Logically Cynthia should have been focused on preparing for tomorrow's match against Lance. In reality that wasn't quite how things played out.
Cynthia produced two controllers and Luke started feeling genuinely nervous.
What are we even playing here?
"Weren't you heading to the hotel?"
"I can go later."
Eevee's diagnosis had already wrapped up. With so many unfamiliar Pokémon crowding the apartment she'd retreated into her cat bed and refused to come out. Over by the windowsill Glaceon licked one paw and wore an expression of inexplicable confidence.
Professor Rowan had called earlier too, mostly just to check in. Once he learned Cynthia was staying at Luke's place his worry evaporated almost instantly. Given Cynthia's actual strength anyone foolish enough to try something against her wouldn't even understand what hit them.
______________________________
If anyone deserved concern here it was probably Luke.
In the living room Luke tried again. "Are you actually sure about this? You've got a competition tomorrow."
Cynthia sat on the sofa gripping her controller, expression unusually serious. "Balancing work and rest matters."
Luke nodded, unconvinced.
"Getting nervous before a match does nothing for you. Relaxing into the perfect mental state does." Cynthia tucked a strand of hair back and held up one finger. "This is my actual strategy."
Luke's expression twisted. Every Trainer had their own version of peak condition, sure. But was Cynthia's genuinely built on staying up all night gaming?
"What do you want to play?" Luke asked, pulling up a list.
"Hmm..."
"Does this really need this much thought?"
"Let me think a bit more."
Cynthia frowned, twisting a lock of golden hair around one finger, visibly torn.
Luke paused, then remembered something. Right. The Sinnoh Champion also happens to have crippling trouble making decisions.
"Fine, I'll just pick something."
Cynthia let out a small breath of relief, a faint smile settling over her.
______________________________
While Luke earned his keep gaming with the resident rich woman, Haunter had bigger plans in mind. It wanted advice from the visiting legends on technique and was carefully weighing how to approach the subject.
Garchomp and Lucario didn't seem like the right fit for a casual conversation. Scanning the room, the only other option was Spiritomb, tucked under the air conditioner disguised as a potted plant. Legend held that Spiritomb formed from the merging of 108 restless souls, its presence recorded since ancient times. Combined Ghost and Dark typing, plus the faint unsettling breeze always drifting off it, had Haunter genuinely rattled.
Still, thinking about everything Luke had sacrificed for the household lately, Haunter steeled itself, floated over, and offered a greeting.
"Kojie? (￣▽￣)／"
Instantly Spiritomb's motionless face flickered to life. Seven or eight pairs of glowing green eyes bloomed across its red fan-shaped body, sweeping over Haunter from top to bottom. Then a jagged crack split open across its surface like a gaping mouth, cold wind pouring out in a low whisper.
"Kojie!!" Haunter bolted, in tears.
"...Ssssh." Spiritomb, seemingly on the verge of saying something, closed back up with visible disappointment instead.
Better not to frighten anyone unnecessarily. It settled back into silence, resuming its disguise as a potted plant.
______________________________
The sun began to set. Luke, back and shoulders aching, tossed the controller down and rubbed his temples. "That's enough for today."
Gaming, it turned out, took a genuine physical toll. Especially with Garchomp watching his every move the entire time. His actual skill margin had been razor thin throughout.
"Ah — you're not coming with me?" Luke asked.
"Time to cook. Or find something else to play."
"What else is there?"
The soft evening light poured through the window, catching every drifting speck of dust in the air. It settled over Cynthia's upturned face like a faint halo.
Looking into her deep gray eyes Luke felt his heart skip.
He caught himself and cleared his throat. "I've got a game I actually made myself. Want to try it?"
"Oh?" Cynthia's interest sparked instantly.
Luke wheeled his computer over and set it in front of her, pulling up the first build of Plants vs. Zombies.
"Still unfinished, but the core gameplay's mostly there."
He walked her through the mechanics. Cynthia nodded along and smiled faintly. "This looks like a lot of fun."
"It's genuinely difficult too. I added a death-difficulty mode and a full achievement system."
Luke scratched his head. "Go ahead and play. I'll call you when food's ready."
Cynthia didn't respond. The screen's soft blue glow lit up her face and she was already completely absorbed in the game.
Listening to the familiar, unmistakably nostalgic Plants vs. Zombies soundtrack drift through the apartment, Luke just shook his head, resigned.
______________________________
While cooking Luke kept glancing at his BP counter. In Teacher Luke's personal accounting, BP essentially equaled fruit, which essentially equaled the household grocery budget. Most of what he earned from video rewards went straight into rare Berry redemptions. Beyond the occasional ten-pull to calm his nerves, his generally unlucky streak kept him leaning toward guaranteed redemptions instead of gambling on the roll.
"Once the game actually launches we should be able to do another sponsorship round," Luke murmured to himself.
For dinner, keeping things balanced, he kept it simple — sandwiches and a vegetable salad.
He walked out of the kitchen. Cynthia was still clicking away at the mouse, fully locked in. Then she looked up, entirely serious.
"This is fun."
"If you're enjoying it, keep playing a bit longer," Luke said, casual about it.
"Remember to say that line again later, on camera. I'll use it for marketing."
Cynthia nodded. "Okay."
______________________________
The streetlights had already come on. Night deepened, and Luke lay sprawled across the sofa watching Cynthia with a genuinely conflicted expression.
I said "a bit longer," not "until midnight."
"Hey. You're not heading out yet?"
"A little longer."
Luke looked up at the ceiling. You're this locked in over Plants vs. Zombies. If I ever build a Civilization VI clone are you going to just live here permanently?
"You've got a Master League match tomorrow morning."
"Let me finish this level first."
To be fair Cynthia's actual team was in peak condition. After eating Luke's Pokéblock every one of them had already been recalled and gone off to sleep on their own. Cynthia herself clearly hadn't planned for any of this. But maybe, exactly as she'd claimed earlier, this genuinely was her version of mental preparation.
Luke's expression twisted. Surely nobody actually unwinds like this before a championship match.
"Where are you sleeping tonight?" Luke asked suddenly.
Cynthia glanced up at the wall clock, then back down at the game, frowning slightly.
Do you... have a spare room, by any chance?
"...Huh?"
"A couch works too."
Luke tried to object and found he genuinely couldn't push back hard enough to say no.
Cynthia brushed her hair back, dialed a number, and spoke in a low, businesslike tone. "Yes. Send my luggage over. Here's the address."
Luke blinked, caught off guard.
Before five minutes had passed a Pelipper touched down outside Luke's window with a suitcase in tow. Cynthia patted it fondly, pulled out her waterproof luggage, and gave Luke a small nod.
"I hope this isn't an imposition."