Catch Feelings, Not Just Pokemon

"You really are..."

The moment Haru nodded, Arven couldn't hide his joy any longer.

It had been so difficult... unbearably difficult. After all this time, he had finally found someone willing to help him realize his ambitions.

The entries in the Scarlet Book and Violet Book were, for the most part, filled with what ordinary people would dismiss as deranged ramblings—utter nonsense in their eyes.

Paradox Pokémon? The origin of Terastalization? Time travel technology?

Come on. Who'd believe such things even exist?

And then there were the so-called Herba Mystica—those sounded even more far-fetched. Just hearing about them made them feel shady.

Healing all ailments, prolonging life, boosting Pokémon strength... those descriptions sounded fishy no matter how you looked at them. Like some mysterious widow popping up by the roadside and claiming to be Arceus in disguise—utterly untrustworthy.

So naturally, no one had ever believed him before, let alone offered to lend a helping hand.

And now, someone had agreed to such a suspicious request without hesitation? It was like meeting an angel.

But Arven quickly followed up with another question:

"But the Pokémon guarding the Herba Mystica—the Titan Pokémon—are incredibly powerful. There's no way I can beat them alone. Professor Haru, you...?"

As the saying goes, a teacher doesn't have to be stronger than their student. Just because someone teaches Pokémon battles doesn't mean they're the best at them.

Take Nemona, the student council president of Naranja Academy. She was already aiming for the League Championship—and could totally wipe the floor with most of the teachers.

And in Arven's eyes, this Professor Haru in front of him... might not even be able to defeat the "Legend Beast Lillie."

After all, Lillie wielded legendary Pokémon. Even if she lacked battle experience, sheer stats could carry her to victory.

So realistically, how much help could Haru offer toward Arven's dream?

If it were just a matter of failing to achieve the goal, that'd be one thing. But if something happened to Haru during the process, it'd be a disaster.

The Titan Pokémon were already the strongest native creatures in their territories. That's what made them capable of guarding the Herba Mystica in the first place.

And after consuming the herbs, they became even more formidable.

Ordinary Trainers... no, even elite Trainers would struggle to take them down.

So... did Haru truly have what it took?

"Huh?"

Realizing Arven was doubting his strength, Haru blinked in surprise.

"You're worried... that I'm not strong enough?"

Honestly, since arriving in this world, it was probably the first time anyone had questioned his combat ability.

It was... kind of a strange feeling.

But Lillie—the ultimate Haru fangirl—immediately snapped when she heard Arven dare question her beloved Haru.

"You think I can help you, but you're doubting Mr. Haru's strength?"

"Mr. Haru's power far surpasses mine. You're seriously underestimating him!"

"At this rate, he's sure to be the next Champion of Paldea—or even Alola."

"R-Really?"

Lillie's words left Arven stunned.

He'd already seen Lillie unleash godlike power in battle. If Haru was stronger than that... then how absurd was he?

Elite Four level? Champion level?

No, no—Arven reasoned it must just be Lillie trying to protect her crush's pride.

She was probably downplaying herself just to avoid others looking down on Haru...

To go to such lengths for love...

What a wonderful girl. Surely, she'll find happiness one day.

Understanding Lillie's "selfless devotion," Arven couldn't help but sigh inwardly, and his gaze toward her softened.

Even though she had just turned him down, he still rooted for them to become a couple!

As for Nemona... hmph, Lillie would definitely make her suffer a crushing defeat.

---

In the end, Haru failed to persuade Lillie...

When he returned to his room, he immediately saw her already seated on the tatami mat in pajamas.

She had clearly just showered—light steam still rose from her body, and her fair skin looked even softer and more radiant.

Miss Lillie, mindful of Haru's public image, had refrained from fighting with Nemona in front of others—but her approach was simple and direct:

Just stay in Haru's room. What could he do—kick her out?

As she gazed at the moonlight outside, Lillie couldn't help thinking of Lusamine and Lana, far away in Alola.

After all she'd experienced... had she grown up, even just a little?

"Lillie, you shouldn't have come."

Standing by the threshold, Haru's emotions were complicated.

What could he even say? This behavior... probably just stemmed from insecurity.

At its core, it was Haru's fault.

If he hadn't attracted so much attention, Lillie wouldn't have acted this way...

Sigh. He'd just have to treat her better from now on.

With that thought, Haru didn't chase her out. Instead, he shut the door and walked up to her.

"Mr. Haru, you must be exhausted after planning the next leg of our journey. Why not have some water first?"

Still wearing her sweet, gentle smile, Lillie gestured toward a pre-poured glass on the table.

She had the "plot" for tonight meticulously planned.

Worried that Haru might reject her "Bluetooth pairing request," Lillie had even brought out her secret Mickey Mouse emergency gadget.

A year ago, she'd destroyed most of the strange drug developed by Peony—but she secretly stashed a little away.

Though she despised the drug, something told her... she might need it one day.

And tonight was that day.

If Haru might refuse, then she'd just drug him first! She had to move their relationship forward tonight!

"Oh, thanks."

Haru didn't think much of it. He just thought Lillie was being unusually thoughtful, so he took the cup and downed it all in one go.

But just then—!

The door, which had been tightly shut, suddenly burst open.

And standing there was none other than the long-missing, Pokémon-wrecking chaos incarnate—Nemona.

***************************

Read advanced chapters ahead of everyone else on my P@treon.

P@treon/GodDragcell