At the training ground, Sato and Shiping were discussing how to direct Gardevoir in a way that suited her fighting style.
Shiping did most of the talking, while Sato and Gardevoir listened attentively.
Suddenly, Gardevoir sharply raised her head and looked toward the sky, where a sesame-sized white dot was rapidly flying closer.
"Whining!"
Glaceon excitedly jumped up, having already recognized who it was.
"Cynthia's here. We can discuss the rest another time. I won't interrupt you two lovebirds after your little reunion."
Shiping said smiling happily, completely unlike the aloof person he had been when they first met.
"Alright, I'll bring Cynthia back to the wooden house to see you later."
Sato nodded, openly agreeing with Shiping's teasing. After being teased so often over the past year, he had long since grown used to it.
Shiping shook his head, finding it rather boring, then turned and headed toward the wooden house alone with Serperior.
The other Pokémon still training also stopped, all looking eagerly at Sato.
"That's enough for today. Everyone, go do whatever you want!"
All the Pokemon cheered before dispersing in groups of two and three.
Of course, Greninja, Absol, Tyranitar, and the others had never understood what rest was. They immediately began extra training on their own.
"Gardevoir~" (Cynthia is here, so I'll go prepare lunch first~) Gardevoir called out a greeting before Teleporting back to the wooden house.
By then, the white dot in the sky had gradually grown larger. It was Cynthia, riding in on Togekiss.
"Togekiss~"
Togekiss slowly landed and lowered her body to make it easier for Cynthia to dismount.
"You've worked hard, Togekiss."
"Togekiss (˙▽˙)~"
Cynthia then turned to look at Sato as he walked over.
"You're here!"
"Mm."
Their brief yet tacit exchange brought their hearts a little closer.
Sato