The only sound echoing through the quiet dojo was Incineroar's thunderous snoring.
Though it was somewhat strange for such a broad-backed, burly Incineroar to purr in its sleep.
Still, it was a feline Pokémon after all. Purring only when comfortable and at ease was simply part of the package.
"Honestly, you're exactly the same as when you were still Litten."
As he murmured softly, Su Hao's palm slowly moved along the direction of Incineroar's fur.
Just like when he used to pet Litten.
The feel was a little strange now that he could touch its muscles beneath the fur, but Su Hao still enjoyed this long-lost moment of peace.
Still, Su Hao did have a few regrets.
After everything he had been through, he had come to realize just how precious that leisurely period after receiving his Pokémon had been.
Litten had evolved rapidly as its training progressed, making it easy to overlook an important fact beneath its broad, muscular exterior—it was still a kitten under a year old.
Diancie, whose hands were firmly gripped in the sleeping Incineroar's tiger paw on the other side, felt the same way.
Though it had still been a rather immature Carbink back then, it also felt that it would have been better if they had made more precious memories during that time.
Don't rush. Travel and live slowly.
They could do that now, but... there was no need.
It was precisely those imperfect memories that had shaped who they were now.
"I didn't expect only ten years had passed here..."
Thinking of what he had learned from talking with Incineroar earlier, Su Hao murmured quietly.
Before opening the passage between the two worlds, Su Hao had mentally prepared himself for the possibility that decades had passed, even though time had flowed more slowly