I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

Kanto – Cinnabar Island.

A large island situated in southern Kanto, home to natural volcanoes and hot springs. It consistently ranks among the top destinations in Kanto’s “Must-Visit Tourist Spots” guide.

The salty sea breeze blew against Lu Ye’s face as Wingull soared over the vast blue ocean.

Lowering his travel guide, he gazed toward the horizon—where a lush green island was beginning to come into view.

Buzz—

Red: Teacher Lu, Yellow and I have already arrived at Cinnabar Island!

Lu Ye blinked at the message.

Hmph, just because you’ve got a Pokémon that can fly, you think you’re all that?

Still have to rely on me to be your love coach, don’t you?

That said… Lu Ye had to admit, when it came to handling awkward romantic situations, Red actually seemed quite skilled. After a moment of thought, he glanced to his side.

Beside him, Sylveon’s snowy-white fur shimmered under the sunlight. Its ribbons fluttered lightly in the ocean breeze, and its deep blue eyes sparkled with excitement.

A long horn sounded from the ship’s deck.

Tourists began disembarking one after another.

Lu Ye gave Sylveon a light pat on the head and smiled.

"Come on, let’s go enjoy the hot springs!"

"Bui~⁄(⁄⁄•⁄ω⁄⁄)⁄"

—

Though winter had arrived, Cinnabar Island’s volcanic activity kept the island’s temperature pleasantly warm.

The moment they stepped off the dock, numerous hotel staff were already holding up signs, trying to attract customers.

Tourists dressed in kimonos and Alolan-style shirts filled the bustling streets, where souvenir shops lined both sides.

With a suitcase in one hand, Lu Ye walked leisurely as Sylveon gracefully padded alongside him, its ribbon curling lightly around his wrist.

Behind him, Gengar and Squirtle, wearing sunglasses and floral shirts, strutted along with beach-ready confidence.

Up ahead, Growlithe carried Togepi on its back, dashing ahead excitedly.

"Wrong way! The resort’s over there!" Lu Ye called out.

"Awoo~"

—

Cinnabar Island was home to several luxury resorts, even boasting Rocket Corporation-owned high-end hotels.

But since this trip was planned with Red, Lu Ye followed the given address to a secluded hot spring resort on the outskirts of town.

What greeted him was a row of simple, wooden lodges.

"Pika-chu~!"

Pulling aside the curtain at the entrance, Lu Ye spotted two Pikachu playfully roughhousing inside the lobby.

Their tails, one heart-shaped and the other notched, revealed their genders.

Lu Ye was still curiously observing when a familiar voice called out to him.

"Teacher Lu, over here!"

Turning his head, he spotted Erika.

She had changed into a light-colored yukata, her ponytail falling naturally down her back.

Clearly unaccustomed to the outfit, she fidgeted slightly, a faint blush on her cheeks.

Beside her, a young man in dark-colored attire extended his hand with a polite smile.

"Teacher Lu, it’s a pleasure to meet you."

Lu Ye blinked in surprise.

Then, realization dawned.

Standing before him was none other than the strongest Trainer of legend—

The Battle Legend, Red!

—

Lu Ye had met Erika before, but this was his first time meeting Red in person.

Red wasn’t wearing his iconic red and white jacket, opting instead for a yukata similar to Erika’s.

Up close, his black eyes held a calm warmth—but beneath that, an unmistakable sharpness.

Lu Ye grasped Red’s hand in a firm handshake, feeling a moment of awe.

"Red-senpai, I’ve heard so much about you!"

In just one year, he cleared out Team Rocket, defeated the Elite Four, and claimed the Kanto Championship…

This was a main character panel so strong that even Ash would have to bow down!

Unfortunately, due to his wrist injury, Red had stepped away from the World Championship circuit in recent years—an unfortunate loss for the competitive scene.

Even so, Red remained a world-recognized legendary Trainer!

As Lu Ye sized up Red, Red was also analyzing Lu Ye.

From his Substitute-Protect-Toxic strategy to his recent Hypnosis-based tactics…

Lu Ye had already demonstrated the strength to contend with Elite Four-level Trainers.

He tied with Lance in an official match and even defeated Professor Oak in an open tournament…

His skill and performance fully lived up to the title of Pokédex Holder.

For that reason, Red felt an instant sense of familiarity with him.

"Just call me Red."

Scratching his head with a grin, Red added,

"Actually, I should be the one thanking you, Teacher Lu."

"Huh? Thank me for what?"

Red glanced at his own wrist, his tone apologetic.

"Coming all the way to Cinnabar Island… It must’ve been a hassle for you."

"Ahaha, it’s nothing!"

Lu Ye mentally scoffed.

I obviously came here for the gossip—definitely not because of you!

"I was already headed to Cinnabar Island anyway!"

Erika blinked. "Teacher Lu, did you have other business here?"

Red paused for a moment before suddenly going,

"Oh! You’re here to challenge Blaine, right?"

He’d heard rumors that Lu Ye was challenging Kanto’s Gyms.

For someone at Lu Ye’s level, Gym Leaders would undoubtedly take him seriously and battle with their full strength.

Thinking back to Mewtwo and Entei, Red couldn’t help but smirk slightly.

If Lu Ye was aiming to challenge Blaine…

He must be extremely confident in his abilities!

Lu Ye, on the other hand, was momentarily stunned.

His expression turned slightly awkward.

"Challenge Blaine?"

In the Pokémon Special manga, Blaine had deep connections with Mewtwo and Entei.

If he suddenly pulled out a legendary Pokémon in battle…

I’d be absolutely screwed!

"Uh… maybe I’ll pass on that challenge for now…"

Lu Ye cleared his throat. “I’m just here to enjoy the hot springs, that’s all.”

“Besides, it looks like Mr. Blaine isn’t available right now,” Erika added after a moment of thought. “He told us to head to the hot springs first but didn’t say when he’d meet us.”

Red nodded. “He’s probably busy with his research. We shouldn’t disturb him.”

Erika obediently agreed, then turned to Lu Ye with a serious expression.

“If you have other important matters to handle, you don’t have to worry about us. I’ll take good care of Red-senpai!”

You’re obviously trying to get rid of me!

Lu Ye mentally rolled his eyes but had no intention of being a third wheel for the entire trip.

Spending time with his Pokémon, soaking in the hot springs—this trip was already worth it.

“Well, after the hot springs, I’ll take care of my business.”

Lu Ye glanced at the two. “What about you guys? Any plans?”

Red and Erika exchanged a brief look.

Red hesitated. “Maybe we could find a gym and do some training?”

Lu Ye: …

Why is that even a question?!

You come to a hot spring retreat with a girl, and the first thing you think about is training Pokémon?!

Isn’t training exactly what Pokémon are supposed to be doing on their own right now?!

“I just saw that the town has an open-air cinema showing movies tonight,” Lu Ye suggested, dropping an obvious hint. “After the movie, you can still come back for a soak and a late-night snack… What do you two think?”

“…Teacher Lu wants to watch a movie with me?”

Red looked surprised.

"Pika!"

Inside the hot spring hall, Red’s Pikachu, who had been playing around with its mate, suddenly faceplanted onto the floor.

My Trainer’s emotional intelligence… is beyond saving…

Lu Ye felt speechless.

Clearly, he had to be more direct.

“I’ll pass. You and Yellow should go together. I need to… uh…”

Lu Ye frowned, thinking hard for an excuse. Then, his eyes suddenly lit up.

“I need to challenge the Gym! Can’t have anyone watching me battle.”

What a brilliant excuse!

Lu Ye silently gave himself a mental thumbs-up.

This must be… the legendary thinking on your feet!

“I see,” Red nodded in understanding.

Some Trainers, due to their tactics or battle style, preferred to battle in private—especially when it came to Gym battles, where they might reveal their hidden strategies.

Watching someone’s battle without permission was considered impolite.

“In that case, I won’t intrude,” Red said with a smile. “After the hot springs, Pikachu and I will go watch a movie in town.”

Lu Ye & Erika: ??

Fortunately, Red’s battle instincts seemed to kick in at the last moment.

Turning toward Erika, he asked, “Yellow, want to come along?”

Erika’s face turned bright red. She clutched the sleeve of her yukata, nodding like a little chick pecking at grains.

“Mm… okay.”

Just as Lu Ye let out a sigh of relief, Red glanced outside.

“There’s still some time before sunset,” he said, flexing his wrist with a bright grin.

“Teacher Lu, let’s have a battle!”

“Hah?!”

Though Red was smiling, his sharp gaze radiated a fierce battle spirit.

If he had been wearing his red and white jacket, Lu Ye had no doubt he would’ve pulled off his iconic cap-lowering pose.

Thankfully, Lu Ye was trained in handling unexpected situations.

Just as he was about to refuse—

"No way!" Erika suddenly shouted.

“Huh?” Red blinked.

“Geez, senpai! You’re an adult now—why can’t you take better care of yourself?!”

Puffing up her cheeks like a little hamster, Erika huffed,

“This trip is supposed to be for healing! What if you aggravate your old injury battling Teacher Lu?!”

…I might cause Red’s injury to worsen?

Lu Ye opened his mouth but quickly shut it.

Honestly, Red didn’t even need to battle himself.

If he just sent out Pikachu, Lu Ye would probably get swept instantly.

Red, however, furrowed his brows in thought.

“…You’re right.”

He knew Teacher Lu’s strength well.

If they battled, Red wouldn’t hold back—he would inevitably fight at full power.

But if that happened… this entire healing trip would become meaningless.

“That’s what I’ve been saying!” Erika scolded. “Senpai, you always throw everything aside the moment you see a strong opponent.”

“Instead of battling now, why not fully recover first—then invite Teacher Lu for a rematch later?”

Red thought for a moment before sighing.

“You’re right… My bad.”

If he couldn’t battle at full strength…

It would be disrespectful to an opponent of Teacher Lu’s caliber.

Erika was right—once he fully recovered, he could invite Lu Ye to Mt. Silver for a proper battle!

Watching them interact like a perfect couple, Lu Ye felt a wave of emotions.

On one hand, he avoided getting destroyed in battle.

On the other hand… why did he feel so sour about it?!

“…Can’t Entei’s flames heal injuries?”

Lu Ye suddenly recalled something.

“Didn’t Mr. Blaine recover thanks to the Fire of Life?”

Both Red and Erika turned to him in surprise, as if wondering how he knew such a well-kept secret.

Then again, considering Lu Ye was also a Pokédex Holder, it made sense that he would know.

“In theory, yes…”

Red scratched his head, looking a little sheepish.

“The injury from Jynx was actually mostly healed with Entei’s help.”

“…Then what’s the problem?”

“It’s muscle strain now,” Red admitted. “That can only heal naturally with hot springs and rest.”

“Muscle strain?”

“Senpai throws thousands of Poké Balls a day,” Erika grumbled. “With that level of training, it’s impossible for your wrist to heal properly!”

“Haha! It’s not that many! Gold even joins me sometimes!” Red laughed.

“That’s not a compliment!” Erika pouted.

Lu Ye sighed.

Red, as the “Strongest Champion,” bore a responsibility that few could understand.

At the very least, he was one of the most dependable seniors in the group chat.

—

“In that case, let’s skip the real battle.”

Lu Ye flipped through the lodge’s activity guide.

“How about a game of Pokémon: Battle?”

—

As evening fell, the outdoor hot springs glowed softly, steam curling into the air.

In a cozy tatami-floored room, Lu Ye and Red sat cross-legged, fully focused on their game.

Dressed in a yukata, Erika sat nearby, her orange ponytail swaying slightly as she glanced around.

Finally, the match ended with a final score of 6-5.

“Not being able to battle alongside my Pokémon feels… weird,” Red mused, stretching out on the floor.

“Guess I lost this one, Teacher Lu.”

“It’s just a simulation.”

Lu Ye handed him a can of hot coffee.

“This time, I just got lucky.”

“Thanks.”

Red took the coffee without any disappointment.

Professor Oak had once said—each Pokédex Holder excelled in different areas.

Just as Red wasn’t as skilled at breeding as Gold, Lu Ye had the upper hand in tactical battle simulations.

Even so—

Red glanced at Gengar and Sylveon beside Lu Ye.

In just six months, Lu Ye had trained them to an astonishing level.

Even Green probably wouldn’t have done a better job.

With a click, Red popped open the can of coffee.

His lips curled into a smile.

He was looking forward to the day—

When he could truly battle Lu Ye!