Chapter 183: So You're Staying Here Tonight?
Steven's villa perfectly reflected his personality as a wealthy heir. The decor was sleek in black and white, with walls that shimmered with a metallic silver sheen. Display cases lined the room, each filled with an array of rare stones.
"Buying a house just to fill it with rocks… Is this how rich people live?" Lu Ye muttered, rubbing his chin.
Haunter busied itself moving luggage back and forth. "Arf!" Growlithe wagged its tail, hopping excitedly around the room.
Just as they finished unpacking, a knock sounded at the door. Opening it, Lu Ye found a familiar figure standing elegantly at the entrance—Cynthia.
"Haven't you gone home?" he asked, surprised.
Cynthia smiled and shook the game controller in her hand. "I figured it could wait."
Lu Ye chuckled and stepped aside to welcome the gaming addict in. "Don't stay up too late. The summit starts tomorrow," he reminded her.
"Relax, just one game."
It was Cynthia's first time visiting Steven's villa. Glancing around, she remarked, "As expected of Steven's style…"
"Make yourself comfortable," Lu Ye said as he tied on an apron. "You haven't eaten yet, have you? No charge for an extra set of chopsticks."
Cynthia was taken aback for a moment before she smiled. "Then I'll trouble you."
Lu Ye waved a hand as he headed to the kitchen. "No need for formalities between us!"
Cynthia withdrew her gaze and looked at her Pokémon. "Everyone, take a break."
With a flash of red light, Cynthia's Pokémon materialized in the living room. Glaceon scanned the room, its eyes locking onto Sylveon, who was lazily dozing off. Sneaking closer, Glaceon extended its cool, ribbon-like appendages, aiming to startle its Fairy-type counterpart.
"Bui!" Sylveon's bright blue eyes suddenly snapped open, and it chomped down on Glaceon's appendage.
"Yip?!"
Sylveon refused to let go, chuckling smugly. Finally caught you!
Glaceon's face flushed red as tiny ice shards flurried off its fur. While that playful battle unfolded, Cynthia had already set up the console and connected it to the TV. As the game's music played, the Pokémon curiously gathered around.
Sylveon finally released its grip, unwinding its pink feeler from Glaceon's body.
"Yip…" Glaceon let out a soft sigh.
Meanwhile, Sylveon gracefully leaped onto Cynthia's lap, curling into a cozy position. "Bui! o(´^｀)o"
Cynthia smiled and gently stroked Sylveon's snowy-white fur.
In the kitchen, Lu Ye busied himself preparing dinner. The rich aroma of curry filled the air, its vibrant golden hue promising a mouthwatering taste. With Cooking Lv4, his skills were on par with the elite chefs of a top culinary academy.
Satisfied, Lu Ye carried the steaming pot into the living room—only to pause at the sight before him. Cynthia sat with her legs crossed, completely engrossed in the game. Her deep gray eyes reflected the bright colors of the screen. Noticing Lu Ye, her gaze brightened, and she extended a second controller.
"Want to play?" she asked.
No one could refuse an invitation like that. "Of course!" Lu Ye answered with righteous conviction.
"Almost there?"
"Just about!"
Cynthia's tone was serious. "This is the final boss!"
"Bui…" Sylveon yawned lazily, unimpressed by the tension.
Just as they were about to land the finishing blow—Knock, knock. The sudden sound echoed through the villa.
Lu Ye clearly saw a twitch in Cynthia's forehead.
"Lu Ye!" a loud, carefree voice rang out. "Aaron and I came to visit!"
"Lu Ye, we'd like to learn from you!" another, slightly more reserved voice added.
Cynthia furrowed her brows. A slight misstep in her controls, and her character met a tragic end at the hands of the boss. "Tch…" Cynthia pressed her lips into a thin line.
Lu Ye flinched at the surge of frustration radiating beside him. "Aaron and Flint… Could they be—" he asked hesitantly.
"Yes… The Bug-type and Fire-type Elite Four." Cynthia took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure. She set down the controller, stood up, and smiled. "I'll get the door."
Lu Ye's expression turned strange. On the security screen, the grinning faces of Aaron and Flint were overshadowed by a looming sense of DANGER.
At the entrance, Flint scratched his fiery red afro. "This has to be the right place. I swear I saw someone inside."
"Doesn't seem like anyone's home…" Aaron started, but before he could finish, the door suddenly swung open. A tall figure stood in the doorway.
Aaron stammered, "C-Cynthia?!"
"What are you doing here?" Flint blurted.
"Same as you." Cynthia's voice was ice-cold. "Learning from Lu Ye." Though, in her mind, she was thinking—If I had learned from him sooner, I wouldn't have been stuck on that game for so long!
The two Elite Four members froze, their eyes widening in shock. Lu Ye's skills are so impressive that even the Champion came to challenge him?!
"H-how did it go?" Aaron stuttered.
"Just a little more, and I would've won." Cynthia took a deep breath. Just a little more… and I would've cleared the stage! This is all your fault.
A single drop of cold sweat slid down Flint's forehead. Over the past few Champion League tournaments, he had challenged Cynthia multiple times. And every single time, he had suffered a crushing defeat. The worst occasion? He was nearly swept 6-0 by her Garchomp… Flint, as the Fire-type Elite Four, knew one thing for certain—Cynthia's rage… was terrifying.
His eyes widened in shock. "So that means…" Cynthia… lost to Lu Ye?! If it were just a game, that would be one thing—but this was an actual challenge! Did that mean Lu Ye could also beat Cynthia in a real Pokémon battle?
Flint and Aaron exchanged glances, both breaking into wry smiles.
"No wonder Lucian didn't come with us," Aaron muttered.
"That guy must have heard the news beforehand. How sneaky!" Flint gritted his teeth.
Cynthia crossed her arms and shot them a cold look. "If you two want a battle, how about I go first?"
The two Elite Four members immediately stiffened. Challenge Cynthia? That was basically asking for a beating! It wasn't a matter of skill—Cynthia simply never lost as long as her Garchomp was in play. But… if she really had lost to Lu Ye…
Flint scratched his fiery red hair and let out an awkward laugh. "N-no need for that!"
Aaron shook his head like a rattling drum. "We just… uh… came for an autograph!"
"Yeah, yeah! No need for battles, it's all in good fun, hahaha!"
Cynthia narrowed her eyes. Just then, Lu Ye walked over to the entrance. "You two… wanna come in?"
Two Elite Four members showing up for a challenge. Lu Ye wasn't sure how to feel about that. He was just a rookie, after all. And aside from these two, there was still Red lurking in the background, waiting for a chance… Man, this is exhausting.
Flint, however, was caught off guard. Lu Ye had defeated Cynthia and was still acting so nonchalant… Was he holding back even more power?
Aaron's cowlick trembled. His survival instincts kicked into high gear. "We just want your autograph, that's all! Once you sign, we'll be on our way—we won't disturb you any longer!"
Lu Ye found it odd but glanced at Cynthia. She stood with her arms crossed, clearly waiting for him to decide. Scratching his head, he stepped forward, signed their books, and sent them off.
The moment they had the signatures, both Elite Four members let out a long sigh of relief. Flint tucked one hand into his pocket and grinned. "Hahaha, it's getting late. Rest well, Lu Ye!"
Aaron, as if he had just escaped from certain death, bowed deeply. "Thank you so much, Lu Ye!"
As they hurried away into the night, Lu Ye watched their retreating figures with curiosity. "…Are all Sinnoh Elite Four this eccentric?"
Cynthia thought for a moment and replied, "They probably learned it from me."
Hearing the Sinnoh Champion crack a joke left Lu Ye momentarily stunned. "Hah! You've got a good sense of humor."
Cynthia gave a small nod, arms still crossed, her golden hair fluttering in the night breeze. It almost seemed like she was suppressing a laugh, the corners of her lips subtly lifting.
"Let's go," Lu Ye said, waving his hand. "We still need to beat the final boss."
Cynthia's eyes lit up. "Let's do it!"
Meanwhile, at Lucian's house, he had just finished a call with the Pokémon Center when he noticed Aaron and Flint rushing back, looking pale. "You guys are… okay?" he asked, surprised.
"Barely!" Aaron gasped for breath. Thinking about what had just happened, Flint shuddered. "Lu Ye… is terrifying!"
Lucian chuckled knowingly and handed them each a glass of water. "Shame. I had already called an ambulance for you two."
Flint & Aaron: ???
"So," Lucian leaned against the window, flipping open a hardcover book, "aren't you two going to prepare a gift to make up for bothering him?"
That made them pause. Now that he mentioned it… giving Lu Ye a proper greeting gift wouldn't be a bad idea.
Flint stroked his chin in thought. "What should we give him?"
"Money's too impersonal," Aaron mused, squatting on the floor. "Lu Ye doesn't seem to have any Bug-type Pokémon, so I can't tailor the gift that way…"
"That reminds me… Lu Ye does have a Growlithe," Flint nodded. "When it comes to Fire-type moves, I am an expert."
Each Trainer had their own specialty. Even Cynthia wouldn't surpass Flint in the Fire-type domain. He fell deep into thought. "I'll prepare a special Flamethrower technique guide as a gift for Lu Ye!"
Hearing that, Lucian snapped his book shut and nodded slightly. "I'm sure he'll be very pleased."
The night deepened. A crescent moon hung in the clear sky over Sootopolis City. Cynthia let out a small yawn, resting on Glaceon's fluffy body. Strands of golden hair fell across her face.
"What time does the summit start tomorrow?"
Lu Ye lay on Sylveon, their faces almost level. "Seven in the morning."
"…I might not wake up in time."
"Set an alarm."
"But there are still so many games I want to play…"
"Then we pull an all-nighter," Lu Ye nodded. "Speaking of which, I recently made a new game… it's pretty addicting."
A gleam flickered in Cynthia's deep gray eyes.
"So…" Lu Ye asked, "are you staying here tonight?"
Cynthia smiled softly and, without hesitation, nodded. "Yeah."
[Inorin Note:
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