Those who gather firewood should not be left to freeze to death in the snow and wind. It's a simple, straightforward truth.
But who will protect the firewood gatherers? That is another question.
Over the years, the cooperation between the regional Pokémon Leagues and the International Police had succeeded in making the world quiet and peaceful, guiding people's hearts toward kindness. This is what made Luther deeply enamored with this world.
The League and the International Police have always done well. Crime could never be completely eradicated, but they ensured that good people could live good lives to the greatest extent possible.
Yet, the infiltration of the International Police in recent years and the chaos stirred by rabble-rousers pained Cyrus more and more. He felt that the International Police had changed.
At first, he thought Oleander's actions had turned the International Police into such a mess. But, during his time on the run, through what he learned and encountered, Cyrus finally pulled on a thread and, for the first time, understood where the International Police's true problems lay.
The task he had set himself was destined to be lonely and thankless, bound to be misunderstood. That was why he couldn't tell Luther.
Before leaving, Luther shoved all the money he had on him into Cyrus's hands. Cyrus refused to take it.
Luther told him, "Think of it as New Year's money. At least take a good look at your Pokémon before you refuse."
Cyrus's Pokémon stared fixedly at the wallet Luther held out, then looked pleadingly at him.
The past few days of gnawing hunger had been a nightmare. Starving, they stood by him without complaint through the hardest times. Now that food was within reach, Cyrus could not bring himself to reject it.
With a heavy sigh, he said, "If I get the chance, I'll pay you back."
"I know you're probably about to do something big so I won't ask. Just live, Cyrus. Don't throw your life away. Even Oleander is considering seizing a chance to reclaim the life she lost. You should really think about retiring."
When Luther finished speaking, he didn't look back at Cyrus. He shoved his hands into his coat pockets and disappeared into the dark alley.
"Luther… I hope that when you learn the truth, you'll still be able to keep believing. In the end, there really are more good people in this world."
Cyrus recalled his Pokémon, picked up the food Luther had bought, brushed the snow from his hood, pulled it back on, and began walking toward the edge of town, one step at a time.
"Wait for me. Let me bring justice back to you."
Rubbing his half-frozen hands together, Luther brushed the snow from his coat. By the time he returned to the gym, the league's New Year's Eve event had already ended.
"You were on the phone so long that you missed the best part. Lucian's battle with Aaron was incredible," Mai said.
"It's fine. There's a recording. I can watch it anytime," he replied.
Junna was already nodding off, which wasn't surprising; everyone had gotten up early to prepare for the New Year's celebration, and they would normally have said goodnight by this hour.
Still, Junna kept pouring herself hot tea and slapping her cheeks to stay awake.
Hakuya thought it was unnecessary. "You could nap now and get up later."
But Junna refused. At midnight, Whitewind Town would set off fireworks to celebrate the new year. There was also a tradition of exchanging gifts. Junna had no intention of missing it.
Junna was relentless. To keep herself awake, she even started pinching her own thighs. After two or three tries, her drowsiness faded, and she happily returned to playing card games with Mai.
While they waited, Luther and Hakuya continued discussing battle strategies and techniques.
One of the main reasons Hakuya asked Luther to stay was so they could continue to bounce ideas off each other. This was exactly what Luther needed, too.
They both firmly believed that this kind of exchange accelerated growth by distilling the essence of each other's strategies and incorporating them into their own systems.
Meanwhile, Chansey balanced Chikorita on its head while Chikorita held Milcery aloft with Vine Whip. All three stared intently at the clock.
As midnight drew near, Junna, who was on the verge of collapsing, was jolted back by Milcery's sweet, baby-like voice.
Yawning, Luther and Hakuya turned to the clock; the minute hand was at five past twelve.
Together with their Pokémon, they stepped into the gym courtyard, the best spot for watching fireworks.
With their hands tucked behind their backs, everyone instinctively began counting down the final seconds, their voices overlapping in unison:
"Fifty-seven, fifty-eight, fifty-nine…"
"Happy New Year!" Luther, Mai, and Junna shouted together.
Instead of shouting, Hakuya lifted up a card he'd prepared in advance with a playful sketch of a Dunsparce and a baby Kangaskhan's big heads on it.
The Pokémon hugged each other, slung their arms over each other's shoulders, and rubbed up against one another, each expressing their own kind of blessing.
Brilliant fireworks blossomed in the night sky. The once-silent surroundings suddenly erupted with voices, one after another.
"This year, I'll become a Pokémon Master!"
"Please let me catch an Altaria!"
"I never want to reel up another Magikarp again!"
"A Contest championship is waiting for me!"
Some voices wailed like banshees; others offered sincere prayers.
Under a sky as bright as day, bursts of light bloomed like flowers of flame and withered in an instant. The Pokémon gaped at the heavens, mesmerized.
Beneath that dazzling display of fireworks, Luther and his friends exchanged gifts.
From Mai, Luther received a scarf, an altered version of the one her Kirlia usually wore.
Hakuya gave him a painting: a simple portrait of the four of them together.
"Can you draw?" Luther asked in surprise.
Hakuya held up his notebook. "Since I can't speak, I've had to learn a little bit of everything. I sketched it quickly. It's not very good. Don't laugh."
'Not very good?' Luther thought incredulously. Then what hope is there for people like me with clumsy hands?
The words sounded exactly like the humble brush-off of a true master.
Looking at the vivid, lifelike portrait, Luther suddenly felt that his own gift paled in comparison.
When Hakuya opened his present and pulled out the custom-made Dunsparce plush toy, Luther scratched his head in embarrassment.
"Sorry. "I'm really bad at making things myself, so I ordered it. I don't know if you'll like it."
"Thank you. I like it very much."
Hakuya hugged the plush toy and walked over to his actual Dunsparce, waving it in front of him.
The Dunsparce stared blankly at its "companion" being shaken about. After a moment, it realized it was a toy. With a gentle snap, he took the plush in his mouth and scampered off like a child with a new treasure, proudly showing it off to the other Pokémon.
Mai received a Corsola plush, and Junna received her partner Pokémon, Froslass.
Neither of them had time to play with their gifts before their respective Pokémon snatched the toys and ran over to Dunsparce to show them off.
'Why are they all so childish?'
Luther's phone buzzed wildly.
He didn't need to look to know that his friends were sending him New Year's greetings. He had already written his replies in advance—prepared messages stored on his phone, ready to send with a single tap.
But for now, he only wanted to look at the beautiful night sky.
He wanted to watch the fireworks blooming overhead.
He wanted to watch the Pokémon playing noisily in the courtyard.
He wanted to watch his friends smiling and teasing one another.
It was a good way to start the new year.
(End of Chapter)
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