Chapter 297

And this is precisely the most dangerous minefield.

"So, I understand that... well... let's just stay where we are for now... for the sake of the Pokémon World."

"But even so..."

"When we're alone, just look at me... okay?"

Lillie looked at Qiao Ran's face, and her adorable expression made Qiao Ran want to hug her. However, due to the limitations of the Battle Court, Qiao Ran ultimately restrained himself from such an impulse.

He knew the other person had a point, and that they had said those words after a huge internal struggle and under immense psychological pressure, but...

"It's my fault."

Qiao Ran grasped Lillie's hand and said.

"But I will never let go."

From the moment he accepted Dianxi and Vulpix, Qiao Ran's path was one that brought happiness to everyone.

Just like Lillie said before, since favoring either side will lead to disintegration, wouldn't it solve most problems if everyone were on the same page?

As Pokémon Trainer, this is indeed the proper way to do it.

But... thinking of Lillie's sacrifice, he could only repay her with more love and pity. What Qiao Ran said was not just empty words.

"I'll tell your mother about this when we go back to the Aether House."

"Uh-huh."

Lillie nodded, her face flushing slightly.

How wonderful it would be if they could meet like this in a peaceful era.

But...

Even now, this would be enough.

After some time, the fighters in the arena gradually finished their battles.

"So strong."

Although the challenge came suddenly, Anabel's strength still left a deep impression on the group.

In addition to Mismagius, Pokémon she had already encountered before, she also used Weavile and Alakazam, among which none of the Pokémon the same type.

And, most importantly--

This level of skill... has definitely reached the level of Elite Four!

Of the three who challenged Anabel, only Mei managed to gain some advantage, narrowly Defeat Weavile. Mei and Acerola, on the other hand, were clearly not so lucky.

The power of Elite Four Trainer below Elite Four is still very strong.

To bridge this gap, it's estimated that only some Legendary Pokémon or extremely powerful "Pseudo-legendary could do it.

"What an amazing battle!"

"Yes!"

"Papapapapa--"

Not only them, but even some of the Trainer watching from the sidelines applauded. These Trainer who came to train probably didn't expect that such a group of strong people would suddenly appear.

Moreover, judging from their appearance, they were a group of very young girls...

"Rotom, have you recorded almost everything?"

"Everything's done, Rotom."

Mei and her friends didn't deliberately hide their identities, and the Competition was taking place in an ordinary Training Ground, visible to all the Trainer. Since that was the case— Qiao Ran didn't miss the opportunity to record the battle properly, thinking it would make for another short video.

Most importantly, the people fighting are all Trainer from the Pokémon World, which might attract other Pokémon World players as well.

"Wonderful!"

Qiao Ran couldn't help but praise himself, thinking that only he could come up with such a brilliant plan that killed two birds with one stone.

After the battle, everyone had a meal together. Through the experience of fighting, Anabel and Mei seemed to have gotten much closer.

"You guys are really amazing... You look much younger than me, but you've already reached this level."

Actually, she had already noticed these girls on the Battle Train, but she didn't expect that an even more outrageous boy would suddenly appear.

In retrospect, they are indeed very good Trainer.

"Back in your time... well... I was probably at about the same level."

Anabel couldn't help but say something else, but once she said it, it also...

I don't know if he was trying to praise Mei and the others, or if he was indirectly Flatter himself.

We still have a long way to go.

Mei and the others were quite humble. Originally, they might have been very confident in their abilities, especially when compared with their peers, which made them very prone to feeling arrogant. However, after running around with Qiao Ran for a while, they gradually realized the cruelty of this world.

There are many things more powerful than them, and many things more terrifying than them.

Their current strength is far from enough... Let alone Defeat those Monsters, they might not even be able to help Qiao Ran in the end.

That's not the ending they wanted to see.

"Alright! Now it's up to me to break through to the Elite Four level!"

Mei clenched her fists with renewed Vital Spirit. With the pressure and experience brought by Mei, coupled with the insights gained from today's battle, her Decidueye seemed to have truly grasped some key points.

Before her next Gym challenge, she wanted to give everyone a surprise.

"Mei, do your best! Do your best!"

Acerola also has high hopes for Mei. Although she herself is still some distance from becoming Elite Four, she is very happy to see her friend getting stronger and stronger.

I remember the first time I met Mei in Alola. Back then, Mei was a Trainer who had just started her Island Challenge and didn't have much time. Her strength was also a bit weaker than mine. But now, she has surpassed me by quite a bit.

"You can definitely do it."

Anabel nodded as well.

"I'll be staying here for the next few days. Feel free to ask me any questions about training."

"Um!"

Although Anabel's memories of the Pokémon World didn't recover much today, the fact that they were able to strengthen their relationship and had a thrilling Pokémon battle was enough.

After dinner, Qiao Ran said goodbye to Anabel and returned to the Pokémon Center with the girls. Qiao Ran and Anabel had actually had the least interaction that day, because... he clearly had more things to deal with.

"Ugh, I really want to go back and get some rest."

Qiao Ran just wanted to go back and get a good night's sleep, but it was clear that he wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. Lillie didn't seem to be going to let him off the hook, and neither would Dianxi.

He was even prepared to work late into the night running between the two places.

In order to be in better spirits that night, Qiao Ran went back and immediately lay down to rest for a while.

However--

When Qiao Ran returned to his room, he hadn't even had a chance to rest for long when there was a knock on his door.

"Lillie?"

Qiao Ran's expression suddenly turned strange. Wait, she hadn't even been back to rest for long! Why was she here already?

Isn't this a bit too... a little too hasty?

I don't want that kind of thing!

"..."

Although she was inwardly complaining, Qiao Ran still had to open the door, so she got out of bed and dragged her tired body to open it.

However—the girl who appeared before him did not seem to be the one he had imagined.

It was someone else.

"Qiao Ran... um... I have something to take care of..."

Mei, who had just finished Mei, appeared in front of Qiao Ran. Unlike her usual bagel-shaped pigtails, she simply let her chestnut hair down. Although she looked less lively and cute, she appeared much more gentle and beautiful than before.

She really looks like a pretty girl next door.

"Could we... go inside and talk?"

Mei raised her head and looked at the man in front of her.

This problem bothered her all day, and she couldn't help but think about it even during the battle.

Indeed, I still need to ask to find out.

She... actually didn't want the team to develop a rift like this.

"I just wanted to ask..."

He welcomed Mei into the room and had her sit beside him. The chestnut-haired girl seemed hesitant to speak, but in the end, she did.

"Has something happened between you and Lillie? I feel like you're hiding something from me... like you've been doing something strange behind my back."

Actually, it wasn't just Lillie; even Mei's behavior was quite strange. However, Mei's strangeness was different from her confusion. Mei —perhaps she knew something, which was why she acted that way.

Clearly, she had her own thoughts on the matter.

So, Mei was completely kept in the dark about all of this, except for Acerola, who had only recently joined them and was still a bit confused about the situation.

"..."

Upon hearing Mei's question, Qiao Ran's eyes flickered slightly. Mei... had actually noticed these things too?

In Qiao Ran's memory, Mei has always been a very Hustle girl, but she is obviously more focused on Pokémon battles. Most importantly, her sensitivity in this area is indeed much Oblivious than that of Lillie and the others.

Even for someone like Mei, it's time to notice these abnormalities.

"I..."

Qiao Ran fell silent once again. After a long while, he finally sighed and made up his mind.

Some things really need to be clarified. Even if these things have happened, he has to act like a man and face all the problems head-on.

He may have thought about running away in the past, but that wouldn't solve the problem; everything would just be stagnation. Only by expressing his thoughts and current situation can the problem be solved.

If bringing happiness to everyone is his wish, then he should state it openly and honestly, and take full responsibility for it. If he doesn't even have that courage, then there's no point in talking about anything else.

"Lillie and I... it's already happened..."

"Tap tap tap."

Just as Qiao Ran had prepared himself and was about to speak, his doorbell rang again.

"Qiao Ran... Qiao Ran, are you there?"

This time, it was Mei's voice coming from the doorway.

Since morning, Mei had been thinking a lot. It would be best if Lillie and Qiao Ran's relationship could progress further. Wasn't that the reason she found Lillie yesterday and specifically said those things?

However, after seeing that scene today, no matter how Mei thought about it, she always felt a sense of unease and stagnation in her heart.

Let's just talk to Qiao Ran.

--I have to tell him that he needs to treat Lillie well.

Yes, that's right, that's why I came here.

With this in mind, Mei sneaked up to Qiao Ran's door. Everyone had just returned and was probably resting and relaxing. Even Lillie wouldn't come looking for Qiao Ran at a time like this.

Mei had already planned everything. She estimated that talking to Qiao Ran for a few minutes wouldn't take much time, and she could mainly express her thoughts so that she wouldn't feel so upset.

"Qiao Ran, you..."

However, when Qiao Ran opened the door, Mei, who was about to speak, saw another familiar figure behind Qiao Ran.

--Mea Mei.

"Huh? Mei?"

Mei panicked for a moment, but immediately sensed something was off.