Hearing Carbink say she could not complete her final mutation, Chen Shi was puzzled and was just about to ask why.
But suddenly, footsteps sounded outside the abandoned inn.
Chen Shi narrowed his eyes slightly and turned to look.
The inn had long been abandoned, and normally no one ever came here.
So who was coming now?
Did those Pokémon Hunters have accomplices?
Swampert and the others all turned toward the inn's entrance, ready for battle.
"Shi, big sister Cynthia's back!"
Just as the atmosphere grew tense, Jirachi suddenly spoke.
Chen Shi froze. It wasn't a Pokémon Hunter, but Cynthia?
Hadn't Cynthia already gone back to the hotel?
Why had she come back?
While he was still puzzling over it, Cynthia's tall, familiar figure slowly came into view.
Her steps were light, her expression as composed as ever.
"Why did you come back?" Chen Shi asked in confusion.
"What, am I not welcome?" Cynthia raised an eyebrow, her tone calm.
Then, without another word, she tossed a backpack straight to him.
Chen Shi caught his backpack, his mind full of questions.
"I'm staying here with you tonight." Cynthia folded her arms, her tone leaving no room for argument.
When Chen Shi failed to reply, she continued, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and pitch the tent."
Chen Shi was silent for a while before muttering under his breath.
"Such a tsundere!"
"What did you say?"
"N-nothing."
"Then why aren't you pitching the tent?"
"Right, sure! I'll do it now!"
With that, Chen Shi reached into his backpack, rummaged around for a moment, and took out the tent.
His movements were quick and practiced as he handled its various components. Before long, a sturdy, spacious tent stood firmly in the open space inside the abandoned inn.
Then Chen Shi