After riding for about ten minutes, a white three-story building came into Xinhai's view.
The building's exterior walls were a clean off-white, and its roof was the deep-blue sloped style common in the Hoenn Region. Above the main entrance hung the Pokémon Center emblem—a red Poké Ball that gleamed warmly in the sunlight.
The plaza outside was not large, but it was clean and tidy, with several neatly trimmed shrubs lining the path.
A Skitty was crouched on the steps, licking their paw. Seeing Xinhai ride over, they tilted their head before continuing to groom their fur.
Xinhai parked his bicycle, folded it up and put it back into his backpack, then pushed open the glass doors and walked inside.
A blast of cool air-conditioning met him head-on, dispersing the humid heat brought in by the sea breeze.
There were not many people in the lobby. Behind the reception desk stood a Nurse Joy, just like every Nurse Joy Xinhai had met before—short pink hair, gentle features, and that signature warm smile.
A Chansey stood beside her on tiptoe, organizing the file rack behind them.
Hearing the door open, Nurse Joy looked up, her gaze settling on Xinhai. "Welcome to the Pokémon Center. How may I help you?"
Xinhai walked up to the counter and removed ten Poké Balls from his waist, placing them on the countertop along with his Pokédex. "Hello. Sorry for the trouble, but please give my Pokémon a full recovery treatment and book me a room."
Nurse Joy's gaze swept over the neatly arranged Poké Balls. A trace of professional composure flickered in her eyes, but she showed no surprise. "Certainly. Please wait a moment."
She skillfully operated the terminal, entered the information, then took a room keycard from the cabinet behind her.
"A full recovery