Chapter Ten: Subject Three

With the hope of passing his driving test, Heath diligently continued to steer his small truck. Over the next stretch of time, he encountered an array of strange and peculiar things.

As Heath drove through a green light, a playing card suddenly appeared stuck to his window, emblazoned with the words “Big-Mouthed Bat.” Bewildered, he glanced at his instructor, who calmly took a drag on his cigarette.

“That’s the Big-Mouthed Bat that ran the red light,” the instructor explained serenely. Heath was momentarily at a loss for words.

“That one rear-ended another car.” “That’s the Big-Mouthed Bat driving drunk. And there’s the one fatigued behind the wheel.” The instructor introduced the various hazards on the road with an unruffled tone, making Heath’s scalp tingle.

Heath suddenly felt as if he wasn’t taking a driving test but rather a Big-Mouthed Bat simulator. Encountering so many of these “bats” within such a short time was truly bizarre.

After getting out of the vehicle, Heath sighed deeply. He realized that finishing the third part of the test today was unlikely; there were simply too many of these Big-Mouthed Bats. He counted at least fifty of them along the route—though all just cards, it was still quite intimidating.

“Damn Big-Mouthed Bats,” even Heath’s famously good temper couldn’t help but curse.

“Hey, that’s the spirit! When I took my first test, I felt just like you,” the instructor chuckled as he stepped out and patted Heath on the shoulder. “Congratulations, Heath. You’ve passed the third part of the test. Your driving was excellent all the way through.”

Heath stared at the instructor in disbelief. He had prepared to memorize traffic rules and the locations where these Big-Mouthed Bats might appear, yet now the instructor was saying he’d passed?

“It’s simple,” the instructor said. “The Big-Mouthed Bats don’t affect your evaluation. Your driving skills are solid. These bats are just there to remind you that accidents can happen anywhere, so always be cautious.” He stubbed out his cigarette, placed it in a small box, then handed Heath a form.

Heath glanced at it and saw it was an official certificate confirming he had passed the third part of the test. Now, all that remained was the fourth part.

Although called the fourth part, it was essentially similar to the first—a theoretical test requiring only some review.

“Thank you, coach,” Heath breathed a sigh of relief. He had wondered if the instructor was making things difficult because he hadn’t offered a gift, but it seemed he’d been overthinking.

Heath didn’t plan to take the fourth test today; it was already late. Instead, he intended to return to the dormitory to rest and prepare a gift for Sister Maple.

Heath didn’t want to simply hand over his phone as a gift—he knew Sister Junsha Maple well enough to guess she’d refuse something so direct. He planned to leave the gift in her room or at home on the day he departed.

“Tch... still feels a bit strange,” Heath muttered as he set the truck to autopilot, sitting back and resting his chin on his hands while gazing out at the sky.

Having lived in Evergreen City for four years, Heath had come to regard it as home. Yet now, the thought of leaving stirred a deep reluctance—how hard it was to part from one’s homeland.

“Trainer, what do you plan to do in the future?” Zoroa leapt from its Poké Ball and crouched beside Heath, wagging its tail.

“Me? I want to travel around this world, collecting local delicacies to serve to different guests,” Heath scratched his head. He had once considered becoming a Pokémon Trainer, collecting badges and aiming for the championship.

But later, he realized that wasn’t quite what he wanted. He preferred to travel through the world of Pokémon, exploring its many landscapes—a life he found quite fulfilling.

“I come from a faraway place and now can’t even find my home,” Zoroa said sadly.

“You must be a Pokémon from the Unova region. We should visit there someday,” Heath smiled. Zoroa had been brought to the Kanto region by Asura of Team Plasma, supposedly to cooperate with Team Rocket—though that alliance had likely fallen apart.

“Really? You’re willing to take me back?” Zoroa’s excitement was instant. The setting sun bathed Heath in warm golden light, making him shine brightly in Zoroa’s eyes.

“Yes, I like to keep my promises,” Heath grinned. Zoroa immediately bounced around happily inside the dining car, then slipped into the resting room.

“Hmph, since you’re so eager to take me back... then I... I...” Zoroa poked its head out, wearing a bashful yet proud expression. But the more it spoke, the shyer it seemed.

Heath looked on in puzzlement. What did “then I...” mean? Could it be that Zoroa had finally resolved to be a good Pokémon, leaving behind its strange ways? That would truly be wonderful.

“Hmph!” Zoroa huffed and shut the door, leaving Heath utterly speechless.

He shook his head with a smile. Knowing Zoroa’s temperament, whatever it was too shy to say probably wouldn’t come up again. Heath decided to keep an eye on it—if Zoroa could grow a little more sensible, that would be fantastic.

Back at the dormitory, Heath noticed the mood around had relaxed considerably. Sister Junsha Maple, however, remained her usual self. Upon arrival, Heath headed straight to the kitchen, preparing dinner for the Sister Junshas who had been busy all day.

“How did your test go?” Junsha Maple asked, arms crossed by the kitchen doorway.

“Sister Maple, I’ve passed parts one, two, and three. Tomorrow I’ll take the fourth, then I can get my license!” Heath smiled brightly.

“I see... okay, got it,” Junsha Maple nodded with a complex look in her eyes before returning to the cafeteria and sitting beside Sister Junsha Ling.

Watching her retreating figure, Heath paused, sensing something amiss. For some reason, he felt that his Sister Maple’s mood wasn’t quite right.