I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

The classic opening theme from the original series, "Aim to Be a Pokémon Master."

Teacher Lu had memorized it so thoroughly that he could hum the entire melody with lyrics included.

In less than an hour, he had transcribed the musical score and recorded a demo using an electronic keyboard.

One could easily predict that when this song officially released, it would resonate powerfully among trainers!

After all, wasn't becoming a Pokémon master the very reason everyone became a trainer in the first place?

Even the familiar "Ash from Pallet Town" had the suffix "who aims to be a Pokémon master!"

Though Teacher Lu's primary goal was to make money...

He still held genuine affection for Pokémon in his own way.

"Let Ash and Red handle the whole Pokémon master business..."

Lu Ye rolled up his sleeves as he entered the kitchen, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Those who can beat me in battle can't cook better than me; those who can cook better than me... don't exist!"

Lunch consisted of golden crab roe tofu, crispy tempura shrimp, and steaming white rice.

Lu Ye ladled the tofu over rice, then picked up a shrimp with wooden chopsticks to dip in clear vinegar sauce...

Crunch—

The crispy batter gave way to firm, white shrimp meat, the initial vinegar taste followed by a sweet aftertaste.

Lu Ye & Haunter: (￣～￣) chew!

Lu Ye & Haunter: (╯▽╰) Delicious~~

The little ones had different meals prepared.

Considering their individual tastes, Lu Ye had prepared Pokéblocks along with Poké Puffs—baked bread made from berries.

While they could eat human food, they still needed Pokéblocks for balanced nutrition.

Before each little one sat a small plate of golden tofu, white and tender, resting in thickened sauce.

"Arf! (*⊙~⊙)" Arcanine licked its long tongue, swallowing the food whole before even tasting it.

"Kame... ヾ(⌐■_■)" Blastoise used its Aura to check for toxic substances.

"Eevee~" Sylveon, being picky, wandered off to its running wheel to play alone.

Lu Ye: "You're not dieting to lose weight, are you?"

"E-Eevee!" Sylveon turned its white bow-tie toward him, glaring indignantly.

Lu Ye averted his gaze to Sirfetch'd's leek, suddenly remembering something:

"Should we have leek with sauce for dinner? Sounds delicious!"

"Quack! (´థ౪థ)σ" The duck's precious leeks—one poisoned, the other boosting critical hits—were both essential and definitely not edible!

"Don't worry, I won't use your leeks."

Lu Ye chuckled. "I meant the chopped scallions served with roast duck!"

Sirfetch'd sighed in relief, then froze as realization struck.

Wait... hadn't the situation just gotten worse!? o(ﾟДﾟ)っ

Miscalculation, ducky! (´థ౪థ)σ

Afternoon.

The terrified Sirfetch'd slipped away to train in Professor Rowan's backyard.

"Gengarrr! (✪ω✪)"

Haunter, freshly motivated by the song, was bursting with fighting spirit.

Seeing Sirfetch'd hurrying off, Haunter gasped: "Gengarrr! Σ(っ°Д°;)っ"

Coach Leek was even more dedicated to training than itself!

Feeling slightly ashamed, Haunter nodded appreciatively: "Gengarrr!"

Indeed... everyone was working hard for their master's goals!

Teacher Lu stayed home to watch a horror movie with Togepi.

Lounging on the sofa with his chin propped on one hand, Lu Ye watched the LCD screen where a pale-faced Jynx was crawling out—

"Togepriii~! (⁎˃ᴗ˂⁎)"

Togepi giggled, kicking its tiny feet in delight.

"This isn't scary at all..."

Lu Ye looked conflicted.

A real horror movie should star that Bewear from Alola!

Imagine the classic scene from The Shining, but with Bewear standing outside the door holding an axe—

Lu Ye shuddered violently.

"Prii!" Togepi offered him some chips with its short arms.

"No thanks, you enjoy." Lu Ye stood up.

"I'll go check if Rotom's done with the chestnuts."

Teacher Lu had discovered that Heat Rotom could function as legendary kitchenware—specifically as a "sugar-roasted chestnut machine."

No manual stirring required; just let Rotom control the temperature and timing.

Though Rotom kept shouting "Does not compute!" after tasting the results—

"Delicious, Rotom! (′▽`〃)"

Holding a bag of steaming chestnuts, Lu Ye noisily peeled them:

"Rotom, let's visit Professor Rowan's backyard later."

"You're going to train personally, Rotom!?" Rotom looked shocked.

Lu Ye: "Emmm, I verified some ideas with Sabrina."

...

One day earlier.

Teacher Lu had explained his "Dual Screens" strategy to Psychic-type master Sabrina.

While appreciating the concept, Sabrina offered some suggestions.

"One more thing."

Sabrina smoothed her straight black hair.

"There's a move perfectly suited for your Sylveon."

"What?"

"Psyshock."

Sabrina continued calmly:

"Though a Psychic-type special attack, it deals physical damage."

"Also, I've heard that Mewtwo can refine Psyshock into its signature move, Psystrike."

Sabrina added meaningfully: "Mewtwo seems exceptionally skilled in both physical and special attacks."

Lu Ye coughed awkwardly, thinking of his own mixed-attack Sylveon:

"Honestly, I've spent so much on the team lately that I can't afford a Dawn Stone..."

Sabrina's typically icy expression showed rare surprise.

Teacher Lu—of all people—complaining about money?

Just how much had he invested in training?

Her expression turning serious, Sabrina whispered: "If you're short, I can lend you—"

Lu Ye: ???

First Mengmengda, then Steven, now Sabrina wants to lend me money!?

"That won't be necessary..."

Lu Ye remembered he still had wages to collect from Team Rocket.

Time for Matori to pay up!

...

From Sabrina, Lu Ye obtained refined techniques for his "Dual Screens" strategy.

As an expert user of Light Screen and Reflect, Sabrina's proficiency far exceeded his own.

Of course, the required resources were proportionally expensive.

Lu Ye considered borrowing some private funds from Mengmengda if necessary...

Suddenly, a call notification from [Vanilla Ice Cream] appeared.

Answering revealed a voice as serene and elegant as a spring breeze rippling across a lake.

"The rewards for the Regigigas incident... should arrive at your home today."

"Rewards?" Lu Ye blinked.

"Yes."

Cynthia smiled.

"A Lunar Wing from the Dream Pokémon, Cresselia."

Lu Ye stared blankly.

"A L-Lunar Wing?!"

Hearing his excitement, Cynthia chuckled:

"Considering it combines rewards for apprehending poachers and the Regigigas incident, legendary resources aren't surprising."

"What about... the cash reward?"

"That's included in the Lunar Wing's value."

Cynthia smiled. "I thought the Lunar Wing would suit you and your Pokémon better than money."

Teacher Lu's breathing hitched.

My thick stack of prize money... gone?

Traded for a feather?

What's a Lunar Wing even good for? Absolutely nothing!

But... Lu Ye sighed.

My Cynthia is just too adorable—I can't stay mad!

Lu Ye: "Just don't do this again, okay?"

Cynthia tucked her radiant golden hair behind one ear, smiling faintly.

"It's just a Lunar Wing... if you like it, we could request other legendary resources too."

Lu Ye: "Really, that's not necessary..."

Cynthia knew Lu Ye was concerned about her negotiating with the League for resources.

But compared to what he'd done—eliminating poachers, pacifying Regigigas...

This was nothing.

"It's fine." Cynthia smiled gently. "As long as you're happy."

Lu Ye's expression softened. After a long pause, he nodded:

"I... love it!"

After hanging up, Lu Ye remained depressed about his "vanished fortune."

"Beep... suspicious individual detected at entrance, Rotom!"

Rotom's alarm snapped Teacher Lu back to attention.

"Kame... ヾ(⌐■_■)"

Blastoise rose slowly from its tank, water droplets rolling off as its cannons aimed at the door.

The sheer intimidation of this aquatic fortress emerging was overwhelming!

Lu Ye twitched at the security feed showing a spiky red-haired man knocking loudly while holding a briefcase.

"Strange... nobody home?"

Flint grinned up at the camera confidently.

"Teacher Lu! It's me, Flint the Fire-type Elite Four! Here to visit!"