I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

Flint wore a yellow polo shirt with the collar popped, the hem tucked into his red belt, one hand in his pocket while shuffling along in sandals. He waved casually.

"Yo, Teacher Lu! Good afternoon!"

It was a fine day until I saw you.

Lu Ye forced a strained smile.

Come to think of it, I wonder who taught Flint his fashion sense.

Combined with that spiky red hair... it was truly an eyesore.

Not that Lu Ye looked down on him—he just silently complained before turning back at the entrance.

"Perfect timing. You caught afternoon tea. Let me treat you to some sugar-roasted chestnuts."

"Whoa! Jackpot!"

Flint's eyes sparkled. Who knew running an errand could come with such perks? Getting to taste a food blogger's cooking was a rare opportunity!

Still, a question nagged at him.

"Teacher Lu."

Carrying the briefcase, Flint followed Lu Ye down the hallway, scratching his red hair.

"Cynthia's villa is around here too, right?"

"This is her villa," Lu Ye said.

"Where? That one across the way?" Flint peered curiously out the window.

"No. The one you're standing in right now."

"Nani!?"

Flint's face paled as if he'd stepped on hot coals, leaping back in horror.

"D-does she know you're trespassing, Teacher Lu!?"

This was a one-way ticket to getting smacked by Garchomp's "Dragon Rush"!

"She gave permission."

Lu Ye shrugged. "Technically speaking, she's my landlord now."

Flint gaped at him before slowly raising a thumbs-up.

"Teacher Lu... I hereby crown you the ultimate chad."

He'd assumed Teacher Lu and Cynthia were just close friends.

Who knew they'd already reached the cohabitation stage!?

The mere thought of that crimson-scythe Garchomp and the terror of being swept in the Champion League sent shivers down Flint's spine.

Yet here was Teacher Lu, quietly winning over both Cynthia and Garchomp.

His Champion-caliber strength, dashing looks, versatile battle strategies...

All willingly set aside to live a quiet life in Masago Town with Cynthia—

Maybe this was what they called "true happiness in simplicity"?

With newfound reverence, Flint handed over the briefcase.

"Teacher Lu, this is the 'Lunar Wing' Cynthia asked me to deliver!"

"Gengarrr~ヽ(￣▽￣)ﾉ"

Haunter swiftly snatched the case with both hands, bowing in thanks.

Flint smiled back, standing straight before giving a formal bow.

"Teacher Lu, let me express my deepest gratitude for saving the people of Sinnoh!"

This wasn't empty politeness—Flint genuinely admired how Teacher Lu had protected both humans and Pokémon.

Maybe disaster could've been avoided.

But Teacher Lu had solved the problem at its root.

Having grown up in Sinnoh and won the Lily of the Valley Conference at 20,

Flint couldn't help seeing Teacher Lu as a role model.

"Want some?" Lu Ye offered a paper bag.

"Huh?" Still mid-bow, Flint looked up. "What is it?"

"Sugar-roasted chestnuts. Made with Heat Rotom." Lu Ye grinned. "They're great!"

Accepting the warm bag, Flint—under Lu Ye's envious gaze—peeled a perfect chestnut and popped it in.

"Amazing!" Flint's eyes twinkled. "I taste bay leaves!"

"That's the osmanthus flowers I added."

Lu Ye sighed.

"Strange... I can never peel them whole like that..."

......

At dusk, the team returned from training.

Flint strolled through the garden, hands in pockets.

His worldview had shattered multiple times in minutes.

"Is... is that Revival Root!?"

He stared in disbelief at the sprouting plant.

"It's actually growing!?"

"Arf!" Growlithe eyed Flint suspiciously before dismissively trotting off.

Pfft. What an amateur.

Flint gulped as he observed the glossy-maned Arcanine.

As Sinnoh's Fire-type Elite, he recognized its mastery.

He'd seen Teacher Lu's Growlithe at last year's research summit.

To evolve and train it to this level in under a year? Incredible.

But hanging a Moltres feather as its dog tag?

That wasn't "lowkey"—that was flexing!

"Wait... that's no ordinary Moltres feather."

Recalling the Moltres he'd once seen, Flint muttered:

"That Eternal Feather carries a sacred aura..."

Little did he know, Teacher Lu also owned Ho-Oh's "Rainbow Wing."

If he learned it was being used as an air purifier, he'd short-circuit.

As Flint pondered Arcanine's training secrets—

"Beep beep! Coming through~ Rotom!"

Rotom-Mower chimed like a sprinkler truck.

"Gengarr!"

Haunter pushed Rotom-Cutter past Flint, spraying grass clippings everywhere.

Flint: "Grass!"

......

At the patio table, Lu Ye steepled his fingers before the open briefcase.

Inside rested a crescent-shaped feather glowing softly.

[Lunar Wing: A feather radiating moonlight, said to ward off nightmares. (The ultimate sleep aid.)]

"Could be useful."

Lu Ye mused.

"At least when Sylveon steps on my chest, I won't have bad dreams..."

"Yawn" solved his insomnia, but when Sylveon sneaked out to train,

Haunter's "Hypnosis" took over—though its nightmares made it a last resort.

Now, the Lunar Wing guaranteed quality sleep.

Being a gift from Mengmengda, Lu Ye treated it seriously.

"Maybe a pendant..."

Threading the feather onto a cord, he felt Sylveon's ribbon wrap around his wrist.

"Eevee!" It gazed up expectantly.

"Very pretty indeed."

Lu Ye smiled.

"You can wear it if you like."

"Vee?"

Sylveon blinked its sapphire eyes at the glowing pendant now swaying from its bow.

"Eevee...⁄(⁄⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄⁄)⁄"

So pretty... so happy.

It sensed the feather's energy could enhance its moves...

"Vee!"

Sylveon's eyes shone with determination, a faint smile forming.

No need for owner to spend more!

With this, I'll grow even stronger!

......

Sylveon wearing the Lunar Wing still prevented nightmares—

Since it loved sneaking under blankets, Lu Ye remained within its range.

Moreover, the feather held Cresselia's power,

Reducing risks when Sylveon trained at night.

At dinner, Lu Ye invited Flint, who shamelessly accepted.

"You came all this way just to deliver a feather?"

"Legendary artifacts need escorts!"

Flint shoveled curry into his mouth, cheeks bulging.

"Aaron was supposed to deliver it, but he's swamped, so I volunteered."

"What's Aaron busy with?" Lu Ye asked.

"Prepping the Lily Conference, raiding poacher warehouses, judging the Mikuri Cup..."

Flint grinned. "Dude's booked solid!"

"Sounds... very busy." Lu Ye nodded gravely.

Recruiting new "subordinates," Lu Ye added Flint to his fan group.

[Member "BURN! EXPLODE!" joined the chat!]

Siebold adjusted his shades: "Fine spirit! Reminds me of myself!"

Lorelei: "Sinnoh's Fire-type Elite, I presume?"

Celadon Anemone: "Welcome~ (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧"

Flint happily greeted everyone—until his face turned green.

"W-water!"

Lu Ye handed him Moomoo Milk. "Too spicy?"

"Not spicy—SADISTICALLY spicy!!"

"Is that so?"

Lu Ye flashed pearly whites.

Back when Growlithe was unevolved, Flint had personally delivered the "Fire Blast" TM.

Some debts couldn't go unpaid!

Revenge is a dish best served... (Scratch that)

Teacher Lu always returns favors—with interest!

Lips numb and eyes watering, Flint kept eating.

"Om nom!"

Painfully spicy... yet irresistibly delicious!!

Flint hallucinated the Inferno—Galarian Moltres soaring through black flames—

"DELICIOUS!!"

Cradling a yawning Sylveon, Lu Ye stroked its fur and smiled.

Perfect... For the post-MVP wrap party,

This "Black Moltres Curry" will be our special treat!

......