"Because that tower will make the hidden legend wake on its own." As Janine's words fell, the Gym went quiet, with only the faint chime of wind bells drifting in from the backyard.
Lin Hao rested his fingers on the brim of his cap and tugged it down, also blocking the restless bird squirming on top of his head. "Do all you Johto people talk this ominously?"
Janine laughed at his awkward movements. "I'm just giving you a warning. After all, Bell Tower won't be peaceful tonight."
May turned her gaze toward him, staring at the top of Lin Hao's head. "Janine, do you know something about Ho-Oh?"
Lin Hao warned the Ho-Oh in his mind, who was trying to poke its head out, to stay put in System Space and not cause trouble for him now.
"Would you stop asking random questions? Ordinary people aren't that interested in myths."
May rolled her eyes at him in annoyance. "That's clearly not what you said outside just now. You've obviously got something to hide."
Pikachu lay on Lin Hao's shoulder, sweeping its tail across his face now and then as it let out a muffled cry.
"Listen, even Pikachu is sighing. It thinks your excuses are pathetic."
Lin Hao rubbed Pikachu's ears and shot back without missing a beat. "It's clearly praising my literary sensibilities. Stop trying to undermine our pure bond as partners."
Janine walked over to the lounge area and pushed an old wooden plaque engraved with an ancient Ho-Oh design into the middle of the table. Its edges were weathered, and it radiated warmth.
"This is a token passed down by the Tower-Keeping Family. Whenever something unusual happens inside the tower, the plaque heats up."
May reached for the plaque, but recoiled the moment her fingertips touched it,