As a Pokémon who had just experienced the most important evolution of its life, Hisuian Zoroark didn’t seem particularly excited.
Its aura after evolving had undergone a drastic shift.
Before, Hisuian Zorua had been a pitiful little creature steeped in resentnt—adorable, even.
But now, as a Hisuian Zoroark, it exuded an eerie, otherworldly vibe, like the kind of monster in old legends that would silently appear and swiftly eliminate its enemies.
It stood silently on the field, its gaze indifferent as it stared at the ground.
As if it were deep in thought.
In reality...
'How does walking on two legs even work again?'
'Do I move my left foot first? Or the right?'
Tentatively, it stretched out its left leg and gave the ground a cautious tap.
Hisuian Zoroark still felt like sothing was off.
Was it like this?
Sothing just didn’t feel quite right.
Maybe the right leg?
That didn’t seem right either.
And so, having reached this pivotal mont in its life, Hisuian Zoroark now faced a new dilemma:
It had no idea how to walk on two legs.
This was a completely unfamiliar domain.
So, it turned its gaze to the sidelines—toward Natsu.
Natsu, boss! I need backup!
It didn’t speak, of course, but its eyes conveyed the ssage loud and clear.
It had never needed Natsu’s help more than now.
Feeling the silent plea in Hisuian Zoroark’s eyes, Natsu didn’t expose its awkward predicant.
Instead, he casually walked halfway around the battlefield before coming to stand in front of it.
“How does it feel to evolve?”
“Wuuurgh…”
A low, gruff growl rumbled out of its throat.
To be honest, the first thing it felt after evolving wasn’t power—but discomfort. It wasn’t used to this new posture at all.
It shifted uneasily.
Hisuian Zoroark realized it would need quite a bit of ti to get used to this new form.
Forget about battling for the next few days.
First, it needed to figure out how to walk properly.
“All right, you can co back now.”
Natsu raised his hand and pressed the Poké Ball’s button.
This ti, Hisuian Zoroark didn’t resist. It obediently returned to its ball.
It was a huge relief not to have to embarrass itself in front of all those human spectators—and the opponent it had just defeated—by showing off its stiff, clumsy walking.
Back inside the ball, Hisuian Zoroark quietly sighed in relief.
“Keep it up,” Natsu said, offering a brief word of encouragent to the challenger who had just been swiftly demolished by Hisuian Zoroark.
With that, he cheerfully wrapped up his work for the day.
Ah, the joy of clocking out.
Natsu now felt that there were two monts in his day that brought him the most happiness.
One was those final few minutes before the end of the workday—
The other, lying in bed at night, scrolling on his phone in peaceful solitude.
Those few minutes before clocking out were full of promise and anticipation.
And that short ti before bed? It was entirely his own.
No need to think about anyone else’s opinions or needs.
All that mattered was managing his own emotions.
Short as it was, that little slice of ti was his and his alone.
Well… that only applied if you weren’t married.
Once you got married, the only personal ti you had was that brief mont in the car after work.
Not at work, not at ho.
Just sitting in your car, alone.
Even if it only lasted as long as one cigarette, at least it was your own little enclosed space.
“Thank you, Gym Leader Natsu! I’ll keep working hard!”
The boy who had just been encouraged nodded enthusiastically.
He looked quite inspired.
To be honest, Natsu had no idea what exactly he had said that was so motivating.
And co to think of it, that guy looked like he might actually be older than him.
It was a bit ridiculous, really—a 19-year-old like him standing here encouraging Trainers who might be older, telling them to keep it up.
It gave him this absurd, vaguely comical feeling.
Like he was just pretending to be an adult at work.
Even though, technically, he was one.
Still, Natsu didn’t really see himself that way. In his mind, he was still more of a student.
He didn’t feel like a proper, dependable adult yet.
When he was a kid, all the adults seed so mature and steady.
But now that it was his turn, he felt like his own ntal state was shakier than a grade schooler’s.
Honestly, wasn’t it great to go a little unhinged now and then?
And yet, here he was—putting on a mature front, comforting the Trainers he’d just thoroughly crushed.
It left a strange, indescribable feeling in his heart.
Whatever. No need to dwell on it.
Shaking off those ssy thoughts, Natsu brushed through a few pleasantries, then left the gym.
As usual, he did a quick check before leaving.
He’d co in empty-handed…
…and left holding a squirming pink cat.
“w!”
Put down!
w flailed in protest as it dangled from Natsu’s grip by the scruff of its neck.
I have my pride too, you know!
“Quiet down.”
Natsu flicked w lightly on the forehead, then tossed it out like he was taking out the trash.
Sohow, this scene felt all too familiar.
w had a habit of getting interested in weird things at weird tis.
This ti, it had decided it wanted to stay overnight in the gym.
It was planning to spend the night redecorating the place.
What kind of style? It hadn’t thought that far yet.
But it swore it would be “more explosive” than the current decor.
Yes, those were w’s exact words.
It wanted a blow-your-mind kind of makeover.
Natsu had a strong suspicion w ant that literally.
If he didn’t stop it, there was a good chance he’d show up tomorrow morning to find the gym battlefield had been blasted into pieces.
So without hesitation, Natsu had dragged it out.
“w!”
Spinning midair, w righted itself gracefully and glared back at him.
Why did you throw !?
“Okay, okay. I’ll give you sothing tasty later tonight,” Natsu said casually.
“But forget about the gym.”
“No way I’m letting you ss around in there.”
He could tell easily now when w was genuinely mad.
And this wasn’t it.
This was just a little pout.
At this point, soone might ask, “Mr. Natsu, when does w actually get angry?”
Great question.
The last ti w truly lost its temper was when Manaphy found and scarfed down its entire hidden snack stash—and left a note afterward.
Natsu hadn’t seen w for days after that.
For a Legendary Pokémon of w’s caliber…
Things like “legendary dignity” or “how others see it” were completely irrelevant.
But snacks? That was the line it wouldn’t cross.
“w!”
Still pouting, w floated behind Natsu with a smug glint in its eye.
Hmph. Natsu, you’re just a human.
You’ll never fully grasp how we Psychic-types operate.
Lock the door? I’ll just teleport!
We never use the front entrance anyway!
anwhile, Natsu was also thinking—
Maybe he could trade so leftover Pokéblocks with Manaphy tonight.
Have it keep an eye on w for the next few nights.
Make sure that super explosive renovation plan in its head didn’t actually happen.
Honestly, when w had first pitched that absurd design, Natsu had wondered if it was really w or just so green imp in disguise.
It was just… weird.
On top of that, he also needed to check in on Slowking and the overly responsible butler brother.
Not to push them to work—
Actually, the opposite.
He wanted to make sure those two borderline workaholics didn’t burn themselves out with so overnight productivity spree.
In many ways, Slowking and the butler had sothing in common—
An unshakable confidence in their own intelligence.
Which ant that when faced with difficult problems, they were prone to overthinking everything.
“Natsu, you’re back! You’re a bit early today, aren’t you?”
A cheerful voice cut through his thoughts.
Standing at the doorway with a bright smile was i, waiting for his response.
Natsu paused for a second, then smiled back and said,
“Yeah, I’m back.”
“Today’s battles wrapped up pretty quickly.”
Maybe it was from having lived alone for so long…
He didn’t talk to people much on a daily basis.
So it took his brain a second to switch back into “social mode.”
Simply put, it had been a while since Natsu had held a proper conversation.
So now, suddenly faced with social interaction, he found himself montarily unsure how to respond.
Thankfully, Natsu wasn’t so truly socially withdrawn shut-in.
It only took him a mont of thought to switch back into his usual self.
What? You’re asking about the Pokémon?
Well, Pokémon weren’t going to be dating Natsu anyti soon.
At least, not that Natsu had any such ideas.
Certain… more open-minded fellows might be exceptions, but Natsu was definitely not one of them.
i, now walking briskly up to his side, naturally clasped her hands behind her back and leaned close to press against his arm.
Their relationship had gradually beco more defined over ti.
They were basically just one step away from breaking through that final emotional barrier.
Natsu would worry whether i might face difficulties on her travels.
And whenever i sent him a photo or a casual little "status update," he’d feel a subtle warmth in his chest.
i, in turn, had started caring more about what Natsu was up to.
When she woke up and saw him in the news, she couldn’t help but feel a vague sense of pride.
But then, she’d also feel a twinge of irritation seeing the flood of overly affectionate comnts from guys and girls alike—or the occasional about “Walmart plastic bags.”
“Natsu is mine!”
That thought had suddenly popped into i’s mind at one point.
Though she’d quickly pushed it down, telling herself that she and Natsu were just friends.
Overly possessive friends were the kind that got pushed away, after all.
But deep down, i knew the truth.
Because, honestly, the word possessive wasn’t sothing that should ever exist between just friends.
“Oh right—Zorua evolved during battle today.”
“Co on out.”
Chatting casually with i, Natsu released Hisuian Zoroark with a flick of his wrist.
White light flashed, and the newly evolved Hisuian Zoroark landed gracefully, lifting its chin slightly in a cool, aloof pose.
It was giving off that whole “stoic and prideful” vibe.
A bit like how Corvisquire had been right after evolving into Corviknight.
Too bad Corviknight had now fully embraced its role as a codic sidekick.
Natsu sotis thought it was a real loss to the cody world that Corviknight hadn’t reincarnated as a human.
Who knew what path Hisuian Zoroark would take from here?
Natsu wasn’t quite sure.
Judging by its personality, Zoroark probably wouldn’t beco a codian… right?
But then again, with the kind of weirdos hanging out with w, could anyone really stay normal?
Well, except for himself, of course.
He was just your average, totally unremarkable farm owner.
“Go get used to that new body of yours.”
“And don’t forget to co back for dinner tonight!”
Natsu waved and called out loudly to Hisuian Zoroark.
This guy had a habit of disappearing right at alti.
Every day, it found so new excuse to vanish during lunch or dinner—
Only to show up again during nap ti, looking for food.
Natsu used to be pretty diligent about taking afternoon naps.
Wasn’t that what study hall was really for, back in school?
Zoroark gave a small nod, indicating it understood.
Its top priority right now was to get comfortable in this new body.
“So cool…” i murmured, eyes wide with admiration as she stared at the silent Hisuian Zoroark.
There was no denying it—Zoroark’s looks were top-tier.
Even if it was probably feeling a little anxious on the inside right now.
As the sound of footsteps grew distant, Hisuian Zoroark finally exhaled a quiet breath of relief.
They’re gone. Thank Arceus.
It glanced back to make sure Natsu and i had gone inside and shut the door.
Then Zoroark took a deep breath—
And finally took its first step.
Its paw landed on the ground, and it adjusted its posture slightly.
Then ca the second step… the third.
Soon enough, Hisuian Zoroark was striding along with long, confident strides.
Or… at least, it was trying to.
Unfortunately, possibly due to this being its first ti walking upright, it looked—
A bit like a weasel sneaking into a farm to steal chickens.
Yeah, it was a weird comparison.
But unfortunately, it was the exact thought both w and Manaphy had as they peered down from the second-floor window.
“w.”
What’s this guy even doing?
Why does he look so sketchy?
w’s eyes held a clear hint of disdain.
Next to it, Manaphy—the ever-loyal friend—was…
“Mana.”
Pfft, is this your little protégé?
The vibe’s unique, I’ll give him that. Loads of potential.
Manaphy wasted no ti delivering its signature sarcasm.
Did you think Manaphy would hold back just to protect Zoroark’s pride?
Absolutely not.
Manaphy was a true connoisseur of chaos.
Its instinctive response was to laugh, mock, and ntally record this precious mont for future teasing.
anwhile, downstairs, Natsu and i had changed clothes and were getting ready to head into town to do so shopping.
Natsu wanted to stock up on snacks and such for the house.
i was planning to pick up a few changes of clothes to leave at the farmhouse.
“So hot…” i muttered, fanning herself beneath her wide-brimd sun hat.
She glanced up at the sun, which was half-hidden by a thick layer of clouds.
It was already deep into autumn, and yet the temperature these past few days had spiked unexpectedly.
So much so that i was starting to feel like it was sumr all over again.
This weather is seriously strange…
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