Chapter Fifty: Pokémon Behind the Wheel

Heath stared blankly at the Blissful Egg sitting nervously in the driver’s seat ahead, gripping the steering wheel with palpable tension. The vehicle it was operating hurtled toward him at an alarming speed, and Heath even began to suspect that the Blissful Egg was intentionally trying to run him down, only to showcase its remarkable healing abilities afterward.

As the Blissful Egg drew closer, with Miss Joy seated beside it, her face twisted in terror, Heath recognized her identity.

“I hope this car has an automatic collision avoidance system,” Heath sighed. He couldn’t drive either, so what was he supposed to do?

Fortunately, the mobile food truck’s autopilot was quite reliable. It deftly swerved aside, dodging the Blissful Egg’s reckless charge, allowing Heath to breathe a long sigh of relief. He had no desire to find out just how sturdy his vehicle was.

“It’s coming again!” Zorua shrieked. Heath instinctively glanced back, only to witness the same familiar scene. Somehow, Blissful Egg managed to spin the car around and once more sped straight at him. If not for Miss Joy’s bloodless, screaming face, Heath might have wondered if he had wronged this Pokémon in some past life.

“Joy Snow, you and your Blissful Egg have failed this test. Who drives an ambulance like that?” A familiar voice rang out. Heath’s face went pale—it was Officer Junsha Ling.

Thankfully, Officer Junsha Ling’s arrival promptly put an end to Blissful Egg’s mad charge, and Heath’s own vehicle came to a stop. Only then did he realize he’d already arrived at the driving school.

“I’m so sorry… Wait, Heath?” Joy Snow, ashen-faced, scrambled out of the car and rushed over to apologize profusely. When she realized it was Heath, surprise flashed across her face.

“Miss Joy… you truly are… impressive.” Heath was at a loss for words—being chased by a Pokémon behind the wheel was certainly a new and exhilarating experience.

“Oh, little Heath, are you disappointed? If I had known, I would’ve helped you out—let you get hit by the car and just so happen to injure yourself in a certain spot, then Snow could use her little hands to help you~” Junsha Ling teased, wrapping an arm around Heath’s neck with a mischievous smile.

Heath stiffened all over—this incorrigible rogue was clearly doing it on purpose! Sure enough, the moment she got out of the car, she started her antics, and she certainly wasn’t slowing down.

“Heath, are you hurt anywhere?” Joy Snow, not catching Junsha Ling’s risqué remarks, looked at Heath with genuine concern.

Heath quickly waved his hands, reassuring her. Despite her naivety, Joy Snow’s medical skills were renowned throughout Evergreen City, making her a star healer. Her Blissful Egg was equally accomplished. There had even been news reports about Joy Snow and Blissful Egg working together to save a Pokémon that had been hit by a train—a case initially considered fatal.

However, Heath now realized there was one thing Joy Snow and her Blissful Egg could not do: drive.

Piecing together Officer Junsha Ling’s earlier words, Heath understood why Joy Snow and Blissful Egg were here. They were trying to get certified to drive an ambulance themselves.

“Ling, Sister Maple sent me to get my driver’s license. Could you take me inside?” Heath smiled at Officer Junsha Ling, subtly stopping her from escalating her playful antics. She immediately caught his meaning.

“Hmph, you little tattletale. One of these days, I’m going to eat you alive,” Junsha Ling muttered resentfully. But thinking of the formidable Officer Junsha Maple, she swallowed her protest.

After bidding an apologetic farewell to Joy Snow, Heath followed Junsha Ling into the driving school. He had to admit, the driving school in Evergreen City was quite large and bustling with trainees. Among the students were not just humans but also Pokémon.

Blissey, Machoke, Alakazam—these Pokémon were diligently studying. Heath found it perfectly normal that Pokémon were getting their licenses too. The Blisseys, mostly monopolized by the Joy family, were likely training to drive ambulances. The Machokes, on the other hand, were preparing to work as moving company drivers, handling both the driving and the heavy lifting.

As for Alakazam… Heath figured their presence stemmed from their insatiable curiosity and thirst for knowledge. For these psychic Pokémon, learning something new was always a thrill, making Alakazam a truly versatile species.

Some Alakazam even worked as taxi drivers, and they were exceptionally steady behind the wheel. The most impressive one Heath knew of was an Alakazam serving as a captain for the Kanto Airways—its flights had an impeccable safety record. Some Alakazam had even become film directors, producing award-winning movies and TV shows in the Kanto region, leaving lesser directors in the dust.

“When learning to drive, you need to pay attention to things like the size of the headlights, whether the exhaust pipe is lubricated…” As Junsha Ling unconsciously veered into innuendo, Heath silently pulled out his phone—he was about to report her to Sister Maple.

“No, wait! I’m sorry!” Junsha Ling instantly covered Heath’s phone, sidling up to him with a saccharine smile. “Little Heath~ If you’re willing, big sister can show you how to be an adult~” she whispered in his ear, her voice so mortifying it could make anyone want to crawl under a rock.

“You’re bold, Ling.” A cold voice cut through the air. Junsha Ling froze, straightened up, and turned, only to see Officer Junsha Maple standing with arms crossed, her icy glare chilling enough to make one wish for a winter coat in midsummer. Cold sweat beaded on Junsha Ling’s brow.

“Five laps around the driving school!” Junsha Maple ordered with a wave. Junsha Ling shot off at once, running away with a face full of grievance.

Heath couldn’t help but laugh at her retreating figure. That woman was truly shameless. Thank goodness Sister Maple was here—otherwise, who knew what Heath might have been subjected to.

“Hmph, wicked woman… trying to steal… I mean, that woman is really bad,” Zorua grumbled, perched on Heath’s shoulder, eyes fixed resentfully on Junsha Ling’s back. Ever since they’d arrived, Zorua had been muttering in Heath’s mind about what a terrible woman Junsha Ling was—it was enough to give Heath a headache.

Thankfully, his head didn’t have that particular function.

“Come on, Heath. I’ll take you to the classroom for the first test. Study hard, no cheating. Of course, I trust you wouldn’t cheat anyway.” Junsha Maple smiled at Heath and waved him along.

Heath grinned—Sister Maple really did know him well.