Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit

Chapter 137 - 0137: No Gifts, Please. Seriously, It's Unnecessary.

Natsume carefully recalled the details about Mina from the anime.

This Alola girl had a natural talent for connecting with Pokémon... and in the future, she would even become the captain of Fairium Z in Alola.

But in this timeline, she was just a wandering street painter in the Touran region.

"Impressive, coming from a headhunting agency with Team Rocket roots..." Natsume sighed deeply.

"The talent they recommend is on par with a Gym Leader!"

The captains of Alola, though weaker in strength, were somewhat equivalent to Gym Leaders.

But in this world... Lillie, Lana, and the others were probably still in Trainer School...

As the sky darkened, the little girl packed up her canvas and obediently followed behind Natsume.

"Aren't you going home?!" Natsume widened his eyes.

"I'm out of money," Mina whispered.

"I slept in the passenger lounge last night... and this morning, I missed the boat schedule again..."

Natsume slapped his forehead.

Did I just hire someone who's not the sharpest tool in the shed?!

"I'll assign you some illustration tasks and pay you in advance," Natsume sighed. "Use the money to get some food and rent a decent hotel for now."

Mina opened her mouth in confusion, then suddenly bowed. "Thank you, Owner!"

Natsume's expression turned strange.

Sure, sixteen is legally acceptable...

But why does it feel like I've hired child labor?

Glancing again at Mina's thin and pale face, Natsume shook his head. "How about I treat you to a meal first?"

Mina hesitated for a moment, licked her lips, and whispered, "Isn't that... inappropriate?"

...

Five minutes later.

Buffet.

"Haunter!"

Haunter floated around the buffet area, holding a plate, excitedly looking left and right.

Squirtle adjusted its sunglasses, using its aura to inspect each dish on the plates.

Hmm... none of these are poisoned. Safe to eat!

The girl in ripped jeans, carrying a canvas, her face smudged with dirt, wolfed down her food, coughing between bites. "Th-thank you, Owner!"

Natsume rested his chin on his hand, looking utterly helpless.

Eevee slowly walked up to Granbull, baring its teeth threateningly. "Eevee! (▼皿▼#)"

Granbull, chewing on a berry, dumbfoundedly opened its mouth, and half a Sitrus Berry fell out.

Quickly dropping to the ground, Granbull wagged its tail, letting out a humble whimper. "Granbull..."

Eevee tapped Granbull's head with a bonk, its face turning red.

"Eevee!" (Do the cute act again!)

Granbull looked troubled.

With so many people watching... do I have no dignity?

"Eevee! (〝▼皿▼)"

Natsume was stunned.

Eevee's round, sparkling eyes were full of life, its face flushed, as it used its tiny paws to shake Natsume's knees.

"Eevee!"

Two seconds later.

As if giving up, Eevee's ears drooped, and it walked to the corner of the room, sulking.

No effect at all!

Natsume stroked his chin.

"Does your eye hurt?"

"Eevee! (〃>皿