A Mediterranean climate supposedly meant hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters.
But even with the warm sun supplying heat, Paldea was still a little chilly once winter arrived.
On the ride back to the Sunshine Gym aboard Miraidon, Qingyu turned to look at Cynthia.
Although she still looked a little younger, she already dressed just like the Cynthia he remembered, always wearing a thick black trench coat.
"Are you cold?"
"Not really."
Cynthia smiled faintly.
"The last time I visited, the Sunshine Gym didn't have this motorcycle-like Pokémon, did it?"
"Is it a Cyclizar from the Paldea Region? I've heard there's a riding Pokémon here called Cyclizar."
"Graow..."
At the mention of Cyclizar, Miraidon immediately gave a disgruntled grunt.
"No, this is Miraidon."
Qingyu reached out and patted the temperamental motorcycle.
Even though Miraidon had completely given up on trying and no longer looked remotely majestic, being mistaken for a Cyclizar still rubbed Miraidon the wrong way?
You little rascal, Miraidon...
"It's a long story. Anyway, this one is a member of our Sunshine Gym now, too."
"I see."
Cynthia nodded without pressing him further about Miraidon's origins.
Looks like this Pokémon has quite a story.
Before becoming a Champion, Cynthia had first been a scholar.
That was why she could clearly sense that this being called Miraidon was anything but ordinary.
But if Qingyu wasn't telling her, he surely had his reasons.
Besides, it looked like they had been getting along pretty well.
Noticing Qingyu's little gesture of reaching out to soothe Miraidon, Cynthia smiled.
Without her even realizing it, Qingyu had gradually become more dependable while living alone in Paldea.
When they returned to the Sunshine Gym, Eevee and Riolu were eating breakfast in the lobby.
"Vee!"
"Rio!"
The instant they spotted Cynthia, delight lit up