Chapter 76 Dr. Otamaki: Someone Is Always Thinking About My Daughter

Moreover, Zhao Fang couldn't shake the feeling that the thing he saw in his dream last night resembled some kind of mysterious ritual. It seemed to activate that strange stone using the lifeforce of other Pokémon, though he still had no idea what exactly the stone was. Despite his confusion, Zhao Fang got up to wash and prepare himself. He was headed to the Pokémon Center, where he needed Professor Otawaki to assess the skills his Aurorus had mastered. He also wanted to ask about the patterns he'd seen, as well as information regarding Ho-Oh.

Just as he arrived at the entrance of the Pokémon Center, Zhao Fang heard a loud noise. Looking up, he saw May jump down from her Pidgeot, landing before him in a strikingly cool pose.

“Zhao Fang, Dad sent me to pick you up... When are you going to teach your Gyarados to fly? If it could fly, I wouldn’t have to fetch you next time. It’s freezing out here!” May rubbed her cheeks, which were red from the cold, and shot Zhao Fang a complaining look.

“Flying is a hidden technique. How am I supposed to teach it?” Zhao Fang was a little exasperated. Flying wasn’t something ordinary trainers could learn; he’d heard only advanced league academies offered instruction for such moves.

“Hmph! Shows how little you know! Flying is such a simple move, and everyone said you should study harder. But you, in class every day, were either pulling girls’ hair or getting into fights with the other boys. At least your temperament improved a lot... When we get back, I’ll teach you, but you have to promise me one thing.” May stood with her hands on her hips, a mischievous grin on her face.

Zhao Fang squinted at her. All those past incidents had been done by his predecessor, not him. Still, the prospect of learning a hidden technique like Flying was tempting. He wanted Gyarados to learn it, since another attack move would be useful, and he’d been harboring a bold idea in his mind.

“What condition?” He didn’t agree immediately, wanting to hear what it was first—he wasn’t about to accept something he couldn’t fulfill and end up at a disadvantage.

“You have to help me convince Dad to let me travel.” May looked at him with earnest seriousness.

“Travel... huh? Travel? Why do you suddenly want to go on a journey?” Zhao Fang was a bit shocked. He’d assumed May would wait for Mr. Norman’s son to arrive before starting her journey.

But now she was planning to leave earlier than expected; it didn’t make sense.

“That’s none of your business! If you help me persuade Dad, I’ll teach you the flying move.” May stuck out her tongue at him, leaving Zhao Fang momentarily stunned.

After confirming May truly intended to begin her journey ahead of schedule, Zhao Fang considered whether the deal was worthwhile. Soon, he nodded.

“I’ll talk to Professor Otawaki for you, but I can’t guarantee it’ll work.” Zhao Fang felt there was nothing to lose. May was Professor Otawaki’s daughter; a little cajoling would likely soften the professor’s heart.

Since May already had the idea to travel, it was only a matter of time before she left. Even if he didn’t agree, May would probably pester her father until he relented. So Zhao Fang readily agreed.

“It’s settled then! Pinky promise—if you dare deceive me, I’ll... I’ll...” May held out her little finger, but soon became troubled thinking of a suitable punishment.

“If I lie to you, may I be struck by lightning every day. Deal?” Zhao Fang replied helplessly, hooking his pinky with May’s. Then they climbed onto Pidgeot and flew back to Littleroot Town together.

Upon arriving at Littleroot Town, Zhao Fang immediately spotted Professor Otawaki, who was waiting anxiously for him. As soon as Zhao Fang landed, the professor pulled him into the lab—these researchers were clearly an impatient bunch.

Zhao Fang understood what the professor wanted and promptly released Aurorus. Upon appearing, Aurorus noticed the increased number of people but, still proud, lifted her head and went to nuzzle Zhao Fang’s coat.

“You gave her my medicine?” Professor Otawaki immediately recognized what had happened from Aurorus’s coloration.

“Yes,” Zhao Fang nodded, stroking Aurorus. With her arrival, hail began to fall inside the lab, but fortunately the professor was prepared; the hail caused no trouble.

“Amazing! She’s only just emerged, and already she’s caused such a heavy hailstorm. Once she matures, she’ll be quite something.” The professor praised her. He’d seen Pokémon with the Snow Warning ability before, but Aurorus’s power, freshly revived, was remarkable. It proved her talent for Ice-type moves.

Zhao Fang smiled happily and then produced the pattern he’d sketched from memory that morning, handing it to the professor for inspection.

“This pattern... I’ve never seen it. It feels incomplete. If you saw it in the tower, I suggest you contact scholars who research ancient history and mythology—they might know more.” Professor Otawaki glanced at it and set it aside; such matters were beyond his expertise.

Hearing this, Zhao Fang recalled meeting Cynthia in Petalburg Woods—though she’d introduced herself as Scholar Junlan. She was deeply versed in history and theology and, as a champion, was reliable—someone worth relying on.

“Professor, do you know any such scholars?” Zhao Fang didn’t have Cynthia’s contact information and could only ask.

“Of course I do. I’m quite well-known in the Hoenn region... Let me see... Here, contact this one; they’re said to be a scholar from Sinnoh.” Professor Otawaki casually handed Zhao Fang a contact. He glanced at it—Junlan.

Zhao Fang’s expression grew a bit odd. He had just been thinking about asking Cynthia for help, and now the opportunity had arrived.

“By the way, Professor Otawaki, about my upcoming journey...” Zhao Fang remembered his agreement with May and started to lead into the topic.

Persuading someone required some tact. Zhao Fang talked about his travels, the gains he’d made, and his growth during this time before broaching the subject of May also leaving to journey.

The professor nodded at first, but when he heard that May would be traveling too, he was stunned, staring blankly at Zhao Fang.

This kid actually wants May to leave on a journey? Then they’ll be together every day? And as time passes... When they return, will I be a grandfather?

“You brat! If you want to marry my daughter, you’re centuries too early!”