Chapter 331: Small, but Still Cute
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Two new group chats popped up on Hikaru's phone—one large and one small.
The first was the Zhongqing University Varsity Team Group. The second was the 2009 Class Varsity Team Group.
Hikaru, without hesitation, muted notifications for both chats. Then he tapped into the larger group.
The chat immediately exploded with messages as members noticed the arrival of a new person.
[Lightning Speed]: A new guy joined? Anyone in this year's batch worth noting?
[LuxrayCat]: Ugh, this year's team is under so much pressure...
[OnlineDatingScam18]: Let's just have faith in them, yeah?
…
Still, most of the messages were idle chatter. After a while, Hikaru lost interest.
Right then, Coach Gu Cheng spoke in the smaller 2009 class group.
[Gu Cheng]: @Everyone Please update your name tags.
[Gu Cheng]: The prelims will be in team format—3 to 4 people per team. Please form your own squads, use this time to bond, get familiar with the rules and the maps!
[Gu Cheng]: Also, you've all seen the recent online buzz.
[Gu Cheng]: @Pan Shanyu @Bai Yuecheng @Chen Chen, check your DMs.
The group went silent after that.
Hikaru recognized the three tagged names. Having been around the campus for a while, he remembered they were the closest in strength to elite trainers.
Each of them owned at least one Pokémon at the Master Peak level.
One even had a pseudo-legendary.
A Cinderace, a Blastoise, and a Metagross—all at Master Peak level.
Their other Pokémon weren't far off either. Solid candidates for future Elite Four status—
and potential champions for the World Pokémon League.
Hikaru muttered to himself, "Should I form a team?"
When it came to teammates, he didn't know many people in school. Sakura counted… and maybe Senior Hayashi Mei? Hayashi Tian? Hayashi Haru?
Alright, all Hayashi family people.
Couldn't exactly go recruit Shawa Quinn…
Just as he was getting distracted by his thoughts,
a message from Sakura popped up.
[Sakura]: Bro?! Are you home?
[Sakura]: I'm mad. {pjg}
Before Hikaru could even tap into the message,
Coach Gu Cheng also sent him a DM.
[Gu Cheng]: Hikaru? You there?
Hikaru replied with a simple, "Here."
[Gu Cheng]: You saw the recent buzz too, right? Have you found teammates yet?
[Gu Cheng]: If not, I'd like you to join Pan Shanyu's group.
[Hikaru]: You want to use my Aura to locate that Yamamoto Nihoka?
[Gu Cheng]: Sharp. I hate to admit it, but if that guy makes it into the finals, it'll be a real headache. Best if we can knock him out during prelims.
[Gu Cheng]: Those three seniors are top-tier. With your Aura, the combo would be perfect.
As a seasoned former Elite trainer, Gu Cheng was very familiar with the potential of Aura.
He was, after all, from the same era as the original Aura Elite.
Hikaru hesitated.
His personality leaned introverted—especially around strangers.
Suddenly being paired up with three unfamiliar upperclassmen… felt a little overwhelming.
Still, Coach Gu Cheng had likely thought this through.
In the prelims, each player could only have one Pokémon accompany them.
A four-man team meant four Pokémon—
And with three Master Peak-level Pokémon plus his Aura, it was objectively an ideal setup.
Just as Hikaru was hesitating, the doorbell rang.
A quick Aura sweep revealed—it was Sakura.
"Coming!" he called out, opening the door.
The girl wore a bright white school sweater, paired with a brown scarf.
Her long hair was tied into a neat bun, giving her a fresh, clean look.
She walked in like she owned the place, her eyes glaring straight at Hikaru.
He stepped aside to let her in.
She made her way to his bed, mumbling, "Seriously, what have you even been doing? You weren't home, not at school either…"
Clearly, Hikaru's secretive behavior over the past month had annoyed her.
Hikaru sighed, "The Youth League is coming up, I wanted to get some solid results."
That calmed her a bit.
Her eyes softened as she turned toward him,
"Then we'll be teaming up, right?"
Hikaru motioned her over.
"Come here and look at this."
Puzzled, Sakura leaned in.
After reading the messages on his screen, her face immediately fell.
"Ah… I see…"
Though she really wanted Hikaru by her side,
she realized this was more important.
If it meant stopping Yamamoto Nihoka, then her feelings could wait.
Right then, another message came from Coach Gu Cheng.
Perhaps seeing Hikaru hadn't replied, he assumed he had already found a team.
[Gu Cheng]: If you've already got teammates, that's fine. What's your current Aura level?
Hikaru had no reason to lie.
[Hikaru]: Advanced.
[Gu Cheng]: Advanced? That's impressive. With your Lucario, this changes things.
[Gu Cheng]: After you land on the island, try to locate Pan Shanyu's squad and then track down Yamamoto Nihoka. For safety, Pan Shanyu will look after the team.
[Hikaru]: Alright…
Since the coach had made this decision, Hikaru had no reason to refuse.
[Gu Cheng]: Good. Don't push yourself too hard. Just do your best.
ヽ(＾▽＾)人: "Yay!"
Sakura's eyes lit up.
Coach Gu Cheng really was a thoughtful man!
Excited, she opened her arms for a hug,
"Bro, hug~!"
Hikaru gently pressed a hand to her forehead.
"Quit it. There's only two of us—we still need two more teammates."
"Ugh… I'm only 160cm, and it's all your fault!"
Sakura swatted his hand away, annoyed.
Other than her Vikavolt, every one of her Pokémon was taller than her.
Even that senior sister of Hikaru's was way taller—probably at least 170cm!
Women compare. And once the comparisons start, so does the anxiety.
Hikaru chuckled teasingly,
"Don't worry. You're small, but cute."
Her cheeks puffed up.
"I'm mad at you, bro!"
That finally made him drop the joke.
"Alright, alright. You're only sixteen—you'll grow."
"I'm seventeen!"
"…Okay, seventeen. Still time to grow."
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