The surprise Ralts brought

Dian immediately turned and walked on. That was close. Far too close. I almost forgot I'm a man destined to become Champion.

But on second thought,

if becoming Champion meant spending his whole life alone, that was rather tragic.

"Big brother, where are we going?"

Mewa tilted her head, ready to act cute at a moment's notice.

"Orthopedics."

Dian answered offhandedly, then used his Capture Styler to go online and check for recent reports of Pokémon running away from home.

As it turned out, there were quite a few.

The most eye-catching was a wealthy lady's post claiming that her dear Snubbull had been lured away by a Meowth that walked on two legs and spoke human language.

Yes, that was a real case. Dian nodded.

Then,

he skipped it.

He wasn't a beat cop. Other people's love stories weren't his business.

Besides, he was rather curious whether a cat and a dog could develop a pure friendship.

"Sootopolis City?"

Mewa nodded, rummaged through her shoulder bag, and finally pulled out a little notebook. "Sootopolis City, the city where the people of Sootopolis live."

"Mis?"

Misdreavus floated over curiously and examined the booklet in her hands with great interest.

"Ahm!"

Ralts remained utterly absorbed in the daifuku in her hands. This was already the third one Dian had seen her eat today. No wonder her Trainer called her fat.

"Ralts, where's your home?"

Dian started scouting things out, just in case.

"Ralts, pink, room."

Ralts was blissfully immersed in a life filled with daifuku.

Dian nodded. Good, at least she hadn't answered, "I forgot."

Still, a pink room probably meant her owner was a girl.

No,

it could also be a cross-dressing guy.

Dian's steps paused for a moment before he continued as though nothing had happened.

Only heaven knew