SIDE STORY 1 – TRAINING IS (NOT ALWAYS) EASY

Natsuki was in the garden with Rui as she was explaining to the little boy about her world. After meeting her Pokémon, Rui wanted to know about Pokémon and he asked at the black-haired girl to tell him some stories with Rotom Pokédex showing to Rui the photos. Right now, Natsuki was explaining to Rui about Pokéballs.

Natsuki: This little item is called Pokéball. It is used to catch Pokémon and allowed me to carry my Pokémon everywhere. Not only that, but there are many types of Pokéballs.

Natsuki took out a Mega Ball, Rui's eyes were full of stars.

Rui: So cool!

Suddenly, the door opened, Natsuki and Rui turned their heads to see Aoi walking towards them.

Rotom Pokédex: Hi, Aoi!

Aoi: Hello Rotom.

Aoi and Rotom Pokédex greeted each other. The two of them met for the first time when Rotom was exploring the Butterfly Mansion. At first, Aoi got scared when she saw Rotom and she thought that it was a demon, but when Natsuki intervened and explained to the girl about Rotom Pokédex, she relaxed and she was impressed when Rotom told Aoi about the medicine in Pokémon world.

Aoi: I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but Master- I mean, Natsuki, I wanted to ask if you want to participate to your friends' rehabilitation.

Natsuki: Of course. Let's go Rui and Rotom.

Rotom Pokédex: I can't wait to see you in action Natsuki!

Exclaimed Rotom in excitement. Aoi led Natsuki, Rui and Rotom Pokédex to the training room. When they arrived, they saw Tanjiro trying following Kanao.

Natsuki: What are they doing? Are they playing tag or something?

Aoi: They are doing one of the phases of the training.

Natsuki: Huh… Interesting

In the end, Tanjiro ended up being tired and he started to pant. Three little girls noticed Natsuki and Rui.

Little girls: Ah! It's Master Natsuki and Former Lower Moon! Weclome!

Natsuki and Rui sweatdropped, but they waved.

Natsuki: H-Hi girls. I think we never introduced ourselves properly, but anyway, I'm Natsuki Shima, not "Master Natsuki". And this is Rui, not "former Lower Moon". And who are you?

Little Girl 1 (Pink): I'm Kiyo!

Little Girl 1 (Blue): I'm Sumi!

Little Girl 1 (Green): And I'm Naho!

Exclaimed the little girl know as Kiyo, Sumi and Naho. Natsuki thought that the girls were triplets as they looked alike, same hair and same physical appearance, except for the butterfly clips and hairstyles.

Rotom Pokédex: Incredible! They look alike! It's almost like seeing Nurse Joy, Officer Jenny and Don George again! This is crazy!

Exclaimed Rotom as he was shocked and surprised. Natsuki nodded and turned to the little girls, smiling gently at them.

Natsuki: Nice to meet you. Aoi told me that she wanted me try this training.

Naho: Yes, we wanted to see your skills.

Sumi: If the Master decided to make you a Hashira, it means that he knew that you're skilled.

Tanjiro got up and he smiled when he saw his friends.

Tanjiro: Hey guys. What are you doing here?

Zenitsu and Inosuke turned their heads an they also saw the black-haired girl and the little boy (they knew about Rotom, but they decided to ignore them as the three of them don't have a good relationship)

Natsuki: Hey Tanji! Aoi told me to come here to try your rehabilitation training. How is it going?

Zenitsu: My angel, this training is hard and hell, but at the same time it's heaven and cool.

Inosuke: This training is awesome! I can feel my strength again, Paluki!

Tanjiro: Her name is "Natsuki", but like they said, this training is hard, but also very useful.

Natsuki: Hard… Awesome… Useful… Got it!

Said Natsuki as she started to take off her haori.

Natsuki: Okay, where should I start?

Aoi: First, you have to do some Full-body stretches. Practically, you have to lay down on this futon, while Sumi, Kiyo and Naho will stretch your body. It will help to loosen up your stiff muscles and to regain your flexibility.

Natsuki: Okay, got it.

Natsuki walked to the futon and she laid down. Sumi hopped on Natsuki's back, while Naho and Kiyo blocked her feet. The three girls started to stretch Natsuki's body. Rotom Pokédex was recording, while the group was watching in astonish when they saw that Natsuki didn't flinched as they girls stretched her body.

Tanjiro: How come Natsuki didn't scream yet?

Rotom Pokédex: That's because Natsuki always work out. She always does some stretches and then start to do some training, whether on free time or during her training with her Pokémon.

Aoi: Incredible…

A few minutes later, Natsuki and the little girls got up.

Natsuki: Thanks girls. Okay, what's next?

Aoi: Next is Full-body training. It's like the game of tag, but this version has another purpose. All you have to do is trying to grab the opponent as they tried to escape. Your opponent will be Kanao.

Natsuki: Okay, got it. I'll try.

Natsuki walked and she went in front of Kanao as Natsuki got in position.

Natsuki: I have to catch you, right? Just remembers, I'm not that type of person that underestimate someone, Kanao, but let's see which one of us will win.

Aoi: Start!

Exclaimed Aoi and the training started, Kanao started to run while Natsuki followed her. Everyone was impressed. Natsuki was just as fast as Kanao. As everyone was watching, Rotom Pokédex was recording and using a stopwatch at the same time.

Tanjiro: Natsuki is very fast! She can outsmart a demon with that speed!

Tanjiro thought, impressed by Natsuki's speed. His thoughts were interrupted when Aoi exclaimed. His eyes widened when he saw Kanao in the arms of Natsuki. Natsuki was able to catch the little Tsuguko.

Rotom Pokédex: 1 minute and 30 seconds! Great job, Natsuki!

Aoi: What… What did you say?

Asked Aoi in shock as she turned to Rotom.

Rotom Pokédex: I said 1 minute and 30 seconds. Natsuki was able to catch Kanao in a minute. It's a new record!

Natsuki: Thank you Rotom. Also, you did a great job, Kanao. You're as fast as a Liepard.

Said Natsuki with a smile, while Kanao didn't say anything. She just started. Rui clapped.

Rui: You did great!

Aoi: I didn't expect this, but let's move on.

The group moved to another spot of the Training Room. They were in front of a table full of cups.

Aoi: This is the final part of the training. It's called Reflex test, it allows you to hone your own reflexes and to improve them. The cups are full of medicine.

Natsuki: Understand. Kanao will be again my opponent?

Aoi: Yes.

Natsuki walked towards the table and she sat, same goes for Kanao.

Aoi: Begin!

Natsuki saw immediately Kanao's hand as she tried to reach the cup, but Natsuki was able to stop her. Then the two girls got faster and faster as they tried to pick the cup and defeat one of them, while stopping each other. As usual, Rotom Pokédex was recording and using a stopwatch.

Inosuke: Karuski's reflex are monstrous!

Zenitsu: Yeah! Also, it's "Natsuki".

Tanjiro nodded in agreement. Natsuki and Kanao kept blocking each other, until Natsuki grabbed the cup and splashed to Kanao.

Rotom Pokédex: 2 minutes and 10 seconds. Great job, Natsuki! Once again you beat Kanao!

Natsuki: Thank you Rotom! Also, your reflexes are very impressive Kanao. I must say you almost caught me off guard.

Said Natsuki as she smiled. Once again Kanao didn't say anything, she just stared.

Natsuki: Are you okay? Did I hurt you?

Kanao shook her head and Natsuki sighed in relief.

Natsuki: I'm glad. You're a good opponent. We should spare sometimes.

Natsuki grabbed Kanao's hand and she shook. Kanao's eyes widened in surprise. Then, Natsuki gave to Kanao a towl and she turned to Aoi.

Natsuki: I complete everything, so what now?

Aoi: First, you did great, Natsuki. You complete everything. But I think you need to train more. How about if I'll be your opponent and after me, your friends will be your opponents?

Natsuki: Thanks, Aoi, I really appreciate and I'll gladly accept. But I wanna know if we should start right now or we should take a break? I'm asking because I'm not tired at all and I'm actually feeling okay.

Aoi: If you say that you're not tired at all, then we can start now.

The next few minutes, everybody was impressed by Natsuki's skills. She was able to defeat in a short time Aoi, Tanjiro and Inosuke, except Zenitsu as he didn't want to hurt his crush, but Natsuki told him that it was okay, and nonetheless the yellow-haired boy was defeated.

Aoi: I'm very impressed Natsuki. Not only you were able to defeat Master Kocho's Tsuguko, but you were also able to defeat me and these guys. You never did this kind of training and yet you were able to complete without sweating.

Tanjiro: She's right. Also, Rotom Pokédex told us earlier that you always work out along with your Pokèmon.

Natsuki: Well, you see, before I started my journey in the Pokémon regions, my parents told me that I should always keep working out, since during my travel I will face many dangers, I should be careful of my surrenders.

Zenitsu: Really?

Natsuki: Yes. So, I decided to train with my Pokémon so that both of us will always be strong together.

Rui: That's really cool.

Tanjiro: Yeah.

Natsuki: You know, when the kakushi will tell me about my Estate, I can train you.

Tanjiro: Really?

Natsuki: Of course. And you girls can help me with the training.

Sumi/Kiyo/Naho: Really?

Natsuki: Yeah. What do you say Aoi? Kanao?

Aoi: Well… If you think that we can help you, then count me in.

Kanao nodded.

Natsuki: Then, it's settled.

SIDE STORY 2 – THE HASHIRA CHEF

Rotom Pokédex: So Natsuki, what will be for lunch?

Asked Rotom Pokédex. Natsuki and Rotom are in the kitchen of the Butterfly Mansion. The black-haired girl decided to prepare lunch for everyone, she wanted the girls of the mansion and Rui – since he is human and he need to learn to eat again human food – to try the food from her world.

Natsuki: I decided to prepare some curry. Since the boys had already tried it, I wanted the girls and Rui to try it.

Rotom Pokédex: Sounds good. What do you have in your mind?

Natsuki: I was thinking of some Egg Bomb Curry. Then, I thought of preparing some Immunity Leek Salad that helps them to feel healthy. As for the drinks, I'll gave them some Fancy Apple Juice. As for the dessert, it will be a suprise.

Rotom Pokédex: That's perfect!

Natsuki: I'm glad to hear it. Now, Let's start to cook.

A few hours later, Aoi called Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke and she told them to follow her to the dining room. As they arrived, they saw Natsuki and Rui in front of them and their jaw wide opened when they saw curry, and a new version of curry.

Natsuki: Guys, this is Egg Bomb Curry with Immunity Leek Salad as a side dish. Our drinks are Fancy Apple Juice.

The boys run towards the table and started to eat. Their eyes were full of love and pleasure as they tasted the curry.

Zenitsu: This is absolute amazing!

Tanjiro: Yeah!

As they were eating, Natsuki noticed that Rui didn't touch his food, he was just staring at it. Tanjiro noticed too and he decided to talk to the little kid.

Tanjiro: Rui, Natsuki's food is very delicious. You should try.

Zenitsu: Yeah! It's like the best dishes that my angel ever prepared.

Natsuki: They're right. Why don't you try a piece.

Rui grabbed his spoon and took a piece of curry with a piece of an egg, he put it in his mouth and he froze. Natsuki knew that expression, and after a few seconds, the little boy started to eat faster. Then he tried the salad and like before, he devoured it immediately. After lunch, everyone had a smile on their face.

Tanjiro: Thanks for the food Natsuki!

Zenitsu: Yeah, thank you!

Natsuki smiled at the boys.

Natsuki: Glad to hear it. What do you think Rui?

Rui: It was delicious! I wanna try more of your food!

Natsuki: Oh really? Then how about a dessert that I cooked?

Tanjiro/Zenitsu/Inosuke: Dessert?!

Natsuki got up and she walked towards the kitchen. As she came out, the boys saw a plate full of puddings and strange cookies with a hole in the middle.

Natsuki: This is the dessert. The pudding is called Jigglypuff's Fruity Flan, while these donuts are called Huge Power Soy Donut.

Natsuki gave to the boys the desserts and they started to try them. These sweets are so good that they devoured them in few seconds.

Tanjiro: Wow! I've never knew this pudding could be so good!

Zenitsu: And these donuts are very tasty!

Inosuke: I want more dokuni!

Natsuki: It's "donuts", Ino, and I'm sorry, but they are no more donuts.

Inosuke: WHAT?!

Natsuki: Don't worry. I can prepare them for dinner. How about you Rui, did you like the dessert?

Rui: I love it!

Rui hugged the black-haired girl and she hugged him back.

A few hours later, as night was coming, Natsuki was in the kitchen as she started to think what food she could prepare for everyone. Then, she had an idea.

In the dining room, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke and Rui were sitting, waiting for the food. Then, they heard the door opening and Aoi, Kiyo, Sumi and Naho entered.

Tanjiro: Hey Aoi, what are you doing here?

Aoi: Natsuki invited me and the little girls for dinner.

Tanjiro: Oh really? Then, you should try her food. They're very delicious!

Zenitsu: Yeah!

Natsuki: Thank you for waiting, I present to you today's dinner. We have Melty Omelette Curry as a first course and Cheesy Whimsicott Meatloaf as a second course. As for the drink, we have Stalwart Vegetable Juice. The dessert is a surprise. Enjoy your meal.

Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke and Rui started to eat with pleasure. Kiyo, Sumi and Naho grabbed the spoon and they tried a piece of curry. Just like the trio of the boys, the little girls screamed in delightful. They started to eat a little faster. Aoi was a little hesitant, but she decided to try it. As she put a piece of curry in her mouth, her eyes widened, then she started to eat the curry a little faster. Aoi, Kiyo, Sumi and Naho tried the second course and like before with the curry, they really liked it.

Natsuki, as she saw everything, was happy to see that the little helpers really liked her food. When the black-haired girl brought to the group the dessert, a Huge Power Soy Donut, everyone liked it very much that they asked Natsuki to prepare for them as a snack for the travel.

Needless to say, Natsuki promised to everyone in the Butterfly Mansion that she will prepare food from her world, not only in the mansion, but also for the people that will go in mission when they will be gone for a long time.

Taisho Secrets

- Rui learnt a few things about Natsuki's world

- Everyone was impressed by Natsuki's agility and skills during the rehabilitation

- After eating Natsuki's food from her world, everyone in the Butterfly Mansion wanted to try them even more