Pokemon: My Trainer Simulator

"Clown!"

"Show-off!"

"Does he really think he's somebody important?"

"He definitely wouldn't dare! No way he has the guts for that!"

Murmurs of conversation spread through the crowd.

Trash-talking was common within the Sand Team.

After all, it was just talk. Who couldn't do that? Shooting off insults was easy, right?

But when faced with Kashiwagi, who stayed calm and composed as if he hadn't said anything at all, the group couldn't help but start worrying, even though they kept telling themselves he wouldn't follow through with his words.

Wasn't he supposed to have no background?

Why would Ayana personally go to pick him up? And even pull Daitsu aside?

What if he really does something?

What if we get dragged down with him?

What if he's not bluffing but actually serious?

They say a silent wild dog is the one that bites, and this guy looked ready to bite at any moment!

Do we even have any real conflicts of interest with him?

All he wanted was to get along, so why provoke him unless there was something to gain?

Exactly!

Many of them suddenly realized that messing with someone willing to risk it all was pointless. The match would end, and then they'd part ways for good.

After exchanging glances, the group gradually withdrew or concealed their hostility toward Kashiwagi.

Nothing happened.

The atmosphere returned to its original state.

But within the group, one pair of unwilling eyes also withdrew. Acting rashly in an unfavorable situation would only expose oneself. There'd be another opportunity to deal with him later.

Kashiwagi rested a hand on Daitsu's trembling shoulder and scanned the room. He was a bit surprised by how effective his words had been.

The results were impressive. Were they all "smart people"?

To be honest, Kashiwagi had always assumed the Sand Team's members lived for bravado and face-saving with no thought for the future. Today was an eye-opener.

Well, that's good.

It saved him the trouble of arguing further.

"Let's battle, Daitsu. But make sure your Pokémon go easy on me. I only have Aron here. If something happens, I won't be able to compete."

Kashiwagi gave Daitsu a light pat on the shoulder.

"Why should I?!"

Daitsu gritted his teeth in frustration.

"Why? Aren't we good friends, Daitsu?" Kashiwagi looked at him in surprise. "You wouldn't want to upset me, would you?"

Who's your friend?!

Daitsu's face twisted into an expression of misery, but faced with Kashiwagi's low-level threats, he reluctantly gave in. Dragged along by a weak tug, he moved like an elementary schooler being forced to hand over his lunch money to an older kid.

The surrounding onlookers glanced at Daitsu with pity. No one wanted to compromise, but reality was often unkind.

Better you than me, Daitsu. Sorry!

Although Aron had joined Kashiwagi five days earlier, its injured right leg meant it hadn't had a proper battle yet.

Today's circumstances provided a good sparring opportunity.

Compared to battling Seiichi Naruhiko's Pokémon, this opponent might offer a better chance for Aron to gain experience and evolve. What level did Aron evolve into Lairon?

Kashiwagi couldn't remember.

Not that it mattered much—evolution here relied mainly on moments of insight and opportunity. Just like the Ivysaur evolution ceremony in the Mysterious Garden or the large-scale migration of Beautifly emerging from Silcoon in the White Forest.

Evolution would come when the time was right. Level was only a factor, not a guarantee.

That said, seizing the opportunity was no easy feat.

"Let's go, Aron. This is our first battle," Kashiwagi encouraged his Pokémon. More battles and more practice would eventually lead to evolution.

Not far away, Daitsu, looking upset, held two Poké Balls in his hands and shouted angrily, "Hey! Which one are you picking?!"

Kashiwagi replied, "Show me all of them! How would I know what Pokémon you've got? Hurry up!"

"You—"

Daitsu, grinding his teeth in anger, reluctantly opened both Poké Balls.

With two small bursts of light, an intimidating Graveler and a slouching Sandshrew appeared. Judging by their energetic demeanor, they were clearly better trained than the Pokémon of many other Sand Team members.

"Hmm… Why haven't you evolved your Graveler through trading? Are you waiting for something?"

Kashiwagi asked curiously, "Or is it that a Graveler's value drops after evolving, making it harder to sell?"

"Who said I'm selling my Pokémon?! And what the hell is trading evolution?!" Daitsu snapped back, only to be met with a look of disdain mixed with ridicule.

"What? You don't even know about trading evolution? What a disgrace of a Trainer!"

"You—mind your own business! Are we battling or not? Stop talking so much nonsense!" Daitsu's face turned red with frustration.

Waving dismissively, Kashiwagi said, "Of course we're battling. Let's have Graveler go first."

Daitsu had probably been a Trainer for a while, but not knowing about trading evolution was odd. The Sand Team surely had the necessary equipment for Pokémon trading. Perhaps it was just Daitsu's lack of knowledge. Strange.

Soon, the large, boulder-like Graveler rolled forward at Daitsu's command, stopping not far from Aron.

"You go first!"

At the start of the battle, Daitsu seemed to regain some confidence, speaking with a touch of arrogance.

"Alright."

Kashiwagi didn't hesitate. Since this was his first time directing a proper battle, he needed to ease into it.

"Iron Defense!"

"Guu!"

Hearing Kashiwagi's command, Aron's body glowed with a deep silver aura, and an orange-red energy wave surged beneath its feet, signaling an increase in its defensive capabilities.

Against an opponent with Ground-type moves that were four times effective against Aron's Rock-Steel typing, boosting defenses at the start seemed like a wise precaution.

Seeing this, Daitsu burst out laughing. "Hahaha, playing defensive won't help you win! Graveler, use Defense Curl and Rollout!"

"Gravvvv!"

Graveler let out a roar, tucking its sturdy arms against its body. With a burst of orange-red energy, it began to roll forward with astonishing speed!

The combo was clearly well-practiced, executed with lightning efficiency.

Rumble, rumble, rumble—

The ground quaked as Graveler's rapid movement caused vibrations, but Kashiwagi remained calm.

"Dig and wait for the right moment!"

Swish, swish…

Dirt flew everywhere as Aron burrowed underground, disappearing just as Graveler rolled past, narrowly missing its target.

Kashiwagi breathed a sigh of relief. Although Rollout, as a Rock-type move, wasn't particularly effective against Aron, the potential damage was still concerning.

He was about to give another command when he noticed Graveler, undeterred, rolling straight toward him!

In a moment of panic, Kashiwagi rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding Graveler's path but getting covered in dirt in the process.

"You're having Graveler attack me? Are you serious?"

Kashiwagi glared at Daitsu, his expression grim.

Daitsu, grinning smugly, said, "You just happened to be in Graveler's path. Blame yourself! Besides, that's how battles go—trainers aren't spared. If you get hit, that's on you!"

Face me when you say that!

The spectators watching in secret cursed internally. Daitsu had never seemed so cowardly before, but against Kashiwagi, he acted like a cornered rat.

"…Fair enough. That's on me."

Kashiwagi's stern expression softened. Trainers being hit during battles wasn't unheard of, especially if they stood in the wrong spot.

Still, his wariness of Daitsu made him suspect it was intentional.

Turning his attention back to Graveler, he saw it now racing even faster, scraping against a chain-link fence and sending sparks flying as it curved sharply.

Its speed had increased even further.