"Sorry to keep you waiting!"
Dressed in her chef's apron, Mallow stepped out carrying a steaming dish, smiling brightly.
"We've been chatting and having a great time. No rush—we've all been looking forward to your cooking," Rex replied, glancing around at the others.
Soon, dish after dish of Alolan specialties was brought out by Mallow and her father. Clearly knowing that today was a special occasion for his daughter and her friends, Mallow's dad had gone all out to make an impression.
As Mallow had once explained, her father had once gotten lost in a forest and fallen off a slope, only to be rescued by an Oranguru. The Oranguru shared a cup of Pomeg Juice with him. So impressed by the flavor, he learned how to make it, which later became their restaurant's signature drink.
To this day, Mallow's father still respectfully referred to that Oranguru as his teacher.
Sure enough, once all the dishes were served, he brought each person a cup of the famous Pomeg Juice.
Pomeg Berries were considered rare in most regions, though the warm Alolan climate made them more common here. Still, they weren't cheap.
"How is it? This Pomeg Juice is our restaurant's pride and joy!" Mallow asked, sipping hers in small, careful sips. She looked visibly parched from the time spent working in the kitchen.
"No doubt about it! This juice is amazing. Every time I drink it, I can't get enough," Sophocles said, already halfway through his glass and smacking his lips appreciatively.
"Mhm!" Lana nodded along.
Kiawe and Lillie also chimed in with their praise. Only Rex had yet to speak.
As all eyes turned to him, Rex finally took a sip. The flavor was hard to describe—sweet with a complex blend of other notes—but unmistakably refreshing and memorable.
Pomeg Berries had sour skins and spicy flesh, but this juice blended all its elements into a smooth sweetness, perfect for a hot summer day.
"It's delicious. Honestly, one of the best drinks I've had. The only other thing I've had that compares would be the juice brewed by my Jumpluff back on the farm," Rex said, meeting Mallow's expectant gaze.
"Jumpluff juice? I remember learning about that in Professor Kukui's class, but I've never tasted it myself. Now I really want to!" Mallow said with an excited smile.
"I've got a few Jumpluff at my farm in Hoenn. If you all ever visit, I'll make sure you get to try it," Rex offered.
Truthfully, Jumpluff's juice still edged out the Pomeg Juice in quality, but Rex wasn't going to say that outright. He'd rather let them discover that for themselves one day.
With laughter and good conversation, the group enjoyed a perfect lunch. Rex was impressed by Mallow and her father's cooking—their Alolan cuisine was full of flavor and heart.
After the meal, the group spent the afternoon exploring Melemele Island's scenic spots. Even though Kiawe and the others had grown up in Alola, they still had a blast revisiting these familiar places.
To them, the company of friends made even the most ordinary locations feel special.
Time flew by quickly, and before long, the day of Rex's departure had arrived.
In the past few days, thanks to Kiawe and the others, he had seen nearly every tourist attraction on Melemele Island. Of all the places, Melemele Meadow left the deepest impression on him—with its vibrant blooms and rare local Pokémon, it was a must-visit for anyone coming to Alola.
"Thank you, Professor Kukui, and thanks to everyone for taking such good care of me. Alola has given me some amazing memories. I hope you'll all come visit my farm someday," Rex said sincerely, facing the group with heartfelt gratitude.
"Rex, I hope you'll come back and visit Alola again soon," Kukui said with a tired smile and a wave.
Kukui's health wasn't looking great—he'd been holed up in his research lab for days. Thanks to help from Hala, he had gathered several Z-Crystals and Pokémon who'd reached their power ceiling.
Following Rex's guidance, he had begun his own experiments to nurture them into Totem Pokémon.
Unlike Rex's method of hands-off training, Kukui monitored his Pokémon in real time, analyzing every data point and pouring most of his energy into their growth. The lack of rest showed on his face.
Still, his efforts had begun to pay off. His Incineroar—his very first Pokémon and trusted ace—had recently gained the ability to sense the Z-energy in the air.
Despite reaching and even surpassing its potential under Kukui's care, further growth had stalled for Incineroar. But now, it had become the first of Kukui's chosen Pokémon to meet the most essential condition for Totem transformation: sensing Z-energy.
Without that ability, the transformation simply wasn't possible.
Even with little sleep, Kukui had made time to see Rex off, knowing the importance of what Rex had brought to Alola. The region's top trainers were already aware of the breakthrough and held great admiration for the young man from Hoenn.
Thanks to Kukui shielding him from the buzz, Rex had been able to enjoy his final days in Alola peacefully.
Before boarding, Rex took one last look at the island stretched out behind him, then stepped into the cabin.
The hatch closed. The engine roared to life.
And just like that, the plane carried him off into the skies.