November 2nd, Monday.
The workweek began again, but Natsume-sensei continued his peaceful daily life.
Thanks to winning the regional championship, Natsume had effectively maxed out the credits for the 'Training Department' at Tokyo Metropolitan University.
In principle, Natsume could choose whether to stay at the university or not.
Natsume received a message from the academic office and let out an "Oh," finally realizing something.
"Wait… I'm actually from the Finance Department, right?"
Natsume scratched his head, looking puzzled, then rolled out of bed.
He pulled open the curtains, and the warm autumn sunlight streamed in.
"Sylveon~~" Sylveon curled up in its cat bed, using its ribbon to block the sunlight.
"It's definitely jealous of Togepi."
Natsume thought to himself: It didn't even come to snuggle in bed last night.
Looking around,
Togepi had curled up into an egg, leaning against the drooling Growlithe.
Squirtle had retreated into its shell, submerged in the fish tank, looking like it was in deep meditation.
Only the occasional bubbles proved that Squirtle was still alive.
Natsume's mouth twitched.
It's just learning a move… why does it have to be so dramatic?
Maybe… I should prepare some more Mystic Water for it?
Natsume was momentarily stunned, realizing something was wrong.
Oh no, I've been infected by Squirtle's cautious nature!
The morning is the most important part of the day, and in the living room, Gengar had already started cleaning.
Seeing Natsume-sensei up early, Gengar greeted him and floated to the bedroom to check on Togepi.
The little one had just hatched and indeed needed extra care.
Natsume brewed himself a cup of black coffee and lazily yawned.
After paying off the debt last night, he had spent another two hours battling Cynthia.
While Pokémon: Battle was fun, it was also quite draining.
"I should hurry up and finish the tabletop game."
Natsume looked up at the sky.
"Playing cards is definitely easier than battling…"
According to the weekly report from Oleana, the rules and stats for Pokémon Trading Card Game had been finalized.
Mina had also submitted the artwork, each piece delivered just seconds before the deadline.
After reviewing the artwork, Natsume called Mina and smiled. "The artwork is good. No need for revisions."
On the other end of the line, Mina's brush fell to the ground with a clatter, and she nearly cried.
"Thank you, Uncle!"
"…Fine, I won't deduct your pay this time."
Natsume coughed lightly. "One more thing… how do you calm your Granbull when it gets angry?"
Sylveon at Natsume's house had just gotten a new hamster wheel, so that trick probably wouldn't work.
Natsume thought that while Sylveon would calm down in a couple of days, he should still do something to show he cared…
Mina thought for a moment and said, "For me… besides using Alola honey, I use white vanilla."
"Does that work?"
"White vanilla emits a scent that Pokémon love," Mina explained. "When camping, playing with Pokémon can also strengthen your bond."
"Hold on, I'll send you a picture…"
Looking at the picture Mina sent, Natsume was momentarily stunned.
Isn't this… a cat teaser?
Combined with the previous catnip, hamster wheel, and massager,
the ultimate Eevee tools were complete!
Without hesitation, Natsume ordered 'Rocket Delivery' from the same city, with delivery in two hours.
During that time, Togepi sat on the sofa, swinging its little feet, playing Plants vs. Zombies.
In front of it were a large bottle of cola and various flavored chips, all brought back by Gengar from the club.
Employee benefits… can't be considered illegal, right?
Gengar was, after all, the general manager, and it had some small privileges!
"Hmm… as long as it's not studying moves, it's fine." Natsume nodded in satisfaction.
Gengar also smiled.
Using Plants vs. Zombies to master type advantages was Natsume's idea.
It seemed Trainer was quite pleased with this educational yet entertaining teaching method!
When the white vanilla arrived, Natsume tied it to a stick and teased Sylveon with it.
"Sylveon!" Sylveon angrily swiped its little paw.
Don't underestimate me!
Sylveon turned away but quietly extended its ribbon…
...
"Sylveon! o(*≧▽≦)ツ"
After playing with Sylveon for a while,
the revitalized Sylveon climbed back onto its hamster wheel.
Originally, Togepi needed friendship to evolve, and the 「Soothe Bell」 was a perfect item for it.
But the previous 「Soothe Bell」 had already been given to Sylveon.
"If needed… I'll just buy another one for Togepi later."
Natsume pondered for a moment, then smiled proudly.
Someone who's paid off their debts can speak with confidence!
...
In the afternoon, Natsume went to the company and picked up the first set of Pokémon card decks.
Oleana spoke in a businesslike tone, calmly saying, "The decks are built around Kanto's Fire, Grass, and Water types, making it easy for beginners to get started."
"Additionally, based on market research, we've priced it at 1 Pokémon Coin per pack and 5 Pokémon Coins per deck."
Natsume was momentarily stunned, transported back to elementary school.
He remembered having a big box of random cards at home back then.
Some were hero cards from instant noodles, some were Pokémon, and there were even pirated Yu-Gi-Oh! cards…
Of course, all of them had been thrown out by his parents as junk.
"Have they been sent to the reviewers yet?"
Oleana replied, "Yes, including unboxing content creators from video platforms, gaming content creators… as well as teachers from Trainer Schools and Professor Samuel Oak, as you mentioned."
"However, the teachers from Trainer Academies don't seem interested in our paid reviews."
"That's fine." Natsume smiled. "I happen to know a few people in that area…"
"Anyway, great job, Oleana!"
Oleana, who had been calm just moments ago, now had her pupils dilating, her heart racing.
Did he… did he just praise me?
No, stay calm… stay calm!
Oleana pressed a folder to her chest, coughed dryly, and said hoarsely, "It's my honor."
Natsume waved his hand.
"Once this project is done, give everyone a few days off…"
Not just Kazuya, but the entire company's employees seemed to be improving.
Could it be… Natsume's expression changed.
Is baldness contagious?!
...
With the newly acquired card decks, Natsume played around with them at home and gradually got hooked.
Unfortunately, the rules weren't widely known yet.
Natsume reluctantly put the cards down.
At that moment, Togepi picked up a card lying on the floor, its eyes shining brightly.
"Togepi doo-ee~~<(￣︶￣)>☆"
Looking at the type advantages on the card and combining it with the knowledge Gengar had taught it earlier.
"Togepi~~"
Togepi grinned happily, gradually understanding everything.
So… the essence of battling is type advantages, right?
I'm starting to get it now~~!
...
Kanto, Pallet Town.
"Ahh, Muk, you're so heavy, don't hug me!"
"Grimer~~ヾ(///￣皿￣)○～"
Professor Samuel Oak, wearing a gas mask, was cleaning Ash Ketchum's Muk when he got swallowed again.
Fortunately, Professor Samuel Oak, a former Champion contestant, was pulled out by his elderly Kangaskhan.
"Ah… saved."
Professor Samuel Oak sighed in relief, took a shower, changed into another identical lab coat, and began handling the day's tasks.
"Professor Samuel Oak!"
Crystal, who was assisting and recording data, called out. "You have a package today! It's from a game company!"
"A game company?"
Professor Samuel Oak scratched his head and shook the package. "This one?"
"Yes, it's from Touran's game company, the one that made Angry Pidove."
Crystal said, "It's Natsume-sensei's company."
Professor Samuel Oak nodded, vaguely recalling, and smiled. "That handsome young man makes games too?"
"You know him?"
"Ah, I heard about him from Professor Rowan at a research conference."
Professor Samuel Oak opened the package, which contained a handwritten letter from Natsume.
After reading it carefully, Professor Samuel Oak chuckled.
"What did Natsume-sensei write?" Crystal asked curiously.
"He wants me to promote this card game for him…"
Professor Samuel Oak scratched his head. "Well, I can keep up with trends, but games… aren't really my thing…"
Crystal said, "I heard that Natsume-sensei's games also explain Pokémon knowledge~~"
"Oh?"
"Ah, I heard it from Gold." Crystal blushed. "I don't know much about games myself…"
Gold called Crystal the 'class rep' because she was too rigid and serious.
This was because Crystal worked as a children's teacher and couldn't afford to make mistakes.
However, to keep up with Gold's conversations, Crystal had recently started buying gaming magazines…
"Explaining Pokémon knowledge?"
Professor Samuel Oak stroked his chin. "Hmm! That sounds great!"
The reason he held lectures and recorded broadcasts was to help more people feel the presence and charm of Pokémon.
But a game… claiming to explain Pokémon knowledge?
"Games are the ninth art, after all."
Crystal smiled. "Trainer Academies now use simulated battles to spark children's curiosity."
Professor Samuel Oak nodded, opened the package, and took out the three decks inside.
Fire, Grass, Water.
Corresponding to Kanto's Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle.
The type advantages and disadvantages were both basic knowledge and the first lesson for Trainers.
Professor Samuel Oak was momentarily stunned.
Picking up the [Pikachu] card, Professor Samuel Oak laughed heartily. "No wonder he dares to claim it explains Pokémon knowledge—"
"He literally printed the Pokédex entries on the cards!"
Crystal asked cautiously, "You're… not upset, are you?"
Professor Samuel Oak shook his head and smiled. "The Pokédex entries are public knowledge anyway."
"The special Pokédex I gave you all is just for recording more accurate data."
"Using these cards… to explain Pokémon-related content to more people is exactly what I want to do."
Knowledge like 'Ekans is non-toxic' and 'Arbok is toxic.'
Letting more people know about these things is already a rare and valuable achievement.
Moreover, these cards might actually help breed a group of excellent Trainers.
Just promoting it… why not?
Crystal looked at Professor Samuel Oak with admiration.
The Professor had dedicated his life to Pokémon research.
The Pokédex was the culmination of his life's work.
The Pokémon Trading Card Game indirectly expanded the Pokédex's influence.
Natsume-sensei… really knows how to appeal to Professor Samuel Oak's heart!
The phone rang, and Crystal reminded him, "Professor Samuel Oak, your call!"
On the other end, Natsume, through Professor Rowan, had found Professor Samuel Oak's contact information.
Having prepared a long speech to convince Professor Samuel Oak to promote the game,
Natsume was caught off guard when Professor Samuel Oak interrupted him after his introduction.
"Natsume, right?"
Professor Samuel Oak cut in. "I read your letter and saw your cards… they're great."
"In public, I can't openly endorse a game… but on my personal account, I'll do my best to promote it."
"By personal account, you mean…" Natsume was confused.
"My video team."
Professor Samuel Oak laughed heartily. "What you guys call sponsored content… we can feature it in Professor Samuel Oak's Backyard!"
Natsume was momentarily stunned, looking up at the sky.
Wow… is this the legendary crossover event?
"If there's no issue, we can promote it in the next episode."
Professor Samuel Oak smiled. "I look forward to more young people benefiting from it, loving Pokémon, and embarking on the Path of a Trainer!"
...
Even after hanging up, Natsume was still in a daze.
I spent so long preparing my speech (and my persuasion tactics), and you just took over the conversation?
After barely saying a few words, Professor Samuel Oak agreed just like that…
Suddenly, Natsume understood.
This is what they call self-persuasion!
Regardless, having Professor Samuel Oak promote the project ensured its credibility.
Besides making money, the most important thing was balancing the cards' entertainment value and educational content.
Natsume-sensei, as a child, had loved reading the descriptions on cards.
In an era without mobile phones, every corner of a card would be thoroughly studied!
That night, Professor Samuel Oak's Backyard and Natsume-sensei's Night Kitchen had a dream crossover.
The sight of Tauros herds galloping under the sunset and the mouth-watering steaks left fans scratching their heads.
"Tauros, in danger!"
"Double the joy for fans of both!"
"Wait, these two shows don't usually do ads. Why the sudden sponsorship?"
"It's Pokémon Company's game! Let them have it!"
Thanks to the previous three well-received single-player games, Pokémon Studio had a solid reputation.
With Professor Samuel Oak's heavyweight endorsement,
Pokémon Trading Card Game was officially launched in schools around Tokyo.
On the first day, only a small number of Nico Dou followers came to buy the cards.
On the second day, thanks to word of mouth, more people got to experience the fresh gameplay.
On the third day, convenience stores were overwhelmed, and the newly stocked card packs were sold out.
The overseas distribution rights were handed over to Devon Corporation.
A wave of card battles swept through Rustboro City in Hoenn.
"Let's have a Pokémon battle!"
"Hmph, beat me at cards first!"
On the way to and from school, kids sitting on the curb playing cards became a common sight.
And the genius game creator, Natsume-sensei,
once again became the talk of the industry.
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