Pokemon: School of Masters

"Honestly, by then you will be fifteen," Duplica says with a sly grin. "Legally, you will be allowed to even own Pokémon – she won't be able to stop you this time." She chuckles, adding, "Hell, some centuries ago, even ten-year-olds could own Pokémon and embark on journeys." 

That was supposed to be Orin's main argument against his big sister, Sabrina. But now that it's coming out of Duplica's mouth, he suddenly doesn't feel as confident.

"Hey, why didn't anyone invite me on this trip to another region?" Kyle asks, walking over while wiping sweat from his forehead with a cloth.

"It's just a shopping trip. Would you even have time to spare from your precious noodle shop?" Terri says, glancing back at him with an eye roll.

"Fair point, but it would have been nice to be asked," he says with a wry smile as he sits beside her.

"How about I ask you to come back to the Fighting Dojo? At least that's what your father asked me to tell you," Terri says, narrowing her eyes as she looks at him.

Duplica stands up haughtily and points a finger at Kyle."Hey, you stupid kid! Why are you wasting your life on noodles? Close the shop and come back to inherit the Dojo!" she says in a deeper voice, perfectly imitating Kyle's father, Koichi.

"I think you are about to get karate chopped by your own son, sensei," Orin says with a grin, looking between Duplica and Kyle.

"I have gotten used to his nagging—I am immune to it by now," Kyle says with a shrug. "I have found my passion, and I intend to follow it. My life is noodles now, not karate!" He speaks confidently.

Terri sighs and shakes her head, but Orin catches a subtle, pleased grin on her face.

Orin knows exactly why. Actually, he knows all the ins and outs of this situation. One of the main reasons Kyle gave up on inheriting his father's Dojo is because of Orin's big sister Sabrina. That crushing defeat became a trauma for both Kyle and his father, Koichi-sensei. The only person who emerged with a completely different perspective was Terri, who, from that day on, decided she would become the Dojo Master instead.

In fact, she wanted it so badly that she wouldn't have minded marrying Kyle just to become a Dojo Master as his wife. And this isn't just baseless speculation—Orin has overheard their inner thoughts over the years, and so he knows it's the truth.

Not that marriage is even necessary anymore. With Kyle not ready to inherit the Dojo, it would automatically fall to Terri. Because, as far as Orin knows, the Dojo has been steadily losing students ever since it lost its official Gym status and Terri is the only student left. Even he had stopped going, and instead joined the Psychic Gym as a volunteer—mostly because he figured, he wouldn't be welcome at the Dojo after that duel.

Still, he is grateful that Kyle and Terri haven't changed their opinions of him since that day.

"People call me weird, but you, my friend, are definitely weirder," Duplica says with a wry grin sitting back down. "Leaving behind a huge Dojo to run a tiny noodle shop instead? Tut tut." She shakes her finger at Kyle teasingly.

"It's his passion, Duplica, just like performing is for you," Orin says with a grin.

"Yep, even I have accepted that his passion lies in noodles and not in karate. That's why I convinced my family to rent this place to him at such a low rate," Terri says with a nod.

"Thanks for the support, both of you!" Kyle says, flashing a happy smile at Orin and Terri.

"Don't mention it," Terri says with a small smile.

Orin also nods, though he internally rolls his eyes at Terri. He genuinely supports Kyle because he recognizes his talent in noodle-making, but Terri only convinced her family to rent this shop to Kyle so he wouldn't think about going back and inheriting the dojo.

"Well, you all are making me feel like the bad guy. As Orin said, I understand passion better than anyone here, so of course, I support you, Kyle! I support you and your noodles! If you want, I can even give a free live performance here at the shop!" Duplica declares magnanimously.

"The best way you can support me is by not coming inside the shop and disturbing my customers," Kyle says, narrowing his eyes at her.

"You are such a rude kid! Is that how I taught you to behave, you unfilial son of mine?!" Duplica says in a stern tone, mimicking his father again.

"Okay, stop messing around, Duplica," Terri says, not wanting the two to start fighting again.

"What? It was just a harmless performance! Kyle doesn't mind," Duplica insists, looking at him. Kyle just shrugs, already used to her antics. "Speaking of performances, did you watch yesterday's finals of the Pokémon Contest?" she asks Terri excitedly.

"Yeah! It was amazing! And more than the finalists, I loved the opening sequence performed by the Contest Announcer and her Espeon!" Terri responds, equally excited.

"Oh my god, yes! Her name is Lilian Meridian. She is newly assigned as the Master of Ceremonies for the Kanto Contests. She is from Hoenn, and I have already started following her on PokeNet!" Duplica says rapidly, taking out her phone and showing off Lilian's profile to Terri.

"Oh, why didn't I think of that?" Terri says, quickly pulling out her own phone and hurriedly opening PokeNet.

"Did you watch last week's P1 Grand Prix finals?" Orin asks Kyle as the two girls spiral into their own world.

"Yeah! Especially that last punch by Hitmonchan that knocked out Machoke!" Kyle says, standing up and mimicking the punch. "I got shivers watching that hit, even through the TV screen!" he adds, his voice filled with amazement.

Orin smiles, knowing that his friend still holds a deep love for Pokémon battles, as evident from how into the P1 Grand Prix he is. Well, even Orin himself loves watching all these tournaments—whether it's Pokémon Contests, the Grand Prix, or the Pokémon League.

"Ugh, I still feel bummed about not getting a ticket to the Pokémon Contest finals, especially when it was held in our very own Saffron City Contest Hall," Duplica says, dramatically sighing as she half-lies on the table in defeat.

"Well, it sold out in like five minutes. Unless you are a VIP, it's almost impossible to get tickets for the finals of any Contest," Terri says with a wry smile.

"But that's so not fair! I wish I was famous already—then I could get that VIP ticket!" Duplica pouts, tilting her head to the side.

"Well, right now, you should focus on school," Terri says with a smirk. "Shouldn't that be starting tomorrow for you?"

"Ugh, yes. Don't remind me," Duplica groans. Then she pauses, eyes widening. "Hey, wait a minute. You are already fifteen, and your Saffron Academy starts tomorrow. Does that mean you will get your partner Pokémon tomorrow too?!" she asks, looking at Terri with excitement.

"Is that true? Do you know which one you will get?" Orin chimes in, excitedly stopping Kyle, who was mid-demonstration of what move Machoke should have used as a counter.

"Ah! Yes—I-I don't know what I will get," Terri admits, rubbing her cheek sheepishly. "I have heard from other students that it mostly depends on which class you are assigned to and your rankings. You can write down your priority list, and if any of the Pokémon you choose are available, you should be able to get one—assuming no one with a higher ranking picks it first."

"Your rankings were decent, so you should have a good priority in choosing," Orin replies with a smile.

"Ah! I am so excited for you! This neighbour of yours will come straight to your house after school to see your first Pokémon!" Duplica says, jumping over the table and hugging Terri's neck in excitement.

"Hey! Don't jump over the tables," Kyle scolds, worried. "But yeah, that is really exciting news," he agrees with a smile.

"Have you thought about your priority list yet?" Orin asks curiously.

"Yeah," Terri says, pushing an overexcited Duplica off her. "I would be really happy if I got a Hitmontop," she says with a wide smile.

"Oh, that's a solid choice," Orin replies with a grin.

"Yes, definitely!" Kyle nods in agreement.

"Hehehe, I should buy a Hitmontop cosplay then!" Duplica says with a mischievous smile.

Terri looks at her with narrowed eyes, already fearing that Duplica will constantly be at her house now.

"In fact, I have been thinking about buying a Pokémon too. I am already fifteen, and I have been saving up. A Pokémon could really help me out with my shop," Kyle says thoughtfully.

"Oh, that's definitely an excellent idea," Orin agrees.

"Which Pokémon are you planning to buy?" Terri asks curiously.

"Maybe a Hitmonchan or a Hitmonlee? I can't decide between the two," Kyle says, frowning in doubt.

"I am sure your father has loads of them at his dojo. If you go back, he will definitely hand both of them to you," Duplica mutters, sticking her tongue out.

"Hmph, I don't want to inherit that old, broken dojo," Kyle scoffs.

"Why do you keep egging him on, Duplica?" Terri sighs, rubbing her forehead.

"I am just a bit jealous that he can get a Pokémon anytime he wants. Even you are getting one tomorrow, and I have to wait a whole year before I can get mine," Duplica pouts.

"You could ask your parents to help you catch one in the wild after you turn fifteen. Or they could just buy you one," Terri suggests with a wry smile.

"You know how my mom and dad are. They would never agree to spend extra money. Even the money they got from the Magnetic Train Project for demolishing our old house is still sitting safely in the bank. They keep reminding me that it's my college fund, so I should study more and get into a good school," Duplica huffs.

Orin recalls how, three years ago, the new Magnetic Train from Kanto to Johto became operational, leading to the demolition of many old houses. Everyone was fairly compensated and given free housing elsewhere in the city. That's how Duplica became Terri's new neighbor in this very apartment building, where Kyle's shop is now. And that's also how she ended up in their friend circle.

Orin would have loved to offer her the money to buy her first Pokémon, but funds are tight for him too right now. However, there is still time before her birthday, so he might have enough cash flow by then.

"But if you get selected for Nexus, wouldn't that mean you won't even need that fund?" Terri asks thoughtfully.

"Yes! You're so right! Then I can just use that money to buy so many cosplays then! Ahahahaha!" Duplica bursts into hysterical laughter, already lost in her dreamland.

Orin grins, already used to her antics.

"I am more worried about you, Orin. You haven't applied anywhere else besides Nexus. Wouldn't that mean you would waste a whole year if it doesn't work out?" Terri asks, looking at him with concern.

Orin smiles wryly. "I have some backup plans, but I really hope this works out," he says with a grin.

"It will definitely work out!" Duplica says, giving him a thumbs-up.

"Yeah, bro, you are smart. The exam will be a breeze, and then your elder sister will easily give you the green light. You have got nothing to worry about!" Kyle laughs loudly, making the others shake their heads with a sigh.

"So if you do get accepted, does that mean you will have to leave Kanto for a whole new region?" Terri asks with some sadness.

"Yes," Orin nods lightly.

"I can't even imagine leaving Kanto. A new region sounds so scary," Kyle says, shaking his head.

"When would you have to leave for the academy, then?" Duplica asks with concern.

"Don't most academies and schools start on April 1st?" Terri asks doubtfully.

"Yeah, you are right. So I will probably have to report there tomorrow," Orin says with a wry smile.