I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

Lu Ye met Kristal’s sincere gaze and froze for a moment.

As everyone knew, freshly hatched Pokémon often inherited their Trainer’s personality.

Take Gold, for example—his Togepi once went head-to-head with a Tyranitar, and his Pichu had the guts to challenge Arceus itself. In a way, both were prime examples of reckless behavior.

"Hatching a brave and kind Pokémon…" Lu Ye muttered, his expression turning odd. So… does that mean I’m brave?

Kristal smiled. "Teacher Lu, the fact that you’re willing to be friends with Gold is proof of your bravery and kindness!"

Lu Ye was taken aback and found himself momentarily speechless.

Gold was really lucky to have a girlfriend who understood him so well.

(Somewhere in Johto, Gold suddenly sneezed.)

Gengar curiously leaned in to inspect the Pokémon Egg in Kristal’s arms, sticking out its tongue to get a taste.

Startled, Lu Ye quickly stopped it and coughed. "This isn’t the kind of egg you turn into an omelet… I’ll cook for you guys later!" "Gengar!" Gengar retracted its tongue and awkwardly scratched its head.

Kristal hesitated for a moment, then lowered her gaze to the egg. Handing it to Teacher Lu should be the right choice… right?

As if making a firm decision, she held the Pokémon Egg out to Lu Ye and bowed. "I’ll be counting on you, Teacher Lu!"

Since he had already agreed to Professor Elm’s request, Lu Ye couldn’t refuse.

Accepting the still-warm Pokémon Egg, he carefully examined it.

It was white with red and blue triangular patterns, resembling a decorative item popular among girls.

It felt oddly familiar, but he couldn’t immediately recall why. Curious, he asked, "Which Pokémon is this?"

"Togepi."

Kristal smiled. "It’s the younger sibling of Gold’s Togekiss."

Gold’s Togepi had also been entrusted to him as an egg by Professor Elm.

But the way it was raised… had given Professor Elm quite a few headaches.

As for this Togepi’s lineage—both its parents were Togekiss owned by Jasmine, Johto’s Steel-type Gym Leader.

Considering its battle record—facing down a Tyranitar—it was at least a perfect 6IV Pokémon.

For any Trainer, this Pokémon Egg was an invaluable treasure.

But at this moment, Lu Ye’s expression was complicated.

Togepi?

A Pokémon regarded as a symbol of good fortune, said to carry happiness within its eggshell, and often called a Pokémon blessed by the heavens.

Can a Pokémon this lucky really be compatible with me?!

Lu Ye licked his lips, glanced at the Togepi Egg, and cleared his throat. "Can you give me Professor Elm’s contact info?"

"Of course." Kristal nodded.

She initiated a video call with Professor Elm, and after a short wait, the call connected.

"Oh! The Pokémon Egg has arrived?"

Professor Elm squinted at the screen, then recognized Lu Ye and chuckled. "Well then, Teacher Lu, I’ll leave Togepi in your care!"

"Professor… are you sure about this?" Lu Ye asked hesitantly. "I’m afraid I might be a bad influence on it."

"Nonsense!"

Professor Elm adjusted his glasses. "I did my research. Professor Yamana speaks highly of you, and his judgment is never wrong."

Then, with a teasing smile, he added, "Besides, it’s not like you’d teach it to play poker and billiards like Gold, right?"

Professor Elm, that sounds suspiciously like a flag…

Kristal giggled. "After all… Teacher Lu is a good person!"

Another Good Person Card collected.

Lu Ye gazed up at the sky, lost in thought.

He imagined a dark-hearted, calculative, strategy-obsessed Togepi and shuddered.

But then again, everything had two sides…

Maybe this little angel could actually turn my luck around? Besides, with how rare Togepi is, Professor Elm wouldn’t just give it away for no reason!

"Alright then, I’ll transfer it to you once it hatches," Lu Ye said.

Professor Elm let out an "Oh?" and was about to say that Lu Ye could just capture it outright. But after a second thought, he realized that a bond between a Trainer and their Pokémon needed time to develop. It would be best to let Lu Ye decide for himself on the day Togepi hatched.

"No problem," Professor Elm said with a smile. "I’ve already prepared your compensation as well. I’ll be counting on you, Teacher Lu!"

Lu Ye ended the call and looked down at the Pokémon Egg in his arms, feeling a sudden sense of responsibility.

This was his first time hatching a Pokémon Egg.

For the first time, Teacher Lu was about to become a father. He nodded cautiously. He needed to be careful… He couldn’t afford to raise Togepi the wrong way!

"Gengar!" Gengar reached out with its little hands, wanting to hold the egg.

"Hm? Are you sure you won’t swallow it?" Lu Ye eyed Gengar suspiciously.

"Gengar! (눈‸눈)"

"Alright… but be careful."

Gengar carefully took the Pokémon Egg, making sure to regulate the surrounding temperature. Staring intently at the egg’s patterns, Gengar’s gaze deepened.

"Gengar! (✪ω✪)"

Work hard and train well. Help our master win the championship!

For a brief moment, Lu Ye thought he saw the egg tremble slightly. Was it just his imagination?

"You two seem to be getting along well," Lu Ye chuckled. "As long as it grows up safe and sound, that’s all that matters!"

Kristal watched Lu Ye’s expression and nodded to herself. As expected, entrusting Togepi to Teacher Lu was the right choice!

With her task completed, Kristal said her goodbyes.

"Stay for a meal before you go," Lu Ye offered.

"Eh? Really? Can I?"

"Of course. Just pay for it."

"???"

Half an hour later, Kristal once again experienced the sheer depth of Donghuang cuisine. She lay slumped over the table, tears in her eyes.

Lu Ye nodded calmly. It’s the onions. I added onions.

"I have a flight soon," Kristal said, standing up and clearing her throat. "I’ll be heading off now!"

Lu Ye nodded. "Safe travels!"

That night, the security guard at the apartment complex watched a girl run out, tears streaming down her face. He sighed in disappointment.

"Little Lu might be handsome, but he shouldn’t be so much of a heartbreaker!"

With a huff, the old man muttered, "Scumbag!"

October 15th, Night.

A new member had joined Teacher Lu’s household—a Togepi Egg.

Lu Ye placed it on the sofa while the Pokémon gathered around, curiously inspecting it.

Spotting Growlithe baring its sharp teeth, Lu Ye’s expression darkened.

"Growlithe, I swear if you even think about it, I’ll turn you into stew tonight!"

"Arf—!" Growlithe immediately shut its mouth.

Lu Ye sighed and turned to Squirtle. "And stop scanning it with Aura! It’s not a bomb!"

"Squirtle!ヾ(⌐■_■)" Squirtle adjusted its sunglasses warily. You never know!

"Get some rest. The Top 32 match is tomorrow!"

After shooing the Pokémon away, Lu Ye sat down and stared at the egg, feeling exhausted.

Please… don’t hatch into another problem child…

It was late at night.

Teacher Lu lay in bed, sound asleep, his breathing steady.

Sylveon skillfully slipped under the covers, used its ribbons to switch off the bedside lamp, and snuggled in comfortably.

In the darkness, a ghostly face emerged—Gengar’s. It grinned wickedly as it aggressively ruffled Growlithe’s fur.

"Enough whining. You’re coming to train with me tonight!"

Growlithe opened its mouth to bark but froze when it met Gengar’s pitch-black stare. Its tail drooped, and it slinked away obediently.

Before leaving the house, Gengar glanced at the Pokémon Egg on the sofa and tilted its head.

Should I… bring it along for training too?

At that moment, the Togepi Egg—said to symbolize good fortune—glowed faintly in the dark.