Chapter 126: Sakuragi Research Institute

"Gengar?" the red-haired girl suddenly asked in surprise.

"Yeah... why?" Although Amu asked, he already knew the answer in his heart.

"A Ghost-type Gengar... can it really hide in a person's shadow?" the red-haired girl asked with some hesitation.

"Oh, right, this is Professor Cerise's daughter, Chloe, and this is Amu... he's an incredible pharmacist and trainer! He even beat me last time!" Ash introduced them to each other.

However...

A label like "he even beat me" did absolutely nothing to convey how "incredible" someone was!

"Hello. Actually... there's been a haunting at my father's research lab lately," Chloe admitted after some hesitation.

"What haunting... it's definitely a Ghost-type Pokémon! Didn't I tell you? If you see a 'ghost,' just throw a Poké Ball at it! If you don't know how to throw a curveball, just throw it straight," Goh said, acting like a know-it-all.

Amu despised these kinds of inexplicable people the most!

Of course, if Gengar were out, it would definitely tease Amu—you're the one who does that, too...

"That's perfect! I was actually looking to leave Gengar and Clefable in your care. If there is a Ghost-type Pokémon, having Gengar around should make communication easier," Amu said, immediately seizing the opportunity.

"Eh? Um... okay!" Chloe nodded, albeit a bit reluctantly.

It was clear that she was actually quite afraid of Ghost-type Pokémon.

She wasn't entirely comfortable with the idea of "inviting a ghost" as a means of "exorcism."

Whether they would actually be accepted for boarding would be up to Professor Cerise to decide, but Chloe guessed... her father would surely agree!

Amu realized at this moment that for Ash, who represented the "original anime," the timeline was also quite messy. First of all, he had just started his journey and had already met Goh, which wasn't just a matter of not teaming up with Misty...

Of course, the original timeline never really explained much anyway.

Conan's timeline is also chaotic, but just like the previous Pokémon anime installments, it was treated vaguely; it wasn't impossible to argue that it was a parallel universe.

However, in the *Pokémon Journeys* series, Ash openly appeared as a ten-year-old boy, despite carrying the "Alola League Champion Trophy," "Lt. Surge's autograph," and "memories of traveling with companions from all over the world!"

It was as if he had put the persona of a "ten-year-old boy who has traveled for twenty years" right out in the open, with an attitude of "I'm not even pretending anymore..."

In this real world of Pokémon, Ash meeting Goh right as he set out was at least more reasonable than the timeline of *Pokémon Journeys*.

And Goh was indeed from Vermilion City, having known Chloe since childhood.

Amu vaguely remembered that Ash’s main "Gengar" in *Pokémon Journeys* was captured at Professor Cerise's lab!

The current "haunting" might be exactly that event—Amu didn't know the specific details, as he was just an orphan and hadn't watched the show that thoroughly.

Even if he had, it wouldn't be of much use, as there were significant differences between this world and the anime.

Because he met Ash by chance, Amu was subsequently introduced to Professor Cerise himself.

Professor Cerise looked much younger than Professor Oak or Professor Giantwood. He wasn't someone who had a daughter late in life; like Chloe, he had wine-red hair, wore glasses, and looked quite scholarly.

"You must be Amu? I've heard both Ash and Professor Oak mention you."

Professor Cerise's attitude made Amu feel confident.

"You want to leave Gengar and Clefable in our care?" Professor Cerise was indeed the type who couldn't be bothered with anything else once he heard about a Pokémon he was interested in.

"That's right. They are a bit mischievous, and I've been having them train Fire-type moves lately, so it’s not really suitable to board them with my mentor, Professor Giantwood," Amu said, as honest as ever, without a single lie.

"No problem! They're Ghost and Fairy-type Pokémon, after all! It's normal for them to be a bit playful... could you let them out so I can see them?" Professor Cerise said very reasonably.

Since Professor Cerise had said so, Amu immediately released Gengar and Clefable.

The two round, chubby creatures—one purple, one pink—appeared. They didn't speak, but simply swayed rhythmically, tilting left and right, looking... very cute!

"Ah! Is this a Gengar? It looks..." Chloe's impression of Ghost-type Pokémon was instantly overturned.

Because of the "haunting," she had apparently been having a miserable time, which was why she had such strong opinions about Ghost-type Pokémon!

Although Gengar's red eyes and mischievous grin could be quite terrifying in the dark, it was a completely different story in a bright place...

Just then, Gengar and Clefable held hands and spun around... acting like loving friends and ambassadors of goodwill.

Amu: ...

You guys are overacting a bit!

That's right, Amu had instructed them both beforehand—don't even think about the "Great Garden," Professor Giantwood wouldn't welcome you two. As for other places... you better behave yourselves, otherwise, you'll be stuck in your Poké Balls!

For "Clefairy" and "Haunter," although they were no longer young, they still had the tempers of children.

After staying in one boarding place for a long time, they would want to travel with Amu—mainly to go on adventures—but after traveling for a while... especially after spending too much time in their Poké Balls, they would want to go to a boarding facility to cause some mischief... and enjoy life!

So now, as Amu had told them, they were acting like ordinary "Gengar" and "Clefable," trying their best to look cute and not immediately exposing their ability to speak human language fluently.

"Aren't they quite obedient? Hahaha..." Professor Cerise laughed naively.

"Um... they can also help deal with the 'haunting' issue," Amu added specifically.

This would give Gengar and Clefable something to do and, incidentally, reduce some of Amu's guilt!

Upon hearing about the haunting, the "cute" look in Gengar and Clefable's eyes flickered for a moment—Chloe, who was standing nearby, vaguely noticed this, but hesitated and didn't say anything.

"So you've already heard about it... would they be willing? That would be wonderful." Professor Cerise had been troubled by this matter lately.

Amu later learned that the "haunting" had started after the house was purchased. It was likely a Ghost-type Pokémon that had lived there previously, though Professor Cerise hadn't confirmed it was a Gengar yet.

As the renovation of the house into a "research lab" was nearing completion, Professor Cerise was preparing to deal with the haunting...

Now that air composition detection devices had been installed in every floor, room, and even the building's pipes, Professor Cerise was confident he could pinpoint the location of the "haunting" Pokémon!