The orange-haired girl in a brown coat waved cheerfully.

"Natsume-sensei, long time no see!"

"Last time was at the research conference in Canalave City."

Natsume nodded curiously. "What brings you here?"

Sonia blinked her green eyes and smiled. "As a beauty content creator, I got invited too~"

Being Nessa's close friend, she had a natural flair for fashion.

Her makeup tutorials alone had millions of views.

And as Professor Magnolia's assistant, Sonia also traveled the world researching mythic legends.

Natsume paused. "So you're here for the awards?"

"Yep." She held up a finger. "Plus, I'm picking up Nessa's trophy for her."

Nessa, Galar's Water-type Gym Leader, was also a fashion icon.

"Guess Professor Oak might send an assistant to collect his award too," Natsume joked.

"Wait, Professor Oak has an account?"

"Yep. He even guested on Miss Mary's radio show once…"

As they chatted, walking toward the battle section, Sonia asked:

"I heard you're also a top-ranked Contest star in Touran?"

"Rumors. Right now, I'm just a gaming content creator."

"But Mustard from the Isle of Armor mentioned…" She tilted her head. "Leon's been off his game lately because he lost a private match to you?"

Natsume stiffened.

Sonia and Leon were Childhood sweethearts—a researcher-trainer duo.

Honestly, they gave off major Blue Oak and Red vibes.

As for Leon losing to him…

Natsume coughed. "It was a simulated battle. Not a real one."

Sonia's eyes widened.

Even in simulations, it came down to prediction, team synergy, and fundamentals.

And Leon had barely any rivals since his debut—both in Pokémon breeding and battling.

"Natsume-sensei," she said seriously, "you're way too talented to just be a researcher!"

Natsume blinked. He was about to say he wasn't even a researcher.

Then he remembered his side gig as Professor Rowan's assistant.

"Uh. Just standard stuff."

Sonia's eyes sparkled before she suddenly gasped.

"Oh! The Dynamax Band we prepared for you is ready!"

"You can pick it up at Professor Magnolia's lab, or I can mail it."

His Gengar and Blastoise had unlocked Gigantamax after Green ambushed them on Christmas.

Even in Galar, where Dynamax was common, Gigantamax was rare.

Natsume rubbed his temples. "I'm good for now…"

"Got it." Sonia nodded understandingly.

Since Dynamax clashed with Mega Evolution and Z-Moves, trainers had preferences.

Clearly, Natsume-sensei favored the emotional bonds of Mega Evolution.

No wonder his Gengar seemed so attached to him.

"I'll hand it over when you visit Galar, then," she said brightly.

(Fun fact: In the original timeline, Oleana made the Dynamax Band. But since Natsume 'recruited' her as his secretary… Professor Magnolia succeeded instead.)

Natsume felt a twinge of guilt.

So… he owed Galar an apology now?

"Arf!" A yellow corgi with a heart-shaped butt waddled around Sonia.

She scooped up her Yamper, then whispered:

"Natsume-sensei, there's one more thing…"

"Yeah?"

"It's about Galar's annual charity star tournament."

Sonia lowered her voice. "It's for kids in hospitals—to meet their favorite trainers."

"This year, so many letters asked for you…"

"But!" She quickly added, "Just meeting is fine! No battling required!"

She knew trainers like Natsume-sensei charged millions for appearances.

But after volunteering with Leon, she'd seen how much joy his games and cards brought those kids.

Most couldn't become trainers.

Yet Natsume-sensei made them feel the thrill anyway.

Hence the mountain of hospital letters begging for his visit.

She never expected to bump into him here.

Sonia hesitated, then flustered:

"O-Of course, if it's too much trouble—"

"It's in Galar?"

"Huh?" She looked up, stunned, as the young man nodded.

"Got it. I'll stop by when I'm free."

Natsume waved it off. "For now, let's enjoy the ceremony!"

Sonia froze, recalling her grandmother's words:

Maybe what makes a Champion isn't strength—but their heart.

By the time she snapped out of it, Natsume-sensei was already heading to the battle section.

She hugged Yamper and hurried after him.

"Wait! Natsume-sensei, are you joining the friendly match? I'll cheer for you!"

...

The arena was packed with spectators eager for the exhibition match.

At least half the audience had come specifically for this battle.

After the showcase, the main event—the award ceremony—would begin.

In this battle-centric Pokémon world, the combat segment was always the biggest draw.

The buzzing crowd rivaled the energy of Natsume's Intercollegiate League matches.

But it made sense.

This was a clash between Tokyo and Kyoto's Gym Leaders.

Even those uninterested in awards would find the ticket worth it.

Thanks to their VIP passes, Natsume and Sonia found seats.

Brock said he'd join later.

As for Lt. Surge's access… well, that was questionable.

"Togepi doo-ee~ヾ(^Д^)/"*

Natsume placed Togepi on the seat beside him, saving it for Brock.

Sonia cradled Yamper and grinned. "Feels like Wyndon Stadium in here!"

"Wonder if Takuya will pull out Mega Evolution."

Natsume rubbed his chin.

Forget the awards—this was the real main event.

Spotlights flared as the crowd waited eagerly.

Backstage, Takuya—dressed in a suit and glasses—spotted a familiar face.

"The hell? Isn't this guy busy terrorizing Kanto? Why's he here?"

He wiped sweat off his brow, then remembered he'd brought his main team.

Wait, why am I nervous?

Natsume sat in the front row.

Despite his prickly demeanor, Takuya had a soft spot for Sylveon… just not its trainer.

Most front-row seats were reserved for battle content creators—Takuya's usual crowd.

He greeted a few before sliding into the seat beside Natsume.

After nodding politely at Sonia, he muttered:

"Gaming section's on the other side, you know."

"If I joined their sim battles, it'd be a slaughter," Natsume said.

Takuya paused.

…Fair point. Letting Natsume loose there would ruin the event.

"Takuya," Natsume asked, "what's the Kyoto Leader like?"

"Shiori. From a dragon-taming dynasty. Former judge at your Intercollegiate League."

Takuya glanced backstage. "But her real passion is cosplay. That's why she took the gig."

Natsume blinked.

Ah. A fellow connoisseur of 2D culture.

Then again, Leaders had weird side gigs.

Models, synchronized swimmers, security guards… A cosplayer fit right in.

"Think you can handle dragon types?" Natsume asked.

"Have to," Takuya sighed. "Plus, exhibition matches boost Tokyo's economy."

Natsume coughed.

Never change, Tokyo.

"Gotta go—host's calling me. Buy me dinner later." Takuya hurried off.

Natsume stared, baffled.

Sonia tilted her head.

Touran's official records didn't list Natsume-sensei as Champion or Elite Four.

But like Red or Mustard, maybe he just avoided the spotlight.

And if he'd beaten Leon…

She whistled softly.

"Now, please welcome our trainers!"

Cheers erupted as the competitors entered.

Shiori had pale skin, waist-length black hair, and wore Dunhuang-inspired attire.

Takuya adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and nodded.

"Battle begin!" The referee's whistle blew.

A 3v3 exhibition—just for show.

Takuya led with Simple-ability Swoobat.

His signature strategy: stack Calm Minds, then obliterate foes with Stored Power.

Shiori countered with a crimson-eyed Kingdra.

Gasps filled the arena as the battle intensified.

Finally, it came down to the last Pokémon.

Takuya pushed up his glasses. The embedded Key Stone flashed rainbow light.

"Alakazam—Mega Evolve!"

Natsume stiffened.

Takuya, you Ultraman wannabe—

The light faded. Mega Alakazam hovered cross-legged, eyes cold.

Five psychic spoons orbited it. A red gem glowed on its forehead like a warning light.

The crowd lost it.

"Worth the ticket price!"

"Who cares if it's an exhibition? Go all out!"

"Takuya-sama, fight-o!"

Shiori calmly tossed an Ultra Ball.

Winds howled as Dragonite took the field.

"Dragon Claw!"

"Psychic!"

The shockwave drew deafening cheers.

But frail Alakazam couldn't withstand a pseudo-legendary's strike. Its spoons shattered.

Clang!

Takuya sighed. "I lose."

Shiori bowed. "Well fought."

Thunderous applause followed.

This was real Gym Leader combat.

Mega Alakazam. Unrivaled Dragonite.

A spectacle the audience would never forget.

"Posted it! So hype!"

"Kyoto's Dragon Leader's no joke."

"Takuya did his best. Should've let Natsume-sensei sub in!"

"Huh? Wrong event, dude. He's from the gaming section."

The battle had set the stage for the awards.

But the crowd stayed—hoping to win the lottery for a shot at Shiori.

"Even knowing I'll get crushed, I'd still solo Faker."

That mix of excitement and masochism.

Natsume wiped sweat.

"So the 'mystery prize' is getting stomped by a Gym Leader?"

Sonia giggled. "Wyndon Stadium does this too. Random fans challenge Leon."

"Thought it'd be cash…"

His phone buzzed. He turned.

Brock and Lt. Surge waved from a side entrance.

Probably denied entry—no VIP pass for Surge.

"Rough luck, Lt. Surge…" Natsume sighed.

"Leaving already?" Sonia asked.

Natsume hunched to avoid blocking views. "Gonna 'Shokugeki' the food section."

Ten culinary battles? Easy.

Sonia blinked, confused.

The host's voice boomed:

"And our lucky audience member is—"

Lights dimmed. Glow sticks flickered like stars. A spotlight darted across seats.

"Row 3, Seat 24!"

Murmurs spread as people craned their necks.

"Row 3, Seat 24…" Lt. Surge elbowed Brock. "Hey, that's you!"

Brock's eye twitched. "Natsume-sensei's holding my seat."

"Hah?!"

Whoosh!

The spotlight landed on Togepi, happily gaming on a handheld.

"Togepi doo-ee~"

It tilted its head. "Doo-ii?"

The jumbotron showed the baffled egg Pokémon.

"So cute!"

"Whose Pokémon is that? A content creator's?"

The spotlight operator panicked—and corrected onto Natsume mid-sneak.

The screen now displayed a ridiculously handsome young man.

The arena fell silent.

Then erupted.

"Why does that guy look familiar?"

"HOLY CRAP, NATSUME-SENSEI?!?!"

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