Chapter 301

"Um..."

Upon hearing Qiao Ran's question, the girls couldn't help but exchange glances.

"Yes... yes, it's quite insightful."

"Uh-huh."

The group tacitly agreed on their story.

The reason I didn't come back at noon wasn't just because of training; the biggest reason was actually what happened last night.

Even though so much time has passed, and they have thought things through and made their own choices and compromises, they still need some time to adjust.

A day of training isn't just about improving one's combat capabilities; it probably also involves...

This opportunity allows me to temporarily Paralysis my own thoughts.

Just as the atmosphere suddenly began to turn strange, Acerola finally spoke up.

"Yes, especially Mei, she'll probably take another step forward soon."

She may have discovered something, or she may not have Frisk anything, but when everyone saw her adorable appearance and energetic expression, they couldn't help but smile.

"I'm an expert in Ghost-type, and I know a lot about Decidueye."

Acerola patted her empty chest in assurance, but she overlooked one problem: if Mei's Decidueye broke through to the Elite Four level, could she still maintain her title as a Ghost-type expert?

"I'm just a little bit short."

Mei neither confirmed nor denied it. After all, breakthroughs are something no one can truly explain; sometimes it's just a matter of not having grasped a certain feeling. Even if she asked Mei, who had been through it all, she wouldn't get any answers. As for asking Qiao Ran, she'd probably only get one answer—what is a bottleneck? Can you eat it???

For Qiao Ran, it seemed that she had never felt any problems in this regard. This unique advantage was something that the girls had envied for a long time.

The group chatted idly for a while, and before they knew it, evening had arrived.

Qiao Ran sat in her room, staring intently at her bedroom door.

"..."

Will anyone come?

Someone should be coming, right?

They didn't mention anything during the day... Could it be that they've really come to their senses?

This immense pressure, like a ball being kicked around, returned to Qiao Ran's shoulders.

However, unbeknownst to Qiao Ran, the girls had actually gathered together on their own; Mei, Mei, and Lillie were all in Lillie's room.

During the day, with the other Trainer and Acerola present, they couldn't say anything else, but now, there are some things that need to be discussed.

Acerola doesn't understand anything yet... and there's no need for her to know these things. Besides, even if she knew, it wouldn't change the current situation.

The one who tied the knot must untie it; only the three of them can solve the problem.

"Lillie... do you really want to see him like that?"

Mei didn't understand Lillie's choice last night. In her opinion, Lillie had given so much and done so many things, but at the last moment she took a step back, which was simply incomprehensible.

She thought a lot after she got home last night. Recalling everything Qiao Ran said last night, her heart gradually became complicated.

"I agree with Qiao Ran's judgment."

Lillie nodded.

"I don't want to see everyone fall apart because of me..."

Nothing is perfect, but at least... Lillie knows what's Heavy Slam. Perhaps if she took one more step, she could have Qiao Ran all to herself, but if this would cause everyone to be separated, she would rather that nothing had happened and everything remained the same as before.

"No matter what, I can be by his side... and you can be too, isn't that good enough?"

A faint smile appeared on Lillie's face. After thinking for so long, she had come to her own answer.

Since she has nothing to give up, she might as well make the same choice as Qiao Ran.

As for what he said yesterday.

He said he wanted to bring happiness to everyone...

Lillie placed her hand on her chest. At first, she might not have understood Qiao Ran, but as she thought about it more deeply, she gradually came to understand him.

Lillie wants to be with Qiao Ran and pursue her own happiness, but... she can't bear to part with her friends, nor can she give up her hope of saving the Pokémon World.

There's nothing that can't be given up, and it's not just Qiao Ran who can't give it up.

"I... maybe I have similar thoughts..."

"Lillie..."

After hearing Lillie's words, not only Mei, but even Mei, who hadn't spoken until now, felt the indescribable emotions.

"You..."

Mei sighed deeply, but after sighing, she moved her body forward slightly, reached out, and gave Lillie a hug.

They were best friends and had been through so much together, but even she herself hadn't realized that Lillie had thought about so many things.

"..."

Mei did the same, reaching out to join in. Everyone remained silent, but this time, they roughly understood each other's thoughts.

No matter what happens, this team will continue.

If they put themselves in Lillie's shoes, they might make similar choices.

"So, do you want to go talk to Qiao Ran alone tonight?"

After everyone gradually came to understand each other, Lillie made an even more surprising suggestion.

"If you don't tell him what you're thinking, he'll pretend he doesn't know."

This item

"It was Mei who told me about this."

Since things have come to this, Lillie decided to let the two of them go all out. Since they had made up their minds, they had to do it well. And the relationship between the two of them and Qiao Ran also needed to be clarified more clearly.

"I... I..."

Mei's face flushed red. Although she understood what Lillie was saying, she just couldn't accept it all at once!

If she were to agree to it so readily, it would feel as strange as if she had stolen her best friend's boyfriend, even though it was indeed Qiao Ran, whom she had known for a longer period.

But... but...

Mei really couldn't overcome this heavy psychological burden.

"I..." Mei, on the other hand, blushed and began to think seriously.

Previously, she only thought about challenging Gym to increase her strength, but she never thought about this aspect... No, it's not that she never thought about it, but she had always deliberately avoided it.

It wasn't until what happened yesterday that she understood her own thoughts. In any case, after Qiao Ran was taken away, she felt sadness and grief, and this heavy emotion could not be deceived by anyone.

"I... I want to talk to him..."

She clenched her fists, and a powerful courage burst forth from her petite yet astonishing body.

As a Trainer, she has never lacked the courage to make a decision; however, she has spent far too much time trying to confirm her own feelings.

"In that case, I'll tell you a few things too..."

Lillie leaned close to Mei's ear and whispered something. Mei was standing nearby, didn't hear it clearly, but she could clearly see that Mei's ears turned red instantly.

"Is... is this really going to happen?"

"Mmm..." Lillie nodded, blushing.

The conversation between the two did not last long, and Mei, Bide, finally asked a question.

"Um... what exactly are you talking about?"

"We'll tell you when Mei makes up her mind."

"?"

Lillie and Mei exchanged a knowing glance, while Mei blinked in confusion.

What... what is this even talking about?

Meanwhile, in Qiao Ran's room.

Having waited for no one, Qiao Ran had already thrown herself into other matters that needed to be dealt with. Rotom's video had been completed thanks to her extremely high processing efficiency. However, before she could upload it directly to the internet, she still needed to send a copy to the Director to see if he had any suggestions for revision.

After all, you're obligated to do something for someone else, so you have to listen to their suggestions for improvement.

In addition, Qiao Ran also took advantage of social media platforms to find several Uploader) online who were willing to help produce backing tracks. Judging from their number of followers, these people were quite well-known.

"Money isn't that important. The main thing is that I get to collaborate with that singer. Maybe I can even ride on their popularity."

Although these people said they didn't care much about the remuneration, Qiao Ran didn't intend to be stingy about it. After all, judging from Altaria's situation, she wasn't the kind of idol singer who would graduate after singing a few songs. She would definitely have many more songs to sing in the future.

Therefore, maintaining a long-term and stable cooperative relationship with these people is still very necessary.

As for the most important thing right now, it's probably to finish the instrumental arrangement for the song "Together" so that the Altaria can officially debut.

"Tap tap tap."

Just as Qiao Ran was fiddling with the notebook on the table, writing a requirements document, the door to the room suddenly rang.

Is someone knocking on the door?

"... who?"

Qiao Ran's heart jumped into her throat.

Is it Lillie?

Or is it someone else?

After hearing what they said yesterday, what was their decision?

Although Qiao Ran had already expressed his thoughts yesterday, to be honest, he felt even more uneasy afterward.

He was afraid that if someone disagreed with his explanation, and if that really happened... he really couldn't accept that outcome.

"Qiao Ran, it's me."

It was Mei's voice that came from the doorway.

Mei?

Reaching the door of the room and opening it, Qiao Ran saw the girl with long chestnut hair and a faint fragrance emanating from her body.

Did she just take a shower?

"Ah... well, whatever it is, let's come in first and talk about it then."

Qiao Ran opened the door fully, letting the girl into the room. The two avoided eye contact, but both knew that what was about to happen was likely to be a very important conversation.

The laptop on the table was still lit up, and Qiao Ran didn't turn it off immediately, while Mei sat down on the edge of the bed and started fiddling with her hair.

Even a simple skirt couldn't hide her charm, especially after letting down her distinctive twin ponytails; on the contrary, she...

It does appear somewhat softer.

Qiao Ran thought that those who would be called virtuous wives and loving mothers in the future would probably be girls with this kind of temperament.

"That... that one."

After hesitating for a while, Mei finally spoke slowly.

Just like Lillie said, nothing can be changed if nothing is done, but she still wanted to find out what the other person thought first.

"Um... Qiao Ran, what do you think of me?"

Mei tentatively probed Qiao Ran's feelings, and Qiao Ran, in turn, saw no need to dodge the question.

They had nowhere to escape, nowhere to retreat.

All we can do now is keep moving forward.