Professor Cerise’s hesitation was well within August’s expectations.

  Given the current state of the League, working as a consultant for the International Police did come with certain risks. The memories of his missing former colleagues were still fresh, making it difficult not to worry.

  So, August had prepared a little bargaining chip.

  “I heard that your research requires a lot of precision instruments. It just so happens that I have a partnership with Devon Corporation. I imagine getting them to customize a batch of scientific equipment at a discounted price shouldn’t be too difficult.”

  “This…”

  His research did indeed require a lot of equipment, and Silph Co.’s pricing was rather high. If he could get discounted equipment through August’s connections with Devon, that would certainly be good news.

  Professor Cerise was clearly tempted.

  “Additionally, I have a good retionship with Lance. If you’re looking to apply for a research project with the League, I might be able to help.” August added.

  “I…”

  Seeing that Professor Cerise still had something to say, August continued, “Oh, and our Kanto branch has a research fund specifically allocated for providing technical equipment support to its members. Right now, no one is using it. If you’re willing to take on this research task, you would have full control over those funds.”

  “.....”

  Professor Cerise fell silent.

  He simply couldn’t refuse—August was offering far too much!

  Even though August hadn’t spent a single cent of his own money, merely leveraging his existing resources, every single offer struck right at Cerise’s weak points.

  “What exactly would I need to do?” Professor Cerise asked.

  Hearing this, August smiled.

  “The job is simple—you just need to analyze the data I provide and conduct research on certain special items.”

  August thought of the meteorite in his possession.

  Perhaps… with Professor Cerise’s expertise, he could finally get it analyzed.

  Since the work mainly involved data analysis and research, which was Cerise’s area of expertise, he didn’t hesitate in accepting the consultant position for the International Police’s Kanto branch.

  Because it wasn’t an official position, just a consultancy role, August simply reported it to Lance, and with that, Professor Cerise was officially on board.

  ...

  However, to August’s surprise, Professor Cerise declined the research funds meant for technological equipment development.

  In his own words, his expertise y in data analysis and Pokémon ecology, not technological research. Instead, he recommended someone else for the job.

  August looked at the business card Professor Cerise handed him.

  “Bill?”

  ...

  By the time he left the Weather Research Institute, it was already evening.

  He had managed to obtain some information about the Vermilion City Shipping Association from Professor Cerise.

  “Didn’t expect this bonus.”

  Looking at the document in his hand, which recorded all ship traffic through Vermilion City for the past ten years, he immediately sent it to Lance, hoping it would aid the ongoing investigation.

  “So now our Kanto branch has four members?” Blue seemed quite pleased.

  August slowly shook his head.

  Blue frowned, counting on her fingers. “Lance, you, me, and Professor Cerise—doesn’t that make four?”

  When she first joined, the Kanto branch was just an empty shell, but under August’s efforts (with her help, of course), it was gradually taking shape.

  At this rate, it wouldn’t take long for the branch to return to its former glory.

  And when that happened, she’d be considered a senior member!

  The thought made her a little happy.

  But August quickly poured cold water on her enthusiasm.

  “Lance told me recently that since I’ve been racking up achievements and demonstrating exceptional ability, the International Police headquarters is considering appointing me as the new acting director of the Kanto branch. Which means… he’ll be stepping down soon.”

  Blue considered this for a moment.

  …Was this good news or bad news?

  The bad news was that Lance, currently the strongest fighter in the International Police, would soon be leaving. The good news was that with August becoming the director, they’d have even more freedom!

  Thinking of it that way, she figured it wasn’t so bad and reassured herself, “Well, three people is still fine. Same as when I first joined.”

  But August shook his head again. “Professor Cerise is, after all, primarily a Pokémon professor. He’s only a consultant, an external member. His role is strictly to provide informational support. So strictly speaking…”

  He paused for a moment before sighing, “Once Lance leaves, the Kanto branch will be down to just you and me.”

  Blue: “.....”

  Wait… that would actually make the branch even smaller than when she first joined!

  And considering how they had just given Team Rocket a nasty surprise, it was only a matter of time before Team Rocket found out and decided to pay special attention to them.

  Would the Kanto branch really be okay like this?

  In the end, it was August who reassured Blue, saying that as long as he was there, the future of the Kanto branch would be bright.

  Besides, having fewer people was actually a good thing—less bureaucracy, and they’d get the entire department’s reimbursement budget to themselves.

  Once he became director, they could eat whatever they wanted and stay in whatever hotels they liked!

  Somewhat comforted by August’s grand vision, Blue let herself be convinced.

  “So, what’s next? Should we go meet this Bill that Professor Cerise mentioned?”

  “Bill can wait... For now, let’s just enjoy our vacation!” August stretched zily—he had been looking forward to this for a long time.

  ---

  A famous resort destination in Kanto.

  Sunshine, beaches, ocean waves… Everything one could hope for in a perfect vacation.

  Gardevoir was reclining on a sun lounger. Eevee was diligently building a sandcastle. Dragonair leaped gracefully from the water, sunlight refracting off the droplets in a dazzling array of colors.

  Mudkip, Clefable, Jigglypuff, and Shelgon were all gathered around a barbecue, drooling over the food grilling above the fmes.

  Oh, wait—except Shelgon.

  It didn’t have a mouth, so it couldn’t drool.

  “All done!” August handed the roasted Slowpoke Tail to his Pokémon.

  Shelgon stared intently as everyone else ate, then closed its eyes, imagining that it was eating too.

  Seeing this, August was speechless. Seriously, you know you can’t eat it—why torture yourself?

  He could only offer words of encouragement: “Hang in there. Once you evolve, you’ll be able to eat all you want.”

  “Kagon!”

  As Shelgon expressed its determination to evolve, Blue finally stepped out in her swimsuit.

  To be honest, August was a little taken aback.

  …How had he never noticed before that Blue had such a great figure?

  “Well?”

  Noticing August’s reaction, Blue smiled and did a little spin.

  She had carefully picked out this swimsuit to best complement her figure.

  August gave her a thumbs-up, just as a commotion broke out in the distance.

  Instinctively, he looked over—only to see a familiar figure surrounded by a group of bikini-cd women, making his way toward them.

  “Gary?” August raised an eyebrow.

  Hearing his name, Gary looked around, then spotted August and Blue on the beach.

  “August! And… your girlfriend?” Breaking away from his admirers, Gary jogged over.

  “No, don’t go making stuff up.” August shook his head. “But what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be challenging Gyms?”

  He really hadn’t expected to run into Gary here.

  Hearing this, Gary looked frustrated. “I was in Vermilion City, pnning to challenge Lt. Surge. But because I took one day off to rest, the next day, Surge was arrested!”

  August: “....”

  Wow. So the first person affected by Surge’s arrest was now standing right in front of him.

  Of course, he wasn’t about to admit he was the one who took Surge down. Instead, he nodded sympathetically. “Yeah, that’s really unlucky. Who would’ve thought Surge was actually a Team Rocket executive?”

  As they shared their experiences, Gary’s mood gradually improved. Then, his excitement reignited. “Since we ran into each other, how about a Pokémon battle?”

  Since leaving Cedon City, he had specifically asked his grandfather about August.

  According to Professor Oak, August’s primary job—aside from lecturing at Cedon University—was as a researcher.

  Gary had met plenty of researchers through his grandfather.

  And aside from Professor Oak himself, he had never seen a researcher who was actually strong in Pokémon battles.

  That was why he felt completely at ease challenging August.

  “No need for that…” August hesitated.

  Though Gary had challenged him before, Professor Oak had been good to him—it didn’t feel right to completely crush his grandson.

  “Come on, just a friendly match! Even if I lose, I won’t make fun of you!” Gary insisted.

  That st time August had roasted him during the awards ceremony still stung. No matter what, he had to redeem himself.

  Watching from the side, Blue was already mourning for Gary.

  To be fair, in their previous battle, she could tell that Gary was strong.

  But of all people, why did he have to challenge August?

  “.....Since you insist, let’s do it.”

  August gnced at his Pokémon and gestured to Eevee. “Eevee, you’re up.”

  “Bui?” Eevee trotted over, shaking the sand from its fur.

  “You’re seriously using Eevee?” Gary looked skeptical.

  He had expected August to use Shelgon.

  As for the Gardevoir sunbathing in the distance, he hadn’t even considered the possibility that she belonged to August.

  “Yep, Eevee it is. Don’t underestimate it—it’s really strong.” August smiled, dusting off Eevee’s fur.

  “...Fine, but don’t regret it ter.” Saying that, Gary stepped onto the battlefield.

  “Of course not.” August cradled Eevee in his arms and took his pce on the opposite side.

  Blue stepped up as the temporary referee.