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Cynthia had asked several questions, and the boy had answered them all. Although they were simple, that was relative, and her interest in him grew. "Are you one of this year's rookie trainers?"
"Yes, Lady Cynthia!" The boy straightened solemnly. "My name is Max, and I'm from Petalburg City in the Hoenn Region. Two weeks ago, I received my starter Pokémon and Pokédex from Professor Birch in Littleroot Town!"
"So it's you, Max! I was wondering why you looked so familiar. You've grown so much in just a few years! Do you remember me?" Hearing the boy's introduction, Liu Qing finally realized who he was. He gave his forehead a rueful pat. He never would have thought that a few years would be enough for him to forget the boy he had met while challenging his first Gym during his travels through Hoenn.
"Mr. Liu Qing?!" Max's face lit up with delight, only to flush bright red a moment later. In a voice barely louder than a mosquito's buzz, he said, "I'm sorry. I didn't notice you were here too..."
"Uh..." Taken aback, Liu Qing turned to Cynthia, who was watching him curiously, and said helplessly, "Nana, it looks like your charm wins out. I'm standing right here, a whole living, breathing person, and he still managed to overlook me!"
"Mr. Liu Qing, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to... no, it's just that Lady Cynthia is here too... that's not right either... oh, I don't even know how to explain!" Max hurried to explain himself. Over the past few years, he had kept up with recordings of Liu Qing's battles and deeply admired his strength. But Liu Qing had yet to claim the throne of a regional Champion, so beside the dazzling Cynthia, he naturally seemed overshadowed.
"All