August 27th, Thursday.
The sky gradually darkened, and the night was sprinkled with starlight.
The small town was still decorated with lanterns, and the giant Meowth-themed ice cream stall stood out prominently, with clerks bustling about.
"Here's your Razz Berry Ice Cream, enjoy!"
"That'll be 40 Pokémon Coins. Thank you, and please come again!"
As the crowd began to disperse, Jessie and James slumped together, groaning, "We're exhausted!"
Meowth licked its lips, counting the bills. "We made over 60,000 Pokémon Coins in a single day, meow~~ If business is even better tomorrow, we can build another big machine!"
James shuddered. "Is this... Natsume-sensei's deeper meaning?"
"To uncover business opportunities, build stronger machines, and catch even rarer Pokémon!" Jessie's eyes sparkled.
The trio tossed the bills into the air, shouting, "Long live Natsume-sensei!"
"Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet popped out of its Poké Ball, shouting loudly.
"Hello, are you still selling ice cream?"
"Sorry, we're closed for the day."
James chuckled awkwardly, then suddenly froze, stammering, "Executive!"
Jessie and Meowth pounced on James, pinning him to the ground, and laughed nervously. "What would you like? It's on the house!"
"Since you're our 17,835th customer, this one's free, meow~!"
"What did he just say?" Cynthia turned to Natsume beside her.
Meowth quickly improvised, "He said, 'Great job.'"
James, still being muffled, nodded frantically with tears in his eyes.
The trio breathed a collective sigh of relief.
That was close! We almost exposed the Executive's identity!
"A talking Meowth?" Cynthia looked at Meowth in surprise.
Meowth froze.
Meowth: "Ababababa. (??▽??)"
Natsume held his forehead. "It's a rare breed. Pokémon are truly amazing creatures, after all!"
"Is that so... I guess you're right." Cynthia nodded thoughtfully.
Natsume sighed.
Why do I feel like having these three as subordinates will get me investigated by Jenny the very next day?
Rewind to half an hour earlier.
Cynthia had just finished soloing the Gym and, with the crowd thinning, decided to accompany Natsume-sensei for a stroll.
Meanwhile, the trio was struck with awe.
Natsume-sensei actually managed to charm the Sinnoh Champion!
No wonder he's favored by Lord Giovanni!
"Hmm... let me think."
Cynthia stared at the dazzling array of ice cream flavors, lost in thought.
Five minutes passed.
Ten minutes passed.
Natsume stared at Cynthia's profile for ten minutes, then nodded in satisfaction.
NICE, this is a win!
"Uh, customer, have you decided?" Jessie asked, sweating.
"You can actually mix flavors," James added with a smile.
"Ah!" Cynthia's eyes lit up, and she smiled. "Then I'll take three scoops, please."
"Eevee!" Eevee stood on Natsume's shoulder, baring its teeth.
Meowth jumped in fright, tears welling up. "Kids shouldn't use bad language! Meowth didn't do anything wrong!"
"It's asking you to get it some ice cream too," Natsume said, sweating.
Meowth suddenly understood. "Then just say it clearly next time!"
"Eevee! o(｀^｀)o" Eevee turned its head away with a huff.
"Here, your ice cream scoop, enjoy, meow~!"
Natsume took the ice cream and held it for Eevee. The little one leaned down, its face smeared with cream.
Natsume couldn't help but laugh.
"Eevee! (#｀皿｀)"
Cynthia watched Natsume and smiled softly. "Let's go. They're waiting for us."
Natsume nodded.
Steven and the others were preparing to send Jirachi back to the starry sky.
Though their time together had been short, it was enough to create many precious memories.
"We're heading out."
Natsume cleared his throat. "Work hard, and don't slack off!"
The trio bowed in unison. "Thank you, and please come again!"
As the two walked away, the trio huddled together, whispering.
"This Executive... is really kind," Jessie said quietly.
"Way better than that Glasses Girl!"
"Sticking with him will definitely lead to promotions and riches, meow!"
Gazing at the vast starry sky, the trio cheered, "What a great feeling!"
Natsume, with Eevee on his shoulder, walked side by side with Cynthia toward the rocky peak. Suddenly, he shook a pendant in his hand.
The delicate pendant made a wind chime-like sound when shaken. It had seven petals, symbolizing the seven days of Jirachi's awakening.
"They say if you fold a petal each day for seven days while holding this pendant, your wish will come true."
Natsume handed the pendant to Cynthia. "This is for you."
Cynthia took the pendant and blinked. "But I've never heard of such a legend."
"Well, that's what the old man I battled this afternoon told me," Natsume said, coughing lightly. "It's a prize from the Battle Festival, and there's only one!"
Cynthia stared at Natsume for a long time, until he looked away, then pulled out an identical pendant from her pocket.
"They sell these at the market for 50 Pokémon Coins each," Cynthia said with a smile. "I got one for you too."
"Darn it!"
...
Natsume-sensei, too afraid to ride Garchomp, had Tropius come down to help.
Tororo happily carried Natsume up to the top of the rocky peak.
The view opened up, and the night sky was filled with brilliant stars. A long comet slowly descended.
Steven and the others stood under the starry sky, while Jirachi hovered in mid-air, emitting a faint glow.
Jirachi seemed to merge with the starry sky, its ribbons fluttering. When it saw Natsume, it smiled innocently.
[Everyone, let's play!]
Steven glanced at his quartz watch and smiled. "Sure, let's play together."
Jirachi cheered and flew toward Steven, then circled around everyone, scattering starlight.
When it reached Natsume-sensei, Jirachi reached out, asking for a hug, and smiled sweetly.
[Natsume, kiss!]
Natsume picked up Jirachi and gently kissed its cheek, smiling. "I don't know if I'll still be around when you wake up next time... By the way, you sleep even more than Snorlax!"
Jirachi pulled down its eyelids and stuck out its tongue, making a funny face before flying into Cynthia's arms.
Eevee, standing on Natsume's shoulder, turned its head away awkwardly, only to be pulled into Natsume's embrace.
"Life is short... for both humans and Pokémon."
Natsume stood under the starry sky, feeling a bit sentimental, and spoke softly.
"I just hope you can grow up happily."
"Leave the worries to me..."
Natsume smiled and gently patted Eevee's head.
"Eevee..."
Eevee nestled into Natsume's arms, letting out a soft whimper.
Jirachi flew back into Steven's arms, snuggling affectionately.
Under the starry sky, the distance between humans and Pokémon seemed to vanish, as if you could hear each other's heartbeats if you listened closely.
Natsume spoke in a slightly complaining tone, "Really... you should learn from Jirachi... you can act a little spoiled with me sometimes!"
"Eevee!"
Eevee tugged at Natsume's sleeve.
Natsume looked down and saw Eevee's eyes shining brightly, as if it was putting all its strength into a soft cry.
"Eevee. ??(????????ω????????)??"
A faint white light began to glow around Eevee.
But Natsume looked up, his gaze drawn to the vast starry sky.
The entire starry sky suddenly became radiant.
Jirachi emitted a dazzling light, slowly rising into the air. Its lively eyes closed, and a white light seemed to burn in its belly.
Steven looked up and said softly, "It's time to say goodbye..."
Sapphire's eyes were red as she nestled into Ruby's arms, and Ruby gently patted her shoulder.
A beam of starlight connected from the comet to Jirachi's belly.
The True Eye opened, and countless stars poured into the night sky.
Natsume held Eevee in his arms and pulled out his harmonica, slowly playing "The Place of Stars."
Brilliant meteors fell to the melody, and the long-awaited meteor shower finally arrived.
Jirachi gradually ascended, flying toward the comet.
Natsume could see its eyes, which, aside from the starlight, also flickered with tears.
Do Legendary Pokémon have emotions too?
In the vast span of a thousand years, what kind of mark would these seven short days leave?
Natsume wasn't sure.
But Jirachi's childlike voice echoed cheerfully in everyone's hearts.
[Everyone, let's play!]
The meteors illuminated the entire sky, and Jirachi's figure grew smaller and smaller. Steven smiled and said, "Let's all make a wish."
"Only by closing your eyes can your wish come true."
So everyone closed their eyes.
In the midst of the darkness, Natsume felt a cool touch gently brush his arm.
"I hope my Pokémon can grow up safe and happy," Natsume wished.
Red light flickered, and Squirtle and Haunter stared at the brilliant starry sky, then closed their eyes in unison.
...
At the foot of the mountain, Jessie nudged James, who was yawning, and said sleepily, "It's a meteor shower."
"Quick, close your eyes and make a wish, meow!"
"I wish we can catch Pikachu soon!"
"Idiot, if you say it out loud, it won't come true!"
"I wish Jessie could be a little gentler... Ah, never mind, let's change that wish."
"What did you say?! Get back here!"
...
Eevee's body began to glow with a dazzling light.
But no one noticed, as everyone was lost in the bittersweet beauty of the moment.
[Everyone, let's play...]
Jirachi's telepathy grew fainter and fainter, until it disappeared completely.
The meteor shower gradually subsided, leaving only the brilliant starry sky.
Eevee watched the fleeting meteors, its body enveloped in a radiant white light.
Eevee made its wish.
"I hope my Trainer becomes the greatest Trainer in the world!"
The wind died down.
"Eevee."
Natsume heard a soft call.
Then, Natsume opened his eyes.
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