Outside the window, the sky gradually darkened, while the lights inside stretched the family's shadows into something warm and soft.
The Pokémon match highlights on TV had ended at some point, replaced by the evening news. The volume remained low, like a comforting layer of background sound.
After dinner, Xinhai helped his mother clear the dishes, then settled each of his partners in.
As usual, Eevee jumped onto Xinhai's lap and curled into a fluffy ball, its large brown eyes half-closed as a faint purr rumbled from its throat.
His father, Yantai Bai Mu, leaned back on the sofa reading. Every so often, he looked up at the Pokémon filling the room, his gaze carrying a quiet, contented warmth.
His mother, Nami, emerged from the kitchen carrying a plate of sliced fruit. She set it on the coffee table and beckoned Xinhai over.
Xinhai walked over, took a bite of apple, and sat beside his mother.
"How long can you stay home this time?" Nami pushed the fruit plate a little closer to him. Her tone was casual, but concern hid in her eyes.
"After the New Year, probably another five days or so." Xinhai swallowed the apple in his mouth.
"After that, I'll be going to the major Gyms for cross-Gym special training, staying two weeks at each one. Once the training is over, I'll have to prepare for the Ever Grande Conference."
"The Ever Grande Conference..." Nami softly repeated the name, a trace of sentiment in her eyes. "Time really flies. It feels like just yesterday that you were carrying a backpack to school, and now you're about to compete in the Ever Grande Conference."
"Mom—" Xinhai smiled awkwardly.
"All right, all right, I'll stop." Nami smiled and waved a hand, then picked up another apple slice and