Chapter 274
Acerola nervously pursed her lips.
In the following time, Qiao Ran explained the theory of "turning into Pokémon" to Acerola again. In order to make her understand, Lillie and the others also performed a magic trick of turning people into humans on the spot.
"This... this is actually real?"
Acerola was once again in shock.
"People can actually be put into Poké Ball!"
Tonight, in less than an hour, she has been frightened countless times.
Why are there so many secrets among these people???
"Although I was a little hesitant at first, but... it's actually not so bad."
Mei scratched her neck. At first, she had thought about it for a long time, but after experiencing what it was like to travel through the world with Qiao Ran, she started to really like it. Not only could she travel back and forth between the Alola Region and the Real World, but she also went to the Galar region, which she had never been to before, and made many nice friends.
Most importantly, becoming Qiao Ran's Pokémon greatly enhances their team battles. The inexplicable spiritual connection makes their communication efficiency skyrocket. In fact, Qiao Ran can even use the Tokiwa Power on them. What's even more amazing is that he can make them Wild Area to recover their stamina during battles.
Even if becoming Qiao Ran's Pokémon has a million downsides, the mere fact that it can boost battle power is extremely important in the current Pokémon World. For this Torn World, she can do even more.
Besides... Qiao Ran never did anything excessive to her just because she was a "Pokémon" or anything like that. On the contrary, he was even more considerate of her, treating her like family.
"He's really... quite good."
Mei once wanted to forget her relationship with Qiao Ran and asked Lillie to try, but in the end she gave up. She didn't really want to forget this man. Perhaps... this is for the best.
If it's him, then it's all worth it.
"Yes, I don't regret it either."
Lillie and Mei expressed the same view, saying that their lives only changed after meeting Qiao Ran. To others, becoming Pokémon might seem like a Degraded Copy of relationships, but in the hearts of true Pokémon Trainer, even Pokémon are friends who are equals.
"Hmm... I understand..."
After listening to Qiao Ran and the others' stories, Acerola had a pretty good idea of what everyone was thinking. However, after hearing so much, she was still a little confused and couldn't make a decision.
"In other words, if I want to travel with you... it would be best if I were the same as you...?"
"Hmm." Qiao Ran nodded. "Otherwise, we wouldn't have left you alone in this world; it would be too dangerous."
"I understand..."
Acerola closed her eyes and pondered for a while longer.
"Could you give me a little bit of thought?"
She looked at Qiao Ran, a smile appearing on her face.
"While we have this time, how about you tell me some more stories of your past adventures?"
The adventures that Qiao Ran and his companions had previously experienced could not be fully recounted in a short time.
However, since Acerola was willing to listen, Qiao Ran was happy to talk to her about it.
"Let's start from the first time Mei and I met."
He smiled and looked at Mei: "You probably wouldn't believe it, but Mei back then wasn't like this, full of energy."
"How could that be?" Mei rolled her eyes and couldn't help but push Qiao Ran, who was acting strangely.
"Back then... at most I just didn't have any ideas!"
She had just come from the Real World and knew nothing about it. She hadn't encountered anyone from the Pokémon World yet, and everything around her was unfamiliar. It would be strange if she wasn't nervous.
Not everyone is like Miss Sabrina, with a big heart, able to thrive anywhere.
However, there was another thing that Mei still couldn't understand: even though they were Pokémon World, why did she wake up earlier than Miss Sabrina?
Is it due to regional differences?
"After meeting Mei, we..."
Qiao Ran continued the conversation, revealing a wealth of stories between them, spanning both Alola and Galar.
Acerola listened with great interest. She had loved listening to her parents tell stories since she was a child. Her father was also the Gym Leader of the Malie City. From a very young age, she spent a lot of time in the library, gaining knowledge from the stories in books.
However, many things happened afterward, and now Acerola is all alone. Perhaps this is why she cares so much about these orphans.
"... a city in Otherworld was actually..."
Hundreds or thousands of Genesect attacked? Is everything alright over there?
When Qiao Ran talks about emergencies, Acerola gets very nervous, but when she hears that they have found new companions, she feels very happy.
"I never imagined you two would live together with Miss Cynthia and Miss Sabrina."
Acerola looked at Qiao Ran and the others with envy. In the Pokémon World, Cynthia and Sabrina were household names. One was the pinnacle of Trainer, and the other was a heartthrob in the movies. No one could possibly not know them.
Living under the same roof with two people like these is a scene that many people can only dream of.
"Ah... hahahaha."
Qiao Ran could only chuckle awkwardly. What would Acerola's reaction be if he told her here that they ate takeout every day at Sabrina's house?
International superstars and Pokémon League Champion eat boxed lunches every day.
However, in the end, in order to protect the image of Sabrina and Cynthia, he didn't say anything about it. Some things... are probably better left unsaid.
The conversation lasted all night. It was a pleasant thing to communicate with companions who could understand each other. Taking this opportunity, Qiao Ran and Mei also reflected on the past. After all, there are many things that not everyone experiences together, and everyone may have things that others do not know.
From the moment they met, and from hearing about their recent battle together, Acerola could sense the thrill and suspense just from their words.
"That's wonderful... She looks about my age, but she knows so much, has seen so much, and has helped so many people."
Acerola envied Qiao Ran and Qiao Ran friends' lives. She originally thought they were just a group of Trainer passing through Alola who happened to get caught up in the crisis, but now it seems they are even more powerful than she imagined.
Compared to her, who protected a group of children, Qiao Ran and his colleagues who did so much quietly are the truly great people.
"If I could... I'd really like to join."
"But please, let me think about it for another night, okay? Please?"
Acerola clasped her hands together and made her request. Her heart told her that she should join, that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but her reason told her that once she made this decision, there would be no turning back.
Perhaps, spending a night thinking about it is the best approach.
"Certainly."
Qiao Ran and the others nodded in agreement. Having just gone through a battle with Guzzlord, they and their Pokémon to rest. If they rushed out to travel right after such an intense battle, even if their bodies could handle it, the Pokémon would definitely protest.
The Real World.
"..."
Sabrina returned home alone. Looking at the empty living room, she sat down on the sofa and turned on her phone.
In her contacts, she noticed a new number named "Brock." Recalling everything that had happened during the day, her expression became increasingly complicated.
Something's not right.
Something's really wrong.
Let's go back to the time when she first met that man at the Gym—
At first glance, she immediately thought of a certain Gym Leader in the Kanto Region. However, compared to that Gym Leader, this man was clearly much older, so her judgment was—
"You are... Brock's father?"
Her guess was perfectly reasonable; however, to her surprise, the man directly denied it.
"Wrong."
"It's been almost twenty years, hasn't it, Sabrina?"
The man revealed a fact that stunned Sabrina.
"I'm Brock."
Sabrina: "...?"
Her expression froze on her face. After scrutinizing the other person for a long time, she finally continued the conversation.
"You... are Brock???"
In her mind, Brock was a young man in his twenties, how could he possibly be this middle-aged man who looked to be in his forties?
This is so unreasonable and illogical!
"Wait a minute, you just said it's been a long time since we last saw each other?"
Sabrina suddenly realized a very important piece of information. She covered her forehead with her hand, and an unprecedented thought began to grow in her heart. A chill also began to spread quietly from her back.
No... that can't be, right?
"How long... I can't remember exactly, but it must have been more than ten years, almost twenty years, right?"
"Brock" scratched his head, a slightly Burmese smile appearing on his honest face.
"You really are as beautiful as you were back then... Miss Sabrina."
I'm taking half a day off for Section 61.
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"No... where did you get that idea? We haven't seen each other for almost twenty years?"
Sabrina stared at his face and asked that question.
However, it's less of a question and more of a confirmation of some information.
"I've only been in this world for a total of two or three months."
Just as Sabrina said, although she knew nothing about what happened between when she lost consciousness and when she woke up in this world, only two or three months had passed since she awoke.
In other words, based on her perception, the time she and Brock hadn't seen each other was only two or three months.
"Two or three months... wait a minute?"
Hearing Sabrina's words, it was Brock on the other side who was startled, and beads of sweat appeared on his muscular body.
"I've clearly been here for almost twenty years!"
Brock simply couldn't believe it, but... the Sabrina who appeared before him unequivocally confirmed her words—this appearance, exactly the same as it had been back then, wasn't because she was naturally beautiful, but simply because she hadn't experienced that period of time!
"No... impossible!"
Brock was completely dumbfounded.
Back to the present, after a long day at work, Sabrina has returned home and is lying on the sofa.
Recalling what had happened, she couldn't help but sigh.
The conversation at the Gym didn't last long. After all, Sabrina still had her job as Gym Leader to do. The Trainer were coming to challenge her were already prepared, and she couldn't just stand them up. She had just taken over as Gym Leader and needed to build a good reputation.
Brock is also a Gym Leader in the Pokémon World, understands Sabrina's reasons. As a Gym Leader, it is indeed her duty.
"Let's talk again another time, Miss Sabrina."
"Hmm... next time, I might bring a few people with me. They might have a different opinion."
The two did not reach any clear conclusion on the spot. The only thing Sabrina knew was that there was definitely something wrong with Brock and her schedule, but no one knew which one it was.
However, the discrepancy is far too great—a few months versus nearly twenty years—and this cannot be explained by mere coincidence or anything else.
She could only temporarily note down the other party's contact information. Brock also said that he would be staying nearby for a while and that she could contact him anytime if needed.
"..."