Melemele Island, Hau'oli City.
At the Pokémon School,
sunlight filtered through enormous leaves, spilling over the open-air classrooms and playground.
Ash, who had only just arrived, looked around with curiosity and excitement at this new environment, so different from both Kanto and Sinnoh.
At the invitation of Professor Kukui and Principal Samson Oak,
Li Wei would be working as a teacher at the Pokémon School for a while.
The commotion Li Wei caused was brief, and he soon followed Professor Kukui to the Principal's Office.
Meanwhile, Ash began wandering around the Pokémon School.
Blue had sent Ash straight here to take Li Wei's classes for a while.
While Li Wei was heading to Principal Oak's office,
Ash, who had been knocked into by a Tauros, met a strange new friend.
"Are you scared of Pokémon?"
Not only the approaching Tauros, but even Ash's Pikachu
seemed to frighten the doll-like girl in the dress standing before him.
"I'm not scared! I really like Pokémon!"
The platinum-haired girl initially sounded perfectly confident,
but as she spoke, her confidence began to falter...
Because Lillie really was scared!
"In theory, as long as I want to touch them..."
Mallow climbed down from Tauros's back, apologizing.
"Sorry, sorry! We just couldn't stop!"
Tell that to my Tauros!
"It's okay! I'm sure you'll overcome it and be able to touch Pokémon someday!"
Although they had only met that day, the naturally friendly Ash nodded firmly.
"That's right! I know Old Lady Jade from Windswept City. At first, she really hated having Pokémon come near her, too..."
And now Old Lady Jade had completely changed her tune!
Old Lady Jade had already taken in a whole group of Pokémon, led by Totodile.
After all, she had never truly hated Pokémon.
She had been overcome with guilt after