Back to Littleroot Town

When Zeno arrived in Lilycove City, he suddenly remembered the things he had promised Sapphire. As for local specialties, Uncle Kam had already helped him buy them yesterday—an entire boxful, which should have been enough.

Zeno also visited the workshop that made Wailmer plushies. Such a huge plushie really was impressive. He had thought it was just a gimmick, but it was actually made to scale. Even Zeno was tempted, but unfortunately, he had no money. Luckily, his senior brother's space backpack was large enough. Otherwise, Zeno would have attracted plenty of attention carrying such a massive plushie around.

The journey back was peaceful. Flying again, Zeno was much calmer this time. Professor Birch knew the two of them were returning today and had specifically arranged for someone to wait at Rustboro City Airport.

"Senior Hiraiwa, so it was you! Have you been waiting long?"

"No, no, I just got here too. Zeno, I really had you to thank last time. Otherwise, I truly would have been too ashamed to remain at the lab." Hiraiwa had never found the chance to properly thank him.

"No need to thank me. Speaking of which, I also had Senior Hiraiwa to thank. Otherwise, I wouldn't have met Teacher."

"That was because you were smart enough, Zeno. If there's ever anything you need help with, just ask!"

"Okay."

Sapphire had been sitting on the steps outside the research lab's entrance, staring into the distance. Professor Birch wanted to say something, but he did not know how to put it. Fortunately, she had not thrown a tantrum when they went out this time. If he scolded her now, she would probably make a fuss again.

"They're back! They're back!"

When Sapphire saw a car heading toward the research lab, she leaped to her feet in excitement. She was very familiar with the lab's vehicles.

The moment Zeno and Gu Yan got out of the car, Sapphire eagerly rushed over to them.

"Junior Brother, where's my present?"

"Don't worry, it's all taken care of. We'll report to Teacher first, then I'll give it to you."

"Okay, but hurry!"

Professor Birch mainly questioned Zeno. After chatting briefly with Gu Yan, he sent him off to rest. Looking over the materials Zeno had brought back, he was very satisfied. They were not flawless, but it was already impressive that Zeno had written them to this standard. He still needed more tempering.

"Not bad. You did very well."

"No, it was all thanks to Senior Brother and Teacher's help. Otherwise, I couldn't have done it."

"My work wasn't completed by me alone either. Many hands make light work. Besides, you're still young. I'm already very satisfied that you managed this much."

"As long as Teacher is satisfied." Receiving the professor's approval once more made Zeno very happy.

"Alright, that's enough. You must be tired after the journey. Leave the materials here and go rest first."

"Teacher, we brought back lots of specialties from Lilycove City. I'll bring them over later, and you can hand them out to everyone."

"Alright. That's very thoughtful of you."

In the courtyard shared by the three of them, Gu Yan had already given the Wailmer plushie to Sapphire. She had been babbling nonstop, so Gu Yan could only indulge her.

"Senior Brother, this Wailmer is so comfortable to lie on! It's soft, and my whole body sinks into it. I'm going to sleep on it tonight."

Seeing how delighted she was, Gu Yan felt a tiny bit envious. He wanted to try it too, but restrained himself. He was already an adult; he could not be as childish as them. If only he had ordered one for himself back then. Sigh! What a miscalculation.

The moment Zeno entered the courtyard, he saw Sapphire lying on the Wailmer plushie and felt that she was far too impatient. At the very least, she should have taken it to her room first. Still, he was tempted by such a huge plushie too. He decided that once he had money, he would not only order a Wailmer one—he would order Snorlax and Wailord ones too.

"Junior Brother, you're finally here! Where are my specialties?"

Hearing footsteps, Sapphire glanced over. The instant she saw Zeno, she hurriedly climbed off the Wailmer plushie.

Seeing how impatient she looked, Zeno could not help smiling. He opened his suitcase and handed her a huge bag.

"Are these all for me?" Sapphire hugged the enormous bag of snacks so tightly that she could barely stand steady, asking excitedly.

"Yeah, they're all yours. Go ahead and take them."

"Hehe, thank you, Junior Brother! I love you to death."

"I'm glad you like them."

"I do, I do! I'm going to hide them all later. Otherwise, if Mom finds them, she'll definitely take them away. Oh, right, what about the Wailmer show? You didn't forget, did you?"

"Don't worry. I'm reliable!"

Zeno took out his Pokédex and showed her the video he had recorded of the performance.

"Wow, so many Wailmer! That's amazing!"

Even around Littleroot Research Lab, Wailmer were rarely seen. These Pokémon generally lived in the deep sea. Professor Birch had studied them before, but they could not adapt to Littleroot Town's environment at all, so they were usually sent away after the research was finished.

"You like Wailmer?"

"Yes, yes, I love them! I'm so jealous of you, Junior Brother. You must be able to see Wailmer often in Lilycove City!"

"There are quite a lot of them, but I've only seen them a few times too."

"That's so nice!"

"It's fine. Travel around more in the future, and you'll get a chance to see them eventually."

"Mm. When I turn ten, I'm going to travel."

"Huh? Can you do that? Will Teacher agree?" Zeno found it hard to believe.

"Hmph, how dare you underestimate me. Once I have Pokémon, I'll teach you a good lesson. Of course my dad supports me! If I weren't still too young, I would have left long ago."

"Alright."

"Oh, right, I have good news for both of you. After all my pestering, my dad agreed that whenever you two go out in the future, I can come along too. So? Surprised?"

Gu Yan's expression changed the moment he heard that. Zeno got a headache; this trip had already been exhausting enough.

"There'll be a next time?"

"Senior Brother, what kind of expression is that? Are you unhappy about taking me with you?" Sapphire stared directly at Gu Yan.

Gu Yan knew the young lady's temper well. He could not make her angry. "No, I just saw a Duskull fly past the window and got startled for a moment. Of course I'm happy that Junior Sister can come with us!"

Gu Yan complained frantically in his heart. Teacher was unbelievable. Didn't he know how troublesome his own daughter was? Since he could not handle her himself, he dumped her on his disciples. What a trap. Of course, he was only complaining a little. When Junior Sister was behaving normally, she was still quite adorable.

"I knew it, hehe. Oh, right, Junior Brother, what did you mean by that earlier?"

"Going out to handle business is tiring. I was planning to stay at the research lab and study properly."

"I really don't know what to do with you. You spend all day with those old fossils at the lab. What's fun about that? You even complain when you get to go out and have fun."

"Haha, Junior Brother, your plan is doomed to fail. Teacher is a real man of action."

"Exactly! My dad often runs around outside. He even has a scar on his butt from where a Poochyena bit him!"

"Really?" Zeno and Gu Yan asked in unison.

"Of course!"

Seeing how interested they were in gossip about her father, Sapphire pulled them over and continued educating them.