After arranging a time with Professor Oak, Chen Shi flopped straight onto his bed and fell fast asleep.
Leafeon and Togetic needed no prompting. After eating early that morning, they had gone to the backyard to train, leaving the room empty.
So he slept all the way until evening, when Togetic returned and woke him.
"Toge?"
Togetic looked at her Trainer with some concern. She knew he had stayed awake all night.
"I'm fine, b-but I'm really hungry now, so I'm heading downstairs. Go have some fun!"
"Toge~"
Chen Shi rubbed Togetic's head, then turned and headed downstairs.
He hadn't eaten since last night, and his stomach had long since begun protesting.
In the downstairs living room, Grandma Chen felt a little relieved when she saw her grandson come down and hurriedly called out.
"Gardevoir, quick, bring out the food I prepared."
"Garde~"
Gardevoir vanished with a Teleport.
A moment later, she returned with several dishes, a plate of roast meat, and rice floating around her.
Chen Shi wasted no time. He sat down and dug in. He really was starving.
Grandpa Chen sat silently beside him. Ever since his grandson had said he was a researcher, the old man had been keeping an eye on the Researcher Forum.
He knew about what had happened that morning, too, so he said nothing and simply sat quietly nearby.
After shoveling down a few mouthfuls of rice, Chen Shi said, "Grandpa, Grandma, I'm planning to go to Kanto. It might be a while before I come back."
Grandma Chen's heart sank. Why was he going away again?
He had only returned yesterday and already seemed like a different person. Now he wanted to leave again. What would they do if something else happened?
Grandma Chen had wanted to gently refuse, but