Not Being a Trainer This Time

”Motorcycle Mask? Isn’t that the trainer who stopped the legendary Pokémon duel back then?” Naoki said in shock.

The three carefully observed Naoki’s expression and found that he indeed seemed very shocked.

The girl among them was quite disappointed: ”Ah... I thought Naoki-san was the Motorcycle Mask!”

”That’s right, with Paldea Region and Alola Region being so far apart, and with so many Pokémon to care for at Naoki Ranch, it’s impossible for him to leave for that long.”

You have to know, it takes quite a long time to fly from Alola to Paldea.

”What a pity...” The boy suddenly remembered what Naoki had just said: ”By the way, Naoki-san, you just mentioned that there was an impressive senior who mentored your Alcremie?”

Naoki nodded and said: ”That’s correct, it was about seven or eight years ago when I was traveling around the world and met a mysterious trainer in a forest.”

”That person taught me some Pokémon breeding knowledge, which I later used to breed Alcremie.”

”Huh? So doesn’t that person have to be the Motorcycle Mask?!” Naoki widened his eyes, pretending to suddenly understand and showcasing his ’exquisite’ acting skills.

”So envious!” The innocent boy was quite envious, not noticing anything wrong, but dreamily said: ”I wish I could meet the Motorcycle Mask someday!”

However, the girl among them always felt something was a bit off, perhaps it’s a woman’s sixth sense?

Seeing Naoki-san seemingly had things to do, she pulled her companions to say goodbye here.

Nevertheless, the three didn’t leave but started inquiring around the town.

Eventually, they successfully found out that there was an uncle in town who goes to Naoki Ranch to pick up goods every day around 5 p.m.

”Let’s ask that uncle, then we will know!” the girl said.

Ask him whether he can see Naoki-san when picking up goods at Naoki Ranch, then they can get the answer!

The three quickly found Zack, who was loading boxes onto a truck, at the market.

Zack, wearing a shirt and with a towel around his neck, heard the intentions of the three trainers, took a heavy puff of the cigarette, and said somewhat puzzled:

”Is Naoki at the ranch at 5 p.m.?”

”Yes, yes!” The boys and girls nodded repeatedly.

”Of course he is!”

Zack clearly remembered that during those days when he went to pick up goods, it was Naoki himself who handed over the goods to him, and even directed Koraidon and Cyclizar to help move the goat milk to his truck!

”Oh, Naoki is such an honest person.” Zack waved his hand and smiled broadly: ”He stays at the ranch with his Pokémon all day long, maybe just goes out for agricultural exchanges sometimes, but those were several years ago, there’s no way he could have gone to the Alola Region.”

”I see...” The girl thanked Zack seriously: ”Thank you very much, mister.”

The three bid Zack farewell and turned to a café at the corner of the street, exchanging useful information with each other.

”It seems our guess was completely wrong, Naoki-san isn’t the mysterious Motorcycle Mask.”

”Ah, what a pity, I was hoping we could be the first to uncover Motorcycle Mask’s real identity!”

”Forget it, the reason Motorcycle Mask wears a mask is probably to keep his identity hidden, right? If that’s the case, then we better not go and disturb him.”

”

Porto Marinada Town, Pokémon Center.

Naoki got off Koraidon holding Happiny, looked up at the Pokémon Center sign, and said to Happiny:

”This is it!”

”Pook?” Happiny looked up curiously at this oddly shaped building. It recognized that sign; isn’t that the Poke Ball used to capture Pokémon?

”This is the Pokémon Center, specifically for treating injured Pokémon,” Naoki introduced Happiny as he walked into the Pokémon Center.

In the morning, there weren’t many trainers at the Pokémon Center bringing their Pokémon for treatment—only some trainers who stayed overnight yesterday were having a leisurely breakfast with their Pokémon.

Miss Joy and her Audino were standing behind the counter, organizing the cases of injured Pokémon.

The Audino wearing a nurse hat looked up as Naoki approached, a friendly smile appearing on its face.

”Taubunna~”

Upon hearing the sound, Miss Joy immediately looked up and was quite surprised to see Naoki:

”Eh? Naoki, why are you suddenly here today? Is there a Pokemon injured?”

”No, no Pokemon is injured.” Naoki lowered his head to look at the Happiny in his arms: ”My Happiny wants to become a Pokemon Doctor, to treat the Pokemon at the ranch, so I wanted to bring it here for a visit, to see the work of real doctors and nurses.”

Miss Joy had a look of understanding on her face: ”I see!”

She also looked at Happiny and said kindly: ”Such a kind-hearted Pokemon! In that case, leave it to me and Audino!”

”Taubunna~” Audino showed a similarly gentle smile.

”Booku?” Happiny looked over curiously.

”Go on, let Audino and Miss Joy introduce you to the work of a doctor!” Naoki put Happiny down.

Audino stepped forward, brought Happiny by its side, and then started showing it around the Pokemon Center.

Miss Joy followed behind: ”Will you join us, Mr. Naoki?”

”Thank you for having me.” Naoki followed along with Koraidon.

The real-life Pokemon Center is almost identical to the ones in anime; it’s not just a hospital for treating Pokemon, but a comprehensive facility that includes inpatient wards, a restaurant, guest rooms, and a lounge.

Just like in the anime, passing Trainers can enjoy free services here for Pokemon healing, meals, and accommodation.

Some severely wounded Pokemon are also arranged to receive IVs in the wards and have their conditions monitored until they fully recover.

In the ward now, there were some sleeping Pokemon receiving IVs.

Happiny peered through the window to look inside.

Miss Joy introduced them: ”Those are the Pokemon that need treatment. They have very severe injuries. But anyways, Happiny, why do you want to become a doctor?”

”Taubunna?” Audino helped Miss Joy convey this question to Happiny.

”Booku...” Happiny’s thoughts were simple: ”Booku!” Because those Pokemon need help!

”Taubunna~” Audino agreed with Happiny’s answer.

Miss Joy also understood Happiny’s intent, and continued: ”But becoming a real Pokemon Doctor can be very tough!”

She provided examples: ”Besides taking care of injured Pokemon, you also have to learn a lot of things, like identifying types of medicines, observing the conditions of injured Pokemon to confirm their situations for proper treatment.”

”This is a very important task. If the wrong medicine is used, it won’t heal, but rather worsen the injuries, putting patients in a critical situation.”

”Additionally, as a doctor, you also need to train yourself by singing to lull the suffering Pokemon to sleep, and using Heal Pulse to heal them.”

”Booku!” Since Naoki had already told it about these things on the way over, Happiny didn’t find it troublesome at all, and instead felt full of determination.

No worries! Yesterday, Pawmot told it not to worry. If it encounters wounds that can’t be treated, just go to the Item Shop and get some Holy Ash.

With that, no matter how severe the injuries are, the Pokemon can immediately recover!

”Great, such determination!” Miss Joy greatly appreciated the hardworking Happiny.

She showed Happiny around and then took out some books from her room to give to Naoki.

”These are my notes and insights from my training at the Nurse Academy before, Naoki, you can read them to Happiny, and besides that, my Audino can also help.”

”If you have time, you can bring Happiny to the Pokemon Center after five o’clock every afternoon, Audino will teach it some experiences of being a Pokemon Nurse.”

”Thank you so much.” Naoki reached out to take the notes from Miss Joy.

He decided to later give Miss Joy a few bags of watermelons and other crops as a gesture of thanks for her help.