Celestic Town, Sinnoh Region.
Outside a villa near the Historical Research Institute.
Cynthia led Chen Shi to the door, opened it, and went inside with him.
Once inside, Chen Shi saw that none of the lights were on and immediately sighed in relief.
Grandmother Carolina was probably still at the institute and hadn't come home yet.
Then Chen Shi made himself completely at home. He let Diancie and the others out, casually poured himself a glass of water, and plopped down on the couch.
He used to come here all the time. He had even lived here for a while.
Cynthia gave him a sidelong glance. "You certainly aren't shy."
"Oh, come on," Chen Shi said breezily. "With how close we are, why would I stand on ceremony?"
"Oh? And just how close are you two?"
Right after Chen Shi finished speaking, an amused voice suddenly came from upstairs.
Cynthia looked up and saw a woman in a white lab coat, her face lined with wrinkles, leaning against the banister.
Who else could it be but her grandmother?
Cynthia said nothing, simply folding her arms and watching Chen Shi with a teasing look.
Weren't you acting all tough before we got here?
Let's see how you handle this now.
On the couch, Chen Shi fell silent for two seconds after hearing Grandmother Carolina's voice, then forced a smile and turned around.
"Oh, Grandmother Carolina! It's been so long. You look even younger than before."
"Mmm."
Doctor Carolina nodded upstairs, humming through her nose, then said pointedly,
"I hear you've been having quite a comfortable time lately. You've traveled all over the regions and even met plenty of Legendary Pokémon."
Chen Shi laughed awkwardly. "No, no, I was just wandering around. I only met a few extraordinary beings because I got