Chapter 299

Can she let go?

Can she still act as if nothing happened, offer her blessings to Lillie, and willingly give up everything?

"Waaah..."

Mei had never deeply considered her feelings before; she simply spent each day with Qiao Ran and the others without ever thinking of taking the initiative to do anything. But... that's clearly not going to work now.

What you don't fight for yourself will eventually be taken away by someone else.

Moreover, with the Pokémon World now fragmented, everything is different from before...

"Alright, then prove it to me..."

Mei looked at Qiao Ran.

However, just as Mei was about to speak, Mei couldn't help but make a sound as well, tears welling up in her eyes and her expression incredibly complicated.

"I don't believe him... I don't believe him!"

How can someone who already has Lillie have the audacity to say such things?

Why... can't I just properly cut off these thoughts??

"I will prove it, and so will you, Mei."

Qiao Ran turned his gaze to Mei.

"We've known each other for so long, don't you trust me anymore?"

When Qiao Ran first arrived in Alola, he had already met this girl. Although they didn't travel together for various reasons along the way, Qiao Ran still knew her quite well.

She was the first partner I ever fought alongside against Ultra Beast.

"That kind of thing... has nothing to do with this!"

Mei covered her head.

If she accepts this, how will she face Lillie?

Do you even understand anything?!

"I..."

Qiao Ran wanted to explain, but was immediately startled by a sudden knock on the door.

"Tap tap tap."

Qiao Ran was startled and quickly let go of Mei he was still holding in his arms.

"Who?"

"It's me, Acerola."

"I noticed that Mei and the others aren't in their rooms. Are they here with you?"

Acerola's voice came from the doorway of the room, while the people inside remained silent and exchanged glances.

"Sh--"

Mei made her stance clear with a boo.

The situation here is complicated enough already, why did Acerola get involved too?

"They're not here. They probably went out for a walk, or maybe they went shopping."

"Going out for a walk and shopping? Is it this time?"

Acerola, standing by the door, asked in a puzzled tone, "It's already past Rest for good kids, what are you going out to buy at this hour?"

"Let's put that aside for now... Can we talk privately?"

Acerola then changed the subject and started talking about

After discussing other matters, they suggested we talk privately.

Normally, this wouldn't be a problem, but upon hearing this, all the girls in the room simultaneously turned to look at Qiao Ran. If looks could kill, Qiao Ran would probably have been on the verge of death hundreds of times over.

So petite... like a child, Acerola actually...

"What... what should we talk about?"

"Let's talk about what happened during the day. I felt like Lillie and the others were acting a little strange. Is something on their minds?"

Acerola spoke slowly. Although she hadn't been in the group for long, she had previously worked at the Aether House and had helped many children with their psychological problems. These children, abandoned by their parents, were often not as strong as they seemed. It was through this work that Acerola had become quite perceptive in this regard.

"If you could, could you tell me about it? I'd be happy to help."

"As long as everyone explains things clearly, the problem can definitely be solved."

Acerola continued speaking, but the girls' gazes grew increasingly strange.

Explain yourself... what do you mean by explaining yourself clearly?!

Now it's actually a bit too clear, isn't it?!

"Actually, nothing happened. Everything will be fine tomorrow. I'll talk to them properly."

"Is that so?"

"Yes, yes, there's really no problem, you don't need to worry anymore."

"..."

"Alright then, I won't bother you any longer. Take good care of yourself and get some rest."

After making a few more evasive statements, Acerola finally gave up on the idea of continuing the argument, and the people in the room finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the situation is already quite complicated, if Acerola gets involved, who knows what will happen?

However, after relaxing, the group fell silent simultaneously, unsure of what to say next.

Distracted like this, Mei and Mei's initial excitement cooled down considerably, completely extinguishing their enthusiasm, and now there's no way to reignite it.

"Fine, I don't care what you do anymore!"

"Whatever you want!"

Mei gave up thinking and carefully listened to footsteps at the door for a long time before finally slipping out of Qiao Ran's room.

If she stays here any longer, her mind will probably become even more chaotic.

They might have to Qiao Ran out for a duel in the middle of the night.

"I..."

"I'll think about it carefully."

Seeing Mei leave, Mei hesitated for a moment before following her out. Her thoughts were a bit jumbled, and she needed to calm down.

What exactly happened tonight??

So much had happened that she was starting to lose track of where she was.

Did Qiao Ran just hug me? Did he hug me?

Even though Mei and Lillie were there, they were both watching.

It would be better to go back and tidy it up.

"Lillie, I..."

After Mei left, the once lively room suddenly became quiet, leaving only Qiao Ran and Lillie in the room.

"I..."

"I know."

Lillie walked up to Qiao Ran and sealed his mouth with her finger.

"I know..."

"The reason for doing this must be for the sake of our team."

"..."

Qiao Ran wanted to say something more, but seeing Lillie's trembling gaze, he didn't continue.

She was so convinced of this reason, and she was willing to believe it.

The moment Qiao Ran revealed the truth, she was genuinely terrified—terrified that all their relationships would fall apart.

She was originally just a penniless, created figurehead, a vase dressed like a rich young lady. But now, her friends, everything— Mei, Mei, Qiao Ran... and those Pokémon —are all she has.

Therefore, rather than let everything just collapse like this, she was even willing to believe this reason.

"As long as... as long as everyone can be like before, that's fine."

"However, in private..."

Lillie's body pressed directly against hers.

Be a little nicer to me...

"Okay?"

The matter between the individuals had come to an end, but Qiao Ran's tasks were still far from finished.

Besides comforting Lillie, he also had to go to the Wild Area to see Dianxi and the others. If he went to see Dianxi, he figured Vulpix would be there too, since the two of them were usually together.

Fortunately, Lillie didn't stay overnight in his room; according to her, this was to avoid ruining their relationship.

If they were seen coming out of Qiao Ran's room again, even if they didn't say anything, others would definitely start to speculate.

Therefore, since everyone is to be treated the same, she cannot make an exception for herself unless everyone stays.

"Call..."

After working all night, it was probably past midnight when Qiao Ran finally...

He went back to his room and had a good night's sleep, but when the next day came, he still felt a little dizzy and lightheaded.

However--

It seems that Qiao Ran isn't the only one who's not feeling well.

Hi everyone~

"Hey? What's going on with you all?"

Looking at the group of people who were Deity exhausted, Acerola had a bunch of question marks on her head.

"You guys went out to duel last night?"

"No... no, I'm just having a bit of insomnia."

Mei, Mei, and the others all waved their hands, saying that there was no such thing. If they told the truth, wouldn't they be socially dead on the spot?

Are these Trainer still capable of keeping themselves awake thinking about relationships between men and women?

"Yeah?"

Although Acerola was somewhat skeptical, they did seem to be in better condition than yesterday, and compared to the mysterious atmosphere of yesterday, they were much more reassuring now.

Did Qiao Ran do something?

Acerola couldn't help but think of last night's conversation, which was quite suspicious. They had been talking for a long time, but Qiao Ran hadn't opened the door. If it were the old him, he definitely wouldn't have done that.

Hmm... that's a bit suspicious.

"What are you planning to do today? The Gym is still a few days away, so how about we go train after breakfast?"

Acerola suggested they train together, and the other girls nodded in agreement without refusing. Even Lillie joined in.

She didn't participate in yesterday's Competition against Anabel, but she still can't neglect her training. Her current strength is far from enough, and she won't learn anything from Hilbert Trainer of Anabel's level. But if she doesn't train, she'll never reach that level in her entire life.

After what happened these past two days, Lillie felt even more strongly that she needed to work harder. Only by becoming stronger could she be qualified to stand beside him, especially when everyone around her was constantly getting stronger.

She can't fall behind.

"You guys keep training good, I might need to stay here and think about the video."

"The videos of your battle yesterday, as well as the video of the Altaria, should be sent out now."

Qiao Ran didn't plan to go along. Generally speaking, there are dedicated Training Ground next to the Pokémon Center, so if Qiao Ran wanted to go, it wouldn't take too much time.

Besides... after all that fuss last night, all he wants now is to go back to sleep. Making videos and all that is just an excuse.