Chapter 334: Did You Plant a Pokémon Spy Around Me?
"Her main Pokémon are the Fire-type Blaziken and Incineroar. She's a fire-type specialist!" Hayashi Mei introduced warmly.
Hikaru and Sakura exchanged a glance, then greeted in unison, "Nice to meet you, senpai."
Only then did Hikaru begin to size up this new upperclassman from North Huaguo University.
As he searched for an apt description, only two phrases came to mind—a gaze full of meaning, and eyes like rippling autumn waters.
Her fox-like eyes shimmered with a hint of crimson lashes. Her features were sultry and stunning. With one slender, pale hand holding her red lips and a faint, amused expression, she stared directly at the two of them.
That look…
The average person wouldn't be able to handle it.
And Hikaru was definitely the average person—he couldn't handle it at all.
"Yan'er, this is..." Hayashi Mei tried to formally introduce them.
But Hu Yan'er cut in.
"I know—he's the champion from this year's High School League. I didn't expect him to be competing in the Youth League so soon."
"And I hear you're also a skilled breeder?"
As she spoke, she stood up, leaning slightly over the table and pointing a slender finger at Hikaru. The flirtatious vibe was unmistakable.
"Uh... I..."
Hikaru froze on the spot, completely caught off guard.
Before he could react, Sakura moved first, extending her hand like a tigress guarding her food. "Nice to meet you, senpai. I'm Sakura Hayashi."
Hayashi Mei quickly tugged on Hu Yan'er's sleeve and said helplessly, "Alright, stop it. His girlfriend is sitting right there."
Hu Yan'er looked visibly disappointed. "What a shame."
Then she smirked and added flirtatiously, "Junior~ Do think about me sometime, okay?"
"Cough, cough..."
Hikaru coughed twice, afraid to speak.
His hand was already being gripped tightly by Sakura, who glared warily at this bold and unpredictable woman.
Who acts this flirty right upon meeting someone?
Hayashi Mei sighed and explained,
"Don't take her too seriously—Yan'er's just like that. All bark, no bite. She's actually never even dated anyone."
That made Hu Yan'er pout. "That was before. Now's different. I really like this junior! Too bad I was just a bit too late~"
"Ha ha…"
Thankfully, the Frost Milk Fairy server arrived with their tea, easing the tension and drawing the scene to a close.
Lifting her warm milk tea, Hu Yan'er switched topics.
"I heard the plan. So once we're on the island, our first objective is to find your Central South University's top squad, right?"
Hikaru nodded. "Right."
Hu Yan'er played with her hair.
"Okay. Since it's you, junior, I'll agree."
Then she stood and added, "Xiao Shuang, I'm off to pick up my Blaziken."
Hayashi Mei smiled, "Alright. See you later."
Their closeness was obvious.
After Hu Yan'er left, Sakura quickly leaned toward Hayashi Mei and asked cautiously,
"That senpai just now..."
Hikaru, still flustered, coughed to cover his discomfort.
No doubt about it, that woman played very aggressively...
"Sorry, Sakura," Hayashi Mei clasped her hands together apologetically.
"I should've told her about your relationship. She didn't mean anything by it."
But that apology seemed to trigger something in Sakura's mind. Her face flushed slightly as she glanced shyly at Hikaru. Seeing that he had no reaction, she felt oddly frustrated.
She sighed and muttered,
"It's fine, it's fine..."
Hayashi Mei had already apologized, and Hu Yan'er was their teammate, so Sakura couldn't really dwell on it.
The three of them chatted a bit more, mainly going over strategies for the preliminaries in two days.
Once the milk tea was finished, they all said their goodbyes at the shop entrance.
But as soon as Hayashi Mei left, Sakura puffed out her cheeks and stared at Hikaru. He blinked in confusion.
"What's with you?"
Sakura placed her hands on her hips and asked,
"That Hu Yan'er senpai—do you think she's pretty?"
"..."
Hikaru knew he probably shouldn't say yes.
But he wasn't the type to lie.
"She is pretty."
Hearing such a blunt answer, Sakura's expression soured.
"Yeah... Pretty. You couldn't stop staring at her shoulders."
"Uh..."
Hikaru swore he only glanced a few times. It wasn't like he glued his eyes to her.
And honestly, shiny things do draw the eye. That's just human nature...
"Back to school!"
Still fuming, Sakura yanked Hikaru by the wrist and dragged him back.
Once at the dorms, she stormed into her room without another word.
Hikaru shrugged and went back to his own place.
Only a few minutes passed before someone knocked on his door again.
Hikaru wasn't sure what she wanted this time but still opened the door—
And froze in place.
Standing there was Sakura, dressed in a white spaghetti strap dress. The two delicate straps looked more like silken threads draped over her shoulders. Her fair collarbone gleamed, and beneath it, a snowy expanse made it difficult to breathe.
Truthfully, Hikaru had seen this dress a few times before. But this time was different.
This time, Sakura stood against the doorframe with a blush on her face, eyes sparkling mischievously. Her shoulder straps began to slip as her posture leaned—
Right before they completely fell, a large hand reached out just in time to stop them.
Hikaru glanced around, saw no one else, and quickly pulled her inside.
"What are you doing?!"
The moment the door shut, he gave her a light flick on the forehead.
It wasn't hard, but it did wake her up.
"Ow!"
Sakura went from flirty to pouting instantly, rubbing her head with teary eyes—like a little whack-a-mole.
Once she recovered, she puffed up and glared.
"This is what you like, isn't it?!"
"..."
Hikaru sighed.
How was he supposed to answer that?
Seriously.
You expect me to admit that?
He could only murmur,
"Just don't wear that outside, alright?"
"Che."
Sakura rolled her eyes, then casually threw her arm around his shoulder. She leaned in and whispered,
"Onii-chan~ You liked senpai's body better, didn't you?"
The jealousy in her voice stunned Hikaru.
Then it hit him.
He quickly stepped back and stared at her in shock.
"You planted a Pokémon spy on me?!"
That was his first thought.
With the Hayashi family's resources, and before his wave-sense reached the advanced tier, placing a Ghost-type to spy on him would've been child's play...
To be continued…
---
Read up to 20 Chapters ahead on patreon.com/Fanglin
[Please leave a 5 Star review and power stone for this novel]
*Thank you*