Mewtwo: ?
Watching Mew's sneaky, guilty-cat look, Mewtwo frowned.
This dumb cat—what trick was she pulling this time?
"You're doing something bad?"
Removing the paw covering her mouth, Mewtwo asked flatly.
In her impression, this so-called "mother" she never recognized, practically never did anything proper.
"Mew (Nope.)"
Mew denied directly, her voice curt.
She shot Mewtwo a displeased glance, clearly unsatisfied with such an accusation.
Then, ignoring Mewtwo's suspicious stare, she hunched down again, crawling up to the window's edge.
Unconsciously, she swallowed.
She definitely couldn't barge in now. Never mind her own burning cheeks—
If Gardevoir were interrupted at a moment like this… she'd have Mew's head for sure.
And yet… watching the scene inside, she felt that tender place in her heart being softly scratched by a paw.
Behind her, seeing Mew pay her no mind, Mewtwo's frown deepened.
Curiosity winning out, she leaned in as well.
Just one glance—Mewtwo froze, pupils tightening ever so slightly.
She didn't quite understand what she was seeing, but… even so, her face inexplicably grew hot.
"Mew! (You're not allowed to look!)"
Only now did Mew remember that Mewtwo was technically still a newborn. She quickly leapt forward and covered the other's eyes with both paws.
...
Inside the room.
Elias gently pulled a blanket over Gardevoir, now fast asleep.
Her peaceful expression looked adorably soft, her delicate little hands clinging to his arm.
Glancing sideways without thinking, Elias thought he caught a glimpse of Mew's head outside the window.
But when he looked again, the space was empty. Even scanning with psychic power, he found nothing.
"…An illusion?"
He muttered, deciding it must be fatigue playing tricks on him.
System…
System?
After a moment, Elias called out in his head. Only on the second attempt came a faint reply.
[Host, I'm here…]
The system's voice was small.
She had already shut off her external-sensing functions.
Since tomorrow was the expiry date for the benefit, she had originally been planning to nudge Elias, to remind him to prepare for the simulation.
But…
The moment she recalled what she had accidentally "seen," her underlying code felt scrambled.
If she had a body, her cheeks would be flushed red right now.
[Host, do you want to begin the simulation?]
Forcing herself to cut off those messy thoughts, the system asked, changing the subject.
Though puzzled by her strange tone, Elias still nodded.
"Start the simulation."
He had meant to rest properly first, then begin a fresh run. But after being distracted by Gardevoir, he had no choice but to start now…
[Shall I store your body in the system space?]
The system's voice steadied as she asked the follow-up.
No need.
At his reply, the system gave a subtle nod to herself.
Her focus now turned completely to the simulation.
She was eager to know—under the premise of the benefit she had fought to obtain...
How many rewards would Elias get this time?
And…
What exactly was that "Easter egg"? Even she didn't know.
Thinking this, she rubbed her hands together, brimming with excitement.
[Then… simulation, start!]
[Drawing entries—]
As her voice fell, Elias's consciousness sank into the system space.
In front of him, the panel was loading.
Before every simulation, this was always the most thrilling moment.
Which land would he be sent to this time?
As Elias's awareness sank into the system, the supposedly "sleeping" Gardevoir slowly opened her eyes.
She pushed herself up, planted a soft kiss on his lips.
Then her expression hardened, cold eyes turning to a corner.
"Come out."
At her command, the ones hiding—Mew and Mewtwo—had no choice but to reveal themselves.
Mew rubbed her cheek, face awkward.
She wanted to shout at Gardevoir for hogging him, but for once… she didn't know how to open her mouth.
For the first time, she felt her own skin wasn't thick enough.
Beside her, Mewtwo was still confused about why her cheeks were hot, why her body felt oddly restless.
But compared to Mew, she was far more straightforward.
"You were bullying Elias?"
Mewtwo frowned, tone sharp as she questioned Gardevoir.
From her perspective, Elias had been pinned beneath her the whole time.
This time, it was Gardevoir's turn to be struck speechless.
Her composure, so carefully built up, scattered instantly.
She glanced at Mew's blinking eyes, then flicked her gaze at Mewtwo, and felt a headache creeping in.
Mewtwo might be dealt with—but Mew… convincing her would be harder.
If she didn't find a way to silence them, by tomorrow all the Pokémon would know.
With that thought, Gardevoir patted the bed lightly, then flicked her eyes toward Mewtwo.
In that instant, Mew seemed to understand.
"Mew! (Mewtwo, go back to bed!)"
She coughed, speaking quickly.
Mewtwo: ?
...
In front of Elias, the six extracted entries had already appeared:
[Fairy Affinity (Purple): Fairy-type Pokémon in your hands can draw out strength beyond their limits.]
[Psyduck's Confusion (Blue): Your psychic power skyrockets, but your intelligence drops to Psyduck's level.]
[Ghost Trainer (Gold): You take on ghostly form, possessing a destined Pokémon. (Note: Until a certain bond is formed, others may not even notice you.)]
[Xerneas's Blessing (Purple): Your lifespan is vastly extended beyond human norms, but certain Pokémon will bear hatred toward you.]
[Ability Expert (Blue): You possess unique insight into Abilities.]
[Contest Master (Blue): Your battles are seen as art.]
Staring at the six entries, Elias and the system fell into silence together.