Cynthia's home, Celestic Town.
When Roland and Professor Carolina finished their work for the day and returned home,
the little courtyard was a picture of harmony, with Diancie, Shaymin, and Glaceon chasing one another around.
Roserade was carefully watering the flowers, which were blooming a little more vividly today.
That was because Shaymin was in a wonderful mood, and running around the courtyard naturally influenced the flowers.
Metagross had closed its eyes and was pretending to be a statue, taking an out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach.
Lucario sat on the ground, quietly meditating as though nothing else existed.
Zeraora stood on the courtyard wall, gazing into the distance and playing the silent expert.
Garchomp, who normally trained hard, was instead hugging a strange stone plate and licking it nonstop.
Professor Carolina adjusted her glasses, looking slightly bewildered. "What's going on here?"
Surely Cynthia hadn't neglected Garchomp's meals to the point that Garchomp had resorted to eating rocks.
Since they had only obtained the three plates at the Solaceon Ruins yesterday,
Cynthia hadn't yet had a chance to explain things to Professor Carolina.
"I don't know either."
Still, anything Garchomp clung to so fondly was probably no ordinary object.
Unable to make sense of it right away, Professor Carolina and Roland didn't bother puzzling over it any further.
They could just ask Cynthia.
The open kitchen was directly opposite the front entrance.
So when Roland loudly announced that she was home, she caught Li Wei tying Cynthia's hair into a ponytail.
Roland planted her hands on her hips, looking indignant.
"If you two are cooking, just cook! Could you stop showing off your relationship?"
Li Wei met Roland's gaze without batting an eye and shrugged. How is that my fault?
He simply wanted to tie Cynthia's hair back.
Otherwise, if a golden strand