Flannery's Evaluation of the Story

On the afternoon of the fourth day, when Xinhai once again led his bright-eyed partners out of Lavaridge Gym, the setting sun was blazing, bathing all of Lavaridge Town in honey-like golden light.

Mt. Chimney stood clearly in the distance, and even the faint clouds of smoke curling around its peak had been dyed a magnificent orange-red.

"Time really flies." Xinhai glanced back at the Gym building, which seemed especially solid in the twilight, and sighed softly.

Just as Xinhai was about to turn and leave, Flannery hurried out of the Gym.

Her fiery red short hair seemed to be truly burning beneath the sunset. As she ran, she kept waving at Xinhai, as though afraid he would get too far away.

"Xinhai! Wait for me!"

Hearing her, Xinhai stopped and turned to look at the slightly breathless Flannery. He could not help smiling. "Flannery, you didn't need to run so urgently. It's not like I'm leaving right away. Besides, you could've just sent me a message through the Pokédex."

"Hehe." Flannery ran up to Xinhai, braced her hands on her knees, and caught her breath twice before straightening up. Her face wore her trademark sunny smile. "It's better to say some things face-to-face! Some things just can't be explained through text!"

Looking at Flannery's slightly flushed cheeks from running and her sparkling eyes, Xinhai helplessly shook his head inwardly, though he only smiled gently on the surface. Why is a girl even more carefree than I am...?

He silently complained to himself, but that straightforwardness was also what made Flannery so endearing.

Flannery seemed not to notice the fleeting helplessness on Xinhai's face at all. She straightened up and looked at him with shining eyes, speaking excitedly.

"Xinhai! I finished reading that story draft you gave me this afternoon!