I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

The round pink puffball before them had a curly tuft of hair on its forehead, large sky-blue eyes blinking, its cat-like ears twitching slightly.

"Puff! (o｀ε´o)"

Jigglypuff looked extremely indignant, puffing up its cheeks until its whole body swelled even larger.

Lu Ye froze momentarily before hurriedly waving his hands:

"Calm down, Jigglypuff! Let's talk this out!"

Though he didn't know why Jigglypuff had appeared here, it had likely followed Ash and sneaked into the recording studio. Hearing Ash's terrible singing, it was only natural for the temperamental "diva" Jigglypuff to get angry.

"Puff!"

Jigglypuff, cheeks still puffed, hopped onto the control panel.

"Gengarrr? ('-')ノ)`-')"

Haunter was shoved aside by Jigglypuff's tiny hands pressing against its cheeks, forcibly making way. Under Lu Ye's curious gaze, Jigglypuff positioned itself before the microphone and shouted into the recording booth at Ash and the others:

"Puff! ٩(๑`^´๑)۶"

Inside the booth, Jessie and James looked at Meowth:

"What's it saying?"

"It says our singing is terrible and professionals should teach us, meow!"

After translating, Meowth angrily brandished its claws at Jigglypuff:

"Are you looking down on Meowth?!"

Jigglypuff grew even angrier, its plump body turning red:

"Puuu—ff!"

Immediately, it jumped off the control panel and pattered into the recording booth, unleashing a barrage of Double Slaps at Meowth.

"Puff!"

"Ow, that hurts! (￣ε(#￣)Σ"

Meowth, helpless against the slaps, held its reddened cheeks with teary eyes:

"Damn it, Meowth isn't good at fighting!"

Jessie clenched her fists in anger: "This bratty little thing! Wobbuffet, teach it a lesson!"

James quickly hugged Jessie's waist, trying to mediate with an awkward smile:

"Come on now, we're all here to help the boss. Let's not cause trouble!"

"This thing... was invited by the boss too?" Jessie paused, thoughtful. "Now that you mention it, it is really good at singing..."

Ash, spotting Jigglypuff, said with slight surprise: "Jigglypuff! Long time no see!"

"Puff!" Jigglypuff smiled, pushing Pikachu aside and raising the microphone toward Ash.

Pikachu stood on its hind legs, scratching its ear with a bewildered look.

"Pika?"

Ash glanced between Jigglypuff and the microphone before grinning:

"Are you here to teach me how to sing?"

"Puff!" Jigglypuff nodded happily.

"Great! With everyone's help, I'll definitely complete this song!" Ash said with determination.

Lu Ye scratched his head in confusion.

Having Jigglypuff... teach Ash to sing?

Wouldn't that mean everyone present would get hypnotized?!

Still, Jigglypuff meant well and was one of the Pokémon world's top singers...

Lu Ye coughed dryly: "Rotom, start recording later."

"Does not compute... (O_o)??" The Rotom Dex's screen displayed question marks.

"Didn't you record Haunter's Perish Song last time?" Lu Ye said. "This time, we might get Jigglypuff's Lullaby too."

Rotom had a sudden realization, replying in its electronic voice: "But↑ I↓ still↑ prefer↓ this format~ ⚡"

"Turn off that creepy effect right now!"

Inside the booth, Meowth couldn't accept being replaced as teacher by Jigglypuff.

If this continued... the album might feature Jigglypuff's Song instead of Meowth's Ballad!

"Meowth won't allow this!"

Meowth unleashed Fury Swipes, clashing with Jigglypuff's Double Slaps in a blur of motion.

The scene resembled two cats fighting.

However, Meowth's combat ability was inconsistent—weak against the weak—and it ultimately lost to Jigglypuff.

"Meow!" Meowth rubbed its reddened cheeks again. "How about... we collaborate! Meowth will still be the brat's teacher!"

"Puff~"

Jigglypuff held its head high, basking in the attention as it raised its microphone triumphantly.

Outside the booth, Lu Ye somehow produced an eye mask, putting it on as he reclined in his office chair lazily:

"Haunter, I'm taking a nap. We'll have boxed lunches when I wake up."

"Gengarrr?" Haunter looked puzzled.

This particular Jigglypuff's singing had a 100% hypnotic effect and loved using markers to doodle on sleeping people's faces.

Since Jigglypuff's Lullaby was unavoidable, he might as well enjoy it.

Lu Ye, wearing the eye mask and resting his head on his arms, yawned.

At worst, he'd wash his face after waking up before continuing to coach Ash.

With Jigglypuff and Meowth—two singing legends—present, even Ash could probably learn a thing or two...

As he pondered this, a soft melody drifted into his ears.

Unlike Ash's singing, it was gentle as a feather, like a new moon casting silver ripples across a lake.

"Bo~ Bo Gerbo, Puff♪, Bo~ Bo Puff~♪"

Jigglypuff held the microphone, eyes closed, immersed in its own song.

This was Lu Ye's first time experiencing Jigglypuff's lullaby firsthand. His fatigue gradually eased as his body relaxed into sleep.

"This is really..." Lu Ye rubbed his eyes drowsily, "...a godsend for insomniacs..."

"Re—recording in progress, Rotom..."

The Rotom Dex swayed before collapsing onto the control panel, a snot bubble forming as it slept.

"Gengarrr~ Gengarrr~"

Haunter, in its sleep, grinned widely and sang along with Jigglypuff's tune—clearly using Sleep Talk.

Fortunately, the singing was too quiet for Perish Song to activate, so Jigglypuff's performance continued uninterrupted.

"Bo~ Bo Gerbo, Puff♪, Bo~ Bo Puff~♪"

The song persisted as Jigglypuff stood center stage, finishing with an elegant bow.

But the expected applause never came.

Jigglypuff looked around at the sprawled, snoring crowd before taking a deep breath and puffing its cheeks angrily.

"Puff! (◦`~´◦)"

Puff—

Jigglypuff yanked the microphone away, revealing a shiny marker as it angrily hopped over to Ash.

"Pikachu, I won the championship..." Ash drooled in his sleep.

"Pika pi~" Pikachu lay curled against Ash, murmuring his name.

Swish swish swish—

Jigglypuff quickly covered Ash and Pikachu's faces with doodles.

Then it jumped over to the sleeping Team Rocket trio, scribbling furiously.

Finally, Jigglypuff made its way outside the booth.

"Puff! Σ(°Д°;"

Jigglypuff's face was full of disbelief.

Before it stood a yawning black-haired young man and a Haunter chewing on a berry.

"After some thought, washing my face seemed like too much trouble."

Using his last bit of consciousness, Lu Ye had shoved a Chesto Berry into his mouth and swallowed it whole.

He gave Jigglypuff an apologetic smile:

"If you're unhappy, you can keep doodling on the others... Just spare me."

Chesto Berries could cure sleep status, and crucially, they were modeled after chestnuts.

The sugar-roasted chestnuts Lu Ye made a few days ago had used Chesto Berries as ingredients—and Haunter still carried some!

"Gengarrr~(￣～￣)" Haunter held up a berry, offering to share with Jigglypuff.

Jigglypuff stared blankly at Lu Ye before breaking into a huge, joyful smile:

"Puff!"

Its greatest dream was to find friends who could listen to its entire song.

For this dream, Jigglypuff had wandered for so long.

But today, that dream had finally come true!

"Puff~" Jigglypuff spun happily on one foot before suddenly freezing.

Lu Ye yawned again, looking slightly dazed:

"This hypnotic effect... Even the Chesto Berry couldn't fully counter it?"

I should've known!

Jigglypuff could even put a superhuman like Ash to sleep... I didn't take enough this time!

With that, Lu Ye reclined in his office chair again, comfortably settling in for a nap—

"Gyaah~~"

Jigglypuff looked thunderstruck, clutching its head and shaking it vigorously:

"Puuuff!! (〃＞皿＜)"

……

By the time Lu Ye woke again, dusk had fallen outside the office.

All his fatigue had vanished. Standing before the bathroom mirror, he locked eyes with his reflection—and Haunter's doodle-covered face.

"Gengarrr!" Haunter covered its mouth with its short arms, giggling sneakily.

"You're laughing at me?" Lu Ye chuckled. "Look at yourself first!"

Despite the doodles, Lu Ye's handsome features remained undeniable.

This ability to maintain perfect looks under any circumstances—

Was truly representative of all modern readers.

Back in the recording booth, Jigglypuff had calmed down, sitting on the table while holding sheet music, its little feet swinging.

"Puff~"

"It says it's confident it can teach the brat, meow."

"Just don't use that singing move, okay?"

James said awkwardly. "Focus on technique! Meowth can translate for the brat!"

"Exactly! It ruined my perfect makeup!" Jessie complained.

"Puff! ٩(๑`^´๑)۶"

Just as Jessie and Jigglypuff's gazes met, sparking tension—

Lu Ye walked in carrying a stack of boxed meals.

"Dinner time—one each," he said. "No stealing the Pokémon's Pokéblocks! Jigglypuff gets a share too!"

The meals were standard Jubilife TV station employee fare—three dishes and a soup, decent enough.

The Pokéblocks were handmade by Lu Ye, mixed with Sweet Honey and rare berries, emitting an enticing sheen and aroma.

Gulp—

Jessie and James swallowed hard, glancing repeatedly at Meowth as it wolfed down its food.

"Meowth, don't you usually eat the boxed meals?!" Jessie said through gritted teeth.

"What's wrong with that, meow? Meowth is a Pokémon too," Meowth said blissfully, stuffing its face with Pokéblocks.

"Puff~♪"

Jigglypuff chewed its Pokéblocks, eyes curved into happy crescents as it hummed and swung its feet.

"Togepri! ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ"

Togepi wobbled over with a large bottle of cola, offering to share.

Jigglypuff froze before huffing and turning away—only to peek back at Togepi and nudge a paper cup over with its foot.

"Prii~" Togepi waved its fingers, using Psychic to pour cola into the cup.

Soon enough—

"Puff! []~(￣▽￣)~*"

Jigglypuff was clinking cups cheerfully with Togepi.

Lu Ye: "We only have two days to teach Ash this song—time is tight."

"But with Jigglypuff and Meowth working together, they can turn trash into treasure!" he said with a smile.

"You flatter me too much, meow~" Meowth waved shyly.

"Puff!" Jigglypuff puffed up proudly, swelling with arrogance.

"Trash... meaning me?" Ash pointed at himself, confused.

Lu Ye coughed awkwardly: "A-anyway! Let's make the most of our time—we'll practice tonight too."

Team Rocket trio: "No problem, leave it to us!"

Even Jigglypuff raised its microphone in agreement: "Puff!"

"Prii!"

Togepi hugged the cola bottle, while Haunter pocketed the leftovers.

Can't waste food—gotta be considerate for the master...

"Gengarrr~" Haunter grinned toothily.

Oh right, I should ask Jigglypuff for singing tips later.

Haunter is pretty good at singing too!

……

Night fell over Jubilife City, with Drifblim drifting across the starry sky.

Sinnoh's winters were long and summers short, relying heavily on coal and wind power.

These Drifblim had floated over from nearby Floaroma Town, where white windmills stood in rows.

By the time Murkrow soared through the darkening sky, Jubilife TV was preparing to close.

Inside the recording booth, Ash had finally managed to sing the correct notes.

James: "Ohhhhh!"

"I told you, brat—you can do it!" Jessie cheered.

"Meowth watched the brat grow up, meow... (இωஇ)"

Overcome with emotion, Meowth wiped its eyes, recalling their hardships.

Lu Ye facepalmed.

"He just got the notes right... There's still a long way to go."

Maybe Ash shouldn't have been the singer?

But they still needed to return to Pallet Town for the MV shoot—

Following the original MV concept, Lu Ye planned to have Ash's Pidgeot make an appearance.

After all, Pidgeot lived at Professor Oak's lab—it wasn't going anywhere.

Ash wiped sweat from his brow, clutching crumpled sheet music as he exhaled deeply.

Even though this was harder than battling or training...

Everyone believed in him and supported him.

Plus, becoming a Pokémon Master was his true dream...

"Jigglypuff, Meowth—let's keep practicing!" Ash declared, clenching his fists.

"Puff~" Jigglypuff waved its short arms, nodding cheerfully.

"It says it's very satisfied with this student, meow!"

Meowth crossed its arms, nodding sagely with closed eyes.

Lu Ye glanced around, smiling faintly.

When working with BW Productions to release the album later, he'd have to include Jigglypuff's Song too.

The recorded version wouldn't match the live performance's effect, but its potential as an insomnia remedy alone would guarantee sales.

Most importantly, it fulfilled Jigglypuff's wish to share its song.

Lu Ye looked at everyone and smiled:

"Let's call it a day. I'll treat everyone to supper back in Sandgem Town."

Instantly, the day's exhaustion melted away.

Ash and Team Rocket cheered simultaneously:

"What a great feeling~!"

"Sōnansu!"

"Damn brat, stop stealing our line!!"

……

Over the next two days, Lu Ye continued supervising production.

Aside from Rotom growing increasingly fascinated with electronic music...

Haunter seemed to have learned singing techniques from Jigglypuff, mastering Perish Song more skillfully...

Lu Ye looked at Jigglypuff lying on the ground, tongue lolling in feigned death, with a strange expression.

Look what you've done to poor Jigglypuff!

Under Meowth and Jigglypuff's tutelage, Ash made remarkable progress.

At the very least, he could now sing the melody correctly without accompaniment.

When Lu Ye shared a test recording in the chat group, everyone was stunned.

"It actually sounds... decent?" Lorelei said in surprise.

"I thought Ash was tone-deaf," Brock mused. "He's got some talent."

Marshal chuckled: "When he challenged the Vermilion Gym, I could tell he had musician potential!"

Lu Ye pondered this.

Marshal might have a point.

Aside from his bonds, maybe Ash's ability to attract Jigglypuff and Meloetta hinted at genuine musical talent?

Regardless, the MV production was finally on track.

They just needed to arrange band accompaniment, record the audio, and return to Pallet Town for filming.

Lu Ye checked his memo:

"Next up is negotiating with the band..."

……

March 16th, Tuesday.

Jubilife TV unexpectedly received some unusual visitors.

Staff members eyed the punk-styled rockers curiously, whispering:

"Are they here for a show?"

"No, I think Mr. Lu invited them."

Suddenly, someone gasped.

"That's Roxie, lead singer of Team Plasma!"

"Tch..."

The white-haired girl wore oversized sleeves that barely revealed her fingers, studded boots, and carried a purple-black guitar case.

Facing the murmurs, the white-haired girl clicked her tongue, adjusting the cherry hairpin on her spiky ponytail with visible irritation.

"So... where's this Mr. Lu?"

"Waiting in the recording studio," the bassist said quietly. "He's a musician himself—and a renowned Poison-type expert!"

"Oh?"

The white-haired girl narrowed her eyes, dragging out the syllable. "Poison-type expert?"

"Let's go!"

Slinging her guitar case over one shoulder, she bared her shark-like teeth in a fierce-yet-cute expression.

"Let's see what this 'Poison-type expert' is made of!"