat drove some trainers to have their Pokémon use Rain Dance or Ice Breath for temporary relief.

But those only affected small areas.

The best solution for summer?

Return to the air-conditioned room and sleep!

Smiling, Lu Ye returned to the villa with Haunter, who balanced a vegetable basket on its head.

In the yard, several wilted Revival Roots perked up as Blastoise watered them with a Squirtle-shaped watering can.

"Ah—" Larvitar tilted its head back, mouth wide open, tiny hands pressed against its red belly armor.

"What's this about?" Lu Ye blinked.

"Yoji?" Larvitar scratched its horn shyly.

Thought it might rain soon, so waiting to catch raindrops to drink~!

Pure childish whimsy. Lu Ye chuckled—still better than digging holes in the yard.

"Arf~~" Arcanine lay sprawled across the wooden deck, basking lazily in the scorching sun.

Stepping over Arcanine's plush body, Lu Ye moved to enter when the Fire-type sniffed his grocery bag.

"Don't trust my ingredient selection?" Lu Ye raised an eyebrow. "I'll have you eating like royalty!"

"Gengarrr~~" Haunter floated through the door with the basket, using psychic energy to levitate it while opening the door for Teacher Lu.

Click—the lock turned.

Though capable of using Psychic to handle objects, they avoided startling elderly passersby.

Though scaring off matchmaking aunties had its perks...

Shaking his head, Lu Ye entered to a refreshing blast of AC.

"Whoosh~ Rotom~" Rotom's appliance form consumed electricity but was otherwise flawless.

Togepi rolled across the floor like a ball, stopping beside a large soda bottle with delighted eyes.

"Chaa-jii-doo-ee~! (ﾉ´▽｀)ﾉ♪"

"Mew~" From the TV screen's corner, Mew waved happily via video call.

Having returned to the Tree of Beginning yesterday, for the playful Mythical, it simply meant gaming from a different location.

"Morning," Lu Ye smiled. "Keep playing—I'll make lunch."

"Mew~!" Mew giggled mischievously.

Clatter—containers rattled as the frosty fridge exhaled cold air. Storing groceries, Lu Ye retrieved a halved watermelon.

Theoretically watermelon, though technically a melon-like berry that grew on trees.

Chilled red flesh glistened with condensation as Lu Ye plunged a silver spoon in, releasing juicy crimson.

This half wouldn't suffice for both Lu Ye and Sylveon.

Fortunately, Rotom's subspace storage held dozens of ice-chilled backups.

"Come get watermelon!" Lu Ye called outside.

Arcanine rose, golden mane shimmering in sunlight.

Larvitar cast one last longing look at the clouds before being firmly ushered inside by Blastoise.

"Quack!" Sirfetch'd's eyes gleamed sharply as it wielded its spoon like a sword, creating afterimages.

"Arf!" Arcanine face-planted directly into its portion, emerging with juice-smeared cheeks.

Sylveon sat primly in Lu Ye's lap, initially refusing spoon-feeding with disdainful "Eevee!"

"Come on! I dare you not to eat this!"

After token resistance, Sylveon gracefully accepted the spoon, happily devouring watermelon: "Eevee~"

The quiet room filled with crisp crunching and Togepi's occasional giggles. Latest content published on novᴇlfire.net

Larvitar unhinged its jaws to swallow a whole melon, rind and all: "Yoji! (￣～￣)"

"That's... not how you— Actually, never mind." Lu Ye sighed at the rock-pulverizing dentition.

Blastoise adjusted sunglasses, using Aura to scan for toxins.

"Beep... I can't eat, Rotom! o(TヘTo)" Rotom wept inside its Pokédex form.

Suddenly, an alert flashed: "Beep! Incoming video call, Rotom!"

"Answer." Lu Ye sat cross-legged, mouth full.

Cynthia's golden brilliance filled the screen, her amused gaze taking in his watermelon feast.

"Having watermelon?"

"Yeah... freshly chilled."

"Without me?" Her crescent-moon smile appeared.

Lu Ye coughed, wiping juice. "You were working!"

"Finished early." She rested her chin on interlaced fingers. "Returning to Masago Town today, then..."

Their shared pause thrummed with synchronized heartbeats.

Tucking golden hair behind an ear, she changed subjects: "Rain's coming."

"Not for the festival," Lu Ye said. "If it does, Arcanine's Sunny Day will handle it."

"Arf?" The juice-faced Fire-type looked up, confused.

Cynthia's smile deepened, her fair skin glowing in sunlight.

"Remember what I said at Michina Ruins?" Lu Ye straightened unconsciously.

"No." She averted her gaze, fingers brushing golden strands, exposing elegant collarbones.

"Then I'll repeat it 100 times. 1000 times. Until it's unforgettable."

His earnest gaze held hers: "I love you, Cynthia."

A delicate blush colored her swan-like neck as she whispered:

"Once more would suffice."

Then, noticing: "You've got... a little something." She pointed.

Lu Ye froze mid-wipe.

"Rather cute," she teased.

Lu Ye: ???

Today's result: Teacher Lu's crushing defeat!

BOOM—

As if disapproving, "Kyogre" thundered, unleashing torrential rain.

Revival Roots stretched happily under the downpour as droplets danced across stones in misty splashes.

"Yoji~!" Larvitar dashed through puddles, joyful as any rock-throwing child.

Maintaining the call, Lu Ye aimed the camera at the yard, sitting quietly on the deck.

Sylveon drowsed in his arms while Arcanine sprawled beside them. Haunter reached tiny hands skyward.

Blastoise retreated into its shell, lying in the deluge as raindrops sparked imaginary "HP+1" pop-ups.

Sirfetch'd stood serene with sword and shield, embodying unflappable elegance.

"Quack~_(:3 ⌒ﾞ)_"

Another day of accomplished nothing~

Tomorrow's another chance~

Cynthia watched the rain-soaked scene, resting her cheek on one hand.

Pitter-patter—the storm continued.

Surveying his lazy companions, Lu Ye gazed upward, moved.

To live in this precious world—

Where sunlight burns fierce, and water cradles gentle.

...

That afternoon, in the chat group:

A-Jin's "One-Day Moderator" trial had expired.

Now awaited eternal darkness and bullying.

[Member 'A-Jin' muted for 2 hours by Admin 'Lance']

[Member 'A-Jin' unmuted by Admin 'Red']

[Member 'A-Jin' muted for 6 hours by Admin 'Green']

[Member 'A-Jin' unmuted by Group Owner 'Teacher Lu']

...

[Member 'A-Jin' muted for 24 hours by Admin 'Lorelei']

Marshal laughed uproariously: "HAHAHA!"

"Goldenrod Miltank" chimed in: "Serves you right!"

Nassi rarely showed amusement: "233"

Ash: "GrinningFace.JPG"

Kris blushed: "A-Jin almost died... Isn't this too much?"

Xiao Yin, who knew A-Jin best, deadpanned: "He brought it on himself."

Teacher Lu declared: "Worry not—A-Jin surely accepted his fate already."

Inspector Grimsley stifled laughter during work hours.

A cape-wearing figure loomed—Lance glared coldly.

"Phone usage during work? Say goodbye to this month's bonus!"

Grimsley protested: "Senior Lance, you're also—"

"Hmm?" The dragon-like stare silenced him.

"Y-Yes sir!" Grimsley saluted.

Lance nodded, cape swirling dramatically.

The very image of justice—Kanto's impartial Champion!

Old Man Ironspin offered: "@A-Jin Send me a generator, I'll mail you a mute bypass."

Steven: "Are you the one leaking Pokémon game cheats online?"

Ironspin laughed: "An Electric expert must have some technical skills!"

Teacher Lu: ???

So YOU'RE the reason for all these hackers!

[Member 'Ironspin' muted for 24 hours by Group Owner 'Teacher Lu']

Brock remarked: "The Lily of the Valley Conference starts soon, right?"

Candice confirmed: "Gyms are closing for preparations."

Lily complained: "Fewer challengers mean smaller bonuses!"

Flint offered: "I'll mention it to Lucian."

Lucian interjected irritably: "I lurk more than you think." Adjusting glasses, he explained seriously: "Recent incidents strained the budget..."

Teacher Lu and Ash silently observed.

Given their disaster-magnet reputations...

Every legendary incident investigation team probably dreads seeing them!

Lila inquired: "@Lucian Is the competitor list publishing today? Many of my students entered."

Dozan added: "Mine too—they're huge Teacher Lu fans!"

Lu Ye glanced upward awkwardly.

If those students knew they'd face him...

What thrilling matches await!

Lucian confirmed: "5 PM today."

Flint teased: "@Lucian Why aren't you working?"

Lucian's eye twitched: "Finished overtime. Can't I chat?"

Teacher Lu reluctantly added: "Cynthia may need to swap shifts with you soon."

Lucian: "..."

Staring at the blazing sun, he felt only winter's chill.

"Exhausted."

Wiping his glasses, he sighed: "Just end me."

Lorelei's post-mute satisfaction vanished upon reading Lu Ye's message.

Today's happiness quota: fulfilled. (;

´༎ຶД༎ຶ`)

Later, ponytailed Ash (girl) announced:

"Lily of the Valley registrations updated!"

Lance asked: "Why follow it?"

"Ehe, many group members joined," she smiled shyly.

Red inquired: "Besides Ash, who else?"

After checking nervously: "Teacher Lu!"

Everyone: ???

Red stammered: "T-Teacher Lu?!"

The Arceus-defeating champion was entering a regional tournament?

That's... downright cruel!

Lance swore: "Holy—only you'd do this."

Marshal winced: "You'll make kids cry!"

Lila giggled: "Classic Teacher Lu."

Brock pondered: "Maybe... he's training new Pokémon, like during the Indigo League."

But a Champion entering Lily of the Valley...

Wasn't this unfair advantage?

Too ruthless, Teacher Lu!

Lily suddenly realized Teacher Lu's genius—had she entered novice tournaments instead of becoming a Gym Leader, prizes might exceed her salary!

"Regrets! o(╥﹏╥)o"

Red adjusted his cap thoughtfully.

Post-Arceus, Teacher Lu's team must need recovery.

The tournament could maintain combat readiness...

An unconventional rehabilitation method.

Concern for Ash arose.

Would the aspiring Champion lose motivation knowing Teacher Lu participated?

But they underestimated the Super Pallet Town trainer's spirit.

"Teacher Lu... is joining."

Ash's face shadowed by his cap, fists clenched, eyes blazing.

"This means I can battle him properly!!"

A full 6v6 showdown—after defeating Paul, challenging Teacher Lu!!

Excited, Ash yelled: "Pikachu, to Pallet Town! Professor Oak's ranch!"

"Pika-chuu~~" Pikachu cheered at reuniting with old teammates.

Ash's full roster—Charizard, Pikachu, Sceptile, Infernape, Snorlax, and returned Pidgeot—made him a top contender.

"Hyped!"

Lu Ye mentally applauded Infernape.

Ash might actually defeat Darkrai and reach finals!

"Non-reset Ash is pretty cool..."

"Gengarr~" Haunter tugged his sleeve, pointing outside.

The rain had ceased, leaving fresh breezes and earthy petrichor.

Stepping out, Lu Ye watched a droplet slide off a Revival Root's leaf.

The washed sky stretched endless blue, split by a contrail and crowned with rainbows.

His smile widened at a distant silhouette.

He recognized that Pokémon.

An invincible Garchomp.

...

Kanto Region, Professor Oak's Lab.

Samuel Oak organized documents as a wheelchair-bound elder entered.

"Good to see you," Oak smiled. "Liu Bo."

The stern man's lips curved slightly.

"Likewise."

Oak blinked, studying Liu Bo curiously before coughing.

"You met that boy?"

"Lu Ye? Remarkable."

Oak beamed: "Naturally—my chosen Pokédex Holder!"

Liu Bo scoffed.

"You came just to praise him?" Oak scratched his head.

"Yes." Liu Bo murmured: "Words distort. Actions convey sincerity."

"You really..." Oak chuckled at the stubborn soul.

Wind roared as Delibird descended.

"Returned from Lu Ye's," Liu Bo noted.

Samuel Oak nodded, then startled.

"You had it teach him Ice techniques?"

"I said I approved," Liu Bo watched the sky.

The plump penguin landed, looking dejected.

Liu Bo observed silently, then frowned.

"Did you... gain weight?"

"Ooo~~" Delibird scratched its head sheepishly.