Hey, It's a Doduo!

Hey, It's a Doduo! If one looked closely, one would notice that what Gastly had seen was actually a majestic Charizard—and there seemed to be someone lying on its back.

Huh? Jing He, who had walked over to the window and poked his head out, froze slightly.

That familiar pose, that half-hidden cape... wasn't that Wataru?! Why had Wataru come knocking?

No, no, he might have been looking for someone else. After all, old residential complexes like this with poor surveillance were the easiest places for criminals to hide.

With that thought, Jing He withdrew his gaze and continued making breakfast while humming a tune.

Half an hour later.

Knock, knock, knock—

Someone knocked on the door.

"Koujie—"

Coming—

With a piece of bread clenched in its mouth, Gastly answered indistinctly and hurried to the door. But instead of opening it right away, it passed straight through the door and poked out its eyes.

Jing He had said not to open the door for strangers. What if it was a bad guy? Then Gastly saw Wataru standing outside their door, with his short reddish-brown hair, resolute and handsome face, sharply defined features, black investigator's uniform, and cape.

Gastly's gaze met Wataru's.

Wataru smiled faintly.

"You must be Teacher Jing He's Pokémon. Hello, I'm Lance."

"Koujie!!"

Before Wataru could finish, Gastly immediately pulled its head back and shouted into the room.

Guess who I saw? Hey, it's a Doduo!

Wataru: "???"

Then Wataru heard footsteps, followed by a reprimand.

"Don't shout nonsense!"

Click.

The door opened.

Wataru saw Jing He with a Cheri Berry in his mouth, as well as Gastly floating beside him with pursed lips, black mist swirling into the shape of hands that covered its head.

"Mr. Wataru?"

Jing He looked utterly surprised.

He really was here for him?

Wataru was somewhat surprised as well.

"Teacher Jing He, you know me?"

Gastly's earlier reaction had already struck him as strange. Though he had not quite understood what Gastly was saying, it seemed strangely familiar with him.

Jing He smiled.

"The famous young Kanto Region investigator, Lance of the Dragon Tamers—who wouldn't know you? Please, come in."

He stepped aside.

"Sorry for intruding."

"Koujie."

Gastly returned to its cheerful appearance and greeted him.

Gastly: ╭(●｀●)╯

Then, seemingly from nowhere, it pulled out a phone. Its tongue swiftly swiped across the screen, bringing up a promotional poster of Wataru, and Wataru finally understood.

"Have you eaten breakfast?"

After entering, Wataru's gaze instinctively swept across the room, taking in the entire layout.

He had to admit that although the house was small and simply furnished, it was very cozy, giving him an inexplicable sense of comfort.

"Thank you, I have."

"There's not much at home to offer you. Have a bottle of milk."

Jing He brought over a bottle of Moomoo Milk.

"Thank you."

The two sat down at the dining table.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Wataru explained why he had come.

"...That's roughly it. Whenever Aerodactyl gets into an intense battle or intense training, it may lose control. Usually, there doesn't seem to be any major problem, and the Pokémon Center can't find anything wrong either."

"Hmm." Jing He rubbed his chin lightly. "Intermittent, excitement-induced loss of control."

"By the way, Mr. Wataru, how did you know about me? I shouldn't be particularly famous, right?" Jing He suddenly asked.

"Drake introduced you." Wataru smiled. "And besides, Teacher Jing He, you were quite well known at Silver Academy."

So he investigated me?

That made sense.

After all, he was a Kanto Region investigator. It would not have been difficult for him to learn about Jing He's time at Silver Academy.

Drake, on the other hand, was finding him work in roundabout ways.

Speaking of Drake reminded Wataru of what Drake had instructed him to do. He took a yellowed book from inside his clothes—"Fearful Insights."

"Oh, right... I came to your door unannounced and didn't prepare much. I heard that you're a Gastly trainer, Teacher Jing He, so... I brought a small gift. I hope it can be of some help."

"This is..."

"Koujie?"

Gastly leaned its head over, its eyes instantly lighting up as though it had discovered a new toy. Its crimson tongue was already eager to get started.

Fear? It knew all about that!

Jing He picked up the book and casually flipped through a couple of pages, his expression turning a little strange.

Wataru explained, "I don't have much insight into Ghost-type or Poison-type Pokémon either, so I specifically sought out Agatha and asked for these notes."

Agatha!

The Kanto Region's Ghost-type Elite Four member! Gastly had been watching her videos every day lately to learn how to scare people.

Wataru did not know much about Jing He and Gastly's strength, but he figured that the training insights of an Elite Four member—especially a veteran one—on raising Ghost-type Pokémon would surely be immensely tempting to any Ghost-type Pokémon trainer.

Moreover, Agatha's signature Pokémon was also Gengar.

Indeed, these notes could be of tremendous help in Jing He's training of Gastly.

But when he saw the words, "365 Ways to Torment Trainers," cold sweat could not help but slide down his forehead.

These were training notes, but also field-combat notes!

"Koujie, koujie!"

Gastly kept nodding at Jing He.

It wanted it! Jing He smiled helplessly and rubbed his temples. "This... is far too valuable. How about—"

"That's why, Teacher Jing He, you absolutely must not let these notes circulate. Otherwise..."

Even Wataru could not help but feel a chill in his heart, let alone Jing He.

Jing He's smile stiffened.

He figured that if he spread it around today, his house would be flooded with Ghost-type Pokémon by that very night.

"Come to think of it, it's rather strange. Agatha isn't exactly an easy person to talk to. When I went to ask for these notes, I was nearly thrown out. But when I told her that the recipient was you, Teacher Jing He, she only hesitated briefly before giving them to me."

Of course, he had paid a price as well, but there was no need to go into that.

Wataru looked puzzled. "Teacher Jing He, do you know Agatha?"

Even larger beads of sweat appeared.

Know her?

How could that be possible!

But Jing He quickly realized the key.

His paper!

The paper Professor Oak had praised and commented on! As for the melodramatic, television-like tale of love turning to hatred and tangled feelings between Agatha and Professor Oak, there was no need to mention it.

Looking at these notes, Jing He felt as though that sinister old woman leaning on a cane was standing right before him, asking:

Kid, are you choosing these notes, or are you choosing Oak? Jing He hurriedly shoved the notes to Gastly and warned it to hide them well and never take them out casually.

"Koujie, koujie."

Gastly nodded furiously.

Grinning like an idiot.

"Ahem, how could I possibly know Agatha? Let's... talk about Aerodactyl first."

"Alright."

Wataru did not press the matter further.

"Hmm, it would be best if I could take a look at it."

After all, merely listening to Wataru's description was not enough to understand the specific situation.

"Here?"

Not only was Jing He's home far too small for Aerodactyl, but given Aerodactyl's condition, it might cause unnecessary damage even if there were enough room.

In fact, it would be best not to summon it casually anywhere in this residential complex—or even within Canalave City itself.

Jing He pressed his lips together.

"Not in the city. We need to go to the outskirts at the very least."

That Aerodactyl was probably not weak.

"I think so too."

Wataru agreed.

"Then, Mr. Wataru, please wait a moment. I'll go change."

Jing He said as he headed toward his room.

Wataru nodded and waited quietly.