Chapter 36. I Want You to Be My Teacher
"The Rhyperior has lost the ability to battle.
Pikachu wins!"
The teacher acting as referee showed a flicker of shock, but still announced the result as it was.
"No way!"
The Honora froze in place and blankly recalled Rhyperior.
"I told you, theory can't decide everything!"
Ash Ketchum walked up to the Honora and flashed a big, dazzling grin.
"Tch!"
The Honora turned her head away and went straight toward Natsume.
"Natsume, that Pikachu's tail—what did you do to it?"
Right now, the Honora was not convinced.
She would bet that if Natsume hadn't done something to that Pikachu, the winner would have been her!
Natsume stood up.
He didn't answer.
He tilted his head back and looked at the sky.
"Hey, don't ignore me!"
The Honora stamped her foot—then a panicked shout dropped from above:
"Natsume, I warned you not to make trouble in my school!!!"
Dean Jim descended from the sky on the back of a Charizard and landed in front of Natsume.
He was shaking with anger and raised his cane to smack Natsume on the head.
"Thunk!"
Natsume grabbed the Honora by the shoulders, lifted her up, and used her head to block the blow.
"Ah! Jim, what do you think you're doing!"
"Oh—Miss Honora, terribly sorry.
Is life at the academy treating you well?"
Smiling apologetically, Jim lowered the cane, then gave Natsume a searching look.
"It wasn't me.
I didn't—
She was the one battling."
Natsume smoothly distanced himself from the matter and, in passing, held the Honora up with one hand.
Huh?
Why is there smoke?
Puzzled, Natsume noticed wisps of blue smoke rising from the Honora's head.
He turned her over and saw her face flushed scarlet.
"What are you staring at?
Put me down!"
Natsume set her down and ignored her man-eating glare.
At that, Jim tapped his cane and slowly swept his gaze around.
After looking the place over to make sure Natsume hadn't pulled some other stunt, he finally relaxed.
"Natsume, I've arranged rooms for you all.
I'll take you there now."
"Can it wait a bit?"
"No."
Still smiling, Jim pressed a hand onto Natsume's shoulder.
He couldn't wait to "put Natsume under house arrest."
Ideally, the guy would stay in his room until leaving tomorrow.
At worst, only a single building would get blown up.
"Let's go, everyone!"
As he spoke, Jim looked to Ash and the others.
He wanted to personally "escort" Natsume to his lodgings, but then the Honora behind him spoke up:
"Jim, wait a minute!"
"Here I am.
What can I do for you, Miss Honora?"
To be honest, Jim shot a look at the assistant behind him, signaling him to keep an eye on Natsume.
The assistant was drenched in cold sweat.
"Uh—then, everyone, please allow me to lead the way."
"Whoa, it's a big villa.
Natsume, you've really got pull."
"Gosh, the interior is so nice.
But why aren't there any other buildings around?"
"Mm.
Looks like it was just cleaned…"
Thank goodness nothing happened.
Behind them, the assistant wiped the cold sweat from his brow and backed out.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, at the academy gate.
Natsume got up early and jogged laps around the academy lake.
On his second lap, a Charizard appeared—Jim on its back, watching him like a hawk.
Thankfully, after grabbing breakfast at the cafeteria, Natsume and company were about to leave.
At the entrance to the Kanto Pokémon Research Academy.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Dean Jim!"
Ash and the others bowed in unison to Jim to express their thanks.
"Haha, no need, no need.
You three should come play again sometime!"
Waving them off, Jim looked as relieved as could be.
However, after only a few steps, Natsume and the others stopped.
No wonder—standing before them was a figure as delicate as a porcelain doll.
It was the Honora, a travel backpack on her shoulders.
"Natsume, I want you to be my teacher."
The Honora looked at Natsume with excitement.
Natsume said nothing.
He reached out and, as if palming a volleyball, grabbed the Honora by the head.
Honora: "?"
Twist—
The academy gates swung into view in her eyes.
"Here.
Your teacher is in there."
Natsume pointed at Dean Jim by the gate.
As if remembering something, Jim hurriedly closed the campus and loudly declared:
"Ahem!
Due to Student Honora damaging valuable academy facilities during yesterday's battle, she has now been expelled!"
"Huh?
Expelled for a battle?
How could they?"
Misty frowned at Jim's words.
"I'm really sorry.
It's my fault you got expelled."
Ash bowed to the Honora to apologize.
"Boo-hoo, that's what I'm saying.
I've got nowhere to go now."
The Honora covered her face as if she were crying.
"She's faking it, right?"
Brock had caught on to something and leaned in to whisper by Natsume's ear.
"I don't want to take in weak-willed students."
Natsume's face didn't change.
In the next instant, the Honora's sobs vanished.
She raised her head to look at Natsume, eyes full of resolve.
"I like students who are obedient and well-behaved."
"Okay.
So what do you want me to do?"
Seeing Natsume seem to soften, a hopeful light flashed in the Honora's eyes.
Natsume turned her around, then tugged her backpack like he was starting a wind-up toy.
"My command right now is that you go back to the academy and attend class properly."
"Natsume!"
The Honora snapped her head back, eyes regaining their usual chill.
"You're a researcher, right?
And I heard from Old Man Jim that you're short on money, right?"
As she spoke, the Honora pulled out a black card printed with a Master Ball.
"My family runs the largest pharmaceutical company in Kanto.
Take this card and spend as you like!"
Natsume took the black card and scanned it against the back of his Rotom Phone.
Just under one hundred million Pokédollars.
"Wow, that's a lot of zeros.
Natsume, we're taking it, right?"
Misty's eyes lit up.
"Hmph.
Well?"
The Honora looked proudly at Natsume.
Not even enough to cover the loose change…
Your family's shares would be more like it.
"No."
Natsume handed the card back to the Honora.
She blinked, a little incredulous.
"Do you even know how much money is on it?"
"I do.
It's already been transferred to my account."
Honora: "???"
Before she could speak, Natsume's expression suddenly hardened, and his entire presence became intensely imposing.
"I'll give you one chance."
Natsume raised one finger.
"One month.
I'll coach you for one month.
Within that month, you only need to publish a research paper accepted by a top-tier journal."
"How is that possible?"
The Honora glared at Natsume, cheeks puffed.
"A month isn't nearly enough, no matter how you look at it!"
"I've already gathered most of the data.
You just handle the writing."
Hearing that, the Honora paused.
"Fine.
That's more like it."
"Then—"
The Honora turned gracefully and bowed to Natsume.
"Teacher Natsume, please look after me."
"Mm."
Natsume patted her on the head.
Ah, damn it—
A chapter in the middle got missed!
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