All eyes in the arena turo Natsume.

  "That's right, Brother Natsume is also in the petition!"

  "But his oppo is from the school team. Don't push the css rep too hard…"

  As the whispers spread, a few girls secretly g Natsume.

  Though nervous, their eyes also shoh a hint of admiration.

  In critical moments, it's always Natsume who es through!

  Sakurako frowned slightly as she observed the fierce-looking Gastly.

  Her sharp intuition told her that this Gastly's strength was not to be uimated!

  But as for its Trainer…

  Sure, he was good-looking, but no matter what, he was still a Finance Department student.

  When it came to anding, he couldn't possibly pare to someone from the Battle Department!

  "Hey, Brother Natsume, are you serious about this?"

  Yuuichi whispered, "If you lose, you might not eveo pete tomorrow!"

  Natsume had beeating.

  But upon hearing Yuuichi's words, his eyes lit up.

  Wait, does that mean I focus on studying for my finals instead?

  Patting Yuuichi on the shoulder, Natsume smiled.

  "I'll ha."

  Stepping forward calmly, Natsume said, "At Tokyo Metropolitan Uy, we don't let irls take the lead!"

  "Css Rep Natsume…"

  Natsume could feel the intense gazes from behind him, making his back itch.

  Meanwhile, the boys from the Battle Department behind Sakurakrinding their teeth in frustration.

  Not only was this guy good-looking, but he also had the audacity to show off in front of them?

  How could they tolerate this?!

  A freshman from the Finance Department daring to challenge a member of Tokyo Metropolitan Uy's school team?

  Do you even know what yetting into?

  "Sister Sakurako, teach this guy a lesson!"

  "Yeah, beat him so badly he quits being a Trainer!"

  Natsume's eyes sparkled with gratitude as he looked at the boy who had shouted.

  "Quiet down!"

  Sakurako turo the gym teacher. "Sensei, could you please act as the referee?"

  Teacher Hayato sighed. "Fine, as long as you resolve this quickly… I'm still on probation, you know!"

  The Finance Department students gathered around Natsume, their spirits high as they marched toward the battlefield.

  Gastly, its eyes bloodshot, floated beside Natsume, revealing a sinister grin.

  To Sakurako, that gri a chill down her spine.

  But only Natsume k was just Gastly's exhaustion from staying up all night.

  Well… dark circles do make one look more menag!

  Yuuichi looked uneasy and whispered, "Brother Natsume, are you sure about this?"

  "Uh… actually, I'm not great at anding."

  "?"

  "This is my first time anding in a practical battle," Natsume said with a cheerful smile.

  "I'll give it a try!"

  "???"

  On the 10x10 standard battlefield, Sakurako and her Granbull stood ready.

  Granbull, a bulldog-like Pokémon, stood on two legs with a fierce expression, its light purple fur and powerful jaws giving it an intimidating presence.

  Seeing Sakurako's Pokémon, Natsume felt a twinge of disappoi.

  He had been hoping to see an adorable Ralts!

  So this is what the Fairy-type specialist family has to offer? Just a Granbull?

  Teacher Hayato blew the whistle. "Begich!"

  Sakurako raised her arm, pointing forward, and Granbull lunged with a powerful Bite!

  But befranbull could reach its target, Gastly had already appeared at its side with a sinister grin.

  A flicker of surprise crossed Sakurako's mind.

  What kind of speed is this?

  Natsume sighed inwardly.

  Everyone knows Granbull is going to use Bite. Why is it still being treated as a trump card?

  "Gastly, use Substitute!"

  Gastly's bck mist twisted, and a portion of it separated, f two more sinister-looking Gastlys.

  To the astonishment of the onlookers, the two Gastlys began darting around Granbull at incredible speed!

  "Why… does it look like Sister Sakurako is being overwhelmed?"

  "Don't be ridiculous! That's just a tactiake the oppo lower their guard!"

  A drop of cold sweat rolled down Sakurako's forehead.

  Gastly's speed was terrifying!

  She had to find a way to limit its movement!

  "Granbull, use Scary Face!"

  "Gastly, close your eyes!"

  The ands rang out simultaneously, and Sakurako g Natsume in shock.

  He looked as if he had expected this, even seeming a bit bored.

  "Too predictable," Natsume muttered.

  A sense of pressure unlike anything she had ever felt before weighed heavily on Sakurako.

  Was she… being predicted?

  Predi, in battles, refers to a Trainer anticipating their oppo's moves.

  It's aremely risky strategy.

  One misstep, and the etle could spiral out of trol.

  But… successfully predig an oppo's move is a devastating blow to their morale!

  No way, it must just be a ce!

  Sakurako bit her lip.

  He just happeo guess my move, that's all!

  Otlefield, Granbull's Scary Face had no effect, as Gastly had already closed its eyes.

  Meanwhile, Gastly's fuse Ray flickered around it, but Granbull shook its head, resisting the fusion.

  This gave Sakurako a moment of relief, and her determinatiourned.

  "Granbull, Bite!"

  Granbull opes massive jaws, but Gastly easily dodged the attack.

  Sakurako looked at Natsume in fusion.

  He poi Granbull's feet and shook his head helplessly.

  Thanks to Gastly's Mean Look, Granbull's legs were trembling, making it impossible to move!

  "Granbull may look tough, but it's surprisingly timid," Natsume said with a sigh.

  "If you'd read the Pokédex more, you wouldn't have let it make eye tact with Gastly."

  Sakurako opened her mouth to retort but fouhroat tight.

  "Don't zo!" Natsume urged.

  "This is psychological warfare, part of the strategy!"

  Natsume was dumbfounded.

  He had assumed that a member of Tokyo Metropolitan Uy's school team would see through such basic tactics.

  But before he could even start trash-talking, the girl was already shutting down?

  How am I supposed to keep up the aow?

  Sakurako bit her lower lip, her voice trembling.

  "Granbull, use… use…"

  "Gastly, Will-O-Wisp!"

  "Gastly!"

  The sinister Gastly floated in the air, three clusters of cold Will-O-Wisp swirling around it before verging into a powerful explosion of fmes.

  Amid the icy bst, Granbull was sent flying, its fur scorched and disheveled!

  "Granbull—!!"

  Granbull let out a mournful cry, but Gastly's bo attacks didn't stop!

  This wasn't a turn-based game.

  If Sakurako couldn't find a way to turide, Gastly's attacks would keep ing!

  That said, with Gastly's incredible speed, Granbull couldn't find an opening to terattack.

  Sakurakid ands made Natsume anxious.

  What's going on with Tokyo Metropolitan Uy?

  Is this really the level of their school team?

  The people I py against in games are strohan this!

  "Boom!"

  With one final explosion, Granbull colpsed to the ground with a pitiful wail.

  Iunned silehat followed.

  Everyoared at Natsume, a giant question mark f in their minds.

  Natsume… just beat a school team member?

  Recalling Natsume's words before the battle, Yuuichi was left speechless.

  You call this "not great at anding"?

  You said you weren't good at it, but then you pletely dominated a school team member with pure strategy?!

  Brother Natsume, have some shame!