After finishing the last piece of steak, Xinhai lifted his cup and took a sip of hot black tea. Leaning back in his chair, he let out a long breath.
"Full at last. That felt good."
Just as he was about to sit a while longer, a tall, slender figure stopped beside the table.
"Mr. Bai Mu."
The voice was cool and steady, carrying a distinctive texture.
Xinhai looked up and saw a face almost identical to Disco's.
Moska Dicolic.
"Mr. Moska." Xinhai nodded slightly, setting down his cup and sitting upright. "Aren't you dancing with your partner?"
Moska gave a slight shake of his head. His gaze swept over the Pokémon beside Xinhai, and a glimmer flashed in his eyes.
"I'm not particularly interested in dancing." His voice remained cool, though he spoke a little faster than before. His gaze settled on Gardevoir and the Axew in her arms. "I said earlier that I wanted to talk with you, so I came over while there was time."
Xinhai smiled at that and shifted aside, making room next to him.
"Please, sit."
Without standing on ceremony, Moska took the chair beside Xinhai.
Once seated, his gaze fell upon Gardevoir.
"Your Gardevoir... has truly been raised very well." His voice remained cool, but there was a note of sincere admiration in it.
"This Shiny Axew is also excellent. However, judging from its build, it must have gone through a period of malnutrition when it was young. But there's no trace of it now."
Xinhai was immediately somewhat surprised. Looking at him, he smiled and said, "Mr. Moska, you really know your Pokémon training! You could even tell that?"
Moska shook his head slightly, moving his gaze from Axew to Xinhai's face.
"I wouldn't call it expertise. It's simply an interest." His