That morning, Lusamine had gotten up early to make breakfast for everyone. Terapagos woke up, seized its chance, and slipped quietly out of her room.
Meanwhile, Mingyou was searching his room for Terapagos. Turtle liked crawling around by nature, and it was no different at home. He was always dragging Poltchageist and the others off to explore the Ecological Park.
Mingyou checked under the bed, but Turtle was nowhere to be seen. He sighed and stood up. "I hope he hasn't wandered somewhere he shouldn't."
Knock, knock, knock—
A knock came at the door. Ogerpon immediately ran to open it, but there was no one outside. She tilted her head in confusion.
"Mm?"
"Balo~"
"Mm!"
Following the sound, Ogerpon looked down. Terapagos crawled past her feet with a photograph in his mouth. She pouted slightly, shut the door, and picked him up.
"Mm!"
Don't run off like that! Everyone will worry!
Hearing her, Mingyou came over and shook his head, rubbing his forehead. "At least tell us before you go out to play. Hm... What's that photo?"
"Balo~"
"Hm?"
Mingyou took the photograph, his eyebrows lifting. It was a family portrait.
He recognized a younger Lusamine, back when she was still a researcher. She held a blond baby who must have been Lillie, not long after her birth.
Beside Lusamine stood a little boy in overalls, clutching the hem of her skirt. His timid expression suggested he wasn't much of a talker. That had to be Lillie's older brother, Gladion.
Behind the three of them stood a smiling blond man, wearing overalls like Gladion's. Clearly... he was Mohn, Lillie's late father.
Looking at the photo from more than a decade ago, Mingyou realized he hadn't seen any pictures of Mohn in the mansion. Perhaps Lusamine had put them away because