Pokemon: I am Gary

On the second day at Cinnabar Island, after enjoying a soak in the hot springs, Gary changed into a blue yukata and put on some cute plush slippers. He strolled through the open square of the hot spring town with Eevee.

Gengar was wearing a pink tropical shirt, holding Togepi in its arms, following closely behind Gary. It quickly adapted to its role as a caretaker.

Although it was still early, the stalls around the square were already bustling with activity.

The aroma of grilled shrimp and squid wafted through the air—

The smiles of tourists and stall owners blended together, creating a warm atmosphere even on this somewhat gloomy morning.

"Bui!" Eevee suddenly brightened up, pointing at a sunshade next to the fountain.

Inside was a piano, presumably for tourists to take photos with.

"Bui~" Eevee looked at Gary with sparkling eyes.

"I really can't do anything about you~" Gary chuckled and led Eevee and Gengar to sit in front of the piano.

After testing the tuning a few times, Gary's long fingers glided over the piano keys.

"On a day full of hesitation, snow falls endlessly... In a sky filled with doubts, snowflakes drift down—

This hot spring in Izu has been my lonely thoughts~... This hot spring in Izu is indeed my solitary longing—

Like snowflakes scattered like festive flowers, dancing freely between heaven and earth, indulgence happens in an instant~

Snowflakes, like blooming festive flowers, scatter recklessly between heaven and earth, indulging in a moment~"

A song about falling snow gradually resonated through the square, causing those around to lower their voices and slow their steps—

Even though it was deep autumn, everyone felt as if they had seen beautiful snow falling.

As the song ended, Gary slowly withdrew his hands. Eevee rubbed against his hand while Gengar held Togepi and cried uncontrollably.

Gengar?????~ Truly, my master is amazing!

Clap clap clap—applause erupted around him. Gary was momentarily dazed as several familiar girls approached him.

"Professor Gary, your song was truly beautiful~ I'm so moved!" Erika, wearing a cherry blossom hairband and sporting a bob haircut, expressed excitedly.

"Not bad~" Sabrina floated beside the piano with her legs crossed.

With a slightly cool embrace, Lorelei patted Gary's head. "Gary little brother, don't look so gloomy."

"Lorelei! And Erika, Sabrina, you all came?" Gary stood up in surprise.

The three girls of different styles stood together, each shining brightly.

This scene made the nearby boys feel utterly defeated.

"Damn! The clown is actually me?"

"Damn you! Give me back my feelings!"

"I was going to treat you to a drink; now I've changed my mind!"

...

"Ahem, everyone should head back to the hotel first. I'll go book you rooms." Leading the three girls away, Gary decisively escaped the scene.

Erika glanced at Lorelei and encouraged herself internally—It's okay; maybe I should try that swimsuit...?

Sabrina floated nonchalantly without showing any emotion.

Lorelei smiled as she walked ahead; her little brother Gary is just so charming!

Arriving at the hotel front desk, under the admiring gaze of the security uncle, Gary booked three luxury suites while upgrading his own room to a champion suite.

This way, there would be more space for card games or chatting at night—

After changing into their outfits in their respective rooms, the three beauties dressed in yukatas met up with Gary in the lobby.

"So what's the plan, little brother Gary?" Lorelei asked with interest.

"Well... you can soak in the hot springs first. I've booked a seafood feast for lunch. After dinner tonight we can watch a movie or play board games?" Gary suggested simply.

"Then we'll go to the women's bath. Professor Gary will go to the men's bath, right?" Erika asked shyly.

"Uh... Actually, I was planning to go up the mountain," Gary scratched his head. "I wanted to bring my Pokémon along to soak in the hot springs too, but it seems like the hotel's bath isn't big enough. So I planned to go to a secret hot spring on the mountain."

"It should have snowed up there by now," Sabrina asked quietly.

"Exactly! It feels like soaking in warm hot springs while surrounded by snow is a special kind of enjoyment," Gary replied with a smile.

"Alright then! Let's split up," Lorelei clapped her hands. Gary and Erika prepared to go soak in their respective baths.

Once they disappeared down the corridor, Lorelei turned around.

"Um... that secret hot spring on the mountain is mixed bathing, right?" she quietly asked at the front desk.

The staff nodded. "Yes indeed; it's a natural hot spring so there are no gender divisions."

With a slight smile curling her lips, Lorelei turned satisfied and headed towards the mountain path behind the bath...

At the entrance of the women's bath, Erika and Sabrina peeked out slowly. "I knew it; that old woman is really crafty!"

...

"Kawaii~ A bundle of cuteness~" Holding Togepi and leading Eevee along while carrying a small bag filled with Poké Balls and bathing supplies, Gary happily walked along the mountain path.

With Lorelei and others not around, he could finally relax and enjoy his bath!

Turning around a winding path, Gary stopped at a small pavilion nestled among the mountains.

The stone-paved path led directly to steaming hot springs surrounded by nature covered in white snow. There was a flat rock by the edge of the spring where he could place his clothes.

"Hmmm~ Should I try skinny dipping?" Gary pondered while stroking his chin.

"Bui~ Bui!??????????!" Eevee turned around blushing furiously. "Master! Please hurry up and undress!"

"Maybe not; I still want to come back here for baths later." From within the mist emerged an older man wearing yellow wig hair and sporting suspicious mustache styles. He had a towel draped over his shoulders and flip-flops on his feet—clearly also here for soaking in hot springs.

What should I do... Suddenly feeling somewhat disdainful...

Looking at Eevee by his feet and at his bag containing Poké Balls, this man smiled slightly. "Haha! I didn't expect my disguise would be so good that you found me. Since that's how it is, I'll reluctantly accept your challenge…"

"Huh? No no no! I'm just here for a bath; what challenge... Wait! You're Blaine?!" Gary exclaimed in surprise.

The old man ripped off his wig and mustache before bursting into laughter. "That's right! I'm Cinnabar's Blaine; did I surprise you?"

Calmly starting to undress himself while half-submerged in hot springs, Gary said casually: "Actually, I'm really just here for a bath. Can we postpone our gym challenge until I'm ready?"

"Ka..." Blaine froze on spot. "You didn't come specifically looking for me?"

"Mhm~" Both Gary and Eevee nodded in agreement.

"So you didn't realize I was Blaine?" Blaine awkwardly pointed at himself.

"Mhm~ I noticed your wig was fake but didn't think your mustache was..." As he slowly sank deeper into the hot spring revealing only his head topped with a towel above water level.

Blaine fell silent for words before tossing down a business card and turning to run away. "In that case—when you're ready come find me here!"

Gary caught sight of the card: "Mimi's Inn..."

Thinking about it further made him feel bad for making an elder wait; he stood up and got dressed again.

"Sorry! I'll come back for my bath later—Eevee!"

"Bui!" Eevee jumped onto Gary's shoulder as they headed towards Cinnabar Island's highest inn located south...

...

Ten minutes later, Sabrina dressed in swim trunks along with Lorelei in high-cut swimsuits and Erika in bikinis stood frozen at their mountain pavilion spot.

"Hahaha... Now that we're here let's just soak together…"

The three girls revealed awkward yet polite smiles as they enjoyed healing warmth from within this snowy mountain setting.