Chapter 295

Generally speaking, Qiao Ran wouldn't proactively engage in these activities, not because he was unwilling, but because his daily routines already occupied most of his time. As a Pokémon Trainer, how could he waste too much time on such trivial matters...?

"Hmm..."

However, these are ultimately just excuses.

When these things happen to him, he is the one who reacts first.

"..."

Looking at the blonde girl lying on the bed, silent, Qiao Ran couldn't help but swallow.

Although Lillie came here because she couldn't sleep, it seems that she's not the only one having trouble sleeping...

What's the next step?

"I... I didn't know..."

Lillie blushed again and looked away, muttering something in a barely audible voice.

"It's already like this... so whatever you want with it..."

The next day arrived.

"What... is going on with you guys?"

Seeing Lillie walk out of Qiao Ran's room, the girls all wore completely different expressions.

If Lillie had simply appeared in Qiao Ran's room, they wouldn't have reacted this way. But... from Lillie now, they sensed a strange "feeling."

This feeling was especially strong when Lillie stood beside Qiao Ran, looking both shy and happy.

Something's not right.

Mei sensed something was off, but didn't know how to put it.

Battles with Pokémon are different things; they are indeed very complicated.

Mei, on the other hand, wore an expression of "I knew it," as if to say, "Lillie... did she succeed?"

If she has already succeeded...

"?" Acerola, on the other side, was completely clueless about what had happened. Why was this group of people frozen here so early in the morning?

Is it some kind of tradition?

"Let's all go have breakfast together."

In the end, it was Lillie who took the initiative to break the awkward silence.

"We still need to go find Miss Anabel later."

"Yes... yes."

Mei chimed in, helping Lillie cover for her. Although she felt a little empty inside, this was the result she had hoped for. Her best friend had achieved her wish, and it was all worth it.

Qiao Ran stood at the door of the room, watching the group walk towards the Restaurant. He could only smile slightly and shake his head helplessly.

Although Lillie's movements are still a bit unnatural, there shouldn't be any major damage, right?

Given Qiao Ran's enhanced physique, it is indeed too powerful for an ordinary human. Although Lillie was possessed by Nihilego, theoretically, Nihilego's possession would not bring much physical enhancement, but rather a change in nature.

However, even so, Qiao Ran's Tokiwa Power can handle most problems in this situation. But if he were to use Tokiwa Power, it would also produce terrible side effects, especially in certain special circumstances.

This is also why Qiao Ran carefully controls the dosage and timing when facing Vulpix and Dianxi.

But ultimately, these are all theoretical things. When it comes to actual practice, who knows where they'll be forgotten?

"So sleepy..."

Qiao Ran couldn't help but Yawn. Not only had he not slept well, but he also had to keep using the Tokiwa Power. Wasn't he going to suffer a huge loss this time?

"Etc..."

"I think I've forgotten something?"

Suddenly, Qiao Ran, who was following behind several girls, froze on the spot, and a figure gradually became clear in his mind.

Dianxi...

Etc.

I think I promised Dianxi I'd go see her that night, during the battle?

"We're doomed."

Qiao Ran instantly turned grayish-white and crouched in the corner, clutching his head.

Although Dianxi has a good temper, this time she really stood me up. She'll definitely be angry, right?

Did she wait all night?

"..."

How much compensation is needed this time?

"What a huge loss!"

Qiao Ran could only sigh, expressing the bitterness in his heart.

Why am I always the one who gets hurt?

After having breakfast in a strange atmosphere, it was almost time for Anabel to come out. However, Lillie and the others had been handling this matter, so Qiao Ran didn't say much. He just needed to go with them.

The problems between them are clearly something they understand better themselves. As for Qiao Ran, he's too busy dealing with his own issues to even think about taking the initiative to get closer to her.

"The Gym reservation results are in."

Upon arriving at the Pokémon Center's lobby to rest, everyone noticed the reservation board on the central display screen. It showed the names of Trainer who had recently booked Gym Challenge. In the Huaxia Alliance, Gym Challenge are nominally open to spectators, so even if the challenges aren't held in an Open Tournament format, matches by Trainer attract a lot of attention.

By displaying their names at the Pokémon Center, people can know when they can go to observe and learn.

Of course, when the names of Qiao Ran and a few others appeared on the screen, it did attract a lot of attention. Judging from the situation, there would likely be many more Trainer watching their Competition.

"Um... Qiao Ran and I are in two days, and the rest of you, Mei, are in three days."

Mei leaned closer and looked at the names displayed on the screen one by one.

"I'll be able to challenge the Gym soon..."

Mei couldn't help but sigh, but it seemed no one was listening to her.

When she turned around, apart from Acerola, who was still clueless and full of questions about what had happened, Mei and Lillie were both in a daze.

"Huh? Were you calling me just now?"

After a few seconds of stunned silence, Mei realized that her name had been mentioned.

"Ah... Gym Battle, huh? Hmm, that's... pretty good."

Mei's mind is not on this matter at all right now.

However, her reaction clearly surprised Mei. Mei already felt something was off that morning, and now it seemed... everyone was acting a little strange.

Mei, who originally wanted to challenge the Gym just like her, has suddenly changed her mind?

"You... you're not hiding something from me, are you?"

No, no.

"Really, no."

Like a stone thrown into still water, Lillie Mei immediately shook their heads, indicating that nothing had really happened.

They're all perfectly fine.

"Really not?"

"Real."

Such conversations had been going on since morning, and even if Mei Oblivious, she shouldn't have been unaware of this.

Even Acerola, an outsider standing nearby, sensed something amiss.

Mei herself felt her thirst for knowledge growing stronger and stronger.

No, we have to figure this out.

Mei gritted her teeth secretly. Since Lillie Mei wouldn't say anything, she might as well sneak off to Qiao Ran tonight and find out exactly what happened.

If things continue like this, and I get ostracized, what will become of the team?

Can't we resolve any problem by talking it out properly?

Why did you keep this from me?

Even so, they still had to do what they had agreed on beforehand. Today, they had specifically Anabel to come out, not only to see the sights of Rongcheng, but also to subtly try to restore her memories, and also to—have Pokémon battle with her.

Hello everyone.

Arriving at the agreed-upon square, the group finally met Anabel, who was dressed in her everyday clothes. However, even in her everyday attire, she was simply wearing a jacket and pants like a boy, and she was also wearing large sunglasses, making her look like a cool older sister. Compared to Lillie's style of dress, they were probably two completely different extremes.

However, this is quite normal. If you were to force Lillie to wear Cynthia's clothes, and then have Cynthia wear Lillie's clothes... Putting aside whether the sizes would fit, just imagining that scene... Qiao Ran's expression gradually became strange.

Having met the person they were waiting for, the group decided to first visit some old buildings and tourist attractions in the city, and then continue their usual supernatural activity of shopping around noon or in the afternoon.

Is this your first time visiting this city?

"Miss Anabel too?"

"Yes, I used to live in... I don't know where I lived."

"Wherever I am, I found a job in Magic City, so it doesn't matter where I live now."

When it came to her past, Anabel, who was usually very sharp-minded, began to stumble and stammer, which further confirmed Acerola's earlier point that Anabel's memories from before were probably indeed problematic.

However, since they weren't yet familiar enough to discuss these things, Anabel probably deliberately didn't bring it up too much.

The same applies to Mei. She had forgotten most of her things, which led to a clear distrust of her surroundings. Fortunately, she hadn't forgotten the Pokémon World, which gave Mei Qiao Ran the opportunity to communicate. If Mei had forgotten the Pokémon World, things probably wouldn't have gone so smoothly.

The girls exchanged glances, deciding to make good use of this time to try and awaken Anabel's memories, or at least to get to know her better.

As for Qiao Ran, she basically just slacked off on the sidelines the whole way, and only pulled herself in to take group photos when they needed to.

During the break, Qiao Ran let Dianxi out and comforted her. However, even when facing Dianxi, who was clearly a little angry, Qiao Ran did not mention what happened last night, but simply used "being too tired during the day" as an excuse.

After all, if this were really revealed, Dianxi would probably turn evil on the spot.

"Ah! It's Dianxi!"

"Really? So cute!"

"Can we take a picture together?"

"Mom! I want to take a picture with Dianxi! I want a picture with her!"

Qiao Ran, who released Dianxi, was immediately captured by tourists passing by in the scenic area, and then began an endless series of photo opportunities. In the end, he was surrounded by many layers of tourists, and even he himself became a tourist attraction.

After one person finishes taking a photo, there's another one, and after that, there's yet another. It's simply an impossible project to complete.

When all else failed, Qiao Ran could only secretly summon Latias and have her Teleport him out.

"Call..."

Seeing the worried faces of the girls in front of him, Qiao Ran finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Neither he nor Dianxi were good at rejecting the enthusiasm of others. Although Qiao Ran's initial thought was just to chat with Dianxi, and Dianxi seemed sullen at first, in the end, the two of them were surrounded by enthusiastic crowds to the point of despair, and could only use Teleport to escape.

"I wish Nebby were here right now."

Qiao Ran couldn't help but think of another Pokémon that could Teleport. Nebby was small, so teleporting people would be even more discreet. However, Nebby was still asleep, sleeping even more soundly than those Snorlax. Who knew when it would wake up again?

"This is... actually quite popular."

Anabel, standing to the side, looked at Qiao Ran and Dianxi with some surprise. She had never paid much attention to these trending topics online, but now it seemed that Qiao Ran was more famous than she had imagined.

"It's all about Dianxi's popularity; the Trainer are just decorations. It's a pity nobody understands that."

Qiao Ran shook his head and sighed, but immediately earned a roll of his eyes from Dianxi.

"Alright, alright, it's good that you're out."

Lillie stepped forward and helped Qiao Ran straighten the wrinkles in his clothes. Her actions seemed as natural as if it were the most natural thing in the world. However, Dianxi, Levitate next to Qiao Ran, still blinked in confusion.