Chapter 104

On Saturday, August 1st, atop Mt. Silver, a thick white mist cloaked the mountain as a young man with short black hair and resolute eyes shouted enthusiastically while throwing a punch with Snorlax.

"Snor!" With Snorlax's thunderous roar, the Mega Punch radiated with white light, obliterating a large rock with a single blow, leaving only a faint white mark on another.

Red shook his slightly sore fist, a faint smile gracing his lips. "Indeed... Snor, you're as great as ever."

Snorlax scratched its head, wearing a foolish smile.

After recalling Snorlax into its Poké Ball, Red checked the time and had Aerodactyl grab his backpack, carrying him as they soared towards Pallet Town.

Upon reaching the front door of his house, Red found a girl with a yellow ponytail waiting anxiously.

"Yellow, what's going on?" Red asked.

Yellow blushed but mustered the courage to speak, albeit hesitantly, "The new cinema in Saffron City... it's completed. I thought..."

"Hmm?" Red was equally intrigued.

Glancing at his phone, Red smiled. "Ah, it's Misty. I haven't caught up with her in a while."

"Pika wants to challenge her again!" Red excitedly asked Pikachu on his shoulder.

Pikachu stood on Red's shoulder, looking back and forth between Yellow and Red, clearly torn about the prospect.

Pikachu: ◐▽◑

"Alright, it's decided! I'll challenge the Cerulean Gym tonight!" Red declared, lowering the brim of his cap, his gaze determined.

After a brief pause, Yellow finally mustered the courage to speak up. "I... I want to go with you!"

...

In the group chat, everything was calm and peaceful, with no hint of the previously intense atmosphere.

Luke let out an irritated sigh. "This is too boring."

Lorelei was the first to speak up, creating a new subgroup for discussing gossip. "Why isn't there any excitement yet?"

"I'm wondering the same thing," Luke grumbled. "This is way too peaceful."

Everyone knew that both Lorelei and Luke was talking about the crush on Red, except for Red himself.

Gold, who had not joined the discussion group, looked utterly perplexed. No one had filled him in on what was happening.

Hours passed, and Lorelei returned from her melon-eating session, looking rather despondent.

Teacher Luke: "What's going on with Red and those two? I'm dying of curiosity!"

Lorelei: "According to the news, Red went to challenge the Cerulean Gym."

Lance: "Really?"

Lorelei sighed, her expression gloomy. "What's more, Yellow went with him."

Teacher Luke: ? ? ?

What kind of operation is this? Are they going to challenge the Gym together?

Today's Pokemon group chat, which used to be filled with fiery discussions, was now all about love and friendship.

Luke smacked his lips, somewhat dissatisfied. Lorelei was the first to take the plunge, forming a melon-eating subgroup to discuss the latest developments.

"I can't stand this anymore; I'm going to ask Misty!" Lance declared, driven by his curiosity.

Luke looked up at the sky. Gym Leaders and Elite Four members, all involved in this kind of thing...

It seemed like Kanto Alliance was full of gossip!

Gold, who was unaware of the situation, was at a complete loss amid the crowd.

No one had told him anything about what was happening. What was going on?

Finally, in the evening, Lorelei returned from her melon-eating session, her expression distant.

Teacher Luke: "So, what happened with Red and the others?"

Lorelei: "Well, according to the latest news, Red went to challenge the Cerulean Gym."

A surprised Lance chimed in, "Really?"

Lorelei sighed and continued, "And Yellow went with him."

Teacher Luke: ? ? ?

What in the world was happening? Were they trying to beat up their former lovers?

Lorelei nodded mysteriously. "You can see for yourself."

[Image]

Luke opened his eyes wide and gazed at Red's recent social media post.

The picture showed a cozy family restaurant with delicious-looking food illuminated by warm chandeliers. Snorlax was devouring a mountain-sized cake all by itself, while Starmie, Espeon, Raticate, and other Pokémon were scattered around the table.

Red sat at the center of a sofa, with Misty to his left and Yellow to his right. Both of their faces were slightly flushed with a hint of awkwardness.

Unintentionally, Red picked up a Pokéblock and affectionately fed it to Pikachu.

"To a great battle! (Cheers)"

Luke was dumbfounded by the accompanying text in this social media post.

He had expected an intense showdown, but instead, it seemed like they were just old friends having a casual meal together.

The whole world believed that Red had low emotional intelligence, but perhaps this was actually a sign of his high emotional intelligence.

Luke stroked his chin thoughtfully, muttering to himself, "You are really worthy of 'The Fighter'!"

...

Squirtle had seamlessly integrated into Luke's home. Luke purchased a square fish tank for it and decided to place it in the bedroom.

With a Gastly and an Eevee in his family, and now a Squirtle, Luke jokingly thought that his home was becoming a full-fledged zoo.

Eevee was still asleep in bed, Squirtle was doing push-ups despite a swollen face, and Haunter was tidying up the room.

Luke chuckled at the sight and muttered, "Alright, I'm heading out now. Haunter, keep an eye on things!"

"Jie jie~!" Haunter responded enthusiastically, waving its paw.

Luke hailed a taxi and arrived at Damien's home, where the final version of the game was being tested.

"Once the game platform is ready for release, we just need to pass the review, and it'll be more convenient," Damien explained.

Damien remarked, "The key is the subsequent publicity; otherwise, no one will discover these games."

Luke replied with a grin, "You've forgotten what my side job is, haven't you?"

"Are you planning to drive traffic from other video platforms?" Damien asked, slightly surprised.

"The most crucial aspect is that the game is enjoyable," Luke said, patting Damien's shoulder and chuckling. "The value of our work hinges on its performance."

Damien couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness as he gazed at the game, as if he were parting ways with his own creation.

There would be some waiting involved before the game could undergo review.

In the meantime, Luke decided to create his first video for his channel.

The subject of the video would be the upcoming release of "Plants vs. Zombies."

"I'm speaking on my own behalf... it's truly me!" Luke said with emotion.

Of course, the primary series wouldn't suffice.

"Teacher Luke's Battle Instructions" had become a local treasure, with each episode amassing over two million views. Luke pondered for a moment and decided to launch the "Teacher Luke's Late Night Canteen" series.

"I'm back!" Luke called out as he entered his home.

Today, Haunter didn't come to greet him, which struck Luke as odd.

Glancing up at the ceiling, he mumbled to himself, "Strange... is there a leak in the pipes?"

Carrying a basket of vegetables, Luke opened the door, only to be greeted by a Water Gun attack that hit him square in the face.

Squirtle and Haunter: o(*≧▽≦)ツ

As if it had been planned in advance, the two Pokémon laughed uproariously and high-fived each other's paws.

The entire floor was already submerged, with the water reaching up to Luke's ankles. Eevee playfully splashed in the watery mess.

"vui~! (*≧▽≦)"

So, this afternoon, you guys decided to have a water fight at home?!

Luke wiped his face and surveyed the nearly flooded house, feeling a chill run down his spine.

"Squirtle, there goes your dinner!"

"Squirtle: (Ｔ▽Ｔ)"

Haunter froze for a moment, hastily summoned a Substitute, and started mopping the floor with a bucket.

Luke carried the vegetable basket into the kitchen and called out, "Dinner's ready, Eevee!"

Squirtle gazed at Eevee with a bewildered expression. He watched as Eevee hopped over to Luke and made a playful face at him.

Didn't you say you wanted to practice using Water Gun?

It was evident that even this prank had been Haunter's idea from the start.

Squirtle: (Ｔ▽Ｔ)

Although he was innocent, he wasn't naive enough to be fooled.

Aren't you just picking on the gullible one?!