Have You Heard the Story of the Ogre?

When Akari suddenly spoke up, Mingyou tensed and shot her a look, warning her not to say anything.

He had already slipped Ogerpon's Poké Ball into his hand, ready to seize a chance to recall her before anyone else saw her.

But Carmine looked at Akari and asked, "Is there something up in the tree?"

"Uh..."

Akari had been about to say she had seen a strange Pokémon in the tree.

But she caught Mingyou's expression and understood at once. Smiling, she replied, "Oh, I just saw a gust of wind blow down a mask someone left up there."

"I see..."

With nothing unusual to look at, the others lost interest. Only Kieran seemed unconvinced and still wanted to come over for a look.

But then...

"Hey! You have to pay for those!"

A shout rang out nearby. Everyone, Kieran included, turned to see Munchlax at the stall across the way, snatching several freshly made Candied Grape Skewers.

Mingyou seized the moment to recall Ogerpon from the tree. Akari still caught the little movement out of the corner of her eye, and their eyes met awkwardly. But she said nothing, pretending she hadn't seen a thing.

"..."

Mingyou hurried over, grabbed Munchlax by the ear, then returned to pay the stall owner and apologize for the stolen skewers.

"I told you to keep an eye on your Pokémon."

Lana couldn't resist one more remark. Seeing that nothing else was happening, she said goodbye to Professor Kukui and pulled Mallow along to the Shrine to find their other friends.

"Haha..."

Mingyou laughed awkwardly and breathed a sigh of relief. It had all been an act. Munchlax had run off to draw everyone's attention on purpose; he was quick on his feet and quicker in the head.

If he had really wanted to steal food, he would have snuck away when Mingyou wasn't looking. He would never have done it so openly, especially when there were plenty of apples at their own stall that he could eat whenever he liked.

"Munch!"

Munchlax happily munched on a Candied Grape Skewer. It tasted great. He should have grabbed more—Mingyou would have paid for them anyway...

Kieran glanced up at the tree. There was nothing there now. He looked at the mask in Mingyou's hand, then at Akari, but said nothing and quietly returned to Carmine's side.

Professor Kukui looked away too and walked up to Mingyou's stall. "I'll take these apples. I was going to find somewhere to rest, but now I can pass the time with these."

"Okay!"

Mingyou happily packed up the apples. In case Professor Kukui couldn't tell them apart, he stuck a label on each one showing which move it corresponded to.

After taking the apples, Professor Kukui said, "I'll be off, then. Oh, and here's my contact information. Let me know if you have any new kinds of fruit to sell."

"Will do!"

After watching Professor Kukui leave, Mingyou found things much quieter. He tapped his forehead and looked at Carmine and Kieran. "Aren't you two leaving? Or do you want to buy some apples?"

"As if!"

Carmine snapped back, as was her way. Beside her, though, Kieran was staring at the Ogre Mask in Mingyou's hand. Looking a little nervous, he asked softly, "Could I see that mask?"

"Huh?"

Mingyou paused. Carmine turned to her younger brother in confusion. "Don't you have an Ogre Mask at home? Haven't you worn it enough? I don't know what you like so much about the ogre!"

"..."

After that scolding from his sister, Kieran lowered his head and fell silent again. Mingyou sighed softly. "Sorry, I want to take a closer look at it myself. I've never seen a mask this cool before."

"What's there to look at?"

Carmine couldn't understand what either of them was thinking. Then she remembered that Mingyou seemed to be from somewhere else. "Wait, you don't know what that mask is? And you think it's cool?"

"Is there a story behind it?"

The question instantly piqued Carmine's interest. She smiled. "Have you heard the story of the Demon of Kitakami? Lis—oh, you haven't? Then listen carefully!"

"Many years ago, the Demon attacked Kitakami. Three Pokémon that had come from far away saved the villagers, who otherwise would have died that night."

"The three Pokémon fought with everything they had, weakening the Demon and driving it into Oni Mountain so it could do no more harm. But they died from their wounds..."

"To honor their bravery, the villagers built Loyalty Plaza and affectionately named them the Loyal Three. They added masks of the Loyal Three, too, and even hold the Ogre-Exorcism Festival during the all-important Festival of Masks!"

Carmine recounted the centuries-old legend of Kitakami. The Ogre Mask represented the Demon the Loyal Three had given their lives to drive away.

At the Ogre-Exorcism Festival, people attacked Air Balloons bearing the Ogre Mask's design. The more they defeated within the time limit, the better the prizes. Plenty of people tried it every year; it was one of Kitakami's liveliest events.

"They just don't understand anything..."

Kieran muttered his objection so quietly it was almost inaudible. He stole a glance at Mingyou, a faint smile on his face. He seemed pleased that Mingyou had called the Ogre Mask cool.

Mingyou's expression remained calm after hearing the story, but how could he fail to realize it? The Demon in the tale was Ogerpon.

Ogerpon was so sweet and considerate. How could she possibly have gone around Kitakami attacking and robbing people?

No wonder she was so afraid of the people of Kitakami and disliked them so much. They treated her like this every day and had even created the Ogre-Exorcism Festival. Who could bear that?

He kept his expression calm only because he didn't want anyone to notice anything was wrong. Besides...

Mingyou's gaze shifted. Akari was still sneaking glances at him. Do you like looking at me that much? I know I'm good-looking, but stop staring. Didn't you need to talk to those two? Go talk to them!

Fortunately, Carmine finally noticed Akari was there. "What did you need us for again?"

"The administrator asked if you could show the other students from your school around Verdant Town. Blueberry Academy is taking part in Summer Camp, and you two are students there."

"Tch... What a pain. Come on."

Carmine took Kieran and left Kitakami Center. Akari stayed behind; she wasn't a student but a Summer Camp staff member whose job was to help the students.

In the blink of an eye, only the two of them remained. Akari smiled and waved. "We meet again."

"Yeah. Small world..."

Mingyou answered and noticed that Wyrdeer had woken up. He looked back at Akari and said helplessly, "Thanks for earlier."

"But lying isn't good, you know. Honestly... You even made me lie to cover for you. Good thing I caught on quickly instead of asking you what was going on."

"Haha..."

Mingyou laughed awkwardly. He really was grateful that she had covered for him.

Akari sighed softly, then asked, "That was your Pokémon in the tree, wasn't it? I didn't get a clear look at her."

"That's right."

Mingyou nodded. Akari could tell there was something he didn't want to talk about, so she didn't press him. "Consider it thanks for yesterday. I'll leave you to your work."

"Sure. Take care."

Only after Akari left did Mingyou finally let out a long breath. He had to admit she was impressive and knew how to handle people. She was nothing like the thoughtless Carmine.

And the two of them seemed to be friends. Even with Akari around, Carmine still acted like that. She hadn't picked up a single good habit from her.

"Honestly..."

Mingyou took out Ogerpon's Poké Ball and looked at it. She had said she didn't want to come, yet she had secretly followed him anyway, wanting to stay by his side.

"...Come on. Let's pack up and go home!"