On the training field, Sato and Fujin were discussing how to better adapt command style to Gardevoir's battle strategy.
Well… mostly Fujin was talking, while Sato and Gardevoir listened intently.
Suddenly, Gardevoir sharply raised her head and looked toward the sky, where a Oran-sized white dot was rapidly approaching.
"Gla~GLA!"
Glaceon jumped up excitedly, having already recognized who it was.
"Oh, Cynthia's here. Let's pause this for now. I won't get in the way of your sweet reunion… hohoho~"
Fujin chuckled, looking nothing like the sober man he'd been when they first met.
"Mm, I'll bring Cynthia over to greet you in a bit."
Sato nodded openly, readily accepting Fujin's teasing. After a year of it, he was used to it.
Fujin shook his head, finding it boring now, and turned to walk back to the cabin with Serperior.
The other Pokémon who had still been training stopped as well, all turning their eager eyes toward Sato.
"That's it for today. Free time, everyone!"
The Pokémon let out a cheer, then split into small groups and wandered off on their own.
Of course, Pokémon like Gre… Absol, and Tyranitar had no idea what "rest" even meant. They immediately began extra training!
"Cynthia is here. I'll go start preparing lunch~"
Gardevoir gave her greeting, then used Teleport to return to the cabin.
By now, the white dot in the sky had grown larger. It was Cynthia flying in on Togekiss.
"Kiss~"
Togekiss descended slowly, lowering its body to make it easier for Cynthia to dismount.
"Thanks for the ride, Togekiss."
"Kiss~꒰( ˙▽˙ )꒱"
Then Cynthia turned to look at the approaching Sato.
"You're here!"
"Yeah~"
That simple, instinctive exchange made them feel even closer than before…
Sato naturally took Cynthia's hand, and the two walked side by side out of the training field.
Umbreon and Glaceon weren't afraid of being overwhelmed by cuteness, they obediently followed behind them.
As they walked, Cynthia slowly talked about everything she'd been doing lately. The interesting, the boring, the troublesome, the relaxing… whatever came to mind, she shared it.
And Sato just quietly listened, occasionally offering some small suggestions…
Like, next time she bought ice cream, she should try the chocolate, matcha, and strawberry flavors combo.
"Eh… why?"
"Because I'll get original, mango, and taro. That way, you can taste all six flavors!"
After he said that, Sato looked at Cynthia's blushing face and felt a tickle in his heart.
"Who… W-WHO WANTS TO EAT YOURS!" Cynthia turned away, flustered by his gaze, avoiding eye contact.
Sato smiled and continued holding her hand as they strolled through the woods.
Behind them, Glaceon had witnessed the entire "flirtinh session" and thought, 'Yep… I'm still too young. This round… I've learned something new!'
Suddenly, halfway through the walk, Cynthia stopped abruptly, looking at Sato in surprise.
"You're leaving… again…?"
"Ahem… what's with the dramatic phrasing!?" Sato gave a helpless laugh, then nodded seriously.
"It's time to get back out there. You can't reach Champion level just by hiding away and training forever."
Cynthia nodded in agreement, but then asked, "What about Fujin-jiji?"
"He's already agreed. Over the past year, Fujin has taught me everything he could. He said the rest is up to me now."
Sato spoke with a hint of pride. After all, receiving such recognition from a Champion Trainer meant his growth over the year had been substantial.
But Cynthia waved her hand and said, "Hmm? I didn't mean that. I want to know… will Fujin-jiji go out into the world too?"
"Oh… probably will…"
Seeing Sato's jealousy flare up again, Cynthia squeezed his hand and laughed helplessly.
"Ehaha! Alright, alright~ I know you've been working hard this whole year. Just wait till you step out and shock the world. Ehaha!"
Sato pursed his lips. It was a reluctant agreement, but he accepted her words.
"Fujin plans to visit a few old friends. Once he's done, I'll bring him back to Shadownight Town so he can retire there."
Cynthia nodded, approving of Sato's decision.
Behind them, Umbreon nodded as well. Her Trainer was truly something else… flipping between bold and sweet so easily.
No one could resist that!
Soon, the two of them strolled to the familiar riverbank.
Cynthia blushed again and muttered softly, "Why are we here…?"
Sato looked at her with intense eyes. "Hmm? What do you think!?"
◓---
Paid Content¹[1]
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After lunch, Sato and Fujin began packing their things.
Thankfully, with spatial backpacks, even though they had a lot of stuff, it still looked like they were traveling light.
Fujin slowly walked through the cabin one last time, gently touching the door frames, the windows, the pillars… as if saying goodbye to an old friend.
If you could have someone to accompany you, who would ever choose to grow old alone?
Ever since it was confirmed that the space had been permanently stabilized, Fujin had longed for the day he could return to human society.
Even if it meant adapting to a new era, accepting that many old friends were gone, and meeting unfamiliar new faces…
"Mm…It's time."
Fujin muttered softly, then climbed onto the Altaria he had recently caught, silently flying off into the distance…
'Haah…'
…Behind him, Sato shouted, "YOU'RE OFF-COURSE! TURN THIS WAY!"
Fujin: !!!!!????
---◓---
Soon, Cynthia took over as the guide. After all, Togekiss had flown this route many times over the past year and remembered it well.
Halfway there, the trio faintly heard a familiar roar from below.
"Heatran, huh… it's saying goodbye to us too."
Sato whispered, glancing down at the "ugliest Mythical Pokémon."
The three of them continued southeast and after a few days' journey, finally arrived at the Sinnoh League Headquarters: Lily of the Valley Island.
Let's not even mention how enthusiastically Sinnoh League President Dawashi celebrated Champion Fujin's return…
What really shocked everyone was the sudden reappearance of Sato, the "golden boy" who had seemingly vanished for a whole year.
Before he could even warm the couch, Sato was immediately challenged by Sinnoh's newest "Rising Star".
"Masaki, current Ace Tournament Champion, formally challenges you, Sato-san!"
Looking at the bright and confident newcomer, all of Sato's long-suppressed battle spirit burst forth!
"Alright -stare-. How do you want to fight!?"
Masaki was a little shaken by Sato's intensity, but quickly stepped forward firmly.
"S-six Vs Six, full battle!"
Sato grinned wide, already holding a Poké Ball in hand.
"Ok then… Lead the way."
Three minutes later, as the crowd moved to the battlefield, the news of Sato's battle against Sinnoh's "Rookie King" Masaki was already being livestreamed across all regions!
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¹.Just humor… not serious, CHILLLL!
[1] Just humor… not serious, CHILLLL!