Pokémon: My Titles Know No Limits! [332]

August hadn’t expected his exhibition match opponent to be Cynthia.

“Cynthia, weren’t you dealing with the remnants of Team Galactic in Sinnoh?”

From his experience cleaning up Team Rocket, August knew that even mopping up the remnants could be exhausting and time-consuming.

Cynthia replied, “You already took down all their top brass. I’ve handled most of the stragglers myself—the rest is cleanup duty, which I’ve left to Flint and Aaron.”

“I came for the exhibition match… and to promote Sinnoh’s Battle Frontier while I’m at it.”

August blinked. Was it just his imagination, or was there a hint of glee in Cynthia’s smile, like someone who’d just pulled off a successful round of goofing off while on the clock?

He had his doubts. The promotion gig might be real, but Cynthia sneaking in a work-cation? That felt even more likely.

He thought back to the Cynthia of old—diligent, professional, tireless…

So even you’ve joined the Procrastinators Club, huh?

Still, since his opponent was Cynthia, he wasn’t too worried. They’d fought before and understood each other’s strength. No rehearsal was needed—they could easily keep things under control without accidentally turning the exhibition into an all-out brawl.

“By the way, I saw in a recent stream that Iono was invited too?” August turned to Scott.

Scott looked surprised. “You watch Iono’s streams too?”

August: “Wait… you also—?”

Their eyes met, and in that moment, everything was clear.

So it’s not just me…

Due to the flood of visitors in the Battle Frontier, Scott had a lot on his plate. After confirming the time of tomorrow’s exhibition match, he took his leave.

Once he was gone, Cynthia crouched down to stroke Eevee’s head. “Still as adorable as ever…”

“Bui~!”

Eevee nuzzled against her hand, then looked up at her with sparkling eyes full of anticipation.

Back in Sinnoh, Cynthia always shared her ice cream with Eevee. In its tiny brain, she was synonymous with that nice lady who always brings ice cream.

Now, being stared at like that, Cynthia looked a little sheepish. “I… didn’t bring any ice cream today.”

“Bui…” Eevee’s face crumpled into a very human-looking expression of disappointment.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” August grabbed Eevee by the scruff and pulled it back, apologizing to Cynthia. “Sorry, just a kid being a brat.”

Cynthia shook her head. “It’s fine. Actually, I’ve been wanting to try the ice cream here in Hoenn. Let’s go together!”

At that, the gloom on Eevee’s face vanished like mist. With a squeal of joy, it leapt from August’s arms straight into Cynthia’s, rubbing against her in excitement.

Hearing the word ice cream, Mew and Celebi also flew over.

“Mew?”

“Bii~!”

August: “…”

Have you all been corrupted by Salamence and Snorlax or something?

Especially you, Mew…

He glanced at its tiny belly.

Five tons a day… Keep that up and you’re going to roll instead of float.

...

As August and Cynthia strolled through the streets, they drew a fair bit of attention.

Well—Cynthia did.

As Sinnoh’s Champion, one of the Masters Eight, and a top contender for this year’s title, her towering poster was displayed across the main Battle Frontier plaza. Every visitor passed under her gaze.

As for August… passersby were mostly curious about the guy walking so closely beside her.

They both have Eevees… They must be close, right?

The bystanders’ imaginations ran wild.

Cynthia didn’t pay it any mind—she was used to being stared at.

And August simply didn’t care.

The two stepped into a dessert shop with glowing online reviews.

But as they entered, they nearly collided head-on with another group coming out: Blue, Sabrina, Zinnia, and Courtney, arms full of shopping bags.

“?”

Blue blinked at the sight.

Didn’t August say he was going to meet with Scott about the exhibition match?

Why is he here… with Cynthia?

And more importantly—

She stared at the Eevee in Cynthia’s arms.

Beside her, a glint of mischief flashed in Sabrina’s eyes. She quickly masked it, but her gaze kept flitting between Blue, August, and Cynthia like she was spectating a drama unfold.

August knew instantly that Blue had misunderstood.

But he also knew that trying to explain himself now would only make things worse.

So he put on an expression of perfect surprise and said, “Oh? You’re here too? Wanna get some ice cream together?”

“We alre—” Zinnia started to say they’d already eaten—

But Sabrina pinched her.

“Ow! Sabrina, what the hell? That hurt…”

Sabrina: “…”

Is your brain stored entirely in your chest?

Finally, Blue spoke up. “Sure!”

She smiled sweetly.

Then she slid in on August’s other side and followed them into the store.

Watching the trio’s backs, Sabrina’s eyes shimmered with amusement. Courtney’s lips curled into a knowing smile.

Zinnia, on the other hand, was still nursing her grievance. “Why’d you pinch me? That really hurt!”

Sabrina: “…”

With emotional intelligence like yours, no wonder Rayquaza rejected you.

...

Inside the dessert shop

Blue and Cynthia were seated together, chatting about the shop’s special flavors.

The dramatic confrontation Sabrina had been hoping for never came.

Which baffled her. She couldn’t help but use telepathy to ask:

[PsychicPrettyGirl]: August, what did you do to keep Blue from flipping out when she saw you with Cynthia?!

August raised an eyebrow at the voice in his head:

[GardevoirSupremacy]: What are you talking about? Cynthia and I were literally just discussing the exhibition match...

Sabrina watched him with that usual innocent look on his face and snorted.

“Heh.”

A single syllable, somehow managing to convey doubt, mockery, and scorn all at once.

August: “…”

What’s wrong with this world? I tell the truth and no one believes me anymore!

Still, Sabrina didn’t press the issue. What really interested her was August’s match tomorrow.

“August, what Pokémon are you planning to use for the exhibition match?” she asked.

Knowing him, it was bound to be some kind of spectacular production.

The moment the question left her lips, everyone turned to look at August—including Cynthia.

He gave a helpless laugh. “You seriously want me to reveal my lineup… right in front of my opponent?”

Sabrina froze, then realized—right, Cynthia was his opponent.

Which meant…

August really was just discussing strategy earlier. I… actually misjudged him?

---

Still bundled up in her oversized clothes, with two Magnemite perched on her head, Iono strolled down the street while livestreaming to her Rotom phone in the sky.

“Morning, noon, and night, hey hey~! This is the Iono Iono Live Room!”

“Iono has officially arrived at Hoenn’s Battle Frontier!”

“There are so many Trainers around! Let’s point the camera at the crowd—at the Frontier, you’ll see Pokémon from every region!”

“Look, there’s a Furret from Johto, a Skitty from Hoenn, a Pancham from Kalos, and… uh-oh, a Nacli from Paldea just got escorted away by security!”

“Remember, everyone—no summoning giant Pokémon in crowded areas~!”

As the stream went on, boosted by the hype of the World Championships, Iono’s viewer count skyrocketed, easing her earlier worries about flopping on-camera.

After signing a few autographs and taking selfies with fans, she started feeling a bit tired.

Wearing two Magnemite hats while streaming wasn’t exactly light work.

Scanning the area, Iono’s eyes suddenly lit up.

“Everyone’s probably curious about the local food scene here at the Battle Frontier, right? Any Trainers planning to visit will want to know where to go and what to avoid.”

“So I’ve decided to start a new segment—Iono’s Culinary Quest~!”

She turned the camera toward a dessert shop just ahead on the left.

[Come on, Iono, admit it—you just want snacks.]

[Located Iono IRL—quick, someone catch her!]

[Pfft, I can’t even afford a plane ticket to the Frontier.]

Laughing at chat, Iono stuck out her tongue playfully.

Then, amidst a flurry of awsl in the comments, she pushed the door open.

“Morning, noon, and night, he~llo!” she greeted the staff with her trademark line.

While the clerk was still staring in surprise, Iono skimmed the menu—

Her eyes lit up. “One Pikachu Zzzap-Zzzap Sundae, please!”

As she paid, she told the stream, “As an Electric-type Gym Trainer, I’ve got to stay on brand! Electric-themed desserts are totally my thing!”

But as soon as she finished the line, the comment section exploded with something else entirely.

[Iono, look to your right!]

[Second table on your back-right—VIP alert!]

[There’s a huge celebrity in the house!]

Iono hesitated. Chat lies to me all the time, but she decided to trust them this once.

Turning, her eyes landed on a very familiar figure sitting at a table, deep in conversation.

“C-Cynthia?!”

Her golden eyes lit up like twin suns.

More viewers started spamming:

[How did y’all even spot her that fast??]

[Top pick for this year’s champion—RIGHT THERE!]

[Go interview her, Iono! Exclusive content!!]

Iono hesitated. “Wouldn’t that be kind of… rude?”

Cynthia was her idol!

[C’mon, you’re Electric★Idol Streamer Iono-chan! Net her with your Thunder Wave of charisma!]

Chat had literally quoted her own catchphrase back at her.

Iono blushed furiously. Ughhh, the secondhand embarrassment is killing me…

Still, they weren’t wrong.

I’m Electric★Iono—I can do this! Worst case, I get rejected!

Summoning all her courage, she left her precious Zzzap-Zzzap sundae behind and approached Cynthia’s table cautiously.

“Um… Are you Miss Cynthia?”

Cynthia, who’d just been about to reveal her own team for the exhibition, paused and turned around.

The moment she saw who it was, she smiled. “You’re Iono?”

Iono blinked, stunned. “You know who I am?”

“Mr. Scott mentioned you…” Cynthia replied, glancing at August.

Apparently, both he and Scott were longtime viewers of Iono’s streams.

Before August could say anything, Eevee—who had been licking ice cream at the table—suddenly perked up.

Spotting Iono, its eyes lit up like stars.

“Bui~!”

Eevee launched itself toward her like a facehugger.

“Can’t see—! Let go, let go!!”

Iono staggered back, flailing blindly as Eevee clung to her face.

The Magnemite hats on her head swirled their eyes into KO spirals.

The whole scene was being broadcast live by Rotom.

[What is this—Facehugger Eevee?!]

[LMAO! Assassinated by a fan! Literally!]

[Did the streamer plan this? Either way, it’s comedy gold!]

Blue and the others all turned to look at August with strange expressions.

“….”

August covered his face, refusing to look. “Gardevoir, please get that embarrassing furball off her.”

With a flash of psychic light, Gardevoir lifted Eevee cleanly off of Iono.

Still catching her breath, Iono backed up quickly, putting up her oversized sleeves in a defensive stance.

“D-Don’t come any closer! I’m tougher than I look!”

“Ahem… Sorry about that,” August said. “My Eevee’s a big fan. It just got a little… overexcited.”

“Ehhh—?”

---

This is a fan translation of 我，宝可梦称号大师！ by 落唯 白良. All rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!