Heading to Dewford Town

"Gary, aren't you and Rosa going to stay and watch me challenge the Rustboro Gym next?"

After watching the Rustboro Conference with Ash and the others, Gary and Rosa bid Ash's group farewell.

After hearing Gary's farewell, Ash showed a reluctant expression.

"No. Rosa and I have already stayed in Rustboro City for quite a while. We had originally planned to leave after watching the Rustboro Conference and head for the next Gym city."

Gary had naturally heard the reluctance in Ash's words, so he patiently explained.

"Okay."

Seeing that Gary had made up his mind, Ash did not insist, though he had wanted Gary to see his strength. He agreed reluctantly.

"Rosa, you're leaving too? I really hate to see you go!"

May, standing nearby, took Rosa's hand and likewise expressed her reluctance.

Friendships between girls always formed quickly. In just this one day, May and Rosa, both girls, had become friends and gotten along very well.

Now that they were about to part ways, May truly felt rather reluctant.

"Don't be sad, May. Gary and I are traveling through the Hoenn Region right now, so there will always be chances for us to meet again. We'll see each other then."

Rosa saw the reluctance in May's eyes, so she patted May's hand and comforted her.

"I understand."

After hearing Rosa's comforting words, May nodded.

"I remember that you want to become a Coordinator." After saying that, Rosa looked at May.

"Yes." Although she did not know why Rosa was asking, May still nodded.

"Then work hard toward that goal, May. I hope that the next time I see you, you'll have earned a Ribbon Badge of your own." Rosa encouraged May as she looked at her.

"I understand." After hearing Rosa's words, May nodded firmly.

"Then let's say goodbye here."

After Gary and Rosa bid farewell to Ash, May, and the others, they went their separate ways. Ash's group continued onward toward Rustboro City.

Meanwhile, Gary and Rosa continued their journey through the Hoenn Region, heading toward Dewford Town, where the next Gym was located.

However, Dewford Town was on an island in southwestern Hoenn, so the only way for Gary and Rosa to reach it was by ship.

There happened to be a fairly large harbor near Rustboro City, with ships headed for Dewford Town. Thus, after Gary and Rosa said goodbye to Ash's group, they headed toward the harbor.

"Gary, we're almost at Dewford Town!" Rosa, leaning against the ship's deck railing, looked at the faintly visible island in the distance and called back to Gary, who was lying on a lounge chair Sunbathing.

"Oh, we're getting there already?" Upon hearing Rosa's words, Gary rose from the lounge chair, took off his sunglasses, and walked over to her.

"It really is!" Looking at the vaguely visible island in the distance, Gary raised his brows slightly. "Didn't expect this ship to be so fast!"

Based on their route and the usual sailing speed, it should have taken several more hours to reach Dewford Town.

Yet this ship had arrived several hours earlier than previous voyages.

"Maybe it's because the sea has been calm and the weather has been sunny lately." Rosa looked at the clear skies and said uncertainly.

"Probably." Gary could not deny it. After all, he had thoroughly enjoyed some Sunbathing.

After stretching toward the sun, Gary reminded Rosa, who was still looking toward Dewford Town in the distance.

"All right, Rosa. Since we're almost at Dewford Town, we should head back to the cabin, pack our luggage, and get ready to disembark."

"Oh, okay."

Rosa nodded after hearing Gary's words.

After replying, she linked her arm through Gary's and returned to their cabin with him.

"So this is Dewford Town? It's amazing!"

After the ship arrived at Dewford Town, Gary and Rosa followed the crowd off the ship and set foot in Dewford Town.

As soon as Rosa disembarked, she took in the warm sunlight, the vast azure sea, the golden sands, and the salty sea breeze drifting past her. She was immediately captivated by the beautiful scenery.

"This really is a perfect vacation spot!"

Looking at the scenery before her and breathing in the salty scent from the sea, Rosa could not help but sigh.

"Then how about we enjoy a nice vacation here as well?" Hearing Rosa's admiration and longing, Gary said with a smile.

"Really?" Rosa, who had been immersed in the scenery, immediately turned around and looked at Gary hopefully.

"But wouldn't that waste time? We still need to challenge the Gyms in the Hoenn Region."

Though Rosa had wanted to stay, she remembered that they still needed to challenge Gyms, and a hesitant look appeared on her face.

Seeing Rosa's tightly furrowed brows, Gary quickly understood her hesitation. He pulled her into his arms, smiled, and kissed her pretty face.

"What are you doing? I was still thinking about whether we should stay for a vacation." Caught off guard by Gary's sudden attack while she was still deeply conflicted, Rosa complained.

"Of course, I'm making the decision for you!" Gary said with a smile.

"A decision? What decision?" Rosa asked curiously.

"The decision to stay for a vacation, of course!" Gary chuckled softly.

"But don't we still need to challenge the Gyms?" Rosa asked with a frown.

"There's still a long time before the Ever Grande Conference begins. We have plenty of time, so there's no need to rush." Gary knew what Rosa was thinking and smiled as he reassured her.

"Really?" Rosa was instantly delighted upon hearing Gary's words.

"Of course." Gary nodded with a smile.

"That's wonderful!" Once she was sure that Gary had decided to stay, Rosa was immediately overjoyed.

After excitedly kissing Gary, she happily ran ahead.

"Sunshine and beaches, here I come!"

Watching Rosa's cheerful retreating figure, Gary touched his cheek, which still held some warmth, and the smile on his lips was clearly visible.

"Hey, Rosa, wait for me!" Coming back to his senses, Gary saw Rosa nearly disappearing from view and hurried after her.