Huff, Puff

Sato realized they had arrived too early.

When the three of them actually entered the Oak Research Institute, they found that both the researchers and the guests were busy helping arrange the venue.

"You must be Sato. I'm Oak, the person in charge of the institute. Sorry, I'm too busy to properly receive you right now. Shigeru, get over here!"

Professor Oak was wearing a standard research uniform. After saying a few words to Sato and the others, he slipped away to get back to work.

The three of them looked at each other, but they did not feel slighted. It was obvious that everyone was genuinely busy.

After all, Professor Oak had only recently stepped down as Champion. Both his strength and qualifications ran deep. They were merely three juniors, hardly worth mentioning.

On the other side, Shigeru walked over with an affected air of maturity and solemnly led the three of them to the living room.

"Please sit down. I'll make some tea!" Shigeru said, turning toward the water dispenser.

White hurriedly pulled him back. "No, no, we're not thirsty. Just tell us if there's anything you need help with."

Shigeru pretended to frown and deliberately hesitated. "Wouldn't that be inappropriate? You are guests, after all..."

"It's fine, it's fine. Everyone's busy, so it wouldn't feel right for us to just sit around. Tell us what needs doing." As White spoke, he had already rolled up his sleeves.

"Then I'll trouble the three of you to inflate the balloons over there."

Sure enough, Shigeru had only been pretending to be polite. The moment White finished speaking, he started giving orders without hesitation.

As for water?

Work first!

Then, Sato and the other two were each given a small stool. They sat in a circle in a corner of