The research lab's bedrooms were all along a single hallway. As Ryuuske finished dressing and stepped out of his room, he happened to see Professor Oak also getting ready, putting on his seemingly never-changing white lab coat with a rather exasperated expression.
"Ryuuske, why are you up too? Go back to sleep. I'll go check it out," Professor Oak said with a smile upon seeing him.
"I'm already awake, might as well go down together, Professor," Ryuuske replied, shaking his head. He quickened his pace to catch up with Professor Oak, walking downstairs alongside him.
The research lab was quite large, with multiple three-story buildings. As they walked, Professor Oak grumbled about how Pallet Town's kids always sneaked into his lab late at night, hoping to see Pokémon. This lab was famous worldwide, but for the residents of Pallet Town, it was a well-known local landmark. Rumors about Professor Oak giving starter Pokémon to new trainers only fueled the children's curiosity, making them think they might get lucky if they sneaked in.
Each time he was woken up by these mischievous kids, the old professor would chase them away with an angry roar, leading to rumors that he was a stubborn and eccentric old man.
Listening to Oak's complaints, Ryuuske smiled wryly. When he first arrived in this world, he had witnessed its darkest side. Now, moments like this peaceful everyday life seemed more like the true nature of this world.
Professor Oak yanked the door open with an annoyed expression, preparing to scold whoever was outside. However, before he could yell, he saw a boy holding a Bulbasaur up to his face.
"Are you Professor Oak? Is this strange Pokémon yours?"
The boy, Ash, curiously peeked inside the lab, but finding nothing particularly interesting, his face showed slight disappointment.
"Oh? It's Ryuuske from earlier… Sorry for disturbing your sleep!"
Fifteen-year-old Ash could read the mood a little. Seeing Ryuuske standing there without a jacket and looking somewhat sleepy, he realized that coming at this hour wasn't the best idea and gave an awkward smile.
"So it really is you, Ash. I thought your voice sounded familiar. And yes, this Bulbasaur belongs to the lab," Ryuuske said with a smile, glancing sideways at Professor Oak. This was his mistake—losing Bulbasaur in the first place.
The professor looked a little guilty. He chuckled awkwardly, saying, "Oh… So he's a friend of yours, Ryuuske! You should've said so earlier! And Bulbasaur—welcome back home!"
"Bulba!"
"Ouch!"
As Oak reached out to pick up Bulbasaur, it suddenly extended two vines from its back, smacking him lightly before letting out a scolding cry. Its gaze seemed to blame him for being careless and letting it wander into danger.
Feeling at fault, Professor Oak simply stepped aside and sighed, "…Since you brought Bulbasaur back, come on in."
"Don't mind if I do!"
Ash, always at ease, walked right in while still holding Bulbasaur. Ryuuske went to the fridge, grabbed some drinks, and placed some snacks on the table for Ash. He also prepared Bulbasaur's favorite food, which made the Pokémon nuzzle him affectionately.
Watching Ryuuske, Professor Oak sighed. His maturity far exceeded that of a typical teenager. Compared to Ash and even his own grandson, Gary, Ryuuske behaved like an adult. Oak assumed it was due to his past—having been experimented on, he must have been forced to grow up quickly, which only deepened the professor's sympathy for him.
Of course, Oak had no way of knowing that Ryuuske was actually a 24-year-old transmigrator. It would be far stranger if he still acted like a naive kid.
"Thanks!"
Taking the drink Ryuuske offered, Ash politely thanked him before enthusiastically recounting his experience. He spoke quickly, his voice full of excitement.
"So it's called Bulbasaur, huh? I found it in the grasslands near Pallet Town. Since I'd never seen a Pokémon like it before, I tried to catch it. But when I realized it wouldn't go into a Poké Ball, I figured it must have a trainer."
"I asked around Pallet Town, but no one recognized it. Grandma Keiko suggested it might have come from the lab, so I brought it here, worried it might be homesick," Ash explained simply.
Hearing this, Ryuuske could easily picture what had happened. Looking at Ash, still slightly dusty from travel, he couldn't help but sigh. This Ash was a little different from the one in his memories—more confident, more capable—but his love for Pokémon remained unchanged.
Professor Oak fell silent for a moment, glancing between Ash and the affectionate Bulbasaur before asking, "…Are you a Pokémon Trainer?"
Ash's eyes lit up, and he proudly said, "Yes! I'm Ash from Pallet Town, about to start my journey to become a real Pokémon Trainer! Look, this is my Poliwhirl! It used to be a Poliwag!"
Like a child showing off a prized possession, Ash held up a Poké Ball with both hands.
"Wait a moment…"
Professor Oak hurried off, seemingly to retrieve something.
"Is he always this energetic?" Ash asked, lowering his voice as if feeling guilty for gossiping.
"Maybe he's feeling sympathetic since you love Pokémon so much," Ryuuske replied with a chuckle.
"Sympathy? But he doesn't seem as cranky as the rumors say," Ash commented, puzzled.
"Those are just rumors. Professor Oak is actually a very kind person," Ryuuske explained.
"Oh, right! Are you a researcher here, Ryuuske? You look about my age, and being a researcher at this age is impressive!" Ash exclaimed with an exaggerated expression.
"No, I'm just staying here for now. Like you, I plan to become a Pokémon Trainer in the future," Ryuuske replied.
Ash immediately became excited, moving closer. "Then we might be rivals in the future! You better watch out—I'm really strong!"
"Probably. We might even face each other in the Indigo League," Ryuuske said.
"The Indigo League? What's that?"
Ryuuske facepalmed. "Ash… you really need to study the basics."
"Ahaha…" Ash scratched his head and laughed sheepishly, realizing he might have asked a dumb question.
"You two seem to be having fun. Here, Ash—this is for you," Professor Oak returned, handing Ash a rectangular red device.
"This is the Pokédex I developed. The world is full of Pokémon, including many undiscovered species. People may know of them, but there's no official record. My goal is to create a complete encyclopedia, categorizing Pokémon by region. It has many functions—check the manual for details," Oak explained.
He then added, "Bulbasaur really likes you. Take it with you on your journey. I hope you won't let it down."
Ash barely paid attention to the Pokédex, instead hugging Bulbasaur excitedly. "Really, Professor?! You're letting me train Bulbasaur?!"
Bulbasaur let out a happy cry, its mouth curving into what looked like a smile.
"The juice from the seed on its back is favored by many Pokémon. I was worried it might have been taken by a Beedrill to harvest nectar. Now that it's safely back, I can rest easy. You saved it, so it's only right that you continue to take care of it," Oak said.
Still a little bitter about being smacked earlier, the professor casually revealed Bulbasaur's secret. The Pokémon, sensing the intent in his voice, curled up in shock.
Meanwhile, Oak gave Ryuuske a meaningful look. Ryuuske's heart tightened—he knew that with Ash here, Oak was no longer planning to keep him in the lab. His own journey was about to begin.
Still, looking at Ash, now with Bulbasaur and Poliwhirl… taking so many frogs on a journey—was he planning something big?
To be continued…
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