'So, technically, I'm the protagonist in name, but in reality, I'm just a supporting tool character, while Erina is the true protagonist, and this book is actually heading in a yuri direction, huh?'
Sitting in the luxurious cabin of the cruise ship, Hayashi rested his chin on his hand, his dead-fish eyes fixed on Erina, Hisako, and Sabrina, who were crowded together on the opposite seat, staring at the computer screen. He exchanged a glance with the Pikachu sitting on the table and sighed.
Pikachu was also quite helpless. She was originally Erina's beloved doggo... ahem, I mean beloved mouse, but because Sabrina had the "sudden arrival" tag, Pikachu had lost her place with Erina now.
Truly fallen from grace, folks.
"Tsk tsk." Hayashi shook his head and muttered, "Pikachu, you've fallen too—"
"Pika?"
Pikachu was taken aback. With a puzzled look, she hopped into Erina's arms.
"Honestly, be good, Pikachu—" Erina chuckled as she stroked Pikachu's fur, then placed her on her lap, continuing to stare intently at the unfolding plot of Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun—this couple is just too interesting, right? Why isn't there a second season?
"Pika—"
Pikachu chirped cheerfully, then turned her innocent, round eyes toward Hayashi—Boss, I'm not like you, so don't use "too," okay?
"I…"
Hayashi was nearly infuriated by Pikachu's move. Fortunately, the adorable Eevee jumped into his arms, soothing him by licking his face with her pink tongue.
"Eevee-vee—"
Don't be sad, Eevee is here with you!
"Sniff sniff, my Eevee is truly a little angel—" Hayashi teared up as he hugged the little Eevee, nuzzling against her and murmuring, "Eevee, my Eevee—"
"Vee~"
Eevee nestled on Hayashi's shoulder, wearing a happy expression.
...
...
This time, Hayashi and the others were heading to Rustboro City in the Hoenn region—after all, when Erina visited Silph Co., she mentioned she also wanted to check out the products at Devon Corporation.
Originally, Hayashi suggested taking a direct flight from Saffron City to Rustboro City, but Sabrina felt that such a direct approach was too "utilitarian"—since this was a trip, of course they should enjoy the scenery along the way without exhausting themselves!
Sabrina's suggestion was approved by Erina and Hisako. After some discussion, they settled on their current mode of transportation—taking a luxury cruise to Lilycove City in Hoenn, then transferring to a train bound for Rustboro City.
Thanks to the little rich girl Sabrina footing the bill, the three of them booked a luxury suite on the cruise ship—divided into inner and outer rooms. Hayashi stayed in the outer room, while the three girls stayed in the inner one. However, since it was daytime, the girls came out to spend time with Hayashi in the outer room.
"After all, we can't let you feel too lonely—"
When Hayashi heard this, he was genuinely touched. But before he could finish being moved, he blankly witnessed the scene above—so you three are actually here to rub it in, huh?
Damn it!
After sitting for about ten minutes, Hayashi couldn't stand the overwhelmingly yuri atmosphere anymore. He stood up and said to the three girls, who were engrossed in Paras... I mean, Chiyo's hilarious romantic history, "You guys keep watching. I'll take Eevee out for a walk—"
"Go ahead, go ahead—"
Erina waved without looking up, while Sabrina and Hisako nodded just as intently.
They wouldn't even look up at me! Damn comedy anime, you and your... whatever, I love comedy anime too, so never mind.
Waaah, please release season two soon!!
...
...
After leaving the room, Hayashi walked onto the top deck with Eevee in his arms and an ice pop in his mouth.
"Ah, I smell freedom—"
Hayashi leaned against the railing while Eevee hopped onto the handrail, standing gracefully with the poise of a noble lady from the Eevee lineage, drawing admiring glances from those nearby.
"Eevee!"
Eevee chirped cheerfully before peering curiously downward—on the deck below, the three primary-colored Eeveelutions from Kanto were playfully roughhousing.
"Oh? It's Flareon, Vaporeon, and Jolteon—" Hayashi followed Eevee's gaze and smiled. "What do you think, Eevee? Want to go say hi to your seniors?"
"Eevee~" Eevee nodded eagerly.
Earlier, Hayashi had used his Pokédex to ask Eevee if she had a preferred evolution—though he personally favored Sylveon, he would respect Eevee's choice if she leaned toward another form. Fortunately, this Eevee had instantly fallen for the ethereal beauty of Sylveon too.
After descending the stairs to the lower deck, Hayashi carried Eevee toward the trio of Eeveelutions and addressed the trainer standing nearby. "Excuse me, ma'am! Are those three Eeveelutions yours?"
"Hmm?"
The woman—golden-haired, clad in a black gown, holding a wineglass, and wearing sunglasses, every inch the aristocrat—turned at Hayashi's voice. "Yes, they are. Do you—wow!"
Her words cut off as her attention locked onto Eevee in Hayashi's arms. Her poised demeanor instantly melted into the fervor of an Eevee enthusiast. "I've never seen an Eevee with such lustrous fur! Even my meticulously bred Eeveelutions, fed premium Pokéblocks daily, can't compare... Sir, how did you raise this Eevee??"
As a self-proclaimed Eevee specialist, Katerina prided herself on her expertise in Eevee care, but she had truly never encountered an Eevee with such dazzling fur—if hers were elegant princesses, other Eevees seemed like awkward imitations by comparison.
"Well, credit goes to our family chef," Hayashi scratched his cheek sheepishly. "She handles Eevee's meals—right, Eevee? Erina's cooking is amazing, isn't it?"
"Eevee!"
Eevee expressed her delight with a cheerful cry, her fluffy tail swaying gently with an indescribable elegance and languid grace—the trio of elemental Eeveelutions beside her stared transfixed.
"So it's individually customized food? I see..." Katerina showed an expression of sudden realization. The Pokéblocks she fed her Eevee were also customized, but they were "generic Eevee" customized rather than "specific to this Eevee." That must be the difference.
Hayashi reached out to stroke Eevee's back, saying, "Also, keeping her in a happy mood? Hmm, if she's unhappy, it would definitely affect the luster of her fur."
"Absolutely correct!" Katerina nodded vigorously. To maintain her own Eevee's beautiful coat, she had spent a fortune building an "Eevee Paradise" in her yard, complete with slides, a ball court, and even a rollercoaster designed specifically for Eevees. "But none of them can compare to yours—"
"Eevee, did you hear that? Big sis says you're beautiful—" Hayashi lifted Eevee to eye level, smiling as he said, "Want to go play with your brothers and sisters?"
"Eevee—"
Eevee looked down at the Flareon, Vaporeon, and Jolteon already gathered around Hayashi's feet, gazing up at her. After a moment's hesitation, she gave a small nod.
"In that case, let's add a few more members!"
Katerina's eyes sparkled as she snapped her fingers. "Cygnus, release everyone."
"Right away, ma'am—"
The next moment, a man in a black tailcoat appeared behind Katerina. He swiftly pulled out several Poké Balls and released the Pokémon inside.
"Eevee, Espeon, Umbreon, Glaceon, Leafeon, and Sylveon..." Hayashi's jaw dropped. "Wow, you've got the whole set—"
"Because I love Eevees the most!" Katerina clenched her fists excitedly, her expression like that of an ardent fangirl. "Eevees are just too adorable! They're God's greatest masterpiece!"
At times like these, unless Hayashi had a screw loose, he would never contradict such a devoted fan. So he nodded and said, "I think so too—"
With that, he bent down and placed Eevee on the ground. After half a second of hesitation, Eevee swayed gracefully forward to stand before the nine Eeveelutions and called out softly, "Eevee-vee!"
Hello there!
Clearly, even among the adorable Eevee species, there existed creatures akin to simps—after Eevee's greeting, all eight Eeveelutions except Sylveon eagerly crowded around her, chattering excitedly to express their admiration.
Sylveon: "?"
What the hell, you guys are so annoying! You call me sweetheart all the time, but now that there's a cuter little darling, I'm just the old hag, huh? Hmph! So what if she's a pretty little thing? I'll show her who's boss around here, I'll definitely make her...
"Eevee!"
After a quick glance around, Eevee immediately locked eyes with Sylveon. With cheerful steps, she trotted over to Sylveon, nuzzled against her ribbon bow, and called out, "Eevee!"
Sister, I want to evolve into a Sylveon too—it's so pretty!
I... I must... must... must scoop her up and pamper her!
She is my goddess!!
----------
For advance chapters join my Patreon.
[email protected]/Aarvan