Although everyone was a bit puzzled, they didn't ask anything.
After leaving the team, Natsuhiko followed his instincts to the entrance of a café.
He looked at the few people inside.
After hesitating slightly, he pushed the door open and went inside.
Ding-a-ling—
The bell hanging on the door chimed a crisp, pleasant sound.
As soon as he entered, he was greeted by a rich aroma of coffee, a blend of bitter and mellow. The strong cocoa bean scent slightly invigorated his spirit.
After surveying the empty café, his gaze finally locked onto a girl sitting by a large window, her little feet dangling.
Seeing this girl, Natsuhiko understood the reason for his inexplicable feeling.
The girl wore a long, white dress with a pink translucent shawl draped over her shoulders. Golden, fluffy hair cascaded past her feet as she sat, topped by a wide-brimmed pale pink hat, with two playful bows tied at the ends.
A steaming cup of coffee in front of her emitted wisps of white smoke.
Surprisingly, although the girl was holding her chin with one hand, gazing out the window, the slender fingers of her other hand casually twirled her hair.
In other words, the coffee cup was floating.
Upon closer look, a small cluster of pink energy held the cup up.
Superpower!
The seemingly tranquil girl sitting there—Natsuhiko knew her.
She was Jade Liya, the psychic girl from the Unova Region!
Seemingly noticing Natsuhiko's arrival, Jade Liya slowly turned her head and smiled cutely, squinting her eyes and curving her brows. Her melodious voice echoed in Natsuhiko's mind.
"You're here."
She wasn't surprised at all by Natsuhiko's arrival.
Or rather, to be direct, Natsuhiko's arrival had been guided by her.
Telepathy.
Natsuhiko fell silent.
After a slight hesitation, he walked to Jade Liya's opposite side and plopped down on a chair, speaking calmly:
"Why are you looking for me?"
He had sensed a special superpower fluctuation earlier, which is why he separated from Lance and the others and headed this way.
The superpower he sensed held no malice, just friendliness and guidance.
He hadn't expected the one who sought him out to be Jade Liya.
The only formidable existence in the Pokémon Realm with psychic talent not weaker than Nancy's, the future Elite Four of Unova, who also holds a position in the Battlefront Territory.
Rumor has it, if Jade Liya loses control, her destructive power could decimate a small town.
In terms of sheer superpower strength, Jade Liya might be even stronger than Nancy because Nancy's superpowers are controllable, whereas Jade Liya's are, to some extent, uncontrollable.
Of course, it could also be that Nancy's talent is stronger.
This hasn't been compared, so it's hard to conclude.
Upon hearing Natsuhiko's words, Jade Liya tilted her head, her round eyes blinking with a hint of curiosity.
Her voice reverberated in Natsuhiko's mind once more.
"Why don't you use telepathy?"
Natsuhiko: "..."
He pursed his lips.
Touching on an awkward topic.
He's been a superpower user for a while, barely finding ways to enhance his abilities, yet his use of superpowers remains a bit coarse compared to a true superpower user.
Telepathy is precisely the ability he longs to acquire but doesn't know how.
"You can't, can you?" Jade Liya asked curiously, blinking her eyes.
"So, you called me here to talk about this?" Natsuhiko's tone remained calm.
Thud—
A cup of coffee was delivered before him.
A man in a black tuxedo, his hair neatly styled like a butler, smilingly handed it to Natsuhiko.
Upon seeing this man, Natsuhiko's mouth twitched.
Shirane.
Jade Liya's butler.
And also the head of the Battlefront Territory.
What's meant by the head of the Battlefront Territory?
To put it simply, somewhat akin to the people of the Alliance Elite Four.
Not quite the same, but the difference isn't substantial.
The Battlefront Territory is part of the Alliance but operates as a separate system.
In precise terms, the Battlefront Territory is subordinate to the Alliance's main body, rather than being equal to regional alliances, or half a level lower.
In the Alliance's hierarchy, being the head of the Battlefront Territory is merely half a level lower than the regions' Elite Four.
Yet, such a person is Jade Liya's butler.
Moreover, Jade Liya is the only one allowed to appear with two people simultaneously in this event.
Whenever Jade Liya battles, Shirane, her butler, smilingly stands beside her.
The mere presence is enough to intimidate Jade Liya's opponents before the battle even begins.
It can't be helped; Jade Liya's powers mustn't lose control; otherwise, it becomes troublesome.
Facing Shirane's smiling bow, Natsuhiko felt compelled to remain seated.
"You're so weak." Jade Liya's cheerful voice echoed once again in Natsuhiko's mind.
Referring, of course, to his superpowers.
Natsuhiko: "..."
Does this count as being held hostage?
The smiling head of the Battlefront Territory staring at him, while a mighty superpower user ruthlessly mocks him.