"Let's check out the area under that glowing tower first. There are lots of people over there, so there should be food stalls."
May nearly choked on her own saliva. She grabbed his collar. "You're going to the Bell Tower just to find food?"
"What else?" Lin Hao slid the last ball off his skewer into his mouth and mumbled, "Isn't eating and drinking the whole point of sightseeing for ordinary people?"
"That's the Bell Tower!" May pointed at the building towering into the clouds, her voice rising despite herself. "The Johto Region's most famous legendary sacred site! They say Ho-Oh once descended there!"
"Oh." Lin Hao slowed his steps, and the baseball cap on his head shifted strangely along with him.
"Pika?" Pikachu raised its head from his shoulder and reached out a paw to poke at his brim.
Lin Hao pressed his cap down, shielding it from May's suspicious gaze. "It's windy. My hat's about to blow off."
May narrowed her eyes suspiciously and leaned closer to study the top of his head. "Did your hat just move on its own?"
"You're seeing things. It was the wind."
"What exactly are you hiding in your hat?"
"My hair, and my brilliant brain."
"Do you think I'm an idiot?"
"Have some faith in yourself. You're actually pretty smart."
"Lin Hao!"
They walked along a stone-paved road hung with bell-shaped lanterns, the aromas of grilled fish and sweet rice wine drifting through the air.
The moment Lin Hao caught the scent, he quickened his pace, only for May to grab his backpack strap from behind.
"Let's check out the tower first."
"Let's buy grilled fish first. If we're late, there'll be a huge line."
"The legend comes first!"
"You can't eat a legend. Two grilled fish, please!"
"Just try buying