Chapter 86
"All right, that concludes this week’s lessons."
Standing beneath a tree, Mike looked at the students from Jubilife Trainers’ School and clapped his hands.
"You can all officially begin your journeys now."
He smiled and continued, "Remember everything I taught you. Don’t disturb wild Pokémon unless it’s necessary, always light a campfire before sleeping outdoors, and call the police whenever you run into serious trouble."
"Teacher Mike, we hope you have a wonderful journey!"
"Safe travels!"
Mike smiled and waved goodbye.
Once the excited students had scattered, Natsuko walked over to him.
"Teacher Mike, the payment for both the wilderness emergency course and the battle classes has already been transferred to your card. Thank you for all your hard work this week."
"Thank you," Mike replied politely. "I was only doing my job."
"If you ever want something to do after finishing your journey, Jubilife Trainers’ School will always welcome you."
Natsuko smiled and held out her hand.
"Did I just get offered tenure?"
Mike shook her hand as he laughed.
"What?"
"Nothing. I only meant that Professor Rowan’s laboratory said something similar."
"I see. Then I won’t keep you any longer. Goodbye, Teacher Mike, and have a safe journey."
"Thank you."
Mike left with Gengar and the others.
...
"We’ll set out tomorrow," Mike said as they walked along the road, watching Gengar poke curiously at the flowers growing beside it.
"Gar?"
Gengar turned and looked at him in confusion.
"Nothing important. I was only wondering whether any of you had plans for the next part of our journey."
Gengar had no objections.
Mike went to the supermarket, bought a large pile of ingredients, and headed to Nicole’s yard to prepare a lavish dinner.
Afterward, Mike sat with Glameow in his arms, using a brush to groom her fur.
The only time Glameow willingly allowed him to hold her was when he brushed her.
"Does that feel good?" Mike asked softly.
Glameow narrowed her eyes and purred contentedly. The Soothe Bell around her neck chimed gently with every movement.
Mike reached toward the bell, only for Glameow to stop his finger with one paw.
"Oh? You’re rather protective of it."
Left with no other choice, Mike lightly pinched one of her ears instead.
"Sni?"
Snivy walked over and sat in front of Mike, blinking curiously as she watched him brush Glameow.
Seeing the way Snivy clearly wanted her head stroked but appeared too embarrassed to ask, Mike couldn’t help laughing.
The warm scene left him feeling deeply relaxed.
Nicole eventually emerged from the house carrying a glass of water and sat beside him.
She took small sips while watching Mike groom the two Pokémon.
The moment Mike finished brushing her, Glameow slipped out of his arms and wandered away without hesitation.
"You heartless little thing! The moment I’m finished grooming you, you run off without even looking back."
Nicole hugged her knees and laughed softly.
Mike reached out and rubbed Marill’s round ears.
"Marill, we’ll be leaving tomorrow."
Marill blinked her round little eyes.
"Marill?"
[Where are you going?]
"Somewhere very far away."
"Marill..."
Marill tilted her head, clearly not understanding what that meant.
Mike smiled.
"Of course we’ll come back. You were the very first friend we made, after all. Whenever we pass through Jubilife City again, we’ll definitely visit you."
He reached out and lightly flicked Marill’s cheek.
"Marill—"
[Okay! Nicole and I will wait for you to come back.]
"Good. It’s a promise."
Mike held out his hand and exchanged a high five with Marill.
"Oh, right. Marill, we have another friend named Growlithe. You can visit him and play together whenever you have time."
Mike thought for a moment before adding, "He lives in Twinleaf Town, though, so it might be a little far."
"At your grandmother’s house?" Nicole asked.
After spending so much time together, Nicole had already learned about Mike’s situation from him.
Mike nodded.
"That’s right. If you ever run into trouble, make sure you go to Grandma or call me. I can’t promise I’ll be able to solve absolutely everything, but I’ll definitely help however I can."
Nicole shook her head.
"It’s fine. We should have plenty of free time from now on, and Twinleaf Town isn’t that far from Jubilife City."
Mike nodded.
"What time are you leaving tomorrow?" Nicole asked.
"Around noon."
"Then come here for lunch before you leave. When you first arrived, you ate noodles that Marill cooked for you, so she can make noodles for you again before you go. It’ll bring everything full circle."
Mike thought about it, then looked at Marill, who was blinking expectantly at him. He reached out and pinched her nose.
"Will you make noodles for me, Marill?"
Marill nodded firmly.
"All right."
Mike then looked at Marill and Mew, who was lounging nearby with its usual playful air.
"Mew, Gengar and the others will be leaving tomorrow. What about you?"
"Will you stay here and play with Marill for a while, come with us, or leave on your own?"
As usual, Mew merely covered its mouth and giggled without giving him a direct answer.
But no answer was the best answer.
Mew was the freest Pokémon in the world. No person could truly capture it, and no place could force it to stay.
"I understand."
Mike reached toward Mew.
This time, Mew allowed him to touch it.
Mike froze briefly before resting his palm on Mew’s head and gently rubbing it.
"I hope you meet many more friends during your future travels."
With that, Mike stood up.
Instead of returning to the hotel to pack his luggage, he headed toward the train station.
Marill watched his departing figure, then curiously turned toward Mew beside her.
Mew covered its mouth and smiled.
"Mew~"
[Every new day brings new friends. That’s something worth being happy about.]
Marill tilted her head in confusion.
"Marill?"
[Why would I be sad? They said they’d come back and play with me. Nicole said she would return, and she did. They’ll be the same.]
Nicole couldn’t understand Marill’s words, but she still sensed what the Pokémon meant.
She bent down and gently patted Marill’s head.
"Since they’re leaving tomorrow, why don’t you prepare a small present for them?"
Marill’s eyes immediately lit up.
She looked toward Mew, and the two Pokémon discussed something before holding hands and running into the yard.
"Do you need my help?" Nicole called after them.
Without even turning around, Marill waved one paw.
Nicole smiled and closed the iron gate.
This time, the gate moved smoothly without becoming stuck.
...
That night, inside Mike’s hotel room, a pink figure suddenly appeared.
Covering its mouth to hide its giggles, Mew secretly led Gengar and the others outside.