Chapter 18: The Strange Tree: Call Me Mama!

Of course, all of this was irrelevant to Xia Chi for the time being.

After nearly three hours of high-intensity streaming and securing a seven-game winning streak, he was truly exhausted. While he could easily earn some quick cash by switching to a more relaxed game or simply watching videos with his audience, Xia Chi felt that, as a serious Pokémon competitive streamer, he couldn't bring himself to play that kind of "farming the middle while milking both sides" style.

"I’ll post the detailed build for this doubles team in a status update later, so feel free to use it," Xia Chi said to his viewers, whose numbers were still steadily climbing. "That’s all for today’s stream. If you enjoyed the show, please consider following, and I’ll see you all again tomorrow at seven."

With that, he ended the stream at lightning speed. He didn't need to look to know that his chat was likely filled with question marks. Xia Chi ignored them, shut down his computer, scooped up the little creature that had been by his side the entire time, and took a deep breath of its scent. The Pokédex claimed that Sprigatito emitted a pleasant, refreshing fragrance after basking in the sun, and it was true! A slightly perverted, satisfied smile appeared on Xia Chi’s face.

Sprigatito, not yet accustomed to such intimate contact with its new trainer, instinctively resisted and pressed its soft, pink paw against Xia Chi’s face. Xia Chi didn't mind, setting it down and saying, "Sorry, kept you waiting, Sprigatito."

Sprigatito shook its head. "Meow-fee~"

It had been intently watching the gameplay on the screen during the stream, so it hadn't felt bored. If anything, Sprigatito found it quite interesting. *Perhaps I could put these never-before-seen battle tactics into practice when I fight in the future?* Subtly, the door to a new world seemed to slowly creak open before the little cat.

***

After washing up and before heading to bed, Xia Chi was cuddling the soft, fragrant Sprigatito while preparing to scroll through some short videos to drift off to sleep. On the Pochama messaging app, the icon of the cute Bellibolt—added just yesterday—began to flash incessantly.

Iono: "Off work already? Just like that?"
Iono: "Can't ten Master Balls make you work overtime?"

Even though she was his top-tier wealthy fan who had just gifted him over a hundred thousand, Xia Chi replied righteously, "Didn't you promise ten Master Balls for winning that match, Teacher Iono? Overtime costs extra."

Iono: "..."
Iono: "Fine, turn the stream back on, I'll gift them! (Morpeko gritting teeth.jpg)"

Xia Chi knew when to quit while he was ahead. "Just kidding, Teacher Iono. It’s mostly because you didn't ask; given our relationship, if you had just said so, I definitely would have played a few more rounds."

Iono replied instantly: "You have the nerve to say that! You ended the stream before I even had the chance to send the message!"

*Good thing I ended it immediately,* he thought to himself, though he replied, "Next time, definitely next time."

Iono: "No more 'next time'! Get online and spar with me, use that same team from today!"
Xia Chi: "..."

He could see it now: this girl Iono didn't choose to be a streamer for the money—she was just plain addicted! You couldn't tell someone with that level of drive "next time."

Xia Chi: "I’ve been streaming for hours, let’s do it tomorrow. The intensity when playing against you is too high; it’s too tiring. I really can't handle any more today."

The stated reason was fatigue, but it subtly complimented Iono’s high skill level—*the art of social maneuvering.* He served his audience during work hours, and after hours, he had to coddle his top fan to provide emotional value. *I deserve every cent I earn!* Xia Chi sighed internally.

Iono: "Fine, then I'll book you for tomorrow~ (Pawmot hands on hips, smug.jpg)"

Judging by the shift from cloudy to sunny in her tone, she seemed pleased. Just as Xia Chi was about to close the chat to sleep, she sent a message that instantly made him alert.

"By the way, do you want the training data for a Sprigatito?"

*Holy crap,* this was like having a pillow handed to him just as he was getting sleepy! Although he had the system's support, if Sprigatito’s own strength was higher, the bonuses from the system's bonds and gear would surely be even greater. A piece of excellent training data tailored to an individual Pokémon was, naturally, extremely important.

Xia Chi had actually thought about asking Iono if she had any Sprigatito training data. She was the highest-level trainer he knew, and she hailed from the Paldea region, the birthplace of Sprigatito. As a signature starter, even if Iono, an Electric-type Gym Leader, hadn't raised one herself, she likely had the connections to get her hands on some high-quality data.

However, he had felt that their relationship was merely streamer and viewer—not yet at the level where she would do him such a favor. Training data was hard to define; was it expensive? If you were close, giving a copy away was no big deal. But if you tried to buy it, it was hard to find, or at least you'd only find generic, mediocre information. That was why Iono's offer surprised him—was a pie really falling from the sky?

Xia Chi didn't believe in such things. He tested the waters: "But, Teacher Iono, how did you know I caught a Sprigatito?"

Iono: "Didn't you post it on your Pochama Moment feed?"

Xia Chi recalled—and indeed, he had. He had posted it this morning to commemorate receiving his license, never expecting Iono to have seen it.

Iono: "So, do you want it or not?"

Xia Chi couldn't resist the temptation. "Yes!"

Iono replied instantly: "Then, what is the price? (Magneton squinting, smirking.gif)"

Seeing Iono’s "fisherman" stance—having finally hooked her catch—Xia Chi was speechless. As expected, one shouldn't believe in pies falling from the sky! But the allure of the Sprigatito data was too great. He lowered his guard and replied, "Just name it. As long as you give me that training data, I’ll do anything!"

Iono: "First, you must be respectful when addressing me!"
Xia Chi: "How about I call you Teacher Iono?"
Iono: "Everyone calls me that, it's too ordinary!"
Xia Chi: "What about... Miss Iono?"
Iono: "A bit formal. Something more intimate?"

Xia Chi was exasperated and typed, "You don't want me to call you 'Mom,' do you?"

Xia Chi: "To get back at me, you'd actually make me call you 'Mom'? You really are something, Iono..."

Iono: "What are you talking about! Who wants you to call me 'Mom'! (Pawmot angry.jpg)"
Xia Chi: "Don't be angry, I didn't say I wouldn't."
Xia Chi: "Type '1' if you want me to call you Mom."

The "Other party is typing..." indicator above the chat box glowed for several seconds, but in the end, only a string of ellipses was sent.

Iono: "..."

Seeing that Iono hadn't spoken for a while, Xia Chi stroked the head of the Sprigatito that had leaned in, sighing, "Sigh, Sprigatito, I’ve sacrificed so much for this family..."

Sprigatito looked at the text on the phone screen and then cast a look of disdain at Xia Chi. *Is this really for the family? I’m too embarrassed to even say it!*