Dawn froze. So did Akari. They had seen photos of each other before, but meeting in person felt like looking into a mirror.
"So they finally met..."
Mingyou muttered under his breath. At last, he had a chance to compare them side by side.
"Pon..."
Ogerpon stared at Akari and Dawn in confusion. Were these two sisters?
She wasn't alone. The other Pokémon were just as confused. Many Pokémon already had trouble telling humans apart, and these two looked practically identical.
As the two gazed at each other, a strange silence settled over them. Fortunately, Shali broke it. She took out her camera and smiled. "I only just realized how much you two look like sisters. Want a photo?"
"Maybe later."
Akari gently shook her head and looked away. Perhaps she and Dawn really were related by blood, but that didn't matter now.
They already knew each other. After the Sinnoh League's Lily of the Valley Conference, they had exchanged contact details through Mingyou and chatted online.
Both were usually busy with their own affairs, though, so they had spoken less often lately.
Dawn recovered from her surprise and greeted Akari with a cheerful wave. "Akari! I finally get to meet you in person!"
"Yeah. I didn't expect we'd meet here."
Akari smiled back. She was a little more mature and composed than Dawn, being a few years older and having been through so much. Still, Dawn's bright, outgoing nature was endearing.
Hearing that, Mingyou turned to Shali curiously. "So when you said you were picking someone up at the airport, you meant Dawn?"
"Yep. She's back from Nimbasa City and plans to take part in the Junior Cup."
"Same as us, then..."
They chatted while loading all the luggage into the car. Eager to talk with Akari, Dawn banished