Cynthia couldn't have been happier. She just hoped Misty and Jessie would hurry back.
She couldn't wait to let the poor girls taste her cooking.
Misty and Jessie, meanwhile, were having a much worse time. They watched the clock tick forward, little by little.
With every tick, their hearts sank a little further.
Neither of them wanted to go to Xu Mu's house.
The thought of Cynthia's cooking waiting there had even dampened their enthusiasm for the Pokémon Contest.
They looked at each other.
An endless sadness passed between them.
Just then, someone knocked on the door, and a voice called from outside:
"Miss Jessie, Miss Misty, it's time to leave!"
Misty and Jessie clung to each other.
They trembled all over. The thing they had dreaded most was finally happening.
Then they steeled themselves. There was no escaping it.
They were doomed either way, so they stood and headed for the door.
They marched out with the air of soldiers going to their deaths.
Meanwhile, Cynthia was waiting eagerly for them to arrive.
As she waited, her phone rang. She checked it and saw that Kale was calling.
She answered at once.
"Father, did something happen?"
Kale, who had been missing Cynthia terribly, froze at her words.
What, do I need a reason to call my own daughter?
That daughter of mine. Xu Mu, that ungrateful brat, has rubbed off on her.
He cleared his throat and said:
"Cynthia, Misty and Jessie have left. They should reach you soon!"
Cynthia lit up. She gave a delighted cheer and said loudly:
"Really? That's wonderful! I'll start cooking right now!"
With that, she hung up and ran toward the kitchen.
Hearing the dial tone, Kale couldn't help thinking:
She's all grown up and doesn't need her father anymore!
She hadn't seen